Bizzlebin Imperatoris said:
First off, tongues are not a consistent sign. Not all believers have them/want them/need them. According to Paul, prophecy is much better.
Second, I think we can determine that knowledge, prophecy, and tongues will vanish when we hit perfection. Yet, the last prophecy of the Bible is heaven (see Revelation). Untill this is fulfilled, there is still unfulfilled prophecy. Therefore, we should have gifts untill the end of Revelation (heaven) comes to pass.
all believers can have them-not the gift of tongues-but the tongues used in prayer. They are different you know. Paul told us plainly that 'he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to man, but to God"-prayer is speaking to God.
Paul wasn't saying "prophesy is better" in fact, Paul made it plain that speaking in tongues was mainly for prayer-"I thank my God I speak in tongues more than all of you---yet in church."
Man has free will. If you don't want to be saved, God will let you go to hell. Likewise, is you don't want His grace (charisma) go ahead and live without it. God told us through Paul to keep on being filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18). He (Jesus) also told us to wait until we are endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49).
I will believe what the Bible says, not what I hear from my friends who heard that somebody one time went somewhere and this is what they heard.
Now listen carefully to Paul here.
1 Cor 14:4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.
1 Cor 14:5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but {even} more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.
1. One who speaks in tongues edifies himself - he builds himself up. What does Jude 20 say?
Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
2. One who prophesies edifies the church
3. I wish you all spoke in tongues
4. More than that (not instead of that) that you would prophesy
5. One who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues IN CHURCH unless he interprets.
Did you get that? Prophecy in a church service is equivilent to tongues + interpretation. Paul is not addressing one's private prayer language here - he is addressing the public gift of tongues.
Any believer can have a private prayer language. BUT - not everyone will be called to give a message in tongues during a church service.
Any believer can lay hands on the sick (Mark 16:16-18) but not all are gifted with the gift of healing.
Any believer can teach but not all are gifted as teachers to the body of Christ.