Biblical Tongues

The modern day Charismatic movement is going at full force. Flip the television or the radio on one of these Charismatic stations and you'll quickly here a bunch of gibberish which the speaker claims to be Biblical tongues. But is it? What does the Bible say about speaking in tongues?

Try the spirits

Charismatics and Pentecostals alike enjoy talking about "The initial evidence of the Holy Ghost," which they say is speaking in tongues. But, is the spirit that is causing them to speak in tongues Holy? The Bible tells us to try the spirits:

1 Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Co 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

2 Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

The Bible clearly teaches that it is possible for a born again child of God to receive a spirit other than the Holy Ghost. But, most Christians, being ignorant of this, believe anytime one comes in contact with the spirit world and have a spiritual feeling or experience it must be from God. This type of theology is not only wrong but dangerous. Could it be that the spirit leading the Charismatic movement is evil and/or unclean?

Tongues are for a sign to confirm the word

Speaking in tongues was one of the signs used to show that what the early Christians preached was the word of God. As the Pauline epistles and the rest of the New Testament began to be circulated and compiled these "signs" began to fade out until they were no longer needed. We now have the completed word of God and the signs are no longer needed.

1 Co 14:22 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.

Mark 16:15-20:

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen."

As you can see, tongues weren't the only sign given to the apostles to confirm the word. They could handle snakes, drink poison and heal the sick. Thus, you now have snake handlers found throughout Kentucky and West Virginia (among other places) and men like Benny Hinn going around the country knocking people in there heads and claiming miracles (2Co 11:13 "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ."). Although I've seen Benny on TV "heal" people and speak in "unknown tongues" I have yet to see him drink a bottle of "Clorox Bleach." Why is that? I'll give you two guesses?

The Bible shows through Paul's ministry, that as the New Testament began to be completed, he could not heal the sick (Phi 2;26-27; 2 Tim 4:20 ; 1 Tim 5:23).

Jews require a sign

1 Co 1:22 "For the Jews require a sign , and the Greeks seek after wisdom." The Jewish nation began with God showing them signs in Exodus 4 with Moses. Remember, "tongues are for a sign" (1 Cor 14:22).

Jesus never spoke in tongues

The only place that could even be considered would be the few instances where the Bible records where Jesus spoke in the Aramaic language (Matt 27:46), and he also spoke in Hebrew (Acts 26:14). But these would not be examples of tongues as found in Acts 2, 10, and 19 because Christ was firstly God, who knows all languages, and he was also a Jew, which would explain why he could speak Aramaic.

Instances where tongues are spoken

In Acts 2, the Bible records Jews and Jewish proselytes which came to Jerusalem at Pentecost. They heard the word of God as the Apostles spoke with tongues and preached to them IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE (Acts 2:8) . They were amazed that such a gift was given to the Gentiles, which ultimately led to there repentance (THE JEWS REQUIRE A SIGN 1Cor 1:22 ).

Acts 2:7-8 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

In Acts 10 the Jews that went with Peter to preach to the Gentiles knew that God had accepted these Gentiles because they spoke in tongues (THE JEWS REQUIRE A SIGN 1Cor 1:22 ).

Act 10:45-46 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

In Acts 19 some people received the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues. There was a Jewish synagogue in the area (Acts 19:8).

Rules for speaking in tongues

1. "Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not" (1 Cor 14:22).

2. ". let it be by two, or at the most by three." (1 Cor 14:27)

3. "and that by course." "By course" means one at a time. (1 Cor 14:27)

4. "and let one interpret.But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence." (1 Cor 14:27 -28)

5. "Let your women keep silence in the churches." (1 Cor 14:34)

6. "forbid not to speak with tongues" (1 Cor 14:39).

Paul said, "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord" (1 Cor 14:37).

Curtis B. Miller