| ------------------------------------------------------------ ( B ) GIFT OF TONGUES : IS IT ANGELIC AND HEAVENLY ? The gift of speaking in tongues is not, nor has ever been a heavenly, angelic language. The following scriptures show why; 29. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. - Genesis 32:29 6. Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came unto me, and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible: but I asked him not whence he was, neither told he me his name: - Judges 13:6 17. And Manoah said unto the angel of the Lord, What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honour? 18. And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret? - Judges 13:17-18 4. How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. - 2 Cor. 12:4 26. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. - Romans 8:26 17. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. - Rev. 2:17 The scriptures clearly reveal that mankind cannot know nor speak the language, the tongue, of heaven and angels. That transcendant language is secret and as the apostle Paul and the heavenly angels of God make clear, the holy tongue is not a language which God allows mankind to know and speak. So the idea that the gift of speaking in tongues is or has been a heavenly and angelic language is clearly without scriptural substance. Gods� Word simply does not support that kind of thinking. Moreover, in all portions of scripture which write with regard to the spiritual gift of tongues, no evidence or equation is made of that gift with the heavenly, angelic language. Rather, the gift of speaking in tongues is as the name and scriptural description of that gift clearly signifies, it has to do with the languages of mankind. The Pentecostal account, as recorded in the book of Acts, makes this evidence quite clear; 4. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8. And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9. Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10. Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11. Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. - Acts 2:4-11 The scriptures could not be more clear. The gift of speaking in tongues is as the name and description of that spiritual gift clearly indicates, it is the abitlity to speak the various languages of mankind. The gift of tongues has never been a gift that man uses to be able to speak the language of angels or heaven. In the 2nd chapter of the book of Acts is the initial, descriptive use of the gift of speaking in tongues. The only tongues, the only languages being spoken via the use of that spiritual gift are those languages of mankind, not angels or heaven. Remember, scriptural evidences clearly show that natural man cannot not know, nor are allowed by God to speak the language of angels and heaven. The heavenly language of God and the angels is a secretive tongue. But one day, when we as Gods� children receive our resurrected bodies and are living with God in eternity, only then will we be able to know and speak that heavenly language. At this present time however, we are in this wicked, sinful world which bars us from knowing and speaking Gods� heavenly, transcendant tongue. At this point, I wish to share with you an indepth article which further discusses this issue of the gift of tongues being the languages of men. The web link for this article is found here: http://www.nwbcokc.org/index.php?page=30 Now with these things in mind, let us not forget the purpose of the gift of tongues which the apostle Paul shared in 1st Corinthians. The purpose of the gift of speaking in tongues was to be a sign solely to the unbelieving Jew, never to Christian believers. Jews are natural men and women just like the other Gentile nations of men and women of the world. We are all natural people, not heavenly. Therefore, the description of speaking in tongues as stated in Gods� Word helps to conclude that that gift does not allow mankind to speak with angelic or a heavenly language but only a language of natural mankind. But what about Pauls� statements in chapters 13 and 14 of 1 Corinthians which write with regard to the tongues of angels and speaking mysteries in the spirit; 1. 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 Cor. 13:1 2. 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 Cor. 14:2 In chapter 13, Paul begins his remarks with the word, � though �. The word, � though �, which Paul uses means that he is making a hypothetical statement. In other words, Paul is not making a statement of fact with regard to his remark about being able to speak with the tongues of angels. Rather, Paul is telling his readers to suppose or consider for the sake of discussion that he could speak with the tongues of angels in spite of the fact that he cannot do this. This manner of making supposition and conjecture on Pauls� part is clearly evident in the context of the following remarks of chapter 13. For example, notice how Paul speaks; 2. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. - 1 Cor. 13:2-3 Notice his use of the phrase, � though I �. Paul is not making statements of fact but rather he is asking his readers to consider and suppose that the remarks he is making are true even though the reality is the remarks are not true. For example, in verse 2, Paul is not stating for a fact that he does have all knowledge because in reality no finite human being has all knowledge. Thus, Paul does not say in verse 2 that in fact he has all knowledge but rather he says, � though I have �. Paul is simply asking his reader to only suppose for the sake of discussion that he, Paul, did in fact have all knowledge. The reason for Pauls� opening hypothetical remarks in chapter 13 is that he is showing the necessity and importance of love, also called charity. Therefore, as I mentioned earlier at the start of this study, chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians makes very clear that it is the spiritual fruit of love which has priority over the spiritual gifts, including speaking in other tongues. Therefore, the spiritual fruit of love is supposed to be the primary evidence of having been baptized in the Holy Spirit. Again in verse 2, Paul is not stating for a fact that he has all faith. In fact, it is Paul himself who states that God gives to every man only a measure of faith ( Romans 12:3 ). Therefore no man can have all faith but rather only a portion which can grow as the person continues in Gods� Word ( Romans 10:17 ). Therefore, Paul is simply asking his readers to only suppose for the sake of discussion that he, Paul, did in fact have all faith. Then again in verse 3, Paul is simply asking his readers to only suppose that he gave his body to be burned. Yet there is neither scriptural nor historical record of Paul ever having done this. All of this to say that in verse 1 of 1st Corinthians chapter 13, Paul is simply asking his readers to only suppose for the sake of discussion that he, Paul, did speak with the tongue of angels. But the reality is that he never did such a thing because as has been clearly shown from the scriptural record, the angels of heaven themselves were not allowed to even give their names to mankind because their names were secret. Thus, it is inappropriate and a misuse of the text of chapter 13, to take as fact that Paul in truth spoke the language of angels and that that angelic tongue is one and the same with the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues. Now with regard to Pauls� remarks in chapter 14, he says that the person who speaks in an unknown tongue is a person who is speaking to God and not to man because such a person is speaking mysteries with his spirit. So wouldn�t these remarks prove that mankind, specifically a Christian, with the aid of the gift of tongues can speak the heavenly language of God ? Does Pauls� remarks not sufficiently prove that he is equating the gift of speaking in tongues with speaking the heavenly language of Gods� tongue ? The answer is no. Again, we must take heed to the obvious scriptural record which already shows that Gods� language is a forbidden language which mankind is clearly not permitted to speak. So what does Paul mean when he uses the words, � an unknown tongue � ? Paul is simply stating that the unknown tongue is a foreign language of mankind. The following verse of chapter 14 helps bear this reality as it discussed the need for the gift of interpretation; 2. 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 Cor. 14:2 6. 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? 7. And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? 8. For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 9. 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. 10. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. 11. 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. 12. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. 13. Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. - 1 Cor. 14:6-14 Chapter 14 is not a chapter which attempts to prove that speaking in tongues is a means of speaking the heavenly language of God. Pauls� use of the words, � an unknown tongue � means that he is talking about a foreign language of man which requires interpretation for the benefit of those who do not know the foreign tongue being spoken. Which is why in verse 13, Paul gives clear instruction that when an unknown ( foreign ) tongue or language is spoken, then such activity necessitates an interpretation of the unknown ( foreign ) tongue. The apostle is not by any means equating the gift of speaking in tongues with the heavenly language of God and the angels. Far from it. Unfortunately, such is the deceptive mindset of the tongues movement in the last 100 plus years of the Christian church. With these things in mind regarding the context of chapter 14, let us see examples of the use of the unknown tongue and the need for its� interpretation by using certain of the foreign languages listed in Acts chapter 2. If Paul happened to be speaking in the tongue of the Medes in a church whose members did not know the language of the Medes, then that language would be an unknown tongue, a foreign tongue, to those church members which would therefore require the use of the gift of interpretation. Simple as that. This is what Paul is instructing when he writes of the � unknown tongue � and the need for interpretation in chapter 14. Again, let us say for the sake of discussion that Paul spoke in an Elamite tongue in a church whose members were unfamiliar with the tongue or language of the Elamites. In this case then, the Elamite language would be an unknown tongue i.e., a foreign language, to those church members and thus would require the gift of interpretation to be used in order for those church members to have an understanding from those foreign words spoken by Paul. Again, let us take note to Pauls� instruction further on in chapter 14; 27. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. - 1 Cor. 14:27-28 The unknown tongue is simply a foreign language which certain of the church members are not familiar with and therefore it stands to reason that an interpretation of the foreign, or unknown, tongue is required. Otherwise the church members will not get the benefit of understanding from what was spoken in the unknown language. Real simple, real straight forward. The bottom line is that the words, � unknown tongue �, of chapter 14 are not used to signify or indicate that the gift of speaking in tongues is equal to a heavenly or angelic language. Unfortunately, such is the mindset of the tongues movement and as such is therefore partial proof that the tongues movement is fraudulent. The activity which many present day Christians believe to be the gift of speaking in tongues is false. It is nothing at all equal to the spiritual gift described in holy scripture. Another thing to think about in relation to the scriptural prohibition concerning the language of God and angels, is the very need for interpretation which is also one of the spiritual gifts of God listed in chapter 12; 10. 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 Cor. 12:10 Let us consider for a moment the scriptural prohibitions, ( listed at the beginning of this section ), which shows that mankind cannot know nor even speak the heavenly language of angels and God. Since this is clearly the case, then such prohibition inherently makes void any need for interpretation of that transcendant and holy tongue. Therefore, due to the very existence, the very need of the gift of interpretation, such a gift sufficiently signifies that the gift of speaking in tongues is specifically in regard to the languages of man and not the heavenly language of God and the angels. All of this to say that it is a mistake on the part of Christians to view such verses in 1 Corinthians chapters 13 and 14 as scriptures which prove that speaking in tongues is a heavenly language. When Christians wish to use chapters 13 and 14 of 1st Corinthians in an effort to prove that speaking in tongues can be a heavenly, angelic language, such an effort simply shows an ignorance of the context of said chapters regarding that gift as well as an ignorance of the scriptural record which clearly prohibits mankind from knowing and speaking the heavenly language of angels and God. Let us examine one more piece of interesting evidence from the Old and New Testaments; 11. For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. 12. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. - Isaiah 28:11-12 21. 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. 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. - 1 Cor. 14:21-22 Notice that the scriptural record never mentions that God would cause people to speak with the heavenly language or with angelic tongues. The scriptural record makes very clear that it is with the tongues of men by which God will speak to His people. This evidence is blatantly made clear in the Pentecostal account of Acts chapter 2. The tongues listed in that chapter were all languages of mankind both Jew and Gentile. Not one language listed in that 2nd chapter is described as being a heavenly language or angelic language. There is simply no evidence in the scriptural record which equates the gift of speaking in tongues or the unknown tongue with any angelic tongue or language of heaven. Unfortunately, ( in spite of the evidence of the scriptural record, regarding the issue of speaking in tongues and the prohibition of mankind to know and speak the heavenly language ), the tongues movement in the past 100 plus years of the church has engrained in the hearts and minds of numerous Christians that speaking in tongues is a heavenly language. This deceptive thinking of the tongues movement helps provide one reason why the so called � gift of speaking in tongues � within the tongues movement, in reality is not the Biblical gift at all. Next, let us examine the question with regards to whether or not all Christians are supposed to have the gift of speaking in tongues. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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