Category Archives: Spiritual Gifts

Life in the Book of Acts – Part 3

Posted on May 8, 2012 | Leave a comment

For the last couple of weeks I have been sharing my observations of characteristics and experiences had by the Christians in the book of Acts. If you have missed them, be sure to read part 1 and part 2. And then today, to close it out, here is the final section of the book of Acts, covering chapters 21-28.

The Christians:

  • sought out other disciples while visiting new towns — 21:4,7
  • prayed together, for one another — 21:5
  • prophesied, even women — 21:9
  • were warned of danger in advance by the Holy Spirit — 21:4, 10-11
  • were ready to die for the name of Christ — 21:13
  • shared testimonies and rejoiced in stories of salvation — 21:19-20
  • took on religious vows — 21:23-26
  • caused city-wide uprisings — 21:30-36
  • used personal testimony to share the gospel — 22:1-21, 26:4-29
  • saw their testimonies rejected as false — 22:18, 22
  • were appointed by God for Christian life and ministry — 22:14-15
  • fell into trances in the Spirit — 22:17
  • utilized privileges of earthly citizenships — 22:24-29
  • were visited by Christ, post-ascension — 23:11
  • were plotted against to be murdered — 23:12-14
  • took “pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man” — 24:16
  • had the ear of government leaders without exploiting it — 24:22-27
  • professed the resurrection publicly, even in court — 25:19, 26:6-8
  • were found guiltless by governing judges — 25:6, 26:31-32
  • heard the voice of Jesus – 26:14-18
  • believed the Gospel fulfilled Old Testament prophecies — 26:22-23, 28:23-24
  • made life-altering decisions that could have been viewed as mistakes if it wasn’t for God’s directing them — 26:32 in light of 23:11
  • had divine insights — 27:10-11, 31-32
  • still faced the same difficulties through life as unbelievers did — 27:13-20
  • delivered good news through divine insights — 27:22
  • were visited by angels — 27:23-24
  • were protected from physical danger by non-believers — 27:42-43
  • defied pagan superstitions — 28:4-6
  • healed non-believers — 28:8-9
  • used persecution and imprisonment testimonies to share the gospel — 28:17-22
  • welcomed all visitors, even in the midst of trials — 28:30
  • proclaimed the Kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus Christ with boldness — 28:31

So, after reading through these three posts on life in the book of Acts, what stands out to you the most? Has anything been especially encouraging or caused you to open the Bible and see for yourself? Have I missed anything you think should be added to the list? And maybe, if there is there anything in particular that causes you to want pursue God in a deeper walk with Him or seek for a more spiritually empowered life, be sure to share those things in the comments.

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Life in the Book of Acts – Part 2

Posted on May 1, 2012 | 2 Comments

Last week we began looking through the book of Acts at the characteristics that marked believers and the things they experienced as they followed the Holy Spirit in this new life, then known as “The Way.”

As I have continued in this study in my personal time, it became clear to me that two posts would not be enough to contain it all, so this week we will look at Acts 15-20, and will close out the book next week starting with Paul’s return to Jerusalem, his arrest and the journey to a Roman prison.

As I said last week, not all the things I mention here applied to all believers, and some were not repeated again in scripture. Yet it is still helpful to us to know how our God has moved among His church in the past because though times change, He remains the same.

In Acts 15-20, the Christians:

  • Were still seduced by the law — 15:1
  • Did not always agree on the application of some scriptures — 15:2,5
  • Took joy in the salvation testimony of others — 15:3
  • Submitted to apostolic authority — 15:6-11, 19-21
  • Refused to put heavy burdens on new believers/non-Jewish believers — 15:10-11
  • Believed in salvation by Grace alone — 15:11; 18:27
  • Submitted to scriptural authority — 15:15-18
  • Encouraged one another through human means (writing letters) — 15:31
  • Encouraged one another through supernatural means (prophecy) — 15:32
  • Saw ministries split over personal preferences — 15:39
  • Acted contrary to personal liberties for the sake of other’s consciences — 16:3
  • Were sometimes forbidden by God to share to gospel — 16:6-7
  • Received instruction through visions — 16:9-10; 18:9-10
  • Were committed to prayer — 16:13
  • Observed Sabbath rest — 16:13
  • Baptized new converts with water in Jesus’ name — 16:14-15; 19:5
  • Showed great hospitality — 16:15
  • Were followed around by the demonic — 16:16-18
  • Cast out demons — 16:18
  • Upset human economics — 16:18-20
  • Upset local governments — 16:20-22; 17:6-8
  • Were arrested, beaten, and jailed — 16:22-24
  • Worshipped through their trials — 16:25
  • Utilized the privileges they had in earthly citizenships — 16:36-39
  • Upset the Jewish religious leaders, and were followed around and opposed by them — 17:5,13; 18:12-13; 20;19
  • Did not always face controversy head-on — 17:10; 19:30-31
  • Proclaimed the Gospel from the Old Testament — 17:11-12; 18:5, 28
  • Were provoked to action by viewing the idolatry of others — 17:16-21
  • Utilized local culture (art, poetry, folklore) to proclaim truth — 17:23,28
  • Worked to provide for the continuation of the ministry — 18:3-4
  • Were “occupied with the Word” — 18:5
  • Did not take rejection of the Gospel personally — 18:6
  • Were encouraged by God to press on in the mission — 18:9-11
  • Took on religious vows — 18:18
  • Proclaimed the Gospel in established religious arenas — 17:1-2, 10, 19; 18:19; 19;8
  • Strengthened one another as disciples — 18:23
  • Received baptism in the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands — 19:2-6
  • Preached the Kingdom of God boldly — 19:8
  • Were spoken evil of by non-believers — 19:9
  • Spread the Gospel across Asia — 19:10
  • Performed miracles — 19:11
  • Healed and delivered people from demons through inanimate objects that had only touched the believer — 19:12
  • Were mimicked in attempts at power by non-believers — 19:13
  • Were known by name in the demonic realm (for the threat they posed) — 19:15
  • Confessed their false spirituality (witchcraft) and burned the remnants of it — 19:18-19
  • Turned people from handmade idols — 19:26
  • Threatened national idolatry — 19:27
  • Caused riots in whole cities — 19:28-41
  • Preached long sermons (too long?) — 20:7,9
  • Raised the dead — 20:9-10
  • “Served the Lord with humility and with tears” — 20:19
  • Taught the Gospel publicly — 20:20
  • Taught the Gospel in homes — 20:20
  • Expected affliction — 20:23
  • Declared the whole counsel of God — 20:27
  • Expected wolves to come from within the flock — 20:29-30
  • Tried to live like Jesus — 20:35
  • Prayed together for one another — 20:36

(Click here for Part 3)

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Life in the Book of Acts – Part 1

Posted on April 24, 2012 | 5 Comments

Lately I have been spending a lot of time in the book of Acts, just making observations in my journal of the characteristics that marked believers and the things they experienced as they followed the Holy Spirit in this new life.

In this post I share my findings from the first half of the book of Acts. Not all the things I mention here applied to all believers, and some were not repeated again in scripture. Nevertheless, these things are recorded as part of our “family” history. This is the start of the story of the church.

As I share these characteristics this week and next week, I hope you are encouraged to trust more in Christ, to strive for a bolder obedience, and that your faith will increase to see Him move mightily. (Also, if in your own study of Acts, you find anything that I missed, please share it in the comments.)

Here we go.

In Acts 1-14, the Christians:

  • wait on God’s promises, especially for the baptism of the Holy Spirit — 1:4
  • receive power from the Holy Spirit in order to be Christ’s witnesses — 1:8
  • spread the Gospel beyond cultural and national boundaries — 1:8; 11:16-17, 19-21; 12:24; 13:4 to end of Acts
  • are unified together — 1:14; 4:32
  • are devoted to prayer — 1:14; 2:42
  • are filled with the Holy Spirit, both Jewish and gentile converts — 2:4; 10:44-45; 11:16-17
  • are given the ability by the Holy Spirit to speak in tongues — 2:4; 10:46
  • are given the ability to prophesy, dream dreams, and receive visions by the Holy Spirit — 2:17-18; 11:27-28; 13:1-2
  • come under conviction that leads to repentance — 2:37-38
  • sit under spiritual authority (apostles and church elders) — 2:42; 14:23
  • are devoted to fellowship (church community) — 2:42
  • take the Lord’s Supper together regularly — 2:42
  • are in awe of God — 2:43
  • share all their possessions to the point that no one lacks anything — 2:44-45; 4:32-37
  • healed the sick and performed miracles in the name of Jesus (this includes both apostles and non-apostles) — 3:6,16; 4:10, 30; 6:8; 14:8-10
  • were refreshed by the presence of the Lord — 3:20
  • kept getting into trouble with the Jewish religious leaders — 4:1-3
  • feared God more than men — 4:19-20; 5:21, 29; 13:51-52
  • sought God for boldness and received it — 4:29,31
  • continued to be tempted toward sin — 5:1-3
  • still struggled with fear of men — 5:13
  • healed people simply by walking by them — 5:15-16
  • were protected and delivered by angels for God’s mission – 5:19; 12:6-11
  • caused problems for the Jewish religious leaders — 5:26
  • “filled Jerusalem with their teaching” — 5:28
  • rejoiced in suffering and persecution — 5:41-42
  • were continually making more disciples — 6:1; 14:21
  • saw Jewish religious leaders converted — 6:7
  • did not separate the Old Testament from the gospel — 7:1-53
  • were persecuted, imprisoned, beaten, stoned, and killed for their faith — 8:1-3; 12:1-5; 13:50; 14:5-6, 19
  • used signs and wonders to confirm the Gospel message — 8:6; 13:12; 14:3
  • received instructions from angels — 8:26
  • received instructions from the Holy Spirit — 8:29
  • were physically “transported” from location to location by the spirit — 8:39-40
  • were known by their way of life; called people of “the way” — 9:2
  • were saved through visions of Christ — 9:5-6
  • were led through visions to lead others to Christ — 9:10-12
  • were obedient to the Lord and it was met with the miraculous — 9:10-19
  • enlightened the religiously educated by their faith in Christ — 9:22
  • were reconciled with their enemies — 9:26-28
  • used miraculous means for evangelism — 9:32-35
  • were “full of good works and charity” — 9:36; 11:29-30
  • received faith through prayer then commanded reality to follow — 9:40
  • raised the dead back to life — 9:40
  • were set up with divine appointments for evangelism by the Holy Spirit (even to the point that the lost were seeking out the Christians) — 10:1-48
  • went into trances led by the Holy Spirit — 10:10
  • saw ‘truth in action’ through visions from God — 10:10-17, 28
  • received visions that were very specific; not vague (even to the point that in some instances they confused reality for visions) — 10:30-33; (12:9)
  • always shared a “Jesus-as-the-Jewish-Messiah” apologetic — 10:34-43; 13:13-41
  • followed salvation with water baptism — 10:47-48
  • were criticized by those believers still bound to the law — 11:1-3
  • were unified through revelations of the Holy Spirit — 11:1-18
  • began to be called Christians at Antioch — 11:26
  • received miraculous answers to prayer –12:5, 12-17
  • upset the government by following God’s directions — 12:18-19
  • saw God curse and/or kill those who were against Him — 5:1-10; 12:20-23; 13:11
  • sought God through fasting alongside prayer — 13:3; 14:23
  • rebuked those who stood in the way of the Gospel — 13:9
  • were confused with gods because of God’s power in them — 14:11-13
  • refused to receive for themselves the glory due to God alone — 14:14-18
  • were followed from place to place by those antagonistic to the Gospel — 14:19

(Click here for Part 2)

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Empowered to Serve

Posted on March 13, 2012 | 1 Comment

Last week I wrote a blog about the reality of God’s Kingdom touching earth through miraculous deeds, and the fact that the Bible testifies that those things continue in the church today.

Knowing many people who read my blog personally, I know that the “charismatic,” “continuationist” viewpoint is one that some do not agree with, or still have questions about, and I hope to continue to handle this topic tactfully, in order to not offend those people.

As I began pursuing the gifts of the Holy Spirit a few years ago while attending an independent Baptist college where the common believe was that the gifts have ceased, it seemed like such an overwhelming issue and there were many questions in my mind as to how the gifts should be incorporated into church and life. Because those around me did not believe the gifts continue, I didn’t have anyone to turn to to find the answers I was seeking.

On top of that, I saw many charismatic leaders on Christian television who, it seemed, used the gifts as a way of making a name for themselves, and to gain status in the world. I knew there was something wrong with this, and it served to add to the ammunition of those opposed to my beliefs.

It didn’t take more than a look at 1 Corinthians 12-14 to tell me that the basis for using the gifts is love, but the other day as I was reading in Matthew, another passage caught my attention that I believe it speaks to this issue as well, and I want to share it here:

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to (Jesus) with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:20-28)

These disciples, who had walked with Jesus for a while by this point, who had been given authority to heal and cast out demons, and who were to some degree were helping to lead the masses following Jesus around, now come to Jesus and completely miss the point of the mission of God. They miss the mandate to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth (Matthew 6:10), and instead, come looking for more authority that would come to them by having the seat of power next to Christ when the Kingdom is fully come.

Jesus calls them on it. He goes into this teaching that seeking power for oneself is a trait inherent in establishing an earthly throne, but that this is not how things work in God’s Kingdom. Instead, the power of the Kingdom is given most to those not seeking power itself, but who are instead seeking to serve others from a selfless, compassionate heart, just like His own. He even uses himself as the  example, as He had been telling the disciples that He was on His way to Jerusalem to die for the sins of His people.

Now, the reality is that people can use God-given authority and power from a sinful, self-serving heart and still see the power work. Jesus said that on the day of judgement “many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:22-23)

However, for those believers who are legitimately seeking God’s power for the purpose of transforming their world into a Kingdom culture – “on earth as it is in Heaven” – then Jesus says, these people will be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

From this truth, to those reading who are seeking how the gifts are to be used, allow me give you some very simple scriptural advice for this pursuit:

  • Make sure your heart and mind are working from a position of Christ-likeness. “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:1-5)
  • Don’t seek a logical answer to mysteries of faith. Just go after God to do something  miraculous, and watch Him work. “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts…”(1 Corinthians 14:1)

When we are acting out of the love of God, with a mind to serve others and bring God’s Kingdom to earth, the Holy Spirt will be there to empower us and to see us through. It really is this simple, as long as we don’t let our systems of theology get too deep for our faith to handle.

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The Tangible Kingdom

Posted on March 6, 2012 | 2 Comments


As I have been slowly working through the book of Matthew in my devotion time, there are certain themes that seem to recur again and again in the ministry of Jesus and the disciples – things like “the Kingdom of Heaven,” the testimony of things  seen, and the idea of bearing fruit.

Very early on, in Matthew 4:14, after he had been tempted in the wilderness, the scriptures tell us that “from that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).

Now, this message sounds very familiar to the message preached by John the Baptist, except that in Jesus’ preaching ministry, the Kingdom of Heaven was never preached as a concept but as something tangible. It was demonstrated to the people through acts of divine mercy such as healings and deliverance from the demonic.

In fact, after John the Baptist had been arrested, he was hearing what was going on with Jesus and decided to find out about this man for himself:

“Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’ And Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.’” (Matthew 11:1-6)

John is sincerely asking the question, “Are you the coming Messiah” and Jesus response is, “What do you see me doing?”

Now, I am adamant that Christians must know and love the scriptures as the foundation for life and ministry, but my sincere fear is that too many Christians believe that preaching the Bible is the only validation needed for a ministry to be fruitful, and that when preaching from the Bible, people, including non-believers, should simply take them at their word that their teaching has authority.

While I agree that the Bible has authority and that our ministry will be held accountable to the scriptures, what we see is that Jesus didn’t send John a message highlighting all of the Old Testament passages that validated Him. Instead, His answer was to point to His many, on-earth manifestations of the Kingdom of God as His apologetic.

He even later tells his disciples, “ blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it” (Matthew 13:16-17). The thing that the prophets of old longed to see and hear was the proclamation and the signs that the Kingdom of God had come to earth.

Jesus’ entire ministry on earth was filled with example after example of this message: “the Kingdom of God is in your midst,” and then he showed them this reality in the restoration of lives, both body and soul.

And it didn’t stop with Jesus!

Jesus’ teachings to the disciples through the parables in Matthew many times consisted of analogies in which the Kingdom of God is like a tree or plant that once it has matured will be judged by the fruit it bore. Wheat is separated from the weeds by bearing good seed (Matt. 13:24-30). A good tree will always bear good fruit, and a Child of the Kingdom will bring forth Kingdom fruit (Matt 12:35).

If the Kingdom of God has come to a person through faith in Christ, then they will begin to bear fruit demonstrating that they are no longer on the same playing field  as the world.

This is why when Jesus taught the discipels how to pray, the first request made was, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10).

Jesus was telling His disciples that to have a heart like His, their desires must be to see the reality of God’s Kingdom manifested in the world, so that the world “may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

This became practical when Jesus “called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction” (Matthew 10:1). And they did!

And it didn’t stop with the Apostles!

The Bible tells us that this same authority is carried by all believers if we will only have the faith to see God’s Kingdom come. Jesus said so Himself:

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:15-18 ESV)

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (John 14:12-14 ESV)

I know that many people, including many who read my blog, fall into a cessationist category that believes these gifts were only for the Apostles to perform to testify to the validity of their ministry as Christianity was being birthed. However, in the world today there are too many people who still doubt our God, and His goal is still to capture their hearts.

Scripture continually testifies that the same ministry passed to the apostles has been passed to us today, and that the Holy Spirit is here to empower us to accomplish the work.

As those sent on mission with Him to reach the lost and dying world, I believe all of us need to really consider our Kingdom theology. Do we believe that is is just a concept to be embraced in our heads, or is the Kingdom something we really do believe can become tangible “on earth as it is in heaven?”

At the bare minimum, it does no harm to believe God still does the miraculous and touches people with the reality of His Kingdom today, just like He did in the book of Acts. So then, why don’t we pray for that? And just imagine for a moment the revival that might happen around us if and when He does?

The guarantee that we have is this: “this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations” (Matthew 24:14). I don’t know about you, but I want to have a part in that.

Lord, do it again! Amen.

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His Mission. Who’s Way?

Posted on October 10, 2011 | 5 Comments

Last week I posted on the subject of, when God said to “go and make disciples,” it isn’t something we have to pray about. We should just obey. Now, while I do stand firm on that statement, I thought a good follow up would be to discuss things that we, as disciple-making Christians, must continually be in prayer about, lest you walk away from my blog with the idea that prayer is not an essential part of being on mission with Jesus.

As far as evangelism is concerned, I really believe that one of the biggest failures in reaching the world with the Gospel is that we don’t ask God for divine wisdom in how to do so. It is one thing to say we don’t need to ask “if” we should obey the Great Commission. It is, however, arrogant to say we shouldn’t ask “how?”

I look around at so many well-put-together, “Christian” ministries, but too often they don’t resemble the ministry of Jesus at all. Some refuse to talk about sensitive issues like hell, or even the cross, because those things make people uncomfortable. Some have even given up preaching at all, because it doesn’t seem ‘tolerant’ of others’ opposing views. Some get lost in the logistics of organizational life, whether it be money or technology, music or stage decorations, because they feel that if everything isn’t just right, or if there is any question of how things will go, then chaos will ensue or people won’t “feel moved” to respond. Now believe me, I know these temptations all too well. Whether it is in my current role as a pastor in my church or in making preparations for moving to the mission field next year, I battle with so many of these questions daily. But when we give in to those temptations, it is us trying to do pull off the mission of God on our own know-how.

Based on this, what I want to talk about here is that we are clearly told to pray for wisdom. Paul tells the Corinthian church that God gives “gifts of wisdom” and that we are to earnestly desire God’s gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:8; ch14). Then James promises that whenever we pursue God for wisdom, He will give it (James 1:5). If that is clear, then why is this practice so neglected?

I think the reason we tend not to ask for God to give us wisdom in the “how” of ministry is two-fold.

First, God’s ways are not our ways, and by the standard of what is “normal,” His ways don’t usually fit very well. There is an obvious distinction between human wisdom and divine wisdom in that God’s wisdom seems to “wise” humans as foolishness (see Isaiah 55:8-9 and 1 Corinthians 1:20-25; 2:6-9). Despite the fact that God’s wisdom is still far “above” our own, we don’t pursue His ways because we don’t want to be considered weird.

This brings me to the second reason: We think we have enough sense to do it ourselves. We just assume we can figure it out on our own and then in arrogance believe that our way is better than God’s.

The problem? It’s God’s mission! He planned it. He pulled off the work. He is the one now sending us out with the message. From start to finish it is His deal. His way isn’t just better. It’s the only way that will work at all. That is why Jesus says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end” (Revelation 22:13). That is why Hebrews 12:2 says He is “the Founder and Perfecter of our faith.” He started the mission, and He is the one going to see it through. That means that we don’t have our own way of doing it. He has already determined the way, and we either get on board with what He’s doing, or we’re not on mission with Him.

So, in reference to last week’s post, we do what we are told, and “go, make disciples of all nations…” But we don’t go at it on our own. We plead with God to show us how; to make us wise, and then we obey His leading, trusting that His way will bring people into the Kingdom, whether we think it’s a good idea or not.

Bottom line: If you are going to obey the Great Commission, you better be praying for wisdom.

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Speaking in Tongues FAQ

Posted on February 10, 2011 | 5 Comments

Because of my Baptist heritage, many people are confused when they discover that I both believe in and practice the charismatic or sensational gifts of the Holy Spirit (i.e. prophecy, healing, tongues, casting out of demons, etc.). Because these things are seldom practiced or taught about, even in Baptist churches that profess a belief in the gifts, there are many questions that arise when people find out about my beliefs and practices.

On the other hand, when I discuss spiritual gifts with my more charismatic friends — Pentecostals, or Assembly of God friends for instance — they are often confused by my ‘restraint’ put on the gifts and my inability to agree on some of the finer points of their respective denominations doctrinal teachings about the gifts, specifically the gift of tongues.

After a girl in my church began asking me a ton of questions last week about the gifts and tongues in particular, I though it would be a good opportunity to answer some of the more frequently asked questions that come up in discussions like this, and to attempt to ground those answers with solid biblical support for why I land where I do. If at the end of this list you still have more questions about the issue, please feel free to ask in the comment section.

Is the gift of tongues an earthly language that you never studied but God teaches you, or is it an unknown language altogether?

Both versions of ‘tongues’ are represented in the scriptures (Earthly tongues in Acts 2, Non-earthly tongues in 1 Corinthians 14). However, when most people talk about the gift of tongues they are referencing a non-earthly language that cannot be learned, taught, or even translated without the Holy Spirit giving the interpretation. If it were an earthly language, then the spiritual gift of interpretation of tongues (1 Cor. 12:10) would not be necessary (1 Cor. 14:5, 27).

What is the primary purpose of the gift of tongues?

The primary purpose of all of the spiritual gifts are twofold. First to build up and edify the church (1 Cor. 12), and secondly, as a sign to non-believers. Tongues can fulfill both roles by personally edifying the one who speaks it (1 Cor. 14:4), by edifying the whole church when an interpreter is present (1 Cor. 14:26-27), and as a demonstration to non-believers (1 Cor. 14:22)

Is speaking in tongues a sign of salvation? Do I have to speak in tongues to be saved?

Speaking in tongues is never shown in scripture to be a sign of salvation. On one hand you may can argue that if someone speaks by the Holy Spirit’s power, then he or she must be saved. At the same time we know of non-believers and even animals in the Old Testament who God used to speak truth, but no one argues that animals can be save. And we also know that there will be people at judgement time who try to use their prophesying and casting out demons in Jesus name as a sign of salvation, but Christ will deny them (Matthew 7:21-23).

Is tongues a sign that a person has the Holy Spirit? If I don’t speak in tongues does it mean i don’t have the Holy Spirit inside me?

No and No.

First off, we know that Satan can imitate all of the power and signs that God demonstrates among men. Therefore, just because someone claims to be speaking in tongues, it does not mean that they are truly filled with the Spirit of God. The Bible says we will know them by the fruits of the gift (Matthew 7:15-20), not the demonstrations of power.

Secondly, we know from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians that not all Christians will speak in tongues, just as not all will be able to prophesy or lay hands on the sick and see them healed (1 Cor. 12:27-31). Yet we know that all Christians are sealed by the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30) whenever they believe the Gospel and confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10). So all believers have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside them, but the Spirit alone will determine how He manifests His gifts through that person (1 Cor. 12:4-11).

Is tongues the primary gift of the Holy Spirit?

No. Paul makes clear that there are gifts more desirable than others (1 Cor. 12:31), then spends all of 1 Corinthians 14 arguing that although he wishes all of them could speak in tongues (v. 5), he would rather them seek the gift of prophecy (vv. 5, 39)because it has more benefit to the full body of believers.

Can anyone speak in tongues? Should all Christians speak in tongues?

The only people who can legitimately speak in tongues from the Holy Spirit and not some counterfeit version are those believer’s who have sought the gift (1 Cor. 14:1) and whom God has chosen to give the gift to (1 Cor. 12:11).

If I don’t speak in tongues does it mean that I am not as spiritual as someone who does?

No, nowhere in scripture is it indicated that the gift of tongues is any special mark on the character or spirituality of that person, or and indicator of a higher level of affection received from God.

What does it sound like when you speak in tongues? How do I know it’s tongues and not just gibberish?

Because I have not found a biblical answer to the question of what it sounds like, my Baptist friends will have to cringe a little as I answer from personal experience and the similar experience of others. Speaking in tongues does sound like gibberish, in the same way listening to someone speak in any language you don’t understand sounds like gibberish. However, when you listen to someone speaking in tongues, there does seem to be a structure to the language, and as time goes on, you will hear certain ‘words’ or ‘phrases’ being repeated.

The only way we can know someone is really speaking in the gift of tongues from the Holy Spirit is to test the Spirit and see if it is really from God (1 John 4:1-3) and as mentioned earlier, to judge from the fruits produced by the gift.

Do you know what you are saying?

Speaking in tongues and interpreting tongues are two different things. Paul says that when a person speaks in tongues, he is speaking to God, and that no man understands (1 Cor. 14:2)). It is a form of prayer in which even the mind of the one praying does not understand what is being said (1 Cor. 14:14).

How do I pursue tongues (or other charismatic gifts)?

1 Corinthians 14:12 says, “since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.” If you want to pursue the spiritual gifts, it begins by realizing that they are for the purpose of building up the church. You become an extension of God’s love to the world (1 Corinthians 13). They aren’t for show, and they aren’t for you to have to feel you have attained a higher Christian status.

Now if you really want to pursue the gifts, I don’t know that there is a standard way to do so, but I feel like the following suggestions are a good place to start.

First of all, express the desire to God. He is a loving Father who wants to give gifts to His children if they will ask (Matthew 7:11).

Second, we know that God delights in the obedience of His children. The Holy Spirit is drawn to the person who is pursuing holy living. So strive to live a life pleasing to Him, rather than one at odds with Him (Galatians 5:16-24)

And finally, live a life that evidences your desire to see God’s Kingdom built, and God’s people to grow in maturity. Love and serve others (1 Cor. 13). Oftentimes it is when we run out of the ability to love and serve on our own power, that the power of God is made known (2 Cor. 12:9-10).

[Note: While I look forward to reading your comments, please note that the intention of this blog is not to debate the cessation or the continuation of the spiritual gifts. If you believe the gifts have ceased, then I hope this blog helps you understand what the gift of tongues was when God did those things. I however believe they still exist and intend this as a resource for others who are on the same spiritual journey as I am. Although I may post a blog on the cessation debate at a later date, no comments to that end will be approved for this particular post. Thanks.]

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