"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27)
Far too often, we are witnessing the theology interject understandings which are not scriptural! It's almost like the religious theology is intent on making everything into triad, tri-une. three modes -- rather than simply accepting that there are tongues of men and tongues of angels - as apostle Paul describes them. (I Corinthians 13:1) Today, we are further elaborating on the last post -- regarding the gifts of the Spirit.
In this context, the diversities of tongues apostle Paul refers to is never defined in terms of kinds, types, or uses. (I Corinthians 12:10, 28) We do see apostle Paul refer to tongues as -- unknown, other, diverse, diversities -- and then from Acts 2, hearing them speak in their own language.
Tongues are a sign for "unbelievers" (I Corinthians 14:21) Prophecy (preaching the Word - Jesus) is the sign of a "believer" Therefore, asking a new believer if they have spoken in tongues shows that the person asking is sadly erring on the side of an unbeliever. But I believe Paul's perspective herein is how much more constructive it would be to teach the new believer about Jesus -- as both Lord ad Christ, and reach souls for His kingdom.
As well, Jesus said, "... he that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mark 16:16-18) These signs -- plural -- are not just speaking with new tongues ... as the religious culture would have us believe but also aligned with the other signs Jesus spoke of as well -- that should follow those who believe and are baptized in the precious, holy name of the Lord Jesus.
This is consistent with the gifts of the Holy Ghost outlined in I Corinthians 12.
"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and [that] no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which works all in all.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these works that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into One Spirit." (I Corinthians 12:1-13)
Have all ... do all -- are interesting questions for sure -- that can't be dismissed by simply saying there are different uses of one particular gift (isolated from the other gifts, admins, helps, aides, operations, etc.) Does that mean there are 3 uses for healing, interpretation, etc.? Again, if we answer yes to even one question - do all speak with tongues, we would have to answer yes to all the others.
Another way of looking at this is to take out the "added" words in I Corinthians 12:28-30. The scriptures would then say -- all apostles; all prophets; all teachers; all workers of miracles' all speak with tongues; all interpret. (I Corinthians 12:28-30) Either way -- whether we do speak in tongues, or we are all prophets, we who profess to believe have stopped short by demanding that people who say they believe in the Lord Jesus by faith, and believe too that He is He, have spoken in tongues without referencing whether or not the believer has other gifts form the Lord.
It also doesn't address Acts 2:1-4 when the people from all the nations heard them speaking in their own language. Here all of them were filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
" ... Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God." (Acts 2:11)
Apostle Paul further distinguishes the day of Pentecost (wherein some thought the men were drunk) -- by stating in I Corinthians 14 that he is referring to an unknown tongue - "I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue." (I Corinthians 14:18)
Apostle Paul also refers to "other" tongues by saying, "In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear Me," saith the Lord." (I Corinthians 14:21)
In the context of the assembling of the saints, apostle Paul indicates 2 or at the most 3 should speak in tongues but only if there is an interpreter -- but to be clear, each in turn - but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church, speaking rather to himself and to God. (I Corinthians 14:27-28) All things to be done for edification.
What Peter (standing with the apostles) said in Acts 2:38 has equal relevance - "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." When this statement was made, it was meant that ye SHALL receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Not might, or maybe but shall!
Personally, I think we've turned speaking in tongues into some religious marker/standard wherein we fall short in desiring spiritual gifts ourselves so we want to examine the faith of others, and ignore that the Lord gives to us -- "severally" as He will.
"For by One Spirit are we all baptized into one body ..." (I Corinthians 12:13)
The other point we need to remember is that the one who speaks in tongues edifies him/herself. (I Corinthians 14:6-10, 14)
Finally, if we are to be zealous of spiritual gifts (plural) we should be seeking to abound for the edification of he church ... wherein it is equally important that someone is able to say the Amen when we are giving thanks (I Corinthians 14:16) There is so much more to share but let this suffice - for understanding that the Lord has so much more to give/bestow upon His people!
Stand in the offering plate.
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