Has the manifestation of Tongues ceased?

Has the manifestation of tongues ceased? I think that is a wrong question to ask. The valid question to ask is, What does the Bible say about tongues?

That question is one that can be answered easilly. Here goes:

1. Like all other spiritual manifestations, tongues is not for private edification but public benefit – 1 Cor 12:7: To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. Why then do Pentecostals/Charismatics claim that tongues is a private prayer language for private edification?
2. Tongues is one of several spiritual manifestations distributed differently to different members of the Church. A manifestation of tongues is given to this one, a manifestation of prophecy to another – 1 Cor 12:10: to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. Why do Pentecostals/Charismatics teach that every believer is meant to speak in tongues?
3. Just like any other spiritual manifestation or equipment, not all are used by God in the same way – 1 Cor 12:29-30 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? Again, why do Pentecostals/Charismatics hold the position that all Christians are meant to speak in tongues?
4. Prophecy edifies the Church more than tongues and so is to be desired more than tongues – 1 Cor 14:4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Why, therefore, are Pentecostals/Charismatics so fixated on something that is inferior? Why are they not seeking to prophecy more and get more people edified?
5. The instruction is to pursue prophecy above tongues – 1 Cor 14:1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. Why are Pentecostals/Charismatics blatantly disobedient to the God that they claim to serve?
6. The verse (1 Cor. 14:4) that Pentecostals/Charismatics use to justify using tongues for personal edification actually compares the self-centredness of using tongues for private benefit with the loving posture of seeking to edify the Body via public use of prophecy, but is usually pulled out of context by preachers – 1 Cor 14:2-5 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. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. Why do Pentecostal/Charismatic teachers twist God’s word this way to justify a self-centred concept, especially when self-centredness is so contrary to the Spirit of Christ?
7. Tongues is only of benefit to the Church when there is an interpretation – 1 Cor 14:5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. So why do Pentecostals/Charismatics consistently speak in tongues and most of the time without interpretation? Why are they not interested in the edification of the Church?
8. In Scriptures, the manifestation of tongues occured to serve as a sign for unbelievers – 1 Cor 14:21-22 In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers. Why is tongues “manifested” among Pentecostals/Charismatics mostly without it serving the same function? Why are they abusing the purpose of tongues?
9. The use of tongues without interpretation in the presence of unbelievers is equivalent to admitting to being mad – 1 Cor 14:23 If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? Why are Pentecostals/Charismatics acting like mad people? Why do they keep using tongues without interpretation at public settings?
10. In the Bible, tongues was always a human language unknown to the speaker but known to at least one other person present – Acts 2:7-8, 11: And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? –we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”; 1 Cor 14:10-11: There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. Why is it that much of what is spoken as tongues by Pentecostals/Charismatics is gibberish and unintelligible babble; not proper languages?
11. Everytime there was a manifestation of tongues in the Bible, God supernaturally made sure that at least one interpreter was always present – someone who understood the language being spoken – 1 Cor 14:27-28 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. Why is this hardly ever the case with Pentecostals/Charismatics?
12. Like every other spiritual manifestation, tongues is given as the Spirit wills – 1 Cor 12:10-11 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills. Why are Pentecostals/Charismatics able to speak their ‘tongues” at will – anytime they choose and for any length of time?

Whenever and wherever there is a manifestation of tongues that fit the Biblical profile of an authetic manifestation inspired by the Spirit, we must not shy away from admitting that it is of God.

But until we see such an authentic manifestation, tongues as taught and practiced by Pentecostals/Charismatics is nothing but a sham. It is purely a mental exercise motivated by flesh and selfishness. It is the exact opposite of what an authentic manifestation of the Spirit is.

If you belong to that camp, you are part of this big sham and you need to re-think your position.

May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ grant you understanding.

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