The Watchtower claims speaking in tongues was restricted to the first century, though it seems quite clear that this was something to be practiced in the Last Days. Should Christians today speak in tongues and what exactly is it? I am wondering about the reasoning as some Christian religions practice it and others don't. For those that don't believe the Bible I am also interested in what it is.
Here is some research that I have done from the Watchtower publications. I have to admit I was appalled by the poor reasoning in the articles quoted, and am never failed to be embarrased that I accepted so many misleading comments as a JW.
The scriptures indicate that the gifts of the Holy Spirit (prophecy, healing, tongues etc) would be a sign in the last days, which started in the first century and have continued till now.
Acts 2:15-18
“These people are, in fact, not drunk, as you suppose, for it is the third hour of the day. On the contrary, this is what was said through the prophet Joel, ‘”And in the last days,” God says, “I shall pour out some of my spirit upon every sort of flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy and your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams, and even upon my men slaves and upon my women slaves I will pour out some of my spirit in those days and they will prophesy.’”
The Watchtower shows that Joel’s prophecy quoted by Peter at Acts 2 was to apply until our time.
Watchtower 1958 January 15 p. 45 Overseers in Apocalyptic Times
“We are living also in the time of final fulfilment of the prophecy to which the apostle Peter referred on the day of Pentecost, namely: “It shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit.” (Joel 2:28, 29)”
So it is quite contradictory when in the very same article the Watchtower goes on to claim that all powerful works ended with the death of the last apostle.
Watchtower 1958 January 15 p.45 Overseers in Apocalyptic Times
“Today we are not living in apostolic times. Long before our time, when the apostolic days ended almost nineteen hundred years ago, the miraculous gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit passed away.”
Watchtower 1992 August 15 p.5 likewise claims that the gifts of the spirit ended with the apostles.
“Acts 8:18 reveals that the gifts of the spirit were received “through the laying on of the hands of the apostles.” Evidently, then, with the death of the last apostle, the passing on of the gifts of the spirit would stop—including speaking in tongues. Hence, when those who had received these gifts from the apostles also passed off the earthly scene, the miraculous gift would cease.”
This is a deceptive comment as Acts 8:18 is not talking about receiving the gifts, but receiving holy spirit, and a Christian does not need the presence of the apostles to receive holy spirit of be born again.
Watchtower 2001 September 15 p.17
“Today, Jehovah gives holy spirit to his dedicated servants who pray for it and who want to do his will. (Luke 11:9-13)”
In Justin Martyrs Second Apology chapter VI it shows that 50 years after the death of the last apostle healing and exorcisms were continuing to be done by the Christians;
“For numberless demoniacs throughout the whole world, and in your city, many of our Christian men exorcising them in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, have healed and do heal, rendering helpless and driving the possessing devils out of the men, though they could not be cured by all the other exorcists, and those who used incantations and drugs.”
1 Corinthians 13:8-13 shows that these gifts would not end until “that which is complete arrives” and we see “face to face”, no doubt a reference to going to heaven.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are [gifts of] prophesying, they will be done away with; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will be done away with. 9 For we have partial knowledge and we prophesy partially; 10 but when that which is complete arrives, that which is partial will be done away with. 11 When I was a babe, I used to speak as a babe, to think as a babe, to reason as a babe; but now that I have become a man, I have done away with the [traits] of a babe. 12 For at present we see in hazy outline by means of a metal mirror, but then it will be face to face. At present I know partially, but then I shall know accurately even as I am accurately known. 13 Now, however, there remain faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
The New American Standard Bible at 1 Corinthians 13:10 refers to it as “but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.” Russell understood that the perfect day is not until after Armageddon, and hence the Watchtower concept that the light gets brighter.
Proclaimers p.121
“Did they believe that they had all the answers, the full light of truth? To that question Brother Russell pointedly answered: “Certainly not; nor will we have until the ‘perfect day.’” (Prov. 4:18, KJ)”
The gifts were to continue until that which is complete arrives, Jesus perfect rulership. The Watchtower relies heavily on the concept that that which is complete has not arrived, hence their justification for changing doctrines and the “light [still] getting brighter” The reason that the Watchtower is forced to say that the gifts of the Spirit ceased in the first century is that they do not possess any of them.