A word study, on “tongue/tongues” registered 167 listings in the Bible.
The following categories are noted for tongues: 52 times as deceitful, proud, and uncontrolled; 33 times as blessed, wise, controlled; 24 times in the physical sense such as sticking to the roof of the mouth; and 27 times as a language such as the Hebrew Tongue.
The 136 listings above are used as physical aspects or uses of the tongue and have no bearing on the issue of “Speaking in Tongues”.
The remainder of the 31 listings are: 3 as “other tongues” in Acts; 1 as a “new tongue”; 1 as “another tongue”; 1 as “cloven tongues”, 1 as a “devouring fire” by Jesus in the end times; 1 as “tongue” in I John 3:18; 1 as “another tongue” in Isaiah; and 22 in 1 Corinthians.
The 22 occurrences in 1 Corinthians will be the last portion covered in a separate series following this initial series on Tongues.
I JOHN 3:18-19 18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in “tongue”; but in “deed and in truth”. 19Hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
Speech, especially babbling, does not prove love toward God nor man, thus unintelligible utterances by Pentecostals is not evidence that one is saved and possesses the Holy Ghost. Thoughts and actions defile a man or endear him to God. The reference to word and tongue indicate insignificance when compared to deed and thought. We should live a daily life of truthfulness to God, borne out by actions, not speech, especially not babbling.
I JOHN 3:18-19 was included in this series to show that “deed and truth” trump any thing we might speak. This passage on tongues sounds the death knell on speaking in unintelligible utterances, babbling.
ISAIAH 28:9-11 9Whom shall he teach knowledge? Whom shall he make to understand doctrine? It will be those that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. 10Precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: 11With stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
“All right,” says God, “since you refuse to listen to my simple, understandable language from my prophets, I will send a foreign invader (Assyria) into your midst.” Their alien tongue will be a sign of judgment on a people who refused to hear the simple messages from God. The Assyrians would become their masters and the Israelites would hear God no longer in his clear messages to them. They would only hear a language that seemed like a stammering tongue to them. This was their punishment for not listening to God and obeying his messages to them.
The passage was a prophecy of judgment on Israel that Assyria would invade them and be their masters. The stammering tongue meant they could not understand the Assyrian language. This passage has nothing to do with “speaking in tongues (unintelligible utterances)
MARK 16:14-15, 17-18 14Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 15He said unto them, Go ye into the entire world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 17These signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with “new tongues”; 18They shall take up serpents; if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; and they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.
Jesus made these statements prior to his ascension into heaven. He appeared to the apostles in a room where they were eating. This message was directed only to the apostles and not to anyone else. It was presented prior to the Day of Pentecost. Of course, in their travels to the entire world, these gifts and signs would be shared by many of their enlightened companions during the establishment of the early church. If this message was meant for us today, we would also be able to handle deadly snakes and drink deadly poisons without any harm to our health.
The term “new tongues” in verse 17 is the same word “tongue” used throughout Acts and the New Testament. It means known intelligible languages of that era. It is the same “tongue” denoted in Acts 2:6 when the apostles spoke in their own tongue, and every man heard in his own tongue in which he was born. Many newer Bible versions have changed the word “tongue” to “language” to coincide with the meaning of the original Greek texts.
Any language a person speaks other than their native tongue is a “new tongue” to that person. There is no mystery in the word “new tongue” in this passage. It means a “new intelligible language” not naturally learned by the speaker. Jesus commanded them to go into the entire world and preach the gospel. We have the Great Commission, and the apostles would need the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel to foreigners in their own language.
Miracles of healing, casting out demons and speaking in foreign languages were signs, needed at that time, to authenticate that this movement of the apostles and Holy Ghost was ordained of God. Bible scholars agree that signs are not required today because of the completion of the Bible and contents of the New Testament. We have more knowledge of God and his Son from the Bible than any of the people of that era. We have enough knowledge and history of the life of Christ from the Bible to make a believing faith in Christ simple and easily accepted.
Since we now have the Bible printed in all languages and learned language interpreters to assist our missionaries, there has been none, or little evidence, of the Holy Ghost assisting preachers or missionaries in the speaking of different languages. This miracle of speaking in tongues (foreign languages) disappeared with most of the other miracles that followed the apostles and their preaching of the gospel.
The word new “tongues” in the passage means “known intelligible foreign languages” for hearers, but new to the apostles who did not speak these languages. Most of the apostles were unlearned fishermen and craftsmen. This Biblical intelligible tongue has nothing to do with the Pentecostal practice of speaking in unintelligible utterances (babbling).
Usage of “new tongues” by Jesus was a prophecy to the apostles they would use new languages when preaching the gospel to the entire known world. Using this passage to insinuate “new tongues” means “unintelligible utterances” is a gross misrepresentation of the scriptures.
ACTS 19:1-6 1It came to pass while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper coasts ND came to Ephesus: finding certain disciples, 2he said unto them, have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? They said unto him, we have not so much as heard whether there is any Holy Ghost. 3He said unto them, unto what were ye all baptized? They said unto John’s Baptism.
4Paul said, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, they should believe on him who should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6When Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.
Paul arrived at Ephesus. He found 12 disciples baptized with water into John’s baptism of repentance and remission of sins.
Since the 12 were not aware of the death, resurrection of Jesus, and arrival of the Holy Ghost to earth, they were probably baptized by a disciple of John instead of John. John taught Jesus would baptize with the Holy Ghost. These 12 had not yet heard the gospel of Christ.
Water baptism by John meant separation from Jewish legalism and alignment with the Messiah. They had not accepted Jesus by faith in his death and resurrection. They were eager, but had not heard the gospel of Christ. After Paul told them about the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, they believed and were baptized. It is not clear if the baptism was of water or of the Holy Ghost. Other scripture proves Paul did not baptize the 12 with water.
Sometimes, writers tell us events, but do not always set them in order. This could have been the Holy Ghost baptism as Paul laid hands on them and said, “Receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost in the name of Jesus”. It is more reasonable than baptizing with water for a second time.
Some wonder why Paul had to lay hands on them before they received the Holy Ghost. Many scholars believe it was a sign to authenticate to the 12 that Paul was indeed sent by God and that Paul was an apostle equal to Peter, James, and John, etal. The signs continued to follow the apostles and their ministry.
The 12 received the ability to speak in foreign languages. Not all who received the Holy Ghost spoke in foreign languages. It was on an as-needed basis. Ephesus is another port town of shipping. There is no record in the NT of anyone given the ability to speak in foreign languages other than in port towns where travelers of different dialects constantly enter and leave by ship.
Some scholars say it is noteworthy the number of disciples were 12. We know there was a church established at Ephesus, and probably these 12 were central figures for this church and additional churches established from this area. This is a good reason for the gift of speaking in foreign tongues during the early days of the church from this location.
The word tongue in the NT means intelligible language peculiar to any different sect of people. The original writings of the NT never show tongue as unintelligible utterance. Also, v6 says they prophesied with these tongues. This means intelligible words of discourse of the gospel.
ACTS 10:44-48
44While Peter yet spoke these words; the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45They 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. 46They heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
The centurion sent servants to Joppa for Peter to come and preach the gospel of Jesus. Peter went to Caesarea with some of his disciples (all Jews). An angel had appeared to the centurion and told him to send for Peter. Prior to this event, the apostles had been preaching the gospel only to the Jews.
The centurion and his cortege of friends and family were Gentiles. As Peter preached, the Holy Ghost fell on the assembly and many believed and accepted the salvation of Christ.
The Holy Ghost fell on the whole assembly, but we don’t know how many responded to God’s Word. Most Christians have been in services when the Holy Ghost fell on the whole assembly, but all did not respond. The free gift, Holy Ghost, was received only by those who were saved. We are not told how many of the saved spoke in the foreign languages.
Some began to speak in foreign languages and magnified God with their speeches. We know the word for “tongue” used in all of Acts was used in this passage. The original text shows this usage as “known foreign intelligible languages.
We just read about the 12 in Ephesus speaking in foreign languages. Ephesus was a port town on the sea, and Caesarea was a port town on the sea. We easily assume there are many foreign travelers coming and going in Caesarea as well as Ephesus.
Many different language groups were gathered in Jerusalem for the Day of Pentecost. It follows a pattern; the ability to talk in foreign languages is always given in those places where many foreigners will be present.
Some Gentiles in the assembly at Caesarea, believed on Jesus, and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost before being baptized with water. “Can anybody forbid water”? It was recognized these people were saved through “faith”, and the Holy Ghost baptism. Now, they could set an example to the world and be baptized of water. It is a fact; they received the baptism of the Holy Ghost prior to the water baptism.
Matthew Henry’s Commentary explains, “There is no reason not to believe there would be dedicated preachers among the Gentiles that would also need the power of the Holy Ghost to assist them in speaking to people with languages other than their own”. These in the port city of Caesarea would use their gift to spread the gospel to the foreigners entering and leaving by ship.
In verse 47, Peter says “these” have received the Holy Ghost as “we”. This indicates the same language translating ability present at the Day of Pentecost was given to some at Caesarea. At Pentecost, the apostles spoke in foreign languages, and the 20 visiting foreigner nations said, “We all hear in the language in which we were born”. The event at Caesarea proved to Peter, salvation through Christ was also available to the Gentiles.
The Gentiles spoke with languages and magnified God (v46). This statement proves the tongues were intelligible speech easily understood by all because everyone heard them magnify God with their voices. If the voices had been unintelligible utterances, no one would have understood their voices. This scripture does not contain one word giving an impression the speakers were uttering unintelligible sounds.
The most important event in the history of mankind had just taken place. Jesus had fulfilled every iota of the law and completed grace to provide mankind the free gift of salvation. Jesus last words from the cross were, “it is finished” and the atonement for man’s sin was paid. When Jesus resurrected from death, he made it possible for all who believe by faith to pass from death unto eternal life in him. The plan of salvation was complete. Man could not perform any other law, deed, or act to attain salvation. It is the gift of God, and all man had to do was accept this free gift of eternal life by faith in Jesus.
Now this gospel of Christ must be preached to the uttermost parts of the earth. Would God send out an unprepared group into the world to proclaim such a great event as this offer of salvation? No, absolutely not! Jesus would fully equip these apostles and early disciples for this great ministry of preaching the gospel to the entire world through the power of his Holy Ghost. This is one reason the apostles, and others as needed, were given the ability through the Holy Ghost to speak to foreigners in their own language.
Acts 1:4-5 4Being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, says he, ye have heard of me. 5John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Acts 1:8-9 8But ye shall receive power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, in all Judaea, in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9When he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Jesus instructed the Apostles prior to his ascension to wait in Jerusalem, until he sent the Holy Ghost to empower them for their commission to go into the entire world and preach the gospel to every creature. It is important to understand why the apostles were given the ability to speak in foreign languages. They would encounter all the languages of the earth in preaching of the gospel.
Acts 1:12-14 12Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day’s journey. 13When they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. 14These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
This next part is an interruption for an explanation to present a view of those who actually spoke in foreign languages when the Holy Ghost appeared. We know in Acts 1:4-5 and Acts 1:8-9, Jesus was meeting only with the 11 apostles (No Judas). He had told the 11 to remain in Jerusalem and the Holy Ghost would come to them their and they would become witnesses for him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth. We know Jesus had previously met with the 11 apostles in Mark 16:14-15, 17-18 and told them they would speak with new tongues and perform many miracles.
This is important because Jesus had told only the 11 remaining apostles that the Holy Ghost would come to them in Jerusalem and empower them for their mission to preach the gospel to the utmost parts of the earth. In the above scripture the 11 apostles returned to Jerusalem where they were staying in an upper room. Also staying (v13 calls it their abode) with them were Mary (Mother of Jesus) a few other women and a few brethren.
The room was crowded with just the ones named. It appears there were probably less than 20 in the room. The scene and action change in verse 15 of the same chapter.
Acts 1:15 In those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,). Verses 15-26 discuss Judas and choosing another apostle. It appears this is another day and another location. The scene has shifted from the upper room to a larger place where Peter is standing in the middle of 120 people. Verse 15 started with “In those days Peter stood up”. This is sometime during the feasts leading up to the Day of Pentecost. This event appears to be separate from the upper room or the Day of Pentecost.
Verse 26 of Acts 1 ends the selection of Matthias to replace Judas. Feast days leading up to the Day of Pentecost consisted of several weeks. Jews and other curious participants came from all over the known world during these feasts to celebrate and have fun. Selection of Matthias to replace Judas was probably accomplished days before the Day of Pentecost. Now, the scene and location appears to shift again in the next scripture.
Acts 2:1-4 1When the Day of Pentecost was fully come, they (12 apostles) were all with one accord in one place, 2Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3There appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the spirit gave them utterance.
It is now the Day of Pentecost and the 12 apostles are sitting together, probably discussing their experiences with Jesus, his life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension and praying. I feel sure the apostles are no longer in the upper room, nor in the location where Peter was addressing the120. The apostles could have been in the House of God or the Temple. It was evidently a place where a multitude of people could come and observe the mysterious events. We know Peter preached to them when they assembled and 3000 were saved. If 3000 were saved, it is obvious there were many more present.
Peter could not have preached to 3000 people in the upper room. From previous scripture in this presentation, we know Jesus told the 11 apostles that the Holy Ghost would come and empower them, not 120 people. In Acts 1:11, the angels had called the 11 apostles; Galileans just after the ascending Jesus said the Holy Ghost would empower them. Again, it is reasonable that the Holy Ghost did not empower all of the 120 which had met in an earlier meeting with Peter and the apostles.
There were women present in the upper room and among the 120. Women were normally not included in events of ordination and empowerment for the gospel. It appears doubtful any were empowered with the Holy Ghost to carry out the commission to preach the gospel to the entire world. This was not accepted in that time. The NT does not tell of any woman receiving the empowerment of the Holy Ghost to speak in foreign languages. It again becomes obvious only the 12 apostles were empowered in verses 1-4, and none of the 120.
We know the angels called the 12 apostles Galileans at the ascension. When the apostles spoke in foreign languages, the multitudes were amazed and said are not all of these Galileans (Acts 2:7). It is obvious all of the 120 were not Galilaeans. Also, Acts 2:14, says Peter stood with the 11 other apostles and began to speak; it did not say he stood with the other 119 and began to speak. The Holy Ghost empowered only the apostles to speak in foreign language and no one from a previous assembly of 120.
Christ, from heaven, started the church on earth in one bold display leaving no doubt of its authenticity. The apostles had gathered at the House of God (Temple) or some other large structure appropriate for the events of the feasts. Events that followed set the stage for the establishment of Christ’s church on earth. Jesus knew people from all over the world would be present in Jerusalem during the feast weeks.
Acts 2:1-4 1When the Day of Pentecost was fully come, they (12 apostles) were all with one accord in one place, 2Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3There appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the spirit gave them utterance.
The roaring mighty wind coming down from heaven, fire descending from heaven and splitting up over each apostle as cloven tongues, and men nearby hearing the praising of God and his son in their own languages, left no doubt to the apostles and crowd, this was indeed a manifestation of God. Those hearing the apostles speak in their own language, and seeing other mysterious events, spread the word to others in the city.
Acts 2:5-13 5There were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6When this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and was confounded, because every man heard them speak in his own language. 7They were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8How hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judaea, Cappadocia, in Pontus, Asia, 10Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, strangers of Rome, Jews, proselytes, 11Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 12They were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, what does this mean? 13Others mocking said, “These men are full of new wine”.
Noise of the roaring wind, fire from the sky, and word of mouth brought the whole city scurrying to see this mysterious event. The writer of Acts made it clear many foreigners were present in the city as 17 different dialects were listed.
A foreigner is not amazed to hear someone talk in his language. Men have always learned other’s languages to some degree. However, all of these foreigners were amazed because these apostles were Galilean, yet each foreigner heard each Galilean apostle speak in his own language of which he was born. They understood every word spoken, as did the apostles and Galilaeans that were present.
Even though Pentecostals, babbling in unintelligible utterances, call their gift by this event (Pentecostal), it is an undeniable fact this scripture states each person heard the Galilean apostles in their own language and understood them. It is evident why the Holy Ghost empowered the apostles to speak in other tongues. Christ had used these feast days to start the church, knew all of the foreigners would be present, and knew they would take this gospel back to their own countries. The Holy Ghost had equipped the apostles for the task of preaching this gospel to the entire world starting in Jerusalem.
There were a few unbelievers who said the apostles were drunk, but there are always children of Satan who are mockers and cannot hear God’s Word regardless of how it is presented. However, when Peter stood up to preach to them, he made it clear no one was drunk, but were under the power of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:4 said the apostles spoke with other tongues. Acts 2:5-12 proved beyond all doubt the other tongues were intelligible foreign languages. These are the same new tongues Jesus had previously told the apostles they would be speaking while preaching the gospel to the uttermost parts of the world. There were no printing presses, typewriter, radio, TV, movies, book publisher, nor internet. The gospel of Christ would be spread verbally by the apostles and early disciples. The gift of foreign languages would be required to preach the gospel to foreigners encountered on the apostle’s missionary journeys.
It was also imperative each person at the Pentecost event hear the gospel without any misunderstanding. Since the Holy Ghost had come upon the apostles and was guiding their thoughts and speech, there could be no misinterpretation of the gospel. Those who heard the gospel in their own language would take this gospel back to their homelands. It would be the exact gospel of Christ as directed by the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:14-18 14Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15These are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17…I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, 18….I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.
Peter made it clear they were not drunk. He told them the Prophet Joel had spoken of these days when the Spirit of Christ would be poured out on mankind, and he would prophesy. Man would preach the gospel of Christ empowered by the Spirit of Christ to telling others about salvation in Christ. The word “prophesy” means to expound on the truths of God’s Word. The word “prophesy” used in the passage is another proof that the spoken tongues by the apostles were intelligible languages to foreigners. When you prophesy, everyone understands your words, not so with the Pentecostal unintelligible utterances.
Pentecostals will tell you that a person is not saved unless he babbles, but the Bible does not support this in any verse found in the Old or New Testament. I have covered all scripture dealing with this issue in this and the Corinthian Series. There is not the first verse supporting the teaching of an unintelligible tongues or an angelic tongue. The teaching of today’s tongues is nothing more than another of Satan’s false doctrines to place the focus on the babbler and removing the focus from Jesus and his free gift of salvation which is available to all.
Acts 2:19-36 Peter preached to the assembled masses of foreigners and locals the gospel of Christ. He covered the prophecy of Christ, his life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.
Acts 2:37-41 37When they heard this, they were pricked in their heart and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39The promise is unto you, to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40With many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
The preaching of the gospel of Christ does two things. It touches the heart of those who are open to God as their master, and it causes grief to those who rejects God in lieu of being their own master. We do not know how many heard Peter preach, but we know 3000 accepted Christ as their Savior and Lord. It also says the 3000 were baptized. Once again, the word, from the original, translated to our word baptism does not distinguish between water baptism and Holy Ghost baptism.
We determine its meaning by the context of the scripture in which the word is used. Since the Holy Ghost is present and John the Baptist stated his water baptism saved no person, it can be assumed these who accepted Christ were baptized by the Holy Ghost, and sealed until the day of redemption. It appears to be pertinent that Peter told them to be baptized in the name of Jesus which should be the Holy Ghost baptism.
Verse 38 says they shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Pentecostals insert their own thinking into this to make it appear that each person saved will speak in tongues. This passage does not say this. It says you will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The gift is the Holy Ghost. When a person is saved he has received the free gift of God which is the Holy Ghost in his life. Another point here is that none of the 3000 is mentioned as speaking in tongues (foreign language or babbling).
Acts 2:42-47 42They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, in fellowship, in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43Fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44All that believed were together, and had all things common; 45They sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46They, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
I stated there was no mention of the 3000 babbling or speaking in Biblical tongues. These verses tend to prove it. Notice these verses tell the activities of the 3000 saved. They listened to the apostle’s doctrines, fellowshipped with all Christians, broke bread in memory of the sacrifice of Jesus, prayed, sold their possessions, continued in the Temple in one accord, ate their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praised God, and had favor with all the people. There was not one mention of speaking in any tongues.
Father Time
