Acts 10:44-48
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
44 While Peter was
still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who
heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy
Spirit had been poured out(C) even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with
water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we
have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus
Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2010:44%20-%2048&version=NIV1984)
There is no question
that speaking in tongues is a sign from the Holy Spirit yet what about those
who profess to be Christians who do not speak in tongues? This is an age old question and one that
needs to be explained only through the Scriptures.
First of all let’s
look at the first time tongues was introduced.
It was the day of Pentecost and
it was used by the Holy Spirit to spread the Gospel in languages not native to
the speaker. It was a sign to the
unbelievers and an avenue for them to come to the Lord. This account is found in Acts 2:1 -13.
In the verses for
today we find that this gift of tongues was bestowed upon the new believers
(Gentiles) as a sign to the Jews that they did in fact receive the Holy Spirit . The Jews were all under the assumption that
these people (Gentiles) could not be baptized or receive the same gifts as them
because they were not Jews. The Holy Spirit
used this as a sign to the Jews that the Gentiles were just as much a part of
the family of God as they were because the gift of the Holy Spirit was upon
them and He gave them the same gift that they had bestowed upon them. Again it was used as a sign to indicate the
work of the Holy Spirit.
We read in I Corinthians 14: 1 – 5
14 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2 For
anyone who speaks in a tongue) does not speak to men but to
God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 3 But
everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of
you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater
than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may
be edified.
Not all speak in
tongues as Paul writes. This does not
mean that they are not Christians, but rather they may have other gifts. If you look in the previous Chapter 13: 1 - 3, you will find that
even speaking in tongues or prophesying or doing good deeds is nothing if you
do not have love. Yes, all of these are
signs of the work of the Holy Spirit, yet they can all be in vain if the gift
of love is not present. Paul follows up in chapter 14 by saying,
follow the way of love. There is not
better indication of the hearts of man but by the actions of man. You can say you are a Christian, you can say
that God has given you words to speak to either man or God yet if you cannot
love your neighbor what good are any of these gifts? You can be a leader in a church, maybe even a
pastor of a church but if you do not love your flock, you cannot have an
effective ministry. You can show mercy
to the poor and weak but if you cannot show love to the person sitting next to
you at work, your gifts to the poor only find their reward on this earth. I have seen the testimony of others become
useless because of the actions towards brothers and sisters in Christ. I have heard people discount the church
saying it is just full of hypocrites, why, because they witnessed the lack of
love and a different lifestyle outside the church wall. Beautiful words have flowed out of the mouths
of those speaking the Words of God but their anger towards those that God has
called them to love wiped away all those words.
It doesn’t matter if you have any of these gifts if you cannot love, the
testimony that these gifts bring will be destroyed. The church does not grow because people have
gifts of tongues, prophesy, generosity, the church grows when we bestow upon
others the love that our Father gave us.
As you seek the
Lord and ask Him to bestow upon you His gifts, remember the greatest and most
important gift of all is the gift of love.
How are you showing love today?
Seeking Him with
all my heart,
Sheila
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