Bible Question:
There are two parts to my question here, and they both originate in 1 Corinthians 14. First, I pray that God helps my unbelief in that I have not seen or heard people properly (as how Paul describes it) speaking in tongues. For me, it feels hard to accept that it does happen, seeing a number of people abuse it (I'm not saying that I believe it doesn't happen; it's just harder for me to grasp when the people who do speak in tongues around you either 1)don't do it in a orderly fashion or 2)don't have an interpreter present, therefore creating chaos and disorder, at least in this friendly neighborhood bassist for the Lord). Can all spiritual gifts be mishandled like this one? I am thinking of one particual instance when I was at a church and the pastor made sure that he set down the laws for speaking in tongues and order in church, then proceeded to speak in tongues without an interpreter. That was when I knew I had to leave that church. Personal experiences aside, can those gifts be used improperly? I'd like some people of Pentecostal faith to chime in on this one as well. Secondly: Should we still hold true to what Paul says about women speaking in verse 33-35? Or are we talking about two different times? If that's the case, how does that apply today, if at all? |
Bible Answer: I am not a Pentecostal Christian, but I have spoken in tongues(?). When I was a new Christian over 30 years ago I had an experience in which I spoke in tongues. I have not spoken in tongues for the last 25 years. I came to see that what was going on in the New Testament Church was not to continue throughout Church history. I see NT tongues to be known languages, not the speech of angels. I could go on all day, but I will be short and to the point. I see tongues as a religious experience that anyone can undergo. I do not see speaking in tongues as evidence one is a Christian. I do not see tongues to be essential to the Christian life. What we should be concern about is not religious experiences, but a holy life-a close relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. We need to stop looking inside-stop seeking feelings-raptures-but we need to focus our spiritual eyes on the Lord-we need to lose sight of ourselves and seek to conform ourselves to the character of Christ. Christians should attend churches where the Preaching and Teaching of the Bible is the focus Not religious experiences. In our church the sermons last from 45 minutes to 50 minutes. We sing the Psalms and read the Scriptures. Worship should be God centered and not feelings-centered (man-centered). The Bible clearly teaches women are to be silent during Sunday worship services-preachers are to be males not females. Now I see nothing wrong for women to share their thoughts during a Wednesday Night Bible study or other meetings outside the Sunday preaching services. When I go to church what I want to hear is not a bunch of people speaking in tongues but the Word of God-I want to hear the glories of Christ Jesus set forth-I want the Cross of Christ to be lifted up before lost sinners-I want to hear the Gospel of God expounded in alls divine power and beauty. |