Speaking in Tongues: instantly learning a new language?

I like the idea of testing theories by tentatively accepting them and seeing if they fit the evidence. So, I want to suppose that biblical tongues is the supernatural learning of a known language for the purpose of proclamation and to test that supposition by the evidence available to me.

Expected:

The person who speaks in a tongue is speaking (or praying) in the language God has given him for the purpose proclamation.

Instead:

The person who prays in a tongue is not speaking to men at all. In fact, no man understands him. (1 Cor 14:2)

Expected:

If there is no interpreter then only the person who speaks (or prays) in a tongue will understand this speech, since God has given him this new language.

Instead:

The person who prays, speaks, or sings in a tongue does not understand what he is saying. Nevertheless, he gives thanks well and builds himself up. His duty is to pray that he will be enabled to interpret. (1 Cor 14:4, 13-15)

Expected:

The natural limits of tongue speaker's knowledge are not changed by the reception of this new tongue.

Instead:

The person who speaks in a tongue speaks mysteries in the Spirit. (1 Cor 14:2)

Expected:

If a person comes into a multi-lingual congregation such as Corinth it might be a good time to speak in tongues.

Instead:

Speaking in tongues would not profit them. They need to hear revelation, knowledge, doctrine, or prophecy. (1 Cor 14:6)

Expected:

Tongues is a means of instruction. Those who have received the gift should rejoice because they have been enabled to teach those who they could not otherwise teach.

Instead:

Paul rejoiced that he spoke in tongues more than any of the Corinthian believers. Yet, he contrasted his tongue speech with the teaching work that goes on in the church (1 Cor 14:18-19)

Expected:

Tongues is used to communicate whatever the recipient wants to communicate. The woman who has received the gift of English can now share a Psalm or a doctrine in the American church.

Instead:

A tongue is not a Psalm or a doctrine. (1 Cor 14:26)

Expected:

Tongues should be manifested in order to communicate the Gospel.

Instead:

Tongues are used in private prayer with thanksgiving and public praise. (Acts 2:11; 10:46; 1 Cor 14:2, 14, 17)

Expected:

There is probably historical evidence that the 120 disciples who spoke in tongues on the day of Pentecost continued to minister in their newly received languages.

Instead:

Though the 120 did speak in tongues (Acts 2), I have never seen any evidence that they retained the ability to speak in those languages. Please share any you come across.

Expected:

Tongues, as a sign of God's work, should be seen in church history. There should be many cases when people instantly received and subsequently retained the ability to speak in a new language for the purpose of Gospel proclamation.

Instead:

Though there is evidence of xenolalia, documented cases are rare. More importantly, the retention of these new languages must be exceedingly rare. Please correct me if I'm wrong.



It troubles me that so many disregard the commands to "desire earnestly the best gifts", to "desire earnestly to prophesy", and to "not forbid to speak with tongues". Though other places may feel the pressing need to bring public meetings into greater order, my burden is for the lukewarm churches in America who have "quenched the spirit" and "despised prophecy". We need to rightly understand and welcome the gifts of the Spirit. The Spirit comes bearing gifts. We need to welcome him, gifts included. We need revival.

Baptized with the Holy Ghost and Fire

Acts 2:1-13

Those who wait on the Lord are always blessed
After an extended prayer meeting (perhaps 7 days), their time of waiting was finally over. At last, the promised Spirit came. The last days began. Now the Gospel would be declared to all the earth in the power of the Spirit.

The account of the dedication of Solomon's Temple (2 Chronicles 5) bears some resemblance to this first Christian Pentecost. When the Temple was finally completed, all of the priests were sanctified, 120 priests sounded trumpets, then, as the priests sang and played in harmonious praise ("were as one" v. 13), the glory of the Lord filled the house in a cloud.

On the day of Pentecost about 120 people were in the house. They were together in prayer and praise. Rather than a cloud, this time the Lord came with the sound of a mighty wind (spirit and wind are denoted by the same word in both Greek and Hebrew).

The association of God's presence with mighty natural phenomena is witnessed repeatedly in the Old Testament (Ps 18:7-15; 97:2; 104:7; Hab 3:3-6; Deut 4:11).

The Spirit came with the sound of wind and the appearance of fire
"Our God is a consuming fire" (Heb 12:29; Deut 4:24 cf. Ex 24:17, 3:2-5). Spirit Baptism was prophesied by John the Baptist as a baptism "with the Holy Ghost and fire" (Luke 3:16). The Holy Spirit comes with fire, consuming all that is not like itself. We do well to welcome this consuming Flame, inviting him to judge all that is contrary to his holy nature.

A new temple

Now the temple of God is human. In this last day God lives in the bodies of men and women. Jesus, the new and better Temple, has taken us into himself, making us fit to receive the Spirit into ourselves. What a privilege to live in this wonderful age of grace.

For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. -- Luke 7:28

New speech
When the Spirit came the disciples began to speak in tongues, giving praise to God. This was a sign (1 Cor 14:22), and it sure did work. A large crowd was drawn to these tongue talkers.

God's choice of tongues as a sign of his work is certainly fascinating. Speaking in a language that one does not know is without doubt an impossible task. Just as we cannot possibly speak in tongues ourselves, we cannot save ourselves, we cannot baptize ourselves in the Spirit, and we cannot live the Christian life to any degree ("for without me you can do nothing" John 15:15). Pentecost demonstrated clearly the absolute supernatural nature of the Christian religion.

The impossiblity of this sign immediately gave rise to an alternative explanation of the tongues speech -- they must be drunk. And history continues to repeat itself. Some people are receptive to mighty acts of God such as baptizing in the Spirit and the sign of tongues. Others scoff or try to explain it away. Some commentators on the book of Acts even claim that the disciples did not really speak in languages they had never learned. Barclay, for instance, gave reasons why he thought Luke's account highly unlikely, questioning this portion of Acts based on the idea that Luke was probably not an eye-witness. For me, the question is whether we will accept or reject the supernatural workings of our faithful Creator as revealed in Scripture.

The baptism in the Spirit given to the disciples is still being given today
The baptism is being given and the sign of tongues is being revealed today. The gift is not received by human merit. It is not manufactured by human zeal. The gift of the Spirit is freely given to those who will ask our loving Father and wait in the way God chooses (Luk 11:5-14; 24:49).

Acts: God's Mission Continues (Prayer's Payment or Carelessness' Cost, 2)

Acts 1:12-26

Compare Elijah and Elisha with Jesus and Apostles
If you need power – Pray
3/4 mile (2000 cubits) = Sabbath journey
50 days from Passover to Pentecost. Jesus was in tomb, and then seen for forty days. Therefore maybe a week these people were in prayer.
Prayer preceded Pentecost!

KJV Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

If you need comfort – Promises
Scripture must be fulfilled: 69:25; 109:8

KJV Psalm 69:25 Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.

KJV Psalm 109:8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office.

If you need warned
Judas had been in the ministry
• Sin entered his heart.
There were other eye-witnesses from baptism to Resurrection

KJV Luke 22:28 ¶ Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; 30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

If you need hope
Judas descended but Matthias ascended

Acts: God's Mission Continues (Promise and Program, 1)

Acts 1:1-11

Acts is the sequel to Luke’s Gospel. In that previous writing he told what Jesus began to do and teach. But Jesus said that he would be with us always. Jesus is still doing and teaching mightily in the Holy Spirit.

Jesus showed his followers that he was still alive after his passion (suffering). Death could not hold him. He revealed himself to be more than a spirit. Jesus lived on in flesh and blood, even eating and drinking with his disciples (Acts 10:41; Luke 24:42).

He continued to teach them about the Kingdom of God. It seems that his disciples nevertheless still held some false expectations concerning the Kingdom. As Jesus told them about the promise of the Father, the gift of the Spirit, his disciples naturally thought about the end of the age. The coming of the Spirit and the Messianic age are tied in OT prophecy (Isa 32; Ezek 39:29; Joel 2:28-32). So, the disciples asked about the timing of its arrival. Would their prayers that “thy will be done” be answered immediately? Jesus simply tells them that it is not for them to know when. Their duty was to wait for the “Promise of the Father,” the one spoken of by John the Baptist (Luke 3:16). They would receive power from on high and become God’s witnesses to the entire world.

Their witness began at Jerusalem, moved to Samaria, and continues into the “uttermost part of the earth.” This is the program for the book of Acts and the spread of Christianity: first power, then witness, beginning with Jerusalem and ending in the most remote regions of the globe (1-7; 8-11:18; 11:19-29:1 f.).

Jesus reaffirmed the promise of the Father, and then God’s Shekinah glory is witnessed by his people once again (Ex 40:34-35; 2 Chron 7:2-3; Ezek 10:4). Jesus ascends on clouds of glory, leaving behind heavenly messengers to assure God’s earthly messengers that Jesus will return just as he left – in clouds of glory (Mat 24:30; 26:64; Mark 13:26; Rev 1:7). This promised coming is an important part of the Christian message. The Savior is returning in glory to judge the human race. We too must spread the glorious message of his Kingdom and love in the power of the Spirit.

Jesus in Genesis

Chapter:
1 “let us” cf. John 1

3 Eve taken from Adam’s side – bloodshed? cf. church from the side of our Lord (pierced on the cross)

3 Adam: tempted and sins in the garden cf. garden and desert temptations of Christ

3:14-15 The first Gospel

4 Abel: Shepherd. Slain by brother because of envy, his blood cried out to God. Cf. Jesus, the good shepherd, who was slain by his ethnic brothers because of envy. As his blood dripped from the cross he cried out “Father, forgive them.” His blood speaks better things than Abel’s (Heb 12:24).

7 Ark: all who got in were saved. Jesus: all who are in him will be saved

12 Abraham: Leaves home cf. incarnation

14 Melchizedek: a universal priest. No record of human lineage. “King of Righteousness” “King of Peace.” No beginning or ending of days. Cf. Jesus
Hebrews 5-7

Psalm 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 7:1 ¶ For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

18 Sarah: impossible to have promised son (too old). But “at the appointed time” cf. Mary gave birth to Jesus at the appointed time, even though she was a virgin!

Genesis 21:2 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

22 Abraham: all nations of the earth blessed in his seed, Jesus.

Galatians 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

22 Isaac: miracle son is to be sacrificed. Sacrifice canceled because God provided. (Jehovah-Jirah) cf. Jesus who was God's son and was sacrificed.

Hebrews 11:17 ¶ By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

24 A wife for Isaac: Father sends servant to find a pure bride for his beloved son (the son who was born miraculously and taken to a mountain to be a sacrifice to God), and the bride must respond.

cf. God sent his servant the Holy Spirit to find a holy bride for his Son, Jesus.

Genesis 24:58 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.

28 Jacob’s Ladder: Jesus is the ladder to heaven. John 1:51

32 Jacob’s wound: is wounded by God and becomes Israel (given a name). Left with a mark

Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

God has exalted him and given him a name that is above every name.

37-50 Joseph: The beloved son of his father, a shepherd, betrayed because of envy (Acts 7:9 cf. Mat 27:18), sold for silver (cf. Mat 26:15), became a slave (cf. Phil 2:7), saved his people (food through the famine), and forgave his betrayers (cf. “Father, forgive them”).

Acts: God's Mission Continues (introduction)

We're beginning a study of Acts on Wednesday nights. Acts is one of the most exciting books in the entire Bible. It is filled with examples of bold, passionate, prayerful, and effective Christianity. In Acts we see the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost, repentant folk baptized, sick bodies and souls healed by faith, judgment fall on sinful believers, godly care for the poor, fearless proclamation of the Gospel, persecuted Christians rejoicing in their affliction, exorcisms, prophecy, visions, disagreements among Christians, and persecution at the hands of religious people.

Acts is a book about real life. It is no fantasy. It does contain elements of the supernatural, but, that's the stuff of real life. The same people who have bad moods also lay hands on the sick and heal them. The same people who get into disputes with their brothers and sisters also speak in tongues and prophesy.

The book of Acts is our history. It is the beginning of the story of the body of Christ and God's post-resurrection mission here on earth. I'm excited to be a part of the mission.

It's in these pages that God shows us the unstoppable nature of his church. As we join in God's mission we may not understand the details of what's going on or how it will all work out, but we see clearly that it will all work out. Nothing can stop God's church on his mission.

This is a book about God's works. We call it the Acts of the Apostles, but these acts are first and foremost God's acts. He is the one healing, baptizing in the Spirit, delivering from demons and danger, and empowering his church. Every mighty act of the book is done in the name of Jesus by people who are empowered by the Spirit.

God's church will not be stopped. Peter was imprisoned and sentenced to die. But that wasn't God's plan for Peter. Peter was indeed to die a martyr's death, but not until he was an old man. So prison bars couldn't hold Peter. He was delivered from prison by an angel. Paul was stoned to death, shipwrecked, snake-bitten, subject of assassination plots, mobbed -- yet he continued on mission. Herod killed James and accepted praise as a god and then died suddenly, but, "the word of God grew and multiplied."


I'm excited to dig deeper into this book.

9/11, a Black Swan, and Our Faithful Guide

Our Trustworthy Guide

Nassim Taleb, a Lebanese essayist, wrote an influential book about the Black Swan Theory --  a theory about completely unexpected events that have profound impact and seem like they could have been predicted after the fact. His theory is named after an old saying similar to "when pigs fly." If something was described as a "black swan" it was considered impossible. Then, in 1697, someone discovered black swans in Australia. Surprise! Pigs do fly. Taleb described the rise of the internet, PC, WWI, and 9/11 as Black Swan events. They changed the world we live in and we never saw them coming.

Black Swan events are coming your way. Expect the unexpected. What can you do to prepare? And how will you respond when the events take place? You need a guide. The prophet Jeremiah said it this way, (Jeremiah 10:23) "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." We need the one who "leads [us] beside still waters", the one who "leads [us] in the right paths for his name's sake." It's good to know that, even with Black Swans looming, we have a Trustworthy Guide.

God is our guide
God's people have always needed and received guidance from above. Direction came to them through dreams, visions, prophecies, Scripture, fleece, cloud, pillar of fire, and a still small inward voice. They all faced their own Black Swans, but God never left them. He was always there to guide.

When the unexpected catastrophes hit do not assume that you took a wrong turn. Even with God's guidance, your path will not be an easy one. The easy path is deadly. It takes strenuous effort to march the upward path to the holy mount Zion.

God's plan for us is that we become like Jesus. Part of becoming like Jesus is sharing in his suffering. His was a painful path. Following him will not be easy.

Nevertheless, we can take comfort in the assurance that we have a faithful Guide through the Black Swan events of life. His wisdom and power are matchless. His goodness is limitless. He will never lead us astray. Though the path may be difficult, it will be good.

The question is not how well our Guide will lead us. The only question is how faithfully we will follow. When we get to the rocky cliffs and narrow passages the answer is not to question the guide. Then is not the time to begin to chart our own courses. Our task, our sole duty, is to trust and faithfully follow the Master. He will guide us faithfully through the Black Swan events of our lives.

Don't be a mule
God will not force you to follow him.  God gives you the freedom to reject his leadership. The best counsel ever given is this: Don't be a mule.

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.  Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. -- Psalm 32:8-9

If you trust in the Lord with all your heart instead of your own feeble understanding he promises to direct your steps (Prov 3:5-6). This may be a time for you to wait patiently for the Lord to show you the next step (Ex 40:37). The God who has brought you this far is not about to leave you.

Sure, there will be Black Swans. Our faithful Guide is not surprised by them. Trust your Guide.