Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June/65

Contributor - John Moerman

Title - What About Speaking in Tongues?

Topic - Charismatics

"Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy" (1 Cor. 14 : 5a). Why? Because when a person prophesies, that is, testifies, or preaches the Word, the message is presented in understandable language. When the mighty acts of God are declared in everyday language, the saving Word can penetrate into the heart, mind, and soul, and people then can confess, accept, and be edified. That is why the person who prophesies is greater, he can be instrumental in converting the sinner and edifying the saint.

A SIGN TO UNBELIEVERS

With this in mind, we further read: "Thus, tongues are a sign not for believers, but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers, but for believers,' (1 Cor. 14 : 22). And if you now ask the reason why speaking in tongues is a sign to unbelievers and not to believers, we must answer "because the believer does not need this sign, the believer has already been brought to the faith''The believer knows that "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, and whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3 : 16). This fact, however, has not been accepted by the unbeliever, for he has not repented. Conversion has yet to take place.

Yes, but isn't that silly? For if believers do not understand what has been said in the speaking of tongues, will unbelievers come to know? Isn't that ridiculous? What leads to salvation is this: the understandable 'Proclamation of the crucified Saviour and the risen Lord. How true all this is. You are so right. But now just prior to stating that tongues are a sign to unbelievers and not to believers, the apostle calls our attention to an Old Testament prophetic word: "By men of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to these people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord" (1 Cor. 14 : 21). These words are taken from the prophet Isaiah (28 : 11, 12). The prophet speaks of the Assyrian invaders. It was by "men of strange tongues" that God spoke to disobedient Israel. How? Through a devastating war. This was the punishment upon the rebellion, this was the sign of divine displeasure, this was God's wrath in action.

But now, did God's rod of anger help? Dit Israel truly repent and turn? The answer is no. The rod of anger seemed to be meaningless to disobedient Israel. The sign of wrath was not understood by those who rebelled against God's holy rule. There even came a hardening upon those to whom the sign was given. So, says the Word of God, things stand as to the speaking in tongues too.

Speaking in tongues is a Manifestation of the Holy Spirit. But what a manifestation! Speaking in tongues stands as a sign of divide displeasure to those who refuse To hear, accept, and obey. In a highly unusual way God reveals His holiness, truth, and righteousness' Yes, even the beginning of judgment. Thus, What is blessing and fulfillment to the believer, stands as a sign of God's displeasure to the unbeliever. He scoffs at it, he hardens his heart, just as on t e day when the other apostles spoke in tongues. What did the unbelievers say on the day of Pentecost about the speaking in tongues?

"They are full of new wine." that is, they are drunk, they do not 'Know what they are talking about. ,They are out of their minds." No, they were not! They were filled all right, but not with alcohol. They were filled with the Holy Spirit. What the scoffers saw and heard was a sign of the very manifestation of God the Holy Spirit.

Paul writes, "Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; be babes in evil, but-in thinking be mature" (1 Cor. 14 -6 20). Now you know what a little child is like, don't you? You give him a new toy, and my, that toy is his one and all. Nothing in the world is worth as much as that latest toy. "My beloved Corinthian Christians," Paul said, "don't be like that three year-old child." It is true, God gave you 'that gift of speaking in tongues, but don't think that it is your one and all. Do not value it too high. Do not expect the world of it. And above all, be not proud of it. Your speaking in tongues will not bring the unbeliever to Christ Jesus. Far more important and useful is the word that everyone understands, namely prophecy. Speak the Gospel in everyday language, for if the unbeliever is to De converted it will be through words he understands.

"If, therefore, the whole church assembles, and all speak in tongues and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you" (1 Cor. 14 - 23-25). Now, wasn't that also the way it took place on the day of Pentecost? After the speaking of tongues was concluded Peter and the others preached in the vernacular, and it was the language everyone understood which brought repentance and faith about.

Therefore, wh at will you pray for more earnestly? For the gift of speaking in tongues, or for the gift to praise and declare God's great deeds in un-understandable utterances?? Speaking in tongues is not a means of grace, even as preaching the Word is.

NOT A MEANS OF GRACE

Have you ever experienced the joy of being instrumental in "rescuing the perishing and caring for the dying?" Let me tell you, there is no greater joy or more blessed service than in being instrumental to deliver someone from the fetters of sin and the grip of evil. Imagine yourself being instrumental in having someone or even a score of people stand in eternity in the presence of Christ and the glory of heaven instead of with Satan in the dark and empty place of God-forsakeness!

Now, that instrument could be you. By speaking in tongues? No, most likely not, for who will understand? That you can be by prophesying, teaching, testifying, preaching, witnessing and by "living for Jesus". That is how men and women are won for Christ, that is how sinners are delivered, that is how evil men and wicked women are set free from the bondage of evil, that is how Christ becomes Saviour and Lord.

I have heard a considerable number of people say at one time or another, "but I cannot preach, I cannot testify, I cannot witness". Listen, the important thing is not whether you can teach, testify, or witness at the very moment you are asked to do it. The important thing is whether you are willing to consider it honestly and seriously, setting all other things aside, and all that for the sake of God and for the love of your neighbour. That is why I now ask you whether you have ever been on your knees, pleading with the Lord for the gift of prophecy, the talent to pass on the Gospel of Salvation, in simple language? You know, as long as you have not been on your knees over and over again, pleading with the Lord to entrust you with this gift of gifts, you have not a right nor a reason to say that you cannot teach, testify, or witness. You should not turn down the church's request.

I believe that speaking in tongues is a definite reminder that God is not to be fooled, that His rod of anger sooner or later is to strike again, or even for the last time and for good. Now this to me is all the more reason to earnestly desire the gift of gifts: prophecy, faith, conviction, the ability and courage to testify, teach, and witness, and to live for the Christ who redeemed us. This must be done in order to introduce unbelievers to Jesus Christ so that they may come to know Christ as their I Saviour and Lord.

(To be continued)

Please click the "Back" button of your browser to return to previous page.