Tongues, Healing, and Prophesying

            Are these gifts in use today?

                                                                                               Ezekiel 4:1-8;  1 Corinthians 13:8-10

                                    burneyfam.com     Pastor Gerry      Crossroads Church, Box 1533, Ukiah  95482          707 467 8400

     The Tongues experience today (speaking in an “unknown” language--supposedly “angelic”), can be traced to a movement which began around 172 A.D. by a priest named Montanus, and his two prophetesses (Priscilla and Maximilla).  They insisted that the supernatural gifts of prophesy and speaking in tongues, which had been given by God to the Jewish people during the apostles time seventy-five years earlier, were still available, and that the Bible was not the end of God’s special revelation to man (Jude 3; John 14:26; 16:12-13; 2 Pet. 1:3, 21; 2 Tim. 3:16-17 – “thoroughly equipped”).  Montanism eventually was condemned by the bishops as they declared that the gifts of prophecy and tongues had ended with the Jewish apostles.  Irenaeus was the last leader of the early Christian movement who thought of himself as belonging to the age of special revelation outside of Scripture.  The practice of uttering “unknown” languages (tongues), and prophesying, didn’t really have another following until 1758, when a small group of English Quakers, called Shakers, began a movement focusing on “experiencing” the Holy Spirit.  This group was persecuted in England, because they called for new revelations from God.  They migrated to America in 1774.  All this, according to Matthew Allen, resulted in various charismatic groups forming in America speaking in tongues and prophesying.  

    Tongues can be divided into two categories.  Known human foreign languages (such as experienced in Acts 2:5-11), and the supposed “unknown” language of “angels”(1 Corin. 13:1).  Many people claim to have experienced communicating with the “angels,” including Muhammad (Islam), and Joseph Smith (Mormon).  The statement by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:1, was actually a rhetorical statement concerning the language of angels.  Paul is not linking the miracle of tongues (human foreign languages), with any language of angels, but simply pointing out that without love, nothing else matters.

     The letter to the Corinthians (1 Corin. 12-14), was sent by Paul because the Corinthians were abusing the use and understanding of these gifts (as well as many other problems).  Love and humility was missing, and they were turning to experiences to buildup their spirituality.  The “unknown” language referred to in 1 Corinthians 12-14 is actually a reference to the known human languages.  The word “unknown” was inserted by later translators, and  nowhere appears in any Greek manuscripts.  Actually, the letter to the Corinthian assembly was to address their misrepresenting the gift of tongues, and not to legitimatize it’s use, or misuse (1 Corin. 14:20-22, 3:1-3, 5:1).  Further, tongues was a gift given for Israel as a sign to Israel (Isa. 28:11-12; Acts 2:4-8, 10:44-46, 11:15, Acts 19:1-6;1 Corin. 1:22).  2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us not to seek signs like the unbelieving Jews—we are to walk by faith.  1 Corinthians 1:7 tells us that the Corinthians were “ignorant” of the proper use of gifts--the Corinthian assembly lacked spiritual understanding and instead was guided by emotion (1 Corin. 2:15, 3:1, 12:2).  The letter to the Corinthians was written around 57 A.D., about 40 years before the last apostle died around 98 A.D.  Corinth was regarded as the sin capital of the Roman Empire in Paul’s day.  Paul wrote the letter to the Corinthians to correct many errors that had come into the church.  Ironically, many see these same errors present in many of our churches in America today, including the use of tongues and prophecy (during the time of the Jewish apostles, tongues and prophecy were in effect for the Corinthians).  The central message is Christ and love above all (1 Corin. 13:13).  The message was not that those Christians in the Corinthian church were not saved because of their misuse of these “signs”--just that they needed to correct their errors.  The same is true for the church today--we need to correct any errors, and focus on Jesus and love for one another…not seek to elevate any experiences above Scripture.  One’s salvation is secure, but we are admonished to protect the faith.

     Why do some people today seem to experience speaking in an “unknown angelic” tongue?  The answer seems to be because of altered states (not being sober--2 Tim. 4:5, 2 Pet. 1:3).  According to the Westminster Theological Journal 42, #2, 1980, pages 367-369, “free vocalization,” or speaking in tongues, can be easily learned, and can even be self-induced, or group-induced, similar to hypnotic practices.  For example, any person can experience passing out (loosing one’s conscious state), by simply hyperventilating—the brain experiences a loss of oxygen, and disconnects.  There can also be a Satanic influence, but we are assuming that these are “born again” Christians who are brought to a very emotional state by the circumstances of the environment.  Let us be clear, there are true, real emotions that accompany repentance, salvation and the relationship with the Holy Spirit.  However, these do not tend to bring “glorious attention” to the person like speaking in tongues does.  Rather, these emotions bring a sense of trembling and humility before our just and holy God--a desire to humbly repent of sin--not an attitude of “How will God bless me today?”  The Holy Spirit is present with us, and He illuminates and guides us, even prompting us, into correct understanding which supports existing Scripture--but, never some new “special revelation” of divine truth not already present in Scripture.

    The gift of speaking in a foreign language (other human languages), purpose and benefit was for the unbeliever (to deliver God’s message in a language the unbeliever could understand), and therefore, would not create confusion, or be disruptive (1 Corin. 14:2, 4, 9-10, 21-22, 33, 40).  Those who have experienced speaking supernaturally in the language of “angels” must weigh this experience against Scripture so as to avoid being deceived, and causing disruption and confusion. 

     In 1 Corinthians 13:8-10, note that these spiritual gifts of prophecy, tongues, and knowledge, given to the early church, are eliminated at the “perfection” (the Greek word is actually “completion”).  Also note, several other spiritual gifts will continue on after this “perfection, or completion” (such as teaching, discernment, administration (stewardship), etc.—1 Corin. 12:8-28, 13:1).  In the last two hundred years, some Christian churches started claiming that they possessed all these gifts, while other churches remained in agreement with the historical Christian understanding, that some of these gifts ended with the last apostle’s death (those directly connected to Jesus).

     Let’s first describe exactly what is meant by the “completion/perfection,” when some of these gifts stop, and then let us define these gifts of  “tongues,” “healing,” “prophesying,” and “knowledge.”

     The big question is…is it possible for these gifts to actually exist today?  God can do whatever He wants, but according to His Word (the Bible), God has decided to eliminate three of these gifts, while allowing the other gifts to go on after the “perfection/completion.”  So…to what exactly, does the “perfection/ completion” refer?  Some say that 1 Corinthians 13:10, refers to the return of Christ (which is yet to happen), and others say the context of this passage is to the completion of God’s Word (the Scripture—the Bible).  Actually, this Greek word (teleios), means the perfection, or completeness concerning man’s need—that which will accomplish the maturity of man--complete man’s mental and moral character.  And, according to Romans 10:14-17, and 2 Timothy 3:16-17, this is accomplished by God’s Word (Scripture—the Bible).  The “perfect” (completion), is that which matures man—the Word of God gives man understanding through the leading of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 10:14-17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).  The perfect” does not refer to man.   And, the “perfect” is not the return of Jesus.   The “perfect” is the completed Word of God.  In fact, the word “perfect” is in the neuter gender usage in the Greek (not masculine or feminine).  The Word of God (neuter gender), is in view here, not Jesus (masculine).  Jesus, in fact, tells us that the Jewish apostles were to receive these gifts from the Holy Spirit (Mark 16:17), and makes no mention of future generations.  Forty years after this letter, the Word of God was finally complete…perfect...and certain “signs” ended.

     Hebrews 10:14 tells us that the “perfection” (of flesh man), has already been provided by Jesus when He paid our debt—the blood sacrifice for our sins.  His sacrifice provided for our salvation, by paying for our debt.  Therefore, if Jesus were the “perfection,” the “completion,” that Paul was referring to in 1 Corinthians 13:10, it would have already been fulfilled, and these signs would therefore have ended while the apostles were still alive.  But, we know the apostles possessed these gifts.  Therefore, the “perfection” Paul is referring to must be the Word of God.  Romans 10:14-17 tells us that we are saved by hearing the “Word of God.”  Each individual becomes a mature Christian (follower of Jesus), by submitting to the Word of God (the Bible).  Jesus saves, and the Bible guides us to maturity—completeness—“teleios.”

     There is another Greek word for “perfection,” and it is “artios,” which is translated as complete/perfect—in the context of a finished product.  This word is actually used in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 in referring to man as being given the “perfect” Word of God (KJV-which correctly translates the Greek here—“perfect”).  God’s Word is the perfect finished product for completing man’s maturity.

     So, the “perfection” (“teleios”- completion), is referring to the Word of God, and not to the return of Jesus, or to man being perfect as a human being.

 Let’s now examine these gifts:

    Tongues - As a foreign language, was that gift--a sign--a special event, when the church was established (Acts 2), right after Jesus’ death.  The followers of Jesus from all over the world were gathered together, and they were able to speak different languages. The Holy Spirit caused everyone to hear others speaking in their own language.  God’s purpose in doing this was to advance the gospel message of Jesus, and to advance the start of the church.  This supernatural event caused people to trust in Jesus and His supernatural resurrection from the dead.  As it states in 1 Corinthians 12:7, this was done for the common good.  

     1 Corinthians 14:2-6 emphasizes the point that tongues, is only useful for teaching the unbelievers. This special gift was only to be used in public when there was an interpreter available to interpret, so as not to cause confusion or disruption.  This gift was not to be used if it might be disruptive to others, or cause confusion (1 Corin. 14:22, 27, 40). 

     God’s purpose in giving the apostles the gift of speaking in tongues (foreign languages), was to spread the gospel to the early church, until that time when God’s Word (given to the apostles to pass down) was complete for us to read and translate, which was after the death of the last apostle (John—95 A.D.).  This letter to the Corinthian people was written around 57 A.D., and it referred to how the early church was to handle these special gifts—tongues, knowledge, and prophesy. The assembly in Corinth was abusing these gifts.

     Today, of course, we have the testimonies of these apostles—the complete/perfect eyewitness accounts of the message of Jesus, and His rising from the dead.  The “perfection/completion” refers to the complete Word of God (Bible), being made available by the apostles in their writings.  Once the apostles had all died, there was no more to add to the Scripture.  The Bible was complete (perfect), and there was no more need for certain special gifts as “signs” to advance the spreading of the message of God.  The gift of tongues has ended (Gal. 1:8-9).

     Healing - Healing was a special gift given to the apostles to convince people of the power of God.  The men who walked with Jesus were given this gift so as to proclaim the truth of the message of Jesus that Jesus has the power over life and death.  The apostles were able to heal people—even raise people from the dead (Acts 3:1-10, 14:8-11, 19:11-12, 20:7-12).  Jesus, Himself, gave us the evidence of His power over life and death (Acts 1:1-8; 1 Corin. 15:1-8), and Jesus gave this special gift to the apostles to help them spread the Word of God (the truth), to the early church. 

 Today, of course, we have the testimonies of these apostles—the complete/perfect eyewitness accounts of the message of Jesus, and His rising from the dead.  The “perfection/completion” refers to the complete Word of God being made available by the apostles in their writings.  Once the apostles had all died, there was no more to add to the Scripture, and no more need for certain special gifts given to specific individuals to spread the Word of God.  However, the gift of healing is not one of the gifts that God says would end when the Word of God was completed.  God does heal, but today, no “person” has given evidence of possessing the “gift of healing.”  Some people have claimed to heal, but mostly they fail.  Their so called “healings” fall within the statistical range of miracles from prayer in the general population, therefore, these healings cannot be attributed to a certain person’s “gift.”  God heals as He determines, according to His purposes (Matt. 6:10; 1 John 5:14). 

 Several verses in the Bible have been used to support the idea that healing is God’s will for the faithful today…that God has promised to heal anyone who has faith, and “claims” their healing.

    Isaiah 53:4 - Some say Jesus has borne our sickness and carried our pains away, and that we need to claim it.  However, it is in the resurrection that the curse is finally ended (Rev. 22:3-5, 22:4).

    Matthew 10:8; Mark 3:15; and Luke 10:9 - Some say Jesus commissioned us to preach the gospel and heal the sick.  However, these charges were given to the contemporaries of Jesus - the apostles. 

    Mark 9:23 - “All things are possible to those who believe.”  Yes, possible…not a given.

    Mark 11:24 - Some say all things you pray for, you will receive.  However, this passage begins with “Therefore” (Mark 11:20-24), which refers back to having faith.  And, faith requires trusting in the truth, which is God’s Word, which is the understanding of God’s purpose and will (not our will).

    1 Corinthians 6:15 - Some say we will be healed in this life because our bodies are members of the body of Christ.  However, this reference is to saving our bodies from doing sin (“prostitute”).  Jesus suffered, and we will suffer.  Jesus died, and we will die.  But, we will receive our new bodies in the resurrection.

    1 Corinthians 11:23-24 - Some say His death was for our “bodies.”  However, this is a covenant of the resurrection to come to our new renewed bodies.

    1 Thessalonians 2:13 - Some say when we receive Christ, we also receive the healing work.  However, the “work” God performs is the renewing of our mind (Rom. 12:1-2; Eph. 4:22-24 - The word of God works in me).

    James 5:14-15 - Some say he who believes and is anointed shall be “healed,” a prayer of faith will “heal.”  However, this passage states God will “save,” meaning we are saved for eternity…no more death, and the curse done away with (Rev. 21-22).  All the other uses of this Greek word in James are translated “save,” to deliver, or preserve…not to heal.

    1 Peter 2:24 - “With His stripes we are healed.”  Some say we are already healed, and we just need to have faith and claim the healing.  However, the Greek word used here (2390 - iaomai - means “restored,” our sins blotted out, as in salvation.  The Greek word for physical healing is 2323 - therapeuo).

     God heals as He determines, according to His purposes (Matt. 6:10; 1 John 5:14).  However, there must be some reason God has allowed for healing to still be a gift available in this age we live.  I believe this gift will be given to the two witnesses (Rev. 11), for the purpose of drawing attention to their message, toward the end of this age, just before Jesus returns.

     Prophesying - Prophesying was a special gift provided by Jesus to the apostles to pass onto the church, so that in future generations we would have the inspired predictions of God, just as the prophets of the Old Testament had also recorded prophecies for our benefit.  The word “prophesy” means to foretell, or predict the future from a divine source (God)—the foretelling of the will, message, and purpose of God.  In Ezekiel 4:1-8, we are given the great prophecy of the punishment and restoration of Israel, and also the restoration of Jerusalem back to Israel.  This prophecy was given over 2,500 years ago, and it was fulfilled exactly to the very year when Israel became a nation once again in 1948, and also to the very year when Jerusalem was restored to Israel in 1967 (see the message/study titled “Great Prophecies of the Bible,” and also the message/study titled “The Feasts of Israel”- burneyfam.com).  The testimonies of these apostles (the complete/perfect eyewitness accounts of the message of Jesus and His rising from the dead), make up the complete/perfect Word of God we have today.  The “perfection/completion” refers to the complete Word of God being made available by the apostles in their writings.  Once the apostles had all died, there was no more to add to the Scripture (Rev. 22:18-19).  God tells us here in 1 Corinthians 13:10, that this gift of prophecy ended.  Actually, most people who claim to possess the gift of prophesy will say that their prophecies must agree with the Bible…otherwise it is not a true prophesy.  However, if the Bible already contains the revelations of current-day prophets, then it is not really prophecy…it is the pronouncement of prophecy (from the Bible).  The only reason for claiming to be a prophet therefore is to elevate oneself.  To pronounce future events, or special revelations not in the Bible, is false prophecy, as evidenced by many offshoots of Christianity today, which even use “other books” in place of the Bible.  If the Word of God confirms a “prophecy,” then it is not actually a prophecy, but a pronouncement of the Word.  The Holy Spirit illuminates Scripture to our understanding, but does not give any new special revelations, as these have ended with the last of the Jewish apostles, and the perfection (completion) of the Word of God…the Bible.

 There are lots of churches out there, and most of them agree with the basic Christian truths from the Bible:

        1)  Jesus is the creator God, uncreated and eternal (John 1:3, 17:5-9; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:1-2, 10).

        2)  The Bible is the inerrant Word of God (2 Tim.3:16-17).

        3)  Satan is the source of sin, and hell is separation from God, and hell is eternal (Isa. 14:12-19; Gen. 3:1-5; Jude 7; Matt. 25:46).

        4)  Jesus’ death and resurrection from the dead paid for the total of our sin, and no more payment, or works on our part, are needed                         (Eph. 2:9-10).

        5)  Jesus (God), is the one and only God (Isa. 45:5, 12, 18-21; 46:9-10).

        6)  Other than Jesus, no human is sinless (Rom. 3:12, 3:23).

        7)  There is only one truth, and only one way to heaven—Jesus (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

     By stopping prophesy when the apostles died, God is telling us that any new revelations, which don’t agree with Scripture, are not of God, but of another source, and must be avoided (Gal. 1:8-9; Heb. 1:1-2; Jude 3).  Today, there are numerous faiths, some even claiming to be Christian, which are claiming to have the gift of prophesy, and new revelations beyond the Bible.

         Such later revelations have produced:

    Islam (prophet Muhammad) – Jesus is not the uncreated eternal God.  Jesus did not rise from the dead.

    Mormons (prophet Joseph Smith) – Jesus is not the uncreated eternal God.  Jesus and Satan are brothers.  We can become gods                                     ourselves.

    Seventh Day Adventists (prophetess Ellen G. White) – Jesus secured the believers pardon, but their sins remain on the books until the                                                        investigation (which began when Jesus returned spiritually in 1844), is complete, and Satan (the goat), will be                                                        the one to take away our sins (not Jesus).  There is no eternal hell.  The Pope’s office is the antichrist.  Those                                                          who worship on Sunday have taken “the mark of the beast.”

    Jehovah’s Witness (prophet Charles Taze Russell) – Jesus is not the uncreated eternal God.  Jesus and Satan are brothers.  There is no                                           eternal hell.  Jesus was not resurrected from the dead.

    Catholic Church (prophets of the leadership of Magisterium and the Pope) – Purgatory is required to complete cleansing after death.  The                                      Pope is Jesus hidden under the flesh.  It is Jesus speaking when the Pope speaks.  Prayers can be made to the dead                                          saints and Mary.  Mary was declared as being taken to heaven like Jesus, and was declared by the Pope as sinless,                                          and the gateway to heaven. 

    Some protestant church leaders also claim these spiritual gifts for themselves today (many charismatic church leaders).  Special powers they claim include speaking in angelic tongues, ability to foresee the future, ability to use certain words which have power (the word faith movement), and the ability to heal.  Some of these people also claim to have special understandings beyond Scripture.

     All these groups use the Bible as a foundation, but claim to have newer, later revelations, and further, that God has given these leaders special powers.  However, certain gifts, including prophecy and tongues, ended when the last apostle died and the Word of God was complete—perfect.

     Knowledge - Knowledge (Devine understanding of spiritual matters), is another spiritual gift which the apostles were given.  Knowledge is the ability to understand the plans and future that God has set forth.  This is knowledge concerning spiritual matters—God’s plan.  1 Corinthians 12:1 refers to all these gifts as “spiritual” gifts, meaning concerning the things of the Spirit of God.  Like prophesy and tongues, this special gift is no longer in effect for any individual or prophet, because today, we all have the complete/perfect Word of God (the Bible), to give us understanding, and the Holy Spirit to help us.

     The context of 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 is obviously to the equipping of the people of the church for this age we live in.  God does not leave the church unequipped.  For the early church, God provided the apostles with these special gifts, and when the age of the apostles had ended, God’s Word was complete for us to use today.  His Word is complete, and not to be added to, or taken away from (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Rev. 22:18-19).  Therefore, when God states that three of these gifts will disappear (and this occurs when the “teleios,” or “that which completes the maturity of man” is ready (the Word of God is complete), it must mean they disappear during the life of the church (after the apostles died), not after the church is gone when the world ends (when the millennium begins with the return of Jesus--Rev. 20).  The elimination of some gifts happened when the last apostle died, when the Scripture was “perfect/complete.” The Greek word “teleios” means to “complete man,” to accomplish the maturity of man.  The completion is in reference to man (human), and is not when the millennium arrives (when Christ returns—when we are transformed into supernatural beings). 

     When we think about it, it actually makes no sense that some gifts would disappear at the beginning of the millennium, while other gifts would still continue into the millennium (when Jesus returns).  However, it does make sense that these three gifts existed to establish the early church, and that the other gifts are needed to continue into the world we live in now.  It makes no sense that gifts like tongues would continue up to the millennium, and then end (just when we will join with all the host of heaven), while, at the same time, gifts like administration would continue on into the millennium (when Jesus Himself will be in total control of all spiritual matters).

     Note that in the next two verses (1 Corinthians 13:11-12), God helps us understand exactly what the “perfect” means.  Paul uses two examples to describe our growing in understanding and knowledge during our lifetimes (we don’t have to wait for the return of Jesus).  First is the example of the young person maturing to the older person.  Second is the example of a mirror which is hazy, being cleared up so we can see more clearly (2 Corin. 3:17-18).  The image of a child maturing to an adult is obvious.  The image of seeing clearly is also referred to in Numbers 12:6-8.  God describes how He speaks directly through His Word, so that we can directly understand more and more, because of spending time in His Word.  God’s Word speaks to us just as God spoke (the Word), directly to Moses.  The prophets only saw dimly, but we shall see clearly as we study His “complete” Word (the Bible).  As Christians, we are becoming mature, and with maturity can see clearly, because we have the complete Scripture from the apostles, as well as the Holy Spirit to give us understanding.  The apostles possessed these special spiritual gifts during their lifetimes while the Scripture was still forming—not yet complete—not yet perfect.  These spiritual gifts were for signs to the Jewish unbelievers of their day to inform them that Jesus was, in fact, the Jewish Messiah (Isa. 28:11; 1 Corin. 14:22).

     Today, we possess the Scripture, which is perfect truth (“artios” - 2 Tim. 3:16-17).  We no longer need the special gifts of tongues, or prophecy, or knowledge, because in the Bible we have these things—even though we will still spend our lives trying to comprehend it all (maturing).  In fact, those who try and add to the Scripture only complicate and destroy our understanding (Rev. 22:18-19).  The perfect is here (the Bible), and it is up to us to investigate it.  This takes time.  But, if you love somebody, you’ll want to spend time with them.  So it is with Jesus.  If you love Jesus, you’ll want to spend time in His Word, and get as close as possible to Him.  In fact, it would be a big mistake to think we can wait until Jesus returns to begin our journey.  The “perfect” is already here, and it is not man—it is God’s Word!