The gift of tongues has not ceased because, according to Christ Jesus, one of the signs that would follow a believer was ‘speaking with new tongues’. This is according to Mark 16:14–18, which says:
“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.””
Let’s divide the above passage to understand its meaning. We begin by asking ourselves this question: Is the gospel still being preached around the world, or did the preaching end with the Apostles? The answer is that the gospel is still being preached in many parts of the world!
Secondly, we ask ourselves another question: Is there anyone who, after hearing the message, believes it and gets baptized? The answer is yes! There are many who, after being preached to, believe, get baptized, and become Disciples of Christ.
This means that we still have believers on earth to this day.
Thirdly, we ask ourselves this question: Is today’s believer any different from the one who got converted during the days of the Apostles? I believe the answer is no.
Thus, we can conclude that the promise Jesus Christ made to the Apostles in Mark 16:14–18 applies to ALL believers equally, whether they got converted during the days of the Apostles or today; it doesn’t really matter.
Thus, if believers in those days walked in the manifestations of the signs listed in Mark 16:17–19, likewise, today’s believers can do the same. The Bible does not, at any point or in any place, object to this.
This is why I’m strongly convicted that the gift of tongues has not ceased, just like any other gift that the Holy Spirit bestows upon an individual. Meaning, if believers spoke with new tongues during the days of the Apostles, Nothing hinders them from doing the same today. Why? It is because the Holy Spirit, who was at work during the days of the Apostles, is the same one at work in these days we live in
What is the purpose of speaking in tongues in the Bible?
The gift of tongues, just like any other gift of the Holy Spirit, was not given just for the sake of it. This is because God does not do anything at random. The gift of tongues was or is specifically given to accomplish a particular purpose. Following are three purposes for which the Holy Spirit gives a person the gift of tongues:
- For personal edification
- For building up the church
- As a sign to unbelievers
The gift of tongue is for personal edification
According to scripture, speaking in tongues edifies the individual, helping him to grow in the faith, as recorded in 1 Corinthians 14:4 and Jude 1:20.
In 1 Corinthians 14:4, we read:
“He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.”
In Jude 1:20–21, we read:
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
The question is, do you think that today’s believer needs to be built up? The answer is yes! Therefore, if there is still this need today, the Holy Spirit is still in the business of bestowing the gift of tongues on believers, as He deems fit.
It is important to point out that the gift of tongues is better exercised in private when the believer is having one-on-one communication with God. This means that the gift should not be exercised in public unless there are two or more interpreters present to interpret what has been said. This is according to 1 Corinthians 14:27–28, which says:
“If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.”
The gift of tongues is for building up the church
When one prays in tongues and they get interpreted, then the entire congregation gets to benefit (1 Corinthians 14:27–28).
Since speaking in tongues edifies the church, the Holy Spirit is still at work today to bestow the gift on believers so that the church can be built up.
Gift of tongues as a sign to the unbelievers
According to the Bible, tongues are a sign to the unbeliever, as recorded in 1 Corinthians 14:22, which says:
“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. Therefore, if the whole church comes together in one place and all speak in tongues, and there come in those who are uniformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all and convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.”
Since we are still in the business of preaching the gospel to the world, speaking in tongues is still needed to act as a sign to unbelievers. This will convince and convict them that God Himself is at work in us and is, in fact, the source of the message that we are preaching to them.
Why some people say the gift of tongues has ceased
There are Christians who teach that the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including the gift of tongues, ceased with the death of the last Apostle. These groups of individuals are known as cessationists, and what they believe in is known as cessationism. They cite several scriptures in their pursuit to advance this belief system.
It is not the object of this article to discuss what cessationism is all about. Instead, we look at some scriptures used by proponents of this school of thought to determine for ourselves whether or not the gift of tongues has ceased.
One of the major scriptures used by cessationists is 1 Corinthians 13:8–10, which says:
“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. We know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.”
According to this scripture, it is indeed true that a time will come when tongues will cease. Not only tongues, but we are also cautioned that prophecies will fail and knowledge will vanish away.
The scripture tells us that all these will end ‘when that which is perfect has come’.
Now, the question is: what does the Bible mean by ‘that which is perfect’?
According to cessationists, the perfect refers to the Bible in its completed form—that is, the Old and New Testaments combined. They believe that the New Testament texts represent the perfect revelation that was expected to replace the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Cessationists assert that the work of the Holy Spirit was to aid the Apostles in writing the New Testament. They also believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit were bestowed upon the early church to empower it and direct the way worship was to be done.
Therefore, with the completion of the New Testament, cessationists believe that there is no more need for the manifestations of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
However, the scripture we just read in 1 Corinthians 13:8–10 has not elaborated on the meaning of the phrase “the perfect”. Therefore, all that cessationists do is speculate that this phrase refers to the full canon of scripture. And this translation is what they want you and I to believe.
However, a close scrutiny of the Bible indicates that there is no verse that explains the meaning of the phrase ‘the perfect’. I mean, NO scripture in the Bible explicitly says ‘manifestations of the gifts of the Holy Spirit will end when all the Apostles die.’ All we have are speculations, like using the words maybe, probably, and so on!
So my question is: why should we believe them when they say the gift of tongues has ceased? Further still, why should we believe them when they say that manifestations of the gifts of the Holy Spirit stopped with the death of the last Apostle when they cannot single out any scripture to back their teaching?
Cessationists teach that the gift of tongues ended in 70 AD, when the Apostles’ testimony ended. They insist that the signs and gifts were for confirming the gospel as it was being preached by the Disciples of Christ. Again, this claim has no scriptural backing.
Cessationists err by thinking that linguistic experts can be used to ‘translate’ tongues spoken by a gifted believer. This is an error because the Bible is clear that when one speaks in tongues, they are speaking mysteries to God. So how can a ‘mere linguist tell what is being said?
In 1 Corinthians 14:1, the Bible says,
“Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.”
It doesn’t make sense when cessationists state that the gift of tongues was a preserve of the Apostles because many believers at Corinth seemed to possess the gift as well. And not only that, they also possessed the other gifts of the Spirit.
I have come to discover that one of the reasons why some believers have come to convince ‘themselves’ that the gifts of the Holy Spirit have ceased is because of envy. These believers erroneously think that ‘if I don’t have the gift, then it doesn’t exist!’ As a result, anyone having the gift must be faking it, demon-possessed, or a lunatic. This is the wrong way to think.
The fact is, the Bible will always remain true, regardless of men’s inadequacies in understanding it. Our prayer should always be to allow the Holy Spirit to instruct us accordingly, as promised by Jesus Christ in John 16:13–14, which says:
“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.”
Conclusion
This article sought to determine whether the gift of tongues ceased with the demise of the Apostles. We have found no scripture that explicitly states that the gift has ceased. Instead, what we have is heresy propagated by cessationists who misquote the Bible to support their far-fetched claim. I wonder why cessationists never speak of 1 Corinthians 14:39, which says:
“Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.”
By going contrary to this scripture, I believe cessationists are in error, and my prayer is that the Holy Spirit Himself shall reveal to them the truth concerning this matter. I’m convinced with my whole heart that some things cannot be taught; instead, they have to be experienced. I used to be one of those who erroneously believed that the gift of tongues as well as the others had ceased, but the Holy Spirit proved me wrong. Your day is coming!
I hope this was helpful. Thank you.
Related Post: Is speaking in tongues real
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Prayer to become a born-again Christian
“Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and hereby ask for your forgiveness;
I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that you are the only begotten Son of the living God.
I believe that you were sent of your Father to the earth to save sinners like me.
I now accept you as my personal Lord and Savior.
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In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
Amen!”
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Benediction
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The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”
(Numbers 6:24-26)
Shalom.
Source: https://www.biblegateway.com/
My name is Nicodemus. I'm a Kenyan by birth. I got saved over 30 years ago while in high school.
I love studying scriptures in order to enhance my comprehension of God and His plan for mankind.
I have an MBA degree in strategic management and a BSc degree in botany and zoology.
I’m married to a loving lady called Leah. God has gifted us three sons: Wayne, Salem, and Michael.
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