If you would listen not only to me but to others as well, you would find that the above if found not only in the Bible but in history.
1. As TCassidy has explained, Tongues, prophecy and revelatory knowledge ceased by the end of the first century when the canon of Scripture was complete. This is borne out be a fair and proper exposition of 1Cor.13:8-13. You fail to consider this passage with objective eyes.
2. Tongues ceased before the end of the first century, possibly as early as 70 A.D. as it was a sign to the Jews, and that is when judgment came upon them.
3. Tongues, being one of the sign gifts had to end by the end of the first century because it was a sign for the apostles, authenticating the apostles and their message. The last apostle was John, who died ca. 102 A.D. But he was exiled long before that, and would not need authentication in exile.
There are the main purposes of tongues. There purposes were all filled before the end of the first century, possibly even before 70 A.D. There is no contradiction.
History does not record the gift of languages after the first century.
It does record instances of gibberish, as is found in 1905 and during this present age. But that has its roots in paganism, and is not the gift of languages found in the Bible.
Other than the above what are the purposes of tongues?
And that is what you don't have. You do not have any Biblical foundation or evidence for what you do.
First that was spoken to the apostles, not to you. Context is key.
Secondly, I take the Scripture literally not allegorically as those heretics did--Origen and Augustine who introduced the allegorical method of interpretation.
Therefore, go take up your snakes and play with them.
Go gulp down your draino, and see what happens.
You have your promise there that nothing will happen to you.
But you will not rest on those promises will you?
The reason: They don't apply to; they were given to the apostles, just like tongues (in the very same context).
“Anyone who speaks in a tongue ... speak
The gift, as was all the gifts of the Spirit, were given to the church, the local church. They were not given for private use, just as healing was not given for private use. They were given to edify the entire body. But you misinterpret Scriptures and deny them to come to your conclusion. Never does the Bible say that the gift of languages is given for private prayer, never!
How can it be a valuable asset when you don't know what you are saying>
Ridiculous! Would you speak to a friend like that--in a language that neither you understand or he understands? Of course not. But Jesus is described in the Bible as a friend "that sticks closer than a brother." You insult him by speaking in gibberish that neither you or he can understand.
It is an emotional experience. So you only think it builds you up. If you want to be built up spend time in the Word and be built up by doctrine, not emotions.
Paul never said that tongues edifies in a private prayer language. That is a distortion of Scripture.
