Email Us
Greenville, IN 47124
(map & directions)
Sunday Bible Class:...........10:15am
Sunday PM Worship:............6:00pm
Wednesday Bible Class:......7:30pm
(more info)
Can People Speak In Tongues Today?
John R. Gentry
Since the Charismatic movement began sweeping through much of the denominational world in the 1960’s, the issue of whether or not a “born-again Christian” can “speak in tongues” has been discussed and debated. Questions surrounding “Holy Spirit baptism” have also arisen. “What saith the Scripture?” Can people “speak in tongues” today?
In Mark 16.17-18 Jesus said that certain signs would follow the believers, including tongue-speaking. But did you notice that Mark also said in verse 20 that these signs were there to confirm the message? In Hebrews 2.1-4 we learn that the message of salvation has been confirmed (notice the past tense in verse 4). This harmonizes with Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 13 that when the complete word of God had been delivered (cf. Jude 3) then the spiritual gifts, including tongue-speaking, would cease. Since the word of God is complete, there is absolutely no need for tongue speaking today!
Another thing worth noting is when New Testament Christians spoke in “tongues,” they spoke an existing intelligible language that they had not studied. Consider the example in Acts 2. Luke tells us that the apostles spoke in “other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance” (v4), but the people recognized what they were speaking as their “own language” (v6). The so-called tongue speakers today only speak unintelligible gibberish. I challenge any person to come forth that can do what they did in the first century, and speak rational thoughts in a foreign language which you have not studied.
Lastly, we are told that the gift of tongue speaking was given to those on whom the apostles laid their hands. This can be seen in Acts 6.5-6, 8; 8.18; 19.6. And, since there are no more apostles today, no one can receive the Holy Spirit gift of tongue speaking. (Note: Holy Spirit baptism is never commanded in the Bible, and therefore cannot be obeyed. Also, it cannot be received for it was promised to the apostles in John 14-16; Acts 1; and was given to the house of Cornelius as a sign to the Jews that God accepted them (Acts 10.44-47; 11.15-17; 15.7-9).)
originally published in the Banner-Gazette
2007.06.27