Results 1 - 3 of 3
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | When will I speak/pray in tongues? | Acts 2:6 | Reformer Joe | 27812 | ||
Tim: Good observations from 1 Cor 14! Here's my follow-up question: does it seem to you that the gift of tongues, then, was/is a gift intended primarily for the edification of the church, but has benefits for the individual believer as well? For example, I am edified by the gifts of discernment, knowledge, and teaching as I myself am taught. However, my gifts are best used in their God-ordained public context, where all of God's people benefit. There are several main concerns I have with the tongues movement today, and since I have not really seen this issue addressed in detail nearly as much as our favorite debate, perhaps this would be a good time to have some honest dialogue. Not all "tongues advocates" hold to all of these, of course, but all are quite widespread: 1. The idea that tongues as a prayer language is separate from the "public gift" of tongues. The verses you cited seem to indicate that God gave one gift of tongues to God's people. 2. The idea that all are able to speak in a tongue. Nowhere do I find that idea in Scripture, and Paul points out that "all do not speak in a tongue" when discussing the variation of spiritual gifts in believers. 3. The idea that tongues is a necessity or the single, distinguishing mark of a "second baptism." The idea that a Christian who does not speak in tongues is the spiritual equivalent of a lame man in a footrace smacks of arrogance and completely misses the mark of what true sanctification is all about. 4. The emphasis that "tongues-friendly" movements places on experience at the expense of sound doctrine. People who say, "I don't care about theology; just give me JEEEESUS!" betray their own ignorance about the things of God, and encurage others to do the same. The hard work of careful, thoughtful study of Scripture is replaced by the clamoring to hear the next (false) prophecy or the rush for the next outpouring of "the Latter Rain." What these people should really be saying is, "Don't give me Jesus; give me a magic show!" Now, again, all who hold to present-day tongues do not go to these un-biblical extremes. However, these ideas are so pervasive that they are sincerely destroying the evangelical movement in the United States. We have people placing feelings and sensations over sound doctrine, and the result is spiritual emptiness and lack of depth in our knowledge of God. The truth is not being proclaimed and defended because people care more about experience than truth. Now, people are going to respond and deny that this is the case, but simply saying that I am off-base on this does not mean that I am. People say all the time that they believe that the Bible is reliable and sufficient, but we see them scurrying off after the next "Prayer of Jabez" or "Bible Code" or "Left Behind" book when what they are really leaving behind is God's self-revelation, the only sufficient means of continuous sanctification. Sola Scriptura is considered the "formal argument" of the Reformation, because everything hinged on where one found one's authority. Many lives were lost to place God's Word at the center of Christian worship once again. Everyone: take a hard look at the church you attend. Where is the teaching of God's Word now? Likely, it is there somewhere, shuffled to the last 20 minutes or so of the morning service after the announcements, greetings, songs, skits, Christian juggling act, PowerPoint presentation, and offering. Until the proclamation of God's Word permeates every nook and cranny of our worship (which includes the songs and the prayers and everything else), we will continue this downward slide into irrelevancy. Where is your focus, tongues speakers? --Joe! |
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2 | When will I speak/pray in tongues? | Acts 2:6 | charis | 27919 | ||
Dear Joe! Greetings in Jesus' name! Question: "Where is your focus, tongues speakers?" Answer from Yokohama: "...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2 NASB! We believe that all things of God will be in accord with the Bible, but we do not worship the Bible, or scholarship. The present-day sensitivity to the quickening of the Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary to knowing God's good intentions. Experience does not define our faith, but experience can and does encourage us in our faith, "For the word of God is living and active (today!) and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 NASB. (parenthetical mine) Joe, I agree with every single word you wrote about the abuses of the gifts of the Holy Spirit! But (just maybe!), your bitterness toward these abuses has affected your ability to discern the present-day efficacy of these gifts.(?) There is at least one church I know of that practices the gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit, yet retains thought, study, order, dignity, and the Word of God permeates every aspect of their church and home experience. This church is not perfect in this sojourn, but pursues it daily. I am sure that there are many more of this kind of church, but they don't get famous. :-) Sadly, the famous (infamous) ones are often steeped in the abuse that you decry. :-( Blessing and Love to you in Christ Jesus, charis |
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3 | When will I speak/pray in tongues? | Acts 2:6 | EdB | 27920 | ||
Charis Well said and I think you hit the nail on the head. The churches that abuse become the infamous churches. For one reason or another, which I assume it to be the work of the adversary, churches that abuse or misuse the manifestations of the Holy Spirit end up in the lime light and anyone with an ounce of reasoning can quickly see the misuse and assume that this is the way it is in all churches that have the open manifestations of the Holy Spirit. EdB |
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