Speaking in an unlearned tongue (language), what is for and what good is it? Isaiah 28:11-12 11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people. (The phrase, “stammering lips,” refers to a proper language being spoken, but yet the people hearing it would not understand it. Paul quoted this same Passage as it regards the Gift of Tongues as a sign to unbelievers [1 Cor. 14:21–22]. Oftentimes, the Holy Spirit used strange circumstances to present Prophecy proclaiming tremendously important coming events, even as this Prophecy does. Such also was the Prophecy given through Isaiah of the Birth of Christ through a “virgin” [Isa. 7:14]. The occasion would be the unbelief, ridicule, and scorn of wicked Ahaz. Therefore, it seems that the Holy Spirit designed both these Prophecies [the Virgin Birth of Christ and the Baptism with the Holy Spirit], to occasion faith in Believers and unbelief in mockers!) 12 To whom He said, This is the rest wherewith you may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. (Coupled with Verse 11, this tells us that speaking with other tongues brings about a “rest” from the tiredness of the journey of life. As well, speaking with other tongues brings about a “refreshing,” which rejuvenates the person. Many people ask, “What good is there in speaking with other tongues?” This mentioned by Isaiah presents two blessings, of which there are many. Regrettably, despite this tremendous gift given to the people of God, at least to those who will believe, like Judah of old, most “will not hear,” even as Paul quoted Isaiah [1 Cor. 14:21].) 1 Corinthians 14:21-22 21 In the Law it is written (Isa. 28:11), With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people (concerns a Prophecy given by Isaiah nearly 800 years before Christ, which concerns the Baptism with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking with other Tongues); and yet for all that will they not hear Me, saith the Lord (predicts that many, if not most, will refuse to heed this which is of the Lord). 22 Wherefore Tongues are for a sign, not to them who believe, but to them who believe not (a sign to the world that we are living in the last days): but Prophesying serves not for them who believe not, but for them which believe (speaks of Edification, Exhortation, and Comfort to the Church). 1 Corinthians 14:2 2 For he who speaks in an unknown Tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God (this is speaking of “Tongues” as one of the nine Gifts, and not the prayer language that every Believer receives upon being Baptized with the Spirit; as is obvious here, when one speaks in Tongues, whether in his prayer language or as a Gift, he is speaking directly to God): for no man understands him (unless it is interpreted); howbeit in the Spirit he speaks mysteries (that which pertains to God and is a mystery to all, unless revealed by the Holy Spirit). Acts 2:1-13 1 And when the Day of Pentecost was fully come (the Feast of Pentecost, one of the seven great Feasts ordained by God and practiced by Israel yearly; it took place fifty days after Passover), they were all with one accord in one place (not the Upper Room where they had been previously meeting, but rather the Temple [Lk. 24:53; Acts 2:46]). 2 And suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing mighty wind (portrays the coming of the Holy Spirit in a new dimension, all made possible by the Cross), and it filled all the house (the Temple) where they were sitting (they were probably in the Court of the Gentiles). 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire (the only record of such in the New Testament, and was the fulfillment of the Prophecy of John the Baptist concerning Jesus [Mat. 3:11]), and it sat upon each of them (refers to all who were there, not just the Twelve Apostles; the exact number is not known). 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit (all were filled, not just the Apostles; due to the Cross, the Holy Spirit could now come into the hearts and lives of all Believers to abide permanently [Jn. 14:16]), and began to speak with other tongues (the initial physical evidence that one has been Baptized with the Spirit, and was predicted by the Prophet Isaiah [Isa. 28:9–12], and by Christ [Mk. 16:17; Jn. 15:26; 16:13]), as the Spirit gave them utterance (meaning they did not initiate this themselves, but that it was initiated by the Spirit; as we shall see, these were languages known somewhere in the world, but not by the speaker). 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under Heaven (Jews were then scattered all over the Roman World, with thousands coming in from every nation to keep the Feast). 6 Now when this was noised abroad (multitudes who were in the Temple heard and saw the proceedings, and as well, began to tell others), the multitude came together (what was happening attracted a multitude), and was confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language (means that these on-looking Jews heard these people speaking in many different languages, in fact languages of the nations of their residence, wherever that might have been, proving that this was not gibberish or babble as some claim). 7 And they were all amazed and marveled (mostly centered upon this speaking with other tongues), saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? (This means that the Galilaean accent was peculiar and well-known [Mk. 14:70; Lk. 22:59].) 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? (This proves once again that this was not babble, mere chatter, or gibberish, but rather a language known somewhere in the world, but not by the speaker.) 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 (this tells us what speaking in tongues actually is, a recitation of the “Wonderful Works of God”). 12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt (should have been translated, “and were perplexed;” they had no rational answer to their perplexity), saying one to another, What does this mean? (This was asking more in wonder than demanding an answer.) 13 Others mocking said (they scoffed; whether by gesture or word, they jeered at the Testimony of this given by the Holy Spirit), These men are full of new wine (was actually an accusation that they were drunk, i.e., “intoxicated”; some were amazed and some “mocked,” which continues to be done even unto this hour). 1 Corinthians 14:4 4 He who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself (every believer needs edification, pertains to whether it be the Gift of Tongues or one’s prayer language); but he who Prophesies edifies the Church (is meant for the Edification of the entirety of the Body, not just for the speaker). 1 Corinthians 14:13-14 13 Wherefore let him who speaks in an unknown Tongue (the eighth Gift of the Spirit) pray that he may Interpret (also have that particular Gift, which is the ninth Gift). 14 For if I pray in an unknown Tongue, my spirit prays (speaks of the prayer language, not the Gift of the Spirit, and states that it comes from one’s spirit and not one’s mind), but my understanding is unfruitful (signifying that it doesn’t come from the mind). Jude 20 20 But you, Beloved (contrasts the Saints with the false teachers), building up yourselves (to build toward the finish of the structure for which the foundation has already been laid) on your most Holy Faith (Jesus Christ and Him Crucified), praying in the Holy Spirit (our praying must be exercised in the sphere of the Holy Spirit, motivated and empowered by Him), Acts 10:46-47 46 For they heard them speak with tongues (this is the initial, physical evidence that one has been Baptized with the Holy Spirit; it always and without exception accompanies the Spirit Baptism), and magnify God (means that some of them would stop speaking in tongues momentarily, and then begin to praise God in their natural language, magnifying His Name). Then answered Peter (presents the Apostle about to take another step), 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized (they had accepted Christ and had been Baptized with the Spirit, so now they should be Baptized in Water, which they were), which have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? (Multiple millions of Gentiles since that day have been Baptized with the Holy Spirit.) Acts 2:4 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit (all were filled, not just the Apostles; due to the Cross, the Holy Spirit could now come into the hearts and lives of all Believers to abide permanently [Jn. 14:16]), and began to speak with other tongues (the initial physical evidence that one has been Baptized with the Spirit, and was predicted by the Prophet Isaiah [Isa. 28:9–12], and by Christ [Mk. 16:17; Jn. 15:26; 16:13]), as the Spirit gave them utterance (meaning they did not initiate this themselves, but that it was initiated by the Spirit; as we shall see, these were languages known somewhere in the world, but not by the speaker). Acts 2:16-18 16 But this is that which was spoken by the Prophet Joel (please notice that Peter did not say, “this fulfills that spoken by the Prophet Joel,” but rather, “this is that …” meaning that it will continue); 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God (proclaims these “last days” as beginning on the Day of Pentecost, and continuing through the coming Great Tribulation), I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh (speaks of all people everywhere and, therefore, not limited to some particular geographical location; as well, it is not limited respecting race, color, or creed): and your sons and your daughters shall Prophesy (includes both genders), and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams (all given by the Holy Spirit; the Hebrew language insinuates, “both your young men and old men shall see visions, and both your old men and young men shall dream dreams”; it applies to both genders as well): 18 And on My servants and on My hand-maidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit (is meant purposely to address two classes of people who had been given very little status in the past, slaves and women); and they shall Prophesy (pertains to one of the “Gifts of the Spirit” [1 Cor. 12:8–10]): 1 Corinthians 14:14-15 14 For if I pray in an unknown Tongue, my spirit prays (speaks of the prayer language, not the Gift of the Spirit, and states that it comes from one’s spirit and not one’s mind), but my understanding is unfruitful (signifying that it doesn’t come from the mind). 15 What is it then? (This is meant to put the proper face on that which Paul has been saying.) I will pray with the spirit (pray in Tongues from my spirit, which speaks of one’s prayer language), and I will pray with the understanding also (pray in my regular language, which for me is English): I will sing with the spirit (sing from my spirit in other Tongues), and I will sing with the understanding also (sing unto the Lord in English; Paul is speaking here of one’s own private devotions, and not regular Church Services). Anything the Holy Spirit originates is profitable to the Body of Christ.
Posted on: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 12:52:54 +0000
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