Thesis: To more fully teach the hearer what the bible teaches concerning the miraculous gift of tongues and to instill in them the harmonious nature of God’s inspired word
Text: 1 Cor 12:27-31
1Co 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and severally members thereof.
1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, divers kinds of tongues.
1Co 12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
1Co 12:30 have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
1Co 12:31 But desire earnestly the greater gifts. And moreover a most excellent way show I unto you.
Intro:
1. In the passage that was read for your consideration, the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul is addressing the issue of miraculous spiritual gifts.
2. Evidently there was some sort of problem concerning these gifts, as you might know, the congregation at Corinth was a church filled with problems.
3. More than likely some at the church at Corinth were coveting the more visible gifts such as prophecy, tongues, healings in order to use them for one’s self glorification, instead of for the edification of the body.
4. That would be opposed to the less spectacular miraculous gifts such as teachers, governments (likely a reference to elders), interpreters, etc.
5. Then Paul goes on in the 13th chapter to tell them that this situation was not the Christian thing to do, in fact the gifts that they desired were in fact to pass away with the completion of Gods written revelation to mankind, which was consummated with that perfect law of liberty, the gospel, the faith, the way, the new covenant.
6. Thereby, they were to desire these gifts, and for their intended purpose, but were to put more earnest heed to the pursuit of love, which would never pass away for it is not physical, temporal in nature, for without love all is for nought.
7. There are those in the denominational world today that would assert that one must speak in tongues as the proof that they were indeed baptized in the Holy Spirit, and thus saved.
a. "Oneness Pentecostals believe that unless one has spoken in tongues, one does not have the Holy Spirit (not just the fullness of the Holy Spirit, as certain other Pentecostals hold). And, since a person cannot be saved without the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9), it follows that only those who have spoken in tongues are truly saved." (Sharing Your Faith With a Oneness Pentecostal. by Gregory Boyd).
b. From their own words, The General Council of the Assemblies of God teaches that "the initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Spirit is speaking in tongues." The church's Statement of Fundamental Truths contains the following statements (a creed of men)
c. Fundamental Truth 8: The baptism of believers in the Holy Ghost is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance (Acts 2:4). The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:4-10, 28), but different in purpose and use.
8. First thing we need to realize is that “tongues” is a language that is not learned, but rather it is that which one is miraculously endowed by God to speak, turn to Acts 2:4-11.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Act 2:5 Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.
Act 2:6 And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speaking in his own language.
Act 2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying, Behold, are not all these that speak Galilaeans?
Act 2:8 And how hear we, every man in our own language wherein we were born?
Act 2:9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judaea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia,
Act 2:10 in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
Act 2:11 Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God.
9. With these statements of men and scriptures in view can we name one who was not a Christian that spoke in “tongues” (an unlearned language foreign to them)?
a. Balaam's beast (donkey; Num. 22:28ff).
b. Cornelius; Acts 10:45-46 (for he had not yet been baptized into Christ, Rom 6:3; Gal 3:27; when the Holy Spirit fell on him; Acts 10:47-48)
10. Thus these (Oneness Pentecostals and the Assemblies of God) assert that all true Christians must and do speak in tongues, but God through the apostle Paul states this simply is not so (1 Cor 12:29-30)
1Co 12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
1Co 12:30 have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
11. In the original language here the answers to these questions demand a negative response. So what Paul is stating is that “NO” all Christians are not apostles, prophets, miraculously endowed teachers, healers, and “No” all do not speak with tongues.
12. Thus this doctrine is indeed false, for even in the 1st century (the age of the miraculous manifestations of the Holy Spirit), all Christians did not then, and likewise would not, speak in tongues today.
13. My purpose in this lesson is not to directly refute the errors being taught today concerning “tongues”
14. But rather to ascertain what is the true Biblical teaching on that which is known as “tongues,” and to understand Gods purpose behind such, and thus be better set for the defense of the one gospel (Phili 1:16) which is “the” power of God unto salvation” (Rom 1:16).
Body
I. Tongues were a part of the package of the miraculous gifts that abounded in the 1st century churches.
a. Also a tongue was a part of the revelation that God gave to Israel.
b. One of the reasons that many misunderstand the Bible is their failure to see its unity and its unfolding message
c. The Bible is in complete harmony (Ps 119:160), for it has but one Author, God (2 Tim 3:16)
d. The OT is the background of the tongues of the NT
1. In Genesis chapter 9 God blessed and instructed Noah and his sons following the flood (turn to Gen 9:1-7) . . .
Gen 9:1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.
Gen 9:2 And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every bird of the heavens; With all wherewith the ground teemeth, and all the fishes of the sea, into your hand are they delivered.
Gen 9:3 Every moving thing that liveth shall be food for you; As the green herb have I given you all.
Gen 9:4 But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.
Gen 9:5 And surely your blood, the blood of your lives, will I require; At the hand of every beast will I require it. And at the hand of man, even at the hand of every man's brother, will I require the life of man.
Gen 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: For in the image of God made he man.
Gen 9:7 And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; Bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.
a. Let us move forward in time a bit and see what is taking place (look at Gen 11:1-4) . . .
Gen 11:1 And the whole earth was of “one” language and of “one” speech.
Gen 11:2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
Gen 11:3 And they said one to another, Come, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar.
Gen 11:4 And they said, Come, let us build us a city, and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven, and let us make us a name; lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
b. Here we see a couple of problems that God was going to deal with . . .
1) The people were self centered and full of pride, they were giving themselves the glory rather than God (1 Cor 1:31; 10:31).
2) They were commanded to disperse and repopulate the earth (Gen 9:1), yet this was not their desire, thus they followed their own wills rather than God's (look at Gen 11:5-9)
Gen 11:5 And Jehovah came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
Gen 11:6 And Jehovah said, Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is what they begin to do: and now nothing will be withholden from them, which they purpose to do.
Gen 11:7 Come, let us (the Godhead) go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
Gen 11:8 So Jehovah scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off building the city.
Gen 11:9 Therefore was the name of it called Babel; because Jehovah did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did Jehovah scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
2. So when God confounded their language so they could not understand one another, He took care of both of these problems
3. Now there is an array of languages upon the earth, keep all this in mind, I believe God right here is looking forward to the day of Pentecost.
Remember time does not affect nor impede the Almighty as it does you or I (2 Pet 3:8).
2Pe 3:8 But forget not this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
II. Let us look at the book of Deuteronomy which contains Moses’ farewell addresses to the nation of Israel. This book is basically a commentary on the failure of the generation that died in the wilderness.
1. In the 28th chapter there is a message given to those who would be entering into the land of Canaan.
a. Blessing and promises if they would obey the LORD God (v 1-14) 14 verses positive
b. Curses if they were disobedient (v 15-67) 53 verses negative
c. I think it is noteworthy to notice how much more of our text is focused upon the negative, a 4 to 1 ratio.
There are those who want hear nothing but positive preaching these days
And I believe that we must teach and preach the whole council of God (Acts 20:27).
Yet who among us would question God’s methods for stressing a point?
2. Now in the midst of the warnings there is one of particular interest in connection with the study of “tongues” (Deut 28:46)
Deu 28:46 and they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever.
a. It is interesting that Moses uses the word “sign” here?
b. Strong defines the word “sign” in this verse as follows . . .
“A signal, as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, or evidence”
c. Wilson’s word studies gives the following definition- “A sign, mark, or token, which brings to mind, shows, confirms anything either past, present, or to come; Which excites attention or consideration; Which distinguishes one thing from another; Or is an inducement to believe what is affirmed, professed, or promised. The prophets were accustomed to afford tokens of some distant event foretold; Or as a proof and test of some great and important event to add to the prophecy of some other prediction having a nearer issue; “The fulfillment which would be a sign or a token of the accomplishment of the more distant.”
3. The unbelief and disobedience of the nation of Israel would bring about judgment, and the judgment was to be a sign, but what was this judgment? (Look at Deut 28:47-49) . . .
Deu 28:47 Because thou servedst not Jehovah thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, by reason of the abundance of all things;
Deu 28:48 therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies that Jehovah shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.
Deu 28:49 Jehovah will bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;
4. The judgment was to be through a nation whose “tongue” (language) they would not understand.
a. Now we have the Bible meaning of “tongues” as a sign. It was to be a “sign” to Israel of her disobedience which was brought forth by unbelief, (disobedience and unbelief are used synonymously in the Bible; Heb 3:18-19; Jn 3:36).
b. It was to be a language of another nation, and not some kind unintelligible jabber.
5. Any “interpretation” of “tongues” must harmonize with this background in the OT, for these things were written for our learning (Rom 15:4)
6. Now let us see if the OT makes any “application” of Deut 28:46-49, if so, then we have the inspired “interpretation” and “application” (turn to Isa 28:7-12) . . .
Isa 28:7 And even these reel with wine, and stagger with strong drink; the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they stagger with 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.
Isa 28:9 Whom will he teach knowledge? and whom will he make to understand the message? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts?
Isa 28:10 For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little.
Isa 28:11 Nay, but by men of strange lips and with another tongue will he speak to this people;
Isa 28:12 to whom he said, This is the rest, give ye rest to him that is weary; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
a. Here we have the picture of an “unbelieving” and rebellious people.
b. The drunk mock and accuse Isaiah of treating them like babies in his continued call to righteous living.
c. The people refuse to hear the prophet
d. Now God will speak to them through Assyria, a nation whose “tongue” (language) they did not understand.
e. This was to be a sign, when they were conquered by an alien nation, whose language they did not understand.
f. But of what, was it a sign?
g. Deut 28:46-49 gives us the answer, It was a “sign” of their “alienation from God”.
h. Rest was offered through the prophet, but they would not hear.
i. Moses’ warning of the consequence of rebellion is prophesied by Isaiah, and it did come to pass.
j. And it was intended to be a “sign” of their alienation from God because of unbelief and disobedience.
k. Here are some points to remember . . .
1) Moses specifically connects this conquering nation “whose tongue thou shalt not understand” with the nation of Israel.
2) It was an alien tongue, a foreign language
3) It was to be a sign specifically to the nation of Israel
4) It was a sign of the nation’s alienation from God.
l. This is the “inspired application”
7. Look at Isaiah 33:19 (turn there) . . .
Isa 33:19 Thou shalt not see the fierce people, a people of a deep speech that thou canst not comprehend, of a strange tongue that thou canst not understand.
a. The Assyrians overran the northern kingdom in 722 BC
b. But why was the southern kingdom spared? Because there was a remnant that was still obedient unto God (Isa 37:31-32) . . .
Isa 37:31 And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.
Isa 37:32 For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and out of mount Zion they that shall escape. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this.
8. The capture of the ten tribes by Assyria was a sign of their alienation from God
a. The safety of Jerusalem was brought about because of the faith of Hezekiah in listening to Isaiah the prophet, and the southern kingdom turning back to God
b. This is the reason Judah did not fall at this time, and there was no alien tongue among them.
c. We looked at Isaiah’s application of Deut 28:46-49, now let us look at Jeremiah’s (turn to Jer 5:7-15).
Jer 5:7 How can I pardon thee? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they committed adultery, and assembled themselves in troops at the harlots' houses.
Jer 5:8 They were as fed horses roaming at large; every one neighed after his neighbor's wife.
Jer 5:9 Shall I not visit for these things? saith Jehovah; and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
Jer 5:10 Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy; but make not a full end: take away her branches; for they are not Jehovah's.
Jer 5:11 For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me, saith Jehovah.
Jer 5:12 They have denied Jehovah, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine:
Jer 5:13 and the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them.
Jer 5:14 Wherefore thus saith Jehovah, the God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.
Jer 5:15 Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith Jehovah: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.
9. Remember the curses of Deut 28, keep in mind specifically the warning about enemy nations whose tongue they shall not understand when Israel would turn from God in unbelief.
a. Jeremiah here gives a picture of a nation that has forsaken God (v 7)
b. The sinfulness of the nation calls for Gods visitation in judgment (v 9)
c. The judgment was to be brought about through an alien nation (v 15)
d. A nation whose language (tongue) they did not understand (v 15, This is a reference to the Babylonian conquest of the southern kingdom which took place in 606 BC)
e. Did Israel’s being conquered by a nation whose language they did not understand have any meaning to them?
f. If they would have read Deut 28:46-49 they would have known that it was a “sign” of their alienation from God because of unbelief and disobedience.
10. The OT gives us the background essential for understanding what the NT teaches about “tongues”
a. Let us remember these principles . . .
1) A tongue was a language
2) The introduction of the subject by God through Moses to Israel shows that it had special meaning to the nation of Israel
3) When conquered by a foreign nation whose language (tongue) they did not understand, it was to be a sign of Israel’s alienation from God.
11. This laid the foundation for tongues in the NT
III. In the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John we have the account of Christ coming to His own nation, but the bulk of the nation rejected Him (John 1:11-13)
Joh 1:11 He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not.
Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Joh 1:13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
1. The believer in verse twelve is a reference to the remnant of the nation that accepted Christ.
a. The bulk of the nation refused to accept Christ as their King (John 19:15-16)
Joh 19:15 They therefore cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him! Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
Joh 19:16 Then therefore he delivered him unto them to be crucified.
b. Jesus Christ was God’s last call to the nation of Israel, our Lord was very distressed over this (Mt 23:37)
Mat 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
c. The rejection of Christ consummated Israel’s alienation from God. (Mt 21:13; 23:38)
Mat 21:13 and he saith unto them, It is written, my house shall be called a house of prayer: but ye make it a den of robbers.
Mat 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate
d. In their rejection of Christ no longer did He refer to the temple as “MY HOUSE,” it was now “THEIR HOUSE,” and was left to them desolate. God would no longer accept the unbelieving Jew’s worship at the temple.
2. On the first Pentecost following the rejection and crucifixion of Christ by Israel the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles and they spoke in tongues (turn back to Acts 2:1-6) . . .
Act 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place.
Act 2:2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Act 2:5 Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.
Act 2:6 And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speaking in his own language.
a. Here we have the multitude confounded, why? Because they heard multiple foreign languages spoken by these Galileans
b. Did the unbelieving Jews put 2+2 together?
c. Here we have an alien tongue spoken by a spiritual nation (1 Pet 2:9), the new Israel, the Israel of God, the church (Gal 6:16), those who were citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem (Heb 12:22-23).
3. The gift of tongues that we read of in the NT were dual purpose in nature
1) They provided a means of preaching the gospel to the world when there was no written revelation
2) They were a sign to Israel of its alienation from God
4. Acts 10 presents the same picture (turn to Acts 10:44-48) . . .
Act 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word.
Act 10:45 And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Act 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Act 10:47 Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?
Act 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
a. Here we have Cornelius, a Gentile God fearer and those with him speaking in tongues, foreign languages, it was a sign to the Jewish nation of its alienation from God.
b. For one in the nation of Israel to have God’s blessing, he would have to leave Judaism behind, and obey the gospel of Christ, the Way (Acts 9:2).
c. Jew and Gentile now stood on the same level “in Christ” (Gal 3:26-29).
d. Cornelius, an alien speaking in tongues, was evidence that men of every nation were acceptable to God (Acts 10:47).
e. Thus a sign to the six unbelieving Jewish Christians that accompanied Peter (Acts 15:8; 11:12)
f. And at the same time it was also a sign to the Jewish nation of their alienation from God.
g. Read Acts 10 against the background of Deut 28, Isa 28, Isa 33, and Jer 5. There can be no mistake about the significance of Cornelius’ speaking in tongues.
5. Acts 19:1-7 is additional proof of the same thing (turn there, Acts 19:1-7) . . .
Act 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples:
Act 19:2 and he said unto them, Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they said unto him, Nay, we did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit was given.
Act 19:3 And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into John's baptism.
Act 19:4 And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him that should come after him, that is, on Jesus.
Act 19:5 And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
Act 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Act 19:7 And they were in all about twelve men.
a. Consider Ephesus, and its distance from Jerusalem (roughly 1,000 mi by land)
b. Here are Gentile people speaking in tongues and prophesying, this signals two things
1) A worldwide gospel
2) An end to the Jewish system
c. Who were the unbelievers here? It would have to be the Ephesian brethren?
d. They could not believe that the miraculous manifestations of the Holy Spirit were to be given unto believers, seeing that they never even heard of such a thing?
e. What language would they have spoken?
f. Seeing that Paul as there, I would assume Hebrew, they themselves would recognize it yet, not understand it even though they spoke it, thus convincing them.
6. What about the tongues at Corinth? Do they fit into this same pattern? (turn to 1 Cor 14:21-22) . . .
1Co 14:21 In the law it is written, By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers will I speak unto this people; and not even thus will they hear me, saith the Lord.
1Co 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to the unbelieving: but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to them that believe.
a. It is important to consider carefully Paul’s argument in these verses, when we understand the inspired Paul’s purpose here we will have a key to understanding some of the controversy about tongues.
b. Paul quotes Isa 28:11-12, (which we looked at, remember Isaiah’s application)
c. Why would Paul quote it if he did not have in mind the same principle as Isaiah?
d. It is evident that Paul is making the same application when he states “and not even thus will they hear me, saith the Lord” (v 21)
e. Also, Paul’s quotation of Isa 28:11 settles the meaning of the tongues in 1 Cor 14, it was referring to a language in the passage from Isaiah, so it also does here. If the tongues of 1 Cor 14 were not languages, then Paul’s use was out of place, his quoting this passage would not make any sense at all.
f. Therefore, the only correct interpretation would be that these tongues were indeed “languages.”
g. The word “wherefore” of verse 22 shows Paul’s logical conclusion, the word “for” denotes purpose, tongues had a purpose.
h. What was the purpose? “Tongues” were for a sign
i. To whom were tongues a sign?
j. Answer: Not to them that believe, but to them that believe not
k. Is this not the very argument made by Moses’ introduction of the signs and tongues of Deut 28?
l. And the exact application made by both Isaiah and Jeremiah?
m. So where was the problem of unbelief at Corinth coming from? Was it not from the Judiazing teachers?
2 Cor 11:12-15, 22-23 teaches us that those opposed to Paul in that congregation were former Jews
2Co 11:12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
2Co 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works . . .
2Co 11:22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
2Co 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths oft.
7. Thus it was not by accident that Paul quoted Isa 28:11? (In 1 Cor 14:21)
a. Consider the phrase “this people” in 1 Cor 14:21
b. To whom does Isaiah refer to with this phrase? Surely the unbelieving nation of Israel!
c. Was this not the condition of the nation when Paul wrote to the church at Corinth and Rome? (Rom 11:20) . . .
Rom 11:20 Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
d. Here is Paul’s description of the nation, except for the remnant that obeyed the gospel, thus, Paul’s quotation from Isaiah was specifically aimed toward the unbelieving Jewish nation.
e. An ecstatic tongue would have not made any sense as a sign to the unbelieving nation, but a foreign language would have!
f. They would be able to put together God’s teaching on tongues from Moses, Isaiah, and Jeremiah, and it would have warned them about the impending judgment coming from the Roman nation, as foretold in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21.
1) The utterance in Gentile tongues in Acts 2 was a sign of the end of God’s special relationship to the nation of Israel.
2) It signaled the unbelief of the nation that rejected Christ.
3) It was a call to accept the gospel and thus receive Gods blessings.
8. Joel’s prophecy (Joel 2:28-32) shows that all stood on the same level before God, whatever distinctions there may have been in the past, were all gone, the nation had turned from God in unbelief.
a. Therefore Peter’s statement at Pentecost “Save yourselves from this crooked generation” (Acts 2:40)
b. And the Lord’s statement (Mt 23:36) . . .
Mat 23:36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
c. Signaled the fall of the nation (and Judaism) that was completed in AD 70 with the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.
d. This left nothing but the “gospel” for man’s hope of salvation, Jew and Gentile alike
e. Christ had warned the nation of this, yet they would not hear (Matt 21:33-43; in the parable of the wicked husbandmen; i.e. the unbelieving Jewish nation)
Mat 21:33 Hear another parable: There was a man that was a householder, who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country.
Mat 21:34 And when the season of the fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, to receive his fruits.
Mat 21:35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
Mat 21:36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them in like manner.
Mat 21:37 But afterward he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
Mat 21:38 But the husbandmen, when they saw the son, said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and take his inheritance.
Mat 21:39 And they took him, and cast him forth out of the vineyard, and killed him.
Mat 21:40 When therefore the lord of the vineyard shall come, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
Mat 21:41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will let out the vineyard unto other husbandmen, who shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
Mat 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; This was from the Lord, And it is marvelous in our eyes? (Acts 4:11; Rom 9:33; Eph 2:20; 1 Pet 2:6-8)
Mat 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
9. Also in Lk 21:20-24 we read the prophecy of AD 70 and instructions for the Christians (Luke 21:20-24) . . .
Luk 21:20 But when ye see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that her desolation is at hand.
Luk 21:21 Then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the mountains; and let them that are in the midst of her depart out; and let not them that are in the country enter therein.
Luk 21:22 For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
Luk 21:23 Woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days! for there shall be great distress upon the land, and wrath unto this people.
Luk 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led captive into all the nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
10. Speaking in tongues in the NT served as a means of preaching the gospel
a. But it was also a sign of something else, the nation of Israel’s alienation from God
1) When the destruction of Jerusalem came about, Judaism came to a screeching halt
(the whole world knew they were no longer His people).
2) This combined with the completion of the NT, which the best evidence points to its completion prior to AD 70 (No longer would there be a need for inspired preaching through tongues).
3) When these things were accomplished in AD 70, it left no place nor purpose for tongues.
11. Does 1 Cor ch 13 harmonize with this? (Look at 1 Cor 13:8-10)
1Co 13:8 Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away.
1Co 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part;
1Co 13:10 but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.
a. Note carefully the passage
b. There is the “part,” then there is the “perfect,” there is the “partial,” then the “complete”
c. If the complete thing has arrived, then any claim to tongues (one of the parts) would be false.
d. What is “the complete thing”? (“The complete thing” would be the most literal translation of “that which is perfect”)
f. It is not Christ, it would be strange to have such a vague reference to Christ, since He is not mentioned anywhere in this chapter
g. It would not be heaven, heaven is also foreign to the context, there is not a single reference to heaven in the section that deals with miraculous gifts (ch 12-14 in 1 Cor)
h. It would not be love. Love is mentioned as already abiding (1 Cor 13:13)
i. The Corinthians were told to follow (pursue) after love (1 Cor 14:1),
j. The “perfect thing” was something that was to be arriving, not something to be pursued
k. The “complete thing” would be, whatever made up “the partial”
l. Prophesy, knowledge, and tongues (that in part) were giving “Gods revelation to man” at that time.
m. The “once for all delivered faith” (Jude 3) that “perfect” law of liberty (Ja 1:25) in all its fullness (2 Pet 1:3), the completed New Testament is God's, final and thus “complete revelation to man,” the New Testament was gathered together, translations were made and circulated, therefore inspired preaching is no longer needed, we have the Bible.
Conclusion,
1. All know that Israel rejects Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God
(That they indeed as a nation are permanently alienated from God even unto this day; John 14:6)
2. And the gospel is now available to all in a multiplicity of languages, thus tongues and the other miraculous, revelation confirming gifts were no longer needed and have indeed ceased
(Dan 9:24; Micah 7:15; Zech 13:2; 1 Cor 13:8-10; Eph 4:8-14)
3. For we have all things that pertain unto life and Godliness in the NT (2 Pet 1:3)
2Pe 1:3 seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue;
4. The all sufficient Scriptures give us everything that is needed in order to be complete in Gods eyes (2 Tim 3:16-17)
2Ti 3:16 Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.
5. So let us live and walk in the light of God’s revealed will, His word, the Bible (Ps 119:105)
Psa 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path.
6. For by “it” we will be judged on that Last Day (Jn 12:48; Rom 2:16; Rev 20:12)
7. Therefore only by it “the Truth” (John 17:17), that one Faith (Eph 4:5), the Way (Acts 9:2), can we be made free (John 8:32), the Way is the same way that it was in the 1st century
One must . . .
1) Hear the word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17);
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
We must hear or read of the gospel, this is how God plants His seed (Lk 8:11) in our hearts
One must . . .
2) Believe that Jesus is the Divine resurrected Christ (Acts 8:37; John 8:24; Rom 10:9), and that God rewards those that earnestly seek after Him (Heb 11:6), this is when the process of “being saved" (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:27; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15) begins, Jesus said in Jn 5:24 . . .
Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life.
But not faith only (Ja 2:24), which is demon like faith (Ja 2:19).
One must also . . .
3) Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5), Jesus stated . . .
Luk 13:3 . . . except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish.
Repentance is a change in mind that results in a changed life, it may be a little at a time and in differing degrees,
yet all change.
One must . . .
4) Confess Christ before men (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9) as it is written . . .
Rom 10:9 because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved:
One must . . .
5) Be baptized (immersed) into Christ (Gal 3:27), into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3), where His precious blood was shed (John 19:34); unto (for the purpose of) the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38; 22:16); this is the point where one is to die to self and live unto God (Rom 6:3-14) . . .
Rom 6:3 Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection;
Rom 6:6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin;
Rom 6:7 for he that hath died is justified from sin.
Rom 6:8 But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him;
Rom 6:9 knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death no more hath dominion over him.
Rom 6:10 For the death that he died, he died unto sin once: but the life that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
Rom 6:11 Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus.
Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof:
Rom 6:13 neither present your members unto sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves unto God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace.
One must . . .
6) And live a holy and faithful life (1 Pet 1:15; Rev 2:10; Heb 12:14), not just one day a week, but every day,
1Pe 1:15 but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living (every aspect of your lives; CEB);
1Pe 1:16 because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.
Heb 12:14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord (ESV)