Modern Day Prophecy???
Speaking In Tongues???
1 Corinthians 1:10 - Be of the same mind with NO divisions.
Confusing matters are often solved by simple answers. First of all, one must realize that when you speak of truth, you are speaking of ABSOLUTE truth, truth in and of itself is pure, and solid as a rock, and leaves no room for doubt or debate, because it is true. It is very obvious that God has in times past spoken unto man by Prophets, as Hebrews 1:1 says "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds..." However, "hath in these last days" (referring to the last days of the old covenant) spoken unto us by His Son.
Therefore God made it obvious to us that His son was the last to speak to us
(along with His personally appointed apostles).
Now, Ephesians 4:11 will clarify the remainder of our
discussion here "And he gave some, apostles; and some,
prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors
and teachers;"
THESE are the gifts He gave to men in that day (Eph 4:9) He did so for the
following reason given in verse 12, the very next verse:
"For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry,
for the edifying of the body of Christ:"
And He did this TILL: (verse 13)
"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature
of the fullness of Christ:"
Those gifts were given until man came unto the knowledge of Christ, in other
words, until we had the Bible (New Testament) to study to bring us to knowledge.
Think about it, God (Christ) did what was necessary to get the church
established. For example, those who wrote down the books of the New Testament
did so by inspiration of God:
2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and
is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness:"
Now, back to Ephesians 4:14-- "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"
You see, once the New Testament was delivered (by inspiration) and man studied it to gain the knowledge we're discussing, he would no longer be gullible and deceived by men (false teachers)
Once man had this knowledge of the truth, and applied it to his life, he could "grow up into Christ" (Verse 15)
"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in
all things, which is the head, even Christ"
To put it simply, yes there WERE special capabilities given to man in the infancy of the church, but once the church matured, the need for, and use of such "gifts" CEASED, which is made clear in 1st Corinthians 13:8-12
"Charity (love) never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail;
whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge,
it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect (complete, or finished) is come,
then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a
child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child , I thought as a child (all
indicates infancy): but when I became a man, (indicates maturity) I put away
childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:
now I know in part; but then shall I know even as
also I am known."
As for the "Tongues" spoken of here, what good would they have been for God's
purpose of spreading the gospel if no one could understand them? The apostles
had this gift so that where ever they went in the world, people could understand
them, Let's look at Acts 2:6-11
"Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were
confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And
they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all
these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue,
wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in
Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and
Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of
Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our
tongues the wonderful works of God."
Now doesn't that make it obvious what God's purpose was? Tongues are languages,
and remember, miracles were done by God---not by people. God's miracles were
always used to glorify His name, by bringing people to the realization that
there is a God. By this miracle God evidenced Himself to all of those present.
The account given here in Acts includes multiple languages and dialects, no
wonder they marvelled!
Any Questions?
