Speaking in Tongues: The Need for Caution

“Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,” (Acts 8:18)

. We see the laying on of an apostle's hands in Jerusalem (Acts 6:6), Ephesus (Acts 19:1–7), and Samaria (Acts 8:14–17) and throughout Paul’s journeys where he gave the gifts (2 Timothy 1:6; Romans 1:11). Jesus personally sent Ananias, who according to history was one of the original seventy disciples ordained by Him, through whose hands Paul became healed and filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17).

 

We also have it where its the Holy Spirit HIMSELG giving to ALl christians at least one spiritual gift, as he so wills! 1 Corinthians 12:11

 

We are speaking only of the charismatic gifts now long gone.

 

Not everyone (even cessasionists) agree with that statement concerning Romans 12:6.They would say that those "gifts" were included in the "gifts" mentioned in Hebrews 2:4 and would cease after that which is perfect arrives.

For them, today in the 21st century those who minister in and to the church are part of the "calling" of the saved (e.g. I feel called to be a missionary) and are equipped by the Spirit of God to answer that call (i.e. missionary, pastor, musician). Yes mostly a semantic difference, just one more thing about which to quibble.

Ephesians 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

 

Such as sign gifts, correct?

 

Most who hold to gifts ceasing just mean the sign gifts, as they still see gifts to teach, help, administer etc!

 

Tongues, Prophecy, word of knowledge, interpretation of tongues etc.

 

None of them was needed since the completed scripture came unto us!

 

True.

 

I don't know. I've heard him mention the incident several times on his tv show, but he didn't mention a death certificate.

 

Agree completely with that. I have known some who claimed to speak in tongues whose fruit was lacking or rotten.

 

So is 1 Corinthians 12 ...

• [1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NASB] 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all [persons.] 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another [various] kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

 

I believe in the continuance of all the spiritual gifts. I can't believe Paul was writing only for the churches/believers of his day. But I do not hold to the Pentecostal view of tongues or the baptism in the HS.

 

Given what I have observed about the independent nature of Pentecostal churches, I am not sure that there is such a thing as THE PENTECOSTAL VIEW on anything. They seem to run the range from “Jesus taught that” to “have you stopped taking your meds, again”.

Not too unlike Baptists running the spectrum from protesting Soldier’s funerals to Handling snakes to ‘Reformed Southern Baptists’ to the most liberal “social justice” Baptist Church.

 

I meant the traditional or old-line Pentecostal denominations that teach that baptism of the HS is separate from conversion and always initially evidenced by tongues-speaking.