Dont believe tongues are for a select group because:
Based on the groups that received tongues in Scripture. It states "all" that were there received (
Acts 2:4;
4:31;
10:44;
19:2) with one exception - on the Day of Pentecost, NOT in the Upper Room, where there were mockers of tongues (
Acts 2:13)
I Cor 12 "Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing?
do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? (
I Cor 12:29-30).
Looking at these, every believer isn't going to speak with tongues and have the gift of interpretation. There wouldn't be a need. Also,a believer isnf going to have all the gifts of healing. A believer with the gift of healing seems to have a higher % of healings regarding different sicknesses and diseases at various times. We know God does the healing.
Tongues are a sign - To unbelievers By believers
"Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not:" "And these signs shall follow them that believe; ...they shall speak with new tongues; (
I Cor 14:22 and
Mark 16:17)
"Whoever trusts and is immersed will be saved; whoever does not trust will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who do trust: in my name they will drive out demons, speak with new tongues, 18 not be injured if they handle snakes or drink poison, and heal the sick by laying hands on them.” (Mark 16:16-18)
Some Biblical purposes for speaking in tongues:
-Personal prayer language - Speaking to/with God (
I Cor 14:4)
-Intercessory prayer language - Praying for others in the Spirit (
Rom 8:26-27).
-Warfare language - Tongues directly aimed at demonic strongholds (
Eph 6:18-19)
-Prophetic language - Addressing the whole church/preferably with interpretation - (
I Cor 12:10;
14:5,
26)
-Singing in the Spirit - Singing in tongues/worship activity (
I Cor 14:14-15)
-Praise language - Magnifying the Lord in worship tongues ( Acts 10)
-Evangelistic language - Speaking the message of God to a people in their own language (not learned by the speaker). (
Acts 2: 4,
6.
8).
(Saint Steven, a CF poster, gave permission to use his basic list).
We'll have to agree to disagree, brother. I acknowledge the Scriptures you quote as being beyond dispute, but challenge us both to appreciate the fact that Scripture should be interpreted in context and in harmony with other Scripture. As a buddy once advised me, it is error to isolate a select group of Scriptures and make an entire doctrine out of them. To that end, consider the following:
The permanence of the gift of tongues:
1 Corinthians 13:8 NIV
"Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away."
Can any of us seriously declare when this happened or will happen?
For myself, I don't dare. If the gift is ongoing, then I laud those who have something that I don't have, and cheer on the Holy Spirit that utilizes it. I appreciate those gifted who are considerate enough of me and others to just treat us as weaker brothers - and expend the effort to recognize and encourage the gifts of the Spirit that ARE recognizable in us.
Conversely, if the gift of tongues has ceased and I consider those who practice it as speakers of gibberish, I keep my big trap shut about it - how does the practice effect me? Not at all.
I rejoice that Christ is proclaimed.
Hey, my barber once prayed for me and in the midst of it broke out in tongues, and I was thrilled. I just appreciated the portions of the prayer that I could understand. For all I know, the tongues are of equal value as when the Holy Spirit prays for and through us with "groanings too deep for words" - something that I definitely have experienced - as I'm sure all believers have (Romans 8:26-27).
Also to consider...
The efficacy of tongues in our witness:
1 Corinthians 13:1 NIV
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal."
And this demonstration of the supremacy of love extends to all gifts and deeds:
1 Corinthians 13:2-3 NIV
"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing."
What is, in fact, the sole and supreme gift that edifies each other, and is the prime tool by which the Holy Spirit witnesses through us to a lost world?
John 13:35 NIV
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Is the world witnessing this love when one brother tells another brother that they are devoid of the Holy Spirit because they do not have or are endowed with just one of many gifts of the Holy Spirit?
I'll restate the purpose of this OP - to encourage my Brothers and Sisters to recognize the Spirit in themselves and in each other, and to cheer each other on in bearing much fruit for the Kingdom of God. That IS Jesus' stated goal for us, right?
John 15:7-8 NIV
"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."
God bless us all!
