The Baptism In The Holy Spirit
Lesson Twelve- Stammering Lips and Unknown Tongues – A Short Discourse On 1 Corinthians 14

TEXT: 1 Cor. 14:1-4 - Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understands him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesies speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the church.
 

<This is not an exhaustive discourse on 1 Corinthians 14. We are planning to do a separate study on prophecy, tongues and the prophetic ministry which will be a verse by verse commentary and study on that chapter. >

This discourse in Corinthians concerning spiritual gifts is NOT a call to abandon the workings and ministries of the Holy Spirit as some teach. Instead it is a clarion call to embrace spiritual gifts - including speaking in tongues and give the Holy Spirit place in our churches. Paul is not calling for a stop to tongues. He is merely instructing the church at Corinth on order and encouraging the church to operate in the gifts through love - which never fails.

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is not an option. It is a command of the Lord Jesus to the believer. Speaking in tongues are the initial physical evidence one has been filled with the Spirit. Once filled, speaking in tongues is only a door into a deeper revelation and walk with the Holy Ghost.

Isa. 28:11-13 - For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

The question has been asked a thousand times, why tongues? Some have spoken despairingly of this great gift by saying it is nothing more than babble, chatter, or incoherent jabbering. However, one should be very careful in saying anything about the Holy Spirit – or anything connected to the Holy Spirit in a negative way. Speaking in other tongues is NOT jabber or babble or incoherent prattle.

Speaking in tongues is generally a language spoken SOMEWHERE in the world and known by some people in the world or in heaven. We are given insight to this when it states that there were devout men from EVER NATION UNDER HEAVEN, (and, of course, this referred to the world known in those days). It says they had come together and were confounded because “how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” It then goes on to list the people who were there – Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and at least 13 additional nationalities. Yet all these disparate people said, “we do hear them speak in our (own) tongues the wonderful works of God.” Now these individuals were not preaching to these people to be saved. They were merely praising the Lord in other tongues. They were speaking a language they had not learned. Some skeptics have tried to explain this away as some language the 120 had just learned. In other words, the 120 had suddenly become linguists and were praising God in other languages other than Aramaic, Hebrew, or Greek – the common local tongues. This is not true, however. These were uneducated Galileans and were NOT students of languages. They were mainly blue-collar workers – fishermen by trade.

This is the way it ALWAYS is when people speak in tongues. There are hundreds and perhaps thousands of languages and dialects in this world, and many of them sound very strange to our ears. They are not strange, of course, to the people who routinely converse in them. It is always a language spoken somewhere in the world but not known by the individual speaking in other tongues. If you will notice, when it came time to preach to these people about the Lord Jesus Christ and give an invitation to be saved, Peter did not continue speaking in tongues. He then preached in the common language of the day, which was either Aramaic or Hebrew. Of course, all those present understood it. It was not the same language they heard when the people were praising God earlier. That was a supernatural utterance given by God.

For those reading this who are quick to judge tongues and their significance for today, I would ask one simple question. What type language do you think is going on in heaven? Do you think God just speaks American English? Do you think He speaks only in YOUR dialect? Paul mentions “tongues of men, AND OF ANGELS.” The language of heaven is the language of the Spirit. The language of the Spirit is given to a believer when that believer is baptized, or endued with power from on high. When this occurs, that believer speaks in a heavenly, or angelic language.

To answer the question why tongues, let’s summarize four key things from our previous lesson that will help us understand speaking in other tongues.

Tongues Are A Supernatural Utterance

Speaking in tongues is always a supernatural utterance. This unction is exercised by faith, but it is not of the individual’s doing. It comes from the Lord Jesus Christ and was promised as long ago as Isaiah who said it would bring a rest and refreshing for the weary heart and soul. You cannot teach someone to speak in tongues. Abuses in this area make it hard to tell people there is a real experience from God. You can’t turn it on and off like a faucet. The Holy Spirit will GIVE the utterance; your part is simple - you must give the Holy Spirit the voice.

Tongues Are Always Given By God

Careful reading of our text infers that when men speak with other tongues, it is actually God speaking through them to the people. This is exactly what happens when the GIFT of tongues and Interpretation of tongues as outlined in 1 Corinthians 12 is in operation. Even when the individual believer is speaking in tongues in a devotional way, it is the Lord speaking through him. Why? We'll get to that in a minute when we discuss the reasons why it is important for you to speak in tongues.

The Unction Of Speaking in Tongues Is Universal

This is single evidence the world over. It is not the evidence for one country and something else for another as some foolishly try to insist. It is the same evidence everywhere. It was the same evidence in the New Testament days as it is today. It is the same across the world and across the years – which makes excellent evidence – if one is willing to view this experience without prejudice.

The Unction Of Speaking In Tongues Is Instantaneous

The moment the baptism of the Holy Spirit comes to the individual, he starts to speak with other tongues. It happens that same way with everyone. It’s not something that involves interaction with other individuals. It is strictly a personal experience between the individual and God. It always happens instantaneously, the moment the baptism in the Holy Ghost occurs. Cornelius and his house were saved and filled at the same time.

Do All Speak with other Tongues?

A lot of confusion arises over Paul’s statement to the Corinthians that he would rather speak five words of understanding in his own language than 5,000 in another tongue. Many have taken this and argued that this validates the fact that some will not speak in tongues because not all will be given the “gift.” Others say, “well, you’re not supposed to speak in tongues if you don’t have an interpreter. The Bible says, if a man don’t have an interpreter present, he should just keep silent.” Sad to say, that’s what most of us do – except when we’re cutting down our neighbor and preacher.

We tend to have a great capacity to worrying about an interpreter present when we’re gossiping and backbiting with our tongue. As I heard a pastor from a mainline denomination that opposes tongues say in a recent revival meeting as he was lampooning this experience – “many can’t control the things they say in English, why would God want to give them the gift of saying more in other languages?” What he said was true, but it’s sad he was saying it in a defamatory way about speaking in other tongues. Why do we attack the things we don’t take the time to understand? If we don’t understand it, THEN KEEP QUIET ABOUT IT

Devotional Tongues And The Gift of Tongues

We teach and preach that every recipient of the Holy Spirit, without exception, speaks with other tongues as he is baptized in the Holy Spirit. Granted, and we dealt with this in our previous lesson, the initial evidence does not become the ONLY evidence the Holy Spirit is real in one’s life.

However, the initial physical evidence of this experience (as recorded in Acts 2:4) should not be confused with the experience and operation Paul spent three chapters on in 1 Corinthians 12-14. The GIFT of TONGUES and INTERPRETATION of TONGUES are two of the nine gifts of the Spirit. Admittedly, everything received from God is a gift. But there is a difference in the devotional, infilling UNCTION of the Holy Spirit, in the personal life of the believer, and the use of tongues in corporate gatherings where the Body of Christ comes together to be ministered to.

1 Cor 12:10 - 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.

A person who speaks in tongues every day of his life (and he should do this) may never be used in the gift of tongues. A person who is used in the gift of tongues should pray that God also give him the gift of interpretation. These experiences are similar, yet different. One is for your personal worship. The other (1 Cor. 12) is for events that transpire when the Body of Christ comes together in corporate worship. When the Bible says, “Not all speak with tongues,” it’s not saying that when you’re baptized in the Holy Ghost you won’t speak in tongues. It’s saying that the Holy Spirit has given special gifts to people in the body and some may be used in the gift of speaking in tongues to the Body and some won’t.

When we say the gift of tongues, we’re talking about the experience where the Spirit of God moves on an individual, and that person gives a message in the body from the Lord. When the person finishes speaking the message in tongues, another should interpret what has been said. If an interpretation doesn’t come forth then the body has not been edified because NO ONE HAS UNDERSTOOD WHAT WAS SAID.

When Peter preached the message of Pentecost, he had just come down from the most powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the history of the church. Yet, when he addressed those gathered, he didn’t give the message in tongues, he spoke in his natural language so that all could understand. This is what Paul is referring to when he says, “I would rather speak five words of my own understanding.” He goes on to say, “I SPEAK IN TONGUES MORE THAN YE ALL” and “I WOULD THAT YE ALL SPEAK WITH TONGUES.”

1 Cor 14:4-28 - He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 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. 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? 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? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 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. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. 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. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 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. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupies the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understands not what thou sayest? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serves not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, and hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any men speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

If a person is just speaking in his own devotional language, worshipping the Lord, there is seldom a need for interpretation if ever. The GIFT OF TONGUES is not in operation. Sometimes in worship situations a person hears someone speaking in tongues and wonders what is called for. I’ve been preaching at times when the Spirit of God will give an utterance through me of worship. I’m not giving a “message” in tongues, I’m worshipping the Lord. When I do this, there is no need to stop the message and get an interpretation. I had a lady just recently watch a video of a message I preached some years back. When I was preaching I began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit of God gave the utterance. I was not giving a “message” in tongues. So, I didn’t stop to get an interpretation of what I was saying. Seeing the video, her comment to my wife was, “He was speaking in tongues on that video and that’s wrong since he didn’t have an interpreter present.” No, it wasn’t wrong. I wasn’t addressing the congregation in other tongues. I was praising the Lord. I was addressing the congregation in English.

On the other side of this coin, I’ve been in Pentecostal churches where the preacher cannot even finish his message because every one wants to interpret every utterance in tongues he gives. The gifts of the Spirit are given for our edification, comfort and MATURITY in the Lord. They are not a sideshow to show off our spirituality or lack of common sense. Paul said that unless he spoke to them by revelation, doctrine and in their own understanding he would be speaking into the air and would seem to those who don’t know any better like a barbarian.

1 Cor. 14:6-12 - 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? 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? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle. 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. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. 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. Even so ye, Forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

Paul is not arguing here against speaking in tongues. He’s setting forth guidelines for those who would be used in the gift of tongues and interpretation. Many argue against the entire experience of tongues with these scriptures. A Spirit-filled person should speak in tongues every day of his life, and he may well do so and STILL NOT HAVE THE GIFT OF TONGUES. Personal worship of the Lord is done many times in private, but at times it is done in public gatherings, such as a prayer meeting or worship service. When this happens and a person is praising the Lord in tongues, no interpretation is necessary.
All Spirit-filled brethren should use tongues daily in their prayer life, but not all will minister in the gift of tongues. Paul was giving correction, not a stoplight. The Corinthians had allowed confusion to intrude into their worship services. Paul was saying, “Let it be done in order.” He wasn’t telling them to stop it!!!!!

1 Cor. 14:18-24 - I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

Paul quotes Isaiah in the 21st verse of this expose’ on tongues. He said in the LAW it is written and YET FOR ALL THAT THEY WILL NOT HEAR ME.
Tongues are for a SIGN

It is never proper to speak in tongues without LOVE. Paul said without the love of Jesus in our hearts, all of our tongue talking and prophesying comes across like clanking sounds of brass and cymbals. In other words, our actions to our fellow man speak louder than our words do while we’re in church. We may brag about how we speak in tongues but the fruit of one’s walk with the Lord is the love he or she possesses when the rubber hits the road.

There are many who have allowed bitterness and hatred to seep into their hearts even AFTER they have received the baptism in the Holy Spirit. God is love, and walking with HIM means a Christian must walk in Love and LOVE DOETH NO ILL TO ITS NEIGHBOR.

Many in the Pentecostal world love to boast about the gifts of the Spirit that operates in their life. It is possible for the Christian walk to then become an ego trip – a compulsion to be seen and heard when functioning in the gifts of the Spirit. In this case, love is not present as it should be, and these people can sometimes even speak harshly of others. If the heart of a person is not right, he is in a dangerous situation trying to operate in the gifts of the Spirit until the matter is prayed through and victory is won. The enemy loves to exploit our spirit man in this area. Untold harm has been done to others by someone claiming to be “spirit-filled” but yet is filled with all types of malice, hate, unforgiveness and bitterness towards others. Many times the reasons most don’t want this experience is because they have seen such a display of demonic emotion. THIS OUGHT NOT TO BE!

Another time it is not proper to speak in tongues in corporate gatherings is when speaking in tongues will disrupt what the man of God is saying. There are times when the Spirit of God is moving in a service and someone interjects something that completely interrupts the preacher and the flow of the service. There are other times when these interruptions come at the right time, such as the interruption at the house of Cornelius. This generally occurs in smaller gatherings such as home groups and other meetings like that. When people do this, they just say, “I couldn’t help myself.” They use the phrase; “I didn’t want to quench the Spirit by not speaking out.” This is usually not a matter of “quenching the Spirit,” but controlling the flesh. The HOLY SPIRIT is NEVER THE AUTHOR OF CONFUSION. Paul said if the whole church comes together speaking in tongues and unbelievers are present, they would think us all mad unless there was order to what we were doing.

1 Cor 14:23-33 - If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 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. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Again, Paul is not throwing a blanket on tongues and saying it’s wrong. He’s saying, “Use some common sense and GROW UP.” God will arrange a proper moment for you to give whatever it is the Lord wants you to give. When delivering a message, there is no need to shout or deliver the message in a special tone of voice to make it sound “spiritual.” The “flesh” induces many of these things, and instead of helping the Holy Spirit, it hinders Him. Remember that He, the Holy Spirit, is subject to YOU. These are areas where obedience to the word of God is paramount to our spiritual growth in the gifts of the Spirit. If the Bible says let our messages in tongues are spoken by two or at the MOST THREE, then that’s what we should do. When we stray away from this, we open the door to the enemy and HE WILL COME IN and bring confusion.

Some boast that in THEIR church, ten, twelve and even twenty messages are given a service. This isn’t proper and unscriptural. The Holy Spirit should lead every thing. In smaller groups, such as home groups they may be variations, but in PUBLIC CORPORATE WORSHIP, it would be wise to OBEY THE WORD OF THE LORD! The problem with Pentecostals is the same problem with most Baptists – TRADITION. Our tradition in Pentecostal circles puffs us up and blinds us from reproof while the tradition of Baptists blinds them to their need to speak in tongues and be baptized in the Holy Ghost. We both do this to our own destruction.

In Closing

I didn’t get into other manifestations of the Spirit such as laughing, being slain in the Spirit, divine healings and trembling under the power. My brother Todd has wrote a wonderful article on that on the web site and I encourage you to read it entitled “Thoughts on Gold, Laughing and Shaking.” It will encourage you and challenge you about some of the phenomenon going on around the country in some churches right now experiencing revival.

Before I go, I do want to say this. Some of you reading this are at a crossroads. You have been saved by the blood of Jesus. If you died or Jesus came right now, you’d be taken to heaven to be with Him eternally. You love Him with all your heart. For whatever reason, ignorance, fear, traditional teaching or just unbelief, you have not received this experience we have talked about and you want to. It’s just a matter of asking and allowing the Holy Spirit to anoint you with power. It’s already been paid for, just as your salvation was paid for at Calvary. In a later journal we’re going to talk about receiving the Holy Spirit. You don’t have to beg God for this experience!! He wants to baptize you with power. He wants His Spirit to come upon you just like it did His Son, Jesus Christ some 2,000 years ago. Glory to God!!

The only prerequisite for receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit is salvation. Nothing more, nothing less. You can’t make yourself anymore worthy to receive this blessed gift than you are now. However, two factors that will keep you from receiving are basically unbelief, and not yielding our tongue to the Lord. The matter of unyieldedness usually comes in a form of unforgiveness as well.

We are taught from a child to “stand on our own two-feet.” At the moment of seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we all feel a strange pressure growing within ourselves, a force demanding expression. It is at this moment, we need to let go and allow that expression to come forth.

The Holy Ghost Will Not Speak For You
The very moment a believer asks the Lord Jesus to fill him with the Holy Spirit God’s promises will work. Down inside there will be words or phrases or sounds that will start to form and seek expression. The Holy Ghost is giving utterance. That is as far as the Holy Ghost will go! The rest is up to you the believer. This is the point where you must take over and open your mouth and speak those things and voice the sounds crying out for expression within you.

I’ve never met two people with the same prayer language. I’ve never met two people with similar expressions. We are all different. God created us that way. You’re experience may not be like mine, but YOU WILL SPEAK IN OTHER TONGUES! Ignore the voice of the skeptics and Satan telling you “this surely isn’t the way it should sound.” THIS IS THE HOLY GHOST giving the utterance. Just open your mouth and start to speak. You’ve asked you’re Heavenly Father for the Holy Ghost, He won’t give you a stone or a serpent instead

Glory to God. You retain full control of all your faculties at all times. The Holy Spirit does not impose. He suggests. He leads. And no leading of the Holy Spirit will cause you to do anything improper. By the same token, He will not FORCE you to speak in tongues. Notice the passage in Acts 2:4 – THEY BEGAN TO SPEAK with other tongues and the SPIRIT GAVE THEM THE UTTERANCE. The Spirit plays a role in this experience, BUT YOU PLAY a role too! Just relax and allow the Lord Jesus to baptize you in His precious Holy Spirit. It’s His plan for your life. The only thing left is for you to step out in faith and receive.

1 Cor 14:38-40 - But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.

Paul said, let him that wants to be ignorant of these things – BE IGNORANT. This experience is for today and God is still filling people with the Holy Ghost. If you want to fight it, fight it, but you sir will find yourself happily fighting against GOD!

To those reading this who are honestly seeking more of God – believe Jesus wants you to be filled with the Spirit so you can become a greater witness for Him. The power of the Holy Ghost can change countries. He can change marriages. He can change schools. He can change churches. He can change YOU!!

Heavenly Father, we pray for everyone who reads this and is seeking this mighty experience. I pray in Jesus name that everyone reading will be filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking with other tongues and they did on the day of Pentecost; as they did in the house of Cornelius; as Paul did when he received his sight; as those Ephesus believers did that day Paul laid his hands on them; as the people of Samaria did when Peter and John came down and laid their hands on them; Fill them in Jesus name. Remove the doubts and fears and tradition that has blinded them to your will for their life. We bind the voice of the enemy who would lie to them and tell them this experience is not for them. Be filled with the Holy Ghost in Jesus name!!
 

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