[Biblemat] Tongues (question/answer)

[Don Martin]

Hello Raymond,

Thank you so much for your question and for making use of Bible
Questions. Please do so again. http://www.biblequestions.org  Please
check out Bible Truths http://www.bibletruths.net  Go to the archives
section of these sites for material and also go to the archives search page
and type in any subject or word you wish to explore. New material is
constantly being added to both sites. Any help you can give us in telling
others of these sites will be greatly appreciated.

If you are interested in really learning more about the Bible, there is an
online Bible study course located in Bible Truths. While on the home
page, scroll down and enter.  While on the Map Site Page, click on "Online
Bible Study Course" in the table.  Click on http://www.bibletruths.net to go
there.

You asked:

Can a person speak tongues "on command", when they want to?

Reply:

Some misuse I Corinthians 14 to teach some sort of esoteric and private
prayer language.  However, the gift of tongues seen in the New Testament
was simply the miraculous ability to speak in an intelligible language that
one had not studied (Acts 2: 3ff.).  An article in www.bibletruths.net of
interest would be, "Have Miracles Ceased?"  Enter through the door and
click on "Archives and Index," then click on the letter "M" on the Archives
page. I shall insert below a previously asked and answered question from
the archives of Bible Questions to comment more on your good question.

    Question: How about tongue speaking?

    Answer: A number of years ago a phenomenon known as glossolalia or
tongue speaking swept the nation. The act of tongue speaking varies among
its advocates. Many claim you must speak in a tongue in order to be saved,
while others claim speaking in a tongue is a sign of a greater degree of
salvation. Tongue speaking, many explain, is not a language, but an
unintelligible utterance, only known to an interpreter. Glossolalia, for the
most part, is practiced in an emotional atmosphere.

    Speaking in tongues involved speaking a language not previously known
by the speaker. The writer of Acts tells us that tongues appeared to the
apostles ("apostles" is the antecedent of "them," 1: 21, ff. and 2: 7 ff.)
and that the spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2: 4). This mightily impressed
the people. The writer further tells us: "Now when this was noised abroad,
the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man
heard them speak in his own language" (2: 6). Again, "And how hear we
every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" (2: 8.) "Unknown"
in I Corinthians 14: 2 is italicized, meaning the translators supplied it.
The language was unknown to the hearers, thus, the need of interpreter
(I Cor.14). Being able to miraculously speak a language greatly assisted
the apostles (and others) in teaching and convincing the lost (Acts 2).

    Tongues were never required in order to have salvation. The scriptures
teach the essentiality of belief, repentance, confession, baptism, and
holiness (Jn. 8: 24, Acts 17: 30, 31, Rom. 10: 9, 10, Mk. 16: 16, Heb. 12:
14), but no where are tongues required. Tongues were spoken by the
saved (Acts 2) and the unsaved (Acts 10: 46). Tongues were primarily used
for a sign "to them that believe not" (I Cor. 14: 22). Beloved, miraculous
ability, including tongues, has ceased (I Cor. 13: 8).

Thanks again for your good question and for your interest in spiritual
matters. I recommend that you print out this email for future reference
(web addresses, etc.). You may print out any material you desire in both
Bible Questions and Bible Truths (see the copyright provision at the bottom
of the home page in Bible Truths).

Cordially,
Don Martin