Transcript OUR GOD-ENTRUSTED GIFTS

GOD’S GIFT –TONGUES
AND THEIR
INTERPRETATION
Penge Baptist Church
15th July 2012
Tongues and interpretation
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“Now to each one the manifestation of the
Spirit is given for the common good. To
one there is given through the Spirit…
speaking in different kinds of tongues, and
to still another the interpretation of
tongues. All these are the work of one and
the same Spirit, and he gives them to each
one, just as he determines. (1 Corinthians
12:7-11)
What is speaking in tongues?
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Speaking in a language unknown to the
speaker
Can be praise, prayer or prophecy
Prophecies can be interpreted by those
with the gift of interpretation i.e.
“discerning what the Spirit is saying”
Biblical instances
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Pentecost
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“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to
speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them….
how is it that each of us hears them in his own native
language?…declaring the wonders of God in our own
tongues!” Acts 2:4,8,11)
Cornelius’ household
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“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy
Spirit came on all who heard the message. The
circumcised believers who had come with Peter were
astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been
poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them
speaking in tongues and praising God.” (Acts 10:44-46)
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Ephesus
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“When Paul placed his hands on them, the
Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke
in tongues and prophesied.” (Acts 19:6)
The church at Corinth
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“What then shall we say, brothers? When
you come together, everyone has a hymn,
or a word of instruction, a revelation, a
tongue or an interpretation. All of these
must be done for the strengthening of the
church.” (1 Corinthians 14:26)
Some modern views
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Tongues are the essential sign for receiving
the Holy Spirit
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“these signs will accompany those who believe: In
my name they will drive out demons; they will
speak in new tongues…” (Mark 16:17)
vs
 Tongues like other spiritual gifts ceased after
the time of the Apostles
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“where there are prophecies, they will cease;
where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where
there is knowledge, it will pass away” (1
Corinthians 13:8)
“the most excellent way?”
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Tongues as an aid to prayer
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Tongues may bring us closer to God
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“anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men
but to God” (1 Corinthians 14:2)
“We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the
Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words
cannot express.” (Romans 8:26)
“He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself” (1
Corinthians 14:4)
Tongues as a way of praising God
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“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels…” (1
Corinthians 13:1)
“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual
songs.” (Ephesians 5:19)
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Tongues as a form of prophecy, whereby God
may speak to his people
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“He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in
tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may
be edified.” (1 Corinthians 14:5)
“anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he
may interpret what he says” (1 Corinthians 14:13)
Greatly encouraged by Paul…
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“I would like every one of you to speak in tongues” (1
Corinthians 14:5)
“I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of
you.” (1 Corinthians 14:18)
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….but not for everyone….
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“All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and
he gives them to each one, just as he determines….Do
all speak in tongues?” (1 Corinthians 12:11,30)
….and to be used with love and proclaimed in
public in an orderly manner
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“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have
not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging
cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1)
“If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most
three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must
interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should
keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.”
(1 Corinthians 14:27-28)
Eagerly desire spiritual gifts!
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“Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water
with it. The water divided to the right and to the left,
and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me,
what can I do for you before I am taken from you?”
“Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha
replied. “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said,
“yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be
yours—otherwise not.” As they were walking along
and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and
horses of fire appeared and separated the two of
them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.
Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father!
The chariots and horsemen of Israel!”
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And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of
his own clothes and tore them apart. He picked up
the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and went back
and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took
the cloak that had fallen from him and struck the
water with it. “Where now is the LORD, the God of
Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it
divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed
over. The company of the prophets from Jericho,
who were watching, said, “The spirit of Elijah is
resting on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and
bowed to the ground before him.” (2 Kings 2:8-15)