By, Timothy W. Burnett
This was very dynamic information. According to verse 14, Jesus had just strongly reproved his disciples because they did not believe the report that he was raised from the dead. He then built them up by commanding them to go out and preach the gospel to everybody. The gospel was that God raised him from the dead, and that all who believe this will become God's righteous saints. He didn't stop there. They learned about the many signs that would be available for them that believe. One of the signs was that they would be able to speak in tongues. Please note that in verse 17 he did not say, "And these signs shall follow certain special people that believe. Truth is, anybody who believes with the heart that God raised Jesus from the dead shall absolutely be made righteous, which is to be filled with holy spirit (Romans 10:9-10). Anybody who is filled with holy spirit will be able to benefit from the manifestation of holy spirit in all nine ways referred to in 1Corinthians 12:7-10. This includes the ability to speak in tongues.
During the time of Mark 16, it was not available for anybody to speak in tongues. This was because Jesus had not yet ascended in heaven to sit at the right hand of God's authority. But by inspiration from God, he taught them about speaking in tongues. Jesus Christ always did the will of his Father, and he did His will when he prepared his disciples for the appointed time that they were to speak in tongues.
That day came as recorded in Acts 2:1-4, and they did God's will. After they were filled with holy spirit, God gave them a vision of cloven tongues on fire resting downward over each of them. And they spoke with new tongues as God gave the words. What a great and glorious day that must have been. By speaking in tongues, they were the first people to bare witness that Jesus Christ was alive and in heaven.
The first 12 apostles did God's will and went out preaching the truth to all who would hear them. Everywhere they went, they taught the truth and guided many others into speaking in tongues. According to Acts 2:41 & 47, on that same day nearly 3000 souls were baptized with holy spirit "and the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
God's word does not change. What was available then, must absolutely be available now. Praise God for His faithfulness!
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