Expert: Phillip Senn - 9/1/2004

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Hi, I have a question that I would like an outsiders opinion on.  Hopefully you will be able to help us clarify what we need to know to go to our pastor.  I need to know if you know from all of your studying, that is it necessary for christians to speak in tongues inorder to live a abundant life?  Inorder for them to realy see God spiritualy, to be close go God?  Isn't the gift of tongues like all other gifts? That God gives certain gifts to certain people? I would like to also know that if it does say these things, and that it is a necessaty, and we are to have this gift please show me where in the bible it tells us this
Answer -
The issue of tongues is not new. Many well meaning people have read Scriptures that speak of an "unknown" tongue and have understood that to mean a "special gift". Some make the distinction between the "gift of tongues" and a "special prayer language".

There are many references concerning tongues in Scripture. But in every case where the term "unknown" is used, it is always in italics. The italicizing of a word in the KJV indicates that it doesn't appear in the original text, and that it is added for clarification. Unfortunately, added words sometimes cause more confusion than they cause clarification.

In the Scriptures, the term "gift" comes from the Greek word "charis". It carries the meaning, "God's influence on the heart that is reflected in the life". God, indeed, gifts diferent people for different tasks. But the main task that God influences the believer's heart toward is ministering the Gospel message to the lost. His primary goal is NOT to cause us to get all "goose bumpy" and start shouting, etc. The Holy Spirit is used of God to witness to us of Christ. Some call the "speaking in tongues" "the evidence of the Holy Ghost". There is no Scripture that indicates that speaking in a tongue (language) other than your native tongue is the evidence of the Holy Ghost.

The tongues that the Apostle Paul spoke were words that were spoken "boldly" concerning the Lord Jesus. They were words that were understood by Barnabus (Acts 9:27-29).

On the day of Pentecost, all men of all nations were gathered together. When the Apostles spoke in tongues, the men heard them speak in their own tongue(Acts 2:6-11). And that which they heard were "the wonderful works of God". Had they been "unknown tongues" or some special prayer language, these men wouldn't have had any idea what was being spoken to them. Peter stood that day and declared the Gospel to ALL that were present. Men are not saved because they speak in tongues as "evidence they have the Holy Ghost". Men are saved because they believe the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Many rely upon the books to the Corinthians for their information concerning tongues, but I would caution that there is much misunderstanding concerning Paul's letters to the Corinthians also. I will post a follow-up if you need additional information. But this is a long answer, and I usually try to keep them short for the sake of the readers.

I hope this has been helpful to you. Please rate my answer at allexperts.com so that I may know of areas that I may need to improve in. If you need additional information, please don't hesitate to post a follow-up question. If you have additional questions, please use allexperts.com to present them as well.

With Love in Christ,
Phillip Senn

I would like to ask another question, and yes your answer was very good.  I would like to know If you believe that tongues is used in todays world as a spritual language to God.  When we become so "distraught"  I guess is the way to put it...and we don't know what to pray, does the Holy Spirit speak for us and that is where tongues comes in?  If yes or no could you give me some biblical references for this.

Thank You,
Deana

Answer
There is no Scripture that indicates that "tongues" comes into play when we don't know what to pray and the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf. The passage that I think you refer to is found in 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."

There are many that utilize this passage that says plainly that the "groanings that cannot be uttered" to teach that one speaks to God through their utterings. That is clearly NOT what this passage says. It says that it is the Spirit that makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered. Notice it is not us that is speaking unto God here, it is the Spirit. Also notice that the groanings cannot be uttered (spoken in words).

It is very clear that this is not speaking of tongues (languages), for if this were speaking of languages there would need to be words spoken. What this refers to, is not our groanings (sighs), but the groanings (sighs) of the Holy Spirit. He searches our hearts, knows our needs, and makes those needs known to the Father. It is not us that makes intercession for the Saints in this passage, but the Holy Spirit.

The passage that refers to those that "speak in tongues, speak not unto men, but unto God" is found in 1 Corinthians 14:2. Again, the term "unknown" is italicized, indicating it is not in the original text. It deals with dialects that cannot be understood by those that hear. God knows everything, and thus, even if we speak in a dialect that the people around us are unlearned in, God knows what we are saying, but those around us are unable to comprehend what we are saying. Paul expresses that it is much better that we speak words that are easy to be understood by those around us (not just God). For indeed a person may be edified by speaking unto God, but we are called upon to edify the body of Christ, through words that can be understood by the body. Notice he follows up with an explanation in the verses to follow (14:7-11) by saying we should use words easy to be understood (distinct and succinct in their meaning) so that we might edify the body of Christ (v.12).

I hope this has helped you to gain a better understanding, and hopefully be better able to approach your Pastor in a way that will seek to the edifying of the Church.

Thank you for rating the previous answer. Could you please  rate this follow-up as well. Thanks.

With Love in Christ,
Phillip Senn