In Acts, the Greek word, “dorea,” (pronounced dough – ray – ah) is used. The word “charisma” (pronounced kha – ris – mah) is used in 1 Corinthians 12 to 14 in connection with the manifestation of tongues.
Dorea essentially means “gift” as in birthday or Christmas gift. While charisma can also mean this to a degree, it can also mean, gifts with
extraordinary powers, enabling Christians to serve the body of Christ. Thus, we can consider
charisma (plural being charismates, pronounced khah-ris-mah-tays; or charismata, khah-ris-mah-
ta) to mean “gift” as in a talent, such as a “gifted pianist” or “gifted painter.”
The distinction does not stop there. By the context of Holy Scripture, we should also note that a
primary purpose of the dorea of tongues as seen in Acts was to empower the believers for ongoing
external ministry — evangelism. By gentle contrast, the charisma of tongues of 1 Corinthians was to
empower the Christians for ministry within the assembly of believers predominately through spiritual
edification. In both cases it is the same precious Holy Spirit initially empowering the believer, but as
the dorea He powers Christians to reach the non-Christians, and as the charismates He powers
Christians to minister to each other.
Knowing the distinctions between these two Greek words, and an honest approach to Bible
interpretation, will help to clear up some misconceptions of speaking in tongues as noted below.



1. Speaking In Tongues Is Not for Every Christian

Those who feel this way will cite passages from 1 Corinthians 12 such as “If the whole body were
an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?” (verse 17),
and “Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the
gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?” (verses 29 and 30).
However, as noted above, these passages are dealing with the charisma of tongues and not the
dorea. In Acts 2, it is the dorea of the Holy Spirit manifested in speaking in tongues. In response to
those that were convicted by the Holy Spirit of their need of salvation during the Apostle Peter’s
message, we read in verses 38 and 39, “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. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as
many as the Lord our God shall call.”
Later in Acts 10 we see the experience came upon all who had heard the Word of God that had
gathered in Cornelius’ home.


2. Every Christian Must Speak in Tongues

This thought is partly derived by some from Mark 16:17 who also see this idea alluded to, at the
very least, in passages like Acts 15:8, 2 Co. 1:22 and 5:5, and Gal. 3:2.
Mark 16:17 reads, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out
devils; they shall speak with new tongues;”
Some feel so strongly about it that they would tell us that unless one speaks in tongues they
cannot get to heaven.
This and verse 18 list a number of signs that would follow the believers, but nowhere is the thought
that the signs must occur.
If speaking in tongues was necessary for salvation, we would see a greater effort toward that end
by those who, in Acts, preached the Gospel. While the disciples did feel the reception of the dorea
was an important facet for any believer as seen in Acts 19:1-7, apparently it was not a must for
salvation. The Ethiopian eunuch believed and was baptized in water, but there is no record of Phillip
encouraging him to experience the dorea (Acts 8:34-39). In fact, Phillip was immediately caught
away by the Holy Spirit just after the water baptism. Likewise, in Acts 16:14-15, Lydia and her
household were baptized in water, but there is no record of anyone assisting them into the
experience of the dorea.
In regard to Acts 15:8, 19:2 and similar passages, the terminology used must be considered with
other portions of the Holy Scriptures. Essentially there are times when phrases like “the gift of the
spirit” are reduced by the speaker or human author to simply, “the Holy Spirit.” This does not
necessarily mean that a Christian was devoid of the Holy Spirit prior to them receiving the dorea.

3. Speaking in Tongues is not for Today

1 Cor. 13:8-12 is the main Scripture, and to my knowledge the only one, that some point to in order
to claim that tongues is not for today, hinging that belief upon verses 8 and 10.
Most state “that which is perfect” means the Holy Bible, with the concept being that prophecy or
prophesying was the means by which the written Word came, with the last book of the Holy Bible
being written before 98 AD. Those who hold to this view readily claim that “tongues ceased” after
the death of the last (in their thinking) Apostle.


4. If Someone Speaks in Tongues This is a Sign They are a Christian

Those that feel this way should remember our Lord Himself warned us about false signs and
wonders (Mt. 24:24) as did Paul by the Holy Spirit (2 Th. 2:9). We need to keep in mind that satan
(I avoid capitalizing that name) himself can appear as an angel of light (2 Co. 11:14) and that a
miracle shall be involved with the Antichrist (Rev. 13:3, 12, and 14).
Logically, speaking in tongues can be easily faked. However, that does not mean the genuine
experience does not exist. Remember that the Lord said we can tell by a person’s fruits (Mt.
7:16-20), not necessarily their gifts.


5. One Must Always Follow the Rules as Set Forth in 1 Corinthians 14

This is true for the charismata, but there is a different situation involved with the dorea. In Acts 10,
all that heard the Word of God were blessed with the dorea and there is no record that there were
only two or, at the most, three who spoke in tongues, which is also true for the crowd of believers
in Acts 2.


6. It Was A Miracle Of Hearing and Not Speaking

Those who think this use Acts 2:8-11 but ignore 2:4 which clearly states, “And they were all filled
with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
The last phrase clearly indicates it was a miraculous utterance, and the Holy Spirit was the origin of
it.


7. They Spoke In Languages They Already Knew

Let us look at Acts 2:4 again. They spoke with other tongues. The Greek for “other” is heteros
which can mean, “of another kind,” an indication that each miraculously spoke a language not
previously learned by them.


8. Tongues Must Always Be Interpreted

While this is the ideal for the charisma of tongues (1 Co. 12 – 14), there were no interpretations
recorded in Acts 10. Also, in Acts 2, despite the fact that numerous known languages were
miraculously spoken, apparently there were some languages unknown to all present and that
seemed like it was not an earthly language at all. Acts 2:13 states, “Others mocking said, These
men are full of new wine,” implying, in the least, some heard utterances that seemed like jibber. We
see in 1 Co. 13:1 angels have languages so, to my mind, Acts 2:13 could indicate that some
believers were speaking in angelic languages.


9. A Christian May Speak in Tongues, But Not in Church

Those who think this are usually taking the words of Paul by the Holy Spirit in 1 Co. 14:19 out of
context with the rest of the chapter. While in that verse he said by the Spirit “Yet in the church I
had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also,
than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue,” he also indicated that the charisma of tongues
should be permitted (verse 27). 1 Co. 12:7-11 also shows that the charisma of tongues should be
part of the church assembly like the other charismata of the Holy Spirit.
Also, with all the directives about the flow of Christian meeting, Paul did say by the Holy Spirit (1
Co. 14:39), “Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.” The
charisma of tongues is perfectly acceptable in the church meetings, as was the dorea as seen in
Acts.
Considering Acts 2 and 10, it is apparent that the dorea may move upon the congregation of true
believers as God sees fit.



Do Not Quench It

While not every Christian is used in the charisma of tongues, Peter speaking by the Holy Spirit on
the day of Pentecost, stated that the dorea, which was promised by the Father (Acts 1:4), was for
whoever would commit to Christ: “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that
are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 2:39
Every true Christian already has the Holy Spirit dwelling within them. However, the Scriptures
indicate we are to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18) and, amen, filled to overflowing (John
7:38).

If you are a true Christian I am sure you sincerely desire all the grace that God has for you. You still
may have some reservations about glossolalia and, if so, I thank you for reading through this
article. I encourage you to prayerfully conduct your own Bible study on the matter and gently
suggest that if you do, you will find that all you read will point to the fact that the dorea (Acts 2
and 10) is for all, which includes you.

If you are not a Christian, I encourage you to come personally to know the Father of the promise by
committing your life to His Son, Jesus Christ, making Him King in your life.
“Quench not the Spirit.”–1 Thessalonians 5:19

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