Do tongues still exist.
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Introduction:
Introduction:
This is a great question and one that is the topic of many debates and strong opinions and one that genuine christians disagree over. I think we will see that a proper understanding of scripture will give us our answer.
1.) What is speaking in tongues?
1.) What is speaking in tongues?
A.) First Occurrence
The first time anyone spoke in tongues occured on the day of Pentecost in the book of Acts.
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” 13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.” 14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. 21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’ 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—
The disciples went out to the Temple and shared the gospel with the crowds and were able to speak to people in their own languages even though the disciples had never learned those languages in order to share the gospel. This was a sign gift given to help advance the spread of the Gospel around the world in the early church.
B.) Defintion
The word translated as “tongues” means languages.
Acts 2:6-8 make it clear that the apostles were speaking in actual human languages.
In mulit-cultural areas, like Corinth, for instance the ability to speak in tongues would have been very valuable.
In 1 Corinthians 12-14 Paul discusses this gift in detail.
6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?
According to Paul and the examples in Acts, speaking in tongues is only valuable when it is done to aid someone in hearing the Gospel in his or her own language,
22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.
but it is useless to anyone else unless it is translated.
13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.
C.) Interpretation
30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
The gift of interpretation is when a person could understand what a tongues-speaker was saying even though he did not know the language that was being spoken. The tongues interpreter would then communicate the message the tongues speaker was saying in order that everyone else, who didn't speak that language could understand.
Now notice what Paul says in
19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
2.) Is the gift of tongues for today?
2.) Is the gift of tongues for today?
In 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 it is mentioned that the gift of tongues will cease when, the perfect is come.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
There is much debate over what “that which is perfect” means. Some say, it refers to the completion of scripture and therefore is no longer needed in areas that have the complete scripture. Others say, that the phrase is referring to the return of Christ.
But, the fact remains that the Bible never explicitly says that the gift of tongues has ceased.
However, at the same time, if the gift of tongues were active today, it would be practiced in agreement with scripture.
it would be real and intelligible languages not ecstatic utterances and fibber-jaber.
There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance.