The Gift of Tongues and Interpretation
IN THE STUDY:
The last of the gifts mentioned in the list by Paul are taken together in scripture – Speaking in TONGUES and the INTERPRETATION of tongues (1 Cor. 14:5, 13, 27, 28.). Both these gifts are gifts of the spirit, in spite of what some teachers say. Anti-charismatic teachers are wrong in claiming that speaking in tongues is always satanic or psychological in origin. Paul describes these gifts as coming from the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, Christian Pastors from Africa and Latin America tell of how witch-doctors induced speaking in tongues among their adherents.
The gift of speaking in tongues and of interpreting them is reported in the Book of Acts on only three occasions in the early Church, each at a special occasion.
1. When the Holy Spirit spoke through the Disciples at the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:3,4).
2. When the gentiles praised God through speaking in tongues (Acts 10:46).
3. When the Disciples of John the Baptist responded to the laying on of hands from Paul (Acts 19:6). On each of these occasions God’s message was introduced to a new group of people in a new geographical area. It seemed as if tongues were used to break through into a new region, both spiritually and geographically.
In 1 Cor. 14 Paul writes concerning the problems in the abuse of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Had Paul been speaking about it as a doctrine or a practice we would be in a much clearer position of understanding these gifts today. However, we must infer much of his teaching as he was speaking concerning the abuse of the gifts. He seems to indicate three areas where tongues were to be used and the limitations which were to be placed on them.
1. In private prayer (v. 1-19). The essential message was that tongues could be used for spiritual growth. This was for individual development and was seen as a lesser gift than the Gift of proclaiming God’s message in a way that people were edified. Paul wished that all people could grow in spiritual maturity through speaking in strange tongues, but preferred that they had the gift of proclaiming God’s message to others, (v.5). Paul indicates how necessary an interpreter is to bring knowledge to other people from the gift of tongues (v.6-19).
2. Tongues were to be used as a sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit to others. (v. 20-25). Once again it is essential that for an unbeliever to be convinced of his sins he will need an interpreter speaking plainly of the Gospel.
3. Tongues could be used in public worship. In such cases there was to be a discipline in the presentation, a limitation on the numbers speaking, and the interpretation of what is said. This gift of proclaiming God’s message through tongues should also be under the control of the person so speaking (v.32-33).
Unfortunately, many Christians who have had the gift of tongues and interpretations of tongues have made it appear that these gifts were the essential evidence of the possession of the Holy Spirit. The New Testament nowhere teaches that tongues were for all Christians. Rather they are gifts for only a few. The use of the phrase “Given to another” (1 Cor. 12:10) implies that there some to whom the gift was not given. This is also the way of understanding 1 Cor. 14. Furthermore, “No” is the only answer to the question “Do all speak in tongues?” of 1 Cor. 12:30. There is also the way of understanding 1 Cor. 12:30 . There is no evidence that, because some experience the gift, all must seek it. Outside of the passages of Acts and Corinthians mentioned, there are no other Christians in the New Testament actually said to have exercised this gift. It was not the normal requirement of the early Church Christians.
Furthermore, the possession of the gifts of tongues was frequently associated with those who were spiritually immature, rather than those of spiritual maturity and stability. While Paul possessed the gift in greater measure than others, (1 Cor. 14:18), there is no record of him ever exercising that gift. Paul wrote of it only once and that was because of its abuse.
There are a number of examples of the filling of the Holy Spirit of Christians in the New Testament who showed no evidence of speaking in tongues, even though they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Peter did not speak in tongues when he was filled with the Holy Spirit, before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:8). Other examples are Acts 4:31; 6:5, 8; 7:55-56; 13:52.
AMONG THE PEOPLE:
Those Christians who roundly condemn other Christians who speak in tongues should remember that this is a gift of God. You should accept the tongue speaker in love and not regard yourself as a second class Christian. You have other gifts to be discovered and used in his service, and ought not look at the gifts given to any other either with yearnings or with fear.
To those who speak in tongues, please remember that your gift is mainly for personal spiritual growth. It must be used to centre your thoughts on Jesus Christ. Without interpretation it does not build up the body of Christ. Your gift is from God to you but it is not your place to so rejoice in it that you make other Christians not possessing this gift feel inferior for your gift is the least of all.
