What scripture passages teach cessation of tongues?

[Jack Matthews]

Just curious. I've heard people who claim to believe in the inerrancy and infallibility of the scripture argue against tongues and interpretation as spiritual gifts for today. However, I cannot find anyplace in the New Testament that specifically says this gift will cease when the canon is complete, or that it is only associated with the "apostolic dispensation" (another doctrine which isn't taught in scripture but that's the subject of another thread) and isn't meant for today, while other gifts mentioned in the New Testament are.

And the second question would be, that if there isn't scriptural support for its having ceased, then aren't we in violation of the scripture for standing against its use?

 

[amity]

The only passage I know of is I Corinthians 13:8 which states "Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away."

We don't speak in tongues here just lately (like for a few hundred years at least) but frankly most of us don't teach against it, either. Some do. But the Bible says we are not to forbid it. We tend to be very skeptical of claims of speaking in tongues in modern times. If the Lord blesses me to speak in tongues I hope I will do so!

We may be in a time like that in the OT in which there was no open revelation, and the word of God was precious.

 

[AAA]

Just curious. I've heard people who claim to believe in the inerrancy and infallibility of the scripture argue against tongues and interpretation as spiritual gifts for today. However, I cannot find anyplace in the New Testament that specifically says this gift will cease when the canon is complete, or that it is only associated with the "apostolic dispensation" (another doctrine which isn't taught in scripture but that's the subject of another thread) and isn't meant for today, while other gifts mentioned in the New Testament are.

And the second question would be, that if there isn't scriptural support for its having ceased, then aren't we in violation of the scripture for standing against its use?

I happen to agree with you that no one is able to provw that tongues shall cease when Bible was made complete...But, the verse that most people use to try to prove that tongues has ceased is: 1 Cor. 13:8...

The question that we now pose about this verse is: If tongues has ceased, then has knowledge also passed away? NO..........That puts an end to using that verse as a proof text that tongues has ceased!

:godisgood:

 

[trainbrainmommy]

Just curious. I've heard people who claim to believe in the inerrancy and infallibility of the scripture argue against tongues and interpretation as spiritual gifts for today. However, I cannot find anyplace in the New Testament that specifically says this gift will cease when the canon is complete, or that it is only associated with the "apostolic dispensation" (another doctrine which isn't taught in scripture but that's the subject of another thread) and isn't meant for today, while other gifts mentioned in the New Testament are.

And the second question would be, that if there isn't scriptural support for its having ceased, then aren't we in violation of the scripture for standing against its use?

I Corinthians 13 addresses the gift of tongues. It states in verse 10, "When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." Because the pronouns used in the Greek are neutral pronouns this verse is not referring to Christ, as some would teach. God is not referred to using neutral pronouns, but rather masculine pronouns. This verse is referring to Scripture. When Scripture was complete (done so with the end of the Book of Revelation) that which is in part (this text is dealing specifically with lesser gifts - tongues, prophesy, 'new' knowledge) were not necessary anymore. We now have Scripture to reveal everything we need to know.

 

[2 Timothy2:1-4]

None.:thumbs:

 

[trainbrainmommy]

And the second question would be, that if there isn't scriptural support for its having ceased, then aren't we in violation of the scripture for standing against its use?

Scripture is very clear that there were strict guidelines for speaking in tongues.

1 Tongues were a foreign language. Acts 2:1-11; 1 Cor. 11:21
2 The tongue speaker understood what he said and expected to interpret it into the common language of the church. 1 Cor. 14:5
3 All utterances by the gift of tongues in the congregation, including prayer, were to be interpreted. 1 Cor. 14:5, 27, 28.
4 Only one person was to speak in tongues at a time. 1 Cor. 14:27
5 Tongues were for a sign, not to believers, but for unbelievers. 1 Cor. 14:22

I would not stand against the use of tongues, but I take a FIRM stand against the use of tongues (a foreign language) when it does not meet all the above requirements. For instance, I have heard a couple stories of missionaries being able to speak in a language they did not know when they desired to witness to a person of that language.

 

[Purple Lady]

The issue should not be "if tongues have ceased", the issue should be "what are Biblical tongues"?

 

[Jack Matthews]

I Corinthians 13 addresses the gift of tongues. It states in verse 10, "When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." Because the pronouns used in the Greek are neutral pronouns this verse is not referring to Christ, as some would teach. God is not referred to using neutral pronouns, but rather masculine pronouns. This verse is referring to Scripture. When Scripture was complete (done so with the end of the Book of Revelation) that which is in part (this text is dealing specifically with lesser gifts - tongues, prophesy, 'new' knowledge) were not necessary anymore. We now have Scripture to reveal everything we need to know.

That's an interesting point. However, there is nothing to corroborate the idea that Paul knew, and was aware of, a canon of "scripture" being formed out of what he and others were writing. Paul's references to scripture are always to the Old Testament, which he believed was already complete. The reference in I Corinthians 13:10 is a reference to the new covenant, as opposed to the old.

As to the book of Revelation, I'm one who holds to an early, rather than late dating for its writing for two reasons. One, if it was John, the Apostle, who wrote it, and considering the life span of Christian leaders in those days, putting it much past the mid-60's would be putting John at about age 70 or older when he wrote it. Second, the book of Revelation speaks of the temple in Jerusalem as if it were still in existence, which it was until 70 A.D. So Revelation didn't complete the canon.

Purple Lady, I think you asked exactly the right question.

 

[DQuixote]

Whatever Biblical tongues were (was), Paul sought to quiet the confusion in the Corinthian church by pointing out that the greatest spiritual gift was to be able to share the message that Christ had arrived with the Kingdom message for the Jews, and now salvation by grace through faith had come to everyone else (including Jewish converts), the marvelous GIFT of God, with Paul as God's advocate, in the Name of Jesus!

Nothing was written down until Paul's letters arrived, followed sometime later by the gospels. The early church was growing based upon the oral testimony of reliable witnesses as to the advent, message, and ministry of Jesus. These reliable witnesses had to teach what? The doctrine according to Paul, NOT the doctrine of the OT or the Kingdom message for the Jews! In how many languages? Whoa! Was that a switch or what? No wonder the Jewish hierarchy got lockjaw!

What's at work here? The Holy Spirit.

In 13:8-10 what does Paul say? Why would it fade away? Because folks could read Paul's letters! They no longer had to rely upon accurate presentation by word of mouth, or some speaker who wasn't quite getting it right, or some guy who stood up babbling just as the pastor was making his 5th point! The preacher, the pastor, the evangelist, now had the written word and could exegesis all da live long day do-dah do-dah, glory hallelujah!

Can you imagine the excitement among the brethren when a letter from Paul arrived? Wow! Pow! "Get everyone together! It's a letter from Paul! Meeting at 6:30 in Fellowship Hall! Pastor and guest evangelist, who walked here (from X with Letter Z) on the program!"

Electricity in the air!!!!