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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 | 27921 | ||
Charis: You are absolutely right that I am not a dyed-in-the-wool cessationist. I do lean in that direction, simply because I have not seen in my experience congregations properly demonstrating the use of these gifts according to Scriptural guidelines. I have yet to come across a church that allows for speaking in tongues as part of worship where it is clearly set forth that this is not a gift that all have. And false prophecies abound in churches, without anyone stoning those who give them! ;) My own spiritual gift is that of discernment. That makes me quite sensitive to just about everything that comes across in church. Just like those specially gifted with evangelism have a burning desire to share Christ with everyone they come into contact with, everything I hear goes through the biblical filter of truth and error. It comes in handy for God's people, but it certainly doesn't always win friends and influence people who have their minds made up about something! Sadly, it has been my experience that it is in churches where the tongues/prophecy/modern-day apostleship gifts are most prevalent where the gift of discernment is most despised. Any questioning of something being an un-biblical practice leads to accusations of "quenching the Spirit" or other such nonsense. If experience were not elevated to the level of Scripture (actually, more often than not, ABOVE the level of Scripture), I would not have nearly such a problem with the movements in our church today that support such gifts. Discernment is a gift of the Holy Spirit--a gift from God to His church-- that is almost completely ignored among people who think they know better because they have "felt" it. What do I see among those who hold to the more "sensational gifts"? Fellowship among churches who teach the vilest of heresies (Oneness folks in particular) and those who are not even evangelical! Catholics who are completely wrong on justification claim to possess the gift of tongues. So do Mormons. If we use this as a basis of determining where the Spirit is moving, we are in a lot of trouble. I do not worship the Bible as I worship God. However, I hold the Bible in the utmost place of honor and reverance in my heart as the inerrant message from that God, revealing as much of Himself as He in His wisdom has decreed that we are to know. While I, too, experience the presence of the Holy Spirit in the proclamation of His Word, in the sacraments, in prayer, and in corporate worship; that experience is solidly God-centered and based 100 percent around the book from God about God to the glory of God alone. May you experience the true blessings of this Christmas season, as we celebrate the fact that the long-awaited Redeemer has come to take away our sins! --Joe! |
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2 | When will I speak/pray in tongues? | Acts 2:6 | charis | 27924 | ||
Dear Joe! Greetings from Japan in the name of Jesus! I guess I could tell you were not as 'cessationist' as some (others) may think! Perhaps the gift of discerning is upon me from time to time, too! ;-) Brother, I was once part of a church that demanded water baptism and tongues as evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit in order to be 'truly' saved. My 'heretical' questions about those not 'truly' saved got me excommunicated, after 17 years of fellowship. So, I know exactly (up close and personal!) what you mean about the abuses. Perhaps that is where some of my radical 'Jesus-centric' ideas come from. (?) In my local church, we accept the gift of speaking in tongues, but never flaunt it, focus upon it, or require it. It is simply one of the gifts that the Lord has given His church, for the glory of His church, thereby edifying God. All other gifts and ministries are treated in the same manner, and no person is lifted up, because the gifts are from God, for God, and not for personal gain or fame. And, Oh! do I agree with you about the 'sensational' (emotional, soulish?) application of these gifts and ministries, undignified and arrogant, without a picogram of true humility or responsibility! You wrote beautifully: "I do not worship the Bible as I worship God. However, I hold the Bible in the utmost place of honor and reverance in my heart as the inerrant message from that God, revealing as much of Himself as He in His wisdom has decreed that we are to know. While I, too, experience the presence of the Holy Spirit in the proclamation of His Word, in the sacraments, in prayer, and in corporate worship; that experience is solidly God-centered and based 100 percent around the book from God about God to the glory of God alone." Thank you, my colleague, and many blessings upon you and yours. In Christ Jesus, charis |
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