When I was in St. Ives in England a young man came up to me and started to share the gospel.  I thanked him for sharing the gospel, but I told him that I was a Christian.  He then switched tracks and asked if I had been baptised in the Spirit.  Finally he asked if I spoke in tongues.  I told him that I had not.  He then approached my salvation with skepticism and said that all people who are Christians should speak in tongues.  Of course, if you have followed the outline of Paul’s argument in chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians, you would see that the gifts given to people are varied.  No one gift is for all people.

I know that Pentecostals (the man in St. Ives was Pentecostal) would say that Acts reveals that speaking in tongues is a sign.  I agree that it is a sign, but not of what they say it is.  They also say that this is a particular type of speaking in tongues that is for the edification of the individual.  I would say that there are some serious exegetical gymnastics going on with that interpretation.  Many Pentecostals have softened their stance on tongues.  Be aware though, there are still some that will argue that everyone should speak in tongues. 1 Corinthians 12 argues differently in my opinion.

1 Corinthians 12: 27-31

 ²⁷Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. ²⁸And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. ²⁹Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues^[d]? Do all interpret? ³¹But eagerly desire^[e] the greater gifts.
      And now I will show you the most excellent way.

Questions

1. Who are you?
2. Who are first second and third?
3. Is this list ranked in order of importance?
4. What gifts do you desire?
5. Is it possible to work from a lesser gift to a greater one over time?

Going Deeper

Discuss spiritual gifts with people in your church, small group, or household.