Doctrine

Acts is a book of history, not doctrine. If they were doctrine, then we wouldn’t need the epistles. We don’t esteem the books of gospel as doctrine either. We only count them as experiences, not explanations. Every doctrine we believe must be supported in the epistles, and explained by an apostle. For example, in John chapter 21, it says “He breathed on him and said receive the Holy Ghost.” Although Jesus did that, we don’t do the same because neither Paul nor Peter ever validated it. What is practiced in the believer’s life must be explained in the epistles. A doctrine must have a central point of explanation, a locus classicus. For the gift of tongues, there is no supporting text. Also we now have the completed Word of God, unlike the times of the apostles, when it was still being finished. The Word of God is now able to work in the hearts of mankind to convince and convict people of God’s salvation. In Luke 16, the rich man asked if Lazarus could be sent back to share the good news of Christ with them, however miracles don’t save people, it is the power of God’s word that penetrates into the mind and hearts of mankind and takes root to cause them to struggle within themselves and convict. We are not able to disqualify anyone if they claim that God worked through them with the gift of tongues for the purpose of extending His Kingdom, but it should not be taught as doctrine.