Quote:
Originally Posted by houston
"Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?"
The answer is, "no." I think most will agree.
Some would say that Paul is differentiating between the gift of tongues and initial evidence. I can not find where the scripture draws that line. So, I'm asking those of you who believe that Paul was addressing tongues as a gift rather than initial evidence, (please) show me where the Bible speaks of tongues as a gift and a distinction of tongues as initial evidence that someone has received the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
I also ask that those of you who do NOT believe in initial evidence to (please) refrain from posting here. This is an honest post, and I do not want to see it turn into a debate.
Cordially,
Houston
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Awesome question.
I'll share my understanding. Others might have better insight to how to answer your question than I do.
As you mentioned, there is the initial evidence of tongues and then there is the gift of tongues:
1.) Tongues as initial evidence.
2.) Gift of Tongues.
Let's look at the Gift of Tongues first. This will help us distinguish the two in Scripture. The Gift of Tongues has specific instructions regarding its use:
I Corinthians 14:27-28 (ESV)
27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.
When the Gift of Tongues is at play, there can be two or, at most, three speakers giving an utterance (some might say, or one speaker limited to three utterances). This is to prevent utterance after utterance, after utterance during gatherings. Also, those giving an utterance are to speak in turn. Lastly, there is to be an interpreter. And if no interpreter is present, those who gave the utterance(s) are to remain silent and return to praying with the congregation.
These rules prevent this gift from being abused and used to take over gatherings. It also ensures that the congregation gathering is edified by the utterance by virtue of the gift of interpretation being in operation.
Now. That's the Gift of Tongues. In the book of Acts we see Tongues as Initial Evidence when people receive the Holy Ghost. In Pentecost we saw 120 begin speaking in tongues all at once, so there is no limitation on the number of speakers. In addition we don't see an interpreter present. In fact, we saw the unique manifestation of others hearing their tongues, every man, in the language wherein he was born. In
Acts 8 we read about how Samaria received the Holy Ghost and Simon "saw" that the baptism of the Holy Ghost was given through the laying on of hands and offered to buy the gift. This indicates that there was a sign for Simon to see. Thus it is implied that the entre community receiving the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues. No limitation on number of speakers is present. Also, no mention of an interpretation. In
Acts 19 we see 12 people filled with the spirit and speaking in tongues. No limitation on speakers or interpreter is mentioned. Therefore, we can rest assured that these tongues are distinct from the Gift of Tongues. In addition, everyone speaking with tongues in Acts were new converts. They weren't individuals already filled with the Spirit. When dealing with the gift of tongues, one is using a gift of the Spirit that they have previously received.
Based on these details, I believe we see a clear distinction between the two in Scripture. Now, not all have the "Gift of Tongues". But in Acts, everyone filled with the Spirit spoke in tongues as initial evidence.
Hope that helps. God bless.