is it true Historically In Church Age NO Sign Gifts Operated Until 20th Century?

The actual gifts of the Spirit were manifested in the first century.
The gift of tongues (languages) was being abused by the Corinthian church.
There were some that were faking it, pretending to speak in another language when they weren't.
There were others that had the gift but were speaking out of order--3 or more speaking at a time, and thus chaos in the church.
There were many that had the gift and spoke without an interpreter. Paul said that no one was to exercise this gift without an interpreter.
There were women speaking in tongues. Paul said for the women to keep silence in the church, and it was out of order for them to speak.

These were some of the reasons that Paul gave in 1Cor.14, for the members not to use the gift as they were. They were abusing it. He told them that he would rather speak five words that they could understand then 10,000 words that they could not understand. It was a showy gift (made a person look spiritual), but in the way that they were using it, it didn't edify anyone.

 

Do you see the gift of tongues as a supernatural move of the HG or something that could be wielded from within man?

 

The Biblical gift of "languages" is something only seen in the NT. I have never seen such a gift manifested in our generation, anywhere.

 

Neither have I but if the gift is a supernatural manifestation of the HG then how could the HG be manipulated to the point of abusing the gift?

 

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are or were gifts. When the gifts were abused, those who abused them would eventually give account of themselves. It is not a matter of manipulation; it is a matter of submission and obedience.

That is why I gave you the example of Annanias and Sapphira who lied against the Holy Spirit, but pretended to do the work of the Lord by giving to the church all, when they only had given a part of what they said they had given.

In Acts 11:30 it says: "For this cause many of you are weak, sickly, and some sleep (are dead)" God judged them harshly for abusing the Lord's Table. It was a matter of obedience, and in this case doing all things decently and in order.

In your actions, one can fool man, but he cannot fool God.

 

Well then the use of the words "abuse" was confusing. I suppose you meant faked. But the passage does not appear to support that.

 

If you read through 1Cor. ch.14, you will see that almost every verse is a rebuke to the Corinthians and their use of that particular gift of tongues, as he compares it to the profitability of the gift of prophecy.

 

So show me where in that chapter Paul insists they are faking it.

 

That part is only personal conjecture. I will admit that.
I could take the time to go through it verse by verse and show how he rebukes them in almost every verse. At one point he tells them not to speak in tongues in public because no one understands them. He gives the example of giving thanks. Then he says "how will the people know when to say "amen"? There is no understanding in speaking in a language that no one understands.

 

I've heard about a missionary who was in Saskatchewan, where a lady spoke "in tongues" during a meeting. The tongue was in a known language. An interpretor (not the gift of Biblical intepretation) declared that she, unbeknownst to her, had cursed Christ.

 

mandym, do you desire the gift of tongues?

 

No, not unless I get in a situation where I am with someone who needs to hear the gospel and I do not speak their language.

 

Yes. I see. If God ever led you to that place, He can do as He wills, but I have only heard of this in rare, reported occurences.

I pray that God helps you to do so, in opening doors in where you do speak the native language to witness to His elect.

 

I have never heard of it happening. But If I did I would not automatically discount it.

 

I see. What of the rest mandym?

 

The rest of the sign gifts? If they are in conjunction with sharing the gospel I would consider the credibility of the claim made. I am not a cessationist but What goes on today in the name of God with regard to supposed spiritual gifts is an abomination.

 

what do you make of this mandy?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7saG1_itJI&feature=related

 

Are the gifts operational or not. There is no sitting on the fence.