We are not to be ignorant regarding spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1). Each believer receives one spiritual gift (1 Peter 4:10), which enables us to function as members of the body of the Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12).
There are various kinds of gifts:
Gifts Active in the Early Church to Understand How to Function in the New Dispensation.
• The word of wisdom (1 Corinthians 12:8)
• The word of knowledge (1 Corinthians 12:8)
Gifts Active in the Early Church to Provide Evidence That the Message Was from God.
• Healing (1 Corinthians 12:9)
• The working of miracles (1 Corinthians 12:10)
• Prophecy (1 Corinthians 12:10)
• Discerning of spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10)
Sign Gifts Given for the Unbelieving Jews.
• Speaking in tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10)
• Interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10)
Gifts for the Edification of the Church.
• Serving (Romans 12:7)
• Teaching (Romans 12:7)
• Exhortation (Romans 12:8)
• Giving (Romans 12:8)
• Administration (Romans 12:8)
• Mercy (Romans 12:8)
• Faith (1 Corinthians 12:9)
Pastoral and Evangelistic Gifts for the Equipping of the Saints.
• Pastor and teacher — for the equipping of the saints (Ephesians 4:11)
• Evangelist — for spreading the Word of salvation (Ephesians 4:11)
Upon the completion of Scripture and the rejection of the resurrection of Christ by Israel, certain classes of gifts ceased because their purpose was fulfilled.
• Revelatory Gifts: Prophecy has been rendered ineffective (1 Corinthians 13:8). Since we now possess the complete revelation of the testimony of God, the Church no longer needs prophets. The present concern within the Church is not false prophets, but false teachers (2 Peter 2:1), for there are no prophets today. The gifts of healing and miracles also ceased, since God is not giving new revelation. These gifts are for signs to the Jews that God is doing something among them, just as He stated He would give them.
• Sign Gifts: Tongues cause themselves to cease (1 Corinthians 13:8). This gift was for the unbelieving Jew as a sign from God (1 Corinthians 14:22). It was a legitimate dialect of the time (Acts 2:4–8).
• Knowledge Gifts: The word of knowledge is rendered ineffective (1 Corinthians 13:8). This gift was for the function of the local assembly until the full revelation was given. The word of wisdom involved proper application of the word of knowledge; therefore, it ceased with the rendering ineffective of the word of knowledge.
Speaking in Tongues:
• It is not for believers (1 Corinthians 14:22).
• It refers to a known dialect (Acts 2:8).
• It is a sign to the unbelieving Jew (1 Corinthians 14:22).
• There is only one type of spiritual gift related to speaking in tongues—not multiple types.
• It involves speaking the wonderful works of God (Acts 2:11).
• It is not a “prayer language” (1 Corinthians 14:14).
The word prayer means “worship.” When someone worships in a tongue, the mind is unfruitful, indicating that there is no understanding in what is communicated. The idea of “praying in the Spirit” is often twisted to imply speaking in tongues, which is not supported by the context (Ephesians 6:18). This type of prayer occurs within the human spirit and is done in a rational, understanding manner.
We are to worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:24). In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul uses “worship” in the sense of giving God credit for what He has done and who He is—telling of the mighty works of God is worship.
Misuses and Errors Surrounding Tongues:
• Seeking an emotional rather than a spiritual experience.
• Claiming that praying in tongues is of greater value than rational speech.
• Causing divisions by claiming to belong to a group that speaks in tongues.
• Claiming that speaking in tongues brings rejuvenation.
In Scripture, speaking in tongues was always to be verified. False teachers often avoid this verification. When the church at Corinth misused this gift, Paul corrected them.
• If one speaks in tongues, another must interpret (1 Corinthians 14:27).
• Without interpretation, they must remain silent (1 Corinthians 14:28).
• Understanding is of greater value than speaking in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:18–19).
This spiritual gift has caused itself to cease, because God is no longer giving signs to the Jews.
Within the Church, the revelatory and sign gifts are no longer active, as we now possess the full revelation from God (1 Corinthians 13:8). These include prophecy, speaking in tongues, discerning of spirits, the word of knowledge, the word of wisdom, healing, and miracles. The remaining gifts are for the edification of the Church.