Different Spiritual Gifts for Different People
When I was a young Christian in the varsity, I believed that every believer should speak in tongues as a sign that the believer has been baptized in the Holy Spirit. I even argued fervently with my non-charismatic brethren in the varsity fellowship about this causing much anger and schism at times to the fellowship of which I now regret. 20 years down the road, I could see now how this teaching is not really supported by the Scriptures. Why do I say so? Please read on.
Most of the time, a preacher will use Mark 16:17, "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; (NIV)" as evidence for teaching that every Christian should speak in tongues since we are classified as believers. The emphasis is always on the phrase "those who believe", as if Mark is writing that every believer will speak in tongues.
However, there is a serious flaw or weakness to understand this phrase in such a way. Because if we think that this phrase is telling us that all believers should speak in tongues, then we must also tell ourselves that, if we believe in Jesus, then we should also do the following:
- drive out demons
- pick up snakes with their hands
- unhurt by deadly poison
- healing the sick by the laying of hands
This is because verse 17 did not say only the sign of tongues will follow those who believe. The verse says "And these signs ...". What are these signs?
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well. (Mark 16:17-18)
What does that say to us? If we think that every believer should speak in tongues, then we must also believe that every Christian should be pick up snakes without being harmed and drink deadly poison without any serious harm to our body!
Thank God that I have not heard any preacher thus far requiring believers to charm snakes and drink deadly poison! God forbid that I should hear one in future (although I think we most probably will judging by the signs of time)!
We can't take one sign and leave out the rest because that's just like picking the scriptures that we want to hear and omit those we don't like. I know Ahab likes that, but we are glad that we are not called to be 'Ahabs'. (2 Chronicles 18:6-27)
Important principle in reading the Bible: Never just read a single phrase and give meaning to it without referring to other similar passages or stories.
So how do we actually understand what Mark is saying? There are two ways, one is short and the other is long. I guess the shorter one will suffice for now. ;-)
Read Mark 16:20, "Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it."
Notice the word signs. What do you think this word means? Mostly likely the same signs that Mark wrote in verses 17 and 18.
Then look at that the purpose of these signs and those who were performing it? It was the disciples preaching the gospel and fulfilling the Great Commission of verse 15 who were being used by the Lord to perform the signs for the purpose of confirming that the gospel which they were preaching was the correct gospel.
Therefore, the believers performing the signs in Mark 16:15-20 were the disciples who were preaching the gospel and not every believer. And the reason these signs were given by the Lord was because He wanted to show that He was working with the disciples to confirm the gospel that they were preaching was actually what He wanted to tell the world through the disciples!
You can see this in Acts when the gift of tongues shows the giving of God's Spirit. It's always done to confirm the gospel preached by the apostles especially when the gospel is being expanded to reach wider groups of people who are culturally separated from the Jews in Israel.
Acts 2, confirmed the preaching of Peter and expanded the gospel to Jews outside of Jerusalem, whom the Jews in Judea considered as less Jewish. Acts 7, confirmed the preaching of Philip and expanded the gospel to the Samaritans who were usually rejected by the Jews. Acts 10, confirmed the preaching of Peter and expanded the gospel to the Gentiles whom the Jews considered as not belonging to God. Acts 19, confirmed Paul's complete gospel.
Now, does this mean that spiritual gifts are only meant for those who preaches the gospel? Not necessary. Read 1 Corinthians 12 and listen to what Paul has to say. I will make a brief summary. God will give spiritual gifts to whom He sees fit not just for the individual, but for the benefit of the entire church (1 Cor. 12:7, 1 Cor 14:26). And He will give different gifts to different parts of His church as He sees fit (1 Cor. 12:11).
As Paul wrote quite clearly, not everyone will heal and not everyone will perform miracles. And not everyone will speak in tongues.
.. Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? (1 Cor. 12:29-30)
Nevertheless, our heart should always desire spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:31, 1 Cor. 14:1) not just for ourselves but for the common good of the church which is why Paul later wrote in the next chapter that all these gifts were meant to be performed in love to benefit others as love always does.
Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. (1 Cor. 12:31 & 1 Cor. 13-1)
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. (1 Cor. 14:1)
And as for the gift of tongues, here is a summary of what Paul wrote (1 Cor. 14):
1. Not all speak in tongues
2. Tongues benefit the person speaking it in prayer as God understands it
3. Tongues cannot be understood by the church or unbeliever unless interpreted
4. Tongues does not benefit anyone when spoken in public without an interpretation
5. Desire speaking in tongues for personal edification
6. Desire interpretation of tongues even more for the benefit of the church and unbelievers
7. Better to speak a few words which everyone can understand than speak thousands of words in tongues if we cannot interpret it
Wow, such a long piece and this was meant to be the shorter answer! ;-)
In conclusion:
1. Not every Christian believer will speak in tongues
2. Tongues is not the only sign that God has given you the Holy Spirit. Faith, hope and love are better evidence.
3. Tongues and other signs are evidence that our God and the Lord Jesus is real.
4. Always desire spiritual gifts because it will not only help you, it will also be used to help others as this is the purpose of God's gift to you and to His people.
Thanks for listening and may the Lord bless the hearing of His words.
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