Quote:
Originally Posted by Timmy
In fact, all of 16:9-20, according to the sources I checked, were missing from the earliest and best manuscripts. They were likely not from John's own writing, but added later, as you say, apparently to provide a better "ending" to the book. Whether that scribe's addition was inspired is a matter of conjecture, I suppose.
It is also up for debate whether the signs listed (if inspired, or at least an accurate quotation of Jesus) are intended for the church today. Even if they are, they are just that: signs. If one thing is a requirement for all believers, they must all be requirements, and not just the tongues part!
Speaking in tongues is the easiest of the signs to produce on command. Could that be why it is so popular today?
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Mark 16:16
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall
speak with new tongues;
Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to
speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:11
Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak
in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
Acts 10:46
For they heard them
speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Acts 19:6
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they
spake with tongues, and prophesied.
1 Corinthians 12:10
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits;
to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
1 Corinthians 12:28
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments,
diversities of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:30
Have all the gifts of healing? do all
speak with tongues? do all interpret?
1 Corinthians 13:1
Though I speak with the
tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:8
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether
there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
1 Corinthians 14:5
I would that ye all
spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
1 Corinthians 14:6
Now, brethren, if I come unto you
speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
1 Corinthians 14:18
I thank my God, I
speak with tongues more than ye all:
1 Corinthians 14:21
In the law it is written, With men of
other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
Seemed to be a regular occurrence in the early church, wouldn't you say? It seemed, however to be a spontaneous action of the Holy Spirit, rather than the focus that is placed on it in OP circles today. I do not read of any apostle demanding that any one speak in tongues or else.