Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 5/25/2007

Question
Where is you foundational proof  that speaking in tongues was something actually done it biblical times. I understand that it talks about in acts and in I chor. But where was it ever shown that a apostle or Jesus actually spoke in a "language" that they did not understand and had to have interpreted and how can we do this when no one in the bible has done it. In besides the one verse in acts and it is just talked about being a gift in 1 chor?  

Answer
Sarah,

You asked what the foundational proof of speaking in tounges was accualy done in Bible times, and then you aknowledge that it is in the book of Acts and 1 Cor. Yet you fail to realize that these ARE Biblical proofs, and that to deny them would be the same as denying all of the Scriptures.

Let me clarify that there is a difference between the Gift of Tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10; sharing a message for a congregation that is to be interpreted) and the prayer language that is the evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2,10,19).

There arc five recorded instances of people receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit in Acts.

The Day of Pentecost. Acts 2:4 says "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

The people in the town of Samaria. "(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money . . . ." (Acts 8:16-18). The Samaritan believers must have spoken in tongues, because Simon the sorcerer wanted to buy the ability to lay on hands to impart the Baptism of the Spirit to people. He must have heard something that showed that these had been baptized in the Spirit.

Apostle Paul was baptized in the Spirit. "And Ananias . . . putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost" (Acts 9:17).

At Cornelius’ House. "And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God" (Acts 10:45,46).

The disciples of John the Baptist in Ephesus. Acts 19:1-6 says, "Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied."

Out of these five times we see that the Holy Spirit just fell on them two times, but in the three other instances, believers received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands. God can do it either way for you!

Here is Scriptures concerning tongues...

Isaiah 28:
11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

Mr 16:17
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Ac 2:3
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Ac 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Ac 2:11
Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Ac 10:46
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

Ac 19:6
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

1Co 12:10
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:

1Co 12:28
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.

1Co 12:30
Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

1 Co 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.

1Co 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.

1Co 14:5
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.

1Co 14:6
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?

1Co 14:18
I THANK MY GOD, I SPEAK WITH TONGUES MORE THAN YE ALL:

1Co 14:21
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.

1Co 14:22
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.

1Co 14:23
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?

1Co 14:39
Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Elder Greg Madden
http://www.forministry.com/USOKPENTEMMM1/