fcu^^.LTïtuwta4,TÎuD. Prof, of New Testament Talbot Theological Seminary I N a p p r o a c h in g the subject of the spiritual gift called tongues, sometimes referred to as glosso- lalia, one must, first o f all, clarify two related issues. There is the matter of whether there are in the New Testament two distinct gifts o f the Spirit referred to by this name or only one. In other words, is there a gift o f tongues in Acts which is distinct from that in First Corinthians? (The ref erence to “ new tongues” in Mark 16:17 is omitted from this discussion because of textual problems that are involved in the passage.) In addition, an intelligent appraisal of “ speaking in tongues” must include an understanding o f the nature of the gifts or gift in these books. Commentators on the New Testament have differed widely in their explana tions of these two issues, but this must not deter the serious student o f God’s Word in a day when the possession o f this gift is being professed by many Christians in various denominations. Tongues in Acts In looking at the Book of Acts, first of all, one finds specific references to this gift in three con texts: chapters two, ten, and nineteen. It seems likely that the phenomenon may have occurred also in conjunction with the arrival of Peter and John in Samaria (Acts 8). Ecstatic utterances. The nature of the gift in Acts 2:1-13 is crucial, because this passage appar ently settles the issue in relation to the entire Book. Rackham is a typical exponent of the position which sees in this gift a reference to utterances which are completely unintelligible (Richard Belward Rack- ham, The Acts, of the Apostles, pp. 19-21). To sup port the ecstatic or even hysterical character of these utterances he suggests certain proofs, among which are the following: (1) the universal preva lence o f the Greek language made foreign languages all but unnecessary at Pentecost; (2) the disciples were taken to be drunk, a factor which does not 23
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