2:1-4 (A) What was the significance of the "cloven tongues like as of fire" resting on the disciples here
2:1-4 (A) What was the significance of the "cloven tongues like as of fire" resting on the disciples here?
The "cloven tongues like as of fire" accompanied the Holy Spirit - the "sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind" in V2, which moved upon the disciples, baptizing them with the "rivers of living water" Jesus promises believers in Jn 7:37; and the "power from on high" to be His witnesses in Lu 24:49 and Ac 1:8 (CP Jn 7:37-39; Lu 24:49; Ac 1:8).
The cloven tongues like as of fire sitting upon each of the disciples signified that they had all been baptized with the Holy Spirit (CP V2-4). Previously the Holy Spirit dwelt with the disciples, now He dwelt in them (CP Jn 14:16-17 with 1Cor 2:12; 3:16; 6:19; 2Cor 5:5; 6:16; Ga 3:2, 13-14; Eph 1:12-13; 1Jn 3:24; 4:13).
The baptism with the Holy Spirit and empowering from on high also fulfilled John the Baptist's predictions that Jesus would baptize His disciples with the Holy Ghost and with fire (CP Mt 3:1-2, 11; Mk 1:6-8; Lu 3:15-16; Jn 1:29-33).
Many in the church believe that the fire John predicted in those scriptures was fulfilled in the cloven tongues like as of fire that rested on the disciples in Ac 2:3, but as is plainly evident here that is not correct. Jesus did not baptize the disciples with literal fire, but with power.
The fire John speaks of is the power of almighty God outworking through the disciples (CP Mk 16:17-20; Lu 12:49; Jn 14:12-14; Ac 4:29-31; 6:8; 8:5-8; Ro 15:18-19; 1Cor 2:4-5; Eph 3:20; 1Th 1:5; 2Cor 12:12).
See comments also on Mt 3:11; Mk 16:17-18; Lu 12:49, 24:49; Jn 3:3, 3:5, 3:8, 7:37-38, 14:12-14, 20:22; Ac 1:8, 2:1-4(B), 19:11-12; Ro 6:3-5, 8:26-27; 1Cor 12:1-11(A), 12:1-11(B), 13:8-12 and Author's studies Baptism in the Spirit in his book Foundational Truths of the Christian Faith, and The Work of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament Church in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 2).
(B) Are tongues still valid for today or were they only for the first century church, as many teach?
It is ludicrous to suggest that tongues are not valid for today and yet declare the baptism with the Holy Spirit still is. They go together - one cannot be had without the other. If one is still valid so is the other.
Tongues attest to the validity of the baptism with the Holy Spirit, and therefore are an integral part of God's redemptive plan, which is ongoing and centred around the baptism of believers with the Holy Spirit. God's redemptive plan did not cease with the first century church, and neither did baptism with the Holy Spirit or tongues (CP V14-18).
Peter quoted Joel's prophecy from the Old Testament here (CP Joel 2:28-29) to show the Jews that speaking in tongues was the outward manifestation of the baptism with the Spirit which the disciples had just received in accord with the prophecy (CP Isa 28:11-12 with 1Cor 14:21-22).
Paul quoted Isa 28:11-12 in 1Cor 14:21, which also proves that tongues are an integral part of God's ongoing redemption plan (CP Mk 16:17; Jn 14:12-14; Ac 2:36-39; 5:32). Them that believe in Mk 16:17, He that believeth on me in Jn 14:12-14, all that are afar off in Ac 2:36-39, and them that obey in 5:32 all refer to every believer in Christ from the day of Pentecost until God's redemptive plan is fulfilled in the very last repentant sinner saved and baptized with the Holy Spirit.
This spans the whole period of time from the day of Pentecost onward. It includes us today and all who will believe in Christ in the future. Jesus qualifies the life-span of what Mk 16:17, Ac 2:36-39 and 5:32 teaches with His statement in Mt 28:20 "…and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." (CP Mt 28:19-20).
That clearly refutes any teaching that something integral to God's redemptive plan was only a temporary activity that would cease with the first century church. Christ was not only talking to His disciples of that era but to His disciples throughout the whole of the church age. Furthermore, neither Isaiah nor Joel's prophesies have been fulfilled yet, and they cannot be while ever there are repentant sinners to be saved and baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Paul teaches in 1Cor 14:22 that the main purpose of tongues is for a sign to unbelievers of the supernatural presence of God among His people (CP Ac 8:14-21; 10:44-47 (also 11:5-17); 19:6).
The word matter in Ac 8:21 is from the Greek word Logos, which means something said, utterance, word, speech, divine expression. Simon wanted to buy the power of the Holy Spirit because he heard those believers speak in tongues when Peter and John laid hands on them.
Tongues will cease one day, as also will prophecies and knowledge, when "that which is perfect is come," but that time is not yet (CP 1Cor 13:8-12). Most Bible commentators agree that when "that which is perfect is come" refers to the end of this present age and Jesus comes for the church.
When we see Him face to face in the eternal state there will be no longer any need for tongues, or prophecies, or knowledge. Some commentators however claim that 1Cor 13:8-12 teaches that tongues ceased with the first century church, but there is no indication whatever in 1Cor 13:8-12 or anywhere else in scripture that validates their claim.
Until that which is perfect has come, tongues will not only continue to attest to believers being baptized with the Spirit, they will also continue to be the doorway to a deeper life in the Spirit for believers (CP Ro 8:26-27). Here we see that when we pray in tongues the Holy Spirit helps us to pray the way that God would have us pray over that situation (CP Jude 20).
Constantly praying in tongues builds up our faith in God as the source of all supply - as our all-sufficiency. Tongues can also be a prophetic gift of the Spirit (CP 1Cor 12:1-11). Though all who are baptized in the Spirit talk in tongues, not all have the gift of tongues. The Holy Spirit only gives this gift according to His will (CP V11 with V27-30).
The gift of tongues is only for specific occasions and must always be interpreted if spoken in public meetings. They are no profit to the public unless interpreted (CP 1Cor 14:1-6). See also comments on Mk 16:17-18, Ro 8:26-27, 1Cor 12:1-11, 13:8-12, 14:1-5, and author's studies as noted in 2:1-4(A) above, also Signs and Wonders in God's Redemptive Plan in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 1).