Two Questions I asked Chatgpt.

·      What did Paul teach on Speaking in Tongues?

·      What does the books of Acts say about Receiving the Holy Spirit shown by speaking in tongues?

The Apostle Paul taught extensively about speaking in tongues, especially in 1 Corinthians 12–14, where he offered a balanced, pastoral, and theological view. Here’s a breakdown of Paul’s teachings:

1. Speaking in Tongues is a Gift of the Spirit

  • 1 Corinthians 12:10 – Paul lists “divers kinds of tongues” and “interpretation of tongues” among the gifts of the Spirit.
  • Gift of Tongues is not given to everyone (1 Cor. 12:30), emphasizing that spiritual gifts are diverse and distributed as the Spirit wills (1 Cor. 12:11).

“But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” – 1 Cor. 12:11

2. Tongues is Primarily a Means of Personal Edification

  • 1 Corinthians 14:2, 4 – Speaking in tongues is primarily directed to God, and edifies the speaker rather than others unless interpreted. 

“He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.” – 1 Cor. 14:4

  • Paul valued prophecy over uninterpreted tongues in public gatherings because prophecy builds up the church (1 Cor. 14:5).

3. Interpretation is Necessary in Public Worship

  • 1 Corinthians 14:5, 13, 27–28 – Paul emphasized that tongues spoken in church should be interpreted so that the church may benefit. 

“Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.” – 1 Cor. 14:13

“If there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church…” – 1 Cor. 14:28

4. Paul Spoke in Tongues and Valued It

  • 1 Corinthians 14:18 – Paul affirms, “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all.”
  • However, in church, he’d rather speak five intelligible words to teach others than ten thousand in a tongue (v. 19).

5. Tongues as a Sign

  • 1 Corinthians 14:21–22 – Paul quotes Isaiah 28:11–12 to say that tongues are a sign to unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign to believers. 

“Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not…” – 1 Cor. 14:22

6. Order in Public Worship

  • Paul stressed order and intelligibility in worship.
  • Only two or three should speak in tongues in a service, and only if there is interpretation (1 Cor. 14:27–28).
  • God is not the author of confusion but of peace (1 Cor. 14:33).

7. Do Not Forbid Speaking in Tongues

  • 1 Corinthians 14:39 – Paul ends with a clear instruction: 

“Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.”

Summary of Paul’s Teachings on Tongues:

Teaching Point

Scriptural Reference

Application

Tongues is a spiritual gift

1 Cor. 12:10

Not all believers will have it

Edifies the speaker

1 Cor. 14:4

Useful for personal devotion

Needs interpretation in public

1 Cor. 14:13, 27–28

Without it, remain silent in church

Paul practiced it

1 Cor. 14:18

But valued understandable teaching in public

Tongues is a sign to unbelievers

1 Cor. 14:22

But prophecy is better for believers

Maintain order

1 Cor. 14:33, 40

No chaos in worship; all must be edifying

Do not forbid tongues

1 Cor. 14:39

But use them properly

 

What is the difference between what Paul taught and the book of Acts on Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

Great question—and a crucial comparison. Let’s look at how Paul’s teachings on speaking in tongues (primarily in 1 Corinthians) compare with the pattern of receiving the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues found in the book of Acts.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Paul in Corinthians vs. Acts Pattern

Topic

Paul in 1 Corinthians

Luke in Acts (Receiving the Spirit)

Context

Church conduct and spiritual gifts

Initial outpourings of the Holy Spirit

Audience

Spirit-filled church (Corinth)

Unconverted or newly converted believers

Purpose of Tongues

Edification, communication with God, public use with order

Initial evidence of Spirit baptism

Do All Speak in Tongues?

No – Not all believers receive the gift (1 Cor. 12:30)

All who received the Spirit spoke in tongues in these accounts

Is Tongues Evidence of Spirit Baptism?

No direct claim by Paul

Yes – In each clear case, tongues marked Spirit reception

Interpretation Required?

Yes, in public worship (1 Cor. 14:27–28)

No indication in Acts—it was spontaneous and public

Paul’s Personal Practice

He spoke in tongues often (1 Cor. 14:18)

Paul himself received the Spirit (Acts 9), spoke in tongues (Acts 19:6)

Instructional Tone

Regulative and pastoral (how to use tongues properly)

Descriptive and narrative (what happened when people received the Spirit)

1. Tongues in Acts – As Evidence of Receiving the Spirit 

Acts 2:1–4

 – Day of Pentecost (Jews in Jerusalem) 

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

  • All 120 spoke in tongues.
  • Sign to Jews present (Acts 2:6–8).

2. Acts 10:44–46

 – Cornelius’ Household (Gentiles) 

“For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God…”

  • Tongues were the proof to Peter and the Jews that Gentiles had received the Spirit (Acts 10:47).
  • They were baptized afterward, confirming that tongues came with the Spirit baptism.

3. Acts 19:1–6

 – Disciples of John at Ephesus 

“…the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”

  • Paul lays hands on them, they speak in tongues.
  • This validates Paul’s belief that tongues are part of Spirit reception.

4. Acts 8:14–19

 – Samaritans Receive the Spirit

  • No tongues explicitly mentioned, but Simon saw something visible when the Spirit was given, leading most scholars and Pentecostals to conclude tongues were likely present.

Synthesis: What Do We Learn?

Aspect

Summary

In Acts

Tongues is a sign of initial infilling with the Holy Ghost

In Paul’s Letters

Tongues is a spiritual gift that edifies, should be orderly in church

Harmony Between the Two

Speaking in tongues occurs at Spirit baptism (Acts); the gift continues for edification (Corinthians)

Different Emphases

Acts = sign and experience; Corinthians = gift and order

Paul’s View in Light of Acts

Paul does not contradict Acts; he adds teaching on how to handle tongues in the church context

 

Key Takeaways

  • Acts emphasizes tongues as initial evidence of Spirit baptism—a sign that someone has received the Holy Ghost.
  • Paul emphasizes tongues as a gift of the Spirit for prayer, worship, and corporate edification—distinct from the initial receiving of the Spirit.
  • Both are valid and complementary perspectives:
    • Acts shows the experience of receiving the Spirit.
    • Paul gives the regulation and purpose of the ongoing use of tongues.
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