Tongues have ceased

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Pentecostalism and 20^th century tongues

Tongues in the first century was always a human language understood by some who heard: Acts 2:5-12

Video of fake Tongues Speaking: Watch video now

Recorded in Lilongwe in 2024, this video was played to over 800 church preachers in Malawi who all concluded the tongues speaking was gibberish not language.

Introduction:

This study does not question the power or ability of the Holy Spirit to perform tongues through people today, rather it questions whether He has chosen to perform tongues through men today. The purpose of this study is not to belittle the Holy Spirit in any way or deprive Him of any of His power, personality, or divinity. We are not belittling the Holy Spirit, we are elevating the scriptures. They are the "sword of the Holy Spirit", "the power of God for salvation". The scriptures reveal everything we need to know about doctrine and moral conduct. Since this "all sufficient guidebook" is completely understandable, we have no need whatsoever for spiritual gifts in this age.

I. The 9 spiritual Gifts of the Holy Spirit have ceased:

Gifts ceased: 1 Cor 13:8-13	Truth	Gifts ceased before the second coming, specifically around 100 AD
	False view	Gifts will cease at the second coming.

1. Overview of understanding Tongues ceased upon completion of canon: 1 Cor 13:8-13:
“Proponents of the canon view argue that the gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:8, prophecy, tongues, and knowledge, all entail direct revelation from God. The three gifts in 13:8 are said to be “in part” or partial in the sense that each gives only a portion of the revelation God has intended for the church. Accordingly, that which is described as “the perfect” in 13:10 refers to the counterpart of the piecemeal revelation these gifts provide. In other words, “the perfect” refers to the full or complete body of revelation God intended for the church and preserved in the New Testament canon. As such, with the completion of the New Testament at the end of the apostolic era, and, thus, with “the perfect” having come, these gifts ceased.” (Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal, Bruce Compton, 1 Corinthians 13:8–13 and the Cessation of Miraculous Gifts, Vol 9, p99, 2004 AD)

2. Paul’s Sermon: "Partial Vs Complete Knowledge"

Paul’s sermon: Partial Vs Complete Knowledge in 1 Cor 13:8-13
Now = part knowledge	Then = perfect knowledge	Result
Paul’s Sermon Introduction: States the main point plainly in V9-10 by a contrast between partial and complete KNOWLEDGE
v9 Know & prophecy in part	v10 the perfect comes	v8-10 gifts done away
Paul’s Sermon Illustration #1: child/man v11 (see 1 Cor 14:20 gifts referred to as childish)
v11 as a child	v11 became a man	v11 childish things done away
Paul’s Sermon Illustration #2: mirror darkly/face to face V12 (polished brass mirror)
v12 mirror dimly	v12 face to face (mirror clearly)	v13 faith, hope & love remain after gifts have ceased
v12 Know in part	v12 know fully
Paul’s Sermon Conclusion: Restates main point again plainly with a contrast once again between partial and complete KNOWLEDGE: v13

3. Definition of perfect (teleios) in 1 Cor 13:8-13: “completed process”

Gifts cease before the second coming (Truth)	Gifts cease at the second coming (False views)
The "perfect comes" refers to: 1. The “perfect knowledge", the completion of the God's revelation (canon) 2. The corporate maturity of the church brought about by the completion of God's revelation (canon)	The "perfect comes" DOESN’T refer to: 1. The perfect "Jesus Christ" when he comes again. 2. The "corporate maturity" of church at 2^nd coming. 3. The "individual perfection" of the believer at death. 4. The "eschatological perfection" brought about by the second coming of Christ and the eternal state of heaven.

4. Three-stage progression proves that tongues will cease before the second coming:

a. AD 54 to AD 100: Tongues cease before faith hope and love: “Tongues will cease” 1 Cor 13:8

b. AD 54 to second coming: Faith and Hope outlive tongues then cease at second coming: “Faith & hope abide” 1 Cor 13:13 till second coming Heb 11:1; Rom 8:24

c. AD 54 to Eternity: Love outlives Faith, hope, and tongues: “Love never fails” 1 Cor 13:8, the greatest of these is love because it never ceases!

5. Supernatural gifts were abolished in AD 100

a. Supernatural tongues (human languages)

b. Supernatural prophecy

c. Supernatural Knowledge (1 Cor 12:8) One of the most common and superficial objections made by modern tongue speakers, is that knowledge did not cease when the Bible was completed. This naive and illogical objection is refuted when it is pointed out that “knowledge” was one of the nine listed spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit in 1 Cor 12:8.

II. Only two Purposes of the 9 gifts: 1 Cor 12:4-10

Both purposes were to aid the infant church in coming to maturity. Spiritual gifts were like a temporary scaffolding holding up an unfinished building. Once the building was complete, the scaffolding is not needed. Today we have the Bible as a guide in everything pertaining to life and godliness as an all-sufficient guide! We don’t need spiritual gifts today because we have the Bible.

1. Purpose #1: 4 Confirming gifts: Confirms the word of the prophet is from God. Heb 2:3-4; Mk 16:20; Acts 14:3; 2 Cor 12:12; Jn 20:30-31; Examples: Acts 13:8-12; 1 Ki 17:21-24.

Pentecostals today do the very opposite to what occurred in 1^st century
First Century apostles	Miracles confirmed the Word: They would simply perform miracles and then people believed what ever they taught!
Pentecostals today	The Word confirms miracles: Pentecostals don't perform miracles today, they only claim to be able to do it! They quote the Bible to prove they can perform miracles! How absurd! The Apostles didn't go around quoting bible passages to prove they had the power of God! They just demonstrated it!

a. Gifts of healing: purpose was to confirm the word of the performer. Not to lessen human suffering: 2 Ti 4:20; 1 Ti 5:23; Phil 2:25-27; James 5:14-16

b. Miracles: purpose was to confirm the word of the performer.

c. Tongues: purpose was to confirm the word of the performer and a sign to unbelievers.

d. Interpretation of tongues: purpose was to confirm the word and a sign to unbelievers.

2. Purpose #2: 5 Teaching gifts: Equip infant church before bible was completed: 1 Cor 12:7; 14:3,12,26

a. Word of knowledge: purpose was to teach/edify. Raw information.

b. Word of wisdom: purpose was to teach/edify. Wisdom arranges knowledge.

c. Faith: purpose was to teach/edify. Childlike trust in God.

d. Prophecy: purpose was to teach/edify and sign to believers.

e. Distinguishing of spirits: purpose was to teach/edify. (see 1 John 4:1-3)

III. Supernatural beginning, natural perpetuation & maintenance is Bible pattern:

	Miracles needed (Began with miracle)	Miracles ceased (Perpetuated non-miraculously)
Universe	Created by supernatural power.	Perpetuated by laws of science after God rested.
Life on Earth	Created by a special act of God.	Perpetuated by natural reproduction.
Tabernacle	Men were spirit-filled and endowed with supernatural skills & knowledge to build tabernacle: Ex 35:30-35	After Mt. Sinai, the Tabernacle was maintained without the need or aid of miraculous powers, skills, or wisdom.
The Bible	Written by direct inspiration.	Revelation completed. Word copied, transmitted, and distributed by natural means, unaided by miracles.
The Church	Began by miracle on Pentecost.	New local churches are established using the Bible without the need of supernatural gifts.

IV. Modern tongues is music not language:

Watch video of fake tongues speaking:                                                       

V. Spiritual gifts are not needed because we have the Bible:

1. Apostles and prophets have been led into all truth: Jn 16:12,13

Spiritual Gifts	The Bible
Whereas the miraculous gifts were to fail, cease, and vanish away (1 Cor. 13:8)	God's Word will not pass away (Matt. 24:35).
They were for a time of partial knowledge (1 Cor. 13:9)	but by the Word we have complete knowledge (2 Tim. 3:6-17; 2 Pet. 1:3).
They pertained to a time of childish speaking and thinking which were to be put away (1 Cor. 13:11)	whereas the Word of God provides maturity (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 5: 12-6:5).
The gifts were for a time when Christians saw darkly and knew in part (1 Cor. 13: 12)	but by the Word we may see clearly and know fully (Eph. 3:3-5; Rom. 16:25 26; Heb. 4: 12).
Miraculous sgifts were not to abide (1 Cor. 13: 13)	but the Word of God abides forever (1 Pet. 1:23).

2. Scriptures are all-sufficient: 2 Ti 3:16,17; 2 Pe 1:3, Jude 3

The Word of God
33 - 36 AD (no books written: James AD 36)	36 - 102 AD (27 books being written)	102 AD – today (last book: 3^rd John)
All Oral- in men	Both Oral and written	All written - in the book
Spiritual gifts needed		Gifts not needed: gifts ceased
New revelations: Eph 3:3-5		No new revelations: Jude 3
Miracles needed to confirm new revelations: Mk 16:15-20		No miracles needed because the gospel is confirmed: Heb 2:1-4
Church Immature		Church mature: 1 Cor 13:11

VI. No Apostles today: Impossible to possess gifts: Acts 8:14-18; Acts 19:2-6; Rom 1:11; 2 Tim 1:6

1. Only two exceptions and where gifts were bestowed without hands:

a. The Holy Spirit fell miraculously on Pentecost AD 33 upon the 12 Jewish apostles (Acts 2:1-4) and upon the first Gentile converts (Acts 10)

b. Cornelius' household received the Holy Spirit directly because God deliberately made an exception to the rule to prove to Peter that the Gentiles could be saved.

c. In Acts 10:44 Peter was amazed that the Holy Spirit fell directly upon the Gentiles, when all others spoke in tongues after having an apostle lay their hands upon them.

d. This direct falling of the Holy Spirit was to show the Jews that God himself approved of Gentile converts: Acts 10:34; 11:15-18.

2. Let any man who claims to be an apostle today verify they have the same credentials as an apostle:

a. Apostles were formal eyewitnesses of the resurrected Christ. Twelve: Acts 1:21-26; Paul: Acts 26:15-18. Paul was last person Jesus showed himself to: 1 Cor 15:5-8

b. Learned gospel directly from Christ not from men or the Bible: The twelve: Acts 1:21-26; Paul: Gal 1:1,11,12; Acts 26:16.

c. Timothy had spiritual gifts but learned Gospel from Paul: 2 Tim 1:6 + 2:2

d. Christ chose Apostles to be pre-eminent above all others: 2 Cor 5:5; 1 Cor 12:28

3. No apostles since the first century, therefore transmission of spiritual gifts ceased when the last apostle died! John died around AD 104 and early Christians noted gifts had ceased around AD 100 (see below).

VII. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit = Gift of the Holy Spirit:

Miraculous = Promise of Father = Baptism of Holy Spirit = Gift of Holy Spirit John 14:26; Lk 24:29; Acts 1:4-5; 2:33,38-39; 10:47
	Baptism of Holy Spirit	Gift of the Holy Spirit
Promised to all
Guided into all truth
Brought to remembrance
Fell directly

VIII. Many Bible passages condemn Modern Pentecostalism

Charismatics walk around claiming to be prophets of God when God never spoke to them. Even while Paul lived, men were falsely claiming to perform miracles and be apostles!  Modern Pentecostals fit this description perfectly. Members of “Spirit Filled/Full Gospel” churches appear to be genuine Christians but are very deluded. “Spirit Filled/Full Gospel” church leaders appear to be from God but they lie. “Spirit Filled/Full Gospel” churches claim inspiration from God just like Paul but are unable to prove it through a miracle. There have been no apostles since the first century, yet many falsely claim to be apostles today!

1. Jesus prophesied and condemned modern Pentecostalism in Mt 7:21-24:

a. The Bible prophesied the rise of modern Pentecostalism. These people are believers in the divine Lord Jesus Christ and trust in his blood for salvation, but are condemned in Judgement. Jesus foresees modern Pentecostals and Charismatics. These believers were SHOCKED that they were lost! They considered themselves the spiritual elite! They thought they cast out demons and performed miracles. This applies PERFECTLY to all Charismatics today! Notice that Jesus NEVER knew them. Not that they were saved and lost, but that they were NEVER SAVED!

2. Paul warned of modern Pentecostalism: 2 Thess 2:9-12: Col 2:18; 2 Cor 11:13,14

a. Ultimately, Satan is the God of modern Pentecostalism. Who else claims to be true Bible believers in Jesus AND have apostolic signs and wonders! Pentecostals base their faith on feelings, not the Bible. They bow to the idol of their feelings and spurn God's word of truth! God will allow them to continue to believe they are saved, when in fact they are condemned. If you are one of the few Pentecostals who read this outline, OPEN YOUR EYES BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!

3. Prophetic warnings of modern Pentecostalism: Deut 18:20; Jer 14:14-16; 23:21-32; Ezek 13:6; 22:28

IX. Witness of History: Gifts ceased around AD 104 when Apostle John died!

1. AD 172: Montanus claimed the same supernatural gifts that the apostles possessed, yet he was universally condemned by the church of his day as a heretic. The first two FAKE tongue speakers were women who treacherously divorced their husbands to pursue a career in the ministry in absolute rebellion to God. Feminist women pastors who claim to speak in tongues in Pentecostal churches rebel against God in the same way who don’t have the “remnant of the spirit” (Mal 2:15-16; 1 Tim 2:11-12).

a. “Montanus, a Phrygian Christian, began to prophesy in the small village of Ardabav in Phrgyian Mysia about A.D. 172. Two women, Priscilla and Maximilla, who also prophesied, became his devoted followers and were influential in the dissemination of his teachings.” (ABD, Montanism)

b. AD 325: Eusebius quotes Apollonius who wrote about Montanus in AD 210: “When the so-called Phrygian heresy was still flourishing in Phrygia, Apollonius undertook its refutation and composed a special work against them, proving word for word that their prophecies which were in circulation were false, and reproving the character of the life of the leaders of the heresy. Listen to him as he says the following, in these very words, about Montanus: ‘But who this recent teacher is, is revealed by his works and his teaching. He taught the dissolution of marriages … Now we show that these first prophetesses themselves, from the moment they were filled with the spirit, deserted their husbands. How, then, they did lie when they called Priscilla a virgin. … If they deny that their prophets have spiritual gifts, let them confess this, that, if they are convicted of having accepted them, they are not prophets, and we will present countless proofs of this.’ … Montanus attempted his fictitious prophecy. … Maximilla pretended to prophecy in Pepuza.” (Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 5.18, 325 AD)

2. AD 400: Tongues have ceased: “In the earliest times, the Holy Spirit fell upon them that believed: and they spoke with tongues, which they had not learned, as the Spirit gave them utterance. These tongues were signs adapted to the time to show that the Gospel of God was to spread to all nations over the whole earth, but it has now passed away. In the laying on of hands now, these have not received the Holy Spirit; for, had they received, they would speak with tongues as was the case in earlier times? The presence of the Holy Ghost be not now given through these miracles.” (Augustine, Homilies on First John, Homily 6, 6.10, 400 AD)

3. AD 400: Tongues have ceased: “Confusion about spiritual gifts is produced by our ignorance of the facts and by their cessation, as they once used to occur but now no longer take place. And why do tongues not happen now? Why did spiritual gifts happen in the past, and not in the present? Because it was not possible to easily to distinguish between the true prophesier from the fake pretender and men were easily deceived, God gives them a sign which even before the event served to indicate the true prophet from the devil’s servant.”(Chrysostom of Antioch, Homilies on 1 Corinthians, Homily 29, 12:1-2, 400 AD)

4. AD 1758: Ann Lee founds the Shakers: “Mother” Ann Lee claimed to speak in tongues while teaching that she was a female messiah who possessed the perfections of God in female form as the "second coming" of Christ.

5. AD 1906: Birth of Modern Pentecostalism and Neo-Montanism:

a. Feminist women pastors today who claim to speak in tongues are in rebellion against God in the same way as Priscilla and Maximilla (1 Tim 2:11-12).

b. Agnes Ozman was one of the first women in modern history to claim to speak in tongues in almost 2000 years. The founding of the Azusa Street Mission in AD 1906 began with a black African preacher named William J. Seymour. All modern tongue speakers trace their pedigree back to Agnes Ozman and William J. Seymour.

6. Present: Eastern occult religions like Kundalini Yoga, Sathya Sai, Subud, Qigong claim to speak in tongues, perform miracles and conduct worship services almost identical to what you see in many Pentecostal and Charismatic churches today. These pagan eastern religions practice seductive, repetitive music to induce trances for tongue speaking and even slay in the spirit exactly like Pentecostal faith healers. To an observer, there is no difference between the occult and Christian churches because neither of them are true.

X. Conclusion: A Challenge to all tongue speaking Pentecostals and Charismatics:

1. Tongues in the first century were always a human language, never musical gibberish.

2. The practice of being “Slain in the Spirit” is unbiblical. Smacking someone on the forehead to cause them to collapse backwards, then do the dead chicken on the floor is also practiced by many occultic eastern religions like Kundalini Yoga, Sathya Sai, Subud, Qigong. In the Bible, enemies of God were thrown FORWARD to the ground as a curse, never BACKWARDS as a blessing. (John 18:6).

3. Claiming to speak in tongues by the Holy Spirit, when in fact tongues ceased in AD 100, is not only self-delusion, but also a serious capital offence: Deut 18:20; Ezek 13:6. Stop deluding yourself. You have never seen a single miracle performed in your “Spirit filled church”. Constant claims of supernatural power by your preacher or members in the audience are mere words. Smacking someone on the head who falls backwards into the waiting hands of a “catcher” is not a miracle because anyone can do it. Speaking in tongues as gibberish (conveniently never a human language but always called a heavenly language so it is always “unconfirmable”) is not a miracle because many occult non-Christian world religions also “speak in tongues [gibberish]” in the same way.

4. Enemies of the Apostles could not deny genuine miracles (Acts 4:16). Today, however, nothing miraculous ever happens in “Holy Spirit filled churches”. Tongues in the Bible was always a known language. Tongues today is gibberish masquerading as language. Tongues today is music not language. Being smacked on the head by a preacher, falling backwards into the arms of a waiting “catcher”, then doing the recently dead chicken on the ground by twitching and contorting is not a miracle. Pentecostals and Charismatics behave in church the way which normal church goers discipline their misbehaving children for in the worship assembly.

5. Pentecostals and Charismatics who claim to attend a miraculously “Spirit filled church”. “Show me”: Apostle Paul told fakes and frauds who claim supernatural power to “show me the power not the words”. Today’s Charismatics and Pentecostals are fakes and frauds who need to stop merely claiming power but proving it just like Paul said. Until then SHUT UP, for you are under direct condemnation of God for claiming to be “Spirit filled” or a prophet when you are not (Deut 18:20; Ezek 13:6). Paul warned Charismatics and Pentecostals today to STOP BEING ARROGANT with their bold words and claims but can never perform a single miracle:

a. "Now some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant but their power." (1 Cor 4:18–19)

b. "I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God." (1 Corinthians 2:3–5)

Watch video of fake tongues speaking:

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