Listening To Hope

Questions About Tongues

May 23, 2010

by Geno Hildebrandt

Notes by Tim Margheim

Lesson:     When discussing spiritual gifts, particularly the gift of tongues, one thing should take center stage:  Graciously building each other up, in love.

Texts:       Acts 2:1-13, 1 Cor 12:7-14:33

Ice-Breakers:

1. Have each person share briefly about their background with speaking in tongues.  Where is everyone coming from?
2. How should tongue-speaking be handled in a small or large-group gathering?

Background:

Last week, Geno preached about the coming of the Spirit in Acts 2, which included the gift of tongues—in this case, unlearned human languages.  Since tongues can be a divisive, controversial subject, we’re pausing in the Acts series to discuss tongues in more detail.  This week, Geno taught from Paul’s discussion of spiritual gifts & tongues & prophecy in 1 Corinthians.  In two weeks, he will pick up with a Q&A session, addressing a set of questions & issues submitted from the congregation.

This conversation can be divisive, but only when we make it so.  Instead Geno has encouraged biblically-informed, grace-filled conversation, seeking the truth together.

From Paul’s teaching, Geno drew several points:

1. Spiritual gifts are manifestations of the Spirit for the common good.  When we gather, everything is to be done in the spirit of Phillipians 2:1-11—serving one another, building each other up, considering the good of those around us. (1 Cor 12:4-7, 14:4-5,12,16-19, 26)

2. Everyone in the Body of Christ has the Spirit, and everyone has a spiritual gift.  We should earnestly desire spiritual gifts, including tongues.  But not everyone has every gift, so not everyone will speak in tongues. (12:7,11,13,30-31, 14:1,5)

3. In the gift of tongues, we speak to God, not to men—Paul says that he himself speaks in tongues, uttering mysteries with his spirit.  But since we’re not built up by hearing speech we can’t understand, when we gather together no one should speak out in tongues unless it’s interpreted.  One who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret. (14:2,5-6,11-13,18-19)  The gathered church is the wrong place for uninterpreted tongues.

4. Paul quotes from Isaiah 28, to show that hearing uninterpreted, incomprehensible speech is a sign meant for unbelievers, as a sign of God’s judgment.  It drives unbelievers away from the Body of Christ, so that they won’t hear a clear word and be converted.  But prophecy will convict & lead someone to God.

Hope Chapel will endorse all that the Bible teaches.  As Paul commands, we won’t forbid tongues.  And everything will be done orderly, in grace.

Digging Deeper:

1. Discuss 1 Corinthians 14:12. “So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.” (ESV)  (The translation can also be “eager for spiritual gifts” or “spiritual things”.)  What does this tell us about the manifestation of the Spirit, or what marks someone who’s filled with the Spirit?
2. Why is prophecy more to be desired than tongues (14:1-2)?  What does Paul mean by “the higher gifts” (12:31)?  What’s the connection between these two verses, and the “love” chapter sandwiched between them?
3. What does it mean for us to discuss these issues without divisiveness?  What does it look like?  How do we encourage it?
4. Discuss the three manifestations of tongues that Geno mentioned: Unlearned human languages, “private prayer language”, and interpreted tongues.  Where do we get the distinctions between these three?  Is the basis for any of them unclear?
5. Discuss the “sign for believers” vs “sign for unbelievers” passage, 1 Cor 14:21-25.  What’s the basic point of the contrast?
6. Have any of you witnessed tongues with interpretation?  What was it like?  Did you find it edifying or confusing?
7. Paul says to pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts—including tongues.  Do you desire it? Why, or why not?

Wrap Up:

• Pray together to have the heart & mind of Christ in these matters, that God would heal bitterness & frustration or draw us out of apathy.  Pray that God would teach us why these things should be desired.

• Pray that we would all work through these potentially divisive issues with grace, wisdom, and saturation with God’s Word.  Pray for grace in places we don’t agree.