K Neill Foster -The Third View of Tongues

The Nine Gifts of the Spirit Are Not for Today. That is the title of a book in my library which I have read but with which I cannot agree. I must go on to say that the author would certainly be classed as evangelical, if not a fundamentalist.

As I have documented in a previous chapter there is the view that "tongues have ceased." It is imperative in this discussion of the "third view" to face this issue. I believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for today for the following reasons:

1. The spiritual gifts were an integral part of the operation of the New Testament church. "God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will" (Heb. 2:4).

2. When the Holy Spirit was poured out in New Testament times, the manifestation of a spiritual gift followed (Acts 2:4; 8:17; 10:46; 19:6).

3. There is no scripture to suggest that spiritual gifts have ceased, although some endeavor to support such a cause with a questionable interpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:8.

4. An examination of 1 Corinthians 13:8 also demonstrates that the spiritual gifts shall one day cease, but it cannot be proved that this has already come to pass. If we say tongues have ceased, we must also, to be consistent, affirm that knowledge and prophecy have passed away. If Paul is referring in 1 Corinthians 13:8 to secular knowledge, we have only to remind ourselves that scientists now discuss the "knowledge explosion."

If Paul is here referring to the word of knowledge as a spiritual gift, then obviously abilities such as Peter demonstrated in his dealing with Ananias and Sapphira are still in the church today. To what or whom must these abilities be attributed if the gift of the word of knowledge is nonexistent today? To label all manifestations as soulish or diabolical is faulty logic and dangerous as well. Is not the unpardonable sin attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan?

And what shall we say of prophecies? Have they failed? Hardly. Many which refer especially to Israel are in the process of fulfillment. If the sign gifts are only for Israel, since 1948 the Jews have been back in the ball game. If Paul is here referring to inspired preaching, there is probably not an evangelical anywhere who would say that the day of preaching is pastnot in a world which is responsive to the gospel as never before.

If Paul is here speaking about the prophetic utterance, the most recent and most widely publicized prophecy was that of Duncan Campbell, esteemed Presbyterian revivalist who announced beforehand that revival would come to Canada and that it would begin in the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Saskatoon. And the record stands. One of the most unusual visitations of the Holy Spirit in Canadian history did begin there in 1971.

No, it is not possible to say honestly that tongues have ceased unless it is admitted that knowledge and prophecy have also terminated. To do that is to ignore scriptural truth and present experience.

5. In 1 Corinthians 13:10 Paul talks about that which is "perfect" coming to do away with the gifts in question. Many say today that the perfect is the Word of God. And while God's Word is perfect, the tip-off, it seems to me, comes in the phrase "face to face" (v. 12). It is an obvious reference to the coming of Jesus Christ to establish His kingdom. And, we should agree, Paul is saying that when the Saviour returns, when we see Him face to face, these gifts will cease - but not before.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit were in the church yesterday. And I believe they are still present today. Thank God.

The Third View of Tongues

Gifts for Today

CHAPTER 5