The whole truth about speaking in tongues, the sign and the gift.

Growing up Baptist, I had never actually heard anyone speak in tongues.  It was a  

subject that both terrified me and excited me. What would it be like? What did it 

feel like? 

But then, there were some people that told me that tongues had ceased being used 

by God when the Bible as a complete book was put together. Furthermore, they 

said, if it did happen now, it was of the devil. So, then I'd think, "well, I don't want 

to go to hell." 

It wasn't until later in life, after I was born again, that the Lord began to show me 

some things. 

1) Everyone that is born of the spirit will speak in tongues at least once in their 

lives. This is called "the sign of tongues."

Mark 16:

 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

According to Jesus in this passage, everyone who Biblically believes in him will speak with new tongues. It's a sign of being born of the spirit. This doesn't mean we learn a different language than your own. It means to supernaturally speak in a language that you've never learned before. It is God speaking through you. 

This is further proven by what Jesus said in John 3:

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Some have tried to say that this is saying it is the changed life of a Christian that others will see when we're born again. While, Philosophically, this is true, that is not what Jesus said here.  He said when a person is born of the spirit, there will be an accompanying sound. 

When people were born of the spirit in scripture, the only sound that is commonly referred to- after they are born of the spirit/baptized with the Holy Ghost is that they spoke in tongues (Acts 2:1-4, Acts 10:44-46, Acts 19:1-7). 

In Acts 8 there are two instances where people are spiritually born again, but it doesn't say they spoke in tongues. In the first instance, verses 14-19, the warlock had already seen miraculous healings and demons cast out of people (verses 5-13). Yet, he hadn't offered money to be able to do it. But, when he witnessed the spiritual births of these people, he saw and heard something that impressed him enough that he was willing to pay to be able to do cause what was happening. When he heard these people that he'd known for years begin to speak in languages that he knew they did not know, it blew his mind! 

This is what happened on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). There were at least 17 different languages being spoken that day (verses 9-11), if not more by these 120 uneducated Galileans. The crowd knew that they didn't have the education required to know all these foreign tongues. It got their attention. 

The second instance (verses 26-40) was Philip meeting the Ethiopian Eunuch. The Eunuch would be baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost. Again, it doesn't say that the Eunuch spoke in tongues, but if there was enough power of God there to catch Philip away to a completely new location miles away, and it happened all the other times someone received the spirit in scripture, then it must have happened to the Eunuch, as well.  After all, in the mouth of two or three witnesses,(Deuteronomy 19:15) God's word is confirmed. There are at least three definite instances of tongues accompanying the new birth. Why should we not believe it happened the other times? 

2) There are two types of tongues: Angelic and Human languages. 

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels... (1 Corinthians 13: 1)

This means that when a person speaks in tongues it can be one of the hundreds of languages in the world, or it can be an angelic language. If this were not so, then Paul, under the anointing of the Holy Ghost, would not have written this verse in that way.

3) There is a difference in the Gift of Tongues and the sign (or evidence) of tongues. 

1 Corinthians 12 explains that there are different gifts of the spirit, but the same Lord who gives them out severally (as He wills to whom He wills). It is in this context that Paul asks the often misused question,"Do all speak with tongues?" (Verse 30). He is discussing spiritual gifts and we do not all have the same spiritual gifts, so naturally, the answer to Paul's question is no. 

But, this in no way negates Jesus' proclamation that these SIGNS shall follow them that believe (tongues included) and that there would be a sound accompanying everyone's spiritual birth- and that the scriptural example of that is tongues. 

Yes, when someone is born again they will speak in tongues. But, they may or may not ever speak in tongues again. It depends upon what gift of the spirit the Lord wants to use them in at any given time. And, for you Bible scholars, it can be we are used in different gifts in different places depending upon what the Lord needs to be done within any given body of believers.

4) Tongues are also used as a prayer language.  

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.

27 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. (Romans 8:26-27)

There are times when we are in prayer (for ourselves or for others) when our own languages just aren't enough to express how we feel or what we are trying to say. Times when the spirit of God within us will just take over our prayer and pray for us in a language we do not know. Even if that language sounds to us like nothing more than groaning or gibberish. 

5) A little explanation about 1 Corinthians 14. 

A) This section is referring to what happens in a service corporately. 

B) The 120 did not have interpreters on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). They were all speaking in tongues and not one of them stopped to give an interpretation. It was the crowd that was standing there that heard their own languages being spoken that gave the interpretations to those around them. There was no interpreter in Acts 8, 10, or 19 either. Does this mean that one of the Apostles should've stopped the move of God? No!

C) If you've ever been in service when the gift of tongues and interpretation is operating, you'll understand that there's a difference between this and normal speaking in tongues. You see, normal speaking in tongues is us (through the spirit) praising, praying, and worshipping God. When tongues and interpretations happen it is the total opposite- it is God speaking to us as a church body! 

What I call a "holy hush" comes over the congregation. Simultaneously, or shortly thereafter, someone will begin to speak in tongues loudly and with unnatural authority. You can feel the presence of God in a much more powerful way. When they finish, either they or (usually) someone else, will begin giving the interpretation of the tongues. This interpretation edify's the whole church (what Paul referred to in 1 Corinthians 14).  

D)At any time in a church service, any or all of these things may be happening. At the altar or in the pew, someone may be speaking in tongues as they receive the Holy Ghost. Someone else may be praying in tongues. Some praise or even sing in tongues as a form of worship to Jesus. All of these are individual experiences between the person and God and require no interpretation for the larger body of Christ to hear. None of it is out of order or breaks 1 Corinthians 14. 

Paul was not saying that any of this was out of order. The Corinthian church simply had a lot of people who were trying to operate in tongues and interpretation at the same time. It also had people who were trying to speak in tongues as a way to be seen by others (of course these were not real tongues). Paul was correcting these errors in 1 Corinthians 14. But, he also said: 

39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

40 Let all things be done decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:39-40)

So, those who try to say tongues have ceased are wrong. Those who say that a service with tongues that are not interpreted is unscriptural are wrong. 

There is a sign of tongues. All will speak in tongues that are born of the spirit. 

There is a gift of tongues. This is used in personal praise to God, personal worship of God, and personal prayer with God. And sometimes in a service, tongues go forth from God with an interpretation to the whole body of believers.  

I pray this helps you to understand what's happening in folks who speak in tongues at home and at church. 

The burden and the joy of teaching- Preaching will save you, but teaching will keep you!

Ephesians 4:11-16

King James Version

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Preachers. 

Everybody loves preachers. 

Yes, the Bible does say that by "the foolishness of preaching" God will save the lost. (1 Corinthians 1:21). So, everyone is all fascinated by preachers. It's not uncommon to hear folks say, "I go to brother (x)'s church. He's a great man of God!" or "I love to hear brother (y) preach!" If they don't already have one, and somebody actually wanted to start one, there could probably be a multi-million dollar magazine- similar to the magazines at the grocery store check out lines that are all about the "stars" of our country (Who's in what movie, who's sleeping with who, etc)- all about preachers. Where they are preaching, what they are preaching, who had the "biggest move of God" this week. Top 10 most popular preachers! Sounds crazy, but some folks actually argue over that kind of stuff! 

Furthermore, in many places, seems like everybody has a Title. There's Pastor Jones, Evangelists Franks, Prophet Johnson, Apostle Horne, Bishop Johnson, Elder James, Deacon Grant (all made-up names to go with the Title, used for effect only). It seems nobody can be just Brother Mike or Sister Della anymore. Nobody's happy with just being part of the family of God. Everybody's got to have a Title! Nobody's content with doing things for the Lord and for people. We gotta have a special Title to go with it so we're recognized. I thought it was all about Jesus, not us?

Some get really crazy and add Titles the Bible doesn't truly mention: Senior Pastor, Chief Apostle (Yes, there are a couple of verses in Corinthians where Paul is trying to give honor to the rest of the Apostles and saying he's less than them where he talks about them as the chiefest Apostles, but Paul wasn't giving them a Title. He was merely esteeming his brethren as better than himself), Chief Elder, Head Deacon, General Secretary, General Superintendent, and I wouldn't be surprised to hear some folks call themselves Senior most excellent Apostle of (x) someday. Everybody wants a Title and everybody wants to be a preacher. 

But, though I've heard of Sunday School Superintendent -again not a Biblical Title, but an important job- I've never heard anyone making sure they are called Sunday School Superintendent Jackson. Why? It's not as glamorous. Why? It doesn't make you look large and in charge. After all, all they do is teach sometimes and make sure the right teachers are in the right classrooms. And you never hear somebody called Teacher Hanks! There's no "glory" in that Title in most people's eyes. But, teachers are a part of the "five-fold ministry!"

Let me tell the church world something. God didn't robe himself in flesh, go through Calvary, defeat death hell and the grave, and pour his spirit out on all flesh in order to create a religious upper class that everybody is to look up to! We are all equal in his sight! It doesn't matter what he's called us to do, we are all part of the body of Christ! He condemned those types of folks in the Bible. They're called Pharisees and Sadducees! The finger of the body is just as important as the big toe, or the knee, or the lungs, or the eyes, or a hair follicle. Everybody has a part in the body. Everybody has a calling. And I can't find a single scripture where we are told to be sure that calling becomes a Title and our name is to follow right after it! 

And one more thing before I get off my soapbox:

Yes God ordained preaching. I'm not belittling that calling. But, while Preaching will save you, TEACHING WILL KEEP YOU SAVED!!! Don't believe me? Read on and you'll see what I mean. 

So, today we want to take a look at a group of people that don't get a lot of praise and adoration in most churches: Teachers. 

Everybody talks about the "fivefold ministry" in Ephesians 1:11. And yes, 4 of the 5 listed there are preachers of some sort (pastors, apostles, prophets, and evangelists). These usually get the spotlight, the pats on the back, and (if there's any given) the money. Preachers get all the Glory. Preachers get all the hype. 

I contend that this verse should actually be called, the four-fold ministry. Why? Because it says Apostles (semi-colon) Prophets (semicolon) Evangelists (semicolon) Pastors AND Teachers (no separation of any kind between the two. In fact, Paul instructed Timothy to be "Apt to teach." (2 Timothy 2:24) Even Bishops are told to be "apt to teach." (1 Timothy 3:2) So truthfully, "Pastors and Teachers", in my humble opinion is the same office! If you're a pastor, but you can only preach, you need to step down!

In fact, let's break down some new Testament facts:

Matthew through John, we see Jesus ministering and doing miracles. In most places, it doesn't say that he preached. Most of the time it said he taught!!!

Yes, we have preaching in the book of Acts. But, it also tells us that they went from house to house breaking bread (teaching? Acts 2:46), in every house they ceased NOT to teach and to preach Jesus (Acts 5:42), and Paul showed the people and taught both publically and house to house (Acts 20:20).

Then from Romans through Jude, we have letters from the Apostles to CHURCHES and CHURCH PEOPLE teaching them (and us) how to STAY SAVED.

Finally, we have Revelations. It's a book of Prophecy given to the Apostle John to TEACH THE CHURCH ABOUT THINGS TO COME.

Notice a pattern here anybody?

We have 27 books in the New Testament. And nearly ALL of them are almost totally focused on TEACHING!! Preaching is awesome! I love to hear good preaching. I do preach myself sometimes. Preaching has an awesome place in the economy of God. But, my point is that TEACHING IS EVERY BIT AS NECESSARY AS PREACHING!! If you're called to teach the word of God, don't hang your head and act as if you're a secondary citizen in the kingdom of God. Be honored that God has called you into an awesome and necessary ministry!

There is a famine of the word of God in the land- worldwide. And it's not because of preaching. It's a lack of teaching!!

There are different ways to teach.

Some are called to go from house to house and teach Bible studies. There is such a need to do this! Many people won't go to the house of God, but they will accept a Bible study in their own home. Do it with wisdom. The enemy has many traps out there. But, there are ways to do it and do it well. Indeed, those safe ways need to be taught!

Some can lead small group studies in their own home. What do you think the Apostles were doing when they went from house to house teaching? And there are many good ways to do that! 

In the church building, there are different ways as well. 

Sunday Schools are very important, but most don't do it right, I believe. 

It used to be that Churches took teaching seriously. Teachers didn't use the Sunday School curriculum. Rather, they had their Bibles out. They studied and prayed until the Lord gave them a lesson for their class. Then, when they got the message, they prayed for ways to teach those lessons to their students that would reach into the student's hearts and impact their lives!  

There are people in our churches that have expertise in areas that are needful: 

Titus 2 tells us that Godly older women are to teach younger women about marriage and family and living for God. It also says Godly older men are to teach the younger men about marriage and family and living for God.  And it doesn't have to be the same older saints teaching them. It can be rotated around. After all, different older people have gone through different experiences and have valuable Biblical insight into these topics they can pass on. 

While we do not all agree on every topic, there are folks that know scriptures well. They can teach others what they've learned through prayer, study, and experience how to teach folks about Salvation, the Godhead, Holiness, etc. 

If you have musicians and singers that know how to teach music to younger folks, and you have the facilities to do it, what's wrong with teaching them at church? It can be done during Sunday School, or at some other time. But, it needs to be taught. 

Some folks could teach end-time theology. Yes, there are differing views on the subject, but what's wrong with teaching each of these views and letting the saints pray and see how God leads?

Some could even teach how to study scripture itself! Different teachers could rotate through, explaining what works for them. After all, people learn differently. Eventually, somebody's way of studying is bound to click with them.

There are many, many subjects, specialty classes, etc that can be taught that could help the church family to progress in their homes and in the family of God. God's house has many rooms. If people aren't taught about all this stuff (the gifts of the spirit and their Biblical explanations and use, the fruits of the spirit and how we learn to bear fruit, new converts classes to explain the basic doctrines of Christianity, the different callings and giftings that scripture teaches so that folks maybe can see the direction God is leading them, and on and on!

How many churches are doing these kinds of things? I understand that some do not have the facilities or the people to do all of this. But, pray about it! Some of these things can be done! And more can be added as the Lord allows in the future.

And while I'm on the subject, just because you're a pastor or prophet or Apostle, or evangelist doesn't mean a) you can't teach some of this stuff and b) you don't need to be taught some of this stuff yourself!

While there is great preaching in the land, there is also bad preaching in the land. Teaching, along with prayer and personal study, will allow us to recognize bad preaching and bad teaching when we hear it. That way, we can consciously reject the bad and keep the good.

Pastor Jeff Arnold tells his testimony of how he was trying to find God years ago. He and his wife were in a denominal church. But, because his wife had grown up in a godly Apostolic Aunts home, she was able to warn Brother Jeff off of bad doctrine and point him to true doctrine.

Because a SUNDAY SCHOOL teacher had a burden and taught sister Arnold truth, Brother Arnold would later be born again and their ministry would impact millions of lives!

Teaching is too important to leave to chance. Teaching is too important to leave to organizational Sunday School books. It must be done in prayer, sometimes fasting, and personal Bible study so that the TEACHER can get a lesson and anointing from God! Only then will it be Biblical teaching. And only then will it have an impact on the students that they teach.

Why do people think it's okay to be gay? The world teaches them it is- and the church doesn't teach that it's evil! Some do, but many don't.

Why do people think it's okay to watch whatever they want, read whatever they want, listen to whatever they want, wear whatever they want, sleep with whomever they want, etc? The world teaches them it's okay- but many churches don't teach them it's not!

To change and paraphrase what I heard Pastor Wayne Huntley say in a sermon called, "Preach them out of hell:" TEACH, TEACH, TEACH, TEACH, TEACH, TEACHER!!! " We need to teach them so that they will stay out of hell!

So please, church, please! PLEASE return back to actually praying, studying, and teaching the word of God! Please do not take your calling as a teacher lightly. It means the difference between heaven and hell for some of your students.

Remember, Preaching will save you, but teaching will keep you!!!