Tongues, Apostles, and Prophets are for today!

By John Chopores

 

 

What about tongues?

By John L. Chopores

 

The Greek word for this kind of tongue, is "glossolaia". It means "the tongue,...a tongue, a language, a gift of language" [BULLINGER PAGE. 812.].

What is the gift of tongues? It is the gift of God, that enables a christian to speak in a language (of men or angels) that that person did not learn!  cf. Ac 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Ac 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. [You will notice, that they did not have time, to learn these languages.].

These are real languages, ones that are really used! Cf. Ac 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. [You will notice, that they are saying good, not bad things about God, with the tongues! cf. 1Co 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. ].

It is the sign of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. cf. Ac 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Ac 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, [Sometimes, God will give more then, one sign. In Acts 19:6, He gave two, tongues and prophety.  cf. Ac 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.].

There are more than one kind of tongues. cf. 1Co 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 

There are tongues of both men and angels! cf.1Co 13:1 ¶ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. [Please note that, we are to do all things, in love!].

It is a kind of prayer. cf. 1 Cor.14:15 ¶ What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. [So, we see here, that "praying with the spirit" is one kind of prayer. We need both kinds of prayer!].

Tongues are to be in the Church, until Christ comes back! cf. 1 cor. 13:8 ¶ 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.

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. [The only "perfect" One or thing, is God Himself!].

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. ["face to face" with who? Christ, that is who.].

For when is all things (after the Fall) made "perfect"? Only after Christ comes back! cf. Rev.21:1 ¶ Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. [Here is the passing away, of the unperfect, that which is only "in part"].

2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband;

3 and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; [Then, we will all speak in one tongue!].

4 he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away."

5 And he who sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true."

Paul himself prayed in tongues. Cf. 1 Cor. 14:18 I thank God, I speak with tongues more than you all:

Should not we do the same?

 

Question: Are Apostles for today?

Answer: Yes!

 

Apostles, are they for today?

Eph. 4: 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

The word "Apostle" in the Greek, means "sent forth. … one sent, messenger, ambassador, envoy, …(from apostellw, to send off or away from.)" [BULLINGER PAGE 58.].

New Apostles could be, called. Cf.Acts 1: 20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.

21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

The ones called here had been with Jesus.

St. Paul was an Apostle, but not of the Twelve. We see that there were Apostles, even after the Twelve, that had been with Jesus! Paul did see Jesus, but after the cross.

There were many Apostles who are not named among the Twelve! Cf. Ro 16:7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

But these could have been of the 70. Cf. 1 ¶ After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

Remember that, there are many prophets talked about in the Bible, but few Apostles!

Are Apostles for today?
Yes!

 

Because,  Eph 4:11-12; says that God gave us Apostles until we “we all come to the unity of the faith” ; but the Church is not in perfect unity at this time! So, we still need Apostles in the Church.

Cf. Eph.4:11  And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

12  for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

13  till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

 

Question: Are Apostles, all-powerful, in the Church?

Answer: No!

 

Ac 15:6 ¶ And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

You will notice that, it was the apostles and elders, not just the apostles. Apostles, were/are not all-powerful, in the Church! see also Ac 15:22 ¶ Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:  "with the whole church! It would seem that, the whole church, had a say!

Acts 6:1 ¶ And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Who did the choosing? Why the people! The ones picked, were from the people.

 

Question: Can a real Apostle, marry?

Answer: Yes!

Apostles can marry! Cf. 1Co 9:5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

 

Question: Are Prophets for today?

Answer: Yes!

 

The ministry of prophet is for today!

Cf. 1 Corinthians 14:37 37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. You will notice, that Paul does not say, that a person, cannot be a prophet. But, only, that he needs to recognize what Paul is writing!

Even, during, the last seven years, of this age, there are prophets! Cf. Revelation 11:3 &10 3 And I will grant my two witnesses authority to prophesy for one thousand two hundred sixty days, wearing sackcloth."10 and the inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and celebrate and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to the inhabitants of the earth. [NRS] Revelation 22:9 9 but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your comrades the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!"