Listen to this articleMany of us act as if the church of Jesus died when the apostles died. We forget that Paul, Peter, John and the other Apostles founded functioning congregations that they left in operation. They had set overseers, prophets, pastors and bishops who carried the work of Christ forward, many of them under great persecution from the Roman empire. The church maintained its tradition of writing letters to one another, and as we read these letters we can see the journey of the church from the time John died up to now. In this journey we can see what happened to the gift of tongues, when it ceased and how? If indeed it ceased.Let me start with Words from Jesus.
Matthew 16:18 (ESV)
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
The Church that Jesus Christ has, and is still building has never and will never be overcome by Satan. In as much as we receive the scriptures and are taught the will of God, it is also good to see how Jesus has moved with his church.
THE FIRST CENTURY- TIME OF THE APOSTLES.
AD 33 PENTECOST
The first time that we hear of the gift of tongues in operation was in around AD 33. We all know this so I won’t waste time.
AD 41 GENTILES
Acts 10:45-46 (ESV)
45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.
46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God.
AD 54 DECIPLES OF JOHN
Acts 19:6 (ESV)
And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
AD 57 CORINTH
1 Corinthians 14:26 (ESV)
What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
Paul died around 64 AD, but before he died, he gathered together the elders whom he had set in the churches. He exhorts them to continue teaching, “the whole counsel of God” as he had, and not withhold anything that is of benefit to the people.
Acts 20:18, 20, 26-28 (ESV)
Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.
18 And when they came to him, he said to them: You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia,
20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,
26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
Paul was in Ephesus, when he gave that last speech as a free man. Ephesus is also the place where John went to live with Mary. And he died there in 110 AD. He left a functioning church there.
Revelation 1:10-11 (WEB)
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet
11 saying, What you see, write in a book and send to the seven assemblies: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.
It is these very people who kept the letter of John safe, it is they who kept the writings of the apostles during persecution, so we could have what we call the bible now.
What do they tell us concerning tongues in their time. After John died at Ephesus he left his disciple called Polycarp as Bishop there. Polycarp was later killed by the Romans because of his testimony of Jesus Christ. Polycarp had in turn mentored a young disciple called Iraneus and so we can follow the journey of the church through the letters which they wrote to each other. Letters which we still have in records today.
TONGUES AFTER THE APOSTLES
150 AD JUSTIN MATYR
Justin was only 10 years old when John died. He himself was later beheaded by the Romans in 165 AD after refusing to sacrifice to the Roman gods. He was known for his many writings in defense of christianity. He wrote this testimony in 150 AD. That all the gifts of the Spirit including prophecy were still there in his time.
“For the prophetical gifts remain with us, even to this present time.” Dialogue with Trypho, Chapter 82
“And, Now, it is possible to see amongst us women and men who possess gifts of the Spirit of God” Dialogue with Trypho, Chapter 88.
130- 202 AD IRANEUS – FRANCE
Iraneus was a disciple of Polycarp who was a disciple of John. Iraneus was set as bishop of a place now known as Lyon in France. Almost 100 years after the death of the last apostles, he testifies that the gift of tongues was still in operation.
Irenaeus writes:
“We speak wisdom among them that are perfect, terming those
persons perfect who have received the Spirit of God, and who through the Spirit of God do speak in all languages, as he used Himself also to speak.
In like manner we do also hear many brethren in the Church, who possess prophetic gifts, and who through the Spirit speak all kinds of languages, and bring to light for the general benefit the hidden things of men, and declare the mysteries of God,” Irenaeus Against Heresies, Book V. Chapter 6. section 1.
Iranaeus was commenting on 1 Corinthians 2:6 and showing that in his time there were MANY in the church with prophetic gifts, and who were speaking in TONGUES. And he shows what Paul meant when he said
1 Corinthians 2:6-7 (WEB)
6 We speak wisdom, however, among those who are full grown, yet a wisdom not of this world nor of the rulers of this world who are coming to nothing.
7 But we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom that has been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds for our glory,
Iraneus also shows us how the gifts of the Spirit were operating in his time…
“Wherefore, also, those who are in truth His disciples, receiving grace from Him, do in His name perform [miracles], so as to promote the welfare of other men, according to the gift which each one has received from Him.
For some do certainly and truly drive out devils, so that those who have thus been cleansed from evil spirits frequently both believe [in Christ] and join themselves to the Church. Others have foreknowledge of things to come: they see visions, and utter prophetic expressions. Others still, heal the sick by laying their hands upon them, and they are made whole.
Yea, moreover, as I have said, the dead even have been raised up, and remained among us for many years. And what shall I more say? It is not possible to name the number of gifts which the Church [scattered] throughout the whole world, has received from God, in the name of Jesus Christ.”
Irenaeus Against Heresies, Book II, Chapter 32, section 4.
Remember at this time there were no denominations; we just had the Church that the apostles had left in operation. 100 years down the line, demons were still being cast out, people were prophesying, tongues being spoken, foretelling future events, raising the dead, seeing visions, etc.
3rd CENTURY
By the third century you can begin to see the elements of what we now call Catholicism rising, however, all the gifts of the Spirit were still recognized as operational.
258 AD NOVATIAN
Novatian was a bishop in Rome, who later became controversial. However he writes this.
” This is He who places prophets in the Church, instructs teachers, directs tongues, gives powers and healings, does wonderful works, often discrimination of spirits, affords powers of government, suggests counsels, and orders and arranges whatever other gifts there are of charismata; and thus make the Lord’s Church everywhere, and in all, perfected and completed.”
Novatian died in 258, but from his statement we can see that prophecy and tongues were still working in the Church.
AD 207 TERTULIAN
Tertullian wrote this to disprove a self proclaimed Prophet named Marcion. Marcion had started a denomination of his own and left the normal Church.
“Let Marcion then exhibit, as gifts of his god, some prophets, such as have not spoken by human sense, but with the Spirit of God, such as have both predicted things to come, and have made manifest the secrets of the heart; let him produce a psalm, a vision, a prayer -only let it be by the Spirit, in an ecstasy, that is, in a rapture, whenever an interpretation of tongues has occurred to him; let him show to me also, that any woman of boastful tongue in his community has ever prophesied from amongst those specially holy sisters of his. Now all these signs (of spiritual gifts) are forthcoming from my side without any difficulty, and they agree, too, with the rules, and the dispensations, and the instructions of the Creator; therefore without doubt the Christ, and the Spirit, and the apostle, belong severally to my God. Here, then, is my frank avowal for any one who cares to require it. (Tertullian ,c. 207)
Marcion used to prophesy and speak in tongues. But what’s interesting is that Tertullion did not argue that prophesy and tongues had ceased, No. He merely challenged that Marcions prophecy and tongues could not match the tongues and prophesy which they had. So both sides had tongues and prophecy.
4th CENTURY
Very early in the 4th century, on 25 July 306 AD, Constantine became emperor of both East and West Roman empire. Soon after that he legalised Christianity and in 321 he called the bishops to the first council of Nicene to discuss doctrines. He became close to a bishop named Eusibius. He asked Eusibus to make him 340 bibles. Now before this time there were no BIBLES. You could find individual books. So eusebius used his own discretion over which books to include and what not. And made these Bibles for Constantine. At this council of Nicea we see the church bishops coming together under the emperor of Rome to form an organisation that would later officially become THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ROME.
Several other councils were set, and more doctrines were set. Many people believe that the Papacy that came out as a result is an embodiment of the beast. At this time, they discovered that when they laid hands on the new converts, The Holy Spirit no longer manifested the gifts of tongues and prophecy. Eusebus, the bishop who was closest to Constantine formulated the first secessionist argument, saying that the gift of tongues was not manifesting because it was no longer necessary.
They should have simply noted that the fact that the reason the Holy Spirit was not being poured out on their converts in the same way as it happened with the apostles, was a sign that he did not approve of this organisation that had formed in the church.
AD 349 – 407 CHRYSOTOM
Constantine moved the capital city of the Roman empire to Byzantium and called it Constantinople. Chrysotom was ordained a Catholic archbishop of Constantinople. He makes a very important observation concerning his time.
“This whole phenomenon [of speaking in tongues] is very obscure, but the obscurity is produced by our ignorance of the facts referred to and by their cessation, being such then as used to occur but now no longer take place.
And why do they not happen now? Why look now, the cause too of the obscurity hath produced us again another question: namely, why did they then happen, and now do so no more?”Chrysostom, 344
The archbishop was confused why the gift of tongues was no longer taking place. The answer is in the bible.
Hebrews 2:3-4 (WEB)
3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard;
4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?
The gifts and signs were a testimony from God that he approved the message of salvation carried by the church. And when that pure gospel was no longer preached, the Holy Spirit could not approve.
5th CENTURY
While The 4th CENTURY Catholic bishops were wondering why tongues were no longer coming. By the fifth century, AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO formulated the next major secessionist argument. He was trying to give an explanation to the people why the Holy Spirit was no longer manifesting in the church.
430 AD AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO.
Augustine was a Catholic bishop of the african Province of the Roman empire named Hippo.
He writes
“In the earliest times, “the Holy Ghost fell upon them that believed: and they spake with tongues”, which they had not learned, “as the Spirit gave them utterance”. These were signs adapted to the time. For there behooved to be that betokening of the Holy Spirit in all tongues, to shew that the Gospel of God was to run through all tongues over the whole earth.
That thing was done for a betokening, and it passed away. In the laying on of hands now, that persons may receive the Holy Ghost, do we look that they should speak with tongues? Or when he laid the hand on infants, did each one of you look to see whether they would speak with tongues, and, when he saw that they did not speak with tongues, was any of you so wrong-minded as to say, These have not received the Holy Ghost; for, had they received, they would speak with tongues as was the case in those times? If then the witness of the presence of the Holy Ghost be not given through these miracles, by what is it given, by what does one get to know that he has received the Holy Ghost? Let him question his own heart. If he love his brother, the Spirit of God dwelleth in him.
(Augustine of Hippo , 354 “430) [35
Does this message sound familiar. NOW YOU KNOW WHERE IT CAME FROM. The Catholic Church. His message is not outright wrong, but this was the beginning of telling people that tongues were over, and we should not expect any more people to speak in tongues.
This is 400 years after Pentecost.
SAINT PATRICK
However Jesus did not allow his Church to be overcome by the gates of hell.
Far far away in Britain, a young boy named Patrick was kidnapped and enslaved. His father had been a deacon of the Catholic Church. That was the only church known to the people. While in captivity he cried to God, repented of his sins and began to serve God. After 6 years he managed to escape from his masters. From his personal prayers in captivity he began to see visions. They would later lead him to Ireland where he would convert thousands of people, but unlike the Bishops of that time, he refused to take money for baptisms, and refused to take gifts from kings and this led him to come under accusations by other Catholic bishops. He gets an interesting experience in relation to tongues.
Saint Patrick writes:
“And another night God knows, I do not, whether within me or beside me most words which I heard and could not both understand, except at the end of the speech it was represented thus: ‘He who gave his life for you, he it is who speaks within you.’ And thus I awoke, joyful. And on a second occasion I saw Him praying within me, and I was as it were, inside my own body , and I heard Him above me that is, above my inner self. He was praying powerfully with sighs. And in the course of this I was astonished and wondering, and I pondered who it could be who was praying within me. But at the end of the prayer it was revealed to me that it was the Spirit. And so I awoke and remembered the Apostle’s words:
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we know not how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for utterance [Romans 8:26].”
And again: “The Lord our advocate intercedes for us
[Romans 8:27]. [39]
So, we go forward, during this time, instances of tongues did not completely die, but they were small and hidden since the Roman church did not approve of them. When the Catholic Church labeled you a heretic, they would excommunicate you and erase all your works and write their version of your history.
In the 12th century a German lady named Hildergard speaks and sings in tongues. 15th century Moravians speak in tongues. 17th century France, two brothers, start to prophesy and speak in tongues. They are called the Camisards. From 1650, a group of protestant Christians nicknamed the Quakers, practiced prophesy and speaking in tongues. This was in England. The Church of England responded by passing the QUAKER act, that led to the hanging and persecution of Quakers. Edward Burrough, an early Quaker (Friends of Christ) makes mention of tongues speaking in their meetings: “We spoke with new tongues, as the Lord gave us utterance, and His Spirit led us”
The Friends of Christ nicknamed Quakers were killed and persecuted mainly because they preached the priesthood of all believers. Yet The “Holy” Church of Rome had said only their Bishops were priests.
19th Century Scotland.
In 1817, Edward Irving, a minister of the church in Scotland witnessed the gift of tongues in his church, and he confessed concerning how the tongue speaker would.. .
“speak at great length, and with superhuman strength, in an unknown tongue, to the great astonishment of all who heard, and to her own great edification and enjoyment in God”.
Irving further stated that “tongues are a great instrument for personal edification, however mysterious it may seem to us.”
All these people faced great persecution, and ultimately the catholic church would squash these movements, label the people heretics and try as much as they could to wipe them from history. By the 20th century The Church of Rome had lost its hold on people. An African American man and his bible study group fasted for the gift of the Spirit, and God gave them tongues.
This led to what became known as the Azusa street revival.
Azuza was not the First. No. It was merely the one revival they failed to Squash.
