Share the Gospel with the children of the world for just pennies!
One US dollar will provide the Book of Hope to three children.

Sunday Seminar 3:
What The Bible Says About Speaking in Tongues (Unlearned languages)

Return to Sunday Seminars Home Page

Links to Other Resources

In the Bible, speaking in tongues is reported but never commanded and it is never forbidden. This is a scriptural fact.

1. The practice of speaking in tongues originates from the day of Pentecost. When the Holy Spirit came to earth that day. Acts 2:1-11.

* There was the sound of a rushing mighty wind. V. 2.

* Flames of fire appeared above the heads of the 120 assembled. V. 3.

* And, they were given the ability to speak in unlearned languages.

2. The ability to speak in unlearned languages had a specific purpose on that day.

* Jerusalem was filled with travelers from other countries who were there for the Feast of Pentecost. V. 9-10.

* God wanted all these people to hear about Him in their own languages. V. 11.

* However, the men of God were not speaking in unknown tongues or a mysterious heavenly language. They were speaking in the everyday languages of the visitors who were in Jerusalem on that day.

* Today, we would get the same effect in the General Assembly of the United Nations when the simultaneous translators speak into the 5-channel public address system in the basic languages of the UN.

3. By the time the church at Corinth was organized, Paul was having trouble with certain Christians who took pride in being able to "speak in tongues". This problem caused him to write what we now know as 1 Corinthians 14.

4. In this chapter, we learn the following facts:

* Paul ranks the gift of prophecy (spiritual instruction) above the ability to speak in tongues. V. 1-6.

* Paul could speak in tongues, perhaps because he had studied them. But, he said that 5 words in a known language are worth more than 10,000 words in tongues (unknown languages). V. 18-19.

* Tongues should not be spoken in church at all unless someone is available to translate into a known language. V. 27-28.

* Praying or singing in tongues is also not useful. V. 14-15.

* Speaking in unlearned languages was useful at Pentecost. However, if it is done in church, unbelievers will think it is crazy. V. 22-25.

* It is wrong to forbid someone else to speak in tongues. V. 39. We must assume, however, the rules for worship given here will be obeyed.

* All parts of a worship service should make sense to everyone who attends.
V. 40.

Return to Sunday Seminars Home Page
E.Books Home Page

Links to Other Resources

Teachers-- and parents who are homeschooling--
Download the PennSTAR Master Curriculum