tongue speaking – La Vista Church of Christ

Don’t you know that the language of God is understandable to those needing to understand?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 04:12:06 +0000

Question:

[I left this one unedited since the author believes he is being led by the Spirit.]

I don’t know who you’ve met, what you’ve read, or who you’ve talked to. But what I do know is that the blood is dripping from your hands and all that you led astray you will have to pay for.

You haven’t spoken to a true Pentecostal for if you did they would have told you that speaking in tongues as the Spirit of GOD gives utterance is the initial evidence that you have received the Holy Ghost.

They would have told you it was the language of GOD and that it is understandable for those who need to understand it. Like on the Day of Pentecost.

How in the world do you think all those people from all of those many countries could all hear the language of their home country? If all in the upper room, (by the way it wasn’t just the 12 apostles, there were 120 people up there including Mary the mother of Yehoshua HaMaShiach).

If all in the upper room were speaking say Greek, only the people from Greece would have recognised their home country. If all were speaking Crete or one of the countries’ tongues only the people from those countries could have understood them. And this could only be understood if each one was saying the same thing at the same time. For if each one was speaking the language of each of the countries present it would have sounded like a bunch of babbling and confusion because that’s what it sounds like when a bunch of people are speaking English at the same time let alone different languages.

But each person heard them speaking their own language, in their own tongue. The only tongue that could do that is the tongue of the ALMIGHTY.

Yes some people will also gain the ability to speak in an earthly language along with the Holy Ghost, or some other gift. But this is NOT the tongues of GOD.

The Bible says,

“Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not...”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭14‬:‭22‬

You could be speaking against the Holy Ghost sir. You could be speaking against THE HOLY GHOST. I don’t know if this is considered blasphemy or speaking against The Holy Ghost or not or even if you are doing this knowingly or not but just in case it, you need to be VERY careful for that will not be forgiven you. Not in this world and not in the world to come:

“Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men…But whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭

I don’t know if what you’ve done is considered speaking against the Holy Ghost or is blasphemy or not, and I hope for your sake it isn’t. People for the sake of being right will say all manner of things not realizing it could cost them salvation. I don’t know but just in case you haven’t cursed yourself to eternal damnation:

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yehoshua HaMaShiach for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭38‬ ‭

“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter,
because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues…”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭10‬:‭44‬-‭46‬ ‭

Repent sir. REPENT. Repent of the wickedness that you have done to prove yourself right. How do I know that this was just to prove yourself right? There was no need to put all of the rest of this up here except for how you believe a person receives salvation except if you’re trying to prove yourself right. For what should be important is saving people not showing how you think others are wrong and you’re right.

The scripture needs no private interpretation as you’ve done. It is plain for all to see what it means concerning how to be saved. The only ones it is hid to is it is hid TO those that are lost, (2 Corinthians 4:3). Not FROM them but TO them. This means they heard it and rejected it in their hearts but they don’t want to be saved, they want to be lost.

Side note:1 and 2 Corinthians was
a letter from Paul, (which needs to be read from the beginning [aka chapter 1 verse 1]to understand it properly), to those who were already saved, already born again,

“Paul, called to be an apostle of Yehoshua HaMaShiach through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Yehoshua HaMaShiach , called (to be) saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Yehoshua HaMaShiach our Lord, both their's and our's:”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭

Paul was speaking to ones who were already saved and wanted to know which was more necessary concerning the gifts of the Spirit for that part of the Body of Christ at that time. You read it and don’t understand it because you haven’t been born again. It is addressed to the saved, the unsaved couldn’t possibly understand what it means, okay?

Okay, that’s all. Repent sir. For YOUR sake, (and if you haven’t cursed yourself that is), repent.

Answer:

There is definitely an odd mix of Pentecostal beliefs and Messianic Judaism in this diatribe. The author plays word games to avoid being trapped. Thus, though I've known several Pentecostals and taught in a school run by Pentecostals for over a year, the author would claim they were not true Pentecostals if they did not hold the author's beliefs. Of course, there is no definitive standard for what constitutes true Pentecostalism, so the author believes he is safe from being proven wrong.

In a similar way, the author avoids the fact that the gibberish spoken is not a language by claiming that only those whom God intends to understand will actually understand what is being said.

When the people exclaimed about the miracle in Acts 2, they said, "We hear them speaking in our languages the mighty works of God!" (Acts 2:11). Because it says "them," we know that more than one apostle was speaking. This fits with what is stated next, "But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them" (Acts 2:14). It was Peter's sermon, but the other eleven were also there, presumably translating what Peter said into other languages. The people heard the apostles speaking in their native languages. This is how the Spirit described the miracle. "They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak" (Acts 2:4). The miracle was that they spoke in other languages, not that people heard in other languages.

Also, notice that throughout the text, the Holy Spirit, through Luke, states that multiple languages were spoken. The author of the diatribe claims it was a single language heard differently by selected people. There is no support for the author's position.

The idea that 120 received the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost is also different from what Luke recorded. See "Did 120 Receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:1-4?"

What is strange is that after quoting a verse that states that tongues are a sign for unbelievers, the author scolds those of us who don't believe the author is capable of performing this sign. Babbling is not impressive to skeptics.

Nor can this be blasphemy of the Holy Spirit when the author is incapable of proving that the Holy Spirit is actually behind the author's babbling. I'm also not impressed that the author believes it is fine to edit the biblical text to match his beliefs. For example, the author quotes Acts 2:38 from the King James Version but alters the wording so that "in the name of Jesus Christ" becomes "in the name of Yehoshua HaMaShiach," which doesn't match the underlying Greek text.

Of course, the author manages to violate the law of noncontradiction. In a lengthy rebuttal to what has been posted on La Vista's website, the author claims that proving someone wrong and asserting that you are right is a sin. Obviously, the author thinks he is an exception to his own rule, but logically, he has proven himself wrong. He also forgot about the command "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (I John 4:1). I've been following John's command, and the author has come up severely short.

Disciples Are Devoted

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sat, 18 Oct 2025 17:02:29 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Disciples-Are-Devoted.mp3

by Jeremy DeHut

Download Audio

Acts of Disciples

A New Twist on Tongues

Jeffrey Hamilton — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 17:35:49 +0000

by James P. Needham
via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 1 No. 18, 31 March 1992

I never cease to be amazed at the clever ruses hatched up by false teachers in their ungodly efforts to tickle the ears of the public and make merchandise of human souls (II Timothy 4:3; II Peter 2:3). When I think I have heard it all, someone comes up with something, as we say, that’s "off the wall."

Recently, I heard a TV preacher defending "unknown tongues" as "a secret language between God and man that the devil can’t understand." He said the devil can understand all languages except "unknown tongues," so when one prays in an unknown tongue, the devil can’t hinder his prayer because he can’t understand what one is praying for! If he prays in a common language, the devil can interrupt his prayer and keep God from hearing it!

He suggested that his audience had never heard of such a thing, but he went on to say, "All the things you’ve never heard would make several worlds!" In view of the inventive genius of false teachers, I guess this has some truth to it. Did you ever hear anything so ridiculous in your whole life?
Let’s have a look at this "off-the-wall" and unscriptural foolishness.

In the first place, there is neither jot nor tittle of scripture in all of God’s word to support it. "Unknown tongues" was one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, limited to the first century, for the purpose of breaking down language barriers in the initial spreading of the gospel to all nations. Acts 2 is a good example; the apostles were understood in perhaps sixteen different languages. Everywhere they went, they could speak in the local dialect without difficulty, which facilitated the carrying out of the Great Commission to preach the gospel to every creature. Paul said this had been done within 40 years following the giving of the Great Commission (Colossians 1:23). Without the miraculous ability to speak every language in the world, this would have been impossible.

Paul prophesied the cessation of such a gift (and all other miraculous gifts) in I Corinthians 13:8-10:

"Love never faileth: but whether {there be} prophecies, shall be done away; {there be} tongues, they shall cease; whether {there be} knowledge, it shall be done away. For we know part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away."

"That which was perfect" had reference to the completed written revelation, which occurred about 100 AD. James affirmed that revelation was perfect or complete (James 1:25), and Jude said the faith had been "once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). When the perfect revelation was written down, the "perfect" had come.

In the second place, "unknown tongues" were languages unknown to persons who had not learned them. They certainly were not unknown to God, and the man doesn’t live who can prove by the Bible that they were unknown to Satan. Acts 2:8 says: "And how hear we, every man in our own language where we were born?" (ASV).

In the third place, what kind of concept does this false teacher have of God? Does he think that if God wants to hear and answer a prayer, the devil could prevent Him from doing so? That makes the devil stronger than God! The devil and all the imps of hell can’t prevent God from hearing a prayer offered according to His law, and he who thinks otherwise needs to re-examine his view of the Almighty God. The devil can hinder our prayers, but only by our own voluntary acquiescence to his ungodly purposes. Without our voluntarily doing his bidding, the devil has not the power to touch us. People will go all the way around Joshua’s barn to evade the truth when it would be much easier to read, believe, and obey the Bible. People tend to be like the ancient Athenians, as Luke described them:

"Now all the Athenians and the strangers sojourning there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing" (Acts 17:21).

When the television preacher made this "profound" remark, the audience applauded for some time, and he looked like the cat that ate the canary; he really thought he had done something great!

If something’s new and novel, whether in religion or elsewhere, some people will take it "hook, line, and sinker." If it's a down-to-earth, straightforward truth, they often will scorn it. It is sad, but true, that people often will exchange the truth for a lie and think they have done something great.

Speaking in Tongues?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 15:54:07 +0000

by Ron Boatwright

Many in the religious world today are obsessed with "speaking in tongues." According to the Bible, one of the miracles of the first century was the ability to speak in understandable foreign languages, which the speaker had never learned. In Acts 2, on the Day of Pentecost, only the twelve apostles could miraculously and intelligibly speak the 16 different foreign languages listed in Acts 2:9-11 as they communicated with the Jews at Jerusalem who had come from all over the known world. Many of these Jews only spoke the language of the country from which they came. Acts 2:6 says the people "were confused because everyone heard them speak in his own language." This was not the "jibberish" that is passed off today as "speaking in tongues." The Jews knew that the twelve apostles were not very learned because they said in Acts 2:7, "Look are not all these who speak Galileans?" The people were amazed because the twelve unlearned Galilean apostles could fluently speak in all these different foreign languages, which they had never learned. This was a miracle.

One of the purposes of miraculously speaking in these various foreign languages is that the Lord charged the apostles in Mark 16:15 to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" and in Matthew 28:18 to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations." How were they to teach the gospel to people in these various foreign lands since they did not know their languages? They would have had to spend at least two years in a language school to be able to speak even one language fluently. But on the day of Pentecost, the twelve unlearned apostles could fluently speak at least 16 different foreign languages. God gave them this miraculous power to help them accomplish what He had charged them to do.

The purpose of miracles (including speaking in tongues) was to confirm the word of God. We read in Mark 16:20 about the apostles carrying out the Lord's great commission: "they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs." Since the word of God was confirmed in the first century A.D., miracles are no longer necessary today to confirm God's word, as found in the New Testament.

The twelve apostles were given the power to miraculously speak in these various foreign languages. Certain other Christians in the first century were also given this miraculous power of the Holy Spirit. But how did these other Christians receive this power? In Acts 6:5-6, Philip, along with six other men, was chosen "whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them." "Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did...But when they believed Philip...both men and women were baptized" (Acts 8:5-6, 12). Philip could do miracles because the hands of the apostles had been laid on him. However, Philip was not an apostle and could not lay his hands on others to pass on this miraculous power. So, the apostles Peter and John were sent to them, "that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given" (Acts 8:18). It was through the laying on of the apostles' hands that this miraculous power was passed on. In Acts 19:1-7, the apostle Paul baptized twelve men, and we read in verse 6, "And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with other tongues and prophesied." Also, the apostle Paul had passed on to Timothy a miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit when he charged Timothy "to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands" (II Timothy 1:6). No apostles are living on the earth today.

The only other time the Lord gave people in the first century the power to miraculously speak in foreign languages ("tongues") without the laying on of the apostles' hands was with Cornelius and his household in Acts chapters 10 and 11. The purpose of this miracle was to convince Peter and the six other Jewish brethren who accompanied him that "God has also granted the Gentiles repentance to life" (Acts 11:18). When Peter and the six Jewish brethren returned to Jerusalem, they had to defend their actions to Jewish members of the church there (Acts 11:2-18). It was unlawful for a Jew to go into the house of a Gentile (Acts 10:28). After Peter explained all of the things that happened as to why he went into the house of a Gentile, he replied "who was I that I could withstand God? When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God" (Acts 11:17-18). It took a miracle, the miraculous speaking in foreign languages by the Gentiles, to convince the Jews that God had also accepted the Gentiles into the church.

Miracles of the first century were only temporary: until God's word could be confirmed, congregations of the Lord's church could be established throughout the known world, and the New Testament could be written as a guide for Christians. God's word says that there would come a time when tongues would cease "when that which is perfect is come." I Corinthians 13:8-10 says, "But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part will be done away." That which is perfect did come, and that which is in part (including "tongues") was done away. God's word says, "But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does" (James 1:25). Since "the perfect law of liberty", the New Testament, has been written, we now have the "perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2). When the New Testament was confirmed and completed then "tongues" and other miracles ceased.

This miraculous power of the Holy Spirit ceased at the death of the apostles and the death of those on whom the apostles had laid their hands. Today, if anyone is able to "speak in tongues", that is, in foreign languages, it is because they have studied and learned them. Modern-day "tongues speakers" have made a mockery of the word of God. When they stand before the Lord on the Day of Judgment, they will have to "give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12) for what they have done. Today, the "jibberish" which is falsely called "tongue speaking" is nothing more than "nonsensical babblings" designed to deceive people. It is done by men "boasting himself to be somebody" (Acts 5:36). Today, the hoax of speaking in tongues is designed to lead people away from the truth of God’s word. And because of this Jesus says, "And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into the ditch" (Matthew 15:14). We are also warned, "Beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked" (II Peter 3:17). Paul says that people would be deceived, "According to the working of Satan with all power, signs, and lying wonders and with unrighteous deception among those who perish" (II Thessalonians 2:9-10). Let’s not be led away by the error of Satan's power, signs, lying wonders, and deception, and lose our own souls in Hell.

Tongues Without an Interpreter

Jeffrey Hamilton — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 15:58:57 +0000

by Hugh DeLong

The gift of being able to speak in languages that one had not previously known is called the gift of tongues. There are only five references to this: Mark 16:16-20; Acts 2; Acts 10; Acts 19; and the longest one in I Corinthians 12-14. That such was a language is seen in Acts 2, where ‘tongue’ and ‘language’ are used interchangeably in Acts 2:4, 6, 8, and 11. Such is indicated in I Corinthians 13:1 as Paul speaks of ‘tongues of men and of angels’ - languages of men and angels. Even in I Corinthians 14, while he uses ‘tongues’ repeatedly, he then speaks of the many different languages in the world, all of which have meaning.

The problem in Corinth was the misuse of such a gift of languages. They were using it even when no one could understand, and when they had no interpreter to translate the meaning of what was said. They were speaking in tongues when they came together, but they were doing so

many at the same time,
without an interpreter, and
to impress others with the act and not with the information, which would edify the congregation.

I Corinthians 14:2 - When they spoke in a tongue, they spoke to God and not man, for without an interpreter, no one but God would understand. Hence, when they spoke without an interpreter, they were not speaking to man (for no one understood) but to God (for He was the only one that understood). While they spoke in such languages in front of men and to impress men, their wrongful way of doing it (without an interpreter) meant that they didn’t speak to men at all. This is similar to Paul’s statement in I Corinthians 11 that they came together ‘not to eat the Lord’s supper’ (I Corinthians 11:20). They were, but because of the way they were doing it, it invalidated the whole thing. So here, they did speak ‘to’ men, at least to impress men, but in effect, they spoke to no man, for no one understood. Hence, speaking in a language that is not intelligible means that
1. no one will know what is said, and
2. you will be ‘speaking into the air.’
I Corinthians 14:4 – In what way does the act of speaking in a language that no one present can understand build up the speaker himself? It is not in knowledge and understanding. Instead, by the very experience of doing this, even though there was no knowledge or information, the speaker experienced the gift of God.
I Corinthians 14:5 - Prophesy is greater unless there is an interpreter (i.e., the way they were doing it made tongues the lesser gift).
I Corinthians 14:6 - Thus, speaking in tongues (as they were doing it - without an interpreter) is of no benefit, but with an interpreter there would be revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or teaching.
I Corinthians 14:7-8 - Unless there is a particular sound (an identifiable and knowable sound), instruments are nothing.
I Corinthians 14:9 – Even so, tongues without an interpreter leave people without knowing what was said.
I Corinthians 14:10 - All languages have meaning, even languages of angels, but ...
I Corinthians 14:11 - As with any foreign language, speaking without an interpreter is unintelligible and edifies no one.
I Corinthians 14:13 - Therefore, the speaker in tongues should pray that he may interpret for …
I Corinthians 14:14 - Even prayer to self, without understanding, leaves the mind unfruitful.
I Corinthians 14:15 - Therefore, I will pray with the mind, understanding, in a language that I understand.
I Corinthians 14:17 - Thus those who hear are not built up (edified) - unless there is an interpreter.
I Corinthians 14:22 - This gift was not for the believer’s benefit, but was a sign to the unbeliever in that it showed that God was with you and producing this ability to speak in a new language.
I Corinthians 14:23 - But if all speak in tongues (and there is no interpreter), visitors will just think you are all crazy.
I Corinthians 14:26-28 – instructions are given here on the use of tongues in their assemblies: when you come together. If the gift of tongues was used, it could only be 2 or 3 per meeting, and only one at a time, and there must be an interpreter, or the tongue speakers remain quiet.
I Corinthians 14:32 - Not only is it implied that the person can control the use of this gift (thus fulfilling the rules that Paul taught), but as with all gifts, the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.

This was not about private prayer language that even the speaker didn’t understand. This was about languages used in the assembly that were supposed to edify the hearers, but because no one understood what was said, it didn't. All exercises of this gift were done in public, and people did understand what was said. In Acts 2, they knew they were “telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God” (Acts 2:11). In Acts 10, they heard them ‘extolling God' (Acts 10:46). All things are to be done unto edification (I Corinthians 14:26).

I Used to Be Just Like You

Jeffrey Hamilton — Tue, 27 May 2025 17:47:53 +0000

by Gary W. Summers

One of our members had a brief discussion with a man whom he seldom sees. In the course of the conversation, the man effusively praised “speaking in tongues.” When told that he did not practice such, the man told him, “I used to be just like you.” Of course, the obvious response is, “No, if you used to be like me, you would still be where I am.”

The reason is that what we believe is based on the Scriptures—what they teach, not on some human experience. Of course, probably few people would understand that kind of answer, so here are a few questions to ask.

First, what do you mean by “speaking in tongues”? Only two responses are possible. The first is that someone would affirm that they speak a known language that they had never studied. The second option is to give an entirely different definition.

At that point, you might pose the question, “Is the Bible your authority for all spiritual matters?” If the answer is no, then there is a real problem. Ask: “Then what is your authority?” If it turns out to be their feelings, then just plainly state: “We might never agree since we have two different authorities.” (And theirs, personal feelings, is the wrong one—Proverbs 26:28).

If they agree that the Bible is our only authority, then ask, “How does the Bible define speaking in tongues?” Be prepared to go to Acts 2:1-12. This is the first occasion where the phenomenon is mentioned, and they are defined as languages spoken in various parts of the world. Since speaking in tongues is first defined here, the meaning will be the same anywhere else—unless there is a new or expanded definition that all can recognize. However, it has the same meaning when used elsewhere, and it remains a sign to those who are unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14:22).

The Word of God, the faith, was in part; it was revealed in parts at a time (I Corinthians 13:8-10). However, it has now been completely revealed (II Peter 1:3). All truth has been made known for the perfecting of Christians. How all was revealed (speaking in tongues, prophecies, a word of knowledge, a word of wisdom) is no longer needed. A scaffold is used during the construction of a structure. After the building has been completed, the scaffolding is removed. The complete New Testament is the building, and the scaffolding (speaking in tongues) is no longer necessary.

Tongues Shall Cease

Jeffrey Hamilton — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 01:07:42 +0000

by Terry Wane Benton

Miraculous powers such as tongues, speaking languages one has not learned through study or education, are no longer available today. They were instrumental in the early days of the church in helping to reveal and confirm God's message (Mark 16:20; Hebrews 2:1-4). When "that which is perfect" (complete) came, then those things that were "in part" would be done away (I Corinthians 13:8-10). The perfect law of liberty (James 1:21) was compiled in written form to achieve a total and complete status that fulfilled what the Spirit wanted to reveal and confirm.

There are no prophets today. Why? Prophecy would cease as well. Miracles like those Jesus and the apostles performed are no longer given to men. Why? Because they served their purpose in revealing and confirming the Bible message (Hebrews 2:1-4; Mark 16:20).

There are no living apostles or prophets today. Why? The work of the apostles and prophets is complete, and they are in the foundation of God's house. We are built upon Jesus, the apostles, and prophets (Ephesians 2:19f).

There are no more foundational needs. The foundation is complete. We build upon what the apostles and prophets have already laid down. When their work was complete (perfect), miraculous tongues, prophecies, and miracles ceased.

There is no way to obtain those powers today, as they were temporarily distributed "through the laying on of the apostles' hands" (Acts 8:13-16; 19:6). The apostles are no longer performing this act. Therefore, miraculous tongues have ceased. Fake tongues, emotional hype, and hypnotic emotionalism have always been around to deceive, but real apostles and prophets to reveal and confirm new revelations have ceased. The scriptures completely furnish the man of God today (II Timothy 3:16-17).

Babbling like Pagans

Jeffrey Hamilton — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 17:04:32 +0000

by Floyd Chappalear
via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 13, No. 4, December 31, 1987

Charismatic tongue-speaking did not originate with Christianity. In fact, historians tell us that the ancient Greeks would get ״carried away in the spirit” and babble nonsensically as part of their worship of the gods.

Jesus forbade his disciples to "babble like the pagans" (Matthew 6:7 NIV), and they did not. The tongues on Pentecost were intelligible, spoken languages of the first century. Paul warned that certain ones who were "carried away" by some spirit other than God's might engage in "unknown tongues," but it was a phenomenon little known among first-century Christians. One wonders what spirit leads men and women today to "speak in tongues."

For more information, visit or write.

Is speaking in tongues for communicating with God?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 03:37:40 +0000

Question:

May God continue to strengthen you guys in Jesus' name. Amen.

You may not be aware, but many issues arise with the topic of speaking in tongues here. A brother recently sent me some voice notes discussing speaking in tongues with a man. He explained that speaking in tongues, as described in the New Testament book of Acts, involves miraculously speaking in a different human language without prior knowledge of that language. However, the man he spoke with took him to I Corinthians 14:2 and claimed that when the Bible says, "For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him," the context isn’t limited to the church in Corinth. He argued that the phrase "no one understands him" refers to all Christian churches, not just the church at Corinth.

He also pointed to I Corinthians 14:22, which says, "Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not." According to him, this means that the tongues mentioned in verse 2 are different because in that verse, it says, "In the spirit, he speaks mysteries." He questioned why Apostle Paul would use the word "mysteries" when speaking to God if the tongues in verses 14 and 2 are the same. He suggested that the Holy Spirit gives utterance for both types of tongues: the one that is for men (human language) and the one that is not for men (mysterious languages).

He then referenced Romans 8:26, which says, "The Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." He explained that there are two kinds of prayer: one with understanding, and one in the Spirit. He said that when we pray with understanding, we use our intellect and know what we're praying about. However, when we pray in tongues, as described in 1 Corinthians 14:14, we pray in the Spirit (speaking mysteries to God, as mentioned in verse 2), and our understanding is unfruitful.

He further explained that sometimes we feel a burden to pray for someone or something, but we don’t know exactly how to pray. In these cases, he suggested, we pray in the Spirit. He emphasized that this "praying in the Spirit" has both a theological and practical aspect. According to Romans 8:26, the Spirit helps in our intercession, so when we pray, the Spirit takes over part of the prayer. The Spirit gives us the utterance and inspires us to pray.

When we don’t know what to pray for, we can pray in the Spirit, which means praying in tongues. In this case, the Spirit gives us utterance, and our understanding doesn’t benefit from it because we’re speaking directly to God, not to men, as explained in 1 Corinthians 14:2. We are speaking in mysteries to God.

The man shared a personal experience when he had a strong burden to pray for his mother. He started praying in his understanding, but because he didn’t know exactly what to pray for, he switched to praying in the Spirit, i.e., in tongues. Afterward, he felt relief, and when he visited his mother, she told him she had been very sick (near death) and had a dream of him calling her back from the dead. She described everything in detail, and he knew that this was the exact moment he had been praying in the Spirit, in tongues.

Finally, the brother mentioned that when we pray in the Spirit (speak in tongues), we don’t have control over what comes out—the Spirit of God inspires us. He also pointed out that there are tongues of men and tongues of angels, as described in 1 Corinthians 13:1—one is known to men, and the other is unknown to men.

Answer:

The Mystery Language

"Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church" (I Corinthians 14:1-4).

In the first part of I Corinthians 14, Paul discusses using spiritual gifts. He compares the gift of prophecy with the gift of speaking in tongues. All of the Holy Spirit's gifts are useful, but Paul states that prophecy is the better gift. Why does Paul pick the gift of tongues? Probably because the Corinthians valued this gift since it was showy.

When a person speaks in a language that no one present understands, there is no communication taking place. This is why it is referred to as a "mystery." God understands what he is saying, but no one is built up except for the speaker. He knows what he is saying, but it doesn't help his audience. In contrast, the one who prophesies speaks in the same language as everyone else. His words come from God, and all who listen to him are benefited.

Paul's observations are being told to the church in Corinth. I do agree that his points are true regardless of which church a person is in. What he skipped over is why no one understands him. He assumes that the speaker is speaking in a heavenly language, but nothing in the passage states this. Paul only mentions that those present don't understand the language (tongue) that the person is currently using.

Paul's point is that the use of a language that no one understands is useless because the point of language is communication. "So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air" (I Corinthians 14:9). Thus, claiming to speak in a heavenly tongue is a claim of possessing a useless gift. It doesn't benefit anyone. "So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church. ... Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified" (I Corinthians 14:12, 16-17). Christianity is not about serving yourself but serving others.

A Change in Tongues?

The claim that I Corinthians 14:22 is a different tongue shows that he doesn't understand the passage. The context hasn't changed. Paul starts by comparing prophecy to tongue speaking, which continues in I Corinthians 14:22.

"In the Law it is written, 'By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to Me,' says the Lord. So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you" (I Corinthians 14:21-25).

Paul refers to Isaiah 28:11-12. This passage is not a prophecy about the miraculous gift of languages. In Isaiah 28:11-12, God is telling Israel that He will punish them by sending them to foreign lands where they would not be understood and where they would not understand those around them. Yet, despite the punishment, they would not listen to God. They remained rebellious and stubborn. From this, Paul draws the point that foreign languages did not benefit God’s people when they were not inclined to listen to God. For the same reason, the gift of tongues won’t improve God’s people if they are not so inclined. Hearing words you don’t understand won’t change your mind.

Note that I Corinthians 14:22 contains two “not ... but” idioms. These should be read as “not merely” or “not only” and “but more importantly."

If the gift of tongues is not just for God’s people, who are they really for? Paul concludes that God gave the gift of tongues to benefit non-believers. It allows teachers to reach people by talking to them in their own native language, and it leaves a strong impression on them. It serves as a sign to the unbeliever that God is behind the message.

In contrast, prophecy is more for the believer than for the unbeliever. The unbeliever does not yet have faith in God, so God’s teachings don’t significantly impact his life. Yet the child of God lives to do God’s will, and the words of God from the prophets are very important to him. Seeing the truth in God’s message becomes a significant sign to the believer that God is with him.

Since it is not a "heavenly language" here in I Corinthians 14:22, we can also conclude that Paul was not talking about a heavenly language in I Corinthians 14:2 but a human language that no one present understood. The person you are talking to realizes this conclusion is possible but rejects it because it undermines his created narrative.

Prayers of Groaning?

"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God" (Romans 8:26-27).

A sleight-of-hand has taken place. Who is doing the groaning? The person you are talking to says it is himself as he repeats what the Spirit says. But read what Paul wrote carefully. We pray to God, and the Spirit intercedes on our behalf. The Spirit uses more than words to express on our behalf what we cannot properly express. Nothing in this passage indicates that Spirit is controlling the words coming out of our mouths. Paul didn't even say we know what the Spirit tells God on our behalf.

"Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also" (I Corinthians 14:13-15).

If there is no one to interpret a prayer said in a language no one present understands, Paul says that the one speaking the prayer in a different language understands in his spirit (since he knows what he is expressing); however, what his mind is expressing doesn't produce results (fruit) since no communication takes place. Public prayer is not just about the individual but is meant to benefit everyone who hears. This verse does not say the speaker doesn't understand what he is trying to express.

Sometimes, not knowing how to pray as we should does not mean our prayers become unintelligible to others or ourselves. It only means that what we express may not be the best word, but the Spirit helps us by adding His thoughts to what we are trying to convey to God. Nothing in Romans 8:26 says that the Spirit takes over our prayers. He intercedes with God on our behalf.

I Corinthians 14:15 states that I will "pray with the spirit," which refers to my personal spirit as the source of my prayers. My prayers come from the depth of my being and from my intellect ("with the mind"). It does not say that I will "pray in the Spirit," as this person claims.

Personal Experience

The example given illustrates God answering prayers, which God said He would do (I John 5:14-15), but it doesn't prove that claiming to speak in a heavenly language causes God to listen to his prayers.

Does a Person Inspired by God Have No Control?

Paul said, "And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets" (I Corinthians 14:32). If that was true of prophets, it would be more so regarding those speaking in tongues (I Corinthians 14:27-28). Besides, there is no evidence that when a person is speaking in a different language that the Holy Spirit takes over and the person has no control over what he says. No passage is offered to prove this and no passages exists to show this.

Response:

Thank you very much for your time and fast response. Honestly, there have been a lot of claims people have given about this topic.

Speaking in “Tongues”

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 18:45:48 +0000

by Jim Deason
via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15, No. 1, January 2015

Anyone who has “surfed” the 666 channels on your cable network or has talked with your neighbor across your backyard fence has heard people claim the special and direct guidance of the Holy Spirit. Many of these people believe that the first evidence of that miraculous operation is the ability to speak in tongues. Beginning with William Seymour's Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, CA, in 1906, the Pentecostal movement has spread throughout the country and the world, encompassing people from every educational, economic, cultural, and denominational background.

The two main identifying marks of this movement are the claims to miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially the gift of healing, and the ability to speak in tongues, often called glossolalia. As used in this article, glossolalia is simply unintelligible speech. It involves using speech-like syllables that sound rhythmically and have no readily comprehensible meaning, i.e., ecstatic utterances.

I intend to examine the question: Is the modern glossolalia claimed today really the same gift as the ability to speak in tongues that we read about in the New Testament church (Acts 2:4)? Let’s compare it to the “then versus now” comparison.

The NATURE of the Two Are Different

In the New Testament, tongues were recognizable human languages. On the day of Pentecost, the apostles spoke in tongues. Those who heard heard “them speak in his own language” (Acts 2:6). The hearers knew they were “speaking of the mighty deeds of God” (Acts 2:12), something impossible if all they were hearing was the unintelligible gibberish that many hear today.

The RECEPTION of the Two Is Different

In the New Testament, tongues were received miraculously. Some received tongues by a direct outpouring of the Holy Spirit from God, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, of which there were only two cases (Acts 2:1-4; 10:44-48). Others received tongues through the laying on of the apostles' hands (Acts 19:1-6). Since there is only one baptism today (Ephesians 4:4), that being water baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), no one receives the gift of tongues by Holy Spirit baptism today. There are no apostles to impart miraculous gifts today; hence, there is no tongue speaking. Today, glossolalia is a learned practice. Therefore, modern glossolalia is not the tongue-speaking of the Bible.

The RECIPIENTS of the Two are Different

In the New Testament, the recipients of the gift of tongues were Christians. The only exception was Cornelius, who immediately became a Christian upon hearing the gospel (Acts 10, 11). Today, not all those who speak glossolalia are Christians. Ecstatic utterances are found in the practice of modern Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims. There are glossolalia-speaking homosexuals. Even many false teachers lay claim to the same practice of glossolalia (for example, Oneness Pentecostals versus Trinitarian churches of God, both of whom can't be right). Is the Holy Spirit gifting all of these who teach and practice contradictory doctrines? Certainly not! And none of these are practicing the “gift of tongues” you read about in the Bible.

The PURPOSES of the Two Are Different

In the New Testament, the gift of tongues was a tool to reveal, confirm, and establish God's will (Mark 16:17, 20; Hebrews 2:3-4; I Corinthians 14:22). Modern glossolalia cannot be used to establish truth because people who teach contradictory doctrines share it. Imagine a charismatic Catholic trying to confirm the doctrine of the infallibility of the Pope to a charismatic Baptist by his glossolalia — it is impossible because they both lay claim to the same gift (neither of which is the New Testament gift of tongues).

The REGULATION of the Two Is Different

One passage in the New Testament regulated the exercise of the miraculous gift of speaking in tongues: I Corinthians 14:26-40. Several regulations are mentioned here.

All things had to be done for the edification of the whole church (I Corinthians 14:26; cf. 12:7).
In any given assembly, the tongue speaking was to be limited to two, or at the most, three (I Corinthians 14:27).
These tongue-speakers were to address the assembly one at a time (I Corinthians 14:27).
The tongues were always to be interpreted, or else the tongue-speaker was to remain silent (I Corinthians 14:28).
Women were to remain silent (I Corinthians 14:34-35).
All things were to be “done properly and in an orderly manner” (I Corinthians 14:40).

I have been witness to several assemblies wherein modern glossolalia was practiced. In my recollection, I have never seen even one of these regulations mentioned above observed. Not everything was done for the common good because the glossolalia was not interpreted. Instead of only two or three and one at a time, many spoke glossolalia and virtually simultaneously. This unintelligible gibberish had no interpreter (primarily because there was nothing to interpret). In plain violation of I Corinthians 14:34-35, in most cases, most of the glossolalia was being spoken by women instead of being silent. There was no observable “orderly manner” about the assembly. You might describe it as controlled chaos.

This, in my judgment, shows beyond doubt that the glossolalia practiced today is not even “a 32nd cousin” to what we read about in the New Testament church.

The FOCUS of the Two Is Different

Please take careful note that the practice of miraculous spiritual gifts in the New Testament, including the gift of tongues, was for the edification of the entire body. “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (I Corinthians 12:7). Again, “When you assemble.... Let all things be done for edification” (I Corinthians 14:26). In the New Testament, the focus of the interpreted tongue being spoken was the edification of other people (I Corinthians 14:4-6, 12-13, 19,).

Today, the speaking of glossolalia is all about the subjective feelings of the one doing the speaking. It is not uncommon for the glossolalia speaker to talk about what that ability has done for them, how wonderful the practice is, or how empty their spiritual life had been before they learned “to speak in tongues.” Others are encouraged to try it to get that same blessed feeling. Again, the focus of the gift of tongues in the New Testament, claimed by glossolalia speakers today, is diametrically opposed to each other.

The EMPHASES of the Two Are Different

Among the spiritual gifts God set in the church, as listed in I Corinthians 12:10, 28, and 30, the gift of tongues was among the last mentioned. In fact, not every Christian spoke in tongues in the New Testament (I Corinthians 12:29-30). Paul even said that the gift of prophecy was to be desired above the ability to speak in other languages (I Corinthians 14:1-5, 12, 18-19, 39). However, the emphasis placed upon this gift differs among modern glossolalia speakers. Pentecostals and other charismatics teach and act like the ability to speak glossolalia is among the most important gifts. They would have us believe that “tongues” are for all Christians. Some believe that the modern “gift of tongues” signifies one’s salvation.

The DURATION of the Two Is Different

In the New Testament, spiritual gifts, of which the ability to miraculously speak in another language was one, were for the revelation and confirmation of the word of God — they confirmed both the message and the messenger. The Scriptures plainly teach that those first-century miraculous gifts ceased when revelation was complete (I Corinthians 13:8-13). Revelation is complete (Jude 3); thus, the gifts used to reveal the word of God and confirm it have ceased. By way of illustration, one could liken spiritual gifts to the scaffolding used to construct a building. When the structure is complete, the scaffolding is removed. With revelation complete and unalterable, there is no more need for miraculous spiritual gifts since their purpose was served.

It is interesting to note from a historical perspective that from the pen of early Christian writers such as Augustine (354-430 AD)[1] and Chrysostom (347-407 AD)[2], there are references to the cessation of miraculous gifts. It has been my experience that Pentecostal debaters have acknowledged this historical evidence but errantly attribute what they claim to be the outpouring of the miraculous today to be a part of a “latter rain” (misusing James 5:7) of the Holy Spirit. This “latter rain,” they claim, began with the Azusa Street Revival in 1906, which I mentioned earlier. Their claims, notwithstanding, from both a historical and biblical perspective, it is easy to see that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit were intended to be temporary and, in fact, recognized by most, ceased within the first century.

Conclusion

It is the work of Satan to blind the minds of the unbelieving (I Corinthians 4:4). People who do not receive a love of the truth are often deluded into believing lies (II Thessalonians 2:10-12). I do not say this to question people's sincerity, only their understanding of Scripture and their misunderstanding of their personal experiences. It ought to be abundantly clear that today's glossolalia movement is not the same as the gift of tongues we read about in the New Testament. Sadly, being guided by subjectivism and blinded by deception, many have fallen into the devil’s snare.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (I John 4:1).

Footnotes

Schaff, Philip, ed. St. Augustine: Homilies on the Gospel of John, Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Soliloquies. Vol. 7. New York: Christian Literature Company, 1888. Print. A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, First Series, 497.
Schaff, Philip, ed. Saint Chrysostom: Homilies on the Epistles of Paul to the Corinthians. Vol. 12. New York: Christian Literature Company, 1889. Print. A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, First Series, 168.