These were called the “signs of an apostle” (2 Cor. 12:12), not just for any believer.  The Bible also states that the household of God in this age is built “upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Eph. 2:20).  The apostles and prophets, therefore, had a ministry of the laying the foundation for the church age.  The foundation is laid once and not repeated throughout the building.

The confusion has arisen because overzealous, but undiscerning people have seen tongues, miracles, and healings, etc., and assumed that because they are in the New Testament, they must be for today.  But a more thorough examination of the Bible will clearly show that such is not the case.

As “tongues” has become the hallmark for identifying Pentecostalism, lets briefly analyse how the modern day usage compares with the early church period.

1.         Tongues was a language.  The account is Acts 2 makes this abundantly clear and the only way some can get around this is to assume that there is more than one type of tongue.

2.         Tongues, like all spiritual gifts, was not for personal edification, but for the benefit of the whole body.  This is the apostle Paul’s whole point in I Cor. 12 - 14. “Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.” (I Cor. 14:12).  When he found that some were speaking in tongues for themselves, he reproved them: “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.” (1 Cor 14:4).  This is a criticism, not a compliment!

3.         Tongues were a sign for unbelieving Jews: “In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not...” (1 Cor 14:21-22).  Here the Bible clearly gives the purpose for tongues.  Yet, in the modern day Pentecostal movement, this is not the purpose for tongues.

4.         Tongues was never to be spoken in church without interpretation: “If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church....” (1 Cor 14:27-28).  This does not sound like the modern day usage of tongues.

The Bible clearly states that “tongues shall cease” (I Cor. 13:8) and when God judged the nation Israel in 70 A.D. the purpose for tongues ceased as God promised.  From the generation following the apostles until the 19th century, born-again Christians knew nothing of speaking in tongues.  Why?  Some may say because they didn’t seek it, but never in Acts did anyone receive the gift of tongues because they sought it.  In fact, the Bible says that God gives gifts “dividing to every man severally as he will” (I Cor. 12:11).

Don’t be fooled by the claims of “supernatural”.  Remember, it is the wicked beast of Revelation that “deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do...” (13:14). The devil can appear as angel of light, so “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1 Th 5:21).

 

 

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