Speaking in Tongues
Acts 2:4 brings up the idea of speaking in tongues. If you look at the context of this verse, it becomes apparent that this is not speaking about an "angelic" language that no one can understand, but the languages of man. First let's look at the verse.
It says that they were filed with the Holy Spirit. The word filled here is πλήθω, plēthō. It comes from the word πίμπλημι pimplēmi which means to literally or or figuratively fill or imbue something. It normally has to do with fulfilling time, but in this case it is taken as influence or imbuement.
So with the influence of the Holy Spirit they were able to speak in other tongues, γλῶσσα glōssa. This word has the connotation of languages that were not naturally acquired. But how can we know that , at least in this case, that we are not speaking about an "angelic" language. We go on to read in verse 6 and it becomes a little more clear. "And when they heard this noise, a crowd gathered. But they were surprised, because they were hearing everything in their own languages. " The crowd was hearing the preaching and teaching of God's word in the own language. Even though they did not normally speak in these languages. The chapter goes on to say that these people were from countries far and wide, Egypt, Libya, Pamphylia, Crete, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, and more. These languages were not ones you would no easily. Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Egyptian and Libyan were all separate languages, though some were similar to each other, but the apostles were not learned men for the most part, Paul being the exception. But even he knew didn't know such a vast array of languages.
I do not think that the spiritual gift of tongues is dead. I think it is alive and well and when God chooses for us to use it it simply happens. Now this is not to say that He cannot have us speak in some "angelic" language, but in that case, another must be able to understand and translate everything we say.
Just my two cents.
Created over 2 years ago
