“For He (the Holy Spirit) had not yet fallen on any of them” (Acts 8:16) Part II

Speaking in tongues is not simply one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit

It is the misinterpretation of 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 that leads some churches to view speaking in tongues as unnecessary—believing that tongues are merely one of the many diverse gifts of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, there are verses in this chapter that, on the surface, may appear to describe speaking in tongues as a gift:

1 Corinthians 12:4, 8–11.

“…there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit…” and “…to another different kinds of tongues…”

These verses seem to suggest that not everyone who receives the Holy Spirit speaks in tongues. Rather, it depends on whether the Holy Spirit gives a person the gift of tongues or some other gift.

1 Corinthians 12:27–30. Here, Paul writes in rhetorical questions, with the implied answer to each being “no.”The rhetorical question, “Do all speak with tongues?” seems to suggest that not all who have the Holy Spirit are expected to speak in tongues.

So how do we reconcile this apparent “optional” gift of tongues in 1 Corinthians 12 with our belief that speaking in tongues always accompanies receiving the Holy Spirit?

We should understand that the Bible does, in fact, describe speaking in tongues as a gift that accompanies receiving the Holy Spirit (e.g., Acts 10:44–46).

“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.”

Verse 46 shows that the gift was the ability to speak in tongues. The gift here is not merely the receiving of the Holy Spirit, but specifically the manifestation of tongues.

However, the word translated as “gift” in 1 Corinthians is different from the “gift” used in passages like Acts 10:44–46 that describe the reception of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 12, the Greek word used is χάρισμα (charisma, Strong’s G5486)—“gift (of tongues).” In Acts 10:45, the word is δωρεά (dorea, Strong’s G1431)—“gift (of the Holy Spirit).”

When someone receives the Holy Spirit and speaks in tongues—as we do today in prayer—the Bible uses dorea to describe this “gift.” Dorea implies a free or undeserved gift that is broadly given. It conveys that this gift of tongues is distributed to everyone who receives the Holy Spirit. For example,

Acts 10:44–46 – “...the gift (dorea) of the Holy Spirit had been poured...”

Acts 2:37–38 – “...gift (dorea) of the Holy Spirit”

Acts 8:20 – “...gift (dorea) of God...”

By contrast, in 1 Corinthians 12, “gift” in the Greek is charisma, which has multiple meanings. Paul uses charisma here to refer to faculties or talents. These include the word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healing, prophecy, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues.

1 Cor. 12:4 – “diversities of gifts (charisma)”

1 Cor. 12:28 – “gifts (charisma) of healings, helps,...”

We also see charisma used elsewhere in Scripture to describe talents or abilities given by God:

Romans 12:6 – “Having then gifts (charisma) differing according to the grace...”

1 Peter 4:10 – “As each one has received a gift (charisma), minister it to one another...”

So, our conclusion is that Paul’s use of charisma in 1 Corinthians 12 is consistent with his usage in Romans 12, and consistent with the author of 1 Peter 4:10, where charisma refers to talents or faculties.

We also know that Paul is intentional in his use of charisma and dorea. He even uses both charisma and dorea in the same passage, in Romans 5:15–16.

“free gift (charisma)”

“gift (dorea) by grace”

This shows that Paul carefully distinguishes between the two, and writes each intentionally.

Speaking in tongues as the evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit is the gift (dorea) of the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues as a ministry-related talent is the gift (charisma) of tongues for the edification of the church. Today, when we pray in the Holy Spirit, our speaking in tongues is the dorea of the Holy Spirit—a free gift given to all who have received the Holy Spirit.

What then is the “Gift of Tongues” (Charisma) in 1 Corinthians 12?

Our church has real experiences of the gift (charisma) of tongues. Some of our older members can recall, or may have personally witnessed, instances in our church where someone spoke in tongues and another person interpreted—conveying a message from the Lord to the congregation, similar to what is described in 1 Corinthians 14:27.

Thus, the speaking in tongues mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 refers to the charisma of tongues. Not everyone receives this charisma. It is used during worship only when someone is present to interpret the message (1 Cor. 14:27–28). This special ability is distinct from the dorea of speaking in tongues that accompanies the reception of the Holy Spirit.

Conclusions

In summary, the Bible clearly shows that receiving the Holy Spirit is a distinct event from believing or being baptized, and that it is always accompanied by speaking in tongues. While some churches interpret passages like Ephesians 1 and 1 Corinthians 12 to mean that the Holy Spirit is received automatically at conversion, the Book of Acts demonstrates otherwise. Furthermore, although 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 refer to the gift (charisma) of tongues as one of many diverse talents given for the edification of the church, this is different from the gift (dorea) of the Holy Spirit described in Acts, which is the speaking in tongues given to all who receive the Holy Spirit. Understanding the distinction between charisma and dorea resolves the apparent contradiction and affirms the teaching of our church: that speaking in tongues is the necessary evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit.