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Peter, on the Christian Day of Pentecost, quoted the Prophet Joel saying, “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy , your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My Maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. [Acts 2:16-18; Joel 2:28 NKJV] Notice, God’s promise through Joel, and quoted by Peter, did not include “speaking in tongues”, but did include “prophesying”. “Prophesying is defined in the article below. All who confess Christ is their Lord and the Son of God have been given the right to hear God their Father and Jesus Christ their Savior speak to them and through them, as God’s Holy Spirit utters through them in their native language, or native tongue. Why do I say this? Please continue to read this short article and rejoice! |
In reading this article {book} you will ask yourself, “Why have I received the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit?” As we meditate on, investigate and answer this question we will prove that God’s people receive His holy Spirit in order to hear His ‘voice, and thus have His perfect law of righteousness written and exercised within their hearts. In progressively following the history of God’s speaking voice we will discover that throughout history God has given mankind His voice for this purpose.
Because God and Christ Jesus are our only example and source of righteousness, God’s prophets, the Apostles, and God’s children must be filled with His Holy Spirit in order to be transformed into God’s nature and character. This is man “created in the image of God” who is Spirit.
For thousands of years Jehovah spoke through His holy prophets in their native tongue in order to nurture, teach and correct Israel. Today, God’s purpose in speaking to us through His Spirit, living within both His prophets and each reborn child, remains the same. He has determined to nurture, teach and correct us in this manner both individually and as a Body of believers.
Paul said the following about Jesus and His church, “He gave some apostles; and some prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors {shepherds} and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ: until we all come into the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” [Eph 4:11-13]. In other words, in order for Christ’s Body members to become the fullness of Christ each member must be perfected. Therefore, God has provided us with men and women who can, and will, hear His instruction until we all come into the unity of the faith and knowledge of Christ’s fulness, which is the full knowledge of Christ within us. The original church was built on this revelation knowledge; and Christ’s Spiritual Church continues to be edified in this manner today.
At present, many Christian denominations confess their need for the internal dwelling of God’s Holy Spirit and accept God’s ability to speak through them in tongues, or languages foreign to the speaker and/or listener. Is God limited in any way? Can He speak to you only in a language foreign to your understanding? Or, can He speak to you in your native tongue so that you understand what He is saying?
Strong’s Concordance of the Bible defines the Greek word translated ‘tongues’ as: “… the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unaquired)”. A language “naturally unaquired” is foreign to the speaker unless it is interpreted by God.
1 Corinthians 14:1-3 teaches: “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in tongues (a language [specially, one naturally unaquired]) does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him {but God}; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in tongues (a language [specially, one naturally unaquired]) edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.”
Strong’s Concordance of the Bible defines the New Testament Greek word translated as ‘prophesy’: “to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office”. Though this definition seemingly concentrates on the foretelling of future events, please note that it also tells us that to prophesy is to “speak under {God’s} inspiration”.
The Old Testament Hebrew word translated as ‘prophesy’ is naba’. It is defined by Strong’s as “to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse {speech or conversation})”. Obviously, as God prophesies through His chosen speaker He speaks in the speakers native language in “simple discourse, speech or conversation” so that He can be clearly understood. Both the Hebrew and Greek definition of ‘prophesy’ agree. In order to simplify the teaching in this book we have inserted the Hebrew definition in many of both the New Testament and Old Testament verses referenced.
With the Hebrew definition in mind, 1 Corinthians 14:1-3 can be read: “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy, which is to speak or sing by inspiration in prediction, simple speech or conversation in a language those present can understand . For he who speaks in a language naturally unaquired (tongues) does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him {but God}; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies is speaking or singing by God’s inspiration in prediction {prophecy}, simple speech or conversation in a language that all present can understand; and this person speaks edification, exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a language naturally unaquired (tongues) edifies himself, but he who speaks or sings by inspiration in prediction, simple speech or conversation in a language that all present can understand, ‘prophesies’, and therefore edifies the church.”
In Acts 2:4 we are told that one hundred and twenty disciples, both men and women “were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues {a language naturally unaquired}, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Those who spoke, did so in a language that was foreign to their physical minds and understanding. God did this in order to convince the unbelievers that were standing in the crowd that it was God initiating the speech through each disciple’s heart and mouth, and not the individual disciple: “And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone {of the listening bystanders} heard them speak in his {the listeners} own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, ‘Look, are not all these {disciples} who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs — we hear them speaking in our own tongues {native tongue} the wonderful works of God.” [Acts 2:5-11; NKJ].
On this particular day, the Holy Spirit delivered the Word of God through each disciple in a language that was foreign to the disciple that spoke it, but not to God’s chosen listener in the crowd gathered around the disciples. This was done for the sake of the listening unbelievers that stood near by [1 Cor 14:22]. If our Father had spoken through the disciples in their native Galilean tongue the Bible would say that the disciples prophesied {spoke or sang by inspiration in prediction, simple speech or conversation} in their native tongue as God inspired and spoke through them.
We are given an example of this very thing in Acts 19:4-6, “Then Paul said, ‘John {the Baptist} indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.’ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues (a language (specially, one naturally unaquired)) and prophesied (spoke or sang by inspiration in prediction, simple speech or conversation {in their native tongue})“. Both those who uttered in a foreign language, or a language naturally unaquired, and those who uttered in their “native tongue” did so as God’s Spirit spoke through them.
In reality, on this Christian day of Pentecost the bystander was ‘prophesied to’ in a language that he/she understood, while each disciple spoke in a language naturally unaquired, or a tongue foreign to their mental understanding. NKJV
In 1 Corinthians 14:5 Paul goes on to say, “I wish you all spoke with tongues (a language [specially, one naturally unaquired]), but even more that you prophesied (spoke or sang by inspiration in prediction, simple speech or conversation {in your native tongue}); for he who prophesies (speaks or sings by inspiration in prediction, simple speech or conversation {in their native tongue}) is greater than he who speaks with tongues (language [specially, one naturally unaquired]), unless indeed he {the same speaker, and not necessarily someone else} interprets {the foreign language into the native tongue so} that the church may receive edification”.
Paul indicates that you should open your mouth and allow God’s Holy Spirit to speak through you in either your native tongue or a language(s) naturally unaquired {tongues} for the purpose of edifying Christ’s family; and that the edification of His church is only possible when those in Christ’s church understand what is said by God. In order to understand what is said by God one must either hear God’s original message in their native tongue, or God’s interpretation of His original message in their native language. Both speaking in tongues {foreign language(s)} and prophesying {speaking or singing in your native tongue} is achieved by God as He utters through you, or one of His other children.
If you doubt this, Paul continues in 1 Corinthians 14:6-12: “But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues (language [specially, one naturally unaquired]), what shall I profit {benefit} you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophecy {foretelling events}, or by teaching?… So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand {your native tongue}, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking to the air… Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel”. 1 Corinthians 14:3 taught us that the one “who prophesies speaks {or sings} edification and exhortation and comfort to men”. In other words, Paul beseeches all Christians to be zealous for God’s gift, which is His voice in their native tongue. They are to do this so that God might edify, exhort and comfort both them and the rest of God’s church through them.
Paul further explains, “Therefore let him who speaks in tongues {language naturally unaquired} pray that he may interpret {in His native tongue}. For if I pray in tongues {language naturally unaquired}, my spirit {man} prays, but my {physical} understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray {in} the Spirit, and I will also pray the understanding {interpretation in my native tongue}. I will sing {in} the Spirit, and I will also sing the understanding {interpretation in my native tongue}…”.
Paul said that he would pray “the Spirit”; and therefore, pray the understanding…”. He could have also explained this by saying, “I will pray as the Spirit speaks through me, or gives me utterance in my native tongue. In this way I will understand what God’s Spirit is saying.”
Obviously, Paul had prayed for, and received, God’s own interpretation’ of God’s spoken Word. Paul instructed us to do the same. As Christ’s students we must understand what He is teaching us as He speaks through us in revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or teaching.
Many years ago, I prayed for and received the Holy Spirit. As I did, I spoke in tongues, or languages foreign to my understanding. I also prayed for interpretations that day, but did not knowingly receive this gift. Nevertheless, through the next few months I began to hear the voice of God’s Spirit speaking to me in my native tongue under all sorts of circumstances. At first, I did not recognize God’s conversations with me in my native tongue, as His gift of interpretation. I had been taught by other Christians that God only gave interpretations for words He had previously spoken in tongues {foreign languages}. Over time, and by God’s Will and teaching, I began to understand that when Paul instructed us to pray for ‘interpretation’ he was not speaking solely of interpreting God’s previous comments spoken in tongues, or languages foreign to our understanding. Paul was teaching us to ask God to interpret, or give us understanding, with regards to all things God expresses and is, including tongues which is the language of men and angels <1 Cor 13:1>.
As God’s Spirit speaks to each child in their native tongue, He is truly leading us into the truth about all things, including God, ourselves and others. It is God’s Will to speak to His children in a language they can understand. He speaks to us in our native tongue.
Many individual Christians believe that they would like to hear God’s voice in order to receive His personal input into their daily lives. However, they do not seek His thoughts in order to know, understand and love Him more deeply. They are not looking to establish an intimate relationship in which He will correct and teach them, as well as nurture them. Instead, many Christians are desperate to hear His voice on matters that pertain only to their own present needs and desires. This lack of understanding has been fostered through ignorance of God’s Truth, and from the self indulgence which is allowed within Christ’s membership by those who should be leading us into both submission and obedience to Christ’s voice.
Paul speaks to Christ’s Spiritual Church as he says, “I thank my God I speak with tongues {languages acquired unnaturally} more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding {prophesying in my native language}, that I may teach others also {through revelation, knowledge, prophecy or teaching}, than ten thousand words in tongues {languages acquired unnaturally}. Brothers, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature. In the law it is written: ‘With men of other tongues and other lips {multiple foreign language(s)} I will speak to this people {unbelievers not converted in Christ}; and yet, for all that, they will not listen to Me,’ said the Lord. Therefore tongues {languages acquired unnaturally} are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to unbelievers; but prophesying {speaking or singing by inspiration in prediction, simple discourse, speech or conversation in the native tongue which all present can understand} is not for unbelievers but for those who believe….” [1 Corinthians 14:5-23].
Paul further adds to our understanding, telling us: “If ALL PROPHESY {speak or sing by inspiration in prediction, simple discourse, speech or conversation in the native language which all present can understand}, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you. How is it {the outcome is} then, brothers, whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue {foreign language(s)}, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification… For you can all prophesy {speak or sing by God’s inspiration in prediction, simple discourse, speech or conversation in a language all present can understand} one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.” [1 Cor 14:24-26].
Paul said, “If ALL PROPHESY, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of His heart are revealed”. Only God knows the secrets of “one’s heart”, and only God can reveal the secrets of one person’s heart through, and to, others.
Have you had this happen to you? Has God’s Holy Spirit told you the secrets of another person’s heart? Both I and my sister, Bonnie Thomason, have had this happen as we ministered to others. We didn’t ask God to reveal these things, but He did so in order to convince the weak believer, or unbeliever, that it was God ministering to them through us.
Notice, Paul stresses that all things are to edify God’s children. It is only as we hear and speak God in our native tongue that we understand God’s teachings; and only in this way are we educated and edified with the understanding Christ intends. In order for us to have a revelation, knowledge, prophecy {future prediction} or teaching from God we must be speaking or singing through God’s inspiration in prediction {prophecy}, simple speech or conversation in a language that can be understood by those present. We must be “prophesying”.
Again, when one prophesies they deliver God’s Word in the form of a prophecy, revelation, teaching, psalm, interpretation etc. Paul then tells us, “… you can all prophesy one by one”. It doesn’t get much clearer than that does it? We are all capable of ‘prophesying’ or delivering God’s Word in a psalm, teaching, tongue, revelation or interpretation as God speaks through us. Through the Holy Spirit’s indwelling and voice we are all able to speak or sing in prediction, simple speech or conversation in our ‘native tongue’ or a ‘tongue foreign to our mind’. Paul tells us all, “desire earnestly to prophesy {speak or sing by inspiration in prediction, simple speech or conversation in a language all present can understand}, in order “that all may learn and all may be encouraged.” I can’t speak for you, but I do not intend to miss out on God’s personal teaching, correction, Comfort, edification and encouragement!
Paul continues by saying, “Therefore tongues {language(s) foreign to the mind(s)} are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
But if all prophesy {speak or sing by God’s inspiration in prediction, simple discourse, speech or conversation in a language all present can understand} , and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.”
Paul went on to say that “whenever you come together each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue {foreign language(s)}, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.” One can imagine how very noisy and confusing this would be within the normal congregation. Everyone might try to speak at one time. This is why Paul gave us instructions for the exercising of Spiritual gifts within Christ’s church.
Paul teaches, “If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 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 the churches of the saints.” [1 Cor 14:22-33; NKJV]
Though we are taught that we must receive the Holy Spirit for our new eternal spiritual life <Jn 3:5-7; Jn 6:63; 2 Cor 3:6; Gal 6:8>, no where in the Bible are we taught by Paul, or anyone else, that Christ’s church must speak in tongues in order to prove that they have received the Holy Spirit of God. No where in the Bible will you read that one must hear God speak in tongues prior to hearing Him speak in their native tongue.
We are taught however, in Romans 8:15-17, that “you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out,”Abba , Father. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Galatians 4:6-7 verifies this, saying, “because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son <Mark 14:36> into your hearts, crying out, “Abba , Father! Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” NKJV
However, whether an individual does or doesn’t speak in tongues is definitely between God and that person. God knows all things and is the only giver of this gift. The proof of this gift remains in God’s judgement, and not man’s.
I am a firm believer that all should want to, and need to, speak in tongues for personal growth, protection and edification. As Paul said, above, in 1 Corinthians 14:4, “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.” I believe we all, as we mature in Christ, realize that we do not always know how to pray. Praying in tongues is God’s Holy Spirit praying through us individually, to God our Father; and we rest assured that God prays what is needed as opposed to what we think is needed.
“Prophesying {speaking or singing by inspiration in prediction, simple speech or conversation in a language all present can understand}… is for those who believe! and for the edification of Christ’s one Church”
