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TONGUES: INITIAL EVIDENCE OF BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT?
LESSON 9
LESSON 8
IS THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ALWAYS ACCOMPANIED BY THE EVIDENCE OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES?
Acts 2:2-4
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 10:46
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Acts 19:6
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Acts 8:15-19
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Notice that the account in chapter 8 does not mention the gift of tongues being manifested. That is not to say that they did or they didn't manifest themselves on this day; but I believe the scripture account is silent here in regards to the manifestation of the Spirit through the gift of tongues, because tongues aren't the only means of evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
We must always understand that God is Sovereign, and He will give to every man the gift that He chooses according to His Own Will.
I believe this doctrine of "Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues" is simply a man-made doctrine. I believe that chapter 14 of 1 Corinthians was written to address this very issue. We will look at that chapter a little later. For now, we should look at the various gifts as Paul in 1 Corinthians 12 addresses them:
1 Cor 12:8-11
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 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:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Mark 16:17-18
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 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.
The questions to be asked here is will Every Person who believes cast out devils? Will every person speak with new tongues? Will every person take up serpents, or pray for the sick and see them recover? I believe the answer is to be found in 1 Corinthians 12:11, which says the Holy Spirit divides the gifts "severally as He will". Hebrews 2:2-4 seems to echo this:
Heb 2:2-4
2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
A careful reading of 1 Corinthians 12 (particularly verses 28-30) shows us that obviously, not all have the gift of healing, or the gift of tongues, or prophecy. We read of only one instance where a person was bit by a serpent, and nothing happened to him (Paul, In the book of Acts. 28:3-6).
Let's look at the spiritual gifts:
1 Cor 12:1-31
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 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:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12 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.
13 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.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.(KJV)
Let us look closer at verses 28-30:
1 Cor 12:28-30
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? (KJV)
The obvious answer to all of these questions is a resounding NO. A lot of emphasis is placed on the gift of tongues in the Charismatic/Pentecostal circles today. But notice what 1 Cor. 13:1 says about the gift of tongues or for that matter, what the rest of the chapter says about any of the gifts.
1 Cor 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (KJV)
Love is a fruit of the Spirit. Operating in the GIFTS of the Spirit without the FRUIT of the Spirit is possible, but it is to no avail. We are all familiar with Matthew 7:21-25:
Matt 7:21-25
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.(KJV)
The gifts are given to the believer through the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit are the result of patient continuance in obedience to the Word of God, WHICH CAN ONLY BE DONE THROUGH THE ABIDING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN ONE'S LIFE.
In John chapter 15, the Lord tells His disciples that if they ABIDE in Him, they will bear Much Fruit, If they don't, they will be withered and cast forth as a worthless branch.
A more precise measurement of whether a person is baptized in the Holy Spirit, is whether or not the Fruit of the Spirit are manifesting themselves in the believer's life.
Is there evidence of Love in that person's life?
Is there evidence of Patience in a person's life?
Is there evidence of Meekness in a person's life?
Is there evidence of Joy permeating that person's being?
Is there evidence of an attitude of longsuffering toward other people?
Is there a Gentle spirit that lives in this person?
Does this person live his life in Goodness?
Is this person a person of unwavering faith?
Is he or she temperate in all things?
These evidences in a person's life are more sure signs of the baptism of the Holy Spirit than any gifts they may or may not have.
If someone is operating in the gift and the calling of God, but yet without the fruit of the Spirit, it will avail him or her nothing in that day when they stand before God.
CONCERNING THE PREMISE THAT THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS HAVE CEASED IN THE LIGHT OF 1 CORINTHIANS 13:8:
1 Cor 13:8
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
(KJV)
The word "cease" here was also used in several other places, but to demonstrate our point, I will point out one passage where the word was used in the gospels:
Luke 5:4
4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
Obviously, that wasn't the last time Jesus ever spoke. I believe that 1 Cor. 13:8 is saying that we won't constantly pray in tongues, just as we won't constantly speak in our natural language.
1 Cor 13:8-13
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
The point being made in verse 8 is defined by context in what follows. In this walk with Christ, we are constantly learning, but we never achieve the Big Picture until we actually are with Him. We only know in part. We only prophesy to the point which we can understand.
The prophetic will eventually come to pass, and after that it is of no use. It is now History instead of something that we look forward to.
Knowledge is only good as far as it is applied. My knowledge as an electrical engineer may have little or no value when I need to repair a leaking pipe. The things that never change, but always remain, are FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE…AND THE GREATEST OF THESE THREE IS LOVE. Love and faith are identified as fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22. The word translated as Hope signifies "confidence" in the Greek.
1 Cor 14:1-33
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
19 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.
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
21 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.
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (KJV)
Personally, I believe that Paul was dealing with a situation in the church quite similar to that which we see today…I believe that there was a fascination with the gift of tongues that prevailed in the church. I think it is interesting that Paul used some very important words when he began his teaching on Spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12. He says:
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
I believe he is pointing out the fact that man has a tendency to idolize the supernatural.
Paul began his teaching by saying "I would not have you ignorant…" I believe many Christians stand in awe of the gifts of the Holy Spirit more than they do the GIVER of the gift. So what if I have a gift of healing, so that all kinds of people are healed in my ministry? If I am not walking in the fruit of the spirit, these gifts will profit me nothing.
I can love the Gift more than the God who gave the gift. The proof of this lies in my personal walk with the Lord. I can fool every person, but I can't fool God Who knows my innermost being.
I believe that Paul was showing them in chapter 14 that while tongues are a viable gift of the Spirit, they are not the most important of the gifts…He says:
Cor. 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
For the next several verses, Paul contrasts the gift of Prophecy to the gift of tongues. His main point is that the gifts of God should be used for building up and encouraging the church. Notice that he also puts the priority in the right perspective: PURSUE AFTER LOVE (the fruit first) and desire spiritual gifts (second).
1 Cor 14:38-40
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
Let's look once more at an example of a person who wanted the gift without the fruit of the Spirit:
Acts 8:14-25
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
We are not to idolize the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Those who do this, have their hearts in the wrong place. We are to covet earnestly the best gifts, but we should never lose sight of the fact that the gifts of God are for Glorifying Him and furthering His Kingdom, and building up and encouraging the Body of Christ.
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