The Administration Of Tongues

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emekrus

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“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-5


In my early stage of Christianity, the gift of Tongues is one gift that I benefited allots from; yet I encountered several bashings concerning it from so many folks. Most of which, were those who had been in the race, years before me…


But somehow, I seemed to take every other corrections, except giving up on speaking in tongues: both in privacy and in public. Then as I continued relentlessly and doggedly till now, the gift of Tongues have become one of my most profitable spiritual gifts.


By the administration of the gift of tongues (personally), I can now pray for over an hour without vain repetitions. By its administration, when I’m faced with some stubborn temptations, as I open my mouth, in faith, I get instant deliverance from the Holy Spirit…

Along the above line of deliverance from stubborn temptations, a few months ago, I was attacked by a very strong spirit of lust towards a lady, I was prospecting to marry. Then as I struggled on my own, the Holy Spirit gave me a word; and as I got the word, immediately, I got up and started speaking violently in other tongues…


And presently, I felt the power of God move on my heart and cleansed the lustful feeling. And by the next time I saw the lady in question, she was like every other person to me. The lustful feeling I had towards her totally disappeared…


More so, when I’m tempted with depression, as I open my mouth, speaking in other tongues, within a few minutes, my Joy of salvation is miraculously restored. By the manifestation of the gift of tongues, as I open my mouth to interpret by faith, I get some specific messages from God.

By the manifestation of the gift of tongues, a few weeks ago, as my neighbor overhead me praying in other tongues, she placed her hand in the spot where she had pain, then by daybreak, the pain was totally gone.

A few weeks back, as I prayed in other tongues and in understanding for my friend who was sick, I got a leading of the Holy Spirit to call him over the phone and pray for him for instant healing. As I did, presently, the power of God fell on him, and the medication he was to take, he left it and by daybreak, he was totally healed.


I can go on and on, sharing all the miracles I have personally encountered by simply opening my mouth in faith to speak in other tongues. Yet so many folks in Christendom miss out on the blessings of God, accessible to them through speaking and praying in other tongues due to unbelief and religious brain-washing…


Hence, this sermon seeks to point out, scripturally, the correct administration of this awesome gift, for personal edification.


What Then Is The Gift Of Tongues For?
  1. Self-Edification- 1 Corinthians 14:2: It is for receiving comforting ministrations or messages from the Holy Spirit. Then it also means, receiving self-lifting, divine help from God in your Spirit.

  2. It is For Charging Up Your Faith- Jude 1:20. Which is to say, when you are faced with an issue, and you’re tempted with unbelief or fear, you clear them off instantly by speaking in other tongues.

    As you speak in other tongues, when you’re confronted with a situation, fear, unbelief, personal beliefs, are instantly replaced with a Holy Faith (God’s kind of Faith). Then along the same line, you can also apply tongues for stirring up the other spiritual gifts in you. For instance, Tongues can stir-up prophecy (through the interpretations). It can stir up the gift of healing and the rests… all of which, manifest by faith.

    You know, the Apostle Paul in the book of 2 Timothy 1:6; charges us to stir up the gifts of God in us. And one of the easiest ways to do that, is to be speaking more and more in other tongues, just like the Apostle Paul did (1 Corinthians 14:18)


  3. Tongues Is For Prayers- Romans 8:26; “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

    Now with the gift of tongues, which is powered by the Holy Spirit himself, we can pray more effectively, with better results… and much, much, more. So forbid not to speak in other tongues… (1 Corinthians 14:39).


    For more teaching on the administration of Tongues, get Kenneth E. Hagin Book: “Tongues Beyond The Upper Room”.
 

Butch5

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emekrus said:
“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-5


In my early stage of Christianity, the gift of Tongues is one gift that I benefited allots from; yet I encountered several bashings concerning it from so many folks. Most of which, were those who had been in the race, years before me…


But somehow, I seemed to take every other corrections, except giving up on speaking in tongues: both in privacy and in public. Then as I continued relentlessly and doggedly till now, the gift of Tongues have become one of my most profitable spiritual gifts.


By the administration of the gift of tongues (personally), I can now pray for over an hour without vain repetitions. By its administration, when I’m faced with some stubborn temptations, as I open my mouth, in faith, I get instant deliverance from the Holy Spirit…

Along the above line of deliverance from stubborn temptations, a few months ago, I was attacked by a very strong spirit of lust towards a lady, I was prospecting to marry. Then as I struggled on my own, the Holy Spirit gave me a word; and as I got the word, immediately, I got up and started speaking violently in other tongues…


And presently, I felt the power of God move on my heart and cleansed the lustful feeling. And by the next time I saw the lady in question, she was like every other person to me. The lustful feeling I had towards her totally disappeared…


More so, when I’m tempted with depression, as I open my mouth, speaking in other tongues, within a few minutes, my Joy of salvation is miraculously restored. By the manifestation of the gift of tongues, as I open my mouth to interpret by faith, I get some specific messages from God.

By the manifestation of the gift of tongues, a few weeks ago, as my neighbor overhead me praying in other tongues, she placed her hand in the spot where she had pain, then by daybreak, the pain was totally gone.

A few weeks back, as I prayed in other tongues and in understanding for my friend who was sick, I got a leading of the Holy Spirit to call him over the phone and pray for him for instant healing. As I did, presently, the power of God fell on him, and the medication he was to take, he left it and by daybreak, he was totally healed.


I can go on and on, sharing all the miracles I have personally encountered by simply opening my mouth in faith to speak in other tongues. Yet so many folks in Christendom miss out on the blessings of God, accessible to them through speaking and praying in other tongues due to unbelief and religious brain-washing…


Hence, this sermon seeks to point out, scripturally, the correct administration of this awesome gift, for personal edification.


What Then Is The Gift Of Tongues For?
  1. Self-Edification- 1 Corinthians 14:2: It is for receiving comforting ministrations or messages from the Holy Spirit. Then it also means, receiving self-lifting, divine help from God in your Spirit.

  2. It is For Charging Up Your Faith- Jude 1:20. Which is to say, when you are faced with an issue, and you’re tempted with unbelief or fear, you clear them off instantly by speaking in other tongues.

    As you speak in other tongues, when you’re confronted with a situation, fear, unbelief, personal beliefs, are instantly replaced with a Holy Faith (God’s kind of Faith). Then along the same line, you can also apply tongues for stirring up the other spiritual gifts in you. For instance, Tongues can stir-up prophecy (through the interpretations). It can stir up the gift of healing and the rests… all of which, manifest by faith.

    You know, the Apostle Paul in the book of 2 Timothy 1:6; charges us to stir up the gifts of God in us. And one of the easiest ways to do that, is to be speaking more and more in other tongues, just like the Apostle Paul did (1 Corinthians 14:18)


  3. Tongues Is For Prayers- Romans 8:26; “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

    Now with the gift of tongues, which is powered by the Holy Spirit himself, we can pray more effectively, with better results… and much, much, more. So forbid not to speak in other tongues… (1 Corinthians 14:39).


    For more teaching on the administration of Tongues, get Kenneth E. Hagin Book: “Tongues Beyond The Upper Room”.
It's my understanding that the gift of tongues has ceased.
 

williemac

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Butch5 said:
It's my understanding that the gift of tongues has ceased.
When many people give testimony of having the gift, how is it that you call your disbelief of them an "understanding"? What you actually have is an opinion. I would venture a guess that the 'majority' of those who share your opinion do not speak in tongues. How is it that in the face of evidence to the contrary, people will invalidate thousands and even millions of testimonies to hang on to an otherwise unprovable conclusion? Is it too hard to face the possibility that the gift still exsts just because you don't seem to have it yourself? Is that it? Is that a factor? If it was, would you admit it? Pondering......
 

Wormwood

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williemac,

His "understanding" could be based on his interpretation of the Scriptures. Disbelieving someone else's claim should not be a basis for deciding if how someone understands a Biblical teaching. Of course, we all have opinions, but hopefully those opinions are based on a thorough grasp of the teaching of the Bible. I don't think it is right to demand that a person's understanding of the Bible must be filtered through everyone else's experience....especially on a debatable matter.

Can you prove that the estatic utterances in "angelic languages" practiced today are the "tongues" that were practiced in the first century? I see one narrative depicting tongues in the NT and that is found in Acts 2. This clearly was a miraculous gift involving praising God in actual human languages that the speaker had never learned. I don't think we should assume that what is happening in a charismatic church is the same thing that was happening in the first century church. Maybe it is, but that is an assumption and not something that demands belief or disbelief in the NT gift of tongues as depicted in the Bible.
 

Butch5

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williemac said:
When many people give testimony of having the gift, how is it that you call your disbelief of them an "understanding"? What you actually have is an opinion. I would venture a guess that the 'majority' of those who share your opinion do not speak in tongues. How is it that in the face of evidence to the contrary, people will invalidate thousands and even millions of testimonies to hang on to an otherwise unprovable conclusion? Is it too hard to face the possibility that the gift still exsts just because you don't seem to have it yourself? Is that it? Is that a factor? If it was, would you admit it? Pondering......
Hi Willemac,

If there were millions of people who made a claim and the Bible claimed the opposite which one would you believe? I am well acquainted with the mind of man. It is my understanding of the Scriptures that the miraculous gifts given in the beginning have ended. Paul said the gift of tongues would cease. The Scriptures tell us what the gift of tongues was for. Once that purpose was achieved there would no longer be a need for the gift of tongues.
 

pom2014

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I have yet to see anyone exhibit Glossolalia.

Until then "tongues" are mad raving babbling.
 

williemac

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Butch5 said:
Hi Willemac,

If there were millions of people who made a claim and the Bible claimed the opposite which one would you believe? I am well acquainted with the mind of man. It is my understanding of the Scriptures that the miraculous gifts given in the beginning have ended. Paul said the gift of tongues would cease. The Scriptures tell us what the gift of tongues was for. Once that purpose was achieved there would no longer be a need for the gift of tongues.
I'm afraid you are assuming things. It is not the understanding of scripture that the gift of tongues has ended. It is rather the opinion of those who are reading this into scripture. There is no time frame or date mentioned as to when tongues would cease. As well, you are correct, as the bible does give insight as to the benefit of tongues. But teaching on this subject is all over the map. Fact 1. the general use of tongues is not meant to be for public benefit. Tongues edifies the person speaking them. The only time edification occurs publically is if there is an intepretation. Therefore Paul discouraged the public speaking of tongues unless an interpretation can be supplied, and rather encouraged the private use. Fact 2. those who speak in tongues do not generally understand what they are saying (my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful). Fact 3. It is meant as a means of prayer from the spirit of man to God, with the Holy Spirit giving utterance. (my spirit prays). You claim there is no longer a need for prayer?

On the day of Pentecost they were filled with the Spirit and filed out into the street speaking in tongues. At that time there was no prior experience and therefore no teaching or instruction concerning them. The public heard them speaking praises aloud about God in various mother languages of the crowd. They were praising God in tongues unknown to the praisers. When asked what this meant, Peter stood up and spoke to the entire crowd...obviously in one common language. The gospel was not preached in tongues, contrary to what some may believe and teach. They were not for that purpose. They are a personal prayer language. Furthermore, there are plenty of testimonies concerning confirmation that this is a real phenominon. In virtually all cases, including mine, the ability did not exist prior to my praying for and recieving the Holy Spirit. If I were you and the rest of the unbelieving masses towards this gift and others, I would be mindful of just who and what you are invalidating.
 

OzSpen

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pom2014 said:
I have yet to see anyone exhibit Glossolalia.

Until then "tongues" are mad raving babbling.
pom,

In church gatherings I have heard the genuine gift of tongues with the required accompanying gift of interpretation. I have been edified and to call it 'mad raving babbling' is insulting to those whom God uses to manifest the genuine gifts of tongues and interpretation.

The biblical mandate is: (1) 'Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy' (1 Cor 14:5 ESV). (2) 'So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order' (1 Cor 14:39-49 ESV).

Oz
 

Butch5

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williemac said:
I'm afraid you are assuming things. It is not the understanding of scripture that the gift of tongues has ended. It is rather the opinion of those who are reading this into scripture. There is no time frame or date mentioned as to when tongues would cease. As well, you are correct, as the bible does give insight as to the benefit of tongues. But teaching on this subject is all over the map. Fact 1. the general use of tongues is not meant to be for public benefit. Tongues edifies the person speaking them. The only time edification occurs publically is if there is an intepretation. Therefore Paul discouraged the public speaking of tongues unless an interpretation can be supplied, and rather encouraged the private use. Fact 2. those who speak in tongues do not generally understand what they are saying (my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful). Fact 3. It is meant as a means of prayer from the spirit of man to God, with the Holy Spirit giving utterance. (my spirit prays). You claim there is no longer a need for prayer?

On the day of Pentecost they were filled with the Spirit and filed out into the street speaking in tongues. At that time there was no prior experience and therefore no teaching or instruction concerning them. The public heard them speaking praises aloud about God in various mother languages of the crowd. They were praising God in tongues unknown to the praisers. When asked what this meant, Peter stood up and spoke to the entire crowd...obviously in one common language. The gospel was not preached in tongues, contrary to what some may believe and teach. They were not for that purpose. They are a personal prayer language. Furthermore, there are plenty of testimonies concerning confirmation that this is a real phenominon. In virtually all cases, including mine, the ability did not exist prior to my praying for and recieving the Holy Spirit. If I were you and the rest of the unbelieving masses towards this gift and others, I would be mindful of just who and what you are invalidating.
In context Paul is rebuking the Corinthian church for their use of tongues. Their self edification is being rebuked.

KJV 1 Cor. 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
KJV 1 Cor. 4:18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
KJV 1 Cor. 4:19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
KJV 1 Cor. 5:2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
KJV 1 Cor. 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Paul rebukes them for being puffed up and explains how charity is not puffed up. Being puffed up is pride, edifying oneself is pride. The purpose of tongues was not for self edification. The purpose of tongues was a sign to unbelieving Israel.

Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine! 2 Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand. 3 The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet: 4 And the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer; which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up. 5 In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, 6 And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate. 7 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. 8 For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean. 9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. 10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: 11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. 12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. 13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. 14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. 15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: 16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. 17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. 18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. (Isa. 28:1 KJV)

God tells through Isaiah that He will speak to this people Israel with stammering lip and another tongue. The message was the rest. The message is to "ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem." The gift of Tongues was a sign to the unbelieving leadership in Israel. The passage opens with the phrase, 'the Lord has a mighty and strong one.' I think we know who that is.

Both Peter and Paul refer to this passage from Isaiah and they apply it to Christ.


13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
17 And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion. (Isa. 8:13-18 KJV)


Christ and the disciples were for signs and wonders in Israel.

The signs and wonders were to confirm that Gospel message that the Apostles were preaching.


15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mk. 16:15-20 KJV)

This is what I understand is the purpose of the miraculous signs. This passage states that the Lord was working with the Apostles as they preached and was confirming their preaching with miraculous signs. It's one thing to go around preaching, but if you start raising the dead and healing the sick people are surely going to pay attention to what you're saying.

Also, Tertullian writing around the year 200 AD. says that there were only traces of the gifts of the Spirit in his day.

For the law and the prophets are full of marvels similar to those recorded of Jesus at His baptism, viz., regarding the dove and the voice from heaven. And I think the wonders wrought by Jesus are a proof of the Holy Spirit’s having then appeared in the form of a dove, although Celsus, from a desire to cast discredit upon them, alleges that He performed only what He had learned among the Egyptians. And I shall refer not only to His miracles, but, as is proper, to those also of the apostles of Jesus. For they could not without the help of miracles and wonders have prevailed on those who heard their new doctrines and new teachings to abandon their national usages, and to accept their instructions at the danger to themselves even of death. And there are still preserved among Christians traces of that Holy Spirit which appeared in the form of a dove. They expel evil spirits, and perform many cures, and foresee certain events, according to the will of the Logos.
Early Church Fathers - – Ante-Nicene Fathers: The Writings of the Fathers Down To A.D. 325.

These are just few of the reasons I believe the gifts have ceased.
 

Butch5

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OzSpen said:
Butch5,

So was Paul contradicting himself because he also said: 'Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy' (1 Cor 14:5 ESV)?

Oz
Not at all. He was speaking to the Corinthians. He said, "I want you all."
 

Butch5

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OzSpen said:
pom,

In church gatherings I have heard the genuine gift of tongues with the required accompanying gift of interpretation. I have been edified and to call it 'mad raving babbling' is insulting to those whom God uses to manifest the genuine gifts of tongues and interpretation.

The biblical mandate is: (1) 'Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy' (1 Cor 14:5 ESV). (2) 'So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order' (1 Cor 14:39-49 ESV).

Oz
That mandate would be appropriate when the gift was active as it was in Paul's day. However, Paul said tongues would cease so after that point the mandate would no longer stand.
 

pom2014

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OzSpen said:
pom,

In church gatherings I have heard the genuine gift of tongues with the required accompanying gift of interpretation. I have been edified and to call it 'mad raving babbling' is insulting to those whom God uses to manifest the genuine gifts of tongues and interpretation.

The biblical mandate is: (1) 'Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy' (1 Cor 14:5 ESV). (2) 'So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order' (1 Cor 14:39-49 ESV).

Oz
The sole purpose of tongues was for dissemination of the word to people that did not understand the native speaker.

Not for speaking in gibberish and having someone say oh this is what they said.

This is no more believable than fake faith healers that set up people with NO illness or issue and the "healing" them while turning away REAL suffering people.

Again, I have never seen anyone speak the word in German and people that only speak Russian, Chinese and Spanish ever hear them in their native language.

As in show in Acts this was tongues.

It is fine if you WANT to believe in it. But It is never examples of Glossolalia.
 

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pom2014 said:
The sole purpose of tongues was for dissemination of the word to people that did not understand the native speaker.

Not for speaking in gibberish and having someone say oh this is what they said.
pom,

That is false according to 1 Cor 14:2 (ESV): 'For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit'.

I do wish you would stick with what the Scriptures state in this regard, instead of imposing your presuppositions on Scripture.

Oz
 

OzSpen

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Butch5 said:
That mandate would be appropriate when the gift was active as it was in Paul's day. However, Paul said tongues would cease so after that point the mandate would no longer stand.
Butch,

1 Corinthians 13:8-12 (ESV) states:
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
This passage tells us exactly when prophesies, tongues, and KNOWLEDGE 'will pass away'. This is when: 'For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known'.

They will only pass away then we see 'face to face'. That will only happen when 'I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known' by the Trinitarian God at the second coming of Jesus.

Context is the clincher - 'face to face' is not some time in the past. It's in the eschatological future.

Otherwise we have a gross contradiction in I Cor 13:8, 'tongues will cease' but then in 1 Cor 14:5, 'Now I want you all to speak in tongues'.

This is a classic example where the context of 1 Cor 13 tells us exactly when the gifts of the Spirit will cease - at the second coming.

Until then the full range of the gifts of the Spirit are designed to continue for the edification and ministry of the church.

Oz
 

Wormwood

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Oz,

I agree that 1 Cor. 13 is likely not referring to the ceasing of tongues and so forth. However, I think a couple of things are clear: First, various gifts were used for very specific purposes. The Apostles had incredible power from God to heal people with their shadows or with cloth they had touched. They were able to raise the dead and survive poisonous snake bites. Now, I doubt you would argue that there are people walking around today who are healing people with their shadows and raising the dead. Can God still raise the dead? Yes. Are these miraculous gifts being displayed in this manner today? No. The Word of God was being confirmed by the Apostles and so these gifts had a purpose. So, I think it is safe to say that certain gifts had specific purposes that may not be needed or utilized today.

Second, I agree with you that the gift of tongues was not for the purpose of evangelism. The Scriptures are quite clear that this gift was about praising God in an unknown language. What is also clear to me, is that these languages were actual human languages. In Acts 2, tongues is described as people speaking in languages they had never learned that people from other regions could understand. Clearly they understood this to be somewhat miraculous or at least strongly caught their attention. Thus, I do not see tongues in the NT as "angelic languages" or ecstatic utterances.

Charismatics usually respond with two arguments: 1) Paul says, "if I speak in the tongues of men an angels but have not love..." and, 2) Paul says he speaks to God and not mean, uttering mysteries in his spirit.

I do not think either of these define tongues as non-human languages. In the case of the first, Paul is clearly using hyperbole in these examples. He also speaks about having all knowledge and fathoming all mysteries. Clearly he is not implying that he does have all knowledge or fathom all mysteries. Thus, the idea that he is actually defining tongues as the language of angels is quite misguided. In the case of the second, this could easily be explained a different way that is more fitting to how tongues is defined elsewhere in the Bible. Suppose a person is given the gift of tongues to speak Hebrew when they only knew Greek. If that person did not have the "gift of interpretation" then they would likely be speaking Hebrew quite fluently, but "uttering mysteries" that they themselves would not understand. If you have a very diverse culture like the one that existed in Corinth, you might have many many languages represented in the crowd. It could be that very few if any would speak the foreign language that was being used as a miraculous gift. Someone could have the gift to praise God in German, but if no one spoke German in the congregation, then no one would be edified unless it was translated.
Also, Paul says he speaks to God and not men when he speaks in tongues. This is consistent with what we see in Acts 2 as the people were "praising God" in actual human languages. This does not mean that the language was not understandable by people, because clearly Paul says that "tongue are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers." How could speaking in mysterious, angelic languages be a sign for unbelievers? The simple answer is, "it wouldn't." However, if person was praising God miraculously in the native language of another and they had never learned it, it could be quite astonishing for an onlooker who was familiar with the language. To them, it could very easily be a "sign."

In sum, I simply do not see anything in the NT that suggests that "tongues" is anything other than actual human languages that were given in the form of miraculous acts of praise amongst those who had never studied or learned the language in which they were praising God.
 

Butch5

Butch5
Oct 24, 2009
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Homer Ga.
OzSpen said:
Butch,

1 Corinthians 13:8-12 (ESV) states:

This passage tells us exactly when prophesies, tongues, and KNOWLEDGE 'will pass away'. This is when: 'For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known'.

They will only pass away then we see 'face to face'. That will only happen when 'I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known' by the Trinitarian God at the second coming of Jesus.

Context is the clincher - 'face to face' is not some time in the past. It's in the eschatological future.

Otherwise we have a gross contradiction in I Cor 13:8, 'tongues will cease' but then in 1 Cor 14:5, 'Now I want you all to speak in tongues'.

This is a classic example where the context of 1 Cor 13 tells us exactly when the gifts of the Spirit will cease - at the second coming.

Until then the full range of the gifts of the Spirit are designed to continue for the edification and ministry of the church.

Oz
Since we're talking about context let's note that the "we" is Paul and the Corinthians, not you and I. His statement about seeing face to face says nothing about seeing Jesus. He contrasts two things, the present where he sees things through a class darkly (In other words things aren't clear) with seeing someone face to face. When you see someone face to face it is clear. Then he says now I know in part but then (when the maturity comes) I will have full knowledge. In both of these he speaks of a now and then. In the first example he spoke of being a child and growing to maturity.

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (1 Cor. 13:11 KJV)

I submit that the next two sentences which speak of a now and then are tied to this statement of being a child and maturing to man. The now is as a child and the then is as a man. Now as a child we see through a glass darkly and now as child I know. But then, as a man I will see face to face. But then, I will have full knowledge. The whole section is speaking of a process of mating

That right there tells us that he isn't referring to the coming of Christ. Jesus said He would come as thief in the night. That's a quick event not a process of growing from a child to a man. Additionally, he said that after, prophecy, tongues, and knowledge, ceased, Faith, hope, and love would remain. Paul said that faith is,

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Heb. 11:1 KJV)

When Jesus returns He will be seen so faith won't be needed. likewise he said that hope that is seen isn't hope.

24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. (Rom. 8:24-25 KJV)

So, when Jesus returns we won't need faith and hope, yet Paul said that after prophecy, tongues, and knowledge, ceased, faith, and hope would continue. This would put the coming of the perfect, the maturity, before the return of Christ.

He says that prophecy and knowledge will cease when the perfect (maturity) comes and the word cease is in the passive voice. That means something will cause them to cease. That obviously would be the coming of the maturity. However, when he says that tongues will cease he uses a middle voice verb for cease. This means that there isn't something that will make tongues cease but rather tongues will cease of its own accord. Since Isaiah tells us that tongues was a sign to unbelieving Israel of the judgment that was coming. Once that judgment came the purpose of tongues would have fulfilled and thus not be necessary any longer.