Differences in Tongues

( continued )

For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [ not obvious to the understanding].

But [ on the other hand ], the one who prophesies [ who interprets the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching] speaks to men for thier upbuilding and constructive spiritual progress and encouragement and consolation.

I Corinthians 14:2-3


In the study Bible compiled by well-respected Bible teacher and scholar Finis Jennings Dake, there is a note on Acts 2:1-8, which is the account of the disciples speaking in tongues on the Day of Pentacost. Of this incident Dake writes:

"This [ the speaking in tongues] was similar to the Spirit speaking through the prophets in thier own language...only here it was with different languages."

In other words, just as God can speak to us through prophets who are speaking in our own language or a language we can understand, He can also speak to us in unknown languages or languages we do not understand and which jabe to be interpreted for our benefit.

Dake continues, " Though speaking in tongues is done through immediate inspiration by new recipients [ofthe Holy Spirit] when one has this received the gift [ of speaking in tongues], it then becaomes a part of his mental make-up so that he can, if he desires to do so, exercise it without direct inspiration..."

That is, although we may speak in tongues by inspiration of the Holy Spirit at the time we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, that does not mean we cannot continue to speak in tongues on our own whenever we choose to do so, such as when we pray.

The reason I included this note from Dake is that many people who speak in tongues at the moment they receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit think they can never exercise that particular gift again.

That is wrong.

Once you receieve the gift of tongues, it is yours, and you can exercise it at your ill, which you should do regularly - especially when you pray. But that does not mean that you have the gift of speaking out in tongues in a worship service, which would require interpretation so that everyone who hears can understand the message and be edified by it.

According to Dake, "This is why the vocal gifts of prophecy, tongues and interpretation of tongues is commanded to be regulated and even judged as to whether it be under direct inspiration or whether the person is exercising a gift of himself."

We must remember that a distinction occurs between tongues as a prayer language and a message from God that is delievered through tongues and interpretation in a worship service.

( To be continued...)