The Definition of the word Tongues, Gift of

Tongues, Gift of

Granted on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4), in fulfilment of a promise Christ had made to his disciples (Mark 16:17). What this gift actually was has been a subject of much discussion. Some have argued that it was merely an outward sign of the presence "of the Holy Spirit among the disciples, typifying his manifold" "gifts, and showing that salvation was to be extended to all" nations. But the words of Luke (Acts 2:9) clearly show that the various peoples in Jerusalem at the time of Pentecost did really hear themselves addressed in their own special language with "which they were naturally acquainted (comp. Joel 2:28, 29)." "Among the gifts of the Spirit the apostle enumerates in 1 Cor. "12:10-14:30, "divers kinds of tongues" and the "interpretation" "of tongues." This "gift" was a different manifestation of the" "Spirit from that on Pentecost, although it resembled it in many" "particulars. Tongues were to be "a sign to them that believe" "not."