Supernatural Endowments: Benefits of Salvation. Part 3. Tongues and interpretation of Tongues
Supernatural Endowments: Benefits of Salvation. Part 3. Tongues and interpretation of Tongues
The man who is born again is the man
who has received the Spirit. He has been blessed with all spiritual blessings.
There is nothing that pertains to the Spirit of God that the believer doesn’t
have . One of such abilities we have in the spirit is the ability to speak in
tongues and interpret tongues. So far in this series, we have seen the reality
of having the Spirit and the power of the Spirit we have in Christ. For proper
understanding of this part, Kindly read part 1 and 2 of this series.
Several persons have different views
about speaking in tongues. In Christ, we are not expected to have views or
opinions of our own but to take the truth that is clearly explained in Christ
from the Bible . Let’s see what the scriptures teaches about tongues.
Mark 16
15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel
to every creature.
16 He
that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall
be damned.
17 And
these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out
devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They
shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt
them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So
then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and
sat on the right hand of God.
Jesus instructed His disciples to preach
the gospel to everyone. Those that
believe in this gospel shall be saved. From verse 17 we see that there are
certain signs that follow believers of the gospel. Notice the abilities
mentioned from verse 17 are distinguishing marks, signs or token for every one
that believe. These signs are not for pastors alone. Speaking in new tongues is
for those who are new creatures. New tongues for new creatures. Funny enough no
man could ever speak in tongues before Jesus resurrected. It is such a
distinguishing ability of the Spirit that plays major role in our display of
the Spirit. Some persons may say the tongues Jesus was speaking of is human
language. Does a man need to believe in Jesus to speak human language? Imagine
telling a typical Igbo man in Nigeria to believe so he can speak Igbo language?
This doesn’t in any way make sense. We will see shortly from the scriptures
that tongues can never be a known language. So note that from Mark 16, Jesus
said those that believe in the gospel shall speak in tongues the same way they
shall cast out devils and heal the sick
in His name . It is in the name of Jesus that we speak in tongues. We speak in
His authority and accomplishment. It is because of what Jesus has done and who
He is in us that we can speak in tongues. These abilities of the Spirit were
further developed by Paul in 1
Corinthians 12 to 14.
1 Corinthians 12
1 Now concerning
spiritual gifts,
brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were
Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to
understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed:
and that no
man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 Now there are diversities of
gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of
administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of
operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the
Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the
Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same
Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 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:
11 But all these worketh that
one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
From verse one, we see that Paul the
apostle desire that the Corinthian church be not ignorant concerning
Spirituals(the things of the Spirit). Already In 1 Corinthians 1:7, we see that
this church come behind in no gift. They were enriched in all utterance. So obviously,
Paul’s speaking of ignorance here will not be because they were not aware of the
existence of these gifts. The letter was written to correct them on the proper
way to manifest the gifts . There ignorance was basically on the how and
essence of the gifts . It is so sad that some believers don’t even know these
abilities of the Spirit how much more knowing the proper way to manifest the
gifts and the essence of the gifts which is to edify in love. From verse 4 to 6,
we see that there are diversities of gifts by the Spirit. We have different
endowments in the Spirit we have received. Paul uses a unique word (charisma)
for gift here. This word means an
endowments or faculty that one receives as a favour. So the abilities of the
Spirit are our endowments and faculties as believers. There are different
endowments given to everyone one of us because we have the Spirit. These gifts (endowments)
are operated in different ways in different ministries. Notice the emphasis on
THE SAME SPIRIT.
In verse 7 ,we see that the
manifestation of the Spirit is given to EVERYONE. So every believer can
manifest the Spirit. We can make the Spirit known in certain Spiritual
abilities including tongues. Don’t forget, it is given to everyone. In verse one,
Paul called them brethren to show that he is writing to believers. So you
cannot remove your self from having these gifts . Notice they are the gifts of
the Spirit not the wages of the Spirit. We have these gifts freely in Christ
though we can increase in the usage of these gifts by what we do. The
abilities(gifts ) of the Spirit listed here are:
1.
Word
of Wisdom
2.
Word
of Knowledge
3.
Special
Faith
4.
Gifts
of Healings
5.
Working
of Miracles
6.
Prophecy
7.
Discerning
of Sprits
8.
Divers
kinds of Tongues
9.
Interpretation
of Tongues .
We will
explain these gifts properly in the cause of this series.
These gifts are used to manifest the
Spirit. We are not to use the gifts to manifest self , the devil or anything
that doesn’t give glory to the Spirit of Christ. The use of the word “Another”
is not qualifying persons but the gifts . It is another gift that everyone has,
not to another person. Hence, the so much emphasis on by the same Spirit. You
can not use the word “another” to show that not everyone has these gifts ,
hence not everyone can speak in tongues. He uses the word “allos” for word of
knowledge and word of Wisdom and for divers kinds of Tongues and interpretation
of Tongues. This shows us that there is a relationship between speaking in
tongues and interpretation of Tongues. The same tongue that is spoken as secrets
(Mysteries) is interpreted as a message in known language by the same Spirit. Tongues is an ability of the Spirit and every
believer has that ability.
The question now remains, WHY SHOULD
WE SPEAK IN TONGUES?
The Bible is not silent at all on the
essence of speaking in tongues. We must realize first that Jesus told us in
Mark 16 that speaking in tongues is a sign that follow every believer. Hence,
we should desire to speak in tongues. Let’s look at some verses in 1
Corinthians 14 when Paul spoke extensively on speaking in tongues.
1 Corinthians 14
1 Follow after charity, and
desire spiritual gifts,
but rather that ye may prophesy.
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.
3 But he that prophesieth
speaketh unto men to edification,
and exhortation, and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth
himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
From verse two, we see that tongue is not spoken in a language any
man can understand (no man understands him). This further disannul the belief
that tongue is a known language. We understand known languages like English.
When we speak in tongues, we ARE IN THE SPIRIT Speaking mysteries (secrets).
This means that speaking in tongues helps us to be in the spirit
actively. It is a door way to anything spiritual. In verse 4, we see that
speaking in tongues edifies us same way prophecy edifies the church. What does
it means to EDIFY?
The word edify used in verse 4 is from the Greek word oikodomeō.
It means to build a house or a structure or metaphorically to found, establish
or to promote growth in Christian wisdom, affection, grace, virtue, holiness,
blessedness. So when we speak in tongues, we are building ourselves in wisdom
and we are growing. Tongues grows the believer. If you have ever spoken in tongues,
you will realise that your nature as a believer is awakened with tongues. This
is how tongues builds us up. In this
building up, we see that we can use
tongues to achieve any other spiritual thing. You can use tongues to get
revelation. Let’s see verse 6 of 1 Corinthians 14.
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?
We see from the verse we can get knowledge, revelation or even
prophesy with tongues . We can get revelation with tongues . We speak in tongues and interpret
it as prophecy . So tongues is so important that it can be used to TRIGGER any
thing that is of the Holy Ghost. Remember when we speak in tongues, we are in
the spirit and we edify (build or grow ) ourselves in the Spirit.
DO YOU WANT TO BE BUILT UP ALWAYS? Then speak in tongues always.
Remember that Tongues is to EDIFY yourself. When you speak in tongues as a
message to others you must interpret so they can be edified. The focus of 1 Corinthians 14 is the
edification of the church (the gathering of the saints in a specific place )
hence, the emphasis on interpretation of tongues so others can be edified. No
where in the chapter did Paul say we should not speak in tongues. Next post
will explain every verse in 1 Corinthians 14 with Acts 2. You can not over emphasis the essence of
speaking in tongues.
· It helps us to be in the spirit hence, it enhances every gift of
the Spirit. Speaking in tongues is a TRIGGER for anything Spiritual. There is
nothing Spiritual that cannot be triggered with tongues, even to walking in
love which is taught as walking in the spirit can be triggered with tongues.
· Speaking in tongues edifies us . It builds us up and causes us to
grow in the Spirit and our walk with God .
So far, we have seen that speaking in tongues is very important for
our growth as believers. What if I have never spoken on tongues before? How do
I start speaking?
·
First realize that you have the
ability to speak in tongues. In Mark 16:17, we see that tongues is a sign for
every believer. In 1 Corinthians 12, it is taught as a gift of the Spirit. So
any man that has the Spirit (born again) has this gift.
·
You must know that God doesn’t and will not speak in tongues through you. Same
way you OPEN YOUR MOUTH to utter words in speaking a known language, you will
open your mouth to speak in tongues. In Mark 16, Jesus said “They SHALL SPEAK with
new tongues” not I will speak through their mouths. In Acts 2:4, the first time
men spoke in tongues, we see that they began to speak in tongues. They had to
open their mouths to speak.
·
You must know that tongue is not
intelligible to the human mind. It is unknown to the mind though not unknown to
your Spirit.
1
Corinthians 14
:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit
prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
Your
understanding is unfruitful when you speak in tongues. This means that it will
sound barbaric to your mind. So you have to open your mouth and speak louder
than your mind .
·
The company of other believers who speak in
tongues can also help you to start speaking. Hands can be laid on you by your
pastor or another believer who speaks in tongues to kick start that ability
already in you. In Acts 19:6, Paul laid hands on certain disciples and they
spoke in tongues and prophesied.
Acts
19: 6
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them;
and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
In Acts 8,
Peter and John laid hands on believers in Samaria and they received the Holy
Ghost also.
·
Don’t I need to wait on the Lord
before I start speaking? There is nothing wrong with waiting on the Lord in
prayers. But you must realize that God
has given you the ability already to speak in tongues. So you simply ask for
utterance, open your mouth and speak. In Acts 10 , the first time non Jews were
to speak in tongues, we see that they spoke immediately they believed. There
was no delay or waiting. Acts 19 same thing. Paul laid his hands on them and
they spoke immediately. After Acts 2 where it seems like they waited to speak
in tongues, no where else in the Scriptures did we ever see men waiting for God
before they spoke in tongues. Remember it is in the name of Jesus you speak in
tongues. It is because of what Jesus has done, His authority and his accomplishments.
He died for your sins and He is living in you through His Spirit. So you can
not say it because you are not qualified to speak. The ONLY QUALIFICATION to
speak in tongues in the Bible is to believe in Jesus. The very sins you feel is
making you unworthy is what Jesus died for. Your sins are forgiven in Christ
hence you can speak in tongues.
·
YOU CAN SPEAK IN TONGUES NOW if you
have not before. Do you desire to speak in tongues now ? Kindly go through this
post again, bow your head and declare ; “Thank you Jesus for giving me the ability
to speak with tongues because of your Spirit in me. I receive Utterance now and
I open my mouth now to speak in
tongues.” In the name of Jesus you can
start speaking. Hallelujah.
How do I
then interpret tongues? The same way you speak in tongues. Remember they are
all abilities of the Spirit you have. We will talk more on interpretation of
Tongues with prophecy in the next part .
Have you
been blessed?
Kindly
share.
BY EMEKE
MODESTY OBIAZIKWOR
GOSPEL AND
MIRACLE CAMPAIGN (GAMC)
Kindly be a
part of this campaign by SHARING this article.
DO YOU HAVE
QUESTIONS?
KINDLY ASK
YOUR QUESTION using the comment button below .
GOSPEL AND
MIRACLE CAMPAIGN (GAMC) : Bringing people to the knowledge of Christ via the
Gospel of Christ with the supernatural by Campaigning for the gospel of Jesus
and setting people on fire to do the same .
TO FIND OUT
MORE ABOUT THIS CAMPAIGN CLICK HERE
Email: gospelandmiraclecampaign@gmail.com
NOTE THAT the recorded teaching of this topic is AVAILABLE for free download.
To DOWNLOAD
RECORDED MESSAGES, SUBSCRIBE TO OUR TELEGRAM PAGE:
GOSPEL AND
MIRACLE CAMPAIGN (GAMC)
Reviewed by Emeke Modesty Obiazikwor
on
April 23, 2021
Rating:
No comments