Be Ye Doers. . . Of The Word!

Speaking in tongues, or the gift of tongues, is one of the nine miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12)

The reception of this gift comes only through the baptism of the Holy Spirit or through the laying on of apostles' hands. It is quite evident, then, that since all of the apostles have died, only through the baptism of the Holy Spirit can one speak in tongues today. However, the baptism of the Holy Spirit occurred only twice in the history of the church and it is very likely that it will not happen again. Therefore, it is safe to declare that the only Biblical stance to take on the gift of tongues is that it is not given to, nor is it received by, anyone today.

The book of Acts is an excellent source to know and understand the truth concerning this issue. The gift to communicate or to speak with others in unlearned languages occurs specifically only three times in Acts. The first two occurrences are induced through the Holy Spirit directly on the twelve apostles on the day of Pentecost, and then to Cornelius' household. The third instance sees some disciples empowered with this gift after the Apostle Paul imparted this gift to them by his laying on of hands. Each of these instances will be discussed, then opposing charismatic opinion will be presented and shown to be inferior.

First Instance: Acts 2:1-11

On the day of Pentecost after the Lord's ascension, the twelve apostles were filled, or baptized, with the Holy Spirit. This is the power from on high which Jesus had promised would enable them to be witnesses of His finished work. On this day, Jerusalem entertained many visiting Jews and proselytes from many different parts of the world. It has been said that there may have been nine or ten different languages represented in that large crowd. (New Testament History, Gareth L. Reese, p.55) Luke records that the Holy Spirit enabled the apostles to speak in other languages for one reason: to communicate the "mighty works of God." Through this gift, the apostles were also shown to have divine authority in the church.

Second Instance: Acts 10:44-48 and Acts 11:15-18

In this second instance of speaking in tongues, the Apostle Peter was told in a vision to go and preach to the Roman centurion, Cornelius. As he was preaching, Cornelius and his household were filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in tongues.

It is important to note the reasons for this gift of tongues given to Cornelius' family. The gift was a sign to the apostles and Jewish Christians that these Gentiles received the same baptism as the twelve did on Pentecost. This was God's stamp of approval in allowing the Gentiles into the Church. The gift of tongues, however, was not a sign of salvation as the Gentile believers still required water baptism.

Third Instance: Acts 19:1-7

In this instance, the Apostle Paul meets some disciples in Ephesus who had only been baptized in John's baptism. These twelve men were not aware of the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit since they were not baptized in Jesus' name. Learning of this, they were baptized. After their baptism, Paul laid his hands on them and they received the gift of tongues.

The receiving of this gift of tongues by disciples has only one major purpose. This purpose was to prove to the disciples that the Holy Spirit exists and abides within believers. Paul recognized that they had never heard of the indwelling gift. Laying his hands upon them, they then spoke in tongues and also prophesied. This was a proof to the disciples of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Again, this gift of tongues is not a sign of salvation. The disciples were first baptized, but received the gift of tongues and prophesy only through apostolic authority.

Opposing Opinion

Today's charismatics believe that the gift of tongues is available today. These people claim that the ability to speak in unlearned languages is the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. They also claim that all believers can receive this gift because the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for all believers.

Given the charismatic argument, the gift of tongues is received only by or through the Holy Spirit. As the charismatics claim, all believers can be baptized in the Holy Spirit. If this were the case in the time of the apostles, Peter would not have been so amazed when Cornelius' household was baptized with the Holy Spirit. Obviously, Peter's amazement and wonder indicated that this event did not happen often.

The charismatics claim that tongue speaking indicates one's salvation because that person has been baptized with the Holy Spirit. However, the gift of tongues was never an indication of salvation. At Jerusalem, the gift was used for communication and a sign of the apostles' authority. At Caesarea, the gift indicated acceptance of Gentiles into the Church, with water baptism immediately following. At Ephesus, the gift was proof to the disciples of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

It is quite evident from these examples that the gift of tongues should not be desired today. The gift has been shown to have no connection with salvation. The only gift to seek today is that of the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit, because it is God's "down payment" on our salvation. (Ephesians 1:13-14)