An Apostolic Gift, Hijacked - Acts 2: 1-3

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.  Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.- Acts 2:1-4

    I recently had a “discussion” with Pentecostal acquaintance. Yes, it was the same one I always have when discussing the gift of tongues. As a Cessationist, I firmly believe that tongues, while possible, is not probable in modern society. I agree with most learned expositors that tongues was a gift of the Apostolic Church in the church’s early days. The gift was meant to convince unbelievers of the veracity of the Apostles claims, much the same as was the gift of healing. That being said, my acquaintance wanted to know why I was so certain tongues had ceased. I lead him to the first 4 verses of Acts 2, then asked - “Where does it say the occupants of the upper room “called upon” the Holy Spirit and requested the gift of tongues?”
    Acts does not even “suggest” such a scenario. It is clear from Scripture that the event took place suddenly and without any previous warning. The Holy Spirit came upon those in the upper room at His time, not upon a summoning or invocation. And at no time before the spiritual event took place did any of the occupants discuss the concept of speaking in tongues: it just happened! And to further my point I directed my acquaintance to Acts 2, verses 5 through 11. These verses describe the thoughts of the multitudes who overheard this strange apostolic gift. The multinational crowd  couldn’t understand how they could be hearing the words in their own native languages! This is the lion-killer which relegates the modern-day notion of tongues to the ashcan of history: the words coming from those gifted with tongues were not gibberish; they were words of authentic languages! Greeks heard Greek. Egyptians heard Egyptian. Romans heard Roman.
    As for the argument that 1 Corinthians 13:1 might offer an “angelic answer” to the gift of tongues let us be clear on the context of Paul’s point of the entire chapter: love . . . not tongues.
     To continue to individually treat every other verse regarding the gift of tongues would become redundant. The bible is clear and unambiguous on the subject. Tongues was a gift of the Apostolic Age and thus it ended when the Apostolic Age came to an end. May the Holy Spirit never be hijacked for the purpose of false teaching or doctrine.

Suffering With the Thorn - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.  Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.  And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

    I’d like to apologize first for not having written in some time. I’m currently going through a health crisis. Since early April I have been suffering with Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease. The pain (in my left leg and lower back) has brought me to the point of exhaustion and tears on more than one occasion. While I continue to suffer from this age-related malady I also pray continually for relief. My faith remains in Christ Jesus and the power of the Cross.
    When Paul revealed his buffeting “messenger of Satan,” he was clearly referring to an issue of continuing trauma in his life. Whether it was a physical malady or perhaps a false teacher in the midst of his Corinthian congregation, the suffering with the thorn, while remaining constant and debilitating, kept Paul’s pride in check. Imagine how easy it would be for us who are believers to boast in ourselves being gifted with irresistible grace by our Lord and God! No, pride must be set aside along with the old man if we are to be effective at transmitting the message of the Cross. Christ’s work and the glory of God can only be focused upon when we push it to the front and we remain fragile imperfect humans relegated to the background.
    I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13.  Despite my current suffering I will continue to pray earnestly that it is God’s will that is accomplished . . . not mine. In my weakness I can lean harder on Christ, knowing that as long as I lean on Him I will always be stronger with Him than without Him!