The Gift of Tongues
A Sermon on John 1:26-33
Originally preached March 21, 1965
Scripture
26John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; 27He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. 28These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where …
Sermon Description
In this sermon from John 1:26–33 titled “The Gift of Tongues,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones brings light, clarity, and wisdom to an often misunderstood topic. In compelling exposition, he explains the dangers, nature, and origin of speaking in tongues. The listener should come away from this sermon with a greater depth of understanding on this often overlooked or over-emphasized gift of the Spirit. Given the rise of Pentecostalism and the ever-present danger of abusing the miraculous spiritual gifts, it is important to give attention to what God has spoken in His Word in regards to the gift of speaking in tongues. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener that speaking in tongues cannot be initiated by humans — as with the gift of healing, it is up to the Lord to determine when and where this takes place.
Sermon Breakdown
- Speaking in tongues is not the invariable accompaniment of the baptism of the Spirit. Not all who receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit speak in tongues.
- Speaking in tongues refers to the tongue speaking as moved by the Holy Spirit, not known languages. It requires interpretation.
- Speaking in tongues cannot be initiated by us or done whenever we like. It is a gift given by the Holy Spirit, not under our control.
- When speaking in tongues, a person is in a state of religious ecstasy but remains rational and in control. They can stop speaking in tongues.
- Speaking in tongues should be limited to 2-3 people at a time in church, with interpretation, so as not to cause confusion. Prophecy is preferred.
- Speaking in tongues in private prayer is acceptable and can edify the person.
- The gifts of the Spirit, including tongues, are given by God's will, not under our control. We cannot experiment with them or work them whenever we like.
- The apostles never made experiments, trials or failures with miracles or announced in advance what miracles they would perform. They acted when given a commission by the Spirit.
- The spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets. Though prophets speak by the Spirit, they remain in control of themselves.
- All things must be done decently and in order. There must be no confusion in the church.
Sermon Q&A
What Does it Mean to Speak in Tongues According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
What is speaking in tongues according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, speaking in tongues is not speaking in known foreign languages (as occurred in Acts 2), but rather a spiritual phenomenon where "a man, for the time being, has been taken up by the Spirit." He describes it as the Holy Spirit lifting a person "into the spiritual realm" where they speak in a language they don't understand. The person doesn't comprehend the words, but knows they are glorifying God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggests it may be "the language of paradise" or "the language of glory itself." It is the Spirit acting directly upon a person's spirit, bypassing their understanding, and moving their tongue.
Is speaking in tongues the initial evidence of baptism with the Holy Spirit?
No, Dr. Lloyd-Jones firmly rejects this teaching. He states that "speaking in tongues is not the invariable accompaniment of the baptism of the Spirit." He cites 1 Corinthians 12:30 where Paul asks rhetorically, "Do all speak with tongues?" implying that not all do. Lloyd-Jones also points to church history, mentioning great preachers like "Whitfield and the Wesley brothers and Finney and Moody" who were powerfully baptized with the Holy Spirit but never spoke in tongues. He warns that teaching otherwise causes unnecessary distress to many believers.
What is the difference between tongues in Acts 2 and tongues in 1 Corinthians?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies a clear distinction between these two manifestations:
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In Acts 2: The apostles spoke in known languages that listeners from different nations could understand. No interpreter was needed as "they were all hearing these men speaking in their own languages."
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In 1 Corinthians: Interpretation is essential, and the speaker themselves doesn't understand what they're saying. Lloyd-Jones states, "In the Corinthian passage we are not dealing with known languages as we were in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles."
Can a person speak in tongues whenever they want according to Lloyd-Jones?
No, Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphatically teaches that speaking in tongues "cannot be initiated by us" and "a man cannot speak in tongues whenever he likes." He considers this a crucial point in distinguishing genuine tongues from counterfeit manifestations. He cites Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 14:18 ("I thank God I speak in tongues more than you all") as evidence that tongues is not something one can turn on at will, but rather something the Spirit gives when He chooses. Lloyd-Jones says, "These things are spiritual gifts. They are in the control of the Holy Spirit, not in the control of men."
What safeguards should be in place when speaking in tongues in church?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones highlights several principles from 1 Corinthians 14:
- Limited numbers: "Let it be by two, or at the most by three" (v.27)
- Interpretation required: "If there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church" (v.28)
- Orderly expression: "Let all things be done decently and in order" (v.40)
- Self-control maintained: "The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets" (v.32)
He stresses that while one cannot initiate speaking in tongues, one can control it: "You can't initiate this, but you can control it. You can stop it."
How can we discern genuine speaking in tongues from counterfeit experiences?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides several distinguishing marks:
- Genuine tongues cannot be initiated at will, unlike psychological or demonic counterfeits
- True tongues maintain self-control - "We are never to put our minds out of action"
- Authentic tongues glorify Christ, not self (consistent with the Spirit's purpose)
- True experience doesn't lead to confusion or disorder
- Private expression is preferred over public display
He warns that counterfeits may involve loss of self-control where people are "encouraged to let yourself go, to abandon even your reason."
The Book of John
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.