SPEAKING IN TONGUES - the right and the wrong of it - what we need to know

SPEAKING IN TONGUES, The Miraculous Gift of the Holy Spirit, and its various uses today

Mark 16:17; 1 Corinthians 12:10 and 28

1100 Strong, glossa, gloce-sah’, language, tongue, not naturally acquired - by implication

2084 Strong, heteroglossos, het-er-og’-loce-sos, from 1100, other-tongued (1 Corinthians 14:21 only)

1258 Strong, dialektos, dee-al’-ek-tos, dialect, dialectic, language, tongue, used by the crowd in Acts 2:6

To read through Proverbs (and the Prophets, for that matter) noting the importance of the human tongue - both for immense blessing and for incredible evil - makes the obvious point that the submission of the tongue to the Holy Spirit, in this gift, is of huge significance.   It is suggested that James 3 is virtually a summary of Proverbs relative to this subject of the tongue. 

Even in chapter 1, James is given these words: “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight reign on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.”

verse 26    “If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.”   With this verse, the Holy Spirit introduces thoughts on the power of the tongue, the difficulty in taming it, and the conflicting hypocritical use we make of it. (James 3:1-12)

Our Lord’s promise: “they shall speak in new languages”. (Mark 16:17)   It is a tragedy that two extremes exist in the Church, today: the belief that only a limited number of gifts are now available to Believers, and new languages is not one of them; the other is the abuse of the manifestation of the Spirit, by the misuse of tongues.   In the one, there is the audacity of criticising God’s infinite wisdom in bestowing this charisma - in ridiculing His gift, we scoff at God; in the other there is the lack of informed discipline.  I have seen one American television evangelist speaking in tongues, as a joke, and to no sensible purpose: only to show-off.  This wastes valuable transmission time and money given sacrificially by God’s people, who trust that their gifts will be used wisely.

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.   Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.   They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.   All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them ... each one heard them speaking in his own language (dialect).” (Acts 2:1-6)

Words often serve several usages: “glossa” is used for the “tongues of fire” and for the “speaking in tongues”. (Acts 2:3, 4)   In verse 5, however, the word “dialectos” appears.   This is taken to mean a specific “dialect” of a language, but it is worth noting, that elsewhere in Acts it is translated as “dialectic”: reasoned statements, or discourses - Paul in synagogues at Thessalonica, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus; in the School of Tyrannus; the Troas Upper Room; and in the Jerusalem Temple, where he made a point of not arguing.  (Acts 17:2,17,  18:4,19,  19:8,9,  20:7,9,  24:12)   This association is quite the opposite of “the ecstatic”, which some theologians, and translators, have imagined, basing their thoughts on Arabic, and Classical Greek cultures.

We can note that this is called “being filled with the Spirit” and “the baptism of the Holy Spirit”, promised “not many days hence” (Acts 1:5 [AV]); elsewhere it is referred to as “the sealing”, “guarantee”, “deposit”, or “down payment”. (2 Corinthians 1:22, 5:5,  and Ephesians 1:13-14, below)

1.            Baptism in the Holy Spirit, reveals the unseen presence of the Spirit in a Christian: confirming our acceptance by God at conversion, in a subjective experience at the time, or soon afterwards (normally).   Perhaps other gifts may be used, such as prophecy, but tongues is the most common in the New Testament.   It is important as a means of assurance: that God has responded to our faith in his Son, by giving us this dramatic event - whether privately or publicly.   One X-ray technique requires a dye to be inserted into the spinal fluid, so that the otherwise invisible flow of the fluid can be observed.   In a similar way, the invisible Spirit of God reveals His presence by clear assuring evidence.  This is not an optional extra; but the normal Christian experience in Scripture!  Lack of blessing in our lives may be due to lack of prayer in dialektos, and singing in tongues. Paul exemplars: I speak in tongues more than you all!

Just as with Baptism in water – we have all the blessings associated with Baptism, but God requires the obedience of the action: so with the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, there is the importance of formally inviting the Spirit into our life.  We have known the ministry of the Comforter before, during, and after conversion; but we need this special event.

Jesus's promise of the Holy Spirit to His Disciples: John 16:7  But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 

[Some Muslim thinkers, apparently believe this part of the Bible.  Although Jesus was speaking to a group of His Apostles, with Him at that moment and place: the Muslims apply it to their Prophet coming 600 years later.  This is tragically dishonest and deceitful.]

On the Day of Pentecost, in Acts chapter 2, they also had tongues of flame and a violent wind.   We all need a personal “Pentecost” or sealing.  Ephesians 1:13-14 in Moffatt’s translation reads:

“You ... have been stamped with the seal of the long-promised Holy Spirit, which is the pledge and instalment (first) of our ...  heritage…”   God is placing His seal on our lives, and giving us the down payment of the greater glory, which will be ours at the resurrection.  Newberry gives this passage as a clear example of the Greek use of the aorist participle: "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed. Literally: having heard, having believed."  Here are the three stages of Christian experience - hearing, believing, being sealed. 

Some see this experience as instantaneous, or minutes, hours, days, or even years after conversion.

We may look at the other, similar, occasions of this initial coming of the Spirit into the lives of new Christians, as recorded in the Book of Acts - it must be pointed out, that it is an inadequate preaching of the Gospel, that fails to minister this vital aspect of the work of God, and it is dishonest to the whole counsel of God.

The examples in Acts:

8:15-16, laying on of hands at Samaria, where no sign is described;

10:44-48, Cornelius and his household, experience tongues and praise, during the preaching of Peter;

11:15-17, the above event is reported by Peter, and called “baptism” in the Holy Spirit;

19:16, at Ephesus, with the laying on of hands, there was both tongues and prophecy.

The last two verses of a Charles Wesley hymn (280 TMHB) are on this theme of sealing:

“Come, Holy Ghost my heart inspire!

Attest that I am born again;

Come and baptize me now with fire, Nor let the former gifts be vain:

I cannot rest in sins forgiven;

Where is the “earnest” of my heaven?

Where the indubitable “seal”

That ascertains the kingdom mine?

The powerful “stamp” I long to feel,

The signature of love divine:

O shed it in my heart abroad,

Fulness of love, of heaven, of God.”

(“Earnest” is another word for down payment: as when we secure an item in a store by paying a part, of the whole purchase price - agreeing to pay the full amount, later.   “Seal” and “stamp” are synonyms.   These represent some of the collection of words used in the English Versions - translations.)  I could well imagine that if Paul collected leather at the docks in Lechaion (the nearest of the two ports of Corinth).   It would have first been stamped to ensure it remained in the owner’s possession - everyone would know, who it belonged to.

2.   A second use of the Tongues, is as a sign to the unbeliever, as the apostle describes in 1 Corinthians 14:22: a miracle which totally astounds the unconverted, as I will show in examples later.   The exact opposite effect is seen, if everybody speaks in tongues - as in an unruly meeting, which would do nothing but bring dishonour to our Lord’s name.   This was starting to happen in the Congregation at Korinthos.   Apart from a special miracle of tongues, it is prophecy, which normally has more effect on the unconverted - certainly in cases approaching excess.   As I said, in a television transmission, a preacher used tongues almost as a form of entertainment and showmanship: a gross example of its misuse - wasting valuable time and opportunity.

3.   Tongues will be prophetic to the Assembly, and the individual, when combined with the gift of Interpretation. (1 Corinthians 14:5)

4.   When the gift is used privately, the spirit of a Believer is: built up - strengthened, speaks mysteries, and prays to God in the spirit, sings, gives thanks, and praises, but the mind receives nothing.   When I was engaged in a missionary maintenance course at Bible College, I overheard a fellow-student singing in tongues, in his quarters.   He did not believe in the gift - theologically, and yet he often enjoyed this experience.

Clearly it is desirable that the gift of interpretation is sought.   I have found that the two gifts bring clarity, and innovative perceptive thoughts and insights. (1 Corinthians 14:2,4,13-17)

5.   Singing in tongues in corporate worship sometimes sounds like the complex music of the 16^th century composer Thomas Tallis; “Spem in alium” has 40 voices in eight choirs of five.   This would be impressive at any time in history.   I have felt, on occasions, that the sheer beauty of this manifestation of tongues is ample evidence of the Spirit’s presence.

NOTE: There are angelic languages, not known on Earth - 1 Corinthians 13:1.

 When recovering in hospital from a life-threatening illness (bacterial meningitis), I received a gift of tongues which was quite unusual: it could only be sung.  I wondered at the time, if it might be an angelic language.

A key passage

Just as 1 Corinthians 14 deals extensively with prophecy in the Christian congregation, so this chapter gives parallel teaching on the part to be played by tongues in the corporate life of the Congregation:

verses 5-12,18,19, God the Spirit would have everybody speak in tongues, but would have its use kept firmly in place

verse 6, “But now brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you, except I speak to you either in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in teaching?” (Green’s Literal)   It could well be understood as a contrast of tongues with other gifts, which are of more profit for the Congregation, or it could be saying that interpreted tongues can be more illuminating

verse 13, We should pray to receive the gift of interpretation to add to the gift of tongues

verse 21, Two Old Testament prophecies understood, within our biblical culture (and rabbinic, says Kittel), to be about tongues: Isaiah 28:11; Deuteronomy 28:49

“Very well then, with foreign lips and strange tongues

God will speak to this people.”

“The LORD will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth, like an eagle swooping down, a nation whose language you will not understand.”

“This people” and “you”, could be understood as referring to just Israel; but, within the New Testament context, this point is never made: quite the contrary, tongues is discussed within the atmosphere of the a “mainly” gentile church - as at Korinthos.

verses 22-25, Tongues and prophecy in excess, and the effect - referred to above

verse 27, Only two people should speak in tongues, in a given meeting - three at most

verse 28. If there is no one with the gift of interpretation, “the speaker should keep quiet in the congregation and speak to himself and to God”- in other words, appear virtually silent.   This is not an easy instruction for many to receive!   The sound of tongues should be heard: as a prophecy - awaiting interpretation, as a miracle for the unbeliever, or in corporate singing.

Practical thoughts

Teaching on the logistics of the gift in the Congregation is: singing in the Spirit, Messages in Tongues, and Private Devotions (Private meaning: not interfering with the experience of others in the meeting, or when alone).   The extensive, dominating, use of tongues by a speaker with a loud voice, or a microphone, is completely out of tune with the New Testament instruction: it is an unfortunate abuse, does damage to the cause of the Gospel, and requires counselling, pastoring, rebuke, guidance, and teaching.

Paul sums up the correct attitude to all potentially intrusive manifestations, with these words (RSV): “For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.” (“We are beside ourselves unto God: for your sake we are sober.”) 2 Corinthians 5:13

Again, time must be allowed in meetings for the gift; and there is nothing wrong with periods of silence - put to good use in private prayer, meditation and waiting on God.   When a message is given, there may be a wait: for someone to feel led by God to miraculously give the interpretation.   It is not a translation, and may take more or fewer words.   There are many human languages, Kittel suggests that “kinds” implies variety (sixteen is a rough count of dialects on the Day of Pentecost) - there is even the possibility of an extinct language, or a heavenly (1 Corinthians 13:1, 14:10-11).   As I said, when I was seriously ill in hospital, a beautiful language, in song, was given to me; it certainly sounded heavenly to me.   Even though ill, I was able to worship and set my mind on heavenly things - psychosomatically contributing to my recovery, no doubt.   There are Assemblies where the messages are recorded, taken down in shorthand, and published; certainly great respect must rightfully be shown.   The Elders - as with prophecy - must carefully assess the messages.  Sad to say, in many churches, which subscribe to a belief in the gift; there is no provision made for the practice!

I was preaching at a Methodist Church, which aspired to be Charismatic, but gave little evidence of it.  The text for my sermon was:

^{1 Corinthians 14:26} “What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.”

We had done most of the things listed.

“Nobody believes in speaking in Tongues today!”

“Oh yes we do!” answered the congregation.

“Put your hand up, if you have the gift of Interpretation.”

And so we had a time of waiting on God, to await a message in tongues, and its interpretation.

 

Why did God choose to give us such a strange gift?   We may note that it is: egalitarian, dramatic, miraculous, above and beyond intellect, and humbling - a surrender of a most powerful part of our physiognomy.   There can be the most wonderful creativity and revelation, when linked with interpretation - but it must always be compatible with the cannon of Scripture - as indeed I have found it to be.   Poetically it may be seen as a reversal of the curse at the Tower of Babel.   It is probably the only gift, which Christ did not use, although in his deity, he knows all languages.

To argue against God, or to present ridicule, is extremely foolish.   The Creator of the human mind has many hidden, and wise, reasons why this gift is beneficial to the human psyche.   The senior business executive, being driven home after an exhausting trip, can relax and lift his soul to God in tongues.   The aged man, finding it ever harder to waken up in a morning, enters the heavenly places with this gift.   The man or woman, boy or girl, in whatever situation of life, can rise above this world and its horrors, and reach God in heart to heart communication, and revelation.

Arguments used against the current offering of the gift

Some discount the giving of any of the anointings of the Spirit, in this sense, and the Scripture they use is:

“Love never fails.   But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.   For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.” (1 Corinthians 13:8-9)

As explained in the general introduction to the gifts, knowledge has not yet passed away; in fact libraries, the Internet, and computer information storage systems, are ample testimony that knowledge is increasing (Cf Daniel 12:4).   Christians who take this critical attitude also want the words: “when perfection comes”, to refer to the Bible.   It is strange irony, that the two chapters guarding the thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians mention prophecy and tongues in some detail - when taken together.   (It is normal to find that these Christians, warm and dear though they are, are quite willing to accept two of the gifts, namely pastor and evangelist.)   Their argument requires that tongues and prophecy have been discontinued: thus making chapters 12 and 14 obsolete - and implying that the present Bible would therefore be imperfect, and not “perfection”.   Indeed, their long and devious arguments, which arrive at the opposite conclusions to the simple reading of Scripture, have a great resemblance to the cunning of the sects.   This interpretation, which requires part of a verse in chapter 13 to be taken out of context, is like the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ attempt to make the Lord Jesus, the Archangel whose voice is heard in the final moments of human history.   (There is equal justification, in this explanation, to make the Lord Jesus the “trumpet”, of the passage in 1 Thessalonians 4:16).

I took the trouble to read a book dedicated to the discontinuation of tongues.   On borrowing the book from a church library, my entry had to read: “I speak in tongues more than you all”, followed by my signature; this would certainly be my ambition, as it was Paul’s confession.   The title was malicious: because the author’s aim was to discourage the use of the gift; whereas Paul used the words: firstly to establish his authority to give rulings on the subject - to the Corinthian and to all Christians, and secondly to offer himself as a considered and guarded exemplar.

The book was characterised by ridicule; in my days of classroom and staff meeting debate, I came to suspect ridicule and personal insult, as the companions of a weak argument.   Another suspicious aspect of the book was the lengthy and extremely involved theses: whereas most biblical doctrine is expressed in simple terms - so that ordinary people who are Christians, can start to understand something of the great and satisfying truths of God.  

A major argument of the work is that tongues is singularly intended as a sign to Jews - that men and women of Israel were always present in the New Testament.   Whereas this may have been the case, because of the nature of first century fellowships, and his key verse from Isaiah is used by Paul in 1 Corinthians 14, this deduction is never made in Scripture (Isaiah 28:11-12; 1 Corinthians 14:21).   There need be no fear that the churches in Athens and Corinth might be exceptions, both contained Jewish converts - indeed Paul rarely, if ever, went to preach the Gospel in places where there was not a synagogue - to act as his starting point  (Acts 13:5,14;  14:1;  16:13;  17:1-4, 17;  18:4;  19:8;  Romans 1:16).  The writer makes such complicated lines of discussion, that the direct meaning of the biblical text is totally lost.   The book is unfortunately characterised by: poor (even evil) exegesis, lack of logic, absurd arguments, additions to the actual words of the Bible, dismissiveness, diversionary quips, a subjective style, derogatory remarks, and complete non-sequiturs.

This particular book turns to the kind of anecdote often applied in the case against tongues: a person uses a known foreign language in a Pentecostal meeting, and then ridicules the inaccurate interpretation.   In this case, a Salvation Army Colonel spoke in Lingala, a West African dialect; the interpretation had nothing to do with the praise utterance of the Colonel.   One has to ask the question: What were Christians doing employing a foreign language skill, in the context of a time of speaking in tongues and interpretation?   Were they setting out to sinfully tempt God, and ridicule His servants?   Or take another case given in the book: where a tape recording was played to test two “interpreters”, and two different “interpretations” were given.   Jim Packer, the gentle and eminent evangelical theologian, told a similar story (in a talk recorded at Eden Chapel, Cambridge), in which an Ethiopian student attended a charismatic meeting in London.   But, in his case, he did not appreciate what was happening, and so, in a break in the worship, he recited the Twenty-third Psalm in Guji - the ancient language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, only to be followed by an interpretation of different content.

Another form of discreditation is to find that 90% of tongues are valid languages, but are actually blasphemous statements - showing that the speakers have demons.   The statement in the above book is quoted from another writer, and no scientific details of methodology are given.   Assuming the percentage to be true, one must ask: what kind of sample group was examined, and, how were the tongues analysed and translated?   Certainly there is a cautionary element here for both sides.  My own examples of tongues, being understood as valid linguistic statements, offer evidence in support of the gift’s genuineness.

Examples of the gift of tongues - as a miraculous witness, and in a known language

1.  An English Elim Pastor was holding an open-air meeting in Belfast, at which a young lady in the support team spoke in tongues, but there was no interpretation: this concerned the Pastor, and he intended to speak to her about it.   As the meeting closed the attention of the lady was dominated by a Jewish man trying to talk to her in Yiddish - but she did not know the language intellectually, she had been given a miraculous tongue.   The gentleman became a Christian as a result.   (Described in a recorded sermon by Eric Gaudion.)

2.   The Reverend Dennis Bennett, Episcopalian Minister and author of “Nine O’clock in the Morning” recounts that when he spoke in tongues: a woman, who had lived in Japan for four years, complemented his good Japanese accent.   (Recorded sermon.)

3.   My own experience at Bridge Street Four Square Church, Leeds, in about 1959.   Another Christian had told Brian Dodsworth, an NSPCC Officer, at work, that his gift of tongues was “of the Devil”.   In the Sunday morning service, Brian sat behind me, and to my right - across an aisle.   When he stood to give a message in tongues, a cry came from the front of the congregation - rather as if a pin had been stuck in someone - as happens in the classroom sometimes!    An elderly lady, in the transept, at the front and to the right, gave a prophecy, along these lines: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, to preach the Gospel to the poor...” The Pastors took this to be of God, and preached an evangelistic sermon.

The man, who screamed, was an Hungarian businessman.   He had left the main hotel in the city centre – ‘The Queen’s’, he had asked the way to a Church for the morning service.   The language was Hungarian, and he knew God was speaking to him.  Although there had been no clear interpretation in the morning service – which worried Brian, the message had said: “I have spoken to you many times, but today is your last opportunity to respond.” One of the leaders explained to Brian that it was a different use of Tongues – as a Sign Miracle.  The man became a Believer.   At a fellowship, in his home city of Birmingham, he was eventually appointed an Elder.   When I told this story to my classes, over many years, I gave the telephone number of one of the Leaders: so that anyone could confirm the details.

4.   A graduate in Spanish attended the same Church, before taking up residence in Spain as a missionary.   Whilst in Barcelona, he heard a lady praying in English: so convincingly, that he wanted to meet this fellow English person, after the service.   To his surprise, he found it to be an uneducated peasant lady, complete with her black shawl. (Related to me by a mutual friend.)

5.   “The Pentecostals”, by Walter J. Hollenweger, published by the SCM Press Ltd, 1972, begins with the following story, which in turn is taken from John L. Sherrill’s book, “They Speak”, pp 89f.  For seventeen generations, Rabbi Jacob Rabinowitz’s ancestors had been rabbis.   He felt some fear at the conviction that Rabbi Jesus of Nazareth was the Truth.   As a secret disciple he accepted an invitation to a meeting in an Assemblies of God Church in Pasadena, Texas.   After a rich and noisy beginning, the service continued with a short address by an evangelist, who then invited members with problems, to kneel on the red carpet before the altar step, so that the congregation might pray for them specifically.  

A few men left their places to lay hands on the Rabbi, as he knelt.   Behind them, others stood.   People were praying in English, and in tongues.

I quote from the book:

Suddenly Rabinowitz stood up and asked with tears in his eyes, “Which one of you is Jewish?”   No one answered.   “Which one of you knows me?   You’ll forgive me: I don’t recognize you.”   Still no answer.

Now the whole church became silent.   “It came from right here, behind me ... Just exactly where you’re standing ... Are you Jewish?”

“Me?”   The man smiled.   “My name’s John Gruver.   I’m Irish.”   “That’s the voice ... but tell me where you learned to speak Hebrew so well.”

“I don’t know a word of it,” replied Gruver.   “That’s where you’re wrong,” retorted Rabinowitz, “because you were speaking Hebrew just now.   And how did you know my name and the name of my father?   You said in perfect Hebrew,   ‘I have dreamed a dream that you will go into big populated places and there you will preach.   The ones who have not heard will understand you, Jacob, son of Rabbi Ezekiel, come in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.’”  

6.   Jack Smith, a friend of mine, then quite recently converted knelt in a prayer meeting, at his local Assemblies of God Church, in North Manchester.   Feeling disconsolate, he hardly joined in, but prayed in tongues.  At the close of the meeting, a young Finnish lady with long dark hair, who had been sitting behind his chair - an au pair in fact, came straight to him and asked when had he been to Finland for his holidays.   The answer was, “Never” - how was it then that he had been praying in her mother tongue?

7.   At a church in the same Lancashire town, a well-travelled Christian lady graduate heard a message in the Basque language, which she herself knew.   The message was to the pastor: saying that if he did not repent, God would remove him within a few weeks.   The man who gave the interpretation said that God was pleased with the Pastor, and would bless him.   Within a short time the minister moved on.

8.      Kensington Temple, even in its early days, had many nationalities.   Eldin Corsie (a leader in the Church) was quietly praying in tongues.   There was a man listening, who immediately afterwards started talking to Eldin in the same tongue - it was Modern Greek.   After some explanation, the Greek gentleman told Eldin he had praying: “Lord, when will you bring revival to this place?”

9 and 10.   Mike Stevens gave two interesting accounts in a recorded talk (on “Leaders and Elders”).

A lady in his fellowship was in discussion with a Rabbi who studied at the same university; he admitted to never having experienced a miracle, and challenged her to produce a message in tongues.   Reluctantly she did; and spoke in a rare Persian dialect, which he had researched in his MA thesis - dealing with some of its content.   He then argued that she had read his thesis and learnt the ancient language, in order to fool him!

A friend of Mike was working in Italy with Operation Mobilisation, selling Bibles.   He carried a card: “Stop me and buy one”, as he spoke no Italian.   First of all a large lady questioned his religion, and then struck him on the side of the head, knocking his stock of books and Bibles flying.   A crowd gathered to ridicule him, and he felt decidedly depressed.   In desperation he stood, and spoke out in tongues: mainly directed at a priest, who, by this time, had taken his place standing at the front.   He had no idea of the content of his speech, but the priest suddenly took to his heels, mounted his cycle, and fled before the crowd.   When the people returned they were delighted to purchase all his books.

11.  An eight year-old Caribbean girl spoke in tongues, in fluent French.   A gentleman, who did not have the normal gift of interpretation, simply translated using his knowledge of French.   (Joel Edwards, Evangelical Alliance Chairman, interviewed by Sir Melvyn Bragg on British television, 15.03.98.)

12. David Pawson tells of a meeting in Bristol: a lady on the front-row miraculously spoke in Urdu.   A Pakistani man thought it was someone from his own village.

13. Patricia St John is known and respected for her Christian children’s stories – two have been made into films.  She served as a missionary nurse, and Head Mistress.  Whilst travelling with her sister from the Levant to Tangier, a huge lorry, the driver of which had apparently dozed at the wheel, smashed into their car.  He was then observed changing the angle of the front wheels so that he could escape blame. 

Miss St John continues: “It was here in that dingy office that I was given the gift of tongues.  I knew very little Spanish, but I suddenly found that I could ask for what I wanted and give a lucid account of all that had happened.  In spite of the lies told by the lorry driver, we were awarded full insurance costs six months later.”  (page 191, “Patricia St John tells her own story,” 1997, OM Publishing, UK)

14. Canon David White’s wife, Ruth, has a friend who was also her Bridesmaid; this lady came from Malaysia, and was a Buddhist.  At her first visit to a Christian church, in Liverpool, she heard a person stand and give a message in tongues: in perfect Malaysian, a message from God’s heart for her.  She gave her life to Christ. (sermon by the Canon, 31.May.2015, at St Andrew’s Chorleywood).

15.  Derek Prince, the eminent Bible Teacher (see below), tells of a young man invited to a London church by his daughter.  Derek preached a Gospel Sermon, and was about to give a challenge to respond, when an elderly man spoke in tongues and spoiled the flow of the meeting.  The young fellow nudged the lady who had brought him.  "Why is that old man telling everybody about my sins in public?"  The young fellow was Welsh speaking, and the Tongues message was Welsh.  He later became a Believer, and Derek's son-in-law.  He gave two other examples of people being given a new language in which to witness: Canary Island Spanish, and Russian.

16. Bill Adair told me how he prayed for a man in hospital.  The prayer was in tongues - Punjabi; the Asian man told Bill what he had prayed: it included Jesus's words, "I am the water of life, him that cometh to me will have eternal life."  The Asian pointed to a jug of water.

17. A local lady vicar told this account.  She was at the front of the sanctuary praying for a lady who requested intersession. The vicar prayed in tongues, as was her habit.  “I didn’t know you spoke Polish.”  “I don’t.”  Again there was intercession in glossolalia.  “There you are, you speak Polish with a good accent.”  An explanation of the Spirit’s Gift followed.

18. Our local Vicar was leading a Tour in Israel. Quietly he spoke in tongues, as was his custom.  The Israeli Tour Guide asked him where he had learnt to speak Ancient Hebrew.

Many people in churches have this gift covertly - using it only privately, and not in public.

John Wesley heard someone saying that the gift was no longer for today, and he wrote a scorching letter proving that it was indeed still a gift for the present.  (“Wesley’s Works”, Volume V, page 744.   “Sir, your memory fails you again ... It has been heard of more than once, no further off than the valleys of Dauphiny”.   Quoted by Carl Brumback.)  Derek Prince spends much time on Tongues (four hours of lecturing); similarly, David Pawson, and Canon David Watson.

Miraculous Languages is a strange gift, but it is there in the NT, and if we are disciples, we had better come to terms with it - we need the “whole council of God”, and not 99% of it.

There are two questions, which might well have introduced this topic: Are you using your gift of tongues on a daily basis, and, is your congregation making regular and frequent use of this channel of communication with God?