When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4)
Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” (Acts 2:7-11)
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. (Acts 10:44-46)
When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. (Acts 19:6)
For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; [it is an ability from the Holy Spirit by which] he utters mysteries with his spirit [directly to God]. (1 Corinthians 14:2)
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself [he strengthens and builds up himself, infuses and charges himself with power, comfort, and encouragement]… (1 Corinthians 14:4)
I would like every one of you to speak in tongues [so you can strengthen yourself like I just said], but I would rather have you prophesy [when you are in a public gathering]. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets [in which case the two would have equal standing], so that the church may be edified. (1 Corinthians 14:5)
For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue [especially in a public gathering] should pray that he may interpret what he says [because the solution to an inappropriate use of gifts is always more gifts, more power, not less]. (1 Corinthians 14:13)
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. (1 Corinthians 14:14-15)
If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified [but still, you are praising God, giving thanks, and doing it well, and there would be no problem if there is interpretation]. (1 Corinthians 14:16-17)
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you [since it is good to do it more]. But in the church [or a public gathering] I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue [that is, unless I interpret, in which case the tongues would be just as good]. (1 Corinthians 14:18-19)
What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue [even in a public gathering] or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two — or at the most three — should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret [so not only is it acceptable to speak in tongues in a public gathering, but it can be done multiple times by different people, if there is interpretation]. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God. (1 Corinthians 14:26-28)
Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues [even in a public gathering, if there is interpretation]. (1 Corinthians 14:39)
Bonus:
And in the church God has appointed…prophets [as a ministry, even though any believer may prophesy, Acts 2:17-18; Acts 19:6; 1 Corinthians 14:31]…teachers [as a ministry, even though any believer may teach]…those having gifts of healing [as a ministry, even though any believer may pray for the sick]…those able to help others [as a ministry, even though any believer may help others]…those with gifts of administration [as a ministry, even though any believer may perform administration]…those speaking in different kinds of tongues [it must follow in this context: as a ministry, even though any believer may speak in tongues]…Do all have gifts of healing [as a ministry, even though any believer may pray for the sick]? Do all speak in tongues [it must follow in this context: as a ministry, even though any believer may speak in tongues]? Do all interpret [as a ministry, and if one doesn’t, he can just ask for it, 1 Corinthians 14:13]? (1 Corinthians 12:27-30)
- Paul is talking only about ministries, and not suggesting that only those with special gifts can do these things. The point is that God appoints believers in different ministries, so that you must respect one another, even though as individuals believers could do all the things represented by these ministries. For example, one who does not have a ministry or a special gift of teaching is still able to teach others what he knows from the word of God. One who does not have the ministry of an evangelist could — must! — still perform evangelism. And just because there is a gift of faith does not mean that only someone with this gift has any faith. The same is true with healing, prophecy, tongues, and others.
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying [although any believer can prophesy], let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving [although any believer can serve], let him serve; if it is teaching [although any believer can teach], let him teach; if it is encouraging [although any believer can encourage], let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others [although any believer can give], let him give generously; if it is leadership [although any believer can lead], let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy [although any believer can show mercy], let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:4-8)
- The gifts represent only one mode by which things are accomplished. The Bible almost never refers to the abilities or the effects in the language of “gifts” — only in several places in the entire Bible. The gifts were never meant to refer to exclusive abilities. This applies to both gifts that appear to be more supernatural and those that appear to be less supernatural. Paul talks about prophecy and teaching in the same list and in the same way. And he talks about healing and administration in the same list and in the same way. The fact that there is a gift of teaching does not mean that only the one with the gift can teach, and likewise, the fact that there are gifts of healing, and prophecy, and tongues does not mean that only those with the gifts can do these things. It appears most theologians and believers in church history have been entirely incompetent and lacking in elementary reading skill when it comes to this, and miss such an obvious point. Do not be ignorant about something so basic (1 Corinthians 12:1).