Tongues A Pentecostal Sign Of Rebirth Or Is It

As the Pentecostal movement often claims the gift of Tongues and sometimes even that it is a sign of being born again, then this subject is worthy of study as countless numbers have been allured to this movement through their entertaining services and the signs which they profess proves the workings of God in their lives.

Firstly, perhaps we should place “tongues” in its rightful position being the least of all the gifts of the Holy Spirit and all of these gifts rate far below the “fruit” of the Holy Spirit of which the greatest is love.

“And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.” 1 Corinthians 12:28-31

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” Galatians 5:22

Secondly, simply because a person does not speak in “tongues” does not suggest they do not have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, this gift as is any gift of the Holy Spirit is given to whom the Lord chooses, not necessarily everyone.

“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us,…” Romans 12:6

“To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:” 1 Corinthians 12:10

In fact, the Word of God instructs us to desire the best gifts, not “tongues” which is last on the list. The reason for his is that without the “fruits” of the Holy Spirit, gifts such as “tongues” are useless.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” 1 Corinthians 13:1

Thirdly, “tongues” may not be given to all depending on their spiritual maturity, consider that on the Day of Pentecost the Church was but a new born baby.

“Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” 1 Corinthians 13:8

Now as the Body of Christ has matured, these childish things are only for those who are still immature in their walk with Christ.

Forthly, “Tongues”, as are any gifts of the Holy Spirit, is for the edification of the Church, it is not something intended for personal gratification or as a prideful show for others.

“Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:12

This is why we are to seek after the greater gifts,

“But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.” 1 Corinthians 14:3-5

“Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? 17For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.” 1 Corinthians 14:13-19

Fifth, if this edification is not achieved because there is no interpreter, then we are also instructed to keep silent in Church, further highlighting its purpose.

“But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.” 1 Corinthians 14:28

Another reason an interpreter is necessary is to establish what, if anything, is actually being said because it requires 2 or 3 witnesses, without this we could be speaking mindless dribble, praying to Satan through a counterfeit or any other possibility.

“This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” 2 Corinthians 13:1

In a sense, the gift of “tongues” does not work solely through one individual, it works through 2 or maybe 3 different people at the same time, one as the person speaking, the other/s as the interpreters, all for the general edification of all present.

Yes, we can privately pray in “tongues” as Paul said, “…let him speak to himself, and to God.” (1 Corinthians 14:28), this is certainly permissible if we believe we have this gift, but to what purpose, if there is no interpreter. Bear in mind Paul also said, “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.” (1 Corinthians 14:14). In the overall message, the Apostle seems to be telling us that this type of prayer should be completed by understanding.

To emphasis this he said the following, not solely referring to the teaching of others, but also mentioning with his own understanding.

“I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.” 1 Corinthians 14:18-19

“Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?” 1 Corinthians 14:6

“So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.” 1 Corinthians 14:9

“Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.” 1 Corinthians 14:11

“Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? 17For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.” 1 Corinthians 14:16-17

Sixth, “Tongues” is for unbelievers, as opposed to the greater gift of prophesy, which is for believers. This is explained in 1 Corinthians 14:21-25. This seems to have caused much confusion however if we break this verses down and study them individually the message appears very clear.

“In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 14:21

Verse 21 states that the Lord had already prophetically revealed that there would be some who would speak in foreign languages not known to them.

“Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.” 1 Corinthians 14:22

Verse 22 categorically states that these foreign “tongues” spoken of in the previous verse are a sign for those who do not believe as opposed to believers. It then adds that it is prophecy that is for those that do believe.

“If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?” 1 Corinthians 14:23

Verse 23 says that if the “unlearned” or an “unbeliever” was to witness all speaking in “tongues” then they would think Christians to be “mad”.

However, when we remember that these verses are said in the context of the surrounding verses, which give instructions that an interpreter must be present and that those who speak in “tongues” should do so one at a time and in for the purpose of edification, which has already been defined as being done through interpretation in the Church.

If we then compare this to our primary biblical example, being the Day of Pentecost we read that although those present that witnessed the event had people there to interpret for them as they heard their native languages being spoken, many still disbelieved and thought the disciples full of new wine.

“But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:” 1 Corinthians 14:24

Verse 24 then speaks again of prophesy and that if an “unbeliever” or someone that was “unlearned” was to hear he will be “convinced” and verse 25 tells us why,

“And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.” 1 Corinthians 14:25

When they hear some speaking of their secrets and believe, being things that only God could know, they will be humbled before the Lord. Thus prophesy is a sign for believers.

The last point is whether “tongues” is a language of men or a secret language of God.

This is not a new issue, amongst some of the pagan religions and even a few of the Christian based cults of the early years many spoke an unknown type of language to their false deity.

Today the principal argument in support of “tongues” being this type of secret language seems to be the following verse,

“For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.” 1 Corinthians 14:2

It is argued that this states that the language in question is unknown to men, but is known to God, however this is not what is stated.

When read in the context of the whole chapter it is referring to when interpretation is not present because without this there is no understanding resulting in no edification. One obvious example is verse 5.

“I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.” 1 Corinthians 14:5

In the overall context, 1 Corinthians 14:2 then reads,

“For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men…”, that is because he is not speaking to men as they don’t know what he is saying.

“…but unto God…”, because only the Lord understands, regardless of what language, for He knows all the languages of the world and requires no interpreter for He is God, Lord and Creator.

“…for no man understandeth him;..”, because there is no one to interpret and the language is foreign to the others present.

“…howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.” because the spirit within the speaker knows what is being said, it is only their carnal mind that requires interpretation as does those others that may be present.

Another main defense for this belief is the previously mentioned verse,

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” 1 Corinthians 13:1

This is sometimes used to speak of a spiritual language known to angels, however this speaks not of an audible language we hear with our ears, but a tongue we perceive with our minds. In this, Paul is saying he speaks the same message as the angels, not that he can enter into the minds of his listeners.

In regards to this, in every scripture where an angel spoke either in a dream, a vision or when they manifested before men, they always spoke in the known language of the hearer. In fact, there is no scriptural example of an angel ever speaking in a secret language.

Even Balaam’s donkey spoke in a language known to his owner, not some spiritual secret “tongue”, simply because it would have been pointless because if such a language existed, then Balaam would not have understood the message.

Consider also the following verses,

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:8-9

Here we clearly are told that if either the apostles or even angels preach something other than what was originally preached, then let them be accursed, he even repeated himself to highlight this message.

Thus, we know that in regards to honestly and accurately speaking God’s Truths, both men and angels speak the same.

As a final thought, if someone was to put forward a teaching that has absolutely no scriptural precedent whatsoever. Let us also say it has many verses speaking against it and many more giving an opposing view. In addition, it contradicts how all the early Church was inspired by the Holy Spirit to interpret the idea, nor does it match the literal definitions of the words used in their original language and context. If all of these were the case then would someone claiming to be a Christian accept it?

If the answer is yes, then we would have to ask, based on what, because such a belief would conflict with the Holy Spirit inspired Word of God and it would conflict with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit within those of whom the Word of God testifies were in fact inspired by that same Holy Spirit. Also, acceptance of such a belief would contradict the very language of the men that the Lord used to record these things for us and doing so contradicts even common sense.

Alternatively, if the answer is no, as any reasonable person would say. Then after prayerful consideration of the facts, the belief in the secret “tongues” doctrine would be immediately rejected, because it is an example of this very thing.

Peace and Love to all.

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