This is just a little ‘did you know’ informational post on the subject of speaking in tongues, shared as some food for thought. It goes along with a previous blog where I stated, “Did you know that there are only three instances in the entire book of Acts where it is said that believers spoke in tongues? They are Acts 2, 10 and 19.” In this segment, we will look further into Acts 19.
Did you ever wonder why little attention is often paid to a portion of Acts 19:6 in Pentecostal type churches? Are you even aware that the men in Ephesus prophesied or do you only recall speaking in tongues being mentioned? Should one be emphasized more than the other in the passage?
After the Holy Spirit came upon these men, scripture mentions speaking in tongues and prophecy, without specifying if all spoke in tongues and all prophesied, or some did one and some did the other. We have no way of knowing how it happened from the text. It is usually assumed by Pentecostals that all twelve spoke in tongues, but we do not really know. Have you ever pondered this?
Is it not interesting that both speaking in tongues and prophecy are mentioned by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 12 as being gifts of the Spirit? Have you ever considered that all speaking in tongues is this gift and nothing else?
Acts 19:6:
- And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. KJV
- Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. NLT
- And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. NASB
- When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. NIV
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #12: Stammering Lips
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #11: Prophesy
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #10: One of many gifts
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #9: Continued evidence
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #8: Acts 8
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #7: Acts 19:6
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #6: Speaking in tongues a second time
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #5: Acts 10:45-46
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #4: Known languages
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #3: 1 Corinthians 12:29-30
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #2: 1 Corinthians 14:27-28
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #1: Pray to interpret
What about Paul stating that he would that all spoke in tongues. And that he does so daily to edify himself?
When Paul stated that about speaking in tongues, he also said he would rather that they prophesy. He told the believers in Corinth to desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy. Why is this? The gifts are for the edification of all believers. They are not meant to simply edify the person who has one of the gifts as that is not their purpose. The gifts were given for the common good (I Cor 12:7): to help one another; to profit all; to strengthen the body of believers. Paul taught that gifts were to build up the church (I Cor 14:12).
Paul also showed that not everyone would speak in tongues (I Cor 12:30). He also taught that for anyone who spoke in tongues, they should also pray that they would be able to interpret.
Paul never stated that he spoke in tongues daily to edify himself.
One argument I hear from Pentecostals (and makes sense) is that Paul mentions gift of faith. So if there is a special gift of faith, then that also could suggest a special gift of tongues. Just as there was faith that all exhibit to receive the Holy Spirit, there is also tongues for all as evidence (not to be pursued as the object of focus for receiving the Spirit as many Pentecostals do unfortunately , hence why it’s not so strongly focused on in text I would reckon). So you have a saving faith and tongues for all, separate from the gifts of faith and tongues. The former tongues was used all at once on day of Pentecost, so that would go against what Paul was teaching if that was the gift because it was not 2 or 3 and interpret. Something to think about.
Apparently you are Pentecostal. The reasoning you gave is flawed, simply by using your example. ‘Regular’ faith is clearly mentioned in many places throughout the Bible, whereas what you might term ‘regular’ speaking in tongues is not. So it doesn’t fit the scenario you give. In addition, there is absolutely nowhere in the entire Bible where it teaches speaking in tongues is evidence of having received the Holy Spirit. If this were so necessary and essential, and happened all the time to every believer, it would surely be mentioned as such. Yet, as we see in Acts 10, Peter has to go all the way back to the day of Pentecost to link the Gentiles speaking in tongues to what happened to the Jews. If this were evidence one was to always watch for, then surely he would have instead pointed that out. [Note: the book of Acts covers many years, something which Pentecostalism often overlooks.] Pentecostals, especially Oneness Pentecostals (Apostolics), constantly read into Bible passages things which are never stated, nor meant, by the text- instead of allowing the text to speak for itself.
As to the day of Pentecost, no interpreter was needed as everyone heard and understood what was said. Paul was teaching throughout Corinthians, addressing the many problems within the church at Corinth. They were very carnal. Obviously tongues became something they wrongfully focused on, not understanding the purpose/use of that gift, nor what should happen when believers gathered together. Their antics were causing confusion and they were focused on themselves. (As another example, see how they were practicing communion, only being concerned with their own bellies.) Paul wanted them to understand that when believers gathered together, that all present were to be edified, strengthened, etc. This indeed happened on the day of Pentecost.