GIFT OF DIVERS KINDS OF TONGUES: [PART 6]
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[1Corinthians 11: 1, 4, 10]
1. Now concerning spiritualgifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
4. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
10. To another ...diverskinds of tongues; to another ...
Paul is telling us that there are divers or several kinds of tongues. He finally categorises them into two specific groups, as stated in [1Cor. 13:1]
Again, let me offer a definition of what “the gift of speaking with tongues” is:
“It is a supernatural vocal utterance of information by the Holy Spirit, through one person [at a time], either in:(a) an unknown language of Angels, or (b) in one known language of man, yet understood in every other language of every hearer around. It is a communication from God to man, or from man to God”
We will prove these by scriptures as we go along. But before that , let us hear what the prophet said:
59-1219 - Questions And Answers On The Holy Ghost
143. And tongues—unknown tongues… No man knows what he's talking about. He speaks; but every sound has a meaning. That has a meaning [Brother Branham claps his hands—Ed.] "Gluck, gluck, gluck." that's a language somewhere.
When I was in Africa, I never believed it, but everything that made a noise had some kind of a meaning to it. The Bible said there's no sound without significance, without a meaning. Every sound that's made has some meaning to something. Why, I'd hear people say… I'd say, "Jesus Christ, the Son of God."
One of them would go, bu-bu boo-boo-bu-bu [Brother Branham imitates the sound of an African interpreter—Ed.]. Another go, gluck unh uck-uck-ungk [Brother Branham again illustrates—Ed.]. And that was, "Jesus Christ, the Son of God." See? It had a… And not mean nothing to me, but to them it was a language just same as I'm speaking to you. When the interpreter of the Zulu, the Xhosa, the Basotho, and whatever more come along, every one that was said, everyone understood. And these things that you hear these people just muttering off, and thinks it's a lot of jabbering, it isn't; it's got a meaning. So we ought to reverence it, put it in its place.
Rev. William Marrion Branham.
Before we go into precise biblical examples let us examine what nature has that teaches us the same. We will agree that in the natural, every living thing has a system of communication.
From various records of studies made over time, and our own day to day experiences around us, it is an accepted fact today that every sound uttered by an INSECT; a REPTILE; a BEAST; a FOWL; ALL SWIMMING CREATURES carries some meaning and is understood by each species.
Here is a question for you. Have you ever watched chickens in an unconfined yard; respond to the sounds they make to one another?
MOTHER HEN: Have you taken notice about the sound it makes about the time to lay an egg? It has different sound to warn the chicks against an approaching kite or an eagle. Oh watch them take cover! It makes a different sound, a call to the chicks when she finds a grasshopper. When a little chick strays away, and gets lost, it has a special sound it makes; and it is a call for help.
When a snake crawls around the chickens within the chicken yard, Mother Hen quickly sounds the alarm warning to the rest of the chickens about the looming danger. Watch the chicks move with outstretched necks!
The ROSTER makes certain sounds too, for communicating various messages. He always crows very early in the morning to announce the coming in of the new day. This is just one example of a domesticated fowl.
It is the same with Whales, dolphins, crocodiles, hippopotami in the waters. So is it with lions, wolves, dogs and cats. Bees have their language too. So do Geese, ducks, kites, eagles, crows, doves etc, etc.
HUMANStoo have their own systems of communication. THE EARLY MAN communicated in various ways. Man had used DRUMS to communicate a message. Man also used the BUGLE, animal horn, to send messages. All that developed into letters, words, telegraphs, telephones, radios, then computers, TV, Satellites , now emails, texting, etc, etc.
GOD IN THE SPIRITUAL has also had his own way of communication with his creature, THE MAN.
In EDEN, he physically came to ADAM and EVE, face to face and communed lips to ear.
The entry of sin unto the human race, ruined that form of sweet communion between God and Man. So, God resorted to several other means of communion with man.
God changed to using PROPHETS, ANGELS, to bring God’s word to man. God also introduced the use of VISIONS, DREAMS, VOCAL COMMUNICATION, in clear, PLAIN WORDS, and now in UNKNOWN TONGUES too. He also introduced speaking in PARABLES, ALLEGORIES, TYPES, SYMBOLS and SHADOWS
Now speaking in tongues is one of God’s various ways of communicating with his people, BELIEVERS as well as UNBELIEVERS.
Let it be known to you that Speaking in tonguesis THE LEAST of all the 9 spiritual gifts.
57-0310E - Hear Ye Him: THE LEAST COMMUNICATION CHANNEL:
31 Healing is a marvelous thing. But if it's misused, placed in the wrong position, then it becomes areproach. All the other gifts are the same. ...The gifts are here. But, as I said the other morning, we hold so much on speaking in tongues and interpretation.
32 Now, watch it. That's the last and the least of the gifts. The first giftwas wisdom; the second gift wasknowledge. And what good is it going to do to have knowledge if you haven't got wisdom to know how to take care of your knowledge? What good does it do to speak with tongues if you haven't got wisdom to know when and how to place it?
Same thing with healing, with any of the other gifts…
Rev. William Marrion Branham.
On the other side of the scale of communication, THE WORD is the greatest and the highest:
56-0408A - What Is A Vision? THE GRETEST AND THE HIGEST COMMUNICATION CHANNEL:
33 Now, I think (And I say this from my heart.) that the greatest and highest form that there is for God to get His message to His people is for the people to believe His Word. That's right. That's the highestform: PREACHING THE GOSPEL…?… is the highest form.
Then, if you notice, the Bible places it that way. FIRST, APOSTLES; secondary, PROPHETS, and so forth, then, on down, on down,THEN INTO THE NINE SPIRITUAL GIFTS operating in every local body.
Rev. William Marrion Branham.
Therefore, ALL SPIRITUAL GIFTS become secondary when it comes to THE PREACHING OF THE WORD. Let us also remember that it is unscriptural to forbid speaking in tongues.
[1Cor.14:37-40]
38. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40. Let all things be done decently and in order.
LET US NOW ZERO DOWN TO THE SPECIFIC SUBJECT: “DIVERSE KINDS OF TONGUES”
[1Cor. 13:1]
So, we are going to examine, what these TONGUES OF MEN and TONGUES OF ANGELS are
EXAMPLE # (1). TONGUES OF MEN: IN JERUSALEM ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST: [Acts.2:4-12]
5. And there were dwelling at JerusalemJews,devout men, out of every nationunder heaven.
7. And they were all amazedand marvelled,saying one to another,Behold, are notallthese which speakGalilaeans? [120 men and women?]
8. And how hear weevery manin our own tongue, wherein we were born?
11. Cretes and Arabians, we do hearthem speak in our tonguesthe wonderful worksof God.
12. And theywere all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneththis?
NOW WE HAVE TO FIND THE BIBLE ANSWER TO THIS BIBLE QUESTION: WHAT MEANETH THIS?
There are several reasons why Pentecost happened the way it did.
REASON # (i). GOD WAS FULFILLING HIS PROMISE: [Joel 2:28]
29. And also upon the servants and upon the handmaidsin those days will I pour out my spirit.
REASON # (ii). GOD WAS GIVING A SPECIAL SIGN TO MAN, UNDER HEAVEN; [Isaiah 28:11-12]
11.For with stammering lipsand another tonguewill he speak to this people.
12.To whom he said, Thisisthe restwherewithye may cause the weary to rest; and thisisthe refreshing
- With stammering lips, and another tongue, he spoke through those Galileans.
- Whatever language it was, it was understood by everyone in his own mother tongue.
- All the nations under heaven were represented in Jerusalem that day
- No nation under heaven, would have an excuse, they did not hear this Gospel of The kingdom.
- That was also the rest for the weary and the heavy laden.
- It was the refreshing like unto the morning dew.
- It was this promise of [Isaiah 28:11] being fulfilled in their lives.
- The hearers acknowledge, “We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God”
- It was GOD’S SIGN TO THE WORLD that of a truth, his Gospel would be preached to all nations, tongues and kindred for a witness then the end would come.
60-0807 - Debate On Tongues
23. ..... Babel was the only time they didn't understand. Pentecost,they understood every man."
24. It… The Gospel must go to all the world, beginning at Jerusalem, and it struck the whole world at that time, the known world right there. See? It had to come like that, 'cause (See?), all the nations under heaven was gathered there, the religious nations; it was Pentecost. See? And he struck the whole world. But go into all the world, beginning at Jerusalem. See? So IT HAD TO BE TESTIFIED IN LANGUAGE OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. So it would go to all the world right there. See? And these carriers here, these people in here, worshippers, would go back in their country.
Rev. William Marrion Branham.
The language of the resurrection of Christ does not need any interpretation. It speaks for itself. Every living person on earth sees it, hears it, and understands it, without any interpretation. The Holy Spirit, who was to be poured upon all flesh, [As the Father’s Promise]; is the same life that was in Christ, before his death, burial and resurrection that was God’s sign he was to give to a wicked and an adulterous
Generation, the sign of Jonah. Resurrection sign.
EXAMPLE # 2: TONGUES OF MEN: ATCORNELIUS HOUSE: [Acts.10:44-46]
44. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
46. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
- This event occurred at Cornelius house; [A gentile centurion]
- The messengers who were sent by Cornelius to call Simon Peter were there too.
- Cornelius kinsmen were present.
- Cornelius friends also attended that meeting.
- Many others came together.
- So, Peter, the preacher a Jew plus all those others who accompanied him were Jews.
- They included them of the circumcision.
They of the circumcision heard them speak in tongues, and magnified God. This time, it was THE JEWS who accompanied Peter to Cornelius house who acknowledged that the gentiles speaking in tongues magnified God.
EXAMPLE # 3: TONGUES OF MEN: IN A PRAYER LINE, ATA SERVICE IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA:
BROTHER BRANHAM SPOKE IN ENGLISH, THE SICK SPANISH GIRL UNDERSTOOD IT IN SPANISH.
59-0412A - Be Certain Of God
5. Well, I asked her a few questions, and she begin answering me through the interpreter. And then all of a sudden THE VISION COMES. And I said, "I see before me a little girl with little plaited hair hanging down her back. She's setting by an old fireplace, eating yellow corn from a cob that's been took from a kettle which hangs over the fireplace. And she's eaten too much of it; she falls violently ill. And she's taken to the bed by her mother, and is throwed into epilepsy." And THEN THE VISION LEFT.
And the little girl turned to the interpreter and said in Spanish, "I thought he couldn't speak Spanish." And the interpreter said, "You spoke English, did you not, Brother Branham?"
I said, "I did."
He said, "Well, she said you spoke Spanish."
I said, "Stop the recorders, all along the row."
And they stopped, and we played it back; and every word was English.
And then we had her to repeat what I said. And as long as the vision was going on, she heard every word in English.
"Why, how hear we every man in our own tongue wherein we were born?" God is still God. Now, when I begin to say words within myself, she didn't understand that at all.
But the Holy Spirit speaking English was interpreting it to her in Spanish.
God is a good God, as Oral Roberts places it. Certainly is true.
Rev. William Marrion Branham.
- By vision, and through manifestation of “WORD OF KNOWLEDGE”, details of the problem, the cause of the problem, the place where it happened were revealed and declared.
- The language, the prophet spoke in, was
- The little sick girl heard the prophet speaking to her in Spanish.
- God was in control using one of the tools he provide to his church to use for such needs.
- The use of the gift of “SPEAKING IN OTHER TONGUES” is still available and in use as at the beginning.
When God operates in this manner, that is called, “TONGUES OF MEN”
- God, on the day of Pentecost spoke to all the nations under heaven at Jerusalem in language of the people of Galilee, and everyone else understood it in their .
- At Cornelius house, God repeated it from Gentiles to the Jews this time.
- At Los Angeles in California, God spoke through brother Branham, the prophet, to a little sick young girl in English, but she understood it in Spanish.
EXAMPLE # 4: TONGUES OF MEN: AN ASS SPOKE TO BALAAM IN A LANGUAGE HE NDERSTOOD IT.
In the wilderness, an ass mumbled something to Balaam while he was riding on it. He understood the message in his own language. God vindicated the message of the ass to Balaam.[Numbers22:28-33].
In all of these cases, there is no interpretation required. The message is directly understood in the language of the hearer, even when it is communicated in another different language.
Could this be what happened when, the animals and the fowls of the air came into Noah’s ark before the flood?
What about the killer bull, which went back and sat down, when Brother Branham apologized for passing through its territory? Did he hear the Prophet in his bull language?
We can also ask the same question concerning the enraged Hornets as he was mowing his lawn grass.
I am not saying this is it. It is just a question, because the ass was an animal, and Balaam was a man, and yet Balaam, the man understood what the animal said.
THE OTHER KINDS OF DIVERSE GIFTS OF TONGUES: TONGUES OF ANGELS:
From scriptures, four types or categories of tongues of angels are mentioned:
(A). MAN, UNDER INSPIRATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS IN AN UNKNOWN TONGUE : TO THE CHURCH OR TO AN INDIVIDUAL. THIS KIND MUST BE INTERPRETED
[Cor.14:12-13; 27]
13. Wherefore let him that speaketh in anunknowntongue pray that he may interpret.
- Speaking in tongues in the church must be limited to maximum of upto three.
- It must be done .
- It must not interrupt the preaching of the Word or an alter call.
- There must be an interpreter to interpret the message
- It is sometimes for the edifying; encouraging; exhortation, or a warning to the church or individual
- It could also be a prophecy.
- If there is no interpreter, hold yourself and keep quiet.
61-0112 - Questions And Answers
310. Well, now, here. Now, you're speaking in tongues, but one gives the interpretation, say, "THUS SAITH THE LORD," under the interpretation,
'There's a man setting among us, left his wife, was in Nashville today,'" or Memphis, or whatever it was, "'and he's got lung cancer. Come in here, and his name is John Doe,'" so-and-so like that. See?
311. "Except it be for interpretation." See, then he gives edification. See? Then they'll say… Then that guy will go out, say, "Let me tell you something: don't tell me God's not with thempeople up there. Certainly. Them people know me not at all." See?
So we want the gifts of prophecy plus the gifts of speaking in tongues.
But in speaking with tongues (See?) must have interpretation.
And then, when it's interpreted, it is prophecy. See? It is prophecy.
Rev. William Marrion Branham
(B). MAN, UNDER INSPIRATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS MYSTERIES TO GOD IN AN UNKNOWN TONGUE.
[1Cor.14:2]
- ·In this case he speaketh NOT UNTO MEN.
- ·He speaketh UNTO GOD.
- ·He speaketh IN THE SPIRIT, and in an UNKNOWN TONGUE.
- ·He speaketh MYSTERIES to God.
- ·In this case there is no interpretation needed.
- ·This is the kind of tongues to be spoken in one’s own private time, alone; in your closet
(C).MAN, UNDER INSPIRATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN BE MOVED TO PRAY TO GOD IN AN UNKNOWN TONGUE.
[1Cor.14:4]: This is for self edification.
4. He that speaketh in anunknowntongueedifieth himself;...
14. For if I pray in anunknowntongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
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:
- This is to be done in your closet too.
- Paul prayed in this manner often and many times.
- There is no interpretation required because it is the spirit in you, praying for you; during your private prayer time.
[Rom.8:26-27]
61-0112 - Questions And Answers THE
HOLY SPIRIT EDIFYING YOU, BY HIM IN YOU; PRAYING TO GOD IN AN UNKNOWN TONGUE
297. But if he's sweet and humble with, say, "Well, maybe the Lord didn't want to use me in His service.
But yet he just blesses my soul. He wants to edify me, to know that I'm close to Him when I speak in
tongues.
So I'll walk out in the apple orchard, 'O God.' And the power begins to fall on me, and I start speaking in
tongues. I come in refreshed. You see?"
"Oh, you see, You're speaking to me, Lord;You’re just keeping me lined up by speaking in tongues. "
See? "And, Lord, today I ought to have spoken to that man. Forgive me for it, Lord.
I passed over something I oughtn't to. Father, please forgive me."
And directly, away it goes speaking in tongues. "Ah, whew, feel better about it now."
You see, that's all right. See, your giftis not to be used in the church, but it's to edify you.
"He that speaketh in an unknown tongueedifies himself." See?
Now, if there's no interpreter, See what I mean? See, that's it. So he wouldn't know himself. But he'll know when he's wrong. Now, you just have to let it go together (You see?); that's the only thing you can do till you get it separated. That's the reason I think it…
Rev. William Marrion Branham
(D). MAN, UNDER INSPIRATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT SINGS A SONG IN ANUNKNOWN TONGUE.
[Cor.14:15b]
14. For if I pray in anunknowntongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
- As there is praying with understanding, there is also praying with the spirit.
- As there is singing with understanding, there is also singing with the spirit.
61-0112 - Questions And Answers
270. What's that old opossum laying up there at the gate to be prayed for? An ignorant animal, not even a soul, don't know right from wrong (See?), hasn't got a soul, got a spirit, no soul to it… What was it? The Holy Spirit making intercessions.
God sent a gift to the earth; the Holy Spirit just couldn't wait any longer, so He just come took me over and begin to speak back Himself like that, back Hisself, making intercessions Himself.
And as we checked the time, at the very same minute that they put her out on a plat like that, they wanted to see… 'Cause they knowed she was dying; they'd have to say what time she died.
It was that very minute that the Holy Spirit fell upon me up there and begin to make intercessions, utterance, words, can't understand them (See?), like that, giving utterance.
That's the Holy Spirit speaking. I didn't have to know that. See, I didn't. That was, may be, her angel.
We're going to get to that in a few minutes (See?) that come over there and gave that message. You see?
Rev. William Marrion Branham
It took the Angel of the Lord God to speak to NEBUCHADNEZZAR, in an unknown language, [Image of Gold, Silver, Bronze, Iron and Clay.] He did not understand it too. Daniel the prophet gave him an understanding from the Lord.
God spoke to KING BELSHAZZAR, Nebuchadnezzar’s son, in an unknown language written to him on a wall: “MEMEN, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN”. He did not get it. Daniel the prophet gave him to understand.
JESUS, THE RESURECTION AND THE LIFE SPOKE ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS IN UNKNOWN TONGUES.
(a). [MK.5:41]. THE RESURECTION OF JAIRUS DAUGHTER.
54-0331 - The Resurrection Of Jairus' Daughter
Jesus, with all that bank of unbelief outside, He was empowered with a Spirit that could speak outinto another land, out into another language. And he called the spirit of the deadfrom out of the land, yonder, and said, "Return back." And the girl that was laying dead, by the touch of His hand, rose again. Said, "Now, give her something to eat; she's weak. She's going to get all right."
Rev. William Marrion Branham
64-0816 - Proving His Word
205 "Youand the wife come here. Peter,James and John, you come with Me." They walked over there and called this word, Talitha cumi, which means, "Little girl, rise up." And He proved His Word, she was only asleep. Is that right? He proved here, His Word was right. Regardless of their unbelief, He still proved His Word was right, by waking her up, because He said she was asleep. She was asleep.
Rev. William Marrion
ON THE CROSS; AS THE SACRIFICIAL LAMB OF GOD spoke to God saying: “ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?”Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, “this man calleth for Elias” But the bible interprets it as: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
Now to give a summary on “DIVERSE TONGUES,” we have identified them from scriptures and the message as:
(A). Tongues of men.
(B). Tongues of Angels [1Cor.13:1]
Under (A), Tongues of men we have:
- Unknown Tongues understood directly in one’s own mother tongue. [No interpretation needed]
- As on day of Pentecost
- AS at Cornelius House.
- As Brother Branham to the sick, little Spanish girl
- Unknown Tongues to Church / Individual not directly understood. [That needs interpretation]
Under (B), Tongues of Angels, we have:
- Message given to the church or to an individual in an unknown tongue that needs interpretation
- Could be a warning
- Could be an admonition
- Could be an instruction to do something
- An individual inspired to speaking mysteries to God in an unknown tongue. Personal edification
- An individual inspired to sing a song to God, in an unknown tongue. Personal edification
- An individual inspired to pray to God in an unknown Tongue, for personal edification or as an intercession for others.
So the gift of “DIVERS KINDS OF TONGUES” has been, and is, and will always remain as one ofGod’s means of communication with men.
It has been one of the most abused gifts of the Holy Spirit, but it still, has its place in the body of Jesus Christ for them who understand it and honourably use it for their good, and for the glory of God.
The Bible and the Message are loaded with real examples, in all the church ages.
I trust, it has helped you to see the value of its use and application by God, both in the OLD TESTAMENT AND THE NEW. We will see more as we move to next gift “INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES.”
Pastor Martin Tombe
Restored Bible Truth Assembly.