Rev. David Holwick
First Baptist Church
West Lafayette, Ohio (Bible study)
May 24, 1989
1 Corinthians 14:1-40
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND TONGUES
I. Tongues in the Old Testament.
A. Genesis 11:4-9.
1) The tower of Babel.
2) One language is turned into many, resulting in confusion.
B. Numbers 11:24-29.
1) Moses' 70 elders prophesy in the Spirit.
2) Their ecstatic speaking is a concrete sign they have the Spirit
a) However, it is not directly called "tongues."
C. 1 Samuel 19:18-24.
1) The prophet Samuel is associated with a school of prophets.
2) They "prophesy," which is understood as ecstatic language.
D. 1 Kings 18:28.
1) The prophets of Baal prayed in ecstatic language.
2) Foreshadow of Satanic tongues?
E. Isaiah 28:11.
1) The Jews would not listen to the prophets, so God will speak
to them with "strange tongues."
2) Fulfillment:
a) Foreigners conquer Jewish people. (Babylon and Assyria)
b) Christian "tongues" are a sign to Jews. 1 Cor 14:21
F. Joel 2:28-32.
1) Prediction that all believers will prophesy in future.
2) On Pentecost, Peter sees fulfillment in gift of tongues.
(Acts 2)
II. New Testament.
A. Gospels.
1) Only reference to tongues is in Mark 16:17, probably a late
addition to the gospel of Mark.
B. Acts.
1) Tongues appear at Pentecost. Acts 2
a) Apostles speak in foreign languages.
1> Some scholars - they babbled, but there was a miracle
of hearing, so the unbelievers understood them.
b) It is described as "noise" and "drunkenness."
1> Compare 1 Corinthians 14:23 (you are insane!).
c) The apostles saw it as the fulfillment of O.T. prophecy.
2) Tongues appear when new groups are reached by the gospel.
a) Before they are even baptized: Cornelius, Acts 10:46
b) While they are baptized: Followers of John, 19:6
c) After they have been baptized: Apostles, Acts 2,
Samaritans, 8:17
C. Paul's letters.
1) 1 Corinthians 12-14 is the premier text.
2) Romans 8:26 (the Spirit intercedes for us) is a possible
reference to tongues, but not proven.
III. 1 Corinthians 14.
A. What tongues consisted of.
1) Conflict with book of Acts?
a) Acts - known human language.
b) Paul - unknown language.
1> Perhaps human. 1 Cor 14:10
2> Perhaps angelic. 1 Cor 13:1
2) Public versus private utterance.
3) Directed to God, or to men.
B. Tongues were misused.
1) Brought glory to the speaker.
2) Drove people away from the gospel. 14:16,23
3) Caused jealousy and discord within the church. 14:32
4) Their focus on tongues was "infantile." 14:20
C. Proper use of tongues.
1) Mostly for private use. 14:4
a) Paul prayed privately in tongues.
1> He prayed a great deal that way. 14:18
2> Tongues could also be "sung." 14:15
b) He saw tongues as a legitimate gift of the Spirit.
1> He wished all people had the gift. 14:5
2> However, not all real Christians do. 12:30
c) Tongues are a communication with God, not primarily
people. 14:2
1> They were a giving of thanks. 14:16-17
2> They were not "rational" - Paul did not know what
he was saying. 14:15
3> However, they are not forced on the person. They
have control over the experience. 14:32
2) Limited value in church services.
a) Edification of all hearers is most important. 14:12
1> No place for individual ecstatic "experience." 14:19
2> Without an interpretation, they should pray in
tongues to themselves. 14:28
b) To be edified, people must understand words. 14:9
1> Tongues are only a "sign" to unbelievers in that
they drive them away from salvation. 14:21-22
2> They are a sign of judgment, just like the
Babylonians judged Israel. Isaiah 28:11-12
c) Tongues can edify if they are interpreted.
1> Apparently the speaker did not understand his own
message in tongues. See above, 14:15
2> The Spirit had to give the interpretation.
A> It could come to the speaker. 14:13
B> It could come to someone else.
3> Only 2 or 3 tongues could be given, and interpreted,
in a service. 14:27
D. Tongues are for this age, not for eternity.
1) They will pass away. 1 Cor 13:8
2) Love (edification) is eternal, and more important. 1 Cor 13
