Then What about the "Unknown Tongues" of I Corinthians 14?
Being clearly repudiated in their wrong interpretation and Misapplication of Acts 2, many "Pentecostal" believers will quickly turn to I Corinthians 14. For here is a chapter that speaks about "unknown tongues."
Or DOES IT?
The simple and obvious answer is that the word "unknown" is ALWAYS in finer or italic print in the King James Version of your Bible — designated in this way to show you that this word was NOT in the original inspired Greek but has rather been inserted by men!
Of course, then, there IS no such thing as an "unknown" tongue!
Rather, if prayerfully and intelligently read, this chapter is definitely speaking — as Acts 2 — about the supernaturally imparted ability to speak in a foreign language. But the Apostle Paul — warning of the MISUSE of this gift — spends most of his argument in warning the Corinthians NOT to speak in such a language unless there are people present who can understand.
He shows that if a man speaks in a "tongue" so that no one around him understands, he is only speaking to God (verse 2). He shows (verse 4) that this man would then only edify himself — whereas one who preaches would edify the church.
In verse 12, he exhorts the Corinthians to speak to edify the church — not to speak in tongues or foreign languages unless they are translated into the language of the majority of the congregation.
In verse 14, Paul says that if he prays in a foreign language his "spirit" or mind prays — but the understanding or significance of what he is saying is "unfruitful" so far as others are concerned. He then goes on to show that a man who has this gift may "bless" or return thanks in a supernaturally imparted foreign tongue, but an uneducated person would not benefit from his prayer and would be unable to say "Amen" at his thanksgiving.
Thus, this type of praying or giving of thanks is unfruitful — UNPROFITABLE!
The Apostle Paul concludes this inspired section of his instruction by stating: "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" (verse 19).
"Tongues" a Sign to UNBELIEVERS
Then, in verse 21, he proceeds to quote directly from Isaiah 28:11. Here God warned ancient Israel that He was going to have to PUNISH them through foreign-tongued invaders! Clearly, this also shows that "tongues" are human languages understood by the people of the nationalities involved!
Paul then concludes in verse 22: "Wherefore tongues are for a sign, NOT to them that believe, but to them that BELIEVE NOT: but prophesying [inspired preaching, see verse 3] serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe."
Therefore, although the modern "Pentecostal" people ALWAYS want to "show off" their tongues even among their own church brethren, Paul was inspired by God to state that tongues are ONLY a sign for the unbelievers! And, in EVERY instance where the gift of tongues was granted, the lookers-on or unbelievers included FOREIGNERS who spoke in a different language and could therefore understand what was being spoken!
To make it plain, there was NEVER an example of the gift of "tongues" being employed in Palestine among converted Palestinian Jews who all spoke the same language anyway!
The inspired record of the gift of "tongues" in the New Testament includes ONLY the following accounts:
First, the account in Acts 2 at the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem when foreign-born Jews from ALL nations were present.
Secondly, the account of Cornelius' baptism in Acts 10. This took place at the seaport of Caesarea — and clearly included not only Cornelius, but his Italian family and other "Gentiles" (verse 45) who would have understood the foreign languages spoken on that occasion.
Thirdly, the account in Acts 19:1-6 took place at Ephesus — a great Gentile commercial center wherein were constantly MANY different types of people speaking the different dialects of Asia Minor.
Finally, the account we have just discussed in I Corinthians 14 again involves a MAJOR seaport of the ancient Roman world. Here again, the constant usage of foreign languages and dialects of the various seamen and merchantmen was a common thing.
In this and ALL these occurrences, the gift of foreign languages would have a definite PURPOSE. The unbelievers attending the church meeting wherein they were manifested would be able to understand what was spoken, and — knowing the background of the speakers — come to realize the POWER of the True God.
"Tongues" Normally NOT Employed
It is significant to note that although TREMENDOUS miracles were worked throughout the Old Testament through Moses, Elijah, Elisha and others, the gift of "tongues" was NEVER imparted.
The REASON?
It is obvious for one who understands. The Old Testament Israelites were never commanded to preach to or proselyte the Gentiles — people of foreign languages! Therefore, they simply had no reason whatsoever to "witness" to these people in this way.
The same is true of the ministry of John the Baptist. John preached ONLY to the children of Israel in Palestine who all spoke the same language. Therefore, he NEVER spoke in "tongues," although Jesus Christ said of him: "Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there bath not risen a greater than John the Baptist" (Matt. 11:11).
Most important of all, Christ Himself NEVER spoke in "tongues"! For — just as John — Jesus preached only in Palestine where the Jews all spoke the same language. There was no need for Him to speak a foreign language.
Who, then, will accuse CHRIST of "lacking" in spiritual gifts? Who will try to refute the inspired statement of John: "God giveth not the spirit by measure unto him" (John 3:34).
Who has the audacity to say that Jesus Christ did not set us a perfect example in this aspect of Christianity as well as in every other?
Yet Jesus Christ is NEVER recorded to have spoken with "tongues"!
Do You Receive the Holy Spirit Through "Speaking in Tongues"?
Christ never spoke with tongues — yet the Holy Spirit was given to Him "without measure"! John the Baptist never spoke with tongues! Nowhere in the Bible do you find — by example or command — that all Christians are to "speak in tongues"!
Rather, on the very Day of Pentecost when the true gift of supernaturally speaking in foreign languages was imparted, the Apostle Peter was inspired by God to reveal HOW we can receive the Holy Spirit.
What is the BIBLE way to receive the Holy Spirit?
Under inspiration, Peter stated: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit!" (Acts 2:38)
Peter said that you were to be baptized for the remission of sins. Then it is SIN that you repent of!
And what is the BIBLE definition of sin?
"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin IS the transgression of the law." (I John 3:4).
Yes, sin is breaking God's law — the Ten Commandments as they are magnified in the New Testament!
James was inspired to state: "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, do not commit adultery, said also, do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law" (Jas. 2:10-11).
Bible-believing Christians must obey every point of God's law — and two of those points include the commands against adultery and murder. Obviously and honestly, therefore, the law spoken of is the Ten Commandments.
To receive God's Spirit, then, you must REPENT of breaking God's law as contained in the Ten Commandments. You must "be baptized" as the symbol of your willingness to BURY the old self and rise up to walk in newness of life in an obedient life [see Romans 6:1-4].
You Must OBEY Your Maker
As we have seen, God gives the Holy Spirit "to them that OBEY Him" (Acts 5:32).
This is one thing most "Pentecostal" people simply WON'T do!
They and their leaders are interested in seeking physical and sensual thrills and sensations. These human emotions and tinglings of the spine give them a snippy, proud, self-righteous attitude.
Through these emotional manifestations, they feel they have — as they would put it — the "baptism of the Holy Ghost." Through these strange manifestations and electric shocks up and down their spines in "Pentecostal" meetings, they feel they are "born again." They are proud. They are self-righteous. They resent the teaching that they must OBEY their Maker before they will ever be allowed to enter His Kingdom or receive the real Spirit of God.
When such a person is told he must obey God's commandments, he sets his jaw like a rebellious child and shouts:
"I WON'T!"
Yet when a young man came to Christ and asked the way to eternal life, Jesus said: "KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS" (Matt. 19:16-17).
John, the disciple "Jesus loved," wrote: "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him [God's Spirit or His blessings], because we KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight" (I John 3:22).
Does the "Pentecostal" person claim to have the love of God which is shed abroad in our hearts? (Rom. 5:5).
Of course he does!
Then why doesn't he BELIEVE John': inspired statement: "For this Is the love of God, that we KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS: and his commandments are not grievous" (I John 5:3).