Discipleship Series- Speaking In Tongues

For tonight's Bible Study at Bethel, the Discipleship Series on Speaking in Tongues was taught by Bro. Joe Rapaglia. I enjoy it when he teaches. As I have done before, I will copy and paste sections from the actual lesson that is posted on the Bethel App. I enjoy these lessons. I love to learn about the Word of God.

Acts 2:1-12 – “1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 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. 12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?”

 “Speaking in tongues” is also known as “glossolalia,” a technical name used by researchers and scholars.

The subject of “tongues” is sometimes misunderstood because some individuals do not realize that the Bible specifically reveals that there are different purposes and operations of “tongues.” In this study we will look closely at what the Bible teaches about the significance and utilization of “tongues.”

After Jesus told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the “promise of the Father,” He was “taken up” into a cloud and ascended back to heaven. The disciples then returned to the Upper Room and waited for several days for the promise to be fulfilled.  When the day of Pentecost arrived, a sound came from heaven, tongues of fire appeared above the heads of the disciples, they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak in other “tongues” as the Spirit gave them the utterance.  

Note the following facts from the scriptural record:

• This event occurred on the Jewish feast day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:1) • All those in the upper room were filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues. (Acts 2: 4) • The number of those gathered in the Upper Room was about 120. (Acts 1:15) • Mary, the mother of Jesus, was included in this group. (Acts 1:14)• The disciples spoke with other tongues only after the Holy Spirit had entered them. (Acts 2:4) • It was the Spirit that gave them the ability to speak in tongues. (Acts 2:4) • Many Jews from various lands had gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the feast day of Pentecost. At least 15 different regions and languages are listed. (Acts 2:9-11) • This mixed crowd of onlookers gathered because this unusual phenomenon was “noised abroad” or proclaimed throughout the city. (Acts 2:6) • The crowd’s response was mixed – some marveled, others mocked. (Acts 2:7; Acts 2:12; Acts 2:13) • The onlookers were astonished because they heard these simple, unlearned Galileans speaking in the tongues and languages of many different regions. (Acts 2:6; Acts 2:8) • Peter preached and explained this miracle to the crowd. He explained that what the onlookers saw and heard was the promised Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:16-17) • When Peter’s message was delivered, many listeners were convicted in their hearts and asked Peter, "What shall we do?" (Acts 2:37) • Peter’s answer was “repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38) • Approximately 3000 people gladly obeyed Peter’s message and were added to the church that day. (Acts 2:41)

Speaking in tongues is a supernatural event. It is the utterance of “another” language – a language which has not been learned by the speaker and is not understood by the speaker. In some cases, the language may be understood by an onlooker, but more frequently it is “unknown” to all who hear it. 

 “Tongues” are not gibberish, unintelligible babble, or merely ecstatic chattering without any objective meaning. “Tongues” are genuine languages. On the day of Pentecost, onlookers from at least fifteen different geographical regions heard the disciples speaking in the languages of their native countries. 

• Acts 2:7-8 – “And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” 1. There are hundreds of languages and dialects known to mankind today. This does not include the innumerable languages that have been used throughout history but are no longer in use. In addition to these countless human languages, those who speak in “tongues” may sometimes be speaking the languages “of angels” (1 Corinthians 13:1). 

Speaking in tongues is a supernatural manifestation of God. “Tongues” are “of God,” not “of the devil.”  On the Day of Pentecost, the sound that preceded speaking in tongues came “from heaven.” (Acts 2:2) • Acts 2:2 – “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven.”

The first recorded use of speaking in tongues in scripture is its use as evidence of being filled with the Holy Ghost. Speaking in tongues is the initial evidence (first indication) that someone has been filled with the Holy Ghost. Other evidence of “Spirit-infilling” is revealed later in a person’s life (the fruit of the Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit, developing the nature of Jesus Christ), but speaking in tongues is the first sign, or initial evidence.  Jesus clearly stated that speaking in tongues is a sign that should follow believers. • Mark 16:17 – “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.” When the Holy Ghost fell for the first time on the day of Pentecost, the disciples most definitely spoke in tongues. • 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.”  When the Apostle Paul went to Ephesus and re-baptized the converts of John the Baptist, he laid his hands on them, they received the Holy Ghost and spoke with other “tongues.” • Acts 19:6 – “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”  Philip went to the city of Samaria and preached the gospel. Many people were healed of diseases and delivered from evil spirits. Because of this, many Samaritans believed the gospel, repented of their sins and were baptized. However, they did not receive the Holy Ghost. Being concerned about this situation, the apostles at Jerusalem sent Peter and John to help Philip in Samaria.

When Cornelius, the Roman Centurion, and his family received the Holy Ghost in Caesarea, Peter, and the Jewish disciples that accompanied him, were certain beyond any doubt that the Holy Ghost had been poured out. How were they sure of this? 1. Acts 10:44-48 – “44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision 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. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”  Peter and the disciples knew that Cornelius and his family had unquestionably received the Holy Ghost “for they heard them speak with tongues.”

. The receiving of the Holy Ghost is still accompanied today by speaking in other tongues. This phenomenon occurs daily around the world.  It is important to note here, at this point, that these recorded incidents of the outpouring of the Holy Ghost in the book of Acts are never referred to as the outpouring of the “gift of tongues” – they are referred to as the gift, the outpouring, or the receiving of the Holy Ghost. The “gift of tongues” is a separate gift of the Spirit and has a different purpose and use, as we will see later in this lesson. 

. The Holy Spirit within us will sometimes assist us in prayer, helping us to intercede and travail for individuals and situations of which we might not even be aware. • Romans 8:26-27 – “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. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

Once we have been filled with the Holy Ghost, the Spirit begins to impart additional gifts to us. These are known as the “gifts of the Spirit.” The “gifts” (plural) of the Spirit are different from the “gift” (singular) of the Spirit. The “gift” of the Spirit is the Holy Spirit itself. The “gifts” of the Spirit are supernatural abilities, talents and skills that are bestowed upon us by the Spirit. (We will study these gifts more closely in a later lesson.) • 1 Corinthians 12:4-10 – “4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 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.”

As we have seen in the scriptures above, one of the gifts of the Spirit is the “gift of tongues.” This gift is used to proclaim a divine utterance to someone, to a group, or to a congregation. When we pray and worship in tongues, we are speaking to God, but when we operate the “gift of tongues” we are delivering a message to other people. The “gift of tongues” (speaking in tongues to other people) should only be utilized when someone “in the room” has the corresponding “gift of interpretation.” • 1 Corinthians 14:15-19 – “15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? 17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.” 

Paul goes on to say that this “gift of tongues” should be used in a controlled manner in public services. It should not be operated more than three times in one service. • 1 Corinthians 14:27-28 – “If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course (in orderly fashion); and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him (that has the gift of tongues) keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.” I. This gift is obviously something very different from what occurred on the day of Pentecost and at the house of Cornelius when large groups received the Holy Ghost and many people spoke in tongues at the same time. On those occasions the Spirit-filled believers were speaking “to God” and worshipping Him as they were being filled with the Holy Ghost. Although bystanders and onlookers heard these people speaking in tongues, the believers were not addressing their utterances specifically to the bystanders. J. The gift of tongues is classified by scholars as one of the “gifts of utterance” and is only to be used when it will “bless” and “edify” others as it is operated decently and in order in conjunction with the gift of interpretation.

 Speaking in tongues is a supernatural manifestation revealing that the Spirit of God is working within the hearts and lives of men and women.  Jesus said that it was one of the signs that would follow believers. The apostles experienced it, as did their converts. Some have mistakenly thought that speaking in tongues is not for our generation – that “tongues” ceased to exist at some unknown time in the past. They point to the following scripture to support their argument: • 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 – “… but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” This scripture certainly states that speaking in tongues will cease at some point. However, it also states that knowledge will vanish away. Knowledge has certainly not vanished away yet. The scripture goes on to say when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part will be done away. That which is perfect has not yet come – it will not come until God’s kingdom is established upon this earth. It is not logical to assume that tongues have ceased until knowledge has also vanished and perfection has come. E. Until that time, God’s church will continue exactly as it began – filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance. F. It began on the Day of Pentecost (33 AD) and continues until this day – God’s Spirit is being poured out “upon all flesh.” Researchers estimate that each week several thousand individuals around the world are receiving the Holy Ghost, speaking with other tongues for the first time.  

God is Good!