Speaking in Tongues
Copyright © December 27, 2004
by Robert Wayne Atkins, P.E.
All Rights Reserved.
On the day of Pentecost while Jesus' disciples were gathered together to pray,
the Holy Spirit touched them and they spoke in tongues and they knew what to say.
The ability to speak in tongues was given to the disciples on that occasion,
so everyone they met could hear how Jesus was crucified and how He had risen.
During Pentecost Jerusalem was filled with visitors from nations far and wide,
and when each person heard the Gospel in his own native language, he was mystified.
The gift of tongues was needed so each person from a distant foreign land,
could hear the Gospel, and believe, and repent, and thoroughly understand.
In today's modern world if someone has the ability to speak in a foreign tongue,
and there is no one with whom they can communicate, either old or very young,
Then that person should speak silently from his heart directly to God above,
and not create confusion among Jesus' believers but remain silent in love.
The Gospel message has not changed since that first day on Pentecost long ago.
If you will just read your Bible you will learn everything God wants you to know.
The Bible has been translated into the languages of many foreign countries,
so the gift of tongues is no longer needed to bring people to God on their knees.
Reference Scripture Verses
Mark 16:17-18 - And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.
Acts 2:3-12 - They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs -- we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"
Acts 2:41 - Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 - Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
1 Corinthians 13:1 - If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:9-12 - Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.
1 Corinthians 13:19 - But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
1 Corinthians 14:22-25 - Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"
1 Corinthians 14:27-28 - If anyone speaks in a tongue, two -- or at the most three -- should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.
1 Corinthians 14:39-40 - Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
Grandpappy's e-mail address is: RobertWayneAtkins@hotmail.com