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1 Corinthians 12:8-10lists 9 spiritual gifts, to include the utterance of wisdom, the utterance ofknowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, speakingin tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. These gifts are given to members of the Body of Christ (Christians)through The Holy Spirit. The spiritualgifts are for the uplifting and edifying of the church; essentially they are abenediction that God bestows upon believers. Paul affirms this truth by stating, “Now to each one the manifestationof the Spirit is given for the common good” (1 Cor 12:7). All of these gifts come from the same Spirit,for “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts formone body, so it is with Christ (1 Cor 12:12).
Spiritual gifts are of theutmost importance for the fortification of the church, and they are anextension of The Holy Spirit, who works through us. Yet they are not a reflection of spiritualmaturity, simply because one exercises them. There is often an unclear distinction between one who possesses Fruit ofthe Spirit and one who employs a spiritual gift. The Fruit of the Spirit is a reflection of thecooperative relationship a Christian shares with God, through The Holy Spirit,and it is more commonly found among mature Christians, as opposed to Christiansyoung in their faith. Paul states, “Butthe fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness,faithfulness” (Galatians 5:22). Whileyoung Christians can and do possess some qualities of the Fruit of the Spirit,they typically need time to let their Fruit grow and strengthen, whereasspiritual gifts are common among most, if not all Christians, regardless oftheir spiritual maturity.
One of the most recognizablespiritual gifts among believers and non-believers alike is the gift of speakingin tongues. Speaking in tongues is theact of speaking in an unlearned language, and it is used publicly tocommunicate God’s message to people of different languages, and, also, to speakdirectly with God in private. Thegreatest example of speaking in tongues can be found in the Book of Acts,chapter 2:1-11, on the day of Pentecost, when the people were baptized in TheHoly Spirit.
Baptism of The HolySpirit occurs when we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior. In turn, a Christian dies to the flesh and isresurrected in Christ upon their conversion. Spiritual baptism is an inward change, which produces positive outwardresults for God’s glory, and it is beneficial for preaching the Gospels. Jesus says, “But you will receive power whenthe Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and inall Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Yet some Christians believe one has not trulyreceived the Holy Spirit, if you do not speak in tongues. Paul clearly states in 1 Corinthians 12:4, that“there are different gifts, but the same Spirit.” Therefore, speaking in tongues is not a signof spirituality, nor is it more important than any other spiritual gift. The only evidence of receiving the HolySpirit, is confessing that “Jesus is Lord” (1 Cor 12:3). To determine whether or not speaking intongues still occurs, we must take the views of ‘Cessationism’ and ‘Continuationism’and compare them to Scripture.
‘Cessationism’ is thebelief that spiritual gifts and miracles ceased at the end of the first centurychurch, or upon completion of the Bible. Some would argue that Paul teaches ‘Cessationism’ when he says, “Lovenever fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there aretongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will passaway. For we know in part and weprophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears” (1Cor 13:8-10). However it is important toexamine the word “completeness” in its context. It is evident Paul associates the term with the second coming ofChrist. So Scripture may actually bemore supportive of the ‘Continuationst’ claim. ‘Continuationism’ is the belief that we still possess spiritual gifts tothis day, and Jesus supports this view when He says, “But the Advocate, theHoly Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all thingsand will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). Yet it could be argued Jesus was speakingdirectly to His disciples, and, thus, this teaching would not apply to ustoday. These differing views have leftme with many more questions than answers, but I have concluded regardless ofwhether you support ‘Cessationism’ or ‘Continuationism,’ in the end, spiritualgifts are only secondary; what is most important is that we have God’s love.
Please note that I am only expressing my personal views and I am open to differing opinions. Feel free to express your views on the topic of 'Cessationism' and 'Continuationism' and whether or not you feel speaking in tongues is a requirement or evidence of salvation.
