Ep.1434: Are Christians Today Really Capable of Healing People or Speaking in Tongues? (Part I)
Tracing the biblical foundations and meaning of healing and tongues
CHAPTERS
Theme Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:28
Christianity today is diverse. When you think about it, there should only be one version of the Gospel, and it should be entirely based upon the Bible as a whole, specifically the words and actions of Jesus as well as the words and actions of his apostles and disciples in the New Testament. In many cases, the Gospel has unfortunately been reduced to a wide variety of denominations and beliefs that often contradict one another. One area of this divergence has to do with the gift of healing and speaking in tongues in the Bible. Many Christians today believe these two spiritual gifts continue today, and many Christians believe they ceased a long time ago. Who’s right, and how do we know?
In this first part of a two‑episode series, we take a thoughtful journey through Scripture to understand whether Christians today can genuinely heal or speak in tongues. We begin our conversation by stepping back into the Old Testament to uncover the foundation God laid long before Jesus’ ministry began. What emerges is a clear pattern: biblical healing and the use of foreign languages were never random miracles. They were purposeful signs—each revealing something about God’s sovereignty, His plan and His chosen messengers.
Old Testament: Healings
By exploring several Old Testament healings, from Abimelech’s household to the Shunammite woman, Naaman, and King Hezekiah, we find that account highlights that healing was rare, deeply intentional, and always tied to God’s authority or the advancement of His plan. These moments set the stage for the dramatic shift that occurs when Jesus arrives, bringing healing on a scale never before seen. His compassion, power and fulfillment of prophecy reveal healing as a sign pointing unmistakably to the Messiah.
Old Testament: Speaking in Tongues
The conversation then turns to the surprising Old Testament roots of speaking in tongues. Through the Tower of Babel, Deuteronomy and Isaiah, we see how foreign languages originally signaled God’s disfavor and judgment. But at Pentecost, everything changes. The same sign that once scattered now gathers. The same confusion that once divided now draws people toward the gospel. Speaking in tongues becomes a powerful, unmistakable sign for unbelievers that God’s favor has arrived through Jesus and the outpouring of the holy spirit.
This episode lays the essential groundwork for Part II, where the New Testament gifts will be examined in greater detail.
Key Takeaways
- Old Testament healings were rare and always served a larger divine purpose.
- Jesus’ healing ministry fulfilled prophecy and revealed God’s sovereignty in a new way.
- In the Old Testament, foreign tongues were a sign of God’s disapproval and judgment.
- At Pentecost, tongues became a sign of God’s favor, enabling the gospel to reach all nations.
- Understanding the Old Testament foundation is essential for interpreting New Testament gifts today.
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