Not All Speak With Tongues – Part 2

[Study Aired May 3, 2026]

You ask:

“So [you believe] there’s no need for what Paul did [when he laid] hands on believers that they’d be filled with the Holy Ghost?”

The account of Paul laying his hands on 12 men who then received the holy spirit is found in:

Act 19:1  And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
Act 19:2  He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
Act 19:3  And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
Act 19:4  Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Act 19:5  When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Act 19:6  And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Act 19:7  And all the men were about twelve.

This story taken alone could indeed indicate the need for laying on of hands before one could receive the holy spirit. However, this is not the only account of how the holy spirit was given, and we must always consider “the sum of Thy Word” while we establish our doctrine:

Psa 119:160  The sum of thy word is truth; And every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth for ever. (ASV)

Peter ‘laid hands’ on no one at Cornelius’ house. Yet they were given the Holy Ghost:

Act 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Act 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

Just because Paul laid hands on these twelve men before they were given the holy spirit does not make the laying on of hands a requirement for receiving the holy spirit.

Christ entered the home of Jaris, ‘a ruler of the synagogue’, and ‘laid His hand’… “took her by the hand”, and raised her from the dead:

Luk 8:54  And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.

Again when a Roman centurion asked Jesus to heal his servant, Jesus offered to go to his house and heal the servant. The centurion told Jesus he knew that if Jesus indeed had the power to heal, then Jesus did not need to physically lay His hands on anyone:

Luk 7:2  And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
Luk 7:3  And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.
Luk 7:4  And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
Luk 7:5  For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.
Luk 7:6  Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:
Luk 7:7  Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
Luk 7:8  For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
Luk 7:9  When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
Luk 7:10  And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

Receiving the gift of the holy spirit is no different than receiving the gift of being healed as the story of the Gentiles in the home of the Roman centurion, Cornelius, demonstrates. There are three accounts of the giving of the holy spirit in the book of Acts. The first was on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, when the gift of the holy spirit was first given. The second was at the home of the Roman centurion, Cornelius, in Acts ten. There was no laying  on of hands at either of these events.

Act 2:1  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Act 2:2  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Act 2:3  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Act 2:4  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Act 10:44  While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Act 10:45  And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 10:46  For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Act 10:47  Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Act 10:48  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

As Paul’s ministry matured, he was brought by God’s Spirit to see that many things he once did were simply no longer necessary.

There was a time when Paul also baptized with water. Later he tells us:

1Co 1:14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
1Co 1:15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
1Co 1:16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
1Co 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel:

Then he tells us:

Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify [the church] and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.

It was to Paul that God first revealed that the ritual of circumcision was totally unnecessary. There was a period where anointed cloths were sent out from Paul’s presence for the healing of others. God honored these actions because they were done in faith, as they still are by some. As Paul matured, he became aware that sometimes our faith is “tried.” Not all our prayers are answered in the way we might desire, anointed cloths or not, hands laid on or not.

He tells Timothy, who apparently suffered digestive issues, to drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities (1Ti 5:23).

Again we are told:

2Ti 4:20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

Again Paul’s faith was tested:

Php 2:25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
Php 2:26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
Php 2:27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

Why didn’t Paul just send Timothy an anointed cloth or lay hands on him and pray for his healing? I feel sure that Paul had prayed fervently for Timothy’s “often infirmities.” Does anyone doubt that Paul prayed for either Trophimus or Epaphroditus? Of course Paul prayed for them all, but their immediate healing was not in God’s will at that time. That did not shake his faith because Paul’s faith did not depend on outward signs. Likewise our own faith must be based on more than outward displays. If not, the fiery trial of our faith will shake anything that can be shaken.

Heb 12:26  Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
Heb 12:27  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

To answer your question directly, circumcision, water baptism, foot washing, the Lord’s supper, anointed cloths and the laying on of hands, are all outward displays of one’s faith. They are not a sin any more than “another who is weak in the faith eats herbs.”

Rom 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
Rom 14:2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

So it is with those who must have these displays of their faith. I lay my hands on a person when I pray for them if I can and if that is what they want, but I do not for one minute believe that this ritual is a requirement for an answered prayer. You cannot do physical things to become spiritual.

Tongues are no exception to that truth. When we take the spiritual truths of the new covenant and turn them into physical requirements like water baptism and ‘unknown tongues’, and laying on of hands, we are not manipulating God at all. He will grant our request only if it is according to His will:

1Jn 5:14  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
1Jn 5:15  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask [“according to His will”], we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

I have never heard of anyone without the baptism of the Spirit that has healed anyone, had a word of knowledge, prophecy, etc? Have you?

If you are asking me if I know anyone who healed the sick, had a word of knowledge, or prophesied without speaking in unknown tongues the answer is… Indeed I do! Christ healed the sick, had all knowledge and prophesied. Yet He never once spoke in an unknown tongue. The same is true of every one of the apostles. As a matter of fact they did all these things before they were even converted. Yes, they did!

Mat 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying,

Mat 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Luk 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

The 12 and the 70 performed miracles before they were even converted.

Luk 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord,even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

Yet years later, the night of His apprehension by the Jews, Christ tells Peter:

Luk 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted,  strengthen thy brethren.

Spiritual gifts are not a Biblical equivalent to the fruit of the Spirit. They are not even in the same league. I cannot over-emphasize this. Paul tells the Corinthian church:

1Co 1:5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and [in] all knowledge;
1Co 1:6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
1Co 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Do you see that? The church at Corinth “came behind in NO GIFT.” Yet in the next breath Paul tells them:

1Co 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
1Co 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
1Co 3:4  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

So do not measure a man by the gifts he possesses. Measure him only by the fruit he produces. How does he react to being mistreated? Is he even capable of “loving his enemies?” That is a far better measure of a man’s spiritual condition than whether he can pray for the sick and experience healings, and it is far superior to whether he speaks in ‘unknown tongues.’

So when believers sincerely ask to receive the Holy Ghost and begin to speak in tongues, God is giving them a counterfeit gift? Is that what you’re telling me? I’m curious, I thought Jesus said if you ask your father for a fish will he give you a stone?

If you insist on equating ‘unknown tongues’ with the real languages spoken by those who were given the gift of the holy spirit on three occasions in the book of Acts (Pentecost, Cornelius’ house, and the Ephesian converts), then you alone must decide, “Am I asking sincerely, wanting only to know the truth of the word of God on this subject, or do I a personal ‘idol of the heart?” which insists that ‘speaking in unknown tongues is the initial evidence of the gift of the holy spirit.’ I cannot answer that question for you. I can tell you on the authority of God’s Word that ‘unknown’ tongues have no basis in the scriptures. Known languages? Sure! However, the word ‘unknown’ is not in the Bible regarding the gift of tongues. God will not give you a stone for asking for a fish, and He will not give you a counterfeit gift of tongues if you ask Him for the gift of His spirit with a sincere and open heart. If you come to His word with your mind already made up that ‘the gift of unknown tongues is the initial evidence of the gift of the holy spirit’, and then self-righteously twist His word to fit into your heart’s idol, then yes, God Himself will answer you according to the multitude of the idols of your heart and He will deceive you. Here are His own words:

Eze 14:1  Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me.
Eze 14:2  And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Eze 14:3  Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?
Eze 14:4  Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;
Eze 14:5  That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.
Eze 14:6  Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
Eze 14:7  For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:
Eze 14:8  And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
Eze 14:9  And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.

“Again I’m not trying to argue with you, just want to understand what God’s word teaches us in this regard.”

Keep this attitude. Ask God not to deceive you but to give you a love of the Truth.

2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

If you have not yet read the article entitled Strong Delusion. be sure to do so. When the Lord says, “If the prophet be deceived when he has spoken a thing, I the Lord have deceived that prophet”, the Lord’s deception is not just a delusion, rather it is “strong delusion”:

2Th 2:8  And then [When we come to see the man of sin, our own carnal mind, sitting in the temple of God, “which temple we are”, (1Co 3:13-15)], shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming [the coming of His Truth]:
2Th 2:9  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

The doctrine of unknown tongues is not “the Truth” of the scriptures and anyone who believes they are is under the Lord’s “strong delusion.” That is The Truth of scripture.

YbiChrist, Mike