Questions on Prophecy and Tongues

questions:

I was thinking about the paper you gave us with all the verses about the baptism of the Holy Spirit and how they say when they were filled they spoke in tongues

When people speak in tongues for prophecy is that different?

And then like after someone's received the baptism the first time does when they speak in tongues again mean they're being refilled?

These are great questions. I will answer simply and then give as detailed a follow-up as I can to each of them.

1) Speaking in tongues is a different/separate gift than prophecy.

The 9 spiritual gifts are often used in combination with other gifts and are not only used by themselves. So, it is in order to see a prophetic word be given in response to a message in tongues. But the nature of the gift doesn't necessarily require that.

By definition, prophecy is a directed, timely word from God (either foretelling or forthtelling).

Speaking in tongues is a supernatural utterance in a language unknown, unlearned by the speaker as they are given unction/inspiration by the moving of the Holy Ghost within them. Where IF the tongue is INTERPRETED (interpretation of tongues is another of the 9 gifts of the Spirit) could contain a word of prophecy.

An additional thought to note is that the Bible demonstrates a distinction between this GIFT of prophecy as I described and the OFFICE of a prophet. God may give a word of prophecy through someone who does not have the ongoing ministry of being a prophet. Acts 11:27,28 is a good example of the OFFICE OF THE PROPHET and Acts 2: 17,18 of the GIFT OF PROPHECY.

The difference can be understood as like there is a difference between BEING A PASTOR and GIVING A SERMON. You don't have to be a pastor to share a sermon but being a pastor does definitely include preaching sermons.

2) Speaking in tongues does not necessarily mean someone is being refilled with the Holy Ghost, but it does mean someone is using a spiritual gift that is given by the Holy Ghost.

Speaking in tongues is a gift of the Spirit seen at work in the Baptism of the Holy Ghost but it is not bound exclusively to the experience of the Baptism of the Spirit alone.

A person may speak in tongues when they are Baptized in the Holy Ghost but they also may speak in tongues at other times as well like Paul describes in 1 Cor.14:18.

Baptism of the Holy Ghost is a one time, initial (first time happening) experience where the Holy Ghost enters into an individual as an indwelling, continual presence.

After experiencing the Baptism of the Holy Ghost there can be more experiences where the Holy Ghost fills us more (refilling).

Further Thoughts on Speaking in Tongues and Prophecy

1. Offices, Gifts and Fruit

The doctrines of the Ministry of the Holy Ghost within a Spirit filled person could be summarized in the following:

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 — Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

There are 5 Offices/Ministries a Spirit filled person could be called to:

Ephesians 4:11-12 — And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; 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:

There are 9 different gifts that could be demonstrated by a Spirit filled person.

1 Corinthians 12:8-10 — For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

There are 9 different fruit that are to be seen in the life of a Spirit filled person.

Galatians 5:22-23 &nmdash; But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

2. There are at Least Three Manifestations of the Gift of Tongues

a. An Unknown Language to the Speaker, But Known to the Hearer

This manifestation of the gift edifies the hearer and in particular the sinner.

Acts 2:4-8 — And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 ¶ And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

b. An Unknown Language to the Speaker, and Understood only by the Holy Ghost

This manifestation of the gift edifies the one doing the praying.

Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Ro 8:26 ¶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

1Corinthians 14:2 — For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

c. An Unknown Language to the Speaker and to be Coupled with an Interpretation of that Message in a Known Language

This manifestation of the gift edifies the church, the body of Christ.

1Co 14:15 ¶ What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? 17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19 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.

1 Corinthians 14:4 — He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

1 Co 14:5 — I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

d. Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues and Prophecy are to be Demonstrated in Order and ideally Witnessed by Others

1Co 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.