Another area of great confusion concerning spiritual gifts, is in the area of biblical tongues. A number of individuals claim to have the gift of tongues today. Yet do they really? The Acts 2 passage identifies the clear gift of speaking known languages (Acts 2:8, "And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born"). What was the message spoken in tongues by these men? What was the theme of this supernatural communication? God's Greatness! God's Powerful Deeds! Acts 2:11, "we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God." The great majority of the Jews in Jesus' day did not believe that Jesus of Nazareth, a carpenter's son, was the promised Messiah. The signs and miracles that Jesus did, certainly manifested that He was "The Messiah", still they rejected Him as the annointed One of God. However, on the day of Pentecost, God chose to do something new. A new sign would be given to reveal that Jesus was "Messiah" and that these apostles at Pentecost were "Sent ones" from God. The Jews at that time truly did anticipate a future time when God would do a wonderfual spiritual work in the hearts of the Jewish believers. The O.T. speaks of a national restoration of the Nation of Israel. The New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31) in it's fulfillment (still yet future, although some aspects are complete, i.e.: perfect sacrifice, Hebrews chapt. 8, 9 & 12), will involve a restored nation of Israel in the promised land, experiencing spiritual blessings that they have never before experienced as a nation. The unbelieving Israelites at the day of Pentecost knew of these O.T. promises. After hearing men speak "known languages" these unbelieving Jews asked questions about this genuine supernatural event, which was biblical tongues. In answer to this question, Peter refers these Jewish men to the prophet Joel (see Acts 2:16-41 and Joel 2:28). What must be understood in both of these Bible passages, is that Joel's prophecy has not been fulfilled completely yet and was not fulfilled completely at Pentecost ("Last days, "Sun and the moon darkened", see the book of Revelation. Peter speaks of similar supernatural events when he compares Joel's prophecy to what happened at Pentecost. Peter uses Joel's prophecy to answer the question about speaking in tongues/known languages. The mighty works of God that Joel speaks of, include supernatural manisfestations and the salvation of many (see, Joel 2:32 & Acts 2:21). It's at this point that we need to understand God's use of tongues at Pentecost and in the early church. This sign gift was used to authenticate the message and the messengers. And with that authentication, these true servants of God had but one message to reveal. Acts 2:22-41, reveals the message, which had a clear conclusion: "God has made Him both Lord and Christ", Jesus of Nazareth was; the Son of God, God in the flesh and the Savoir of sinful men. This was the message, that was supernaturally authenticated by men speaking in a known language. What was the result and the response? Acts 2:37, "Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" You see, the miracle of tongues was aimed at unbelievers, specifically, unbelieving Jews. Now that these men were ready to listen and were convicted of this Gospel message, Peter gave an invitation: Acts 2:38-41, "And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. "For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God shall call to Himself." And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!" So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousand souls." Friend, God had a clear purpose for biblical tongues during the infancy of the church. It's focus was on unbelieving Jews. It's purpose was to authenticate the message and the messengers to unbelievers. It's fruit was the glorification of God and the salvation of men. If someone really had the gift of tongues today, they could travel to the mission field, walk into tribal people groups, who do not have a written language, and begin to tell them the gospel in their unknown, unwritten language. Obviously, this is not happening at all, because the gift of tongues has ceased. Biblical tongues had it's God given purpose in the beginning of the church, but no longer. God used the gifts of healing and tongues to authenticate the message of the apostles. Again, both of these gifts, Healings and Tongues have N.T. internal evidence that they had ceased during the latter part of the first century. In addition, the supposed manifestations of these gifts in our day, are self exposing in and of themselves. What we see today is not the true spiritual gift of healing or tongues. So why do people keep believing these gifts are for today, when the N.T. and sound observation say no? If you're sincerely wrestling with these questions, please email pastor Scott Button.