Has tongues ceased today?

[Cody]

Here is a great sermon on tongues by Pastor Steve Hereford. In the sermon he uses the Bible and history to answer many questions about tongues. He also answers the question, has tongues ceased today?

I believe everyone should listen to this sermon because I feel it is an important subject that must be looked at with the word of God. The sermon is 57 minutes long, but well worth listening to.

Click to listen:
The Truth About Tongues

 

[jiggyfly]

Has tongues ceased today? Most definetly not.

 

[Cody]

"Love never faileth; but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away [lit. `be rendered inoperative']; whether there be tongues, they shall cease [lit. `stop by themselves']; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away [lit. `be rendered inoperative']."

In verse 8 the verb katargeo is used to describe what happens to both prophecy and knowledge. Used in its passive form, it means that knowledge and prophecy will be rendered inoperative. In other words, something is going to act upon those two gifts to cause them to cease. Now, the verb used to describe what is going to happen to the gift of tongues is a totally different verb-- pauo--which means "to stop." And not only is it a different verb, it's in a different voice--the middle voice. The middle voice in the Greek is reflexive, indicating that the subject is acting upon itself. It also indicates intense action on the part of the subject. In other words, tongues will stop by themselves. According to 1 Corinthians 13:9-10, knowledge and prophecy are said to be stopped by "that which is perfect." Notice that tongues are not mentioned in those verses. Why not? Because nothing stops tongues--they stop by themselves before "that which is perfect is come."

To read more on this subject click the link below.
Information link:
Speaking in Tongues

 

[Cody]

Has tongues ceased today? Most definetly not.

Please give scripture supporting your answer.

 

[ushalk]

cody2 this a question of oppuinion not fact. how do we show scripture for our opinion?

as far as the ceasing of toungues my personal opinion is that it has ceased not because god has changed or anything like that. i think we all know that the lord is the same yesterday today and forever. however mans hearts have become quite harder and do not accept the lord the way thpeople did back in the day. when jesus was telling the deciples the end times prophecy he said that the end days would be like that days of noah.

we all read that passage and know that noah was the only man found righteous on the whole face of the earth. i have seen many people that speak in toungues over the past few years. however i do not believe that all of them are actually speaking in toungues as the holy spirit moves people to speak in toungues but i cant say for sure.

 

[Cody]

I agree there are a lot of different opinions out there. Also a lot of feelings and I believe so many people are trusting their heart too much. Even though the Bible says that the heart is the most deceitful above all things in Jeremiah 17:9. I believe if we study the word of God, we will always find the truth. I also have friends that speak in tongues, but I'm not going to believe anything unless it's backed up by the word of God.

You're right, God will never change, but consider other things in the Bible. In the Old Testament they had to sacrifice animals. Now we don't because we have the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus Christ. Tongues were a sign to Israel because of their unbelief.

Look at Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 13-14. Read up on the Greek words used in 1 Corinthians 13:8. Did you listen to the sermon and read the article I provided? Down below is another article talking about why tongues are believed to be ceased and other points about the issue.

Information:
Speaking in Tongues
The Permanence of Love--Part 1

 

[jean]

Well all I can say is that I still pray in tongues when I pray, in private prayer as the opportunity doesn't arise where I am otherwise.

 

[jiggyfly]

OK First off Coty2, what do you consider 'That which is perfect is come" to mean?

Secondly, what if any has the Lord directly revealed to you concerning spiritual gift of tongues?

Thirdly, do the scriptures testify of themselves or do they point us to something or someone else to obtain truth?

Fourthly, doesn't the bible also state that Father will give us a new heart? Also, does Jesus dwell in a heart that is full of deceit?

 

[jean]

Perhaps this is why the Lord blessed me with the gift of tongues as a sign, as I was an unbeliever until I was 44 years of age It is quite biblical as stated in 1 corinthians 14. It also says in Acts 2 that the Lord will pour out His Spirit and we shall receive gifts, in fact there are many reference to the gifts and tongues to be found within any good concordance.
What is important to remember inho, is that we all receive different gifts to 'build up' and edify the church.
The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5 -22) however are of equal importance or more so, some would say but all are necessary for the church now as always. Perhaps more so in these days of rampant materialism and secularism, with so much importance seemingly put on 'the outward' appearance and 'self' inner and outer!

 

[willb]

I do not think that toungues have stopped. My belief for this is simple - the bible doesnt say it. Every scripture used to back that belief up is a scripture which doesnt say it but is just pushed into implicating it.

Secondly why would God knowing full well He was going to take away the gifts spend so much time telling us how to use them?. That doesnt fit.

 

[jari]

You're right, God will never change, but consider other things in the Bible. In the Old Testament they had to sacrifice animals. Now we don't because we have the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus Christ. Tongues were a sign to Israel because of their unbelief.

Could you please give verse reference about the tongues as sign to Israel? I did not get that part from the audio sermon, perhaps I just missed it.

By the way, by giving His own life Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice that the first coveant required and then God made new coveant with us. So that's why we are not under the old but new coveant, washed clean by the blood of lamb, Jesus' blood.
I hope you correct me if I was wrong there but just wanted this to be clear.

But what's the reason for tonguages to cease?

God bless.

 

[ushalk]

cody2 i have not read or heard the material that you have posted. however in the books of acts it states that toungues is a sign to unbeileivers period. it does nowhere in ther state for the jews or just for israel or anything of the sort. the lord has given the gospel to the gentiles just as much as the jews. he is no respecter of persons so he is not going to say well i will give this sign for the unbelieving jews and the gentiles need to go find there own sign.

jari, true freedom has always been sacrificed by blood. in the old testiment it was that of the goats and rambs and what not. in the new testiment gods word became flesh and became our sacrifice.

 

[Cody]

1 Corinthians 1:22
"For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:" KJV

1 Corinthians 14:22
"Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe." KJV

The Jews required a sign, and they got their sign. Why would we speak in tongues today if it was a sign for the Jews? Why would tongues cease for so long and then come back up?


Speaking in Tongues
The Permanence of Love--Part 1

Speaking in Tongues
The Permanence of Love--Part 2

 

[ushalk]

when did it cease. people have been speaking in toungues for the last 2000 years cody2. it has became more of teaching over the last 20 years or so because man has put it into these churches with all their reformations of their doctrine and what have you. this being part of the reason that i am not so sure that much of it is actually from the holy spirit.

 

[Cody]

Study about WHO has been speaking in tongues for over the years. If you listen to that sermon you will know the history of tongues. It hasn't been just Christians speaking in tongues. The sermon will tell you when Christians started speaking in tongues again. I believe the man said in 1901.


Audio on Speaking in Tongues

 

[hopeforall]

Here are SCRIPTURES to back up speaking in TONGUES

I would first like to open with the necessity to always approach scripture with an unbiased beginning. Rather than believing something first then trying to back it up with scripture, especially if there is only one scripture reference available to back up one's belief. Further, when that one scripture is reliant on one word that can be misinterpreted.

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul goes into great detail about the use of Spiritual Gifts. This entire chapter would be a waste of time and effort for Paul if he really was to go on and say that these Spiritual Gifts have ceased.

From the NKJV: 1 Cor. 12:4-11 says " There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities in manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."

This clearly states that the Holy Spirit works through the Body of Christ to minister to one another. If these gifts have truly ceased, then no Christian would have the word of wisdom, faith, gifts of healings, miracles, prophecy, discernment of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues!

You can't pick and choose which gifts are still available to the Body of Christ because the Lord distributes out each gift by His Spirit according to HIS WILL, not yours or mine.

1 Cor. 12 goes on to talk about the Body of Christ, that we need each other especially until Jesus "the PERFECT" returns for His Bride. 1 Cor.12: 27-31 says "Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

Paul is saying that these gifts are quite active in the church today and that we should earnestly desire the best of these gifts. However, in light of God's Love working through us these are nothing. The more excellent way is showing AGAPE love to people. Showing God's love to people can be displayed throught the use of these gifts! What good is it just to Love people from a distance. Isn't better to LOVE them by helping them with whatever needs they have? Teaching them, Praying for them, healing them, performing miracles in their lives, cleaning their homes, helping take care of their children, fixing their roofs, picking rocks off their driveway, helping them find an apartment to get off the street, helping them find a job, helping them move, interpreting tongues to edify them, driving them to church, loving on them any way God tells you to !

Of Course when Jesus comes back we won't need any of these things. Of course they will just cease when He returns. Because, w
e won't need any spiritual gift of apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, healings, helps, administrations, variety of tongues. We will all be healed, we will all experience the greatest miracle of dwelling with the ALMIGHTY. Who needs tongues then? We will all understand and be understood. What use is administration or apostleship of prophecy when JESUS comes back. It is all useless then. However, we don't live in a perfect world and the PERFECT one has not come back to rescue us from this imperfect world.

WE NEED THESE GIFTS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST, WE NEED THESE GIFTS BATHED IN LOVE, WE NEED THESE GIFTS USED IN LIGHT OF GOD'S LOVE NOW, TODAY, AND UNTIL THE DAY THE PERFECT COMES!

Ephesians 5:30 says "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." Cody2 be careful not to grieve the Holy Spirit and say that what is truly of Him has ceased without truly seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance "into all truth."

Ephesians 4:7 says "But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift."

There are countless scripture references in regard to Spiritual Gifts and Speaking in Tongues. However, the Body of Christ is being deceived by one small verse that doesn't even negate all the rest of the verses about the spiritual gifts. However, 1 Corinthians 13 enhances the use of the spiritual gifts because it encourages us to wrap it all in LOVE!

SO PLEASE DO NOT FORBID THE SPEAKING OF TONGUES as Paul so eloquently urges the church!

 

[jari]

Cody2, you asked why would tonguages cease and come back after so long time? Well I wonder how familiar you are with the scripture about Israel and how they turned away from God and everything that happened that is written in the OT and then the prophecies. They we're exiled and then years later the prophecy became true, the messiah, Jesus came. Ok now that's clear..? I would suggest one answer to this:
In my opinion this would make sense that tonguages ceased since prophecies ceased since faith ceased. And it doesn't seem thefore surprise that they would have ceased for a time again. And then who keeps record of this? Only God can do that and not any man.

(Psa 74:9) We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.

 

[Chad]

Has tongues ceased today? Most definetly not.

I agree as I've witnessed the speaking of tongues at services and in private prayers (groups) at bible studies. It surely has not ceased at all. I know very close, very devoted believers who pray in tongues.

cody2 this a question of oppuinion not fact. how do we show scripture for our opinion?

as far as the ceasing of toungues my personal opinion is that it has ceased not because god has changed or anything like that. i think we all know that the lord is the same yesterday today and forever. however mans hearts have become quite harder and do not accept the lord the way thpeople did back in the day. when jesus was telling the deciples the end times prophecy he said that the end days would be like that days of noah.

we all read that passage and know that noah was the only man found righteous on the whole face of the earth. i have seen many people that speak in toungues over the past few years. however i do not believe that all of them are actually speaking in toungues as the holy spirit moves people to speak in toungues but i cant say for sure.

Whether or not tongues has ceased is not an opinion, it would be fact. However, for a believer who attends church regularly and surrounds themselves with godly people, they for sure by now would see that tongues obviously has not ceased. I'm a witness for one.

How anyone would assume that tongues has ceased, I do not know where they even get their proof or even absolute knowledge of all the believers worldwide who may be speaking in tongues.

Brother Cody, 1 Corinthians 14:22 is one part of a story. It has nothing to do with tongues in general to all people who the Holy Spirit grants to them. The speaking of tongues is like a heavenly language per se, so has anything from Heaven above ceased?

There is no Scripture that shows tongues has ceased, yet there is in-front obvious proof before our eyes that tongues has not ceased. Just because the speaker in the sermon may have said tongues has ceased does not mean it is true. Listen to the Holy Spirit, the author of the Word and the giver of gifts. I did not listen to the sermon, but I know that we must rely on the Holy Spirit and I've already witnessed speaking of tongues before me many times as I stated earlier.

Mark 16:16-18

16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 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.”

1 Corinthians 14:5-14

5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

Tongues Must Be Interpreted

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? 7 Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? 8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? 9 So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. 12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

 

[ushalk]

thank you chad. that is true.

 

[jiggyfly]

1Corinthians 14:1-5
1*Let love be your highest goal, but also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives, especially the gift of prophecy. 2*For if your gift is the ability to speak in tongues,* you will be talking to God but not to people, since they won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. 3 But one who prophesies is helping others grow in the Lord, encouraging and comforting them. 4 A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally in the Lord, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.5*I wish you all had the gift of speaking in tongues, but even more I wish you were all able to prophesy. For prophecy is a greater and more useful gift than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church can get some good out of it.

Let's just apply some very simple logic for a moment. If tongues strengthen the individual in the Lord and prophecy strengthens the whole group in the Lord, why would God cause them to cease while there is still a very serious need for all to be strengthened in the Lord???

Now let me ask another question, who do you think benefits from the "tongues and prophecy have ceased" teaching (knowing that they strengthen us in the Lord)???

So where do you think the teaching of "tongues and prophecy have ceased" originated???

Personally, this kind of teaching is literally taking the two-edged sword and handing it to the enemy to use against the body of Christ. Why some want to preach against the main two gifts or tools, in which the scriptures clearly state, are for building up and strengthening us in the Lord Jesus Christ, really baffles me. Looks to me like some want the body of Christ to be spiritually powerless and weak.