speaking in tongues?

jayebrownlee · Nov 11, 2002

I have been part of a discussion in another forum where someone wants to speak in tongues but is unsure as to how to get that gift. My point was that perhaps tongues was not a gift they were going to receive, however every other person in that forum seems to think that everyone should be able to speak in tongues, and they seem to think that this is found in scripture. (I am sorry if I have picked up anyone wrongly here, it is not my intention to offend).

I believe that tongues is a beautiful gift, I do not posess it, but I know many people who do. I believe that God has seen a need for these people to speak tongues and that is why they have that gift.

One of the resons I am so confused is that although I have heard many people say that everyone should be able to speak in tongues I have never heard anyone say that everyone should have the gift of prophecy or the gift of the gift of healing, why should the gift of tongues be any different to any other gift of the spirit.

It has always been my understanding that God gives gifts we NEED according to each situation that we are in and does not just give us the gifts we WANT.

I really want to understand this better because if I am not living according to God's word then I want to change as it is my desire to live by God's wishes and laws, however I really can find no scripture backing for these people's point of view, I am not saying it does not exist, I am only saying I cannot find it.

Your sister in Christ

Jay

Jpnseawa · Nov 12, 2002

Originally posted by jayemcintyre  

It has always been my understanding that God gives gifts we NEED according to each situation that we are in and does not just give us the gifts we WANT 

Click to expand...

Jay, that is my understanding as well.

CJF · Nov 12, 2002

Actually, if God wants you to have the gift of tounges he will give it to you, but only if you will accept it. If He gives you a gift, and you don't use it, what's the point in giving you the gift?

jesusbball23 · Nov 13, 2002

do they got scripture to back up their claims?

Actually, do any of you got any scriptures that say spiritual gifts are still alive today for christian's?

Hebrews 2:1-4 - "1We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. "

-this scripture says The gifts were used to testify to God's salvation. It was a confirmation. People now today know God has a plan for salvation so gifts aren't needed.

-This is a long study, if you want to study it out, I can create a website for you guys to read up on spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit.

jayebrownlee · Nov 14, 2002

please, that would be very interesting.

However I do believe the gifts are alive today as I have experienced tongues, healing and prophecy myself, as in I have been around people doing them, and I have actually been healed spiritually myself.

It would be interesting to see this website though.

Your Sister in Christ

Jay

Knight · Nov 14, 2002

One thing about all spiritual gifts. The Lord gives us what He wants us to have. We do not get to pick and choose. Sorry, but that's the way it is.

As to Tongues I am always suspicious of this one. I'm not saying that it is wrong nor am I saying that it is not given anymore. However, there are a great many false claims associated with this gift that are intended to glorify the person recieving the gift rather than God.

Again, I'm not condeming anyone but I've been a Christian for about 20 years and I've never seen the gift of tongues in action. (I'm not penecostal.)
I would have to conclude that if it is still used by God then it is rare.

Of course, these are just my observations.

fakemind · Nov 14, 2002

It has always been my understanding that God gives gifts we NEED according to each situation that we are in and does not just give us the gifts we WANT.

Hebrews 2:4 (nkjv)
God also bearing witness with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

the gifts are distributed according to God's will, not our will. can we pray to receive a gift of the Holy Spirit thats not in God's will for us? no, for if we did we would be praying opposite or contrary to God's will.

1 John 5:14-15 (nkjv)
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

Actually, do any of you got any scriptures that say spiritual gifts are still alive today for christian's?

have the gifts ceased? unless somebody can bring about some scriptures im not familar with, i have never read anywhere of God ceasing to distribute gifts.

(ps. i feel i have the gift of teaching. why would God cease to distribute the gift of teaching?)

much Christian love,

Lk2117 · Nov 14, 2002

Originally posted by Knight
One thing about all spiritual gifts. The Lord gives us what He wants us to have. We do not get to pick and choose. Sorry, but that's the way it is.

I would have to conclude that if it is still used by God then it is rare.

Of course, these are just my observations.

The question should be do you believe that the gifts of the Spirit are for today. If you say yes (like I do) then you must believe that all the gifts (tongues, prophecying, healing,etc...) are in effect today and available to anyone who wants them.

Your right when you say that the Lord gives us gifts when He wants us to have them. Not eveyone will be given the gift to heal. That gift may come on you for a short time and then be gone, but that healing may show someone the power of God who did not believe before and cause them to turn to Christ and all the glory will be His.

Tongues are not rare. Seek out the Holy Spirit and see. 

Knight · Nov 14, 2002

Originally posted by Lk2117

Tongues are not rare. Seek out the Holy Spirit and see. 

 

I respectfully disagree. I do my best to keep up to date on Christian news and I have heard nothing to suggest that this gift is anything but rare.

Also, there is no Biblical evedince that God gives us gifts temporarily and then takes them away.

Still, this is a disputible matter and you are entitled to your opinion as I am mine.

Regards,

Lk2117 · Nov 14, 2002

Originally posted by Knight
 

I respectfully disagree. I do my best to keep up to date on Christian news and I have heard nothing to suggest that this gift is anything but rare

I'm curious to know what news you have read that says tongues are rare. I think we should start back at my question, do you believe in the gifts of the Spirit?

I understand some churches teach against the Spirit and I was wondering if that has had some infuence on you.

Knight · Nov 14, 2002

Our church teaches in favor of spiritual gifts as described in scripture. Tongues is included in that list but it is also closely investigated for reasons I outlined before.

Also, I never said that I've seen news that the gift of tongues is rare. I said that I had not seen evedince that it was as common as you make it seem.

Let me ask you a question.
What do you think God would use the gift of tongues for? Please give a specific answer.

girlscoutdropout · Nov 14, 2002

I agree with the others in that if God wants you to have a gift like tongues, and IF YOU ARE ACCEPTING AND OPEN TO HIS SPIRITUAL TOUCH! I also attend a church that is subject to many miracles, and God uses everyone in a different way.. it might not be tongues, but it might be visions, healing.. ect...
Don't let other christians scare you. just because you don't speak in tongues doesn't mean that you are a bad christian. if you are yearning to communicate with God in that intimate way, just pray to God about it, and He will surely bless you

God bless!

Lk2117 · Nov 14, 2002

Originally posted by Knight
Let me ask you a question.
What do you think God would use the gift of tongues for? Please give a specific answer.

Praying in tongues is also called praying in the Spirit. When we pray, we talk to God out of our flesh. He knows our hearts and moves accordingly. But to pray in the Spirit, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. Speaking in tongues should never be used to make someone look important or holy. Speaking in tongues is used to speak to God, to edify ad renew our spirit.

You said: I do my best to keep up to date on Christian news and I have heard nothing to suggest that this gift is anything but rare.

that is why I asked about the news you have seen or read.

Knight · Nov 14, 2002

Originally posted by girlscoutdropout
I agree with the others in that if God wants you to have a gift like tongues, and IF YOU ARE ACCEPTING AND OPEN TO HIS SPIRITUAL TOUCH! I also attend a church that is subject to many miracles, and God uses everyone in a different way.. it might not be tongues, but it might be visions, healing.. ect...
Don't let other christians scare you. just because you don't speak in tongues doesn't mean that you are a bad christian. if you are yearning to communicate with God in that intimate way, just pray to God about it, and He will surely bless you

God bless!

 

I'm assuming that this was addressed to me.

Where did you get the impression that I was frightened by this concept? An opinion was asked for and I gave it. Now I am tasked to defend it.

In all honesty, I don't reject the idea that it is possible for God to use these gifts to further His kingdom. I refuse to place limits on God. At the same time I am inclined to carefully evaluate occurrences such as faith healing and tongues as there have been a great many false teachers who appeared to possess these gifts but were only seeking personal glorification rather than the glorification of God. They did not possess these gifts but wanted to appear to do so for their own gain.

Is this clear yet? I did not say that these gifts no longer existed. What I said was we should carefully evaluate occurences of these to prove their reliability. I also personally BELIEVE that these are rare these days for the reasons I have given.

Knight · Nov 14, 2002

Originally posted by Lk2117
Praying in tongues is also called praying in the Spirit. When we pray, we talk to God out of our flesh. He knows our hearts and moves accordingly. But to pray in the Spirit, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. Speaking in tongues should never be used to make someone look important or holy. Speaking in tongues is used to speak to God, to edify ad renew our spirit.

 

Sorry, I fail to understand how this can be used to further God's kingdom. That is the purpose of spiritual gifts.

THe Holy Spirit can and does intercede for us when we struggle with prayer. I do not see how speaking in tongues applies to this.

The first appearance of this gift in NT scripture was in the first couple of chapters of Acts. The story of pentecost. At that time the gift of tongues was used as a demonstration of God's power through the Holy Spirit. This is why this gift is associated with public displays.

Lk2117 · Nov 14, 2002

Originally posted by Knight
[BIs this clear yet? I did not say that these gifts no longer existed. What I said was we should carefully evaluate occurences of these to prove their reliability. I also personally BELIEVE that these are rare these days for the reasons I have given. [/B]

I agree that many people have used the gifts for their own gain, but there are a lot more who use these gifts the way the Lord has instructed and you hear nothing about them because it's all about giving glory to God.

I'v seen people healed. I'v been involved with casting out a demon. God has used me propheticly. Are you sitting in church and not seeing anything happen and assumeing that if it's not going on here, it must not go on in a lot of places? Where you burned by someone and now you believe in the gifts but just a little skeptical as to how much of the church really moves in the Spirits anointing?

Knight · Nov 14, 2002

You're making a lot of assumptions about me that have no base.

I attend a growing Bible preaching church. God's glory is present and felt in this body. We have grown at a phenomonal rate in the past several years and most of this has been through conversion. This was done through the power of the blood of Jesus Christ to change lives. That is the real miracle. Not healing or speaking in tongues but the power of God's diving grace.

For the last time I have never denied the possibility of these gifts. I have simply stated that we should be careful when ascribing these gifts to someone as they can and have been used by false teachers. I was never "burned" by any of these people. I simply understand human nature and it's capacity to pervert and distort God's Word.

jayebrownlee · Nov 14, 2002

Please people, I do not want this to turn into a ground for attacking other people that we don't even know, let us just base these conversations on scripture and personal experience.

However, I keep reading, in this forum, and in others that the gift of tongues is available to ANYONE who seeks it, but surely this is then saying that you can get the gift just because you WANT it. God does not give gifts according to our wants, yes we need to accept any gift wholeheartedly, but God will NOT give these gifts just for personal gain (I am not saying that doesn't happen though, I personally know someone who I think uses tongues for personal gain) or because we want them.

Your sister in Christ

Jay

jesusbball23 · Nov 14, 2002

1 Corinthians 13:8 - gifts will cease...

-Actually the gifts ceased already. When the Apostles who were the ONLY people who can even pass down the gifts (read all through Acts, and you will see what I mean) to other disciples died, and when the people who were given the gifts by the apostles died, that's when the gifts ceased.

jayebrownlee · Nov 14, 2002

I have read 1 Corinthians 13:8 and I do see that they say that gifts will end, but I think that in this passage that what Paul means is that one day, such as when the world as we know ends and God's knew order begins, then there will be no need for these gifts. I personally know that the gifts of the Spirit are still alive today as, as I have said in this thread already, I have personal experience of them; I have been spirtually healed, I have known people who have had prophetic images and 3 of the pastors at my old church can speak in tongues.

I can see no reason for these gifts of God to stop, people need confirmation of God's existence today as much as ever, and as for only the disciples of God being able to perform these gifts, we are ALL disciples of God, if we truly accept Jesus into our hearts.

I do not mean to be difficult, it truly is not my intention, it is just that I believe this very strong;y, and I am not saying that I want to force my beliefs onto everyone heree, I just want to present them for everyone to think about on their own, and draw their own conclusions.

speaking in tongues?

Should Christians receive the gift of tongues?

Yes, every Christian should be able to speak in tongues.

Yes, some Christians will be given the gift of tongues.

No Christian should ever speak in tongues.

What is tongues?

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