Spiritus Sanctus

Chapter 11 GLOSSOLALIA The Greek word glossolalia means speaking in tongues. The word tongue is defined as a language or dialect. The plural is tongues, which means languages or dialects. It is a supernatural impartation to the believer by the Holy Spirit. It is also one of the speaking or utterance gifts of the Holy Spirit to the believer. On the day of Pentecost when the disciples were all filled with the Holy Spirit, they began to speak with other tongues as the Holy Spirit gave them utterance. The Bible reveals that these tongues were languages of other nations such as, Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya, Cyrene, Rome, Cretans, and Arabia. Acts 2:8-11 Vs. 8 “and how is it that we hear, in our own language in which we were born> Vs. 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, those dwelling ins Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Vs. 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and Proselytes, Vs. 11 Cretans and Arabs- we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” There are different types of languages or dialects. There are different categories of languages or dialects. For the above reasons, the Holy Bible groups all the different types and categories as “diversities of tongues.” This is one gift of the Holy Spirit that has generated so much controversy. And why is there so much controversy? The following, I believe, are some of the reasons that may explain the controversy over the gift of tongues. 1. It is not well taught in the churches, especially by those who do not believe in this gift. 2. It is mysterious, exciting and people do not understand it, some call the gift ecstatic utterance and others call the gift babbling. 3. The gift of interpretation of tongues is not much in operation and not enough emphasis is placed on it compared to the must speak in tongues emphasis. So much of the unknown tongues spoken are not interpreted to edify the church. 4. It is new testament experience and many believers who have this gift have the erroneous belief that they will arrive in heaven before other saints without the gift. 5. Many believers and unbelievers alike do not take the time to study the proper use of this gift to edify the church. Hence its abuse and subsequent misuse, conflict and confusion. 6. Finally, it is because those who seem to understand this gift also come with mysterious assumptions to further complicate the issue without cognizance to other evidential gifts. Let me add these points for clarity. Speaking in tongues is, 1. A new testament experience different from all the old testament gifts of the Holy Spirit, even though it was prophesied in the old testament. 2. Speaking in tongues is one of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit listed by the Apostle Paul in 1Corinthians 12. There are many other gifts of the Holy Spirit not listed in this chapter. 3. Speaking in tongues is one of the evidences of baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is by no means the only evidence of being baptized or filled with the Holy Spirit. This will be explained as you read on. Believers need to reclaim all the other gifts of the Holy Spirit that the devil would like to steal from us. For clarity, the author has grouped the gift of tongues into three categories 1. Known Tongues: These are languages or dialects of other nations or people here on earth, such as Libya, Judea, Rome, Egypt and Asia. They are understood and interpreted by the nationals or people whose language or tongue is being spoken. Acts 2:8-11 These languages or tongues are not learned by the speaker, and that is why it is a supernatural gift to the speaker. However, these tongues can be interpreted by the speaker if the Holy Spirit gives the gift of interpretation to the speaker. 2. Unknown Tongues: These are Holy Spirit languages or utterances given to the believer. It may be interpreted by the speaker if the speaker has the gift of interpretation or could be interpreted by another believer who has the gift of interpretation of unknown tongues. These are languages not spoken here on earth, and therefore referred to as unknown tongues. These utterances could be God’s message or prophecy to the world, country, city, church or individual. Hence the need for interpretation for edification for the greater good of everyone. 3. Mystery Tongues: 1Corinthians 14:2 “…..he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.” These are unknown tongues of communication between the believer and God. These are not interpreted by the speaker nor by another believer. These are mysteries spoken by the believer for the believer’s own edification. This is why the Apostle Paul counsels that if a believer speaks in mystery tongues in the congregation and there is no interpretation, what the speaker is saying has no benefit to the congregation and therefore must limit the communication to the speaker and God alone. Note that it has great benefit to the speaker and thus cannot be forbidden. Many have also categorized unknown and mystery tongues as the believers prayer language. The Bible affirms that the believer can pray in the Spirit which could also mean praying in tongues. Clarification of Confusion: Some argue that all the disciples spoke in other languages on the day of Pentecost and Cornelius and his household spoke in tongues, so every new believer must speak in tongues. Let us see the prophecy on tongues revealed in 1Corinthians 14:21-22, In the law it is written: “with men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; and yet, for all that, they will not hear me.” Says the Lord. “Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to the unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.” The word sign is defined as an outward manifestation of a spiritual significance. Webster defines it as a discernible indication of what is not itself directly perceptible, a token. 1. In the days of the Lord Jesus and thereafter, the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes were unbelievably unbelieving. Their statement of Faith would read something like this, “seeing is believing” or “I need a sign to believe.” Keep in mind that the Lord proclaimed in John 20:29b “…blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed…” This is the post resurrection incidence, when the doubting (unbelieving) Thomas of the eleven apostles would not believe the resurrection of the Lord Jesus unless he saw and touched the nail scars of Jesus. In Matthew 12:38, in a pre-crucifixion incidence, the unbelieving Pharisees and scribes demanded to see a sign from the Lord Jesus, prompting Him to call them an evil and adulterous generation seeking a sign. It is therefore evident that the Jewish skeptics and unbelievers would not believe anything unless they saw a sign. With this knowledge in mind, it is easy to understand why on the day of Pentecost God gave the sign of tongues (which were languages of other nations) to convince, convert and save unbelievers gathered in Jerusalem. The sign of other tongues did work the miracle of these thousand souls being saved. 2. After this, there was the need to eliminate prejudice and discrimination between the Jews and the Gentiles. Prejudice, discrimination and racism are hindrances to the effective propagation of the gospel.