Tag: tongues
What does this mean?
Scripture reading for May 7: Acts 2
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?”. . . —we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”“ Acts 2:4-8
Jews from every nation gathered in Jerusalem for the annual Feast of Pentecost and the celebration of the giving of God’s law. This Pentecost was following the Passover where Jesus gave His life as the “Lamb of God.” After forty days of ministry the resurrected Jesus had ascended to heaven ten days before and had told His disciples to wait for the Promise of the Father. (Acts 1:4-5) This happened at the Feast of Pentecost as described here by Luke. The one hundred twenty disciples, men and women, were waiting in an upper room of the temple as instructed. Tongues of fire came on a rushing wind from heaven and filled the room. All began to speak in other tongues and praise God, spilling out of the room into the temple.
The Jews gathered there were amazed, bewildered, perplexed, and astonished. “What does this mean?”, they asked. They were hearing Galilean Jews speaking their native languages and telling the ‘mighty works of God.” Others thought that they were under the influence of wine! This event, the baptism of the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in other tongues, disrupted world views drastically! Tongues are a ‘sign’ to unbelievers to reach them. (1 Corinthians 14:21-22)
Why do you think God chose to grant new languages to Jesus’ followers, causing this disruption? Have you experienced this spiritual empowerment for yourself? Have you heard believers mocking those who speak in other tongues?
Prayer: Father God, Lord of all nations, thank You that for reaching every person, tongue and nation with the Good News! Your ways are higher than my ways, and I have at one time made fun of those You have baptized in the Holy Spirit. Forgive me Lord and use me to clear up misunderstanding. Amen.
God will not confuse His people!
Scripture reading for August 18th: 1st Corinthians 14, Psalm 15, Proverbs 10
1st Corinthians 14:26-33 “What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.”
God’s people are commanded to gather together for worship, prayer, and teaching of the Word. God speaks to His people through gift-people and through spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit to edify, exhort and comfort God’s people. Each person has a gift or manifestation of the Spirit that may be shared, but never to cause confusion. God is a God of peace and order. He gave instructions about the use of gifts. Two or three at most should speak in tongues publicly, but only if there is one who can interpret. Tongues are a sign for unbelievers. Prophesy can be given by two or three, each in turn and care taken that all would understand and be encouraged and built up. Each person is responsible to follow God’s instructions in a humble and submissive spirit of love for God and those present.
Psalm 15:1-3 “O Lord, who shall sojourn in Your tent? Who shall dwell on Your holy hill? Who who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up reproach against a friend; . .”
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You are a God of order and peace, not of confusion. Help me as a pastor and overseer to instruct Your people in these simple instructions. Help me to always invite the Holy Spirit to move through Your people in the gifts and to bring clarification and understanding so all may be edified. Build up Your church that they might do mighty exploits for You and share Your wisdom.
Proverbs 10:13-14 “On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense. The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.”
God’s order in using the gift of tongues
Scripture reading for September 13th: 1st Corinthians 14
Key Scriptures: 1st Corinthians 14:1-5 “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.”
Paul was writing to bring some order and understanding to the exercise of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the church. Evidently, in the services, many were speaking in tongues in a public manner and no one was interpreting. Speaking in tongues is good for the individual believer and it edifies or builds him or her up. But when used in the body, without interpretation, it doesn’t help anyone but the speaker. When tongues are interpreted, then, like prophesy, the church is edified and built up because all can understand what the Spirit is saying. That’s why Paul says that they should desire especially to prophesy (give a message in a known language) or to speak in a tongue and interpret. All must be done in love and for the common good. Tongues are a sign gift for the unbeliever to speak to his heart by the Spirit. Prophesy is for the church to speak to God’s people.
1st Corinthians 14:21-22 “In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people and even then they will not listen to Me, says the Lord.” Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, thank you for the gifts of the Spirit. Each one is given by You as You will for the purpose You intend and are always filled and empowered by love. Help me to understand the Holy Spirit and allow Him to use me in the gifts that are appropriate and to instruct others in Your body on the proper use of these gifts. Thank You for speaking to Your people and the lost!
1st Corinthians 14:26-28 “What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. If there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.”
Power to Be a Witness
Scripture reading for November 6th: Acts 1-4
I was saved as a young teenager in a little country Methodist Church in rural Iowa. I gave my life to Jesus but did not know about the Holy Spirit or His work on my behalf. I grew up, went to college, got married and began to build a family and farming business, still unaware of His presence and power. I rededicated my life and my wife got saved in our late twenty’s and we began to hear about the Holy Spirit. The people we were studying the Bible with were different. They had power in their lives and were full of joy. The talked about being filled with the Holy Spirit and we heard some of them praying in a different language. When we visited their church, we heard a message in a different language and then an interpretation! This was fascinating! We even heard them singing in other languages and it sounded like heaven!
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
This experience began with a promise and command from Jesus right before He ascended into heaven. He ascended into heaven and two men dressed in white told the disciples that this same Jesus would come back in the same manner as He left them. They were to wait for the promise of the father as Jesus had told them! (Luke 24:49-53) This power from on high was sent from the Father to bless the disciples and enable them to do the work of God.
We all know what happened on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4. The disciples were all together in the upper room and suddenly, the wind began to blow inside their room! Tongues of fire entered and rested on each one and they all began to speak with other tongues and glorify God. They went out from that room speaking in other languages telling the wonderful works of God. Peter stood up and preached and 3000 repented, were saved, baptized and told to receive this gift of the Father for power! (Acts 2:38-41) The church was born and powerful witnesses spread the Gospel throughout the world!
Let me encourage you to seek the Lord for this power. Simply ask Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit. (Luke 11:9-13) The Holy Spirit is our “helper” sent from the Father to live in those who believe on Jesus Christ. (John 16:7-15) He takes the Word of God and reveals it to us. He is our Counselor. He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. He is with us to strengthen us and enable to be a witness. We receive Him when we repent and are born again. We are filled with Him when we seek the Lord Jesus for that power. May God fill you with His Holy Spirit! (Ephesians 5:18)