Some Notes on Speaking in Tongues

Just a few notes on tongues based mainly on 1 Corinthians 14, and Acts 2:

1Co 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.

(By Course = In portion, part; in turn.)

From the above verse we get:

1) Tongues are to be spoken by people ONE AT A TIME, not altogether.

2) Tongues must be interpreted

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1Co 14:33  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

3) It must be done peaceably and without confusion.

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1Co 14:34  Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

4) Women are not allowed to speak in tongues.

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1Co 14:40  Let all things be done decently and in order.

5) When people are supposedly "overcome by the Spirit" and, for instance, fall down in and indecent position (such as women who have to be covered up when falling to the floor), then we have an occurrence that is NOT Scriptural). In other words, the Holy Spirit works in an orderly and decent manner.

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Acts 2:4  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 marveled, 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?

6) Tongues is a REAL HUMAN LANGUAGE - not some babbling!!!!

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1Co 14:20  Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

1Co 14:21  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.

1Co 14:22  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.

7) Tongues were a sign to unbelievers and were not meant for those who already believed in Christ.

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Isa 28:11  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.

8) Tongues a sign for the Jews

In verse 21 of 1 Corinthians 14 (POINT 7 ABOVE), we have a quote from Isaiah chapter 28, which Paul directly applies to the issue of tongues. "This people" was the Jews in the Isaiah passage. They would not listen to this other tongue.

Note these verses:

Acts 2:4  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.

 

Act 10:44  While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45  And they of the circumcision [ = JEWS] which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46  For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God...

Finally:

1Co 12:8  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9  To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;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: 11  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

9) Remember also that not everybody received the gift (GIVEN BY THE HOLY SPIRIT) of tongues.

Based on the above, what do you think? Is the practice of tongues done today in accordance with Scripture?