Results 1 - 4 of 4
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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 | 27746 | ||
Ashestobeauty: What I would love to hear is biblical support for your points of view, as I have said before. As far as Mark 16 goes, we have two problems. The first is that the verse you cited doesn't appear in many of the earliest manuscripts, suggesting that is may be a later addition. Secondly, if these are the marks of ALL believers, have you cast out demons? Have you handled snakes? Ever drink poison? Why do you elevate the speaking of tongues over all of these other marks of the believer? My biggest problem with the seeking of the more "sensational" gifts is the complete loss of focus of WHY spiritual gifts are given to believers in the first place. Scripture shows clearly that the gifts we have are not for ourselves, but rather for the CHURCH (Ephesians 4:12-16, 2 Corinthians 10:8; 2 Corinthians 13:10). There is absolutely NO evidence for a special, private prayer language in Scripture as a gift from God. In fact, every instruction regarding speaking in tongues warns against elevating it to a level at which it does not belong, as well as instructing interpreters to be present. Private "speaking in tongues" edifies no one, makes sense to no human being (including the one doing the praying), and is not done in the context of the communion of saints. It is so important to stick to Scripture. Man-made doctrines are tearing down American evangelicalism, and what is needed more than a nation speaking in tongues is God's people returning to the truth of God's Word. And that means THEOLOGY, not sensational experientialism. Sola Scriptura. --Joe! |
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2 | When will I speak/pray in tongues? | Acts 2:6 | Morant61 | 27802 | ||
Greetings Joe! May I butt in? We have been agreeing for so long now, I think it is time that we disagree again! :-) You said: "There is absolutely NO evidence for a special, private prayer language in Scripture as a gift from God. In fact, every instruction regarding speaking in tongues warns against elevating it to a level at which it does not belong, as well as instructing interpreters to be present. Private "speaking in tongues" edifies no one, makes sense to no human being (including the one doing the praying), and is not done in the context of the communion of saints." I would have to slightly disagree. I agree that all of all spiritual gifts are given primarily for the edification of the church, but there are references to praying to oneself with the result that one's self is edified. Consider the following verses: 1 Cor. 14:4 - "He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church." 1 Cor. 14:17 - "You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified." 1 Cor. 14:28 - "If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God." I understand the above verses to mean that tongues in a public worship service should always be interpreted if they are spoken aloud. If there is no interpreter, than the speaker can speak to himself and be edified - through a form of worship. So, 1 Cor. 14 does say that private tongues edifies the speaker, but balances it with the greater goal of edifiying the church. I another post, you touched upon several teachings that I agree are not found in Scripture. No where does the Bible say that: 1) The Devil cannot understand tongues! 2) That the purpose of tongues is to keep Satan from understanding our prayers. I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas my friend! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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3 | 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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4 | When will I speak/pray in tongues? | Acts 2:6 | Morant61 | 27841 | ||
Hi Joe! I'm getting ready to leave for work! I'll try to get back to you tomorrow or Monday! Have a Merry Christmas! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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