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NASB | Acts 2:6 And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 2:6 And when this sound was heard, a crowd gathered, and they were bewildered because each one was hearing those in the upper room speaking in his own language or dialect. |
Subject: When will I speak/pray in tongues? |
Bible Note: 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 |