The bible is not only book of
theological but also historical. I have found this topic very controversial throughout
the history of Christian after reading some books and article. I have found two
group of people in the history is called cessationism and continuationism who
gave their views on this topic. The people who hold the cessationism says that
there is no tongue and prophecy for today because it stopped along with the end
of the apostolic age. Paul clearly says
the love never falls but prophecy and tongues will be ceased it means for them it
stopped and there is no more of tongue
for today. They say that speaking in Tongues ceased when the Bible arrived and
the signs followed the Apostles, the apostles are gone, therefore, the signs
are gone, or we have the word of God no need to supernatural gifts. But the
believers who hold the view of the continuationism says that tongues and prophecy is still for
today. It has not stopped but may be
will be ceased in future. Paul clearly ends the chapter 14 of first Corinthians
saying they do not forbid to those who speak in tongues.
Are there tongues and
prophecies today? yes, I deal with two objections of tongues. First speaking in tongue ceased when bible
arrived. some bible verse say that tongues will be ceased and prophecies also
will be ceased (1cor13:8). other bible says do not forbid to those who speak in
tongues(1cor14:39). But it is clear that the bible does talk about the time
when it did stope if it stopped or if it does not stop when it will stop? And the following verse gives the answer to
us when this will come to pass. But when that which is perfect has come, then
that which is in part will be done away" verse10. So, the gifts of the
spirit will cease to exist when that which is prefect has come. The cessationism believes that that which is
perfect is the Bible. They saw something like now that we have the bible, we no
longer need of the gifts of the Spirit and this verse teaches that" yes
bible is the perfect and that it is the word of God but this verse is not
talking about the Bible. Because this
same passage says that knowledge as we know it will cease as well when that
which is perfect has come? This passage doesn't just say the gifts of the
spirit will stop but that knowledge will stop as well." but whether there
are prophecies, they will fail, whether their tongues, they will cease, whether
there is knowledge, it will vanish away verse8. Do we still have knowledge? yes
has knowledge ceased? No in fact neither has the gifts. the very next verse of
this passages says that when that |which is perfect has come we will no longer
know just a little bit, but we will know just as are fully known by God as Paul
says now, I know in part but when I shall now just as I also am known. These
scriptures clearly teach that bible is not that which is perfect because it
simply does not meet the criteria that this chapter gives.
Second, the signs followed the
apostles, the apostles are gone therefore, the signs are gone. There are many assumptions
with this objection that are not found in the Bible. First Bible has never said
that the miraculous sing only follows that apostle in fact, the bible says the
exact opposite and these signs will follow those who believe (Mark16:17-18).
Jesus commanded his disciples to do miracles. He told them to go out and heal
the sick, to cast out demons and to raise the dead and to cleanse the lepers
(Mark10:8). This is mean to be passed on down through the generation for every
single follower of Christ. nowhere do we find these miraculous signs nor these
command from Jesus ceasing in the Bible no in church history. It is amazing to
know that the bible is not clearly say about thee is no more apostles and
prophets. The cessationism believe that
churches have built in the foundation of the apostle and of prophets. Does it
mean it is built upon them literally no. it is built upon the gospel they
preach. The foundation of the apostle and prophet was gospel. they say that
apostle and prophet are same but not they are no same.
I have found that some group
of people like the followers of montanus and shakers who spoke in tongues in
the history is also known as the heretic. But We can see the existence of the
tongue and prophecy in the throughout the century. some people in tongue and
spoke and Greek and Latin language.[1] Tongue was not limited in the first century
but it has appeared throughout the history in different period of time with the
different people.
As conclusion, tongues and
prophecy is the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to the believers to edify of the
church. the bible says this clearly whether is small or big. They are gift. The
question are they today or not. I do not have both gifts. But I am sure that the there is no single
scripture that says there is no existence of the tongue and prophecy. If people
says that bible clearly teach that there is not apostle and prophets and tongue
and prophecy. these are their own view or assumption not bible's because in
this area the bible is silence. So, I would say if Bible do not says there is
no more tongue and prophecy then who I am to say no?
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