I am now once again putting my head on the chopping block with this article. I know for sure that after this I will thoroughly be despised by many, yet it is not man I aim to please but God by spreading the truth.
Many fail to realize that it was prophesied in Scripture that the gift of speaking in new tongues and prophecy will cease when “that which is perfect is come”. Now first let us look at exactly where in Scripture this was prophesied before I become head hunted and stoned to death with accusations of blasphemy against me…
1 Corinthians 3:8-10 reads: “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 is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” (KJV 2000)
Here Paul says that love never fails, but if there are prophecies, they will fail and if there are tongues they will cease / stop / become extinct… But when did he say this would happen, because surely he himself prophesied and spoke in strange tongues? He says when that which is perfect / complete comes then these things shall vanish.
Now the question begs, what is that which is complete and has it already come? Well here is the answer…
That which is complete has already come and we have all already come into contact with it… The Holy Bible! And how do we know this is what Paul was speaking about? Let me explain…
In the days of Paul they never had the New Testament Bible, but he was instead a part author of it himself. Paul states that in those days they knew in part (in fragments) and also taught in part (taught in fragments) until that which is complete comes. And we know he was referring to the Bible because today it is the only complete book of all teachings, prophecies and knowledge that a Christian needs.
In those days they were in need of prophets and apostles because they never had the New Testament Bible. In those days the gift of speaking in strange tongues was given to them because they had to go out to different nations speaking different languages so that when they preached the Gospel, everyone could understand them. This was done so that one day no one could have an excuse standing before the Lord on the Day of Judgment and say “I never heard the good news because I didn’t understand what that Paul guy was blabbering about. How am I supposed to understand his language?”
In the following verse it is written that the signs of speaking in new tongues and other miracles will occur to confirm His Word:
Mar 16:17-20 - "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen." (KJV 2000)
The verse above makes it clear that these signs had a purpose which was to confirm His Word (Holy Bible).
Today we have the Holy Bible as the complete and inerrant revelation of God and there is no new revelation. So since we already have the complete, inerrant teaching / prophecy / Word of God, then what need do we have of prophets and people speaking in tongues?.. Nothing!.. After all 1 Corinthians 3:8-10 already made it clear that these gifts would vanish and we would no longer need them.
So someone please tell me why we still have people blabbering in tongues and prophesying in churches today?
Thank you for having the courage to say this. I truly believe this. A lady not long ago wanted me to see a prophet who she says is very good. God gave me the right answer in me strongly saying No! I do not need it as God has given me everything I need in his word and through his Holy Spirit. What purpose would the prophet be for? What would he tell me that God has not? Also I agree with the tongues. We visited a Church once as new Christians and people were screaming out in tongues my children were there and they were scared. It was very strange and what was the purpose. NONE! We did not understand what they were saying. LOVE NEVER FAILS! AMEN.
ReplyDeleteYou know ther is a history behind the current "tongues" movement. It was "revived only some 200 years ago and even John Wesley spoke against the "enthusiams" of the believers who practise this speaking in tongues. I am not a total cessationist but if there is a "gift of tongues" I dont see the genuine article in many charismatic churches. ( been there done that) So yes you point out rightly Scripture is sufficient. In fact the modern tongues movement resembles the Hidi practice of stirring alternative consiousness more than it does any christian practice. And the Bible forbids that we alter our states of conciousness. Intersting post.
ReplyDeleteregards
Simon