The Gift of Tongues in the Post Apostolic Church (A.D. 100-400) -- By: Cleon L. Rogers, Jr.

Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 122:486 (Apr 1965)
Article: The Gift of Tongues in the Post Apostolic Church (A.D. 100-400)
Author: Cleon L. Rogers, Jr.


The Gift of Tongues in the Post Apostolic Church (A.D. 100-400)

Cleon L. Rogers, Jr.

[Cleon L. Rogers, Jr., Missionary, Greater Europe Mission, Germany.]

It is very clear in Paul’s teaching that tongues are to cease (1 Cor 13:8), but, of course, the big problem is when this is to occur. This study is not intended to discuss the possible answers to this question,1 but rather it is to examine the evidence of the church fathers from A.D. 100 to 400 to determine if tongues were still practiced as they were in the times of the apostles. If the gift of tongues did not cease completely in the first century, then there should be evidence of this continuation. If the gift is as important as many teach, then the leaders of the Post Apostolic Age should have stressed this and commended its practice highly. The evidence, however, does not indicate that tongues had a significant place in the church from A.D. 100 to 400.

The Testimony of the Apostolic Fathers

While there is clear evidence from Scripture that the gift of tongues was in operation during the time of the apostles,2 it is significant that the gift is nowhere alluded to, hinted at, or found in the Apostolic Fathers. It might be objected that this is simply an argument from silence and has as much support for the continuance of the gift as for the cessation of

the gift. However, the importance of this silence takes on added weight when viewed in the light of certain facts.

First, some of the Apostolic Fathers wrote from and to churches where the gift had been practiced during the time of the apostles. The most outstanding case of this is Clement of Rome and his epistle to the church at Corinth. If there was any early church where tongues were practiced, it was here. This was evidently one of the major problems that Paul had to contend with in his letter to them;3 yet Clement of Rome never mentions the gift, even when speaking of their spiritual heritage.4 The same problem of disobedience to authority was present,5 but that of tongues had evidently been solved by their ceasing.

Ignatius wrote to the church of Ephesus where the first Christians spoke in tongues, but he, too, has nothing to say regarding the gift.6

Second, the wide geographical coverage of the Apostolic Fathers makes their silence significant. Clement wrote from ...

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