First Corinthians 13:8 says Whether there be tongues, they shall cease (KJV). Wouldnt this indicate the baptism in the Holy Spirit was only for those first followers 2,000 years ago? In order to understand this statement we need to examine its context. Paul said that prophecies will cease, tongues will be stilled, knowledge will pass away, and perfection will come (verses 8-10). Paul was speaking of a time yet future both to his original readers and to us. When the kingdom of our Lord is ushered in, perfection will come and there will be no further need of Spirit-given knowledge, prophecy, and tongues. They will disappear because they will be no longer needed. But these operations of the Spirit are still needed today. There is no indication in Scripture that tongues would cease at the end of the first century. Tongues are to be a part of the life of the church in every generation until Christ returns to set up His perfect kingdom. Pauls perception was that spiritual gifts would be operational until that day (1 Corinthians 1:7, 8). (source: ag.org)
Posted on: Fri, 02 May 2014 11:00:01 +0000
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