- Tongues is the utterance that is heard in the heavens and more direct prayer because it is through the Holy Spirit.
- Tounges as in speaking other languages along with interpretation of tounges is clearly defined in the scriptures. Has it ceased? 1 Corinthians 13:8 seems to be talking about at the end of the age like the other examples given. I've heard stories of these miracles in countries where the gospel is still in its infancy of travel. Tounges as part of a secret prayer language?Don't know. More loosely defined. God doesn't deal with me that way, but I don't think it's worth breaking fellowship over with someone who does. Not everyone has every spiritual gift per Romans 12. Many gifts, one body. Some look at me like I'm a nut when I prophesy haha. I get it.
- I believe the Scripture is clear that the people heard in their own language. Now if "speaking in tongues" means a person is gifted with learning several different languages than their native tongue, then it is still present today. Otherwise, I believe that when "tongues...will cease" is when we will all be face to face with Jesus and our speech will be restored to a common speech as before the days of the Tower of Babel. We will not longer be scattered but of one heart and mind.
Speaking in Tongues?
On Wednesday Night, January 12th, at 6:30pm, we will study "Speaking in Tongues" which has been requested by several of our Bible study members. Mark 16:17 says "speaking with new tongues" will be a sign of "those who believe." The Greek word for speaking in "tongues" is "glossa" which is a figure of speech meaning languages or dialects.
"Speaking in Tongues" is a confusing concept within the various denominations of Christianity. Some of the more charismatic denominations see speaking in tongues as proof of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. They believe that people who believe in Christ are "born again" or regenerated, but there is a "second blessing" later in the Christian pilgrimage where the believer is baptized with the Holy Spirit and graced with the ability to "speak in tongues."
Other Christian groups believe that there is no "second blessing". They believe that new believers are baptized by the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion. Some Christians believe that the spiritual gift of "speaking in tongues" was the gift of learning to communicate in different languages. Others see "speaking in tongues" as a sign given to the early church during the age of the apostles but has ceased in later generations. ICorinthians 13:8 speaks of a time when "tongues... will cease."
What do you think? Is the Spiritual Gift of Speaking in Tongues still available today?