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Question: My question is concerning the gift of tongues.

Does the Bible talk about two distinct gifts of tongues? The majority of our small congregation believe that the Bible talks about two gifts of tongues and my husband and I disagree.

1. The first is that every believer, when filled or baptized by the Holy Spirit, speaks in tongues (Pentecost). He is therefore sealed by the spirit and the evidence that a believer has been baptized by the spirit is speaking in tongues. (He speaks mysteries to God and edifies himself only).

2. Secondly, however the gift of tongues as mentioned by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 14 when he corrects them not to speak in tongues in church if there is no interpreter. Is this gift of speaking in tongues different than the above?

As far as I understand by reading Acts and 1 Corinthians, there is only one gift of tongues and not two as some claim.

Most of our brethren however, say that the gift of speaking in different kinds of tongues has to be prayed for and asked for in order to receive it and is distinct to the tongues a believer speaks when baptized by the Spirit. Is this true?

Answer: First of all, let me say that the manifestations of the Spirit (and "speaking in tongues" is such a manifestation) are, in their very nature, incomprehensible to the human understanding. That is not to say that we know NOTHING about the manifestations (or gifts) of the Spirit, but it is to say that we certainly do not understand EVERYTHING about them!

Every manifestation of the Spirit is a "gift" from God. You may notice that 1 Corinthians 12 speaks about "gifts" (as opposed to a single "gift") of "healings." The implication is that every healing is a distinct gift from the Spirit to a particular individual -- whether for their own healing OR to be imparted to another individual by the laying on of hands in accordance with the Scriptures.

I am fully persuaded that individuals do not POSSESS these gifts. They are the gifts "of the Spirit" much as the Word of God is the sword "of the Spirit." That is, they belong to Him! The Spirit Himself is the only One who is qualified to wield His Sword! If we are to properly use the Word of God, we must submit ourselves unconditionally to His instruction - He will teach US how to wield it as well! These "gifts" are distributed "to every man severally as He (the Spirit) will," the purpose of which is to "profit withal."

Specifically, the "gift of tongues" is a gift from God EVERY time it is manifested, and should be respectfully regarded as such. It has different purposes, as you pointed out. "Praying in the Spirit" as opposed to "praying with the understanding" is a manifestation of the gift of tongues where the Spirit intercedes for us when we know not how to pray as we ought. Speaking in tongues on the day of Pentecost was (in addition to being the initial evidence of the Baptism) a sign to the unbelievers in that "every man heard them speak in his own language." This miracle prompted the people to heed Peter when he began to preach to them (it is notable to point out that he preached to them in Hebrew - the tongues were NOT miraculously used to preach the gospel - only to be a miraculous sign to bring attention to the message of the Gospel).

Thus, I suppose, I have not answered, but confounded your question! So, in conclusion, if I did not regard every manifestation as a distinct gift, I would have to conclude that there is only ONE "gift of tongues," though it is distinct in purpose upon each manifestation thereof. In Acts, it was repeated the initial evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. It is manifested in intercessory prayer by the Spirit. It is used as a "sign to the unbeliever."

Does every believer who is filled with the Holy Ghost POSSESS the gift of tongues? I think not, as I indicated above. Whether one must exhibit the gift of tongues periodically to evidence the continued Spirit-filled life... well, I suppose that's another question entirely.

In all of our debate over the "gifts of the Spirit," let us be cautious not to apply ourselves so diligently to doctrine that we fail in practice! We don't believe that "once saved -- always saved" but we do seem to believe "once filled - always filled!" "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18). Keep your life always in a spiritual condition where you can be used by the Spirit to manifest His gifts for the good of the Church! Lord bless.

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