B) Various tongues
What we know about the gift of various tongues is limited to 1 Corinthians
chapters 12 -14 and possibly Acts chapter 2. Much emphasis is placed on this
minor gifting that has so little explanation in the scriptures. What do we know
about this gifting? 1) We know that there are human tongues and
angelic tongues that are include in the gifting (1 Co 13:1). 2)
A tongue is of no profit to the hearers unless there is an interpreter (1 Co
14:5-6, 14:11). 3) Paul seems to be saying that there are five
things that a tongue can be spoken as: a) a praise or blessing (1 Co 14:16), b)
a revelation, c) a prophecy, d) a word of knowledge, and e) a teaching (1 Co
14:6). 4) Everyone should not have this gift of tongues ( the
Greek word for "not" here should not be understood as an
"absolute not" but as a "should not" 1 Co 12:29-30).
5) Tongues is for a sign to the unbeliever (1 Co 14:22). 6)
The church should not exercise every member speaking in tongues during a service
(this indicates that all can speak in tongues and verse 24 that all
can
prophesy: 1 Co 14:23-24). 7) When speaking in a tongue our
spirit prays but our mind is unfruitful (1 Co 14:14). 8) One
who speaks in tongues should seek to interpret (1 Co 14;13). 9)
Our goal should be to edify the church (1 Co 14:12).
In these nine facts about tongues, we can come to an understanding why
tongues and prophesy were evidenced when people received the Spirit anointing.
They can be done by all believers at the time of Spiritual baptism but should
not be exercised by all in a church gathering. This doesn't mean that at the
time of receiving the anointing upon our life that we must move in one of these
gifts.
There is some evidence that would validate the event in Acts as an activity
of the gift of various tongues. Scripture states that on the day of Pentecost
people of all languages heard the now anointed disciples speaking in their own
tongue. ACT 2:5 ¶ Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men, from
every nation under heaven. 2:6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came
together, and were bewildered, because they were each one hearing them speak in
his own language. 2:7 And they were amazed and marveled, saying, "Why, are
not all these who are speaking Galileans? 2:8 "And how is it that we each
hear them in our own language to which we were 
born? 2:9 "Parthians and
Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus
and Asia, 2:10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around
Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 2:11 Cretans and
Arabs-- we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of
God." The scripture doesn't say what language Peter and the rest were
speaking in, it is possible that they were speaking in tongues. Even if they
were not speaking in tongues, Paul declares that speaking in tongues is a sign
to the unbeliever: 1CO 14:22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to those
who believe, but to unbelievers. The happenings in the book of Acts is
without doubt a sign for those who stood and listened to Peter give his address,
for three thousand were saved. Are we falling short in our exercise of the gift
of tongues?
Major problems concerning the gifted in the
Church today
