Unfortunately men (and women) putting requirements on other men (and women) is nothing new under the sun. It becomes the litmus test for being a true Christian, and it comes to a point where you are less of a Christian because you don't speak tongues like all the others.
The apostles certainly had a litmus test - they were able to judge precisely when people
received the Spirit of God (and this is what I would expect! - how can one receive the perfect being without something significant happening?!) - Acts 2:4, 33; 8:18, 10:44-46, 19:5-6.
Conversely they knew that sincere believers had not yet received - Acts 8:12-16, 19:4-5.
So, either this revelation, this knowledge, has been lost, and you can no longer make that judgement, or you have to introduce some new way.
Unfortunately men (and women) are prone to being unfaithful to what God sets out.
Consider the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:4-6), people didn't like it so cut and dried... surely there is another way???
Perhaps most unfortunately this sign is sought after in a manner that totally contradicts Scripture:
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Well, it certainly contradicts your understanding of scripture... you are presenting this passage as detailing what different people get when they become Christians... but is that what this passage is really referring to?
Before we look at the context let's consider the verses themselves:
"to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge ...To another faith"
Now, do you, does
anyone actually believe that only "one" or even only some people get wisdom, knowledge and faith when they become Christians?
How can you have the Spirit, the mind of Christ and the new heart but not have these things?
How can you even function as a Christian without any wisdom, knowledge and faith?
To teach that this passage refers to what different people get when they become Christians is without doubt the strangest doctrine I have ever heard!
There are so many scriptures affirming that all Christians have and should use and grow in these things.
It really is a contradiction of scripture to teach it!
Now let's consider the wider context:
Since the previous chapter Paul has been talking specifically about how God wants meetings to be run.
Thwe beginning of the letter affirms:
in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1:5-7)
So, what were the Corinthians getting wrong?
Chapter 12 says they should not all act as one member and in Chapter 14 he specifically tells them not to all come together and speak in tongues, rather to seek to edify others when they meet.
- Paul tells them not to all speak in tongues, just 2 or 3, if, as you suggest only some Christians have the ability, this problem could never have arisen!
Conclusion: "the gift of tongues" is the
giving to the church, the public use of what all have for private use (the main use). The same goes for the other attributes mentioned.
If you visit a church like the one in the bible where all pray in tongues privately but where the gifts are used in an orderly way in meetings, you will see and appreciate this simple distinction.