Content:
- Gain power to be witnesses for Christ.
- To be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
- Is the gift of tongues biblical?
- Is the gift of tongues for today?
- Why is there so much controversy surrounding this gift?
- What is the gift of tongues?
- Why should I care about this gift?
- How should speaking in tongues be used?
- Is speaking in tongues for everyone?
- How does someone get this gift?
- Was Jesus born with the Holy Spirit?
- References.
Gain power to be witnesses for Christ.
After Jesus' resurrection, Jesus told his disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they
were clothed with power from on high (Luk 24:46–49). Jesus told them to be
baptized with the Holy Spirit for power and to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the Earth (Acts 1:3–8). See time
11:20–13:26 in Bible Q&A with Pastor Paul │ October 2023.
Jesus used the phrase "baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:5). John the Baptist
also used this phrase (Mat 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luk 3:16, John 1:33). The reason for this was that the disciples needed power (Acts 1:8, Eph 3:20, 2 Cor 12:9).
The terms; baptized with the Holy Spirit, filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31, 9:17), and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:45) describe similar events.
To be filled with the Holy Spirit is consistent throughout Scripture as the work of the Holy Spirit to empower a believer supernaturally, sometimes to prophesy, sometimes to act on behalf of the Lord. John the Baptist was filled with the
Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb (Luk 1:15b). His mother Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit (Luk 1:41b). His father Zechariah was filled with the
Holy Spirit and prophesied (Luk 1:67). This also happened in the Old Testament (Micah 3:8). It can occur repeatedly (Acts 4:8, 31, 13:9, 52). It's always connected with power to do. It's not the same as being indwelled by the Holy Spirit, which occurs once when being saved, see this explained in Jesus the Light of the World.
To be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
The disciples had already been saved and were born again Christians when they gathered to be baptized with the Holy Spirit, see The Great Commission
in The Great Commission. They were born again when they received the indwelling Holy Spirit after Jesus' resurrection. It happened earlier when Jesus breathed on them and told them to receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:22).
When the day of the Jewish Pentecost came, all the disciples were gathered in one place. Suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Holy Spirit
gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from several nations. At this sound the people gathered together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
And they were amazed and astonished, saying: "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues God's mighty works."
And they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another: "What does this mean?" But others mockingly said: "They are filled with new wine." (Acts 2:1–13).
See time 14:36–17:43 in 1 Corinthians 14 (Part 1) The Gift of Tongues Explained.
The Galileans weren't known for high academic knowledge and shouldn't know all these languages by themselves that were suddenly spoken when the Holy Spirit
fell upon them. Some of the people responded with mockery (Acts 2:13).
The gift of tongues in this event was a sign not to believers but to unbelievers
(1 Cor 14:22a, Acts 2:41). It's one of the gifts given to the disciples when the
Holy Spirit came upon them and they were baptized with the Holy Spirit, see
Spiritual Gifts. These gifts of the Holy Spirit began to operate when and after they were baptized with the Holy Spirit. The gifts are centered around empowering the believers with boldness to witness, preach the gospel, and to share the love of Jesus. They don't make a person more holy.
Being baptized with the Holy Spirit is separate from becoming a born again saved Christian. It can occur some time after a person is saved, or at the same time the person is saved, see Jesus the Light of the World.
Is the gift of tongues biblical?
Speaking in tongues is biblical, it's described in the Bible:
- The first time speaking in tongues appeared in the Bible was when the disciples were gathered ten days after the Ascension Day (Acts 2:1–13, see above).
They had been saved earlier before this event occurred. They were baptized by the Holy Spirit and began to speak other languages (Acts 2:4). - Another time was when Samaria had received the word of God. Peter and John came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he hadn't yet fallen on any of them, they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:14–17).
- Ananias laid his hands on Paul and prayed for him to regain his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17). Paul later said that he spoke in tongues more than the Corinthians (1 Cor 14:18), see The Book of Corinthians.
Paul also said that we shouldn't forbid speaking in tongues (1 Cor 14:39b). - Another occasion was when Peter preached to Cornelius together with his relatives and close friends. While Peter was preaching, the Holy Spirit fell on
all who heard the word. The gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them.
They began to speak in tongues and praise God. (Acts 10:24, 44–46).
See Peter Sent to the Gentiles. See also time 17:46–18:30 in
1 Corinthians 14 (Part 1) The Gift of Tongues Explained. - Another occasion was in Ephesus. When Paul laid hands on the new believers, the Holy Spirit came upon them and they began to speak in tongues and prophesy. (Acts 19:1–7).
Is the gift of tongues for today?
- Cessationism is a doctrine that spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, and healing ceased with the Apostolic Age, that is, at the death of the last of the twelve apostles.
- Continuationism is a Christian theological belief that the spiritual gifts such as tongues and prophecy have continued into our time.
"the perfect comes" (1 Cor 13:9–10):
- Then we shall see face to face (1 Cor 13:12a).
- Then I know as God knows me
(1 Cor 13:12b, Isaiah 11:9, Psalm 139:1–4).
Jesus returns, see The Millennial Kingdom and the Great White Throne Judgement.
Why is there so much controversy surrounding this gift?
- Ignorance. But apostle Paul has taught us about spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12:1f).
- Spiritual gifts have been misrepresented in the Body of Christ.
- Supernatural things scare some people. It gives a lack of control.
- It's human nature to reject what we don't understand or can't control.
What is the gift of tongues?
In the first manifestation of the baptism with the Holy Spirit there was a mighty sound that gathered people from different nations. Divided tongues as of fire appeared and rested on each of the disciples. It doesn't say it was fire, but it was like fire. Fire in the Old Testament is a symbol of God's presence. God showed that this was from him. The word tongue means language. The disciples spoke different languages that the gathered people could understand.
They spoke as the Holy Spirit gave them without having knowledge of
these languages.
Speaking in tongues is speaking in a language that isn't my own or that I haven't learned. He who speaks in tongue doesn't understand what he is saying. It may be a known language (tongues of men, 1 Cor 13:1a), or it may be a dialect of God's Heaven (tongues of angels, 1 Cor 13:1b). It's addressed to God
(1 Cor 14:2) as a praise (1 Cor 14:16–17) or a prayer. If I pray in tongues, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful (1 Cor 14:14–15). He who speaks in tongues builds himself up (1 Cor 14:4a). When a believer speaks in tongues, he becomes an instrument of the Holy Spirit, which means that it's then the Holy Spirit who speaks, although it's the believer who decides when to speak in tongues. It has nothing to do with emotions or ecstasy. For more information, see it explained in
Speaking in different types of tongues in Spiritual Gifts.
Why should I care about this gift?
It's biblical and from God. It's a way of building myself up in the Lord (1 Cor 14:4a).
We need the power of the Holy Spirit to be effective for Jesus Christ (1 Cor 4:20). God isn't weird. If God wants us to speak in tongues, we should be open to it.
How should speaking in tongues be used?
On a person's own devotion there is no limit to the use of this gift. A person who has this gift can use it as much as he wants (1 Cor 14:18). But in the church it's better to speak five words with your mind to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue (1 Cor 14:19). This means that in services there are restrictions and regulations on how it should be used. If there is no one to interpret, people shouldn't speak loudly in tongues, but do it in silence and speak to themselves and to God
(1 Cor 14:28). If there is anyone to interpret, only two or at most three, and each in turn, shall speak in tongues and someone shall interpret it (1 Cor 14:27). We aren't to forbid speaking in tongues (1 Cor 14:39b), but it must always be done decently and in order (1 Cor 14:33a, 40, Col 2:5).
Is speaking in tongues for everyone?
The promise to be baptized with the Holy Spirit is addressed to all believers, but we can't assume that every Christian receives the gift of tongues (1 Cor 12:7–11,
28–31). It's therefore not the primary evidence of being baptized with the
Holy Spirit. A person can have other spiritual gifts without having this gift, see time 14:41–15:18 in Bible Q & A With Pastor Paul │December 2023. But for most people, speaking in tongues is the evidence of being baptized with the Holy Spirit.
How does someone get this gift?
You pray and ask God and receive it by faith (Luk 11:13). However, God is a perfect gentleman. He won't force any spiritual gift upon a person against that person's will. A person who doesn't want to speak in tongues won't receive that gift. A person may also have intellectual difficulties that prevents him from receiving it by faith. Some persons don't think they are worthy to receive it, but no one is, we can still receive it by faith. I can't earn it, I don't deserve it, but I can still receive it as a free gift through faith, but not for being good enough or as a reward for long and faithful service.
Some people need something to activate their faith. It can be a word, laying hands on them (Acts 8:17, 9:17, 19:6), being anointed with oil, repeating words from elders, or something else, something that triggers their faith to receive this gift. Some will receive it directly when they ask God for it, for others it takes years before they receive it, and others may never receive it, see
The Parable of the Persistent Widow.
See also the video How do I Activate the Gift of Speaking in Tongues? Receive Now.
Was Jesus born with the Holy Spirit?
Jesus was born the Son of God, see The Trinity. He has always been connected with the Holy Spirit, see time 28:55–30:31 in Bible Q&A with Pastor Paul │ October 2023.
References.
See The Book of Acts.
See also Some stories close related to the gospels at the end of
The Four Gospels.
