Bible Question:
I see here another question about tongues. I would also like to ask one because this is an area that is very fuzzy for me. I did the search on "tongues" but could not get satified with the results. All the scripture that I find in the New Testament seem to refer to tongues as a structured foreign language which is understandable to people of a particular country, not an unintelligeble babble. I know 1Cor.14:2 says they speak to God, but if I was in a crowd of english speaking Christians and began speaking in chinese without anyone that understood chinese the assumption would have to be that I was speaking only to God because He is the only one who could understand me. The Greek word used for "tongues" is Strongs:Number 1100 glossa (gloce-sah) 1) the tongue, a member of the body, an organ of speech 2) a tongue 1a) the language or dialect used by a particular people distinct from that of other nations 1Cr 14:10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices IN THE WORLD, and none of them (is) without signification. (I put caps to accent) 1Cr 14:11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh (shall be) a barbarian unto me. The Greek word for "voice" used is: 5456 phone (fo-nay) 1) a sound, a tone 1a) of inanimate things, as musical instruments 2) a voice 2a) of the sound of uttered words 3) speech 3a) of a language, tongue (again from Strongs) The NASB also interprets the above passage as "languages of the world" My question is where can it be interpreted from scripture that "tongues" is some kind of unintellegable babble that only God understands and not intended to refer to the structured languages of this world discribed in Acts 2:4-11? (Let me say here that I don't put down this practice and love Christians who do it if they are comfortable with it and feel it helps them. I just don't understand it.) Growing in Jesus, Bob |
Bible Answer: Bob, I think you've pretty much nailed it. Nothing should divide the Body of Christ. It is so interesting that people use passages that we intended to bring unity and make something out of it that has become so devisive. 1 Cor. 12, 13 and 14 are a unit that addresses some of the devisiveness in the Corinthian church. A study of spiritual gifts reveals that the gifts are distributed by the Holy Spirit (1Cor.12:11) and the members are set by God (1Cor. 12:18). God has determined what each of our gifts are. We should not neglect our gift (1Tim.4:14) and stir us the gift that is in us (2Tim.1:6). We should be praying, "Lord, show me what gift you have given me", and "Lord, empower me to use this gift to glorify yourself in my life." Also, I believe a study of 1Cor. 13 indicates that some gifts may not be permanent. I believe some of the sign gifts were given to authenticate the apostles and the early church but do not continue. It is interesting that Paul tells Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach and not "call for the faith healer". Also, the epistile of James tells us to call for the elders of the church and let them pray for the sick annointing them with oil. It also goes on to say the effectual fervant prayer of a righteous man availeth much. With the elders doing it no one person gets to make a show of the healing in the event God miraculously heals the person. My contention is if there really are miracle healers today why do they only "perform" on stage. Why aren't they at the hospitals healing everyone. Don't take me wrong I believe God does miraculously heal today. I just question what we see so much of today that appears to be show. Jesus didn't operate that way. |