Jesus and Tongues

Looking at the four gospels we see Jesus speaking of tongues

Jesus expects prophetic utterances (including tongues) to continue.

"A Look at the Four Gospels" It will be seen that Jesus put a high premium on the spiritual gifts—including tongues and prophecies

Jesus and Tongues

The four Gospels were written after 1 Corinthians and they mention prophetic speaking that would continue until the end of the world. The Great Commission of Mark chapter 16 records Jesus' words that believers would speak in tongues. Those verses of Mark are not going to be used here, nor need they be. Jesus has said enough in the Gospels to show that prophetic speaking is for belivers of all ages. There is a chapter in this book that deals with Mark 16. There need be no mention here of Mark's Gospel that Jesus has sent the gift of tongues for the believers benefit; for we know that tongues are Jesus' idea anyway. It was Jesus who sent tongues at Pentecost and it was He who sent tongues upon the Gentiles at Cornelius' house, the apostle Paul spoke with tongues, the Ephesians (per Acts 19) spoke with tongues, the Corinthians did, and maybe many more did—All by the will and power of Jesus, therefore we do not have to read Mark 16 to know that Jesus is granting "tongues" to His people.

Jesus has always expected prophetic speaking from His people. In the 13th chapter of Mark we see Jesus explaining that there will be prophetic speaking from the apostle's time all the way till the end of the world.

"But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost." Mark 13: 11

The student of hermeneutics will know, that taken in context, Jesus' words here are applicable to Peter, James, John, and other believers until the world ends. There will always be prophets present on the earth (which means prophecies will be here). This truth is seen in the verse below:

"He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward." Matthew 10: 41

Paul also believed that there would be prophets in the church-age. This is evidenced by his words to the Corinthians and to the Ephesians (below).

"And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers" 1 Cor. 12:28 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" Eph.4: 11-12

Mark chapter 9, verses 38-39 are interesting because they show the power of non-apostles:

"And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbade him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me." Mark 9: 38-39

The Greek word that Jesus used that has been translated as "miracle" is the word "dynamis" The "miracle" power contained in this word that is available to Christians is not strictly for casting out demons. Both before and after Pentecost, believers can cast out demons—who is to say that they cannot also speak in tongues by God's miraculous power, or use other prophetic speech—especially after Pentecost? The issue, is about power—miraculous power working through the believer that causes tongues and prophecies. Notice Jesus' words recorded by Luke in Acts:

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you" Acts 1: 8

Tongues and prophecies turned out to be part of that power--a big part. Therefore it is silly for a cessationist to say that Jesus did not esteem tongues very highly because he (supposedly) never mentioned it. In John's Gospel we read:

"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" John 7: 38-39

Jesus' disciples had already possessed the power to evangelize, preach, and cast out demons while Jesus was alive. However, the form of communication spoken of in John 7:38 was going to be something new and miraculous that Jesus would send down from heaven. The results of this verse (that "out of his belly will flow streams of living water") are shown by the fact that when believers spoke in tongues it was not to evangelize but to praise. "Streams of living water" is praise to God.

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come... And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues... we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God." Acts 2: 1-11

They were not preaching but simply praising God. In Acts chapter 10 we read of the "Gentile Pentecost." Here, again, the new believers were speaking in tongues--not to preach the Gospel but to praise God:

"And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God." Acts 10: 45-46

Stepping outside of the Gospels, we see Peter telling us that our job is to praise God. He even says that we have a priesthood, and that we are to offer sacrifices--of praise!!

"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ... But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" 1 Peter 2: 5-9

The writer of Hebrews makes the same point:

"By him therefore let uis offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." Heb. 13: 15

Is it possible, that a people such as us; a kind of super-people, who are known as God's children--even having Deity living inside us, are only able to praise God with the intellect as if we are living in the pre-Pentecostal days? Nonsense! Pentecostals and Charismatics are able to praise God with the Spirit. As mentioned earlier (in Mark 13:11); Jesus' words in the Gospels show the prophetic speaking that is available to Christians:

"But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost." Mark 13: 11

It is seen in the highlighted words below, that the prophetic speaking comes from all three members of the Trinity--as They are seperate; yet one (This Trinitarian teaching is from the Holy Spirit; more-so than from the Gospel writers themselves--per John 14: 26).

"And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say. For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say." Luke 12: 11-12

"But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. for it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you" Matt. 10: 19-20

"Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I [Jesus] will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your advesaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist." Luke 21: 14-15

And thus, God's concept of the Trinity is shown, and this Trinity dwells inside of Christians; therefore, we are indeed, a kind of super-people with Diety living inside of us, and we may pray/speak/praise by God's power, rather than by our own intellect. The words above (Luke 21: 14) are proven true in the lives of believers who are filled to overflowing, with the Holy Spirit. Stephen's life is such an example (as seen below).

"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people... them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake." Acts 6: 8-10

Notice, in the verse below, that even Jesus Himself spoke by the Holy Spirit.

"Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles" Acts 1:2

It must be mentioned that using proper rules of hermeneutics, it is realized that the prophetic speaking (by the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit) is for the 12 apostles, the many disciples of Christ, and for all believers until the very end of the age. For it is noticed that even though Jesus was speaking to His apostles and disciples, in the three verses from Luke and mark; He was speaking to people of all time, until: "they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory." Mk. 13:26