HAGIN'S PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH TONGUES & INTERPRETATION (DAILY DIET E-BOOK SERIES 02 DAY 41)

 

A Jewish man was present in one of my services in Texas. He didn't believe in Christ as the Messiah, nor did he believe in the New Testament. At the close of my sermon I spoke in tongues and then interpreted. This Jewish man came to me after the service and said, "Sir, you made a statement tonight in Aramaic that I never heard anyone make. In fact, no Jewish person would ever make such a statement. I wondered what you were going to do when you began to translate it." I said, "Well, how did I do?" "Oh, you did splendidly." "Good. I didn't know what I was saying." He said, "What? You mean you don't know the Aramaic language?" "No, I don't. I didn't know what I was saying," I answered. "I was speaking with other tongues and interpreting the tongues as the New Testament tells us in First Corinthians chapter 14." "Oh, I don't believe in the New Testament," he said. "Well, I cannot talk to you about it then, because what you heard me do tonight — speak in tongues and interpret — is found in the New Testament. 

You see, in the Old Testament, all the gifts of the Spirit were in operation except tongues and interpretation. Tongues and interpretation are distinctive of this New Testament dispensation." He said, "You mean, what you did tonight is found in the New Testament?" "Yes, it is in there. You know your Old Testament, don't you?" I asked. "Oh, yes," he said. "But I don't accept Jesus. In fact, this is the first time I've ever spoken His Name. He is not the Messiah." "Well," I said, "you know your Old Testament. In the Old Testament the prophets of God were anointed with the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit. We can see a word of wisdom being given to one. And we can see a word of knowledge, discerning of spirits, the gift of faith, or special faith in operation being given to others." I continued, "And we see gifts of healings and working of miracles and prophecy. 

All of the gifts of the Spirit listed in First Corinthians 12:8-10 were in operation at different times in the Old Testament except one: tongues and interpretation. No one in the Old Testament spoke with tongues and no one interpreted, because tongues and interpretation are distinctive to this New Testament dispensation." He said, "If that is in the New Testament, then show it to me. I have never read that, but let's see it." I opened my Bible and read to him out of First Corinthians chapter 14. Then he said, "Well, I could be wrong, you know. I am going to say His Name again for the second time in my life without using it as cursing. Jesus may be the Messiah. I will come back to your services." 

Praise God, tongues and interpretation of tongues aren't just for the benefit of the believer. Tongues and interpretation of tongues can also minister to the unbeliever (1 Cor. 14:22)! Some people believe that all speaking in tongues is prayer, and that those who speak with tongues are just praying to God and that God is the only one who understands what is being said. However, if I had been praying, that Jewish man would have known I was praying. However, I wasn't praying. I was addressing the congregation in tongues, and then the interpretation came. The interpretation of those tongues ministered to that man.

 All tongues are not prayer. For instance, there is the gift of the Spirit called tongues and interpretation of tongues, which is manifested for the benefit of others. Then there is the devotional use of tongues (1 Cor. 14:2). "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but UNTO GOD: for no man understandeth him . . ." (1 Cor. 14:2). Here Paul is not talking about diversities of tongues: that is, ministering tongues in a public assembly as a ministry gift. Paul is talking about the individual Spirit-filled believer employing the use of tongues in his prayer life. First Corinthians 14:2 says, ". . . howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries." Moffatt's translation says, ". . . he is talking divine secrets in the Spirit." For the believer who is filled with the Holy Ghost, his tongues are given to him to use constantly in his worship and devotion to God. And worshipping God is a form of prayer. 

The Bible says in Acts 10:46 concerning Cornelius and his household when they began to speak with tongues, "For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. . . ." Speaking with tongues is a supernatural way to magnify God. Tongues are also used as a means of spiritual edification. The Bible says, "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself. . ." (1 Cor. 14:4). The word "edifieth" means to build up. 

Greek language scholars tell us there is a word in our modern vernacular that is closer to the meaning of the original Greek than the word "edifieth," and that is the word "charge." We use the word "charge" in connection with charging a battery. A more literal translation of First Corinthians 14:4 would be, "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifies, or builds up, or charges himself like a battery being charged." And that isn't just for a few of God's children; it is for every one of us. I appreciate this wonderful, supernatural means of spiritual edification. 

Notice that praying in tongues is not mental edification, nor is it physical edification, but it is spiritual edification. Paul said, "For if I pray in an unknown tongue, MY SPIRIT prayeth . .." ( 1 Cor. 14:14). The Amplified Bible reads, ". . . my spirit [by the Holy Spirit within me] prays, but my mind is unproductive ..." (1 Cor. 14:14). So praying in tongues is not for mental edification, but for spiritual edification. "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him ..." (1 Cor. 14:2). Here Paul is not talking about diversities of tongues: that is, ministering tongues in a public assembly as a ministry gift. Paul is talking about the individual Spirit-filled believer employing the use of tongues in his prayer life. ". . . howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries" 11 Cor. 14:2). Moffatt's translation says, "... he is talking of divine secrets in the Spirit." The Bible says in Acts 10:46 concerning Cornelius and his household when they began to speak with tongues, "For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. . . ." Speaking with tongues is a supernatural way to magnify God.

FFT: All tongues are not prayer. Speaking with tongues is a supernatural way to magnify God. Tongues are also used as a means of spiritual edification. 

ACTION POINT: Magnify God and be edified with Tongues daily!

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