Tongues:

A Biblical View

By Ovid Need, Jr.

Chapter Two
NT History From Acts

With a sigh of relief for some, we have the historical background of the modern charismatic movement out of the way. Now let us move into the Scriptures.

Tongues are mentioned twenty-nine times in the NT, twenty in I Corinthians 12, 13, 14, once in the gospels (Mk 16:17), three times in Acts and none in the Revelation. In Acts 2 we see that when Peter stood up to speak, all could understand him; he spoke in specific dialects. Therefore, to duplicate Peter's actions in any part, one must be able to go to any busy downtown street of any multi-language city, preach the gospel of Christ's death, burial, resurrection and enthronement in heaven, and his hearers understand his message (which was spoken in English) in their native tongue.

Moreover, notice that in the NT there were no "tarrying meetings." The disciples had been commanded to wait, but instead of being on their knees praying and/or agonizing, they were probably sitting (Lk 24:49, same word as in 1 Cor 10:7). In addition, nowhere in the NT are Christians commanded to seek the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit."

Acts

The church in Acts, which gives us a history of the doctrine of the early church as well as its beginning, was Jewish; Acts records tongues as confirming the new message of the gospel as it spread for the first time. Note the three references to tongues in Acts:

First, Acts 2:4 identifies tongues as specific dialects or languages, and this identification will remain consistent throughout Acts. They were given to confirm the fulfillment of the Scriptural prophecy of the gospel being for all who would believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:15-20 with Joel 2:28). This is the first time since the resurrection that the gospel was preached to the Jews; in Peter's first use of the keys (Mat 16:19), he unlocks the door of the kingdom of God to the Jews. The wonders, signs and miracles performed through the apostles fulfilled Joel 2, laying the foundation for whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved, Acts 2:21. 1

The next mention of tongues is in Acts 10:45, 46, where they confirmed that the gospel was to go to the Gentiles. Peter again used the keys to unlock the kingdom, this time for the Gentiles. He was called on the carpet for taking the gospel to the Gentiles, and he referred to the Gentiles supernaturally speaking in tongues to confirm God's direction in taking the gospel to them (Acts 11:15). Note that there had been eight years between the first Jewish convert (Pentecost) and the first Gentile convert (Cornelius), yet when Peter defended his presentation of the gospel to the Gentiles, he had to point all the way back to what happened at Pentecost eight years previously to confirm God's hand in his action. Obviously, there had not been a continuous use of tongues in the early church; the "gift" had been silent for eight years, or Peter would not have had to refer to something eight years previously for confirmation. Pentecost (tongues) was a historical event, not the beginning of a continuing event, or Peter would have said, "As we have been doing since Pentecost." Rather, Peter said, As on us at the beginning.., the beginning of the Jewish church and the preaching of the glorious gospel at Pentecost.Compare Acts 2:21-36 Acts 11:15.

Follow closely: Peter clearly says in Acts 11:15, 16, that what happened at Pentecost (Acts 2:2-4) was prophesied by our Lord when He said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence, which Christ did, Acts 2 (Acts 1:5). John the Baptist looked forward to Pentecost and the supernatural baptism with the Holy Ghost(Mat 3:11, etc); Peter looked back to it, and Paul used it as a reference point (1 Cor 12:13). The event of the day of Pentecost, tongues (specific dialects, or languages), is always used as the reference point of true tongues, as well as the reference for the "baptism of the Holy Ghost." At Pentecost, all heard the preaching in their own language (Acts 2:8). Pentecost, according to John the Baptist, Christ, Peter and Paul, fulfilled being "Baptized with the Holy Spirit with tongues." Pentecost was unique! It cannot be a repeated, nor can it be a continuing event any more than Calvary; both are a historical event. Furthermore, the first church council took "tongues" as the confirmation that the gospel was to go to the Gentiles (Acts 11:16-18).

The third mention of tongues is Acts 19:6: about twelve men had only experienced the baptism of John and had not heard of the Holy Ghost. The question is asked in v. 2: "Have you received the Holy Spirit since ye believed?" They answered, "Holy Spirit! What are you talking about?" Paul then asked them, "Whose message did you respond to? Who baptized you?" They answered, "John." In other words: Paul: "Are you saved? Do you have the Holy Spirit?" (Rom. 8:9 - The Holy Spirit is a result of salvation since Christ). The answer: "All we know about is John and his message. We don't know anything about any Holy Spirit." Paul then tells them, "John preached about the kingdom and the Messiah to come. The Messiah came, named Jesus Christ, and now you need to believe on the Messiah."

In addition, note the phrase, "baptism in Jesus' name." All the ones who were baptized in Jesus' name were those who were either Jews or were looking for the Jewish Messiah; therefore, baptism in Jesus' name was a sign that they had trusted Christ as the Jewish Messiah. In addition, we are told in Acts 2:40 that with many other words did Peter testify and exhort. Thus, we only have a brief outline of Peter's message in Acts 2, and no reason to doubt (and every reason to suppose) that Peter used the words of our Lord as found in Matt. 28:19, 20.

What do we have thus far? First, one receives the Holy Ghost at conversion. In each instance of tongues, Acts 2, 10 & 19 - Pentecost, Cornelius and the disciples of John - an apostle was present. Observe that the gospel goes to the Samaritans, Acts. 8:14-17 (who also looked for the Messiah; therefore, they were also baptized in Jesus' name - John 4:25), and the apostles laid hands upon them, but we have no record of tongues.

Note these two additional points from Acts: first, we have no record of tongues (or "The Baptism of the Holy Spirit") as the result of the laying on of the hands of an apostle. It would appear that Timothy, James, Titus or others of these first ministers would have been instructed to lay hands on others for "the Baptism of the Holy Spirit" and tongues if the practice was to be carried on past the Apostles, but Paul gives them (nor any other pastor) no such instructions. In addition, if the practice was to be continued, men such as Polycarp, Justin Marter, Hermas, &c. would not only have practiced this but would have encouraged others in this experience.

Second, we see that the apostles were only a vehicle for the receiving of the Holy Spirit and passing Him on in special cases. If only those whom they laid their hands on and prayed for received the Holy Spirit, there would have been a problem. Can you imagine Peter trying to lay his hands on and praying for each of the five to ten thousand converts on the first day of preaching the gospel?

We have looked at the three accounts of tongues in the book of Acts. In each instance, an apostle was present and the tongues confirmed "a new thing."

Footnotes

1. Note: That great and notable day of the Lord refers to the coming destruction of Jerusalem. The Lord is calling the Jews that will be saved unto Himself before the nation is destroyed. Barnes' Notes on Acts 2. Back

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