HF127 - Speaking in Other Languages

To:  Hebraic-Foundations@yahoogroups.com
From:  "Pastor Buddy Martin" <Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org>
Date: Fri, Jul 30, 2004 
Subject:  Bible Study HF127 - Speaking in Other Languages

Hebraics,

I was asked to provide a study on the Biblical doctrine of speaking in other languages and as to how this doctrine may relate to believers today. As a prelude to the study members may wish to review two earlier studies provided on the subject:

HF010 - The Charismata 'glossais lalein'

HF011 - The Corinthian Dilemma (With Appendix)

Because the doctrine of speaking in other languages (tongues) can take many twists and turns, let me begin by saying that the point of the study is not to determine whether speaking in other languages is a gifting for today. Rather we want to consider whether some speaking in other languages today may not actually be Biblical tongues.

This is Bible Study HF127 - Speaking in Other Languages.

The place to begin is with an Old Testament Messianic prophecy given through the Prophet Isaiah. The prophecy says, “Indeed, He will speak to this people through stammering lips and a foreign tongue, He who said to them, ‘Here is rest, give rest to the weary,’ and, ‘Here is repose,’ but they would not listen.” (Isa28:11,12)

The language of this prophecy is very important. Notice carefully to whom the prophecy is directed, that is, to "this" people. The prophecy is directed to the Jewish people. This is a vital connection to the events on the day of Pentecost, 33 a.d.

As we drop to verse 16 we find that the message being presented to "this" people is the message of Christ Jesus. God says, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes [in it] will not be disturbed." (Jesus Christ is the costly cornerstone.)

Now we need to return to the essence of the cornerstone prophecy. Listen again to verse 12: "He who said to them, 'Here is rest, give rest to the weary,' and, 'Here is repose,' but they would not listen." Someone was to speak to the people, calling them to rest. Why does this sound familiar? It is because we hear this very thing spoken through the Lord Jesus.

To God's ancient people the Messiah had a number of names, one of which was "the Rest Giver." Thus we hear Jesus fulfill this prophecy when He says, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matt11:28-30)

Pentecost, 33 a.d., Jews from around the world once again gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the pilgrim festivals. This Pentecost would be different. On the temple mount a group of 120 men and women began suddenly to speak in the languages of all the peoples who had gathered from the nations. A question passed through the multitudes, “How is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born?”

The speaking in other languages on the day of Pentecost was to call attention to the Rest Giver. It was a fulfillment to what had been written by the prophet Isaiah. The Messiah had come, died on the cross, was buried, resurrected, and ascended into heaven. It would be in Jesus alone that men would find their rest.

When the multitude had gathered around the 120 disciples, Peter then began preaching to them Jesus. Thus we see the Isaiah 28 prophecy brought to fruition. (Speaking in other languages in the two other places in Acts will also relate to Pentecost 33 a.d. A study is provided for those cases.)

Let's reach forward in time. Prior to the early 1900s, the issue of speaking in other languages was pretty much a mute issue. The Church saw the speaking in other languages at Pentecost 33 a.d., as a fulfillment of the Isaiah 28 prophecy. Had Paul not told the early Christians that speaking in tongues would cease of its own accord? And it largely did.

Occasionally over the course of time there would be recorded instances where a Christian missionary was granted the supernatural ability to preach the gospel to a people group of whom the missionary did not know the language. These cases are rare.

During the early 1900s, however, speaking in tongues once again came to the forefront among certain groups. It became so emphasized that speaking in tongues came to be called 'the' evidence that a person had been 'baptized' in the Holy Spirit. But all this happened not without concern. The Church had never associated speaking in tongues with the Holy Spirit.

Here is where it gets sticky. Many Christians began to give pause as to whether some of the speaking in tongues that begin in the early 1900s was truly the Biblical gift of tongues. The reason is because of its association with certain non-Christian religions. Yet this was not a concern only with Christians of our time, it was a problem that had to be dealt with at other times. Early Church writers had to deal with the same issue.

Now let me introduce some terms that have to do with speaking in other languages. The word 'glossolalia' was introduced into the English language in the 1800s. It comes from 'glossais lelein', a term used in the New Testament, meaning, “To speak in [with or by] tongues.” From this comes the expression, ‘the gift of tongues.’ Actually the phrase ‘gift of tongues’ does not occur in Scripture.

Here we need to see the concern of the early Christian writers. Speaking in other languages was a known phenomenon in the ancient world and especially with occultic religions. Because of the associations, early church writers had to explain the problem.

One early writer used the term 'glossomania' to describe the insane speech of Greek philosophers. 'Akolalia' was another Greek term used for the hearing of another language even when one was not spoken. Then there was 'echolalia' which spoke of an agitated repetition of the words of a person.

Other definitions became into being and continue to be used today. 'Idiolect' refers to a glossolalic dialect that is peculiar to an individual. Pentecostal and Charismatic televangelists made this term popular by calling it a ‘prayer language.’

Then we have the term 'exnoglossia' that was coined in the last century to describe a spiritualist medium, which, in a trance could write in Modern Greek, without having knowledge of that language.

The point in all this is to understand that ‘speaking in tongues’ is not peculiar to Pentecostals or Charismatics. It is a known phenomenon around the world. So the question we must keep in mind is whether all speaking in tongues today is actually Biblical tongues. This is something people have to decide for themselves.

Here is a quote from the Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, page 336:

“Spiritualistic glossolalia and related phenomena among spiritual mediums were among the first studied by psychologists near the beginning of the twentieth century. … Pathological glossolalia is known to medicine and psychiatry, the result of such causes as organic neurological damage, effects of drugs, or psychotic disorders. Schizophrenic disorders have furnished examples of glossolalia. Most relevant to Christian glossolalia are clearly reported cases of pagan glossolalia, both ancient and modern…. [Glossolalia] was used sparingly among American Indians but was widespread in African tribal religions.”

Back to the Scriptures --- Less than 50 miles from Corinth, was the well-known Delphi worship. An inquirer would be brought into the presence of a young woman, a priestess of Apollo, who was said to possess a “pythonic spirit.” The priestess would speak in tongues and a male prophet would interpret. Paul may have referenced this in saying, “You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led.” (1Co12:2) It seems when Paul wrote the Corinthian Church, some of the pagan glossolalia and prophecy was at work among the believers.

Note: I would encourage members to do a web search on the term "pythonic spirit." (In quotes.)

The girl that followed after Paul and Barnabas, saying, "These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation," had a pythonic spirit. (Check the Greek.) Notice carefully that the spirit was not speaking anything out of the way. Yet all attention was being drawn to the girl herself. This was Satan's way of mimicking the things of God, yet the goal was to interfere with the true working of the apostles.

Coming back to the Delphi priestess. A pythonic spirit would cause the priestess to writhe on the floor. While I take care in sharing this, I am persuaded that this same spirit activity can be found in certain Christian circles today, perhaps even unknowingly to the participants. All the manifestations that are ascribed to people with a pythonic spirit can be seen in some settings, that is, writhing on the floor, falling out, jerking, jabbering, crying out, and especially prophecy. A pythonic spirit loves to speak out words of divination as though it were true prophecy. All this is to draw attention to itself.

There is no question that speaking in tongues on the day of Pentecost was a supernatural act of God. It is also possible that the Lord intended to bring this gift forward at different points in history to meet a purpose at the time. This is why I don't want to discard all speaking in tongues today as being unbiblical. Paul said, “Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.” (1Co13:8)

The Greek word for cease is 'pauo.' This is where we get our English word pause. 'Pauo' means to make cease, or to no longer be stirred, or to idle or unemployed. In context, Paul is using terms that point to a maturing factor, and that speaking in tongues would have fulfilled a purpose. Some say Paul is speaking of heaven. But it is strange that Paul’s entire teaching takes its center on the word ‘maturity.’ He says, “When I was a child, I use to speak as a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.” (1Co13:11)

Should a child of God question issues about speaking in tongues today? I say yes. The positive ground for any child of God with regard to speaking in tongues is simply not to be drawn beyond Scriptural precedents. The real key will always be in understanding the gospel itself. The gospel bears its own witness in the hearts of believers.

When the apostles preached the gospel, they saw no need to put an emphasis upon speaking in tongues. The Acts of the Apostles is conclusive evidence. The three recorded times that people spoke in tongues were all sovereign acts of God. And to take this a step further, Jesus actually warned the people against seeking for signs. He said, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” (Matt16:4)

It should also be pointed out that the undue emphasis on speaking in tongues today is only a tip of the iceberg. Anytime something is tacked on the gospel that requires faith other than in Jesus alone, this 'tacking on' calls for a warning. Paul spoke of this when he said, “But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by is craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.” (2Co11:3,4)

The sad side of the story is that it appears the Corinthian Church never changed. An early writer wrote to the Church, and said, “Your schism has subverted the faith of many, has discouraged many, has given rise to doubt in many, and has caused grief to us all. And still your sedition remains.” [1st Epistle of Clement – circa 80 ad]

Certainly the doctrine of tongues is difficult to understand. Perhaps the way to deal with it is simply not to make it a focus. Paul said, “All do not speak in tongues, do they?” He then went on, “But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you still a more excellent way.” (1Co12:30,31)

What did he mean by saying this is, ‘A still more excellent way?’ Paul outlined the walk of love. When everything else fails, love will stand the test of time. He said, “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”

Let's complete the study for now. Feel free to offer your thoughts.

The Lord bless you,

Buddy
Lawrence E. (Buddy) Martin, HF Host 
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org

Web: http://www.christianchallenge.org/

"See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled." (Heb12:15)

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