Bible Question: Does the New Testament teach that their are two different kinds of the gift of tongues: a known language one and a private prayer language? Mike |
Bible Answer: Hello and Greetings in the Lord. I have studied this gift and I have come to a few conclusions: 1. In the Spirit does not mean tongues (as generally pentecostal friends try to context it. see Lk 1:17, Col 1:8,Rev 1:10; 4:2; 17:3 if you can apply tongues to the praying verse you have to apply it to these others too.) 2. The gift of the Spirit "tongues" in 1 Cor 12 has not gone away (as generally some of my Baptist friends would tell me. No, 1 Cor 13 does not mean that the tounges will cease, not unless you take away knowledge and prophecy too [let's honest with the text]) 3. You can not pray to get the gift.(does someone has a scripture for this?) 4. It is NOT the least of all the gifts (where do people get this idea?) Just because it is listed last with interpretation in 1 Cor 12? 5. Not everyone has the gift (1Cor 12:29-31 "Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts" This is a rhetorical question to which is the answer: no., But desire the greater gifts segue to 1 Cor 13 the "Love" Chapter) There is the gift of speaking in tongues. We know that there is one that is public (many times abused) and has strict guidlines for its use (see 1 cor 14:27), There also is mentioned praying in a tongue, in which our Spirit prays, but is mentally unfruitful. Whether you pray in a tongue is none of my business, and whether I do is none of your business. If you tell others that you do, why? If tongues is used in public, test it to the guidelines in 1 Cor 14. Generally tongues is a "too bad you don't have it" gift, rather than one of genuine Love: "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal" (1 Cor 12:1) Love should be the ultimate goal of any of the Gifts of the Spirit. Keep in mind:1 Cor 14:18-20 "I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults." - NIV. If you have the gift, good, if you don't, don't worry. |