ONE FAMILY PLAN
Speaking in Tongues
Tongues of Fire:
...the JUDGMENT of GOD on unbelieving Israel
Judgment? Tongues? What happened? What’s it all about?
What it means…
God is for EVERYONE! He does NOT show favoritism. There are no “chosen” people as in “God’s favorites.”
“For GOD DOES NOT SHOW FAVORITISM.” (Romans 2:11)
“For God shows no partiality [undue favor or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another].” (Romans 2:11, Amplified)
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right. But IF YOU SHOW FAVORITISM, YOU SIN and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” (James 2:8-9)
“He said to them: ‘You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But GOD HAS SHOWN ME THAT I SHOULD NOT CALL ANYONE IMPURE OR UNCLEAN.’” (Acts 10:28)
“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that GOD DOES NOT SHOW FAVORITISM but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.’” (Acts 10:34-35)
“And THEY ARE NOT ALL THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM BECAUSE THEY ARE BY BLOOD his descendants...” (Romans 9:7, Amplified Bible)
“That is to say, it is not the children of the body [of Abraham] who are made God's children, but IT IS THE OFFSPRING TO WHOM THE PROMISE APPLIES THAT SHALL BE COUNTED [AS ABRAHAM'S TRUE] DESCENDANTS.” (Romans 9:8, Amplified Bible)
“For we are the circumcision, which WORSHIP GOD IN THE SPIRIT, and rejoice in Christ Jesus...” (Philippians 3:3, KJV)
And what is worshipping God in Spirit? It is worshipping God FROM THE HEART – NOT out of fear of severe punishment [as the Law prescribes] or hell [the lie used to generate the same concept: under the Law] but out of genuine love for God. The New Covenant is circumcision OF THE HEART. Therein lies the difference between the OLD Covenant “outwardly” – “works” because we have to- and the NEW Covenant “inwardly” – “works” because we want to (though it's really an acceptance of the absolute sovereignty of God... as Jesus clearly showed in the hull of the boat as he slept through the storm) -NO PRESSURE-NO CONDEMNATION- HIS YOKE IS EASY. Good News is good news. No one can be excluded or the Gospel means nothing. If Jesus died for the whole world but somehow screwed up all is nullified and the message carries nothing. Simple.
“For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and CIRCUMCISION IS THAT OF THE HEART, IN THE SPIRIT, NOT IN THE LETTER; whose praise is not from men but from God.” (Romans 2:28-29)
The real or rather spiritual Jew is spelled out in Scripture:
“For HE IS NOT A [REAL] JEW WHO IS ONLY ONE OUTWARDLY and publicly, nor is [true] circumcision something external and physical.” (Romans 2:28, Amplified Bible)
“For NEITHER IS CIRCUMCISION [NOW] OF ANY IMPORTANCE, NOR UNCIRCUMCISION, BUT [ONLY] A NEW CREATION [the result of a new birth and a new nature in Christ Jesus, the Messiah]. Peace and mercy be upon ALL WHO WALK BY THIS RULE [who discipline themselves and regulate their lives by this principle+, even upon THE [TRUE] ISRAEL OF GOD!” (Galatians 6:15,16, Amplified Bible)
The Tower of Babel: Division of Tongues
“The LORD said, ‘If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.’ So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. THAT IS WHY IT WAS CALLED BABEL—BECAUSE THERE THE LORD CONFUSED THE LANGUAGE OF THE WHOLE WORLD. FROM THERE THE LORD SCATTERED THEM OVER THE FACE OF THE WHOLE EARTH.” (Genesis 11:6-9, NIV)
NOTHING was impossible for them as “ONE” but their hearts were not pure. God knows the power of “ONE!” This is what Pentecost is all about! With the division of tongues [languages] from the tower of Babel, it was necessary for the new converts [Jews] to reach the world. Tongues were a sign for the unbelieving Jews. It reads: GOD DOES NOT SHOW FAVORITISM. The Gospel is the salvation of the whole world, not the physical descendants of Abraham ONLY!!
Here is what happened (with the mainstream believers and all their images):
“They have roused my jealousy by worshiping things that are not God; they have provoked my anger with their useless idols. Now I will rouse their jealousy through people who are not even a people; I will provoke their anger through the foolish Gentiles.” (Deuteronomy 32:21, NLT)
“…for even in the time of Moses, God said, ‘I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation. I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles.’” (Romans 10:19, NLT)
How did He do it?
“…their rejection brought reconciliation to the world…” (Romans 11:15, NIV)
Tongues: Prophetic fulfillment for the unbelieving Jews [they are blinded for the sake of the world] to show that God is the God of ALL tongues:
“It is written in the Scriptures: ‘I will speak to my own people through strange languages and through the lips of foreigners. But even then, THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME,’ says the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 14:21, NLT)
“Speaking in Tongues” - “glossolalia” - made up of two Greek words, glossa (language or tongue) and lalia (speech) means speaking in languages or tongues. For the purposes of this paper, it means speaking in “foreign languages” or “languages” previously foreign but supernaturally brought forth. They were for a sign to the unbelieving Jews:
“So you see that SPEAKING IN TONGUES IS A SIGN, NOT FOR BELIEVERS, BUT FOR UNBELIEVERS [unbelieving Jews per the prophecy in the previous verse]. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers.” (1 Corinthians 14:22, NLT)
“Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because EACH ONE HEARD THEIR OWN LANGUAGE BEING SPOKEN.” (Acts 2:5-6, NIV)
God is showing the Jewish people (those who believe they hold a patent on God through their self-proclaimed righteousness- could be any nationality- think parable!) that God loves the whole world. He does NOT show favoritism.
“FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, that he gave his only begotten Son…” (John 3:16)
“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:4)
These were foreign languages. That was the point, the fulfillment of prophecy! Each one [foreigners] heard their own language being spoken.
“They were completely amazed. ‘How can this be?’ they exclaimed. ‘These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And WE ALL HEAR THESE PEOPLE SPEAKING IN OUR OWN LANGUAGES about the wonderful things God has done!’” (Acts 2:7-11, NLT)
Some who didn’t understand the languages thought they were drunk! These were the Jews of Judea who understood only Aramaic. They were visiting Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost and they didn’t know what to think. This was the case in Corinth:
“…no one understands them…” (1 Cor 14:2)
“Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, ‘What does this mean?’ Some, however, made fun of them and said, ‘They have had too much wine.’” (Acts 2:12-13)
“Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: ‘Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel…’” (Acts 2:14-15)
‘In the last days, God says, I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT ON ALL PEOPLE. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.” (Acts 2:16-18)
The Holy Spirit has arrived. He will UNITE ALL of us.
“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. AND YOU WILL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.’” (Acts 2:38)
And look at this:
“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were ASTONISHED THAT THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT HAD BEEN POURED OUT EVEN ON GENTILES. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.” (Acts 10:44-45)
The Comforter had arrived. He IS the Gift given to ALL peoples! The idea that one must “speak in tongues” or he or she is not “saved” or does not have the Gift of the Holy Spirit is ridiculous. The whole concept makes no sense. Tongues [foreign languages] were supernaturally given as a sign to the Jewish Nation to show that the WHOLE WORLD is loved by God and EVERYONE will be saved. These languages were “foreign” to the Jewish people and yet they were able to hear these foreigners [Gentiles] praising God in their own language.
They were “astonished” because these are tongues of foreign peoples (out of the religious ‘click’) worshipping God! The “Gift of Tongues” was given so the WHOLE WORLD could hear the GOOD NEWS! It was a sign for the unbelieving Jewish nation that the Gentiles were equally loved. There was no need for Gentiles to speak in tongues [foreign languages] because they already spoke in a foreign tongue. However, the Gentiles were granted the gift of tongues [languages – foreign to them] so that the Jewish people could hear them worshipping God as prophesied: “Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God…” (Acts 10:44-46)
The gift of tongues was evidence to the Jewish people that the Holy Spirit had fallen on the Gentiles. Surely even the Gentiles were now allowed water baptism:
“Then Peter said, ‘Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. THEY HAVE RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT JUST AS WE HAVE.’ So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ…” (Acts 10:47-48)
The point’s being He does NOT show favoritism. He loves the 'whole' world. This is the power of the tongue’s "coming together" as opposed to "separatism." We can ALL now receive the Holy Spirit:
“…and asked them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ They answered, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.’ So Paul asked, ‘Then what baptism did you receive?’ ‘John’s baptism,’ they replied. Paul said, ‘John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. HE TOLD THE PEOPLE TO BELIEVE in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.’ On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.” (Acts 19:2-6)
“Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I WILL GIVE YOU REST.” (Mt. 11:28)
And from Isaiah:
“For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to his people. 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.” (Isa. 28:11-12)
No one understood in the church of Corinth because no one spoke the language of foreigners. It was a mystery. The mind was unfruitful but the spirit spoke mysteries unto God. Everyone and all things are connected via Spirit... as water carries nutrients... and sap to the tree... and blood. Paul’s concern was the edification of the whole church:
“For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.” (1 Cor 14:2-3)
New Believers:
“When they arrived, they prayed for the NEW BELIEVERS there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because THE HOLY SPIRIT HAD NOT YET COME ON ANY OF THEM; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8:15-17)
There is ONE Baptism!
“There is ONE BODY, and ONE SPIRIT, even as ye are called in ONE HOPE of your calling; ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM, ONE GOD AND FATHER OF ALL, who is ABOVE ALL, and THROUGH ALL, and IN YOU ALL.” (Ephesians 4:4-6)
“Now concerning spiritual gifts…” (1 Cor 12:1)
“…the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” (1 Cor 12:7-11)
The “Gift of divers kinds of Tongues” is no longer (physically) necessary. It is a spiritual concept.
Saint Augustine in his Homilies on the First Epistle of John:
"They were appropriate signs for that time, destined to announce the coming of the Holy Spirit to humans of all tongues, showing that the Gospel of God should be announced to all the tongues of the earth. This sign appeared to announce something and then disappeared."
Tongues will CEASE:
“Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; WHETHER THERE ARE TONGUES, THEY WILL CEASE; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.” (1 Cor 13:8)
“For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.” (1 Cor 13:9-10)
"Charity [love] NEVER FAILS [Gk: ekpipto, never becomes inefficient]: But whether there be prophecies they shall fail [Gk: katargeo—be rendered useless, vanish away, make void, nullify, be discarded, etc.]: whether there be languages, they shall cease [Gk: pauo—to stop, quit, desist, come to an end]; whether there by knowledge, it shall vanish away [Gk: katargeo—same as for prophecies]… and now abides faith, hope, charity [love], these three; but the greatest of these is charity" (I Cor. 13:1,8,13).
Love: never fails (ekpipto) [never lapses]
Prophesying: shall fail (katargeo) [be discarded]
Languages: shall cease (pauo) [will cease]
Knowledge: vanish away (katargeo) [be discarded]
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Speaking in tongues confirmed that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is indeed the entrance of Jews AND non-Jews into ONE Body of Christ... rather the realization thereof...
“For BY ONE SPIRIT ARE WE ALL BAPTIZED INTO ONE BODY, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” (1 Cor 12:13)
