Speaking in tongues...Acts 2:8-13

 Acts 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

Jewish People from many nations and languages had come to Jerusalem to the feast at Pentecost. The promised Holy Spirit filled the hundred and twenty who were all in one accord. The Holy Spirit filled the believers and spoke praises to God in the various languages.

Acts 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
Acts 2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
Acts 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

This was not a show of cleverness or a work of satan, for each heard in their own language the wonderful works of God. They were glorifying God, this is the evidence and presence of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

They doubted then and many doubt today, trying to reason and explain away this miracle.

Acts 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. Also mockers accusing them of drunkeness.

Tongues is a divisive subject today. Some churches forbid it, saying it is for another time. Other Churches demand it as a proof of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

When the Filling of the Spirit occurred in the upper room all praised God in a language unknown to the worshiper, but known to the various language groups present. Tongues then is an expression of worship, the Spirit glorifies Jesus and the Father. It also is a way of praying to build up the person who is praying. All things must be for edifying. Tongues with a prophetic message require an interpreter so that others may be edified.

1 Cor 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
1 Cor 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Let's read what the Spirit says of tongues

1 Cor 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
1 Cor 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.
1 Cor 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

The best gifts are gifts that edify the church in truth and in love.

1 Cor 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

The greatest gift is speaking forth the revealed word of God, to edify or correct the church.

1 Cor 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

Unknown tongues only are beneficial to the speaker and his message to God.

1 Cor 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
1 Cor 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
1 Cor 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Edifying the church is required, if speaking in public an unknown language.

1 Cor 14:6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

Not confusion, but a clear message must come forth.

1 Cor 14:7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
1 Cor 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
1 Cor 14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

Paul uses these examples to make his point. The Spirit testifies of Jesus. If tongues are used, let them be understood, or there is confusion. Tongues are not a badge of honor, the Spirit seals the Christian and brings various gifts, including tongues.

1 Cor 14:10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
1 Cor 14:11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

As in the confusion at the tower of Babel.

1 Cor 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

Amen, gifts are for edifying the church.

1 Cor 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

In church be slow to speak a tongue unless you have the confirmation in the spirit that an interpretation may follow. In this instance, the speaker prays for the ability to interpret.

1 Cor 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
1 Cor 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

This is what I see in the Bible. Do I have all knowledge? No, and there are testimonies of people who received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. Tongues are not required to be saved by Jesus. Jesus did all for our redemption. Nothing more is required.

Pecan

Our Redwood tree blew down in 2002. Since then six new trees have taken it's place and they are over 100 feet high. Beside the Redwood is the Pecan tree. It has grown taller in competition with the Redwood. In the plant world sunlight is important. A plant or a tree may grow bigger than normal in search of the light from the sun.

We humans sometimes compete with each other. If we see something in another person we like, often we will compete to try to outshine them. Sometimes people will tear down another person, to make themselves look bigger or better. God wants us to grow in the light of His Son. We are not to tear down or compete, but each is to grow in His light to our full stature and maturity.

When the original Redwood fell the Pecan that was shorter, now looked very big by itself. A man of God is to stand tall in God's word encouraging those around them to reach their perfection.

Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 

The Pecan tree is very tall and it is hard to see if it has any nuts on it, but when they fall from a squirrels hands or a bird's peck they come down to be collected. Is our fruit hard to see?

John 15:8  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 

Sometimes the pecans are few, but every one is a treasure.

John 17:24  Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. 

Help for the Weak

Rom 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Rom 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
Rom 15:3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

Infirmities; of error arising from weakness of mind.

We are to bear with people with weak faith or lack of understanding. Some who continuously seek help for the same things may often not want to hear what you have to say, they just want to dump their problems in your ears. But, we are not to please our self only, but be there to help them. Our goal is to edify others, not to tear them down. We see a lot of denominational fighting and we see a lot of people in battles that they seem to be losing.

Rom 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
Rom 14:2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
Rom 14:3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

Rom 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

1Co 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

Often someone will come looking for sympathy, but they will leave when you tell them the solution to their problems. Jesus is all we need; hear him and obey him.

Jas 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Jas 1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Jas 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Jas 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Are you saved? Are you knew in Christ? Then renew your mind in his word.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Rest in his peace, for he is our rest.

Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Your help comes from the word of God, worshipping with thanksgiving and praise; let a song go out of your heart.

Eph 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Eph 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Eph 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Eph 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Do these things and you will be strong in the Lord.