The Gift of Tongues at Pentecost


Acts 2.  On the day of Pentecost, the rushing mighty wind and the tongues, as of fire, accompanied the true gift – being filled with the Holy Spirit.  In response to the filling of the Holy Spirit, those present (not only the twelve apostles) began to speak with other tongues. These were languages that they were never taught, and they spoke these languages, speaking as the Spirit gave them utterance.
People from Galilee (Galileans) were known to be uncultured and poor speakers.   This was all the more reason to be impressed with their ability to speak eloquently in other languages. “Galileans had difficulty pronouncing gutturals and had the habit of swallowing syllables when speaking; so they were looked down upon by the people of Jerusalem as being provincial” (Longenecker). This makes me think of my Dad.  He had a speech impediment, until he began preaching!  When he got up to preach, his speech was excellent.  But, he still could not sing. 

The gift of tongues is a personal language of prayer given by God, where the believer communicates with God beyond the limits of knowledge and understanding (1 Corinthians 14:14-15).

The Gift of Tongues has an important place in the devotional life of the believer, but a small place in the corporate life of the church (1 Corinthians 14:18-19), especially in public meetings (1 Corinthians 14:23). 

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