Spiritual Gifts: Kinds of Tongues and Interpretation
1 Corinthians 12:10 New King James Version
10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
I. What are different kinds of tongues and what is the interpretation of tongues?
a. The gift of tongues is the supernatural ability to speak the language of Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 14:2 New King James Version
2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
i. There are different kinds of tongues
1. Speaking, praying, singing in tongues/in the Spirit
1 Corinthians 14:13-16 New Living Translation
13 So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said. 14 For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying.
15 Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit,[a] and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand. 16 For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying?
a. Important: Paul uses “in tongues” interchangeably with “in the spirit”
b. The interpretation of tongues is the supernatural ability to translate the kind of tongue
i. It is NOT always word for word translation
ii. Interpretation can be received as a vision, sense, knowing, or word
iii. Acts 2 is an example, not of tongues spoken in various languages, but the people at Pentecost being able to interpret and understand the tongues spoken.
1. Everyone heard them speak in his own language
2. Each person heard each disciple in their own language
II. Why do We want Tongues at East Gate?
a. The gift of tongues is one of the ways we have access to the Father through Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit within us speaks directly to the Father through the gift of tongues.
Ephesians 2:18 English Standard Version
18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
1 Corinthians 14:2 English Standard Version
2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
b. The gift of tongues is an opportunity to pray perfectly.
Romans 8:26 English Standard Version
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
i. Incredibly effective to combat demonic attack
c. The gift of tongues provides a unique way of praying in the spirit at all times
Ephesians 6:18 English Standard Version
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
d. The gift of tongues builds us up (edifies us) even when we don’t know what we need or lack
1 Corinthians 14:4 English Standard Version
4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
Jude 20 English Standard Version
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
i. Jude 1:20, where the sense is, ‘resting your most holy faith as a foundation, make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher’
III. Why are We Afraid of Tongues?
a. The Spirit of Religion – we have to get over ourselves
i. There is a risk
ii. There is a chance you will feel undignified (foolish, silly)
1. This is the same spirit that confronted David as he danced before the presence of God
2. We need to confront this spirit in ourselves and say, “I don’t care if I sound crazy or look crazy, or if people think I am faking. I am going after this gift because I want everything Holy Spirit has for me!
b. Bad Theology
i. “The bible says not to speak in tongues corporately,” or, “If there are tongues, we need interpretation.”
ii. Remember: There is a difference between speaking, praying, and singing in tongues.
1. Praying and singing in tongues edifies/builds you up
2. Speaking requires interpretation within a corporate setting because those settings are meant to equip the body through revelation, teaching, and prophecy (1 Cor. 14:6). It’s meant to build the body up
a. We are to be obedient to speak in tongues when Holy Spirit leads. It is not our responsibility to have the interpretation, Holy Spirit will give another the interpretation as He chooses
c. What is our Take Away?
i. Don’t be hesitant, be humble
1 Corinthians 14:15 English Standard Version
15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.
ii. God is a God of order. We can embrace His design and trust the process.
iii. If we forsake the gift, we miss out on the fullness God has for us.
IV. A Prophetic Word for East Gate: Regarding Tongues and Interpretation
Genesis 11:1-9 New King James Version
11 Now the whole earth had one language and one [a]speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. 3 Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and [b]bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”
5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6 And the Lord said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. 9 Therefore its name is called [c]Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.
Acts 2:1-8 New King James Version
2 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all [a]with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them [b]divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own [c]language in which we were born?
a. The Gift of tongues and interpretation is the reversal/redemption of the confusing of languages
i. The People, City, and Tower of Babel
1. Humanity building a name for itself, a city, and a tower (Ziggurat/temple)
2. Humanity completely united rebelliously in purpose and language
3. God, concerned that humanity will succeed, intervenes and confuses their languages.
a. “Nothing they propose to do, will be withheld from them…”
4. The result of this confusing of the language is
a. Halted progress
b. Confusion
c. Division over language
5. City was named Babel/Babylon = confusion
ii. The People, City, and Church of Christ
1. Disciples proclaiming the name of Jesus, expanding the kingdom, and building the true temple of God (although they didn’t know it at the time)
2. Disciples united in one accord and in one place
3. Holy Spirit intervenes and places upon them divided tongues as of fire
4. The surrounding people confused because they can understand the disciples
5. The church of Christ was born and nothing will EVER stand in its way.
Isaiah 9:7 New King James Version
7 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
b. The Word of the Lord
i. Our nation is being heavily influenced by the spirt of Babylon. It is ministering to our children through the education system, arts and entertainment, media, government, and even some religious institutions.
ii. How can I be sure?
1. Halted Progress
a. Economic growth
b. Peace brokering
c. Energy independance
2. Confusion
a. I cannot choose my sexual orientation, I was born this way.
b. I can choose my gender and I will change the way I was born.
c. Gender is a social construct, it has nothing to do with biology or physiology.
d. In order to change my gender, I will operate on and introduce hormone therapy to my biology and physiology.
3. Division over Language
a. What is a man or a woman?
b. Amen and a-woman
c. Mother vs Birthing person
d. Breast-feeding vs Chest-feeding
e. Pronoun use
iii. Many people might hear me and think I am advocating for a change in administration.
1. I am advocating for repentance for neglecting the gifts and power of God. Holy Spirit is the answer, not the right president.
2. I do however, strongly urge you to vote clear biblical values
c. The Gift of Tongues and Interpretation is the Lord’s answer to our cultural moment.
i. East Gate, if we allow Holy Spirit to lead us in speaking, praying, and singing in tongues, just like in Acts 2 He will do for us what He did for the early church.
1. Unite us in heavenly purpose and heavenly language
a. The bible clearly defining our language in the kingdom of Heaven
b. United in identity: Our Kingdom Culture
c. A boldness to preach the uncompromising, simple and life changing gospel
d. As we speak the truth empowered by Holy Spirit, freedom, deliverance and healing will be released
ii. The results will be beyond belief:
Genesis 11:6 New King James Version
6 And the Lord said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.
1. Add thousands to our numbers in a day
1. Give us 10% of the city of Bethlehem to steward
2. Give us a k-12 school to steward
3. Give us a birthing Center to steward
4. Give us the kingdom businesses to steward as we disciple businesses in Bethlehem
5. Give us the police department in Bethlehem to disciple
6. Expand our territory into new cities and never before reached places as we plant hundreds if not thousands of new churches
7. AND SO MUCH MORE
