We are currently laying the foundation for our study in 1 Corinthians 14. We must get a biblical understanding of the gift of tongues (a known language spoken by a particular group of people) as given in the historical record of the Acts of the Apostles. Acts starts out as Jewish book, and the establishment of a Jewish church in Jerusalem. The total focus was on the repentance and restoration of Israel, in order for the physical kingdom of heaven on earth to be established with Messiah King Jesus ruling.
In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit descended upon those gathered together with the apostles, and they spoke with tongues, as the Holy Spirit gave them utterance. There were 15 or more different languages heard by those in attendance. Even though they understood Aramaic, they were surprised to hear in their own languages. Those who heard and received the message of Peter, asked the first great question of Acts:
Acts 2:37: Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Peter, gave them they same message as John the Baptist and Jesus in his early ministry, speaking of the messianic kingdom gospel that Messiah King Jesus would rule and reign with a rod of iron. Matthew 3:1-3, 4:17, 23
Acts 2:38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
3,000 repented and were baptized. There is no further mention of the gift of tongues being exercised in the church at Jerusalem.
In Acts 7, Stephen is stoned to death, and the nation of Israel is set aside until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in – the completion of the Dispensation of the Grace of God, the Church Age. Romans 11:25-36
In Acts 8, Philip the Evangelist goes to Samaria, the former capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, and through signs and wonders (but not tongues), and preaching the name of Jesus Christ, the Jews believe and are baptized. It takes a special trip of Peter and John to come and lay hands on the new believers in order to receive the Holy Spirit. This is a different order than what happened at Pentecost, but the use of miracles is prevalent. Acts 8:6-17
Philip is then sent to a divine appointment with the Ethiopian Eunuch, a man of power and position in the Queen of Ethiopia’s court. Candace is the title of queen, not the name of a particular woman in power. The question was brought up in class, as to whether the Eunuch was a Jew. There is no evidence that states he was. It merely states that he went to Jerusalem to worship. We do know that no eunuch was allowed to enter the Temple to worship. (Leviticus 21:20; Deuteronomy 23:1) So, his worship may have been some kind of investigatory worship, seeking to know the God of Israel, like so many devout Gentiles, like Cornelius in Acts 10. He even had a copy of Isaiah and was seeking to understand what he was reading, when Philip appeared. We must keep in mind, it is not who this Eunuch was, or his national origin that matters. It is the event that took place that matters!
Remember, 1 Corinthians 1:22 tells us that the Jews look for signs, but Gentiles (Greeks) seek understanding (wisdom). The Eunuch wanted to understand. He did not ask for any signs or miracles like Philip performed just a few verses before, in Samaria. The Eunuch declared his belief in the Lord Jesus, as Philip asked of him. Philip then baptized him. There is no secondary laying on of hands, like in Samaria. He received the Holy Spirit through his declaration of his belief in Christ — I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Acts 8:26-40
This is a clear indication of the transition from Jewish kingdom salvation in the previous chapters to Gentile salvation by grace through faith, in the later part of Acts.
Acts 16:30-31: …Sirs, what must I do to be saved?And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…
Ephesians 1:12-14: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Romans 10:9-13: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
This week, we will look further into the transition of the book of Acts, and the salvation of the Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul / Saul of Tarsus, as well as Cornelius and the Gentiles in Caesarea.