Spiritual gifts, signs, and tongues.

Discussions on "spiritual gifts" are often heated and emotional. A lot of people believe that they have seen "miracles" such as healings. Many people believe in laying on of hands, anointing with oil, speaking in tongues, prophesying, etc. These people use personal experiences to back up their 'theology'. On the other hand there many people who have never seen a miraculous healing and do not speak in tongues. Here are some Biblical facts about signs and gifts:

1.) Signs were God's method for the Jews to be convinced of Him and to help them believe.

• 1 Corinthians 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:  
• John 4:48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. [That is not a compliment]
• Matthew 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

2.) Signs such as healing, tongues, and prophecy are NOT signs of spirituality. Judas Iscariot worked miracles and he was a devil. Paul said that charity was more important.

• John 6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
• Matthew 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
• 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3.) Satan uses signs and wonders to deceive people.

• 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
• Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

4.) The gift of tongues was the ability to speak other languages that you did not already know. Therefore all those who claim to be speaking in tongues today must be doing it in the presence of someone who does not speak English. I have heard people speak in tongues at a church in south Georgia where everyone present already spoke English, which means the 'tongue talker' was just a fool pretending that they could speak in tongues. Not only that, nobody interpreted what was said. [By the way, those south Georgia red necks need someone to teach them good English before they worry about speaking other languages.]

• Acts 2:4-8 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

5.) There were rules for speaking in tongues.

• Women were never given the gift of tongues in churches. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
• Only 2-3 men were allowed to speak in tongues at once. 1 Corinthians 14:27-29 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
• Someone was to always interpret the tongues.1 Corinthians 14:27-28 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
• The tongues and prophecies were the word of God and commandments of God, not something made up by the speaker. If the exact statements that were supposedly prophesied were not found in the word of God, then the prophecy was not of God. 1 Corinthians 14:36-37 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
• The church service is to always be done decently and in order with absolutely no confusion. Therefore if anyone ever claimed to be speaking in tongues and it was confusing, then it was not of God. 1 Corinthians 14:31-33 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
• The gift of tongues had nothing to do with the edification of believers, its only purpose was to give the gospel to an unbeliever that spoke a foreign language. 1 Corinthians 14:22-23 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
• Paul said it was better to speak in your own tongue than in an unknown tongue. 1 Corinthians 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

All of those Biblical facts eliminate all of the Charismatics, Pentecostals, and "full gospel" (read that fool gospel) people from being real Christians. Their tongues and prophecies are not of God, they are filled with "another spirit" that is not the Holy Spirit...

2 Corinthians 11:
[3] But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
[4] For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

The spirit of the Pentecostals is the "spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience"...

Ephesians 2:
[1] And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
[2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
[3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Charismatics do not follow the Biblical spiritual gift rules, what they do is not edifying to anyone at all, and nobody ever learns anything from them. The "full gospel" people do not preach the full gospel, which is the sacrificial death/burial/resurrection of Christ and that all who believe will be justified from all their sins (1 Cor. 15:1-4, Acts 13:38-39, 16:30-31, Eph. 1:7, 1:13, 2:8-9).

Are spiritual gifts still in operation today? What is 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 referring to? 

1 Corinthians 13: 
[8] Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
[9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
[10] But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
[11] When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
[12] For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.    

Is 1 Corinthians 13:8 referring to the completion of scripture or something else? I believe that the Bible teaches that it is referring to the completion of scripture. However, some teach that it is referring to either the Second Coming of Christ, the Millennial Reign of Christ, or when the believer dies and goes to heaven.

Here is why I believe it is referring to the completion of scripture.....

1 Corinthians 13:

[8] Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

There is our verse. Prophecies, tongues, and supernatural giving of knowledge would cease according to Paul. The issue is when would this occur.

[9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

Paul states that the supernatural giving of knowledge and prophecies were only PARTIAL revelations, not complete. 

[10] But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

In contrast to the partial revelations of tongues and prophecy, Paul states that something PERFECT will come. When that perfect/complete revelation comes, then the partial revelations of tongues and prophecies will be done away. Now we must conclude what the revelation that is "perfect" is. Is it the Second Coming of Christ, the Millennium, or when the believer gets to heaven? Or is it the complete scriptures? The context is about having a PERFECTION of what Paul currently only had in PART. That can only be applied to the word of God. Paul did not partially have the Second Coming of Christ waiting to have the complete event. Nor did he partially have the millennial kingdom waiting for a complete one. The context is receiving WORDS from God through tongues and prophecies.   

[11] When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

This statement by Paul further proves that he is referring to the completion of the word of God. Becoming a "man" rather than a "child" has to do with the SCRIPTURES, not the Second Coming or Millennium. That is how Paul uses the phrases in the very next chapter.....


1 Corinthians 14:
[20] Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
[21] In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

Knowing the word of God is what makes you a "man" rather than a "child"!

2 Timothy 3:
[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

1 Corinthians 3:
[1] And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
[2] I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

1 Peter 2:
[1] Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
[2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
[3] If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Hebrews 5:
[12] For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
[13] For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
[14] But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

[12] For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

This further proves the point. Paul compares having partial revelations (tongues/prophecies) to looking into a glass darkly. But when the perfect revelation comes (the word of God), that will be like looking into the glass clearly, it will no longer be dark. Then he will be able to see himself (reflection) clearly. James talks about the word of God in the same way using a mirror as an example.


James 1:
[21] Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
[22] But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
[23] For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
[24] For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
[25] But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

The gifts of giving someone the word of God through tongues (human languages), prophecies, and visions ceased when God gave man the last book of the Bible.

The gifts of revelation to man have clearly ceased with the completion of Scripture according to 1 Corinthians 13:8-12. Anyone who claims that God has given them revelation either through tongues, prophecy, or the supernatural giving of knowledge is either a liar or they have been deceived by Satan.

However, spiritual gifts can be divided up into categories.

1. Revelation gifts: the giving of the word of God to someone supernaturally through psalms, doctrines, tongues, word of wisdom, prophecies, etc. (1 Cor. 12:8, 14:6, 14:26, 14:36-37).  
2. Sign gifts: healing of deadly wounds and diseases, ability to take up serpents, ability to drink poison, raise the dead, casting out devils, speaking in tongues (Mark 16:17-18).
3. Ministry gifts: faith, helps, governments (1 Cor. 12:9, 12:28-29). 

The sign gifts, which were for Israel, obviously ceased when God set Israel aside in blindness after the elect remnant believed Paul's gospel and became part of the Church (see the first half of Romans 11). The elect remnant of Israel was saved over the Acts period (Rom. 11:1-14, Acts 13:45-46, 18:5-6, 28:28). Therefore, their sign gifts ceased (1 Cor. 1:22, John 4:48). In Paul's post-Acts epistles he no longer has the gift of healing (1 Tim. 5:23, 2 Tim. 4:20, Phil. 2:25-30).

The revelation gifts obviously ceased when the word of God was completed (1 Cor. 13:8-12).

But what about the ministry gifts of faith, helps, and governments? Governments=bishops and deacons, local church government. Helps=evangelists and teachers. Have these gifts ceased? I believe they have. I do not believe that people are supernaturally given faith or the ability to teach. However, I do believe that there are evangelists and teachers today, only that these were not positions or abilities that they received supernaturally through laying on of hands or anything like that. I do not believe that God gives someone faith miraculously, I believe we have as much faith was we have belief in the word of God. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom. 10:17). Likewise I believe that the other ministry gifts can be obtained by studying the word of God in faith (2 Tim. 2:15, Heb. 4:2). I believe Ephesians 4:11-16 explains this.         

Ephesians 4:
[11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
[12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
[13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
[14] That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
[15] But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
[16] From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Verse 11 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers" This was a past tense giving, Paul did not say that "He gives", he said "He gave".

Verse 12 "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" This was the purpose of the gifts.

Verse 13 "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" This was the duration of the gifts. What is the unity of the faith? Well the faith is obviously the word of God (Titus 1:4, 1:9, Acts 13:7-8) and the unity of the word of God would be the completion of it. That which is perfect, whole (1 Cor. 13:10). Before all 66 books of the Bible were completed the word of God was being given by prophets and apostles, but after the 66 books were finished the Body of Christ no longer needed the apostles and prophets to give them the word of God. We now have the unity of faith. Ephesians 4:13 goes on to say "of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man" which clearly is referring to the word of God. The knowledge of the Son of God comes from the Scriptures (John 5:39, 5:46-47, 1 Cor. 2:13). All the knowledge of the Son of God that we are going to get in this life comes from the word of God, not listening to apostles, evangelists, pastors, or prophets. How do we come to the "knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man"? All scripture is given by inspiration of God,..That the man of God may be perfect (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Verse 14 "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine"  This statement by Paul further proves that he is referring to the completion of the word of God. Becoming a "man" rather than a "child" has to do with understanding the scriptures, not listening/learning from pastors/evangelists/apostles. Being a man vs a child is always connected with the scriptures......

• 1 Corinthians 14:20-21 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

• 2 Timothy 3:13-17 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

• 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

• 1 Peter 2:1-3 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

• Hebrews 5:12-14 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

--Eli Caldwell