When discussing spiritual gifts, it is essential to differentiate between Permanent Gifts and Temporary Gifts, as each serves a distinct purpose within the context of personal and communal spiritual development.

Permanent Gifts are believed to be enduring abilities or attributes bestowed upon individuals, often seen as integral to their identity within a faith community. Examples include gifts such as wisdom, knowledge, faith, and discernment. These gifts are often thought to remain with an individual throughout their life, playing a critical role in guiding their actions and decisions as well as fostering deeper connections with others.

In contrast, Temporary Gifts are typically viewed as abilities granted for a specific period or situation. These may include gifts like healing, prophecy, or speaking in tongues. Temporary gifts are often exercised to meet immediate needs within the community, such as providing comfort during times of crisis or delivering messages of encouragement and insight. Unlike permanent gifts, these may not be consistently present or utilised by an individual over time.

Understanding the distinction between these two categories of spiritual gifts allows individuals and communities to better navigate their spiritual journeys, appreciate the diverse roles people play, and recognise how these gifts can contribute to the overall growth and health of a faith community.

Permanent Gifts

Permanent Gifts are invaluable assets that contribute to the Church’s growth and development, and they can be thoughtfully classified into two main categories.

1. Speaking Gifts:  

   – Wisdom: This gift encompasses the ability to integrate knowledge with intuitive insight, enabling individuals to discern God’s will in complex situations. Those who possess this gift often provide guidance during critical decision-making moments, helping others navigate moral dilemmas or life challenges with a sense of clarity and understanding rooted in faith.

   – Knowledge: This gift represents a profound grasp of scriptural truths and theological principles. Those endowed with the gift of knowledge have the ability to unravel biblical mysteries and communicate the truths of faith eloquently, making them accessible to others. Their insights often encourage a deeper understanding of God’s nature, His covenant with humanity, and the character of Christ.

   – Teaching: This gift is characterised by the ability to effectively communicate and interpret Scripture in a way that is relatable and transformative. Teachers use clear language, illustrative examples, and practical applications to convey God’s Word, enabling their audience to internalise and practice biblical teachings in their daily lives. Their role is not only to inform but also to inspire a love for Scripture and a desire for lifelong learning.

   – Exhortation: This skill involves the art of motivating and uplifting individuals within the faith community. Those who have this gift possess a sensitive understanding of others’ struggles and a compassionate heart that fosters encouragement. They provide comfort and guidance, helping fellow believers strengthen their spiritual resolve and continue on their faith journey in the face of adversity. Their support often creates a nurturing environment that fosters spiritual growth and resilience.

   – Prophecy (Declarative): This involves the courageous proclamation of God’s truth to the community and beyond, serving as a conduit for divine messages. Those with the gift of prophecy have a unique ability to convey God’s revelations with clarity and authority, inspiring others to respond to God’s call. This role includes challenging the community to align their lives with biblical standards, offering direction during uncertain times, and encouraging repentance and faithfulness.

These speaking gifts primarily pertain to roles such as pastors, teachers, and elders within the church. Their primary purpose is to edify the saints—building them up in faith, wisdom, and love—so that the body of Christ may be equipped to fulfill their mission in the world and grow as a unified reflection of Christ’s love and truth.

2. Serving Gifts:

   – Faith: This gift embodies a profound, unwavering trust in God, fostering an unshakeable confidence that not only reassures individuals in their personal trials but also empowers the Church’s mission to reach out and serve communities. It acts as a catalyst for collective action and belief in God’s promises.

   – Helps: This gift represents a remarkable ability to offer practical assistance and support to others, often working selflessly behind the scenes. Those endowed with this gift are sensitive to the needs of others and find joy in performing acts of service, thus facilitating the smoother functioning of ministry activities.

   – Ministry: Encompassing a broad range of activities, this gift involves actively serving others by addressing their spiritual and physical needs. It includes organising community outreach programs, providing pastoral care, and engaging in volunteer efforts, all aimed at fostering connections and building a supportive communal environment.

   – Governments: This refers to the spiritual gift of leadership, which empowers an individual to guide, direct, and oversee church activities and initiatives with wisdom and integrity. Effective governance involves making strategic decisions that align with biblical principles and the Church’s mission, ensuring that resources are utilised efficiently for maximum impact.

   – Giving: A spirit of generosity characterises this gift, where individuals feel compelled and joyful to share their resources—be it financial, material, or emotional—with those in need. This act of giving not only reflects God’s abundant provision but also encourages a culture of generosity within the Church community.

   – Ruling: This gift highlights an individual’s capacity for wise oversight and management of church affairs, ensuring that operational and spiritual aspects of the church are in harmony. Those who possess this gift can provide sound judgment in decision-making processes and facilitate effective governance.

   – Mercy: This profound ability enables individuals to empathise deeply with those who are suffering or marginalised. It involves actively reaching out to provide comfort, support, and practical assistance, embodying Christ’s compassion and serving as a model for loving one’s neighbor.

   – Discernment: Those blessed with this gift possess a keen insight that allows them to differentiate between truth and falsehood, especially in spiritual matters. This skill is crucial for making wise decisions and providing spiritual guidance, helping the Church navigate complex issues while remaining grounded in biblical truth.

These gifts are often closely associated with the roles of Deacons and Elders within the Church, emphasising the importance of service and leadership aimed at edifying the saints. Through their collective exercise of these gifts, the Church is strengthened, nurtured, and equipped to fulfill its mission in the world.

Temporary Gift

Temporary Gifts are beautifully tied to the early Church and the foundational era of Christianity as highlighted in Scripture. Let’s explore these remarkable gifts together!

1. Sign Gifts:

   – Exorcism: This gift empowers an individual to confront and cast out demons, drawing on divine authority to combat spiritual evil influences that invade personal and communal lives. It serves as a significant act of liberation for individuals oppressed by darkness, reaffirming the sovereignty of God over evil.

   – Tongues: This miraculous gift enables the speaker to articulate praises or messages from God in languages they have never learned. Often exercised in public worship settings, it facilitates a direct line of communication with the divine, allowing the speaker to express spiritual truths that may transcend human understanding. The practice can often foster a sense of unity and divine presence among congregants.

   – Interpretation of Tongues: This gift complements speaking in tongues by allowing an individual to discern and translate the previously unknown language into a language understandable to the audience. The interpreter serves as a bridge, ensuring that the divine messages conveyed through tongues can edify the church and enhance communal worship.

   – Miracles: Miraculous acts carried out through the Holy Spirit, such as healings, natural wonders, or supernatural occurrences, demonstrate God’s power and serve to authenticate the Gospel message. These signs often inspire faith among observers and foster deeper commitment by revealing God’s active work in the world.

   – Healing: The gift of healing involves the ability to restore physical, emotional, or spiritual health through divine intervention. This may manifest in prayer, the laying on of hands, or through other means. It illustrates God’s compassion and power, offering hope to the sick and affirming the belief that God desires wholeness for His creation.

   – Prophecy (Revelatory): This gift encompasses both the foretelling of future events and the unveiling of divine mysteries. This was particularly significant during the apostolic age, as the early Church relied on such revelations to guide its development and address pressing moral and doctrinal issues during a time of foundational growth when the Scripture was still being revealed.

The gift of prophecy can be understood in two distinct aspects:

• Prophecy (Declarative): This facet involves the act of preaching and declaration of God’s message to the Church. The preacher, inspired by divine revelation, communicates God’s truths in a way that applies the ancient word to contemporary circumstances. The importance of this gift lies in its role in teaching and exhorting believers, as it is backed by divine authority to call others to holiness and truth.
• Prophecy (Revelatory): This facet refers to the foretelling aspect that provided vital insights into forthcoming events, shaping the direction of the early Church and establishing foundational doctrinal truths. It was essential during the apostolic era; however, with the completion of the Biblical canon, the need for direct revelation has diminished, as believers now rely on the written Word for guidance and instruction.

For reference, pertinent Scriptural passages on the gifts of prophecy include Romans 12:6, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 14:1-40, and Ephesians 4:11. These passages collectively highlight the diversity and significance of spiritual gifts within the body of Christ, illustrating how each gift plays an essential role in the Church’s growth, health, and function, contributing to the overall mission of advancing the Kingdom of God.

Tongue and Tongues

In 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul addresses the misuse of the gift of tongues among the Corinthian believers. He clarifies that the gift of tongues was intended as a sign to unbelievers, particularly to those of the Jewish faith (1 Corinthians 14:21). This sign, however, was specific to the apostolic age and is understood to have ceased after this era, suggesting that it was a temporary gift meant to validate the early Church’s message.

It is important to note that the pursuit of Christlikeness, according to Scripture, does not necessitate speaking in tongues, as Christ Himself never engaged in this practice. In 1 Corinthians 14:2, the term “unknown” does not appear in the original Greek text. This omission has led many Pentecostals and Charismatics to mistakenly interpret this as a reference to a “heavenly language.” The translators used the term “unknown” to differentiate between the singular “tongue” and the plural “tongues” for clarity. In Paul’s writing, the plural form refers to the legitimate gift of tongues, while the singular form denotes a non-legitimate gift.

The passage reads:  

“For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.”  

(KJV Greek-English Interlinear)

Here is the breakdown of the Greek text:

• Ὁ – “For”
• γὰρ – “for”
• λαλῶν – “he that speaketh”
• γλώσσῃ – “in a tongue”
• οὐκ – “not”
• ἀνθρώποις – “unto men”
• λαλεῖ – “speaketh”
• ἀλλὰ – “but”
• τῷ – “unto God”
• θεῷ· – “God”
• οὐδεὶς – “no man”
• γὰρ – “for”
• ἀκούει – “understandeth”
• πνεύματι – “in the spirit”
• δὲ – “howbeit”
• λαλεῖ – “he speaketh”
• μυστήρια – “mysteries”

Addressing Modern Speaking in Tongues

If you are someone who practices speaking in tongues and finds yourself puzzled as to why this phenomenon persists today, it’s essential to consider the deeper implications. The tongues spoken during the day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2:1–10, were actual earthly languages that were understood by the audience present, specifically the Jews. These occurrences were meant as signs to uplift the faith of non-believers and served a purpose during the apostolic age. The so-called tongues expressed in contemporary churches are often considered “gibberish,” lacking the authenticity of God’s languages and instead reflecting a trend arising from human emotion and deceit, which took root in more recent centuries.

Scriptural evidence indicates that signs and miracles were primarily designed for the benefit of non-believers, rather than for those who already have faith in Christ. It is critical to approach worship with holiness and reverence. The account of Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10 demonstrates this principle. They attempted to worship God using “strange fire,” which was unacceptable to Him, leading to their demise. Their error wasn’t based on motive; rather, it stemmed from their improper method of worship.

Moreover, Leviticus 26 emphasises the need to “reverence my sanctuary,” highlighting the importance of showing the utmost respect to God. This mirrors the decorum we uphold when meeting dignitaries such as a Prime Minister—where one would dress appropriately and choose their words carefully. In contrast, when engaging in acts of worship—particularly through practices like speaking in tongues that may appear disordered—we risk showing disrespect to God, particularly when these practices resemble gibberish rather than reverent communication.

The notion that speaking in tongues continues today is often seen as a man-made psychological phenomenon, driven by the desire of individuals to construct their own religions for personal gain. Emotions frequently dominate the narratives of various cult leaders throughout history. Scripture teaches us that God is not fundamentally emotional; rather, He is grounded in facts and truth. As Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” This underscores the distinction between divine wisdom and human understanding, urging believers to seek a deeper, more authentic relationship with God that transcends mere emotional experiences.

Prophecy Today?

In contemporary times, the concept of divine prophecy has sparked much debate. However, many believe that there are no new prophecies being delivered from God, as the book of Revelation concludes with a powerful warning found in Revelation 22:18-19. It states, “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; and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

This warning not only pertains to the book of Revelation but extends to the entirety of Scripture. When examining the prophecies claimed by various groups today, such as the Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and certain segments of the Prophecy Gospel movement, it becomes apparent that none have consistently demonstrated the divine nature that would validate their claims. These groups often present interpretations and teachings that diverge significantly from traditional Christian doctrine, raising concerns about their authenticity.

Since the completion of the Revelation, it is generally understood within many Christian circles that nothing significant has been added to Scripture. This situation has led some individuals to create their own variations of biblical texts, often labelled as “Scripture,” which refer to the original autographs inspired by God. In contrast, the term “Bible” usually denotes the translations of those original Scriptures into local languages.

It is crucial for believers to approach their faith with sincerity, striving to live guided by God’s inspired word with their whole hearts. Scripture itself reminds us of the profound wisdom and strength of God, saying, “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” Embracing this truth encourages a deeper appreciation for the divine nature of biblical teachings and the importance of adhering to them faithfully.

Question:

Some Christians reference the statement, “Let every fact be established by two or three witnesses.” On what grounds do you declare that speaking in tongues is merely a form of soulish gibberish rather than a genuine manifestation of the Holy Spirit? Additionally, please indicate any Scripture that clearly states that the Holy Spirit ceased to move or manifest within the Church.

Answer:

Let’s explore the Scriptures in depth. The concept of the Godhead as comprising three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is not explicitly stated in a single verse, but emerges through a comprehensive study of various passages and their contextual meanings. Therefore, our understanding of the topic at hand must remain anchored in Scripture, while allowing historical context, archaeology, and other forms of evidence to support our findings.

When discussing the cessation of tongues, we turn to 1 Corinthians 13:8, which states, “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” This verse clearly indicates that tongues will eventually cease.

Further examination reveals that the Greek word translated as “fails” here implies “to decay” or “to be abolished.” Specifically, the term for “will cease” signifies a permanent cessation, suggesting that once tongues have indeed ceased, they will not be revived. Continuing to 1 Corinthians 13:9-10, we learn that prophecies and knowledge will fade when the “perfect” comes—interpreted as the eternal state—thereby placing tongues in a unique category regarding their cessation.

Moreover, in 2 Corinthians 11:4, Paul warns, “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” This passage cautions against false teachings and emphasises the importance of discernment regarding spiritual manifestations.

In 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, it further states, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” This underscores the reality that not every spiritual experience is genuine and highlights the necessity for believers to seek truth in Scripture.

Understanding these texts requires familiarity with the original Greek and Hebrew languages, as translations may not always convey the full nuance intended by the original authors. Thus, a thorough examination of the original languages can provide deeper insight into these significant theological discussions.

Tongues ceased.

The last recorded miracles in the New Testament occurred around A.D. 58, highlighted by the healings performed on the island of Malta as described in Acts 28:7–10. Between A.D. 58 and 96, the period during which John completed the Book of Revelation, there are no documented miracles recorded in Scripture. While miracle gifts such as tongues and healing are explicitly mentioned in 1 Corinthians—an epistle believed to have been written early in Paul’s ministry—subsequent epistles like Ephesians and Romans delve into the gifts of the Spirit in detail yet fail to reference these miraculous gifts. By this time, miracles were increasingly viewed as relics of the past, as supported by Hebrews 2:3–4, which underscores the significance of apostolic authority and the apostolic message, affirming that further confirmation was no longer necessary.

With the conclusion of the apostolic age following the death of the Apostle John, the signs that had previously identified the apostles—including miraculous gifts—became subjects of contention, as noted in 2 Corinthians 12:12. The gift of tongues specifically served as a sign to unbelieving Israel, as indicated in 1 Corinthians 14:21–22 and Acts 28:11–12. It symbolised God’s new work—a message reaching beyond Israel to encompass all Gentiles, indicating that God would communicate with all nations in diverse languages. Ultimately, the gift of languages represented not only a divine judgment upon a disobedient nation but also the blessing extended to the entire world.

Tongues were thus a transitional sign between the Old and New Covenants. With the establishment of the Church, the necessity for such a sign diminished as God began interacting with humanity in all languages. Once the transition period concluded, the gift became obsolete. Furthermore, Paul suggests that the gift of tongues was comparatively inferior to other spiritual gifts. It was primarily bestowed as a sign (1 Corinthians 14:22) and could easily be misused for self-edification (1 Corinthians 14:4). The Church’s gatherings are intended for collective edification rather than individual self-gratification; therefore, the limited usefulness of tongues illustrates that they were never intended to be a permanent fixture within the Church.

In fact, Paul wrote at least twelve additional epistles after 1 Corinthians without mentioning tongues again. Notably, Peter, James, John, and Jude also failed to reference tongues; it appears only briefly in the accounts of Acts and 1 Corinthians during the initial spread of the gospel. As the Church became established, the use of tongues faded away. The later books of the New Testament do not mention the gift again, nor is there any evidence of its practice in the post-apostolic age.

In conclusion, from the end of the apostolic era until the dawn of the twentieth century, there were no genuine occurrences of the New Testament gift of tongues. They had ceased, as anticipated by the Holy Spirit, as declared in 1 Corinthians 13:8. Therefore, the gift of tongues is not applicable in today’s context.

• John Macarthur, Grace Ministry,
• David Cloud, Way of life Literature,
• Thesis “Systematic Theology, Charles Ryrie,
• KJV 1611, Greek Interlinear translation,
• Charismatic Chaos (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992).
• By Greek translator John Phillips and his commentaries.