This document is intended for mature believers with complicated questions about tongues and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. If you are a new believer, you might first want to learn why or how to pray in tongues.
There is an abundance of fine literature on this topic, so I will only answer some questions that commonly arise:
Because I will be addressing various interpretations, this section will be very complex and long.
1 Cor 12:4-11
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,
9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,
10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. (NIV)
Some people read this scripture with the idea that they can walk away with a “gift” that God gave them—as if they assumed ownership of it. However, gifts are given per incident according to God’s will. The gifts belong to the Holy Spirit, not the vessel through whom they are distributed. Verse 11 also dispels the myth that some people are restricted from certain gifts because of who they are. They might say, “I don’t HAVE that gift”. However, the Holy Spirit can move in any way he chooses with any willing vessel he chooses at that time.
Heb 2:3-4
3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. (NIV)
Those of European descent usually read this passage individualistically as saying this:
Heb 2:3-4
3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed {per person, per lifetime} according to his will. (NIV)
The bible authors were neither as European or individualistic as most Western Bible commentators are today. 1 Corinthians Chapters 12-14 were not written to an individual, like the book of Philemon. They were written to a group of people collectively, and were written to correct this groups MEETINGS. Yes, there are individuals in a meeting, but the careful reader pictures himself as a member of a group, not merely as an individual. A Jew (Paul) wrote this passage. He did not write the individualistic bracketed segments below:
1 Cor 12:4-11
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given {per person, per lifetime} for the common good.
8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,
9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,
10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines {per individual, per lifetime}. (NIV)
However, entire theologies are based upon these bracketed statements—that are NOT in the Bible. Let me demonstrate this by placing more Jewish (less individualistic) thinking inside of these brackets:
1 Cor 12:4-11
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given {per meeting} for the common good.
8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,
9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,
10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines {per group, per meeting}. (NIV)
My bracketed text is also not in the Bible: But I hope to show a balance between the collective and individual sense by which read this passage. Try reading this same passage again with this more collective idea in mind:
The Holy Spirit can move in any way he chooses with any
willing vessel he chooses at that time (for the benefit of ALL: 1 Cor 12:7).
1Cr 12:7 and 11 support this (orange) idea in the King James Version, as well as Young’s Literal translation:
And to each hath been given
the manifestation of the Spirit for profit;
Robert
Young Literal Translation 1862, 1887, 1898 Info
|
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. |
These translations make it clear that the Spirit should be manifesting in any of the ways described above through every man. That means that no Christian at the meeting is congenitally ineligible to operate in any of them.
Romans
2:11
For God does not show favoritism.
- show
in context -
The word for “gifts” can also be translated as “graces”. Perhaps using this word instead of the word “gifts” would lessen confusion. It might help Europeans from thinking they own these gifts. They should realize that they cannot own the Holy Spirit, who by grace can manifest Himself through them in any of the miraculous ways prescribed above.
Acts
8:20
Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy
the gift of God with money!
- show
in context -
The gifts, or graces, are owned by the Holy Spirit, and distributed per meeting, for the collective good. Alternatively, they can be distributed individually, for the benefit of that individual. Any believer can receive any grace at any time from God. Why is this so hard to understand?
John
3:34 New International Version
(NIV)
For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God [ Greek he]
gives the Spirit without limit.
John
3:33-35 (in Context) John
3 (Whole Chapter)
Many use the following passage to say that not all should have a prayer language: As if God says to certain people, “Sorry buddy, it’s not my will for you to have this gift”. This is a charismatic “one-scripture doctrine” with 6 contradictions.
1 Cor 12:28-31
28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way. (NIV)
I address this objection to initial evidence here.
Romans 12
4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[2] faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
When dealing with miraculous gifts, Paul stresses that they should be used “in proportion to his[2] faith”. This is part of the reason why we would not pidgin-hole people in certain miraculous gifts, expecting them to be able to operate in it on command. Yes, there is a sense in which certain people walk more frequently in a gift of prophesy, or teaching. However, that does not let everyone else off the hook.
Acts
2:18
Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those
days, and they will prophesy.
(Whole Chapter: Acts
2 In context: Acts
2:17-19)
1
Corinthians 14:5
I would like every one of you to
speak in tongues,[ 14:5 Or other languages; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and
39] but I would rather have you prophesy.
1
Corinthians 14:39
Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking
in tongues.
(Whole Chapter: 1
Corinthians 14 In context: 1
Corinthians 14:38-40)
Hebrews
5:12
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need
someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You
need milk, not solid food!
(Whole Chapter: Hebrews
5 In context: Hebrews
5:11-13)
On the other hand, Paul warns them not to teach, until they can handle the word of truth:
James
3:1
Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because
you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
(Whole Chapter: James
3 In context: James
3:1-2)
2
Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not
need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
(Whole Chapter: 2
Timothy 2 In context: 2
Timothy 2:14-16)
So there are shades of meaning within the term “God’s will”. Yes, it is God’s will for all to be able to teach, eventually. However it is not necessarily God’s will for a baby Christian to teach.
I’m not saying that all believers should have all gifts at all times. My point is that they should eagerly desire all the gifts in greater measure – and pray accordingly.
How the Holy Spirit distributes His gifts is a difficult subject to approach. Honest, sincere, fundamentalist disagree about this internal debate. However, there is an answer. We need to let the Bible interpret itself. Nowhere does it command all of us to have a gift of helps, but to some extent we all need to have it:
James 2
15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If
one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well
fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In
the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Not all believers are equal in their gift of administration, but we all need to “have it together” to some degree:
1
Timothy 5:8
If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate
family, he has denied the faith and is worse
than an unbeliever.
(Whole Chapter: 1
Timothy 5 In context: 1
Timothy 5:7-9)
1
Timothy 5:16
If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with
them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.
(Whole Chapter: 1
Timothy 5 In context: 1
Timothy 5:15-17)
So there is some truth in either side of this debate of whether it is God’s will for everyone operate in all the gifts.
However, the point I am making is this: No obedient Christian is ineligible to eventually receive any of the gifts--especially not the miraculous gifts. Paul addresses one of these specifically just to clear up confusion God’s will on this matter:
1
Corinthians 14:5
I would like every one of you to speak
in tongues,[ 14:5 Or other languages; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39]
but I would rather have you prophesy.
1
Corinthians 14:39
Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
(Whole Chapter: 1
Corinthians 14 In context: 1
Corinthians 14:38-40)
A true believer may be too poor to help, or to intellectually disabled to teach or administer. But no believer is congenitally too unspiritual to receive baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance (Acts 2:4), unless they choose to be. If they are ignorant about miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, then
1
Corinthians 14:16
If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among
those who do not understand[
(Whole Chapter: 1
Corinthians 14 In context: 1
Corinthians 14:15-17)
The man who led me to Christ once said that he believed that he did not have the gift of tongues. I agreed that he did not. I offered to pray for him to receive it. He declined, explaining that tongues was not “his gift”. I still deeply acknowledge and respect this brother’s faith and walk. In fact, I’d bet that he is a better Christian than I am. However, I don’t see biblical reason why he sees himself as ineligible to receive this gift. I do in the practical sense though:
Matthew
9
28When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked
them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?"
"Yes, Lord," they replied.
29Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"; 30and
their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, "See that no one
knows about this."
But in the doctrinal sense, I do not see him or any other obedient believer as ineligible to receive baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance (Acts 2:4).
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