Toungues is mentioned in three (3) books of the Bible: Mark 16, Acts 2, 10, 19, and 1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14.
Speaking in tongues after receiving the Holy Spirit occurred ONLY in three (3) incidences in all of Scripture, and that is only found in the book of Acts.
None of the Acts passages ever makes a command that such an experience is to be had by anybody else.
The Samaritans in Acts 8 did not speak in tongues according to Scripture.
Of the 3,000 new believers in Acts 2:41 and the 5,000 new believers in Acts 4:4, there is no mention of them speaking in tongues.
In order for something to be normative it must be common to everyone.
In the book of Acts events surrounding belief in Christ (salvation), the receiving of the Holy Spirit, and speaking in tongues are not common to everyone mentioned.
The languages had a definite purpose: to be a sign of judgment on unbelieving Israel, to show the inclusion of other groups in the one church, and to authenticate the apostles.
Tongues cannot be 'prayer language' (or 'heavenly language') as such phrases/ideas do not exist in the Greek.
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1 comment:
Connie,
As someone who's still "in the closet" about cessationism amongst my charismatic family and friends, I really appreciate your blog. You discuss things quite well, and with all requisite humility. Look forward to reading more!
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