by Timothy W. Burnett
A study of Acts will show that thousands of saints were speaking in tongues in there personal prayer lives often. Paul told the church in Corinth, "I thank my God that I speak in tongues more than you all" (1Corinthians 14:18). They were being encouraged to speak in tongues often. It is evident that speaking in tongues was not uncommon among Christians during the time of the early church.
Many Christian leaders teach that the church, as known in the early church period, seized to exist some time after Rome destroyed the Jewish temple. Others refer to other events as evidence of change in spiritual conditions as justification for their belief that speaking in tongues seized to be available.
To understand whether speaking in tongues is still available it helps to understand the spiritual administrations established by God in heaven, and what was made available during each time period.
The events recorded in Acts 2:1-4 describe the beginning of two parallel administrations, the age of the grace of God and the notable day of the Lord (Ephesians 3:2 & Acts 2:20). 1Corinthians 12:7-10 describe nine different ways that Christians can manifest the gift of the spirit from God. Seven of them are associated with the administration of the notable day of the Lord, and are word of knowledge, word of wisdom, gifts of healing, discerning of spirits, working of miracles, prophecy and interpretation of tongues.
Two of the nine will be available only during the age of the grace of God, and they are faith and speaking in tongues. The age of the grace of God will end after Christ returns for the born-again believers (or the rapture). The reference to faith involves walking with the faith or believing of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is still a topic of study for me, so I am not ready to fully conclude that it will end at the rapture because it is mentioned in Revelations 14:12.
Speaking in tongues is not shown to be available during the Revelations period of time, which will start after the rapture.
The basic question that must be answered is "has Jesus Christ returned for the rapture yet?"
When we honestly ask this question, we can not ignore the issue of salvation. Most churches still teach about salvation. They do so rightly because it is still available to be saved from the great tribulation period recorded in Revelations.
If Christians freely proclaim and teach about salvation, then why do they reject the availability of speaking in tongues? It is largely due to a lack of understanding and fear. God gave His word so that people might know the truth.
We may not understand what it means to speak in tongues, but we can still recognize that it is still available for Christians to freely speak in tongues just as they did during the early church period of time.
Let's not be afraid of the truth. As Paul said to the Corinthian believers, "I would that you all speak in tongues" (1Corinthians 14:5). Just as salvation is still available, so also is speaking in tongues still available. Praise God for His perfect and powerful word!
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