Tongues for All Believers in All Ages?

Tongues for All Believers in All Ages?

Selected Scriptures

Introduction

• Since the inception of the Pentecostal movement in the late 1800s, the Christian church is plagued with the notion that a truly spirit-filled Christian will have the gift of tongues.
• Such a notion is absolutely unbiblical and yet so widely believed and sought after.
• Today, as the Lord helps, we shall consider some of the fallacious teachings on “tongues” and the biblical texts that are abused to support them.
• Mark 16:17 is commonly cited to prove the claim that every true believer can/must speak in tongues.
  “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.”
• Let us examine this passage in its context - Mark 16:11-20

Crucial facts about Mark 16:11-20

• There are two groups of unbelievers in this passage:

The Apostles

The first group was the Apostles who did not believe on the resurrection of Christ. They are consistently referred to in this passage by the third person plural pronoun (“they” / “them” – vv.11-14,17-20).

• They did not believe on the resurrection of Christ, though it was reported to them by Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James (vv.1-11). V.11 - “And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.”
• They neither believed the report of the two disciples to whom Christ appeared (vv.12-13). “And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them” (v.13).
• The Apostles were rebuked by the risen Lord, who appeared to them (v.14). v.14 - "Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen."

Those who are yet to hear the Gospel

The second group of unbelievers in this passage are all those who are yet to hear the Gospel and be saved.

• They were to be reached by the apostles (v.15-16.) "15 And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
• “They” (third person pronoun, plural) refers to the disciples who were chided by the Lord for their unbelief concerning His resurrection. They were told to believe on Him and preach to every creature.
• “He” (Third person pronoun, singular) refers to everyone who would hear the Gospel through the apostles and believe.

Analysis of Mark 16:17-18

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

• “Them that believe” (v.17) is a reference to the apostles who have not yet believed in his resurrection.
• The continued use of third person, plural (seven times) once again confirms that the apostles are meant.
• V. 20 gives us further proof that Jesus was giving those miraculous gifts only to the apostles. “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.”

Does Spirit-Baptism Warranty Tongues?

Acts 1:4-5, Acts 2

• . . . wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
• The phrase “not many days” (Acts 1:5) limits this prophecy only to the day of Pentecost (Acts 2).
• So, Acts 1:4-5 is not a reference to the baptism of the Spirit that is offered to all the believers of all ages.
• It is neither a proof text that then onwards baptism of the Spirit would surely lead to tongue speaking.
• In fact, the word “baptism” with reference to the Spirit’s ministry does not appear in Acts 2, but words such as “filled” (v.4), “pour out” (v.17), etc.
• Acts 1:4-5 is a reference to the beginning of the new dispensation of the Spirit’s work in the New testament, with reference to universal Gospel preaching and the receiving.
• It does not say that baptism of the Holy Spirit will lead all believers at all times to speak in tongues.

The Scripture, in fact, clearly teaches us that even when biblical tongues existed not all believers, who received the baptism of the Spirit, spoke in tongues.

• 1 Corinthians 12:13 - For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
• 1 Corinthians 12:27-30 teaches us that even though all the Corinthians were baptised by the Holy Spirit, not all were given the gift of tongues.
• So we conclude that baptism of the Spirit do not warranty all believers the gift of tongues.

Conclusion
We are never commanded to be baptised by the Holy Spirit, for it is part of salvation work that God does in our lives.

It is not a second blessing after one’s salvation.

But we are commanded to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-20) – that is to come under His control and guidance.