March 13, 2005

TONGUES AND THE BIBLE

1 Corinthians 14:18

 

   Paul had explained that "tongues shall cease" (1 Cor. 13:8) yet wrote "I speak with tongues more than you all" (1 Cor. 14:18). True, but until the revelation of God was complete, tongues were a genuine part of the present ministry. Paul later wrote, "the dispensation of God which is given to me...to fulfil the word of God, even the mystery" (Col.1:25). The mystery, God's sacred secret completed God's word! At last, "that which is perfect is come"(1 Cor. 13:10)!

   The word "tongues" first appears in Genesis 10:5. In that chapter we read that God scattered the nations by confusing their languages. Language, not skin color or any other social or physical characteristic, determined who belonged to a nation. A nation was determined "according to their tongue" after the flood, and to this day.

   After God judged Babel He called Abram and made him the depositor of promises. God promised to bless the whole world through Abram and his seed and to make his descendants a "light unto the Gentiles," for to them were committed the "oracles of God" ( Rom. 3:1). God wrote His word in their Hebrew tongue. The nations would have to come to Israel to learn more about God.

   Instead of Israel being a light to others, they flirted with the gods of the nations and confused their own message. God warned them that "The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flies; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand" (Dt. 28:49) if they were disobedient. Isaiah further warned and prophesied, "For with stammering lips and another tongue [a Gentile language] will He speak to this people [ Israel ]" (Isa. 28:11). Thus when the day of Pentecost finally came, they said, "we do hear them speak in our tongues [Gentile languages] the wonderful works of God" (Acts 2:11) as prophesied!

   What a sign to Israel ! We find the gift of tongues in full force in the church at Corinth testifying to Jews in the synagogue next door. Paul explained that "Jews require a sign," and God gave "tongues...for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not" (1 Cor. 1:22 & 14:22). Today, "that which is in part is done away" (13:10).

 

Ivan L. Burgener