Interpreting Paul's Views About Tongues And Prophecy

Interestingly, the phrase “sign gifts” is seldom present in Pentecostal and Charismatic circles. This is because they do not believe that gifts of the New Testament have ceased. Therefore, they do not believe that they existed merely to provide a sign for apostolic revelation. Since they believe that these gifts have continued, believers of these movements are known as continuationists; whereas, those who believe that these gifts have ceased are known as cessationists. These two parties dispute the present validity of the spiritual gifts that Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary succinctly listed: “the ability to speak an unlearned tongue (1 Cor. 14:1-33), the interpretation of tongues (12:30; 13:27-28), power to drive out evil spirits (Matt. 8:16; Acts 13:7-12), special ability in healing the sick (1 Cor. 12:9), prophecy (Rom. 12:6), and special wisdom and knowledge (1 Cor. 12:8).” Although these parties may agree on the present availability of the practice of certain gifts, continuationists believe that all of these gifts are available for any Christian to use. However, as Elmer Towns wrote, according to cessationists, “The miraculous sign gifts were present in the first century to confirm apostolic revelation, but are no longer to be expected today.” Towns argument began by stating that these gifts were to be a sign to the Jews. According to him, gifts were necessary for the Jews to cease Temple worship and animal sacrifice. Sadly, nowhere in the Bible is this idea explicitly stated. Unwaveringly, Towns referenced 1 Corinthians 1:22: “As the church entered an age of ministry primarily geared at Gentiles, signs became less important, “For the Jews require a sign and the Greeks seek after wisdom” (1 Cor. 1:22).” In verse 23, Paul continued to write, “but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness.” It appears that Paul had

Putting pen to paper, Paul pleas with the Corinthians to better themselves through Christ Jesus. While in discourse with the Corinthians, the polemic language of Paul becomes, at times, difficult to digest. While pursuing a better relationship with the believers in Corinth, the apostle often used terms such as ‘we,’ ‘our,’ and ‘us.’ These pronouns can be understood in multiple ways; however, the manner in which they are comprehended sheds light on Paul’s agenda. In the analysis of 2 Corinthians 4: 8-18, the pronouns are best understood as being inclusive in terms of Paul, his followers, and the believers in Corinth.

The book of Acts, we can see from Luke 1:1-4 and in Acts 1:1-3, the same author wrote both Luke and Acts. It has been stated that Acts was a continuance letter from the book of Luke. And that in the earliest days of the church the apostle Paul wrote both Luke and Acts (Colossians 4:14; 2nd Timothy 4:11) the book of Acts dates back “Between “61-64 A.D. The main purpose of the book of Acts is to show the coming of the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) for this is the day of the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts sheds light on receiving the Holy Spirit. We can also see throughout the book of Acts, the great importance of walking in obedience to God’s word and how doing this it can bring forth a transformation in us if we follow Jesus Christ. We can also see within the book of Acts, what happens to those that reject the truth that was being preached about Jesus Christ. But for those that receive the truth will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes (Acts 1:8) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; when we receive this power, we will defeat our enemies. As well in receiving the Holy Spirit, we will receive a new tongue, we will be able to speak in the heavenly language. (Acts 2:4)

Acts of the Apostles chronicles the rapid advancement of the Gospel by way of the gift of the Holy Spirit. “The Holy Spirit in the Acts of the Apostles: The Charismatic Community in Mission” takes into account the narratives succeeding Pentecost including Spirit Baptisms from Samaria to Ephesus (Acts

So what do interpreters who understand tongues as ecstatic utterance do with Acts 2? Those who believe that tongues can be either foreign languages or heavenly languages have no trouble

If the sign gifts did not cease at the time of the apostolic age, where have they been for

Vs. 14-13 is about the sins of speech, quoting from Ps. 5:9, Ps. 140:3b, and Ps10:7, and using it to match the organs used for speech such as the, mouth, throat, lips, and tongue, this was Paul’s way to be able to show people how their words can have deadly

He transitions form chapter 12 and spiritual gifts in a very clear way. “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1). The subject of tongues is the first verse used in chapter 13 in order to transition from chapter 12 in which the spiritual gift of tongues was being abused and used pridefully. Paul is emphasizing that even the “best” spiritual gift is not effective or useful without love. Verse two continues this trend with Paul mentioning several other spiritual gifts such as prophecy, knowledge, wisdom, and faith.

For my research paper I choose the charismatic gifts debate because coming from a Pentecostal/Charismatic background growing up in church, I know a little about the gift. With growing up in a Charismatic church, I saw the gifts in action. There is a lot of debate on whether the gift is relevant for today or have they ceased from the church. One side says that the gifts are in the past and is not relevant for the day that we live in and another side says that the gifts are still relevant for today. There is one group that says that if you do speak in tongues, then you are under demonic control and are not really saved. Both

Astrology began its journey from weather predictions, to zodiac signs, to changing peoples destiny just by saying a few words, or reading something off of a card. But the real questions is astrology still as strong as it was in the renaissance era, or has it changed

(Acts 14: 19-20), describes to us how a group of Jews followed Paul to Lystra from Antioch and Iconium, how he spoke to the crowd, and then stoned Paul. This group of people left Paul for dead outside the city. Paul, who was encircled by the other disciples, got up and traveled back into the city. According to our text, “The question was raised as to whether Paul was resurrected from the dead.” The text goes on to say that in verse 19,” since the disciples were only thinking he was dead, that this was not the case.” There is no evidence he died and was resurrected. In (Acts 14:21b), it states that Paul returned to Lystra, to restore, renew, and encourage the people in their faith. This event could not have taken place if Paul had died at the stoning in Lystra. (2 Corinthians 12), does have a place in this narrative. The chapter tells of Paul’s thoughts on the hazards and hardships he has endured to spread Christ’s message, which was outlined in chapter 11 of 2 Corinthians. The last verse in chapter (12:10), states, “That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in

To believe that miraculous gifts are a historical constant is contrary to the Scriptures. Charismatic claims are not historically valid. The dissimilarity between the New Testament gifts and the described “gifts “of the charismatics also discredits their claims. “The assumption that because these gifts existed in the apostolic age they should also exist today is a gratuitous assumption contrary to objective evidence” [16]. It is also contrary to biblical evidence and principles of scripture.

Another context that is very similar to 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 is Ephesians 4:7-16, which helps demonstrate this even more clearly. This passage is clearly referring to spiritual gifts, as is seen in verses seven and eight. Verse eleven specifies what the gifts were, and verse twelve shows the purpose of those gifts (to help guide the early church). In verse thirteen, Paul reveals that these gifts were a temporary measure, and would last “till we all come to unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the son of God” or, until the completion of the New Testament! The revelation and completion of the New Testament fits into this context just as it does in 1 Corinthians 13:8-13.

As with most other Pauline attributed documents, 1 Corinthians is believed to be a single document that addresses salient topics and rationalizes Paul’s view of faithfulness to Christ with Corinth citizens. The newly founded church of Corinth was in correspondence with Paul requesting his answers to questions they posed on topics ranging from marriage to the resurrection of the dead; the latter being one of the most highlighted in 1 Corinthians. Paul’s assurance of resurrection illustrates a concern for Corinth as he admonishes their disbelief in resurrection of the dead with a series of explanations as to why such doubt would render the faith of Christ “in vain”. Given the context of the time, Paul’s correspondence with Corinth clearly

The book of Acts is its foundation stone. If the book of Acts were excluded from the discussion there would be no other source of information since the only other passage in the New Testament that discusses tongues at any length is 1 Corinthians 12-14 which clearly teaches all do not speak in tongues. Also, Paul examines tongues as one of many differing spiritual gifts that are given freely by the Spirit after one has been baptized by the Spirit into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). No "initial evidence" is then present in the Epistles.