Posted on 12/22/2016 4:51:07 PM PST by grumpa
SPEAKING IN TONGUES
By Charles S. Meek
Many Christians are skeptical of the practice of speaking in tongues. This skepticism is warranted, it seems to me. I have been a Christian my entire life (I’m now 69), in different denominations, and I have never seen anyone speak in tongues—except some gibberish on YouTube. If speaking in tongues is a valid expression of the Christian faith, why aren’t you doing it?
Preterists, however, have a good argument why tongue-speaking is no longer valid. In 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 Paul teaches that speaking in tongues was to CEASE (along with super-naturally revealed “knowledge” and “prophecies”). It was never to be a permanent part of Christianity.
1 Corinthians 13:10 tells us that tongues were to cease when that which was “perfect” had come. The Greek word for “perfect” here is TELEIOUS, which means completeness or maturity. Paul compared these things to still being a child and the doing away of them at the coming of maturity (1 Corinthians 13:11). Clearly, the perfection of which Paul speaks here is the same perfection that he and the other New Testament writers foresaw immediately ahead of them (Hebrews 7:18-19; 9:9; 10:1-4).
The fullness of Christ would be accomplished (Ephesians 4:13—TELEIOUS); Christ would be the perfect tabernacle (Hebrews 9:11—TELEIOUS); all prophecy would be fulfilled (Luke 21:22, 32, 36; Revelation 1:1-3; 22:6-20); the Old Covenant would be ushered out (Hebrews 8:13); and our redemption would be complete and perfected with finality (Luke 21:28; 1 Peter 1:3-9; Hebrews 9:28).
Acts 2:6 and 1 Corinthians 14:9 teach that tongues should be UNDERSTOOD. But modern tongue-speaking is unintelligible gibberish, so it is not scriptural. Tongues were a tool to get the church started in the first century (1 Corinthians 14:4)—a tool to reach unbelievers with the gospel. But modern tongue-speaking, if heard by unbelievers, leads them to believe that Christians are spooky, and drives them away. It is a stumbling block to the gospel! Again, modern tongue-speaking is not scriptural.
The charismatic will sometimes respond, “But I have seen someone speaking in tongues that was indeed understood by someone else in the room.” My answer is that we should interpret what we observe in light of Scripture, rather than interpret Scripture in light of things we observe. In other words, if Scripture said tongues were to cease, then there may be some other explanation for that happening that someone observed.
There also seems to be an element of judgment in Paul’s teaching on tongues. In 1 Corinthians 14:21-22, Paul quotes from Isaiah 28:9-12, where Isaiah in his day warned of the approaching invasion of apostate Israel by the Assyrians, a foreign nation which spoke in a foreign tongue. But as Isaiah predicted, “they would not listen” (cf. Deuteronomy 28:49). This ties to AD 70 and the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by the Romans (Luke 21:20-24).
It seems to me that the Scripture identifies two categories of “gifts of the Spirit”—ones that were to cease and ones that are ongoing. Charismatics sometimes fail to make that distinction and assume that because some gifts remain that all necessarily remain. 1 Corinthians 12 lists numerous gifts of the Holy Spirit including the gift of healing. In verse 13 only three are listed that would cease—knowledge, tongues, and prophecy. (“Knowledge” probably refers to the canon of Scripture. “Prophecy” refers to the eschatological promises Jesus said would end in his generation, per Luke 21:22; etc.) The gift of healing was not one of those three. So, we can infer that miraculous healing and other gifts are still extant. The Holy Spirit did not quit working and providing gifts to people after AD 70. Certainly, the Holy Spirit is active in the lives of believers today in many ways. Indeed, the Holy Spirit is responsible for bringing people to faith!
http://www.faithfacts.org/bible-101/christian-cram-course#holyspirit
See also other articles at my prophecy website:
https://prophecyquestions.com/2014/02/01/articles-by-charles-meek
Without someone to interpret it, it is a useless act.
“I have been a Christian my entire life (I’m now 69), in different denominations, and I have never seen anyone speak in tongues”
Have you ever groaned, moaned, cried (real tears) before the Lord? God understands your yearnings, even if you can’t vocalize them right at that moment. If you aren’t speaking in tongues, just moan, cry, etc. when its too much to try and sort everything out.
“If speaking in tongues is a valid expression of the Christian faith, why aren’t you doing it? “
Indeed. And why are there any sick among us? (Was the manna which Israel ate more providing of life and health than the real Bread which comes down from heaven? Was the “type” more powerful than the real thing?)
How much is the church missing because it rationalizes away the simple teaching of the scripture?
imo. this guy is on the shakiest ground possible. i’d never reject prophesy or tongues on this argument, event though i’m not a prophet or speaker in tongues myself
imo, Paul here is more contrasting the infinitude of God and His Love (as gifted to us) with the incompleteness or finiteness of man and everything man can do outside of love.
Preterism is a heresy.
“Acts 2:6 and 1 Corinthians 14:9 teach that tongues should be UNDERSTOOD. But modern tongue-speaking is unintelligible gibberish, so it is not scriptural.”
Incorrect. The understanding of tongues comes with interpretation:
“1 Corinthians 14:13 - For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says.”
When I was a kid we went to several churches where that happened. There was always someone there to interpret. At some of those churches, there was singing and shouting. I was very young and I learned to keep out of their way. I do not see anything wrong with it. I remember my mom who lived from 1904-2007 telling about going to church on Sunday morning, going home to eat and do evening chores on the farm and going back. One of the more interesting stories she told was going to church with her daddy to pray for survivors of the Titanic. She had a good long interesting life.
“In 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 Paul teaches that speaking in tongues was to CEASE”
Paul was teaching that tongues will cease when Christ returns, he wasn’t saying now in this age.
“1 Corinthians 13:10 - but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.”
Oops, meant to reply to the thread starter.
Thank you for posting this.
Mr. Meeks is simply wrong. I cry when I see the “wisdom” of the leaders of the church in this age.
I only wish to note that I am a sinner saved by grace, teaching Sunday School in a country church. Praise Jesus for his mercy! I am also a trained linguist and worked as a professional technical translator and interpreter for over 15 years. I am now 74, 32 years past my personal Pentecost when Jesus showed me His mercy and I speak in tongues as a personal prayer language. It is very real and a blessing of Ha-Shem.
Prayers Up for Charles Meeks...the season of grace is still with us and the door to the Ark is still open. But not for much longer. Shalom b’Shem Y’shua!
Amen to that! It’s sad when people attempt to limit God to their own experiences and understandings.
The question becomes is there a difference between what happened at Pentecost and then later regarding tongues.
Pretty much a moot point for born again Christians.
Perhaps a better discussion would be to ask if God understands you when you speak in tongues.
I attended a Preterist churc for a while. Appears they will do anything to deny the power of God.
Never been to a Full Gospel or First Church of God? I speak in tongues but never around anyone. God gives me words to speak back to him. When I was a kid everyone raised their hands and prayed to God in every language imaginable. I never thought twice about it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.