Dear Wondering One,

This is a powerful question, and a full answer would certainly take more space than we have. You ask why gifts are not taught. I cannot answer for another pastor on that, but I can say that I certainly teach and release the gifts, and know many fellowships that do.

When Paul says he speaks in tongues more than you all, he is speaking about our prayer language, or “speaking in tongues.” This was the first gift given after the ascension of Jesus Christ. After His resurrection Jesus’ last words to the disciples are recorded in Acts 1:4-5: And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem , but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “ which,” He said, "you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

Notice Jesus said DO NOT DEPART from… The disciples were already born again and when born again, we have the Holy Spirit within us. But Jesus knew that for them to do the great work ahead of them, they would need power from on high. They would need to be immersed in the Holy Spirit! That is what baptism is!

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8). That word power in the Greek is Dunamis … Miraculous ability! They waited. Then When the Day of Pentecost had fully come . . . they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues , as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:1-4). Tongues was the first and only gift given at Penetcost! The other gifts are mentioned later in 1 Corinthians 12.

Paul urged us to desire spiritual gifts, so my friend, if you desire them, the Holy Spirit will show you someone who can help you understand more fully. My book, Path of the Spirit is a study on the Holy Spirit, and it will help you to understand all questions you have concerning the Holy Spirit!