Common Questions

"How can we pick out one spiritual gift and say that it is no longer given?"

Actually, tongues is not the only spiritual gift that is no longer given. The Bible mentions 13 spiritual gifts (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10) and, of these, five are no longer distributed by God: prophecy of new revelation, tongues, the interpretation of tongues, healings, and miracles. We know that the first three in that list aren't distributed anymore because they add to God's Word which God is no longer doing (Revelation 22:18).

As for miracles and healings, we have to define a miraculous healing. When someone has cancer and then all of a sudden they don't, that is not a miracle. Miraculous healings, as the Bible would define them, were such that someone with a withered arm or leg would suddenly have a fully functional complete arm or leg (Mark 3:1-5; Matthew 15:31). That kind of miraculous healing is no longer happening today.

Incidentally, the miracle of salvation is still taking place today but that is not the kind of miracle most are referring to when they speak of the gift of miracles.

"What if Revelation 22:18 is referring to the book of Revelation and not the entire Bible?"

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book." (Revelation 22:18)

This is the verse that tell us God is no longer bringing additional revelation, making the gift of tongues an impossibility in our day. However, it is sometimes suggested that perhaps this verse is only referencing the book of Revelation and therefore God might only be stating to not add to the book of Revelation. We can get some clarification on this if we back up a few verses:
"Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book." (Revelation 22:7)
"Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am they fellow servant, and of they brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God." (Revelation 22:9)

We can clearly see, by allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture, that "this book" refers to the entire Bible. We are instructed to keep the sayings of the prophecy of the entire Bible, not just the book of Revelation.

"Aren't we risking blasphemy if we speak out against tongues today?"

Some people today, even if they do disagree with the charismatic movement, will not speak out against it for fear that they may commit the unforgiveable sin of blasphemy. It should be noted that not all blasphemy is unforgiveable. Paul states that he was once a blasphemer (1 Timothy 1:13) and obviously he was forgiven for that. We are told that even to blaspheme Jesus Himself is forgivable:
"And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." (Matthew 23:32).

The unforgiveable form of blasphemy mentioned in the above verse is to believe that Christ was under the power of Satan rather than under the power of the Holy Spirit. Even many who have no interest in Christianity would not claim that Jesus was under the power of Satan.

The tongues gospel is protected by this fear that is instilled in Christians suggesting that if they conclude a church or event is under the power of Satan they will go to hell if they are wrong.

Controversial Verses