Post by Jo Smith on Mar 5, 2020 17:46:29 GMT -5
~ The gift of Tongues ~
Today is Saturday, Sept. 3, 2005.
I am going to show in this message the truth of the Gift of Tongues. So many have missed this and almost everyone has taught this in error. Those who do not deny this wonderful gift altogether, do not understand it, even those who have it.
So this is a much-needed truth. If only people would learn to go exactly by how the Scripture is written, instead of listening to false teachers, all this delusion would not exist. Even many who exercise this gift and are blessed by it, still do not understand it and are confused when they are exercising the gift. This ought not so to be my beloved Christian friends.
Now, let’s look into the Word of God and see what is truly taught on this great gift.
1Cor 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
1Cor 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
First see that Paul said for us to desire spiritual gifts. So it is a thing we should do, is pray for and seek to have the gifts of the Spirit in our own lives. This is not just to help others with; it is also for the purpose of edifying ones own self.
Notice verse two. This is the first of the ‘misunderstandings’ of this gift. Most people assume that this gift of tongues is for the purpose of preaching the gospel to someone who speaks a different language than you do. But see this is not taught in the word of God. He said here that when you speak in an unknown tongue, this is not speaking unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him. See then that it is NOT an earthly language at all. It was not meant for anyone. The very fact that it said this is an UNKNOWN tongue tells us to begin with, that this tongue is not known by anyone on this earth. So it is NOT an earthly tongue. IT is a heavenly tongue, which no man understands. In the spirit he is speaking mysteries. Only God knows these mysteries.
Unbelievers and those unknowledgeable about this gift will tell us that only when one is speaking to someone of another earthly tongue should we use this gift. I just ask, where is even one Scripture saying this? Where was this gift ever used for this purpose? They all go to Acts 2, where Peter preached to that great crowd and use this to say that is what he was doing. But Peter was NOT speaking in an unknown tongue there. He was speaking in his own tongue. God fixed it so everyone there understood his speech in their own tongue. Surely you know that Peter was not speaking in more than one tongue?
Let me make it clear here at the beginning of this message, that I am not speaking of the tongues which comes when one is Baptized with the Holy Ghost. That is a total different working of God. It has not one thing to do with this gift of tongues. This gift of tongues comes only after one has the Holy Ghost, and it is not given to everyone. But the tongues which accompanies the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is given to everyone who receives the Holy Ghost. This is His means of proving he has come into your heart to live and abide. He gives this utterance, not the person. It is totally of God, not of man. The rules Paul laid down for the use of this gift of tongues in a church does not apply to the tongues which the Holy Ghost utters when one is filled with the Baptism. Compare this with Acts two and what happened in that upper room and you can clearly see this. All 120 people spoke in tongues. All 120 there spoke the same language. Not one word is said about any need for interpreting this tongue. See it was not the gift of tongues. It was the gift of the Holy Ghost being given. I have never heard even one Pentecostal preacher who understands this matter. Do they ever study the word? I really wonder.
1Cor 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
1Cor 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
Now see here that Paul is explaining the use for two gifts. He said prophesying is used to edify, exhort and comfort other people. He said that when one speaks in an unknown tongue he is edifying himself. Now is not that what I told you to begin with? The gift of tongues is given for your own edification. This is very needful for your own spiritual growth and joy. Use it as often as you can. Pray and worship and this gift will come. So did Paul say the gift of tongues is used for other men? Did he say it is for the purpose of teaching people of another language? NO. Did he say one word about the need to be ‘fluent’ in this speaking? No. Not one word. It has not one thing to do with your own personal ability. That does not enter into it.
So do not allow false, unknowledgeable men to hinder you by making you think it is something you need to be ‘fluent’ in. It does not pertain to your earthly ability; it is a gift of the Spirit. He does it. Many times we are worshipping and praising Jesus and God with the same phrases of praise over and over. The unbelievers and ignorant use this to try and say it is false, for we are saying the same words over and over, therefore not speaking a message. It is not for speaking messages. It is for our own edification. It is our worship of God. I shall prove that in this message.
It is no different than when we say the same words over and over in our own tongue, praising him and loving Him. I do this quite often, in both English and in the unknown tongue. When I myself switch it back to English, it seems to lose the power and glory, so I then allow the Spirit to take back over.
1Cor 14:5 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 the unknowledgeable use this verse to try and ‘down-grade’ the gift of tongues. But is this what is meant? No. Paul is showing here that in order for the church [other men- not you] to receive edification, the tongues must be interpreted. See that he had already laid out that tongues is for your own edification and prophecy is used to edify others. So does not this fit it exactly? Of course it does. I have written many messages on the tongues, which accompanies the Holy Ghost, but I do not remember actually taking this gift of tongues and explaining it fully. This is certainly needed by the church.
But see that he made it clear that he wants everyone to speak in tongues. I would that ye ALL spake with tongues. Now does that sound like Paul was against speaking in tongues? Of course he was not. It is right the opposite. Where are any churches, which have this attitude? They are few and far between. See also that when the tongues is interpreted it becomes just as important a tool to edify others as does prophecy? This interpretation places them on the same level, but when you are speaking in tongues alone, there is no real need for interpretation.
1Cor 14:6 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?
Now here is another verse they use to try and say speaking in tongues is not right or of no importance. But see that is not what is meant. Again it goes back to who is being edified, and which gift is being used. See Paul said, brethren if I come to you speaking in tongues what shall I profit you? See he is saying the tongues is not used to edify others, it is for your own personal edification. So in order to edify someone else, you must either speak by revelation [something God has revealed to you], or by knowledge, or by prophesying or by doctrine. See that the gift of prophecy was given to edify others with. This makes it so clear that the gift of tongues was never given to preach to men of other languages with. Again, it is not putting the gift of tongues down. Rather it is clearly explaining what the two gifts are to be used for. When you come to see this clearly, it will never be a problem again. You can then use the gift of tongues for your own personal worship and edification, and then speak to others by knowledge or prophecy or some other way he can understand. He does not understand your tongues, unless it is interpreted. You are glorifying God in worship, and it is joy to you, but the other person receives no real benefit from this.
Now I personally enjoy seeing others in the Spirit and it blesses me. So do not feel put down by tongues being for your own benefit. It does bless other Christians who enjoy this. It may not edify me, but I enjoy seeing the Spirit moving on anyone. Paul is not saying a person who prophesies is a greater person than the one who speaks in tongues; nor is he saying that the gift of prophecy is better than tongues. It is speaking here of the magnitude of how many is blessed or edified. More people means greater, it is speaking of how many are edified.
In verses 7- 11, Paul explains that when one person speaks in a tongue to someone else, who does not understand that tongue, then you are barbarians to each other. No understanding or edification is there.
1Cor 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
Now did Paul condemn this church for being zealous of spiritual gifts? Of course he did not. So then why are most preachers today so much against this? But Paul said seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. He wanted them to seek to use their gifts to edify the church, and not just themselves. So he said if you speak in an unknown tongue pray that you may interpret it. The interpretation then edifies others as well as your own self. So where does all of this leave the majority of church folks who do not believe in any of these gifts being for us today? Where is any Scripture saying that this was only for folks back then? Why would God tell us all about this kind of glory, and then say now it is not for you? My God did not do such a thing to me, I can grant you.
1Cor 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
1cor 14:15 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.
1Co 14:16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
1Co 14:17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
Now don’t you see that he said you can pray in an unknown tongue and not understand yourself what is being said? He said this is praying with the spirit. Then he said I will sing with the spirit [in tongues], and I will sing with the understanding also. So here he is saying I sing in tongues, then interpret it and sing it in my own language. My, what glory! And just think almost all churches today deny this to their people! Thank God for setting me free from them.
Verse 17 says that one is giving thanks well, in tongues, but the other is not edified. See again proving that the tongues is not for the edification of others, unless it is interpreted. But see that he called it well. Why are so many against this today? And they call it evil and not well?
1Cor 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
1Cor 14:19 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.
Now I know that many preachers and church folks use verse 19 to try to downgrade this gift of tongues. Again it is not what is meant here. Why would Paul say I thank my God that I speak with tongues more than all of you, if he thinks it is not good? No this is not what he means. He is only saying that when I am in church with others, I would rather teach them then, than to edify myself with tongues that they will not understand or get any edification from. He is not condemning speaking in tongues at all. He is merely saying in the places where you are with others, try to teach them.
See Paul made it clear that he spoke in tongues lots of times, more than any of them. He is certainly not putting this gift down in any kind of way. But he makes it clear that he would rather teach others when with them than to edify himself.
[cont.]
~ The Sign to the Unbelievers ~ ... a sign which shall be spoken against.
1Cor 14:21 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.
Now I want to show you a great and hidden mystery here. Study this carefully.
Isa 28:7 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. Isa 28:8 For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.
Wine represents the glory of the truth and the Word. So who erred here? The OT priest and their prophets. All their tables, or spiritual eating places, are full of vomit and filthiness.
Isa 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. Isa 28:12 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.
Now that is where it is written in the law, 1Cor 14:21 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.
Isa 28:15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
Now that is still speaking of the OT priests and prophets, and of course all their people. They say they made a COVENANT with DEATH. So what is DEATH? How could they have a covenant with death? It is that tree of the knowledge of good and evil, LAW. By the law is the knowledge of sin {evil}. It also teaches good. But it also brings DEATH. They DIED under the LAW without mercy. They also made a covenant {law} with hell. This is the OT priests and prophets. After death, comes hell. Since the priests and the prophets kept them under law, they are the death and hell to those who follow them. This covenant is that Ten Commandment LAW covenant.
Now why is it that they would not hear when God spoke to them with other tongues? I will show you why.
1Cor 14:22 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.
Isa:66:19 And I will set A SIGN among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
Now see that this SIGN he set among them is the same sign which is to them that believe not. It is the sign of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. How do I know? Jesus told his disciples [those who received that sign of speaking in tongues] to go into all NATIONS and preach to all people = the Gentiles, who were afar off. This promise is to you and your children and ALL THAT are AFAR OFF. These had not previously seen his glory. But when those who received this new REST, the stammering lips and another tongue, had this sign given to them, they carried his glory to all nations.
Now how is this a sign to them that believe not?
Jud:6:17 And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then show me A SIGN that thou talkest with me.
See here that Gideon told the Lord, IF I have found GRACE in thy sight, then show me a SIGN that thou talkest with me. A sign that you talk with me. For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak [talk] to this people...and they began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave utterance. Gideon is showing that the people who came into the New Covenant of GRACE, are the ones to whom the Lord is speaking to. This is the SIGN which shall be spoken against. So see that this sign and grace are connected together.
Now for why it is a sign to the unbelievers:
Ex 31:13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you
Ex 31:15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Ex 31:16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
Ex 31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
See that the law brought them DEATH? He said if you do any work in the sabbath day, you will surely be put to DEATH. If you break that law, it brings death. IT is death.
Heb 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. Heb 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. [the law is not of faith.]
The PROMISE is unto you and your children....this promise of entering into his rest...but you must come in by FAITH.
Heb 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, .. Heb 4:6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
Heb 4:7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Heb 4:8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. Heb 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. Heb 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Heb 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. [They ceased from the works of the law.] See here that they entered not in because of unbelief. They did not believe the true sign of speaking in tongues. They did not hear when he spoke to them in other tongues. So this prevented them from entering into the true rest.
Back to Isa. 28:22 Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong:
He is telling them here not to mock this stammering lips and another tongue, lest their BANDS [law binding them] be made strong. Why? Because they fell backwards, they fell from Grace back to law = death and hell.
Isa 28:12 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. Isa 28:13 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.
Now let’s tie all of the above together. God gave the sabbath as a sign to the people, for a perpetual covenant for THEIR generations. Their generations means those OT law people. It was the generation of OT Law. Then see that when God finished saying this to Moses he gave him tables of STONE. This is the hard law; hard heart. death. hell. This law on stone is this sign unto the unbelievers. How? See that in Hebrews he said they did NOT enter into his REST [that speaking in tongues] because of unbelief. They clung to that law on stone in a heart of unbelief. He said the law is not of faith. He said they did not enter into the true rest because when it was preached to them, they did not believe. In other words, they refused the sign of speaking in tongues. It was a sign to those UNBELIEVERS. It was a sign that they had missed God’s true move, and went and fell backwards, back to law on stone, the Ten Commandments. They never entered into the true rest of stammering lips and another tongue. They mocked it. They spoke against it. They clung to the sign of the OT Sabbath, instead of coming into the sign of the true Rest of God. All today who speak against it and mock it are in that law group who went and fell backward and were broken and snared and taken.
See that Gideon said If I have found GRACE in thy sight, then show me a sign that thou talkest with me. This is showing that the Holy Ghost is speaking in us or talking with us through the sign to the unbelievers, the speaking in other tongues. It comes only to those who enter into the true rest, GRACE. You cannot mix grace and law. It is the same as trying to mix life and death; light and darkness; freedom and bondage. So speaking in tongues is a sign to those unbelievers who refused to come into this true rest of God. He said this is the REST wherewith you may cause the weary to find rest. This is that other day he spoke of. It is the day of GRACE. Grace is the true rest of God. IT is the Holy Ghost speaking or talking to us. But the speaking in tongues is the sign to those unbelievers that they have missed it and gone back to the death covenant of law.
Now for those who doubt that the law of Ten Commandments was death, here is solid proof:
2Cor 3:7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: [done away means disannulled] Now that shows very plainly that the law witten on stone to Moses was administering DEATH. Who is going to call this Word a lie? This is the death riding on that fourth horse. This is that death those OT people said they had a covenant with = law. This is the tree which when eaten of, brings DEATH. It is death. So all who cling to this death, after LIFE was offered to them, they are broken, snared and taken to be destroyed. They missed the sign of speaking in tongues. It was a sign to those unbelievers that they have missed Grace, or life.
2Cor 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. (The law kills therefore it is death.)
Now that verse proves that the New Testament is the Spirit which gives life and that the letter is the law which kills. Not of the letter means not of the law, for it is grace and law in focus here.
2Cor 3:9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
Now this proves that the ministration of law was condemnation. So to be under law is to be condemned. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. He gives us grace, not law. He gives us the SIGN of speaking in tongues, not the SIGN of keeping a seventh day sabbath.
2Cor 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ. 3:15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart.
This shows that the law, or old testament, blinds people. When they read or believe law today, the veil is upon their heart.
Eze24:27 In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: and thou shalt be A SIGN unto them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Lu 1:62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. Lu 1:63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. Lu 1:64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
Ezekiel had been dumb for a time. But then his mouth was opened and this was a sign to them which had escaped. He was the OT type of this: Now Zacharias, John’s father had been dumb until John’s birth. They made signs to him asking what to name the baby. As soon as he spoke the NT name for John, his tongue was loosed and he praised God. This was signifying the coming of the NT salvation on the day of Pentecost. It showed the sign of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.
See how having the mouth opened and the tongue loosed is a SIGN to those in bondage? It was used even in the OT times for a sign to the people.
Mt 12:38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. Mt 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
These law keepers were seeking to make Jesus show them that he kept their sign of sabbath keeping. But he told them an evil generation [law people] is seeking a sign. We do not seek this sign of speaking in tongues; he just gives it to us. We are to seek for God, not the sign. I never sought to speak in tongues. I did not even believe it until I did it. I was not seeking the sign. Do not seek the sign; seek the Holy Ghost. He will automatically give you the sign. It is wrong to seek the sign, as so many do today. Now why did Jesus tell them that no sign except that of Jonas will be given to you? Jonas showed the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. But he also showed that Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonas. This group of hard-hearted law-keepers would never repent at the preaching of Jesus. That is why the sign of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost would never be given to them.
1Cor1:22 For the Jews require A SIGN, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
See this is why those Jews were seeking a sign from Jesus. They require a sign, for God had given them the sign of sabbath keeping. They lived by this law. They had already accused Jesus several times of breaking this sign or sabbath.
Now watch a new ‘sign’ be given to them:
Lu2:12 And this shall be A SIGN unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Now I realize you may think all of this is unrelated to this message on the gift of tongues. But I can assure you, it is all connected and very important to fully explaining the glory of this gift, which is so spoken against. I am now going to show you how Jesus is ONE with this gift.
That baby was the beginning of this new sign from God, the sign of having the Holy Ghost, the sign to the unbelievers, and sign that one is now in the life or grace covenant. This your only hope of salvation.
Lu2:34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for A SIGN which shall be spoken against;
Now see another verse showing that Jesus was a sign to these people. He would cause that OT group to fall, but he would also cause all those who believed to rise again. He was that sign which would be spoken against. He is the sign to unbelievers. He is also the sign to the believers. He is ONE with this ‘sign gift’.
Now for a third verse showing that Jesus is this sign: Lu11:30 For as Jonas was A SIGN unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.
So Jesus was a sign to that generation of law-keepers. He gave the sign of speaking in tongues as a sign to those unbelievers who rejected the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, thus rejecting Grace, light, life and salvation.
Isa 7:10 Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, 7:11 Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. 7:12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. 7:13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Ahaz would not ask for a sign. He knew it was a wicked generation who seeks a sign. But God had told his to ask and he did not. So God gave the sign. See that it is the same sign of that baby in the manger? But this son is the resurrected Christ. He is the SIGN to this whole world. All who reject this sign will end up in hell fire.
So now see that all the NT signs are Christ? This sign of tongues is his gift to us = that of entering into the true REST FOR THE SOUL. Jesus said come unto me, all who are weary [from the works of the law] and I will give you REST. If he had given them rest, to whom it was first preached, he would not have afterward spoken of another day. This is the DAY OF REST, having the Holy Ghost speaking or talking to you in the Spirit. It is manifested by speaking in other tongues, which is this sign to the unbelievers.
Now why would speaking in tongues be a sign to the unbelievers and prophesying be for the believers? It is quite simple. See that I have showed you how the speaking in tongues shows the unbelievers that they have missed the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. When they hear speaking in tongues, they mock it, sneer at it, do not believe it, they speak against it. So they leave in a hard heart of law. That is the only place left for those who refuse Grace. You cannot come into Grace apart from faith in the Holy Ghost. Jesus gives us this sign. But after you believe and have the Holy Ghost, then prophecy is used to reveal thoughts of the hearts to people. When those who are unlearned [not knowing the Scriptures; it is not speaking of knowledge of worldly things] hear prophesying, they understand what is being spoken and therefore it can convert their heart as they hear things in their heart revealed. Then they know God is with these people. But if they hear everyone speaking in tongues, they just say you are all mad, or crazy. That is truly what these unbeliever say about this precious SIGN. The unbelievers spoke against the sign of Jesus; they hated him. They also speak against this sign of speaking in other tongues; they hate it. It is the same sign.
Jesus is doing the speaking in us. It is him. So he is the sign to unbelievers. They do not believe his tongues.
1Co 14:23 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? 14:24 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: 14:25 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.
Let me use this one more time to tie it together for you how the speaking in tongues is a sign to the unbelievers:
1Cor 14:21 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.
1Cor 14:22 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.
Isa 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. Isa 28:12 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.
See this Scripture in Isa. 28. says that He would speak to this people with stammering lips and another tongue. He said this was the refreshing and the rest to the weary which Jesus promised to give us. Yet for all this THEY WOULD NOT HEAR. See then that they are unbelievers for they did not believe this rest or come into it. So the speaking in tongues is the sign that they are on the outside of faith and salvation. But to the believers we have prophesy. I fully believe from this evidence that you must speak in tongues before you can have the gift of prophesy or any of the other gifts of the Holy Ghost. For if he has not uttered his heavenly tongue in you, you do not have the Holy Ghost to give you the gifts.
Isa 28:22 Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong:
Ac 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. [Be careful, you MOCKERS.]
By: Jo Smith
Peter did NOT say he knew that Cornelius and his family had received the Holy Ghost the same as they had, BECAUSE he saw the tongues of fire on their head, nor that he had heard that rushing wind, now did he?
NO! What did he say was the WAY HE KNEW THEY HAD RECEIVED EXACTLY THE SAME HOLY GHOST AS THEY HAD RECEIVED IN THAT UPPER ROOM?
FOR THEY HEARD THEM SPEAK IN TONGUES.
THIS IS THE SIGN THAT ONE HAS BEEN FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST----GOD HIMSELF SET THIS SIGN...SO BE CAREFUL OF DISPUTING WITH GOD.
God gave the old Israelites a sign, which would be for their genreation..it was that weekly sabbath...but that is not for us....he gave us a sign, which parallels that old sign....it is the sign which is spoken against.......this is the true REST of God. Isa. 28.
it is the sign to the unbelievers.....that they are unbelievers....for they will not receive it.........SPEAKING IN OTHER TONGUES AS THE SPIRIT GIVES UTTERANCE.
this is God's sign.....so do not fight it. tell those people whom you are leading astray here,....that it is still God's chosen way. else you are fighting against God.
Another thing I have watched for years----when someone is on the wrong track..teaching it wrong..they will pick up on saying ....this is not right in the KJV... 'THIS IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL'.... THE ORIGINAL DOES NOT SAY IT THIS WAY.... THIS DOES NOT MEAN THIS.....IT HAS ANOTHER MEANING......ETC.ETC
Anytime one must kick the KJV word of God to try to prove their doctrine, THEY HAVE IT WRONG. Truth does not need to discredit the Word of God. truth matches its every word.
Now watch this:
Isa 32:3
And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken.
Isa 32:4
The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly.
This is the STAGES of Spiritual growth:
first they see dimmly. then they see plainly, as more understanding comes to them. We then HEAR and hearken to God.
the TONGUE of the STAMMERERS shall be ready to SPEAK PLAINLY.
But they must go through that STAMMERING stage FIRST.
Do not try to stop this. God set it. The natural types the Spiritual. That baby just stammer first. It is most wonderful.
God chose this way to show HIS SPIRIT HAS COME INTO A PERSON. It is HIS SPIRIT SPEAKING THOUGH THAT BABY.....SO STOP SLANDERING IT....lest God become angry at you.
Jesus speaks to us with the STAMMERING LIPS, IT IS THE REST OF GOD.
yOU ARE teaching on the stage when they are ready to speak plainly. But do not skip this important early stammering lip stage. Jesus did also speaking with the stammering lip tongues, which needed INTERPRETATION. EVEN ON THE CROSS. SO IT WILL FOLLOW US ALL THE WAY TO THE END OF LIFE.
Today is Saturday, Sept. 3, 2005.
I am going to show in this message the truth of the Gift of Tongues. So many have missed this and almost everyone has taught this in error. Those who do not deny this wonderful gift altogether, do not understand it, even those who have it.
So this is a much-needed truth. If only people would learn to go exactly by how the Scripture is written, instead of listening to false teachers, all this delusion would not exist. Even many who exercise this gift and are blessed by it, still do not understand it and are confused when they are exercising the gift. This ought not so to be my beloved Christian friends.
Now, let’s look into the Word of God and see what is truly taught on this great gift.
1Cor 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
1Cor 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
First see that Paul said for us to desire spiritual gifts. So it is a thing we should do, is pray for and seek to have the gifts of the Spirit in our own lives. This is not just to help others with; it is also for the purpose of edifying ones own self.
Notice verse two. This is the first of the ‘misunderstandings’ of this gift. Most people assume that this gift of tongues is for the purpose of preaching the gospel to someone who speaks a different language than you do. But see this is not taught in the word of God. He said here that when you speak in an unknown tongue, this is not speaking unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him. See then that it is NOT an earthly language at all. It was not meant for anyone. The very fact that it said this is an UNKNOWN tongue tells us to begin with, that this tongue is not known by anyone on this earth. So it is NOT an earthly tongue. IT is a heavenly tongue, which no man understands. In the spirit he is speaking mysteries. Only God knows these mysteries.
Unbelievers and those unknowledgeable about this gift will tell us that only when one is speaking to someone of another earthly tongue should we use this gift. I just ask, where is even one Scripture saying this? Where was this gift ever used for this purpose? They all go to Acts 2, where Peter preached to that great crowd and use this to say that is what he was doing. But Peter was NOT speaking in an unknown tongue there. He was speaking in his own tongue. God fixed it so everyone there understood his speech in their own tongue. Surely you know that Peter was not speaking in more than one tongue?
Let me make it clear here at the beginning of this message, that I am not speaking of the tongues which comes when one is Baptized with the Holy Ghost. That is a total different working of God. It has not one thing to do with this gift of tongues. This gift of tongues comes only after one has the Holy Ghost, and it is not given to everyone. But the tongues which accompanies the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is given to everyone who receives the Holy Ghost. This is His means of proving he has come into your heart to live and abide. He gives this utterance, not the person. It is totally of God, not of man. The rules Paul laid down for the use of this gift of tongues in a church does not apply to the tongues which the Holy Ghost utters when one is filled with the Baptism. Compare this with Acts two and what happened in that upper room and you can clearly see this. All 120 people spoke in tongues. All 120 there spoke the same language. Not one word is said about any need for interpreting this tongue. See it was not the gift of tongues. It was the gift of the Holy Ghost being given. I have never heard even one Pentecostal preacher who understands this matter. Do they ever study the word? I really wonder.
1Cor 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
1Cor 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
Now see here that Paul is explaining the use for two gifts. He said prophesying is used to edify, exhort and comfort other people. He said that when one speaks in an unknown tongue he is edifying himself. Now is not that what I told you to begin with? The gift of tongues is given for your own edification. This is very needful for your own spiritual growth and joy. Use it as often as you can. Pray and worship and this gift will come. So did Paul say the gift of tongues is used for other men? Did he say it is for the purpose of teaching people of another language? NO. Did he say one word about the need to be ‘fluent’ in this speaking? No. Not one word. It has not one thing to do with your own personal ability. That does not enter into it.
So do not allow false, unknowledgeable men to hinder you by making you think it is something you need to be ‘fluent’ in. It does not pertain to your earthly ability; it is a gift of the Spirit. He does it. Many times we are worshipping and praising Jesus and God with the same phrases of praise over and over. The unbelievers and ignorant use this to try and say it is false, for we are saying the same words over and over, therefore not speaking a message. It is not for speaking messages. It is for our own edification. It is our worship of God. I shall prove that in this message.
It is no different than when we say the same words over and over in our own tongue, praising him and loving Him. I do this quite often, in both English and in the unknown tongue. When I myself switch it back to English, it seems to lose the power and glory, so I then allow the Spirit to take back over.
1Cor 14:5 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 the unknowledgeable use this verse to try and ‘down-grade’ the gift of tongues. But is this what is meant? No. Paul is showing here that in order for the church [other men- not you] to receive edification, the tongues must be interpreted. See that he had already laid out that tongues is for your own edification and prophecy is used to edify others. So does not this fit it exactly? Of course it does. I have written many messages on the tongues, which accompanies the Holy Ghost, but I do not remember actually taking this gift of tongues and explaining it fully. This is certainly needed by the church.
But see that he made it clear that he wants everyone to speak in tongues. I would that ye ALL spake with tongues. Now does that sound like Paul was against speaking in tongues? Of course he was not. It is right the opposite. Where are any churches, which have this attitude? They are few and far between. See also that when the tongues is interpreted it becomes just as important a tool to edify others as does prophecy? This interpretation places them on the same level, but when you are speaking in tongues alone, there is no real need for interpretation.
1Cor 14:6 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?
Now here is another verse they use to try and say speaking in tongues is not right or of no importance. But see that is not what is meant. Again it goes back to who is being edified, and which gift is being used. See Paul said, brethren if I come to you speaking in tongues what shall I profit you? See he is saying the tongues is not used to edify others, it is for your own personal edification. So in order to edify someone else, you must either speak by revelation [something God has revealed to you], or by knowledge, or by prophesying or by doctrine. See that the gift of prophecy was given to edify others with. This makes it so clear that the gift of tongues was never given to preach to men of other languages with. Again, it is not putting the gift of tongues down. Rather it is clearly explaining what the two gifts are to be used for. When you come to see this clearly, it will never be a problem again. You can then use the gift of tongues for your own personal worship and edification, and then speak to others by knowledge or prophecy or some other way he can understand. He does not understand your tongues, unless it is interpreted. You are glorifying God in worship, and it is joy to you, but the other person receives no real benefit from this.
Now I personally enjoy seeing others in the Spirit and it blesses me. So do not feel put down by tongues being for your own benefit. It does bless other Christians who enjoy this. It may not edify me, but I enjoy seeing the Spirit moving on anyone. Paul is not saying a person who prophesies is a greater person than the one who speaks in tongues; nor is he saying that the gift of prophecy is better than tongues. It is speaking here of the magnitude of how many is blessed or edified. More people means greater, it is speaking of how many are edified.
In verses 7- 11, Paul explains that when one person speaks in a tongue to someone else, who does not understand that tongue, then you are barbarians to each other. No understanding or edification is there.
1Cor 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
Now did Paul condemn this church for being zealous of spiritual gifts? Of course he did not. So then why are most preachers today so much against this? But Paul said seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. He wanted them to seek to use their gifts to edify the church, and not just themselves. So he said if you speak in an unknown tongue pray that you may interpret it. The interpretation then edifies others as well as your own self. So where does all of this leave the majority of church folks who do not believe in any of these gifts being for us today? Where is any Scripture saying that this was only for folks back then? Why would God tell us all about this kind of glory, and then say now it is not for you? My God did not do such a thing to me, I can grant you.
1Cor 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
1cor 14:15 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.
1Co 14:16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
1Co 14:17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
Now don’t you see that he said you can pray in an unknown tongue and not understand yourself what is being said? He said this is praying with the spirit. Then he said I will sing with the spirit [in tongues], and I will sing with the understanding also. So here he is saying I sing in tongues, then interpret it and sing it in my own language. My, what glory! And just think almost all churches today deny this to their people! Thank God for setting me free from them.
Verse 17 says that one is giving thanks well, in tongues, but the other is not edified. See again proving that the tongues is not for the edification of others, unless it is interpreted. But see that he called it well. Why are so many against this today? And they call it evil and not well?
1Cor 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
1Cor 14:19 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.
Now I know that many preachers and church folks use verse 19 to try to downgrade this gift of tongues. Again it is not what is meant here. Why would Paul say I thank my God that I speak with tongues more than all of you, if he thinks it is not good? No this is not what he means. He is only saying that when I am in church with others, I would rather teach them then, than to edify myself with tongues that they will not understand or get any edification from. He is not condemning speaking in tongues at all. He is merely saying in the places where you are with others, try to teach them.
See Paul made it clear that he spoke in tongues lots of times, more than any of them. He is certainly not putting this gift down in any kind of way. But he makes it clear that he would rather teach others when with them than to edify himself.
[cont.]
~ The Sign to the Unbelievers ~ ... a sign which shall be spoken against.
1Cor 14:21 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.
Now I want to show you a great and hidden mystery here. Study this carefully.
Isa 28:7 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. Isa 28:8 For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.
Wine represents the glory of the truth and the Word. So who erred here? The OT priest and their prophets. All their tables, or spiritual eating places, are full of vomit and filthiness.
Isa 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. Isa 28:12 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.
Now that is where it is written in the law, 1Cor 14:21 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.
Isa 28:15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
Now that is still speaking of the OT priests and prophets, and of course all their people. They say they made a COVENANT with DEATH. So what is DEATH? How could they have a covenant with death? It is that tree of the knowledge of good and evil, LAW. By the law is the knowledge of sin {evil}. It also teaches good. But it also brings DEATH. They DIED under the LAW without mercy. They also made a covenant {law} with hell. This is the OT priests and prophets. After death, comes hell. Since the priests and the prophets kept them under law, they are the death and hell to those who follow them. This covenant is that Ten Commandment LAW covenant.
Now why is it that they would not hear when God spoke to them with other tongues? I will show you why.
1Cor 14:22 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.
Isa:66:19 And I will set A SIGN among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
Now see that this SIGN he set among them is the same sign which is to them that believe not. It is the sign of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. How do I know? Jesus told his disciples [those who received that sign of speaking in tongues] to go into all NATIONS and preach to all people = the Gentiles, who were afar off. This promise is to you and your children and ALL THAT are AFAR OFF. These had not previously seen his glory. But when those who received this new REST, the stammering lips and another tongue, had this sign given to them, they carried his glory to all nations.
Now how is this a sign to them that believe not?
Jud:6:17 And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then show me A SIGN that thou talkest with me.
See here that Gideon told the Lord, IF I have found GRACE in thy sight, then show me a SIGN that thou talkest with me. A sign that you talk with me. For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak [talk] to this people...and they began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave utterance. Gideon is showing that the people who came into the New Covenant of GRACE, are the ones to whom the Lord is speaking to. This is the SIGN which shall be spoken against. So see that this sign and grace are connected together.
Now for why it is a sign to the unbelievers:
Ex 31:13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you
Ex 31:15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Ex 31:16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
Ex 31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
See that the law brought them DEATH? He said if you do any work in the sabbath day, you will surely be put to DEATH. If you break that law, it brings death. IT is death.
Heb 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. Heb 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. [the law is not of faith.]
The PROMISE is unto you and your children....this promise of entering into his rest...but you must come in by FAITH.
Heb 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, .. Heb 4:6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
Heb 4:7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Heb 4:8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. Heb 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. Heb 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Heb 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. [They ceased from the works of the law.] See here that they entered not in because of unbelief. They did not believe the true sign of speaking in tongues. They did not hear when he spoke to them in other tongues. So this prevented them from entering into the true rest.
Back to Isa. 28:22 Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong:
He is telling them here not to mock this stammering lips and another tongue, lest their BANDS [law binding them] be made strong. Why? Because they fell backwards, they fell from Grace back to law = death and hell.
Isa 28:12 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. Isa 28:13 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.
Now let’s tie all of the above together. God gave the sabbath as a sign to the people, for a perpetual covenant for THEIR generations. Their generations means those OT law people. It was the generation of OT Law. Then see that when God finished saying this to Moses he gave him tables of STONE. This is the hard law; hard heart. death. hell. This law on stone is this sign unto the unbelievers. How? See that in Hebrews he said they did NOT enter into his REST [that speaking in tongues] because of unbelief. They clung to that law on stone in a heart of unbelief. He said the law is not of faith. He said they did not enter into the true rest because when it was preached to them, they did not believe. In other words, they refused the sign of speaking in tongues. It was a sign to those UNBELIEVERS. It was a sign that they had missed God’s true move, and went and fell backwards, back to law on stone, the Ten Commandments. They never entered into the true rest of stammering lips and another tongue. They mocked it. They spoke against it. They clung to the sign of the OT Sabbath, instead of coming into the sign of the true Rest of God. All today who speak against it and mock it are in that law group who went and fell backward and were broken and snared and taken.
See that Gideon said If I have found GRACE in thy sight, then show me a sign that thou talkest with me. This is showing that the Holy Ghost is speaking in us or talking with us through the sign to the unbelievers, the speaking in other tongues. It comes only to those who enter into the true rest, GRACE. You cannot mix grace and law. It is the same as trying to mix life and death; light and darkness; freedom and bondage. So speaking in tongues is a sign to those unbelievers who refused to come into this true rest of God. He said this is the REST wherewith you may cause the weary to find rest. This is that other day he spoke of. It is the day of GRACE. Grace is the true rest of God. IT is the Holy Ghost speaking or talking to us. But the speaking in tongues is the sign to those unbelievers that they have missed it and gone back to the death covenant of law.
Now for those who doubt that the law of Ten Commandments was death, here is solid proof:
2Cor 3:7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: [done away means disannulled] Now that shows very plainly that the law witten on stone to Moses was administering DEATH. Who is going to call this Word a lie? This is the death riding on that fourth horse. This is that death those OT people said they had a covenant with = law. This is the tree which when eaten of, brings DEATH. It is death. So all who cling to this death, after LIFE was offered to them, they are broken, snared and taken to be destroyed. They missed the sign of speaking in tongues. It was a sign to those unbelievers that they have missed Grace, or life.
2Cor 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. (The law kills therefore it is death.)
Now that verse proves that the New Testament is the Spirit which gives life and that the letter is the law which kills. Not of the letter means not of the law, for it is grace and law in focus here.
2Cor 3:9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
Now this proves that the ministration of law was condemnation. So to be under law is to be condemned. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. He gives us grace, not law. He gives us the SIGN of speaking in tongues, not the SIGN of keeping a seventh day sabbath.
2Cor 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ. 3:15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart.
This shows that the law, or old testament, blinds people. When they read or believe law today, the veil is upon their heart.
Eze24:27 In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: and thou shalt be A SIGN unto them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Lu 1:62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. Lu 1:63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. Lu 1:64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
Ezekiel had been dumb for a time. But then his mouth was opened and this was a sign to them which had escaped. He was the OT type of this: Now Zacharias, John’s father had been dumb until John’s birth. They made signs to him asking what to name the baby. As soon as he spoke the NT name for John, his tongue was loosed and he praised God. This was signifying the coming of the NT salvation on the day of Pentecost. It showed the sign of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.
See how having the mouth opened and the tongue loosed is a SIGN to those in bondage? It was used even in the OT times for a sign to the people.
Mt 12:38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. Mt 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
These law keepers were seeking to make Jesus show them that he kept their sign of sabbath keeping. But he told them an evil generation [law people] is seeking a sign. We do not seek this sign of speaking in tongues; he just gives it to us. We are to seek for God, not the sign. I never sought to speak in tongues. I did not even believe it until I did it. I was not seeking the sign. Do not seek the sign; seek the Holy Ghost. He will automatically give you the sign. It is wrong to seek the sign, as so many do today. Now why did Jesus tell them that no sign except that of Jonas will be given to you? Jonas showed the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. But he also showed that Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonas. This group of hard-hearted law-keepers would never repent at the preaching of Jesus. That is why the sign of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost would never be given to them.
1Cor1:22 For the Jews require A SIGN, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
See this is why those Jews were seeking a sign from Jesus. They require a sign, for God had given them the sign of sabbath keeping. They lived by this law. They had already accused Jesus several times of breaking this sign or sabbath.
Now watch a new ‘sign’ be given to them:
Lu2:12 And this shall be A SIGN unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Now I realize you may think all of this is unrelated to this message on the gift of tongues. But I can assure you, it is all connected and very important to fully explaining the glory of this gift, which is so spoken against. I am now going to show you how Jesus is ONE with this gift.
That baby was the beginning of this new sign from God, the sign of having the Holy Ghost, the sign to the unbelievers, and sign that one is now in the life or grace covenant. This your only hope of salvation.
Lu2:34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for A SIGN which shall be spoken against;
Now see another verse showing that Jesus was a sign to these people. He would cause that OT group to fall, but he would also cause all those who believed to rise again. He was that sign which would be spoken against. He is the sign to unbelievers. He is also the sign to the believers. He is ONE with this ‘sign gift’.
Now for a third verse showing that Jesus is this sign: Lu11:30 For as Jonas was A SIGN unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.
So Jesus was a sign to that generation of law-keepers. He gave the sign of speaking in tongues as a sign to those unbelievers who rejected the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, thus rejecting Grace, light, life and salvation.
Isa 7:10 Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, 7:11 Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. 7:12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. 7:13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Ahaz would not ask for a sign. He knew it was a wicked generation who seeks a sign. But God had told his to ask and he did not. So God gave the sign. See that it is the same sign of that baby in the manger? But this son is the resurrected Christ. He is the SIGN to this whole world. All who reject this sign will end up in hell fire.
So now see that all the NT signs are Christ? This sign of tongues is his gift to us = that of entering into the true REST FOR THE SOUL. Jesus said come unto me, all who are weary [from the works of the law] and I will give you REST. If he had given them rest, to whom it was first preached, he would not have afterward spoken of another day. This is the DAY OF REST, having the Holy Ghost speaking or talking to you in the Spirit. It is manifested by speaking in other tongues, which is this sign to the unbelievers.
Now why would speaking in tongues be a sign to the unbelievers and prophesying be for the believers? It is quite simple. See that I have showed you how the speaking in tongues shows the unbelievers that they have missed the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. When they hear speaking in tongues, they mock it, sneer at it, do not believe it, they speak against it. So they leave in a hard heart of law. That is the only place left for those who refuse Grace. You cannot come into Grace apart from faith in the Holy Ghost. Jesus gives us this sign. But after you believe and have the Holy Ghost, then prophecy is used to reveal thoughts of the hearts to people. When those who are unlearned [not knowing the Scriptures; it is not speaking of knowledge of worldly things] hear prophesying, they understand what is being spoken and therefore it can convert their heart as they hear things in their heart revealed. Then they know God is with these people. But if they hear everyone speaking in tongues, they just say you are all mad, or crazy. That is truly what these unbeliever say about this precious SIGN. The unbelievers spoke against the sign of Jesus; they hated him. They also speak against this sign of speaking in other tongues; they hate it. It is the same sign.
Jesus is doing the speaking in us. It is him. So he is the sign to unbelievers. They do not believe his tongues.
1Co 14:23 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? 14:24 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: 14:25 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.
Let me use this one more time to tie it together for you how the speaking in tongues is a sign to the unbelievers:
1Cor 14:21 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.
1Cor 14:22 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.
Isa 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. Isa 28:12 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.
See this Scripture in Isa. 28. says that He would speak to this people with stammering lips and another tongue. He said this was the refreshing and the rest to the weary which Jesus promised to give us. Yet for all this THEY WOULD NOT HEAR. See then that they are unbelievers for they did not believe this rest or come into it. So the speaking in tongues is the sign that they are on the outside of faith and salvation. But to the believers we have prophesy. I fully believe from this evidence that you must speak in tongues before you can have the gift of prophesy or any of the other gifts of the Holy Ghost. For if he has not uttered his heavenly tongue in you, you do not have the Holy Ghost to give you the gifts.
Isa 28:22 Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong:
Ac 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. [Be careful, you MOCKERS.]
By: Jo Smith
Peter did NOT say he knew that Cornelius and his family had received the Holy Ghost the same as they had, BECAUSE he saw the tongues of fire on their head, nor that he had heard that rushing wind, now did he?
NO! What did he say was the WAY HE KNEW THEY HAD RECEIVED EXACTLY THE SAME HOLY GHOST AS THEY HAD RECEIVED IN THAT UPPER ROOM?
FOR THEY HEARD THEM SPEAK IN TONGUES.
THIS IS THE SIGN THAT ONE HAS BEEN FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST----GOD HIMSELF SET THIS SIGN...SO BE CAREFUL OF DISPUTING WITH GOD.
God gave the old Israelites a sign, which would be for their genreation..it was that weekly sabbath...but that is not for us....he gave us a sign, which parallels that old sign....it is the sign which is spoken against.......this is the true REST of God. Isa. 28.
it is the sign to the unbelievers.....that they are unbelievers....for they will not receive it.........SPEAKING IN OTHER TONGUES AS THE SPIRIT GIVES UTTERANCE.
this is God's sign.....so do not fight it. tell those people whom you are leading astray here,....that it is still God's chosen way. else you are fighting against God.
Another thing I have watched for years----when someone is on the wrong track..teaching it wrong..they will pick up on saying ....this is not right in the KJV... 'THIS IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL'.... THE ORIGINAL DOES NOT SAY IT THIS WAY.... THIS DOES NOT MEAN THIS.....IT HAS ANOTHER MEANING......ETC.ETC
Anytime one must kick the KJV word of God to try to prove their doctrine, THEY HAVE IT WRONG. Truth does not need to discredit the Word of God. truth matches its every word.
Now watch this:
Isa 32:3
And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken.
Isa 32:4
The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly.
This is the STAGES of Spiritual growth:
first they see dimmly. then they see plainly, as more understanding comes to them. We then HEAR and hearken to God.
the TONGUE of the STAMMERERS shall be ready to SPEAK PLAINLY.
But they must go through that STAMMERING stage FIRST.
Do not try to stop this. God set it. The natural types the Spiritual. That baby just stammer first. It is most wonderful.
God chose this way to show HIS SPIRIT HAS COME INTO A PERSON. It is HIS SPIRIT SPEAKING THOUGH THAT BABY.....SO STOP SLANDERING IT....lest God become angry at you.
Jesus speaks to us with the STAMMERING LIPS, IT IS THE REST OF GOD.
yOU ARE teaching on the stage when they are ready to speak plainly. But do not skip this important early stammering lip stage. Jesus did also speaking with the stammering lip tongues, which needed INTERPRETATION. EVEN ON THE CROSS. SO IT WILL FOLLOW US ALL THE WAY TO THE END OF LIFE.