THE GIFT OF TONGUES IN BIBLICAL AND MODERN TIMES: AN ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUE

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    LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

    THE GIFT OF TONGUES IN BIBLICAL AND MODERN TIMES:

    AN ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUE

    A RESEARCH PAPER SUBMITTED TO:

    DOCTOR GARY GRAVES

    IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR

    THE COURSE THEOLOGY 530

    BY

    JONATHAN E. HARRIS

    WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY

    JULY 2013

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    iii

    CONTENTS

    Thesis.............................................................................................................................................iv

    Introduction....................................................................................................................................1

    The Nature of Biblical Tongues....................................................................................................1

    Tongues Were Human Languages...................................................................................................2

    Objection: What About Angelic Languages?...........................................................................3

    Objection: What About Private Prayer Languages?...............................................................5

    Tongues Were a Sign to Israel .....................................................................................................7-9

    Tongues Were for Corporate Edification...................................................................................9-10

    Tongues Were a Spiritual Gift.......................................................................................................10

    Objection: What About Pauls Desire That All Spoke in Tongues?..................................11

    Objection: What About Pauls Desire For Christians to Pursue the Greater Gifts?............12

    Tongues Have Ceased...............................................................................................................12-15

    Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................15

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    iv

    THESIS

    The gift of speaking in tongues ceased at the end of the apostolic period. Those claiming to

    practice the gift in modern times are engaging in a distortion of the biblical gift.

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    1

    Introduction

    For the past century, American evangelicalism has progressively adopted a theology less and

    less resembling the confessional dogmatism of its heritage and more and more resembling the

    mysticism of eastern religious tradition. Perhaps the most noticeable expression of this shift

    comes in the form of a practice known as speaking in tonguesa practice unknown to

    protestant denominations (other than by its New Testament reference) in the 19 century, butth

    well known in even secular circles as a distinguishing feature of the religious right in modern

    times. But what is speaking in tongues? Is whats happening today the same thing as what took

    place in the book of Acts? Is participating in this practice a sign of a second blessing? These,

    and questions similar to them surround the curious observer who rubs shoulders with the modern

    Charismatic or Pentecostal movements. What are Christians to make of this practice? It is the

    aim of this work to inform the body of Christ concerning the truth related to the practice of the

    important biblical gift, while at the same time warning those dazzled by the deceitful charm of its

    modern counterfeit. There are answers to these questions, and they are found in the pages of

    Gods Word.

    The Nature of Biblical Tongues

    It has been said that in order to spot a counterfeit, one must first know the real thing. If there

    is to be an understanding of the errors of abusing, misusing, or fraudulently claiming to use the

    gift of biblical tongues, one must first discern the characteristics of biblical tongues. It is to this

    endeavor that this study focuses.

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    Acts 2:1-4 (NASB).1

    Utley, R. J. Luke the Historian: The Boo k of Acts. (Bible Lessons International, 2003). 32.2

    Strongs Greek: 1258. (dialektos) -- Speech, Language. Bible Hub. Accessed July 16, 201 3.3

    http://biblesuite.com/greek/1258.htm.

    MacArthur, J. NASB Ma cArthur Study B ible. (Thomas Nelson, 2006). 1601.4

    Acts 2:115

    Acts 2:136

    Acts 2:157

    2

    Tongues are Human Languages

    Students of the Bible are first exposed to the biblical gift of tongues in Acts 2.

    When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. Andsuddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole

    house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing

    themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy

    Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.1

    Although the term ecstatic utterances could be a possible translation of the phrase other

    tongues (heterais glossais) , the translation different languages reflects the understanding of

    this term based on the context of Acts 2:6 and 11. The word used in verse 6 to describe what2

    was being heard by those listening is the Greek word dialektos from where modern English

    speakers get the word dialect. In verses 9-11, the listing of specific countries and ethnic3

    groups proves . . . that these utterances were known human languages. While those present4

    heard them in their own tongues, there were also individuals mocking and saying, They are5

    full of sweet wine. In other words, the apostles and their companions were accused of being6

    drunk. To this charge Peter responds, these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the

    third hour of the day. It is clear in Acts that the first recorded manifestation of speaking in7

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    Acts 10:468

    1 Cor 14:99

    Gardiner, G. E. Sign Gifts: Tongues Interpretation of Tongues. Mp3 . Spiritual Gifts,10

    http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=5201010504610.

    Hovenden, G. Speaking in Tongues: The New Testament Evidence in Context. (Bloomsbury Academic,11

    2002). 128.

    Samarin, W. J. T ongues of M en and A ngels: The Religious Language of Pentecostalism. Macmillan,12

    1972.

    3

    tongues refers to known dialects spoken from the lips of rational human beings.

    In addition, Acts 10 records Corneliuss household as being heard speaking with tongues

    and exalting God The content of their speech (i.e. exalting God) would obviously not have8

    been known if it were not a discernable language. Paul the Apostle, in correcting the Corinthian

    churchs incorrect usage of the gift, rhetorically asks, unless you utter by the tongue speech that

    is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. It is9

    obvious from the only two books of the Bible (Acts and 1 Corinthians) that offer up any detail on

    the gift of tongues, that it can also be referred to as the gift of languages specifically10

    human languages.

    Objection: What About Angelic Languages?

    One modern objection to the idea that tongues was or is a human language comes from the

    idea that there are also angelic languages, separate from human language, that can somehow be

    spoken through the leading of the Holy Spirit. These have been referred to as part of the11

    religious language of Pentecostalism, and their existence is based on 1 Corinthians 13:112

    which states, If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have

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    1 Cor 13:113

    Gardiner, G. E. The Corinthian Catastrophe. (Kregel Publications, 1974). 48 .14

    1 Cor 12:17a15

    1 Cor 13:216

    1 Cor 12:14-3117

    4

    become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. George E. Gardiner comments on the angelic13

    language interpretation that, Far from promoting a 'heavenly language," this verse supports the

    Scriptural pattern of comprehensible speech."14

    The first thing to notice about this verse is that it doesnt actually say that there are angelic

    languages that differ from human languages. Every example in scripture of an angel speaking

    involves a human dialect. The second thing to be aware of is the fact that 1 Cor. 13:1 is part of a

    long chain of hyperbolic statements. Paul asks in verse 17 of chapter 12, If the whole body were

    an eye, where would the hearing be? Obviously, it is impossible for an entire body to be an15

    eye. In verse 2 of chapter 13 he states, If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and

    all knowledge . . . but do not have love, I am nothing. Even for an apostle it was impossible to16

    know all mysteries and knowledge. In the next chapter the apostle expresses Now I wish that

    you all spoke in tongues; an impossibility given Pauls previous statements in chapter 12

    making it clear that not all can possess the same gifting from God. Pauls statement that even17

    if he could speak with the tongues of men and of angels is a statement of hyperbole and

    certainly not a mandate to seek or speak a heavenly languages. A third pointwhich removes all

    doubt that biblical tongues were exclusively human dialectsis that the purpose for the gifting

    of tongues would be impossible to fulfill if it involved anything but human languages. In short,

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    1 Cor 14:2218

    1 Cor 12:719

    Believe in Private Prayer Language. The Christian Century no. 13 (June 26, 2007): 13.20

    1Cor 14:1421

    Blomberg, C.First Corin thian s. (Zondervan Publishing House, 1995). 273.22

    5

    since biblical tongues was a sign to the nation of Israel, and for the edification of the church18

    corporately, anything but an understandable language would not fulfill the purpose of God.19

    Objection: What About Private Prayer Languages?

    Surprisingly, about half of pastors believe that the gift of tongues could incorporate a

    private prayer language between an individual believer and God. The three major passages20

    used to substantiate this view are 1 Cor. 14:2 which says, For one who speaks in a tongue does

    not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries, 1 Cor

    14:14, which states, For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful, and21

    Rom. 8:26 which reads, . . . the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray

    as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. The

    problem with using any of these passages to forward the notion that tongues is a personal prayer

    language is that they each, when placed into proper context, end up disproving the very idea they

    are thought to prove.

    New Testament scholar Craig Blomberg, while defending the idea that a private prayer

    language can prove very beneficial and therapeutic, states, It is not clear whether Paul would

    distinguish this use of tongues from the spiritual gift of glossolalia. One suspects he might,

    since the gifts must be used for the public edification of the church. Blombergs suspicion is22

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    Gardiner, Corinthian Catastrophe, 16.23

    MacArthur, John. The Truth About Tongues, Part 1. Mp3. 1 Co rinthians 14:1-5. Sun Valley, CA, 1977.24

    http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/1871.

    1 Cor 14:1525

    6

    actually symptomatic of something bigger going on here. 1 Corinthians is a letter of anger,

    satire, reproof, correction, and instruction. Chapters 12-14 are directed at correcting the high23

    premium the Corinthian church placed on the showy gifts, namely tongues. Whats going on in

    chapter 14 is a contrast of two types of practices. One was the biblical gift of tongues, and the

    other was the counterfeit (a leftover from the paganism that once characterized the newly saved

    Corinthians). The KJV translates the word for tongue in the singular form as unknown tongue

    (the counterfeit), while translating the plural (biblical gift) as simply tongues. John MacArthur

    comments on 1 Cor 14:2:

    . . . the Greek literally says, "But to a god." What Paul is saying is, "You people withyour pagan ecstasies are not doing what all spiritual gifts were given to do, that is to speak

    to men. Rather, your ecstasies are speaking to a god, nobody can even understand what

    you're saying, you are all wrapped up in speaking pagan mysteries!"24

    When this background is understood, the very next verse after 1 Cor:14:14 makes sense. What

    is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also. Paul isnt25

    contradicting himself between verses 14 and 15. He is contrasting what the Corinthians should

    have been doing with what they actually were doing. To use verse 14 to support a private prayer

    language would be to receive Pauls statement as an encouragement instead of a rebuke.

    While 1 Cor. 14 pertains to the subject of speaking in tongues, Rom. 8:26 has nothing to do

    with the practice. The word is not mentioned anywhere in the chapter, and even if it were

    referring to the gift of tongues, it most certainly is not recommending a private prayer language

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    Rom. 8:26, KJV26

    1 Cor. 14:21-22a, NASB27

    Gardiner, Corinthian Catastrophe, 40.28

    Is. 33:1929

    7

    for two major reasons. First, it is the Spirit who is interceding, not the Christian. So the

    groanings are not coming from the Christian in any way, shape, or form. Secondly, it says that

    the groanings are too deep for words, or as the KJV puts it, groanings which cannot be

    uttered. Those trying to use this passage to justify uttering words from themselves to God are26

    ignoring two major elements of the verse.

    Tongues are a Sign to Israel

    In 1 Cor. 14, Paul instructs the Corinthians, In the Law it is written, By men of strange

    tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to

    Me, says the Lord. So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers.27

    In making his point, the apostle quotes from Isaiah 28:11-12 which is:

    Gods message of judgement upon the nation of Israel. Jehovah had plead with Israel,

    he had sent drought, famine, pestilence, and all without effect. The nation drifted further and

    further away from God, refusing His rest and refreshing they would not hear. Through

    Isaiah came this warning, predicting the invasion from Assyria and Israels resulting

    captivity.28

    Throughout the Old Testament hearing men speaking in strange tongues, was consistently a

    sign of judgement on Israel. Again, in Is. 33:19, You will no longer see [because of Gods

    deliverance] . . . A people of unintelligible speech which no one comprehends, Of a stammering

    tongue which no one understands. Jer. 5:15 states, "Behold, I am bringing a nation against29

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    Jer 5:1530

    Deut. 28:48-4931

    Stocker, J.Biblical Prophecies in the Lig ht of His tory. (Xulon Press, 2005). 177.32

    Acts 2:2233

    2 Cor 12:1234

    8

    you. . . A nation whose language you do not know, Nor can you understand what they say. In30

    Deuteronomy we find:

    . . . you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger, in

    thirst, in nakedness, and in the lack of all things; and He will put an iron yoke on your neckuntil He has destroyed you. The Lord will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end

    of the earth, as the eagle swoops down, a nation whose language you shall not understand. 31

    The interesting thing about this passage is its reference to complete destruction (until He has

    destroyed you.) This was not something that had not taken place in either the Babylonian or

    Assyrian captivity. Many scholars hold the view that the final fulfillment of Deuteronomy 28

    took place in 70 A.D. when Israel was conquered by Titus and his Roman legions when the32

    nation was destroyed.

    In pondering such passages, the question naturally arises, What does Pauls reference to the

    physical destruction of Israel have to do with the sign of speaking in tongues? As the name

    implies, a sign is meant to point to something. In the New Testament, Christ and the Apostles

    authenticated their teaching through the use of miraculous sign gifts. On the day of Pentecost

    Peter proclaims, Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you

    by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst,

    just as you yourselves know. The signs of a true apostle were the performance of signs and33

    wonders and miracles. The gift of tongues was a sign of the new covenant, just as other34

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    Edgar, T. R. Satisfied by the Promise of the S pirit: Affirming the Fullness of Gods Provision for35

    Spiritual Living. (Kregel Publications, 1996). 173.

    1 Cor. 7:1236

    MacArthur, John. The Truth About Tongues, Part 4. Mp3. The Truth Abo ut Tongues. Sun Valley, CA,37

    1977. http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/1874.A singular subject demands a singular form verb and a singularobject.

    9

    miraculous signs such as healing and miracles were. However, the gift of tongues foreshadowed

    a certain aspect of the new covenant. Verse 21 indicates that through the audible proclamation of

    truth through gentile languages, God would prove that the nation of Israel had no interest in the

    truth about Him. The gospel had gone to the gentiles, and they were now authorized to carry

    Gods message without first being proselytized into Judaism. Therefore, the purpose of tongues

    as a spiritual gift, in addition to edifying the church, was to act as a sign of judgement upon the

    nation of Israel: a judgement that would find its consummation in 70 A.D.

    Tongues Were for Corporate Edification

    God did not intend for the gift of tongues to be used for self-edification. This is not the

    purpose of tongues, as was briefly touched on in the previous discussion on private prayer35

    languages. Though the biblical gift of tongues was a sign to the Jews, the words being spoken

    were intended to edify the church. As 1 Cor. 7:12 states, in reference to spiritual gifts: But to

    each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. Tongues is no36

    exception to this. This is why, in Pauls admonition of the Corinthians misuse of the gift, he

    states:

    If anyone speaks in a tongue [true gift of biblical tongues] , it should be by two or at37

    the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; but if there is no interpreter, he

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    1 Cor 14:27-2838

    1 Cor 14:4039

    1 Cor 12:4, 640

    1 Cor 12:1141

    10

    must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. 38

    What Paul found lacking from the church at Corinth was a sense of decency and order. More39

    than one person was simultaneously attempting to exercise the gift of tongues in a way in which,

    though an unbelieving Jewish person may have been present, the church as a whole was not

    being edified. The gift of tongues was no more for private edification than its counterpart, the gift

    of prophecy, or any spiritual gift mentioned in 1 Cor. 12-14 for that matter. This is why not one

    command exists in all of the New Testament for individuals to practice the gift of tongues as a

    means of prayer or self-edification.

    Tongues Were a Spiritual Gift

    While it has been a fundamental assumption of this study that the gift of biblical tongues

    was in fact a spiritual gift, there are a great many implications to this truth. Like all spiritual gifts,

    tongues were meant for the edification of the church. In addition however, it should be noted that

    tongues were only exclusive to individuals who possessed the gift, and were on par with every

    other gifting of the Spirit. This is the point of chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians. Now there are

    varieties of gifts . . . but the same God who works all things in all persons. It is clear that40

    individuals are not able to choose the gifts God has given them, rather it is God who gives

    specific gifts to individual believers. Verse 11 of chapter 12 reiterates, But one and the same

    Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. This means41

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    1 Cor 12:12, 1542

    1 Cor 14:543

    1 Cor 12:3144

    11

    that not every person possesses every spiritual gift. Even so, the Apostle makes it clear that there

    should be no jealousy in the congregation over what gifts each person possesses since all gifts are

    necessary for the proper functioning of the body of Christ. This is the idea behind the analogy of

    the body. For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the

    body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. . . If the foot says, Because I am not

    a hand, I am not a part of the body, it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. The42

    gift of tongues is not superior to any other gift, and it cannot be sought by an individual

    Christian. It was either something God gifted a believer with, or He didnt.

    Objection: What About Pauls Desire That All Spoke in Tongues?

    Yes, it is true in 1 Cor. 14:5 Paul states, Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues,43

    referring to the legitimate biblical gift. Youll also find that in 1 Cor. 7:7 Paul wishes that all men

    were single. Surely Paul didnt in actuality envision a world without marriage! What we find in 1

    Corinthians, as stated formerly, are many hyperbolic statements. Pauls statement of personal

    desire should not be confused with his statements on Gods desire for each believer to be

    uniquely gifted.

    Objection: What About Pauls Desire For Christians to Pursue the Greater Gifts?

    In 1 Cor. 12:31 Paul instructs, But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still

    more excellent way. This excellent way, as the reader finds out, is the attitude of love a44

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    Karris, R. J. The Collegeville Bible Commen tary: New Testament, NAB. (Liturgical Press, 1992). 1127.45

    Johnson, A. F. 1 Corinthians. (InterVarsity Press, 2010). 239 .46

    12

    believer should have for his fellow believer as taught in chapter 13. Paul was essentially rebuking

    the Corinthian church for not possessing this love, and as the context of chapter 12 bears out,

    competing with each other to gain what the Corinthians considered to be superior gifts,

    especially tongues. Pauls statement should not be interpreted as a command, but rather as a45

    statement of fact. You are desiring the greater gifts. Alan F. Johnson writes in his commentary,

    The grammatical form Paul uses can mean either an imperative command, as in the NIV, or an

    indicative statement, Now you are eagerly desiring the greater gifts. Only the context can help

    us decide between the two readings. Therefore, according to the context, Paul is not46

    commanding believers to pursue the supposedly greater gifts,but rather to not pursue them and

    choose to love one another instead.

    Tongues Have Ceased

    While there is no scripture that explicitly states, The gift of tongues will end at such and

    such a time, there is enough evidence within the Bible and history to cast serious doubt on the

    existence of the spiritual gift today. There exist three major pieces of evidence for claiming that

    the gift of tongues has ceased. The first is that 1 Cor 13:8 says it will cease, the second is that

    historically the gift ceased during the early church period (only to supposedly be reignited at the

    turn of the 20 century), and the third piece of evidence is that the purpose of the gift has beenth

    accomplished.

    1 Cor. 13:8 states, Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done

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    1 Cor 13:847

    1 Cor 13:1248

    Hughes, P. Christ in Us: The Exalted Christ and the Indwelling of the Holy Sp irit. (Paul A. Hughes,49

    2007). 132.

    13

    away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. The47

    first thing to notice about this passage is that the term done away is used to describe the gifts of

    prophecy and knowledge, but the term cease is used to describe the eventual cessation of

    tongues. Verses 9-12 make it crystal clear that the gifts of prophecy and knowledge are done

    away when the perfect comes. It is at this time when the partial gifts of prophecy and48

    knowledge end. Paul uses the analogy of a child becoming an adult in verse 11 to explain this

    transition. Many scholars think the perfect refers to the second coming of Christ due to the

    statement that we shall see it face to face, suggesting a personal being. However, no matter

    what happens to prophecy and knowledge, something different happens to tongues.

    In verse 8, prophecies and knowledge "shall be done away with" (katargethesetai,

    passive voice), but tongues "shall cease" (pausontai, middle voice). The significance of the

    middle voice in regard to tongues is, anti-Pentecostals state, that this means tongues will act

    upon themselves, i.e., cease without the action of the "perfect thing."49

    Essentially, the coming of the perfect brings an end to the gifts of prophecy and knowledge, but

    tongues ceases all by itself. It is reasonable to assume, based on the next two pieces of evidence,

    that this cessation occurred fairly soon after the writing of 1 Corinthians.

    As highlighted previously, the purpose of biblical tongues was to be a sign of judgement on

    unbelieving Israel. It acted as a transitional gift that pointed away from the Old Covenant and to

    the New Covenant. When judgement finally came to Israel in 70 A.D. with the destruction of the

    temple, the need for the sign of this judgement (tongues) was rendered obsolete. The nation of

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    Baxter, R. E. Charismatic Gift of Tongues. (Kregel Publications, 2000). 69.50

    Rogers, Cleon. The G ift of Tongues in the Post Ap ostolic Church. Bibliotheca Sacra: Dallas51

    Theological Seminary (April 1965).

    http://www.faithfulpreaching.com/The_Gift_of_Tongues_in_the_Post_Apostolic_Church.pdf.

    14

    Israel had been judged as predicted by Jesus in Matt. 24:2, and there was no need to further point

    to a judgement that had already occurred.

    When Paul wrote 1 Corinthians chapters 12, 13, and 14, about the year A.D. 55,

    tongues still had purpose. They were a sign to the Jews that Isaiah's prophecy was about tobe fulfilled. . . However, after Jerusalem's fall and before the Scripture's completion, the

    Biblical gift of tongues ceased.50

    Historically, it is easy to see this transition. Scholar Cleon L. Rogers Jr. writes:

    After examining the testimony of the early Christian leaders whose ministry represents

    practically every area of the Roman Empire from approximately A.D. 100 to 400, it appears

    that the miraculous gifts of the first century died out and were no longer needed to establish

    Christianity. Furthermore, it is very evident that even if the gift were in existence, in spite of

    all the testimony to the contrary, it was neither widespread nor the normal Christian

    experience. The only clear reference to anything resembling the phenomena is connectedwith the heretic Montanus and those influenced by his erroneous views of the Spirit. All of

    the evidence points to the truth of Pauls prophecy when he says tongues shall cease (I

    Cor. 13:8).51

    It wasnt until the year A.D. 1901 that Charles Parham, founder of Bethel Bible School in

    Topeka Kansas, claimed that one of his students, Agnes Ozman, had received the gift of tongues

    (baptism of the Holy Spirit), thus launching the modern Pentecostal movement. Approximately

    1831 years of silence separate the biblical gift from the modern phenomena. The chart below

    illustrates the historical argument for the cessation of biblical tongues.

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    15

    Conclusion

    In order to evaluate the modern phenomena of speaking in tongues, one must first look

    to the biblical framework as a sieve. Only interpretable human languages used to edify the church

    corporately in the presence of unbelieving Jew(s) in an orderly setting would even begin to

    qualify as the biblical gift described in Acts. It is unquestionable from both the biblical and

    historical records that what is taking place in modern times bears little significance to what took

    place in biblical times. It is more likely that the modern movement is repeating the mistake of the

    Corinthians all over againplacing a greater premium on tongues than other gifts, doing so in

    confusing settings with more than one person speaking at a time, not conforming to standard

    human languages, and not exercising the gift as a sign of judgement upon Israel. \

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