Last week, we talked about how the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is something different from the moment of Salvation. It’s a gift that Jesus promised, and it gives us power to share His love with others and help each other grow in our faith. We also learned that the Holy Spirit gives us certain gifts, but they’re not about making us look cool or super spiritual. They’re meant to be used WITH LOVE, to point people back to Jesus.
This week, we are going to start examining these various gifts, starting with two specific ones that go hand in hand: Tongues and the Interpretation of Tongues.
Before that, however, I want to re-emphasize the purpose of these gifts.
READ 1 CORINTHIANS 12:7
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Co 12:7.
The work God does in our lives and the things He gifts us are not just for ourselves, but for the sake of the whole body of Christ. Some things are meant to strengthen us to that we can serve better, some are meant for us to serve others directly.
Our motives for seeking these gifts should be based entirely in love.
Read: 1 Corinthians 14:1
Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Co 14:1.
We should desire these gifts, not because they are cool, but because we care so much for the lost and the body of Christ that we want to operate in the fullness of the Holy Spirit to better serve and reach the lost!
Now that we understand the motive, let’s look at what the gift of tongues is.
We first see this take place in Acts 2:4
READ:
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ac 2:4.
In this instance, the tongues were instantly recognized as an earthly language, and people nearby who did not speak the local language could understand them
We see this experience later played out in Acts 10:45-47 and 19:6 where people are baptized in the Holy Spirit and they begin to speak in tongues.
But what is this speaking in tongues?
There appear to be two types:
- An earthly tongue that we don’t know but others do.
- This is what we see taking place in Acts 2, where those in the upper room began to speak in tongues and those around heard in their own language.
- Language of heaven
- This comes from 1 Corinthians 13
- READ: If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Co 13:1.
The manifestation of these types seems to be based on the purposes of the Holy Spirit’s work in the moment.
First, let’s look at the Language of Heaven.
Read 1 Corinthians 14:2
For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Co 14:2.
This particular function is often referred to as a personal tongue. Not necessarily an earthy language nor one that needs to be translated. According to verse 4, this tongue is spoken by a believer to “build up himself.”
This idea of a personal prayer language, given to us by Holy Spirit is further strengthened in Paul’s writings in the book of Romans:
Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ro 8:26–27.
So what does this look like?
This is a matter of personal prayer. Yes sometimes it can happen in the context of a worship gathering where a person is praying, but it’s not an outward declaration over everyone; it’s a personal prayer time. This doesnt neccisiarily require interpretation, but Paul does say that when we pray like this, we should seek God and ask him for interpretation of what we prayed. Especially if we are in the context of a group setting:
Read 1 Corinthians 14:13-15
Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue is to pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive. 15 What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit, but I will sing with the mind also
New American Standard Bible (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 2020), 1 Co 14:13–15.
But there is this second function of tongues, which is to be a sign to unbelievers.
This is of course is what we see taking place in Acts 2 where people hear the preaching of the gospel in their own languages. However, in Corinthians, we see that the language being spoken isn’t necessarily always natively understood; this is where the second gift is mentioned, the gift of interpretation of tongues.
For context, when you look at what’s happening in the church of Corinth, this church was in complete mass chaos. Paul’s writings suggest that there was no order, and things were actually a hindrance to the work of the Holy Spirit. In chapter 14, Paul is suggesting that people were openly speaking in tongues with no interpretation, not organization, so when unbelievers came in, they thought it was just madness.
So to bring order to that situation, when in a large group meeting where you have the possability of people who dont’t know what’s happening, Paul gives these instructions:
If anyone speaks in a tongue, it must be by two or at the most three, and each one in turn, and one is to interpret; 28 but if there is no interpreter, he is to keep silent in church; and have him speak to himself and to God.
New American Standard Bible (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 2020), 1 Co 14:27–28.
So what does this situation look like? This would where, if we are in the middle of a time of worship, someone may get up as they are moved by the spirit and speak out loudly in tongues. We would then wait patiently for someone to give the interpretation for that tongue, as given to them by God. For the sake of order, we would allow this to happen a few times in a gathering.
Again, this is for the sake of pointing people back to Jesus. Some make to much of speaking in tongues, but some ignore it all together. It is a legit spiritual gift meant for both private prayer times but also public gatherings.
It’s also one that Paul expresses that we would all seek (though its not the biggest gift he desires us to seek).
Follow-Up Questions for Parents
- Why do you think Paul emphasizes that Spiritual gifts are supposed to be used with love?
- How do you think a personal prayer language could help someone in their relationship with God?
- Why do you think Paul is so insistent about making sure that worship in public spaces are done in such a way that unbelievers can understand what’s happening?
Adventures in Student Ministry 