Subject: A church that does not practice tongues |
Bible Note: Hello Tim, Thank you brother, That is, sort of, what I was referring to when I said I thought you wanted to defend their right, sorry, I was not clear on that one. It is hard to be explicit in a small space, and say all that is on ones mind. (that would be 'alleged' mind in my case) ;-) In any event, I do support your position, And you have said it very clearly, all very well, and supported by scripture. And I can certainly appreciate wanting to keep it scriptural, as mere opinion can sometimes be quite tainted by emotion. Thank you. Now having said that, I would appreciate very much everyones consideration of the following. This has been a subject that I have spent many hours in pryer, meditation, supplication, and study. Early on, as I had only been a Christian a very short time, I was involved in a church that practiced tongues, among other questionable things. This was a very difficult time for me. I wanted to be in God's will, and do the things that they were trying to teach me, but the more I looked at all these issues it became more clear that it was not scriptural. They told me that if God had not moved on me with the gift to speak in tongues, that I should just practice making sounds on my own, and God would then guide me, and His Spirit would take over if I made the first effort. Hmm, I had to think that one over. So, to the Bible for guidance, I had no-wear else to run. And they would say, oh, so, confidently, don't be afraid, we were afraid at first too! And that small voice was saying, " If you take it, its not a gift!" "Be careful my son." They tried also teach me that I should go up front an get slain in the Spirit, Just giving it all up to God. This would give me the confidence I needed to trust God, and start practicing my pryer language, (Tongues). Hmm, Were could I find that in Scripture? Back to the Bible I went. Were else? Also they would say things like," you know John, of course because we are born again, and the Spirit of God lives in you, your spirit and the Holly Spirit, are one, your spirit, cannot be possessed by a demon",... (man, thats good news! .. right?)... "But." ... "However;" ... "One could, for-instance, ... live in your big toe!" (I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP!) And was told, that we all needed to see a faith healer from time to time to have the little fellows cast out, they called it, deliverance, hmmm, sounds like the name of a bad movie. OK; Back to tongues, I believe, that this (pryer language) is given to some. I also believe, that probably ninety nine, out of an hundred, do not have it!! The ones that I have known, that I believe have truly been given this gift,... add up to one. And she would do it in privet, and never in a worship service, as she believed it would be disruptive, and not edify anyone but herself. Hows that for scriptural? 1 Cor 14:1 Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. 4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. And one thing we can consider in Paul's teaching, is that it was very common in toughs days, to have someone at a gathering that just didn't speak the same language. hmm. So, this was a woman, who had many, inconceivably horrible events happen in her life. And I believe God Had given to her this pryer language to comfort her, as it would be a way for her to forget, and just have sweet fellowship with our Lord. Not 'very' Scriptural I know, much hear-in is my tainted opinion. May I say this, I still have fellowship with the people in that church, I love them all very much. I just don't go for sunday service. 1 Cor 12:23 and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. Let us therefore 'not' forsake fellowship, and be graceful to all. God bless. John |