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Why Did Paul Speak In Tongues So Much?-Part 3

Steve SannLeave a comment

Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”. This is the third installment in an ongoing series on prayer by Steve Sann.

Read Part 1 here
Read Part 2 here

So, what motivates me to speak in tongues in the first place? Most basically, because Jesus said I should, and Paul said I could. Jesus, in his final instructions on earth, commanded that future believers should speak in tongues: “And these signs shall follow them that believe…. they shall speak with new tongues.” (Mk. 16:17 KJV). And later Paul, encouraged all believers, that they both should and could: “I would that ye all spake with tongues…” (I Corinthians 14:5a KJV). So, the morning of the Day of Pentecost, when the gift of holy spirit was first received, what did the apostles do? They spoke in tongues as the Lord had commanded. 

And yet, as we look around today, it’s not uncommon to see those seeking tongues becoming discouraged, waiting endlessly in disappointment to “feel” something. Some even have reasoned that God certainly has not granted them this “special gift”. 

Even others have been taught it is exclusively for ministering in foreign languages as a missionary. But in reality, that phenomenon occurred only once in all of scripture (Acts 2): there is no promise offered nor reason suggested that it would be often repeated. Quite the opposite: we speak in tongues because the scriptures stipulate it, not because we expect sensations, or are planning some sort of religious pilgrimage! 

Every one of us has the ability to speak in tongues at the time of the new birth. Physical sensations and other such phenomena are never guaranteed by the Word, and, frankly, are most uncommon. Why should God have to use five senses incentives (emotions, feelings, and the like) to motivate a mature Christian to do what is clearly commanded in His Word? 

No—rather, the scriptures plainly encourage all believers to speak in tongues: “I would that ye all spake with tongues…” (I Corinthians14:5a). God would have all of us manifest, showing forth this ability which is already inherent in each of us. But why, then, should we strive to speak in tongues frequently? Didn’t we fulfill Christ’s directive by merely speaking in tongues the first time? On the contrary. Paul emphasized, when it comes to tongues, more is definitely better. As an example of this most healthy lifestyle, Paul pointed to himself: I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all. – I Corinthians 14:18 

Paul’s daily habit? He spoke in tongues—much. In fact, he spoke in tongues so much that he surpassed everyone in the entire first-century Corinthian church: “…I speak with tongues more than you all.” Perhaps, as some translate, he actually spoke in tongues more than the entire Corinthian church combined. Whatever the case, by this one declaration in I Corinthians 14:18, Paul commended his own example as the standard for the church of the first century. 

Why Did Paul Speak In Tongues So Much?

Steve Sann2 Comments

Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”. This is the first installment in and ongoing series on prayer by Steve Sann.

When we search out the many references to speaking in tongues in the Bible, we quickly discover that, of the early church, no one wrote and exemplified more on this subject than Paul the Apostle. 

Although the Apostle Paul lived over two thousand years ago, his life’s example continues to set the high water mark for all Christian believers today. 

More than any other man, the Apostle Paul is most responsible for the outreach of the Word of God beyond Judea. That ranks Paul as the founding father of Christianity for the Western world. And from the nations of the West, Paul’s influence spread globally. 

Frankly, the fact that you are a believer today has more to do with Paul’s diligence in those early years, than that of any one person of our time. It makes sense, then, that God would select Paul to record His instructions to us, today’s church. The outcome is his seven Church Epistles, Romans through Thessalonians, which contain the whole of God’s design and purpose for his church. 

In these seven Church Epistles are recorded “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27 KJV) which Paul taught in the churches. These Epistles are, then, the fulfillment of Jesus Christ’s promise to guide his Church “into all truth” (John 16:13). We have no other place to look for God’s specific guidance and commandments for the Church today than the seven Church Epistles. It is in these Epistles we find our power and position as Sons of God with Christ in us. 

Still, even to this day, there remain essential elements of Paul’s original revelation yet to gain—or, actually to regain—acceptance among the Church. Much was lost in the earliest centuries following the demise of the early church and in its resultant slide into the Dark Ages. The outcome? Only since the Reformation—the last 400 years of civilization—has the Church begun to restore the rich revelation of the Pauline Epistles. 

Among these devastating setbacks was the loss of a thorough understanding of the gift of the holy spirit— especially of “speaking in tongues.” Tongues ceased to be, as was in the Book of Acts, the great centerpiece of the Church. Rather than a celebration of the outpouring of the holy spirit, the experience became queered and marginalized. 

Consequently, many still today sit and debate the legitimacy of tongues. Too many Christians struggle to recall even one of its benefits. However, we may rest assured, the first-century church had little doubt as to its validity, its purposes, or how to operate it with power. This writing serves to highlight numerous fundamentals of Paul’s expansive insight into speaking in tongues. Although not exhaustive, may it be a beacon of urgency and motivation for those desiring to rise up and release God’s power into this troubled world. 

Part 2 coming soon on biblerebel.com.