Tongues first?
靈洗以後先能說方言?
Very many charismatic churches/denominations believe that tongue speaking is the first sign of Christians having received the gifts/baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Reference is often referred to Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost; hence many of such churches are called Pentecostal church after this doctrine of tradition.
This is one of the two ways of exposition. 1) by historical events/precidence; 2) by exposition of Bible writers.
From narration in Acts we see clearly that Christians could speak in tongues initially when the Spirit fell upon them.
However, when we came to Paul's conversion, there is no reference to the initial tongue speaking.
Let us then look into the exposition of the gifts of the Spirit by Paul.
1Corinthians哥林多前書 13:
1. If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.
13:1 我若能說萬人的方言, 並天使的話語卻沒有愛, 我就成了鳴的鑼, 響的鈸一般.
說萬人的方言the tongues of men does mean ordinary tongues of human languages.
There is the story of early Pentecostal Christians leaving their own countries to evangelise other countries believing that they were speaking in tongues of alien land/races. To their disappointment, their tongues were not understood by the targeted aliens.
天使的話語the tongues of angels does mean spiritual languages.
This 13v1 could well mean all human effort in comparison with love/agape, rather than comparing spiritual gifts with love.
But if we must use this verse and those that follow to discuss the baptism/gifts of the Holy Spirit, a very interesting picture emerged - the element/gift of love.
Love, God's love must be there on the day of Pentecost. Love must be there in the exercise of tongue speaking. Love must be there in the hearts of true Christians. Love must be there in order to validate tongues and other gifts.
This means tongue speaking is not the first one and only initial experience and gift of the Holy Spirit. Love must be accounted for.
1Corinthians哥林多前書 14:
1. Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
14:1 你們要追求愛, 也要切慕屬靈的 (.恩賜.), 其中更要羨慕的,是作先知講道. ((原文作是說預言下同))
This verse shatters the doctrine of Cessationism.
Paul instructed Christians to desire earnestly spiritual gifts while follow after love. The need is there apart from the need of scriptures and following the Word of God in doctrine preaching.
Prophesy in the name of God with the gift of the Holy Spirit.
You think preaching is great? Well, the gift of prophesy makes the preaching Godly, Holy, and Great.
The Godly pulpit is not reserved for preaching only; but for the demonstration of the gift of the Holy Spirit.
This is meant to be Spiritual.
1Corinthians哥林多前書 14vv2-4:
For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God: for no man understands him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
14:3 但作先知講道的, 是對人說, 要造就, 安慰, 勸勉人.
But he that prophesieth speaks to men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
14:4 說方言的, 是造就自己. 作先知講道的, 乃是造就教會.
He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the church.
14:2 那說方言的, 原不是對人說, 乃是對神說. 因為沒有人聽出來. 然而他在心靈裡, 卻是講說各樣的奧秘.
In 1Corinthians哥林多前書 14v2 - Paul tells us of the nature of tongues in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Later on Paul tells us he could speak more of such spiritual tongues than the majority of his listeners. So, he knew what it is all about.
Here in 1Cor14v2, unknown tongue is for communicating unto God. No man understands him. Not even foreigners. The speaker is in the spirit speaking mysteries.
Paul compares spiritual prophesy with tongue speaking. Both are from God, and of God. Prophesy is for speaking to men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
Not all Spiritual gifts are unintelligible.
Why seek tongues first if the edification and exhortation, and comfort are from gifts other than tongues?
Seek love, seek faith, seek prophesy. . . . first.
1Corinthians哥林多前書 14v5:
I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
14:5 我願意你們都說方言. 更願意你們作先知講道. 因為說方言的, 若不繙出來, 使教會被造就, 那作先知講道的, 就比他強了.
According to Paul tongues need interpretors. Its initial presence is not expressed here as a certainty. Paul parallels tongues with prophesy and interpretation.
Paul deals another blow to Cessationism here.
Tongues and prophesy are desirable even while the great Bible teacher was alive and kicking. No substitution of the Word of God by tongues and vice versa.
There were few Bible writers after Paul - Peter, James, Jude and John. . . and thousands of Christians. The gifts of prophesy were with Barnabas, Thomas, Philip and many Christians. No interference with Scriptures is ever detected from their work and preaching.
Their work is not meant to have ceased just because they are not on our record.
Our humbleness is thus tested.
I, Rev. David C S Lim, 林志誠 牧師, can be reached by internet 也在互聯网﹕
http://www.interlog.com/~dlim/Preacher.html
e-mail 電郵 
jesussaves91@hotmail.com
A Life changing show
耶穌基督的救恩將人從根本而終極的惡中救出來，藉著救主，死亡不再是終極的惡，它已被置於生命的力量之下。
完全的善是由耶穌而來。
在天上和地下只有耶穌基督的救恩是唯一使人的罪得赦及與神和好的途徑。