Bible STudy

Bible Study

November 6, 2025

“The Gift”

Acts 2:4 (NKJV)

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

What a powerful scripture for the church of today. There is so much packed into this one verse starting with the three letter “all.” In that room that day were the apostles and 120 more people awaiting something, that something was the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus had promised to them.

They waited until the time had come. The phenomenon of speaking in tongues has divided many churches. Some say you are not “baptized” in the Holy Spirit unless it is evidenced by speaking in tongues and others will tell you that the evidence is not the “evidence” of His power.

There are a couple of things we need to consider. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a onetime experience , while the “filling” is the reality of a Spirit filled, Spirit led life. The fullness of the Spirit affects all areas of our life, not just speaking boldly.

We then must look at the phrase “with other tongues.” Many scholars believe these were known tongues which make a great deal of sense to me. They were given so people from all those gathered would understand what was taking place.

There is also a prayer language that is an unknown tongue. Romans 8:26 (NKJV) “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.” For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. I believe this is where God uses the “gift of tongues” or a prayer language to help us pray for things we cannot find the words to say.

I have a number of Pentecostal friends who speak in tongues in fact I have experienced in worship services when I lived in Nashville. I do not question their motives. Here’s a quick thought from the Apostle Paul – “The phrase “I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all” comes from the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:18-19. He uses this to explain his personal use of speaking in tongues for self-edification, while also emphasizing that in a public church setting, he would rather speak in understandable language to teach others. Any spiritual gift should be used in a way that builds up the entire community, and for that to happen, tongues must be interpreted. Paul also speaks of order in the worship service in 1 Corinthians.

I believe what we take from this is without the “infilling” we are powerless to do the work of the kingdom.

God Bless.