tongues

The topic on speaking in tongues as a sign of baptism of the believers is a hotly discussed, debated, disputed and even argued over with over the centuries. Allow me to share my view on this, biblically.

In 1 Corinthians 12:8 - 11, apostle Paul clearly stated that tongues is one of the gifts given by the Holy Spirit and that it is He who gives as He determines. There are many verses that stated that too. - (1 Corinthians chapter 12 - 14)

If it is a gift, it simply means that some may be given it and others may not, just as the Holy Spirit determines. That being the case, the ability to speak in tongues is NOT the only comfirmation of baptism of the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ. But it is just ONE of the signs, itself.

Below are passages found in the book "The Holy Spirt" by Billy Graham on this topic:

"It should be stressed, as is clearly indicated in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 - 14, that tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit, not a FRUIT of the Spirit. As we shall see, the fruit of the Spirit outlined in Galatians 5:22 - 23, should mark every Christian who is walking in the Spirit. Spiritual gifts are distributed among believers by the sovereign Will of God. Therefore, it is a gift that some may have but others may not. I simply cannot find any biblical reason for saying that tongues is a gift God desires to give to ALL believers. It would be wrong for someone who has not been given the gift of tongues to feel he is somehow a "second-rate" Christian, or earnestly covet this gift if God has not seen fit to give it to him. It would be equally wrong for someone who has this gift to try to compel others to have it, or to teach that everyone must experience it.

The gift of tongues is clearly one of the less important gifts as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 -14. Infact, it is the least important. The reason for this is that it often does not give any spiritual benefit to other believers. The other gifts are clearly exercised to build up and strengthen the body of Christ, however. That is why tongues should not be thought of as a high point of Christian maturity. Infact, millions of spiritually matured Christians have never spoken in tongues and many who have spoken are not spirituallly mature.

The gift of tongues is not necessarily a sign of the baptism of the believer by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ. No where in the Bible have I find it said that the gift of tongues is a NECESSARY evidence of being baptised with the Holy Spirit into Christ's body, the Church. Even in Acts, where speaking in tongues is mentioned there is no indication it was necessay evidence that one has been baptised with the Holy Spirit. The filling of the Holy Spirit may result in many different experiences in our lives, of which tongues on occasion may be only one evidence.

No experience - no matter how much it may mean to us,or how impressive it may seem to be - must take the place of God's Word in our lives. Our experiences must always be judged in light of the Bible; We must not judge the Bible by our experiences. God the Holy Spirit has given us the Bible and no gift which is truly from Him will contradict the Bible.

In conclusion, in my view, the Bible says that any believer can enjoy the filling of the Holy Spirit and know His power even though he or she has not had any sign such as speaking in tongues. On occasion of a particular infilling, tongues may be a sign God gives to some, but I do not find that it is a sign for all. I do think that it is important, though, for each of us to hold our opinions without rancour and without breaking our bonds of fellowship in Jesus Christ. We worship the same Lord and for this we are grateful.

We must be careful not to put the Holy Spirit into a position where He must work our way. The Holy Spirit is sovereign; He gives His gifts as He wills! It must be remembered that the body of Christ is universal with many local manifestations. Spiritual gifts are given to the body universal and therefore certain ones may or may not be found in any particular local part of the body.

Indeed tongues is a gift of the Spirit. Today, there are many churches who speak or have spoken in tongues - or who have not and do not expect to.

But if tongues is a gift, it cannot be divisive in itself. When those who speak it misuse it so that it becomes divisive, it indicates a lack of love. Likewise, those who do not should not forbid it or it would be doing the Church a disservice because it appear to contradict the teaching of apostle Paul. We are to love each other and work for the greater glory of God in the evangelization of the world, remembering one thing: Those who speak and those who do not will live with each other in the New Jerusalem.

Is this a gift that God has seen fit to give you? Don't let it be a source of pride or preoccupation. Become grounded in the WHOLE Word of God. And above all, learn what it means to love others, including believers who may not agree with your emphasis.

Is this a gift you do not have? Don't let it preoccupy you either and don't let it be a source of division between you and other believers if at all possible. There may be others who have a different emphasis from you, but they are still your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Gifts are given to some within the Church to be used for God's glory. They must not be exploited for selfish reasons nor must they ever become sources of eithr division or pride. We are to strictly use them in accordance with the principles God has set forth in the Bible. This should also contribute to the unity of the Spirit. And if God chooses to give gifts to some today, we should always pray that they will be used "for the common good" - (1 Corinthians 12:7) and the furtherance of the kingdom of God." - Billy Graham

Since we are under one Body, "each one of us should live our lives worhty of the calling, we have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one Body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." - (Ephesians 4:1 - 6) "For there is but one God, the Father from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live." - (1 Corinthians 8:6)

As such, let us live our lives worthy of our calling and to use whatever we are given by the Holy Spirit to reach unity in the faith and in knowledge of Jesus Christ to become mature, attaining the whole measure of the fulness of Christ. - (Ephesians 4:11 - 13)

As we are on the body of Christ, each one is a part of it (1 Corinthians 12:27) and has a specific role to play in glorifying God. (Romans 12:4 - 8)

So, the one who is blessed with gift or more, should not be too prideful and look down on those who do not have. Likewise, the one who does not have should not envy and be jealous of those who are blessed with gifts. Rather, together learn to live in love, peace and harmony "so that there should be no division in the body of Christ, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it." - (1 Corinthians 12:25 - 26) Let us not forget that it is the Lord that we are serving, not men.

Finally, let us work together to help one another to bear the fruits of the Spirit then to concentrate on receiving the gifts of His. And let us learn to live by the Spirit, keeping in step with Him and not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. - (Galatians 5:22 - 25)

May the grace of the Lord, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all.

TONGUES: The gift of the Holy Spirit

To Inspirational section