The Connection of Isaiah 28:11 to the Gift of Tongue
Introduction
In 1 Corinthians 14:21-22 the Apostle Paul based his conclusion concerning the purpose of the gift of tongues upon a statement found in Isaiah 28:11. The fact that Paul did this indicates that the Old Testament provided background for understanding the purpose of the gift of tongues in the New Testament Church.
The previous article on spiritual gifts examined this background a
(1936-2019) Renald E. Showers was a world-renowned professor, theologian, and author who served with The Friends of Israel Gospel
Ministry for more than 30 years. He retired shortly before the Lord called him home on April 4, 2019.
5 thoughts on “The Connection of Isaiah 28:11 to the Gift of Tongue”
Hey Laura, If I speak in tongues I notice if not immediately, very soon afterward, I often let my emotions flow without restraint in my private prayer life; crying, weeping, feelings of hope and joy, clarity and comfort over certain things going on in my life–I feel Better! So when I am around other church members, for that matter anyone, I pass on my joy to them–and that’s encouraging to others and edifying to not just me but to others.
I hope that helps,
Tongues is a sign for the unbeliever just like prophesying is a sign for the believer. Now it would not be a sign for an unbeliever in a congregation or church if everyone started speaking in tongue’s not only would that be disorderly (if I were an unbeliever, I would flee that church, thinking this was madness) but not as a way of prayer individually. To the contrary there is a huge benefit in speaking in tongues. He who speaks in tongues speaks spirit-to-spirit even though he may not know what he says, God does. And this is the way we worship Him – in spirit and in truth, Speaking in tongues is powerful and it is very much for today.
Hi
In 1 Corinthians 14 verses 21 – 26 Paul seems to allude to tongues as a sign for unbelievers on the one hand and something from which unbelievers should be protected on the other, in case they should think us madmen.
I would really appreciate further clarification on this point. I have, for some time thought that tongues has run its course because of The prophecy in Isaiah 28: there no longer seems to be any point (apart from personal edification perhaps or when one finds one’s self among those whose language one does not speak).
Is it as simple as saying that tongues is a sign for unbelieving Jews of that generation, but can serve as a sign to non-Jewish believers?
Hey Laura, If I speak in tongues I notice if not immediately, very soon afterward, I often let my emotions flow without restraint in my private prayer life; crying, weeping, feelings of hope and joy, clarity and comfort over certain things going on in my life–I feel Better! So when I am around other church members, for that matter anyone, I pass on my joy to them–and that’s encouraging to others and edifying to not just me but to others.
I hope that helps,
If speaking in tongues is to edify ones self, now then can it edify the church as well?
Tongues is a sign for the unbeliever just like prophesying is a sign for the believer. Now it would not be a sign for an unbeliever in a congregation or church if everyone started speaking in tongue’s not only would that be disorderly (if I were an unbeliever, I would flee that church, thinking this was madness) but not as a way of prayer individually. To the contrary there is a huge benefit in speaking in tongues. He who speaks in tongues speaks spirit-to-spirit even though he may not know what he says, God does. And this is the way we worship Him – in spirit and in truth, Speaking in tongues is powerful and it is very much for today.
Hi
In 1 Corinthians 14 verses 21 – 26 Paul seems to allude to tongues as a sign for unbelievers on the one hand and something from which unbelievers should be protected on the other, in case they should think us madmen.
I would really appreciate further clarification on this point. I have, for some time thought that tongues has run its course because of The prophecy in Isaiah 28: there no longer seems to be any point (apart from personal edification perhaps or when one finds one’s self among those whose language one does not speak).
Is it as simple as saying that tongues is a sign for unbelieving Jews of that generation, but can serve as a sign to non-Jewish believers?