I broach this subject only for the reason that you will probably encounter people who do and
people who do not; people who believe it is scriptural and people who believe it passed away
in the first century along with miracles and direct revelation from God.
"And these signs shall follow them that believe;
In my name shall they cast out devils;
they shall speak with new tongues;"
[ Mark 16:17 King James Version ]
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This verse is part of a passage usually called the longer version of Mark's Gospel. You can observe
that Jesus said 'them that believe'. He didn't say while He was still here. He didn't say until the first
century ends. He didn't say it would ever not be true.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues,
as the Spirit gave them utterance.
[ Acts 2:4 King James Version ]
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All the disciples who were gathered on the day of Pentecost broke out in speech of other tongues,
or languages, presumably languages they did not know how to speak. In my personal experience in
assemblies of believers praying and / or singing in tongues, it sounded to my ears as unintelligible
babbling. It sounds that way to me when I do it. Saint Paul says we do it
because we are not certain what to pray for, but the Spirit knows and prays for it in languages unknown
to us, making petitions to the Father who understands everything.
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter,
because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
[ Acts 10:45-46 King James Version ]
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"they of the circumcision which believed" refers to the Jews who accepted and believed Jesus.
The Jews alone among peoples were circumcised as part of the covenant God made with Abraham.
There is a verse in the Gospels in which Jesus declares that He has "other sheep" in a"another fold"
( or flock ) which He must also bring in addition to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.
I believe He meant the gentiles which is anyone not a Jew.
"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring,
and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd"
[ John 10:16 King James Version ]
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Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people,
that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
[ Acts 19:4-6 King James Version ]
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Saint Paul was on one of his missionary Journeys when he came across men in Corinth who said they had
been baptized by John the Baptist. So they were again baptized but in the name of Jesus and see what happened;
they prophesied in tongues.
Prophesying in Biblical parlance is not the same as being a prophet who foretells the future. The usage
here is declaring the majesty and wonder of the works of God .. mainly salvation through Christ.
Love never fails.
But whether there are prophecies, they will fail;
whether there are tongues, they will cease;
whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
[ 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 New King James Version ]
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What is going to pass away ?
prophecies will fail,
tongues will cease,
knowledge will vanish.
When will it pass away, cease, end, stop ?
"when that which is perfect has come"
What is it that is perfect that is coming ?
Jesus Christ, the Redeemer.
Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers;
but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.
Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place,
and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers,
will they not say that you are out of your mind?
[ 1 Corinthians 14:22-23 New King James Version ]
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Perhaps they will think we are out of our minds, but so what ? It is ideal for one who has the gift of interpretation to
be present and call out the meaning of a prophecy spoken in tongues. I have heard both. When an assembly is directly
praising and worshipping God in spirit and truth, speaking or singing in tongues, it is a powerful witness to any
who hear it. Skeptics be damned. They most likely will be anyway.
If the Spirit urges you to give praise in unknown tongues, why resist Him. It is His gift to you to use as often as you
wish and the results may surprise you.
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