Acts 15:18 *Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world*.
*THE STREAMS IN REFORMATION: REFORMED/ CALVINIST TRADITION*(e)
As good as the reformation was, it created another set of theological controversies that has lingered till today. Among evangelicals, the doctrinal debate is now intense between streams. Sometimes, it is the Calvinists vs Arminists or Calvinists vs word of faith. A stream that came much later in history.
One of the things the cessationists teach is that speaking in tongues has ceased. They believe it was only for the apostles and the early church in the apostolic age. They see it as a programmed event never to re occur in human history. Is this true?
*HAS TONGUES CEASED*?
On the day of Pentecost, after the people saw how the Holy Spirit came upon those in the upper room with the evidence of speaking in tongues, Peter preached to the multitude of onlookers who were surprised and those who thought they were drunk.
In Acts 2:38-39, *"Peter said, *"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. [39] For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, EVEN AS MANY AS THE LORD OUR GOD SHALL CALL( referring to those that will be saved from generation to generation)*". [ Emphasis mine]
This is clear. What Peter was saying to his listeners was that the gift of the Holy Spirit(referring to infilling of the Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues) is for them and those afar off whom the Lord shall call, referring to those that will be saved from generation to generation. That is me and you. And the Lord is still calling men into salvation today.
We have been called into salvation and that qualifies us to be partakers of the gift of the Spirit. Speaking in tongues should not sound strange to believers or appear as something for a selected few. It is for every believer not the early apostles only.
*The salvation of the early apostles is not better or of a higher pedigree than yours and mine. The same blood that washed and cleansed them washed us as well. Why would God give them a gift and refuse to give the rest of us? Think*.
Jesus said, *"AND THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE; In my name shall they cast out devils; THEY SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES*"; ( Mark 16:17).
Meaning that speaking in new tongues is a sign that should follow everyone who believes in Jesus. Not only for the believer of that age but believers of all ages. Jesus did not put a time frame to it, it is for believers of all ages even those that are yet to be born again that will become born again.
I agree there are abuses today in the body. The misuse of a gift does not nullify its usefulness. Do not let Satan deprive you of the benefits of the Spirit. The gift of the Spirit is for today not only for the apostolic age.
If you are not baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, desire it and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you.