Yet, did the criminal on the cross next to Jesus speak in tongues? Has a footnote been added to John 3:16 which states, "valid only for those who speak in tongues."

A PURPOSE FULFILLED
1 Corinthians 13:8-10 states that "Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away."

The first century church did not have the complete New Testament as we do today. Many have implied that this is the reason that tongues were necessary then, but not now. Indeed, why do we not have recorded instances of tongues between the time of the first century until today?

Hebrews 2:3-4 "How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will." The miraculous signs and wonders confirmed the message of Jesus and His apostles. In other words, they had served their purpose and were no longer necessary.

The church is built upon the "foundation" of the apostles and the prophets (Ephesians 2:20). Since, the first century neither apostles nor prophets have been recognized by the church. This would mean that their function ceased once the church was formed.

Acts 2:5-6, "Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because they were each one hearing them speak in his own language." Note that the purpose of tongues here was so that the people who were present could hear and understand in their own language. What is the purpose of an English-speaking person speaking in tongues before an English-speaking audience?

1 Corinthians 14:26-33, "What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and let one interpret; but if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. And let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment. But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, let the first keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints."

WHO BENEFITS?
Is a roomful of people speaking in tongues edifying? Are uninterpreted tongues of any use to the Lord or to the hearers?

Backing up to 1 Corinthians 14:6-12 we see three examples why speech must be intelligible. As a first example Paul points to himself, arguing that the Corinthians would not benefit if he were to speak in tongues only. They would have no idea what he was saying! Then he refers to musical instruments. Nobody will be able to recognize the tune that is played on the harp and the flute or to follow the call of the bugle if individual notes are not played distinctly. Finally, he uses foreign languages as an illustration. If people do not know each other's language they remain strangers. The whole section concludes with the exhortation to strive for those spiritual gifts that contribute to the building up of community.

Verses 13-19 discuss some consequences for those who speak in tongues. If someone speaks in tongues, that person should also pray for the gift of interpretation. Three conclusions are drawn for Christian praying and worship. First, prayer should not only be ecstatic but also should be fruitful for mind or reason. Further, the non-tongue speaking community is forced into the role of "the outsider" by such ecstatic prayer, because it does not know to respond to such prayer, or what it means. Finally, Paul refers again to his own example. Although he speaks more in tongues than any of the Corinthians, he prefers to say five understandable words of instruction rather than thousands of words in tongues no one can understand.