Christian Churches of God
No. 182z
Summary:
Tongues Were to Cease When?
(Edition 1.0 19961005-19961005)
On the first day of Pentecost of the New Testament Church, the apostles "spoke in tongues". This paper by an editor of The Bible Advocate discusses what is meant by "tongues" and for how long this phenomenon was to persist.
Christian Churches of God
PO Box 369, WODEN ACT 2606, AUSTRALIA
Email:
secretary@ccg.orgCopyright ã 1996 by Roy A. Marrs
Editor of the Bible Advocate, the official organ of the Church of God, Seventh Day
(Summary by Tom Hoffahrt, edited by Wade Cox)
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Tongues Were to Cease When?
The idea of there being different languages on earth is an intriguing one. The fact of men speaking different languages has been a real problem. If we travel, we are quickly confronted with the need to know someone else's language, or need to find someone who knows our own. It is an horrendous problem!
Now, when it comes to the New Testament, and the account of the day of Pentecost, when the disciples spoke with "other tongues" it seems the Lord was dealing with the problem He had created for man. In order for the people to understand, God performed a miracle and caused the disciples to speak in languages that they had not learned. It was very impressive; it honoured God; and it made the hearers aware that God was working through these men.
Not long afterwards, some believers in other nations also miraculously spoke in languages they did not know. It is mentioned several times in the book of Acts, and Paul refers to it in writing to the Corinthians. Mark quotes Jesus as prophesying this would happen (Mark 16:17). Only Luke (the writer of Acts) and Paul refer to the tongues experience, and Mark predicted its occurrence.
As a result of his experiences, the writer searched carefully to determine from the Scriptures whether God intended for the tongues experience to continue into our times. Two Scriptures seem pertinent. The first is the prophecy given in Mark 16:17-18 "And these signs shall follow the believers: In My name they shall expel demons; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall pick up serpents, and if they drink anything fatal it shall not injure them in the least. They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall become well" (Berkeley Version).
1Corinthians 14:13 says, "For this reason the man who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says". And, in the 27th verse: "If anyone speaks in a tongue, two – or at the most three – should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret".
In interpreting "languages of angels", no man knows whether the interpretation is right or not right – even the person who "interprets" doesn't even know whether he is interpreting correctly or not! He has no way to verify that he interprets correctly or doesn't.
Mark 16:17-18, sounds as though the experience would be common among believers, along with the other miracles. What other Scripture bears on the subject? What about 1Corinthians 13:8? It reads (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". Tongues will be "stilled" – meaning what? Meaning when?
But about tongues? "They will cease" – just stop. When? The Bible does not say. Why? The Bible does not say specifically [but it does say we will be given a pure language with which to worship God of one consent (Zeph. 3:9)]. So what are we left with? We are left with the need for our brethren who believe they are miraculously speaking in a genuine tongue (either of angels or of men), to be willing to submit to verifiable tests.
When did tongues cease? At the point where men were no longer able or willing to verify their interpretations, at the point where they began speaking in assemblies without interpreters, at the point where the other miracles were no longer common among true Christians, at the point where they refused to allow others to interpret and wished only to do it themselves.
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