Subject: A church that does not practice tongues |
Bible Note: hello brother Tim; I don't think its all that efficacious, to discus such a controversial Subject on the forum, But, I will attempt to do so as kindly as my limited ability will allow. as I think this has truly gotten out of hand in some circles. I can see that you want to stand up for the rights of toughs who do speak tongues, and I sympathize With you. I hope that is your heartfelt intention, and I think it is. Hear is an excerpt commentary form Matthew Henry, on 1Cor 13:1 I would appreciate very much for you to please consider. ... V.1 Could a man speak all the languages on earth, and that with the greatest propriety, elegance, and fluency, if he could talk like an angel, and yet by without clarity, it would be all empty noise, mere unharmonious and useless sound, that would neither profit nor delight. It is not talking freely, nor finely, nor learnedly, of the things of God, that will save ourselves, or profit others. The apostle first sites this gift because the corinthians seemed to value themselves and not their brethren. Many today think that speaking in unintelligible language is some how to be construed as speaking in the voices of angels, but whenever an angel is encountered in the Bible, they are understood Very clearly, and very precisely. Now if I may, lets Please look at v.11-12 v.11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish things behind me. v.12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know even as I am fully known. Here is another excerpt from M.H. "Such is the difference between earth and heaven. what narrow views, what confused notions of things, have children when compared with grown men!" I believe Paul, in a very gentle way was encouraging them to simply grow up. c.14 v.20 Brothers stop thinking like children. In regard to sin be as infants, but in your thinking be adults. v.23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? This verse speaks for itself. And may I say that It does not take the whole church to convince an unbeliever that the whole church is out of its mind. And may I ask? .... How does this honor God, if his will is that none should parish, that the unbelieving lost sinners of the world, think we are crazy? God bless. John |