Tongue Speaking

[God's Truth]

That helps, but the mission to the nations was being launched, or founded. That is why Jews were supposed to see the tongue sign and know that Isaiah (as quoted in I Cor 14) was fulfilled.

The Jews were spread out to many nations. They gathered in Jerusalem for worshipping God at certain times of the year.

In Acts 2:5 we see that there were JEWS from EVERY NATION. The Jews are the people God said that He would speak to through men of strange tongues...

Acts 2:5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.

In addition, in Acts 2:6 we see that the Jews from every nation spoke in many different languages...

Acts 2:6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.

Just look at the list of places the Jews had come from...

Acts 2:8-Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs-we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!"

Please note that the word for languages is the name "tongues," see Acts 2:11.

 

[themuzicman]

What do YOU mean by HERE, etc.?

In the proof texts provided

 

[themuzicman]

Could you please explain more what you mean?

You have three contexts, each with their own purpose. Acts 14:

14:1 In Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks. 2 But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brethren. 3 Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided; and some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. 5 And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to mistreat and to stone them, 6 they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region; 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.

This speaks of God's actions among the Jews, including signs and wonders, but nothing specific as to which signs and wonders were being performed. This reference is specific to this event, and there is nothing here to suggest that this is normative.


Hebrews 2 comes after the proof that Jesus is greater than angels, where the author proclaims:

2:1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.

This is a warning passage regarding disregarding Christ, and an appeal to the signs and wonders they'd seen. I can see Acts 14 being a specific instance of what the author of Hebrews is speaking of.

And finally Eph 2:20

Eph 2:11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy [q]temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

This is speaking of the unifying of Jews and Gentiles under the New Covenant, building upon the Apostles. There's nothing here about signs and wonders. Yes, I'm sure signs and wonders were part of how the apostles were successful, but to say that because the apostles are gone, somehow the signs and wonders stopped, especially given 1 Corinthians 12, where the Corinthians were there without an apostle, still operating in the charismatic gifts, and being encouraged to do so by Paul.

So, while there is a possible connection from Acts 14 to Hebrews 2, neither are connected to Ephesians 2:20.

 

[serpentdove]

How about today, do we need this gift?

It's a sign of the Spirit's coming (Joe 2:28, Acts 2:3, 4). Don't forbid it is the point or you will come close to blaspheming the Holy Spirit.

The devil hates true signs and wonders because people get saved. Gino Geraci used to say that that was the number one asked question on his radio program--:listen: that's why.

 

[iamaberean]

1Co 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not:

No one receives tongues if they don't believe that God gives tongues as a gift. In the scripture above it points out that tongues can change unbelievers into believers. However, Non-believers are still in the majority. The bible says that speaking in tongues is also the evidence of receiving the Holy Ghost, and the gift of the Holy Ghost is 'eternal life'.

I will be the first to tell you that there are many that profess they speak in tongues but in reality never have. Whatever God gives, the devil will imitate. That doesn't make what God does untrue.

 

[Crucible]

My church has it written in it's constitution that speaking in tongues was a temporary miracle due to the events that had recently occurred. The heavenly beings above and the elected souls below were quickened.

'Speaking in tongues' has become a fad in Christianity if you ask me- most traditional churches, you will find, do not practice it. It is something more of contemporary churches with charismatic people.

I believe that there are people who thoroughly believe they speak in tongues, but that's about it :idunno:

 

[God's Truth]

No one receives tongues if they don't believe that God gives tongues as a gift. In the scripture above it points out that tongues can change unbelievers into believers. However, Non-believers are still in the majority. The bible says that speaking in tongues is also the evidence of receiving the Holy Ghost, and the gift of the Holy Ghost is 'eternal life'.

I will be the first to tell you that there are many that profess they speak in tongues but in reality never have. Whatever God gives, the devil will imitate. That doesn't make what God does untrue.

In the New Testament times, people received tongues before they ever heard about it.