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THE "GIFT OF TONGUES" OR. THE "GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST"Now let's look at the difference the scripture makes in speaking in tongues as one of the "gifts OF the spirit"- "Now there are diversities of gifts... given to every man TO PROFIT WITHAL...For to one is given... tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues; But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit... Have all the gifts...? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? Desire spiritual GIFTS (ie- we're being told about GIFTS here, NOT merely "my spirit prayeth" in tongues), but rather that ye may prophesy. For greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues EXCEPT HE INTERPRET, THAT THE CHURCH MAY RECEIVE EDIFYING... Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret....But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; *AND* LET HIM SPEAK TO HIMSELF AND TO GOD..." -1 Corinthians 12:4, 7, 30-31. This passage is SPECIFICALLY a list of the "gifts of the spirit" and no- all definitely DO NOT have the "gift of tongues" which gets interpreted that the body may receive edification. "Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and FORBID NOT TO SPEAK IN TONGUES..." -1 Corinthians 12:1- 14:39. Let us NOT, therefore, confuse "worshipping in the spirit" or "praying in tongues" which SCRIPTURALLY is for an individual's personal edification, and the "gift of tongues" which IS INTERPRETED and is for the edification of the whole body- the church. Now let's look at the verses talking about speaking in tongues as a sign of receiving the Holy Ghost- "For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, THIS IS THE REST wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and THIS IS THE REFRESHING" -Isaiah 28:11-12. "Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, AND THOU HEAREST THE SOUND thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: SO IS EVERY ONE THAT IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT" -John 3:7-8. "And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues" -Acts 19:6. "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. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, WHICH HAVE RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST AS WELL AS WE?" -Acts 10:45-47. It was the Holy Ghost they had received, NOT the "gift of tongues". How did they know they had received the Holy Ghost, what was the "sign" according to the scriptures?-"**FOR** THEY HEARD THEM SPEAK WITH TONGUES." No other "gift" of the Spirit is ever given in the Bible, as is given here, as the outward evidence of receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. So, it happened in the Bible JUST AS JESUS HAD PROPHESIED, that there would be a sound, and it would happen to all who were born again- Joh 3:8 "The wind bloweth where it listeth, AND THOU HEAREST THE SOUND THEREOF, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: SO IS EVERY ONE THAT IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT." Now consider this passage- "They were ALL with one accord... And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat UPON EACH OF THEM. And they were ALL filled with the Holy Ghost, and BEGAN TO SPEAK WITH OTHER TONGUES, as the Spirit gave them utterance" -Acts 2:3-4. Imagine- the WHOLE CHURCH (then in existence) at one time speaking in tongues!!! This could NOT be the "GIFT of tongues" for God is not the author of confusion, and it says- "The Spirit gave them utterance". These tongues were not being "interpreted" by people exercising the SPIRITUAL "GIFT of interpretation" for they weren't even believers, yet at least, and did not have the Holy Ghost!!! In this instance, tongues were used by God as A SIGN TO NON-BELIEVERS that the Holy Ghost was being received- "Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY GHOST, he hath shed forth THIS, WHICH YE NOW SEE AND HEAR" -Acts 2:33. This was, then, TONGUES AS A SIGN- first of receiving the Holy Ghost, and second a sign to unbelievers, just as the scriptures teach- "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. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not" -1 Corinthians 14:21-22. And what was it that "the law" had said?- "For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. 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" -Isaiah 28:11-12. And that is exactly what Peter said, only worded a little differently- "having received of the Father THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY GHOST, he hath shed forth THIS, WHICH YE NOW SEE AND HEAR" -Acts 2:33. And this prophecy is being fulfilled because SO MANY refuse to hear, receive, and accept this message. 1- SCRIPTURES ON TONGUES |