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I just never understood what it means....

Sign Of The Fish Burger

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To Speak in tongues??
Like I understand that its a gift given to you by the Holy Spirit and stuff. But I dont know what it is. I dont think I have ever even heared of anyone speaking in tongues.. or even what to expect.:scratch:
ANd what does praying in the spirit mean?
Wow you think you know alot then stuff like this comes up :confused:
 
Sign Of The Fish said:
To Speak in tongues??
Like I understand that its a gift given to you by the Holy Spirit and stuff. But I dont know what it is. I dont think I have ever even heared of anyone speaking in tongues.. or even what to expect.:scratch:
ANd what does praying in the spirit mean?
Wow you think you know alot then stuff like this comes up :confused:
Its basically your spirit speaking in a its heavenly language, the Holy Spirit is praying through you when you speak from the spirit in tongues, Tongues is simply this, If you recieve Jesus into your heart then everyone can speak in tongues since Jesus came into you with the Holy Spirit, so all you have to do by faith is open your mouth and by faith begin makeing mumbling noises from out of your mouth, eventually you will learn and the Holy Spirit will curve it into true tongues, it does take practice with some and with some it doesnt, If your willing to learn the Holy Spirit will teach you and Guide you... Hope this helps.. when speaking in tongues your spirit and God are communicating to each other things that you might of not known what to pray for, so by speaking in tongues it expresses to God from your spirit what it is really trying to say to God while the Holy Spirit is flowing through you... Anyone who has Jesus in there heart can do this...
 
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Sign Of The Fish said:
So what happens if we never speak in tongues?
Nothing your not condemned to hell or anything, it is a blessing to use the gift of tongues it edifies your spirit as well encourages you at all times when speaking in tongues, it energizes your spirit in what ever your going through, it fills you with the power of the Holy Spirit to break the strongholds satan has put in our minds or bodies etc.. you can speak whenever or for hours or none at all, its up to you and the Holy Spirit , If you dont want to you dont have to, but if I am feeling weak or when I am tempted I begin speaking in tongues as to strengthen me during these times...In other words instead of using are own strength we can as to seem syphon off of the Holy Spirits power and strength instead of are strength amen God Bless luv ya keep up the good work....
 
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onajourney87

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If I had a dollar for everything I've ever heard that's incorrect about tongues....

Tongues is simply this, If you recieve Jesus into your heart then everyone can speak in tongues since Jesus came into you with the Holy Spirit
No, no, no. Not every born again Christian can speak in tongues. The Bible makes it clear that this is a spiritual gift, and not everyone has it:

1 Corinthians 12:7-11
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

Notice all the "to another"s in those verses? The idea is some are given one of the gifts, some are given another of the gifts. Also, note the last sentance, as He determines. Not everyone will receive the gift of tongues. If you disagree, please explain why(keep in mind, you will have to defeat at least five verses, or somehow show that straightforward interpritation of them is incorrect).

Three other verses:

1 Corinthians 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. And now I will show you the most excellent way.

These are retorical questions. The answer to all of them is "no". Again, if you disagree, please explain why.

all you have to do by faith is open your mouth and by faith begin makeing mumbling noises from out of your mouth, eventually you will learn and the Holy Spirit will curve it into true tongues, it does take practice with some and with some it doesnt, If your willing to learn the Holy Spirit will teach you and Guide you...
As I think I have shown through the above verses, most of this is incorrect as not everyone has the gift of tongues. The Holy Spirit won't "curve" gibberish into tongues unless the Holy Spirit has given you the gift of tongues(and even then, in the one Scriptural account of people receiving the gift of tongues, Acts 2:1-12, they didn't have to "learn", it was instant).

Now, those of you who have different views, by all means, explain them. But back them up with Scripture please.

osm
 
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TCapp

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Sign Of The Fish said:
To Speak in tongues??
Like I understand that its a gift given to you by the Holy Spirit and stuff. But I dont know what it is. I dont think I have ever even heared of anyone speaking in tongues.. or even what to expect.:scratch:
ANd what does praying in the spirit mean?
Wow you think you know alot then stuff like this comes up :confused:
I was going to reply by saying that it is debatable thing, some saying this - some saying that .... but I think the previous posters have demonstrated it. :)

I personally think it simply means the abilty [or gift] to speak in another's language so they understand you. I'm not sure how it came to be understood as a form of ... I don't know a polite, unoffensive way to say "gibberish" ... but I don't think that is what Scripture means by "tongues". And even if it did, it is only one of many types of gifts given by the Holy Spirit, being no better or worse than others.
 
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endure

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hi everyone!

i do not think myself a great teacher or anything, though i do want to be one one day.
but i do think i can clear somethings up if you dont mind reading the remainder of my post.

i agree with SAVEEVERYONE, for several diffrent reasons, but first of all id like to commend this person, GOOD JOB FOR TELLING THE TRUTH SO WELL!

ok.

1. is tongues for everyone?

as one person showed, the bible can seem to say that no they are not.
becuase of scriptures like 1 cor 12.7-11.
but it also directly says that anyone who simply believes CAN.
Mark 16.17
and these sighns SHALL follow them that BELIEVE: In my name shall they cast out devils; they SHALL speak with new tongues...

no one questions that a believers authority over the devil doesnt differ from any other christians, but most question that tongues are for all, but Jesus said it comes with believing and being saved, just as having authority over demons does. but just as having authority and casting out demons take excersise and experience and process or else it wont work fully, speaking in tongues is the same way.
if a christian cant heal the sick or cast out a devil, it isnt becuase they arent capable becuase Jesus said WHATEVER you ask for in faith YOU CAN HAVE regardless of whether or not you know your gifts.
it is becuase they havent grown to that level yet in the Lord and tongues are the same way.
but Jesus promised new tongues to those who beleive and are willing to go and get it, and that applies to any and all christians.
same as receiving anything from the Lord, you have to go and get it.
many many things are promised to believers that they never receive, becuase "you have not becuase you ask not".
it is very very possible to have something handed to you from God, yet you never ever receive it. thats what happened when paul rebuked a church for fighting for things that God told them they could have if theyd just ask, and ask for the right reasons, but the point is clear, it was given them, but they still had not received it. the same goes for tongues alot of the times.
as a person earlier showed, the bible says God gives diffrent gifts to diffrent people according to his will, and this is true, but IT IS NOT BECUASE SOME PEOPLE JUST CANT HAVE OTHER GIFTS, BUT ITS BECUASE GOD WORKS WITH YOU WHERE YOU ARE, AND GIVES YOU WHAT YOU CAN HANDLE. just becuase you have only been given one gift, doesnt mean you cant have more, its just that God cant give you more yet.
becuase it is clear that speaking in tongues is a gift that ANYONE can have. and the same goes for all of them, or why did he encourage everyone to prophesy? 1 cor 14. he desired them to prophecy period, he did not stop and say "well first you need to make sure God has given you that gift", he didnt even mention anything about that.
paul said to a certain church that he wished they all spoke in tongues, and it wasnt becuase he was ignorant that God knows best or was rebellious to the plan of God for them not to speak in tongues, but he knew they all could yet they had not received it yet, but he wished or desired for them to.

the person also quoted this verse to say not everyone can speak in tongues.
1 Corinthians 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. And now I will show you the most excellent way.

yes the obvious answer is no. but he wasnt implying to them that they simply could not, but rather he was saying to them that it is obvious that not everyone is doing these things, BUT HE TOLD THEM TO EAGERLY DESIRE THOSE GIFTS NONTHELESS!
he was simply emphasising that not everyone was doing great things, but then he encouraged them to seek those things, the greater gifts. or as the KJV puts it, the greatest gifts.
paul was encouraging them to seek after all the gifts.

it is absolutely apparent that paul himself worked in EVERY ONE OF THE GIFTS, as can be proven. there is no way anyone can say no one can have them all or that we are all destined to have just one.
the bible says you can do ALL things through Christ. that means if you are in a situation where you need to speak in tongues, then YOU can! if you are in a situation where you need to heal the sick, then YOU can! and on and on for ALL of the gifts.

but as i showed earlier, gifts is for ALL saved people, the deciding factor is your faith, not being chosen by God out from a group to speak in tongues.
no not everyone does it, but it isnt because they arent capable.

2. do you have to learn tongues or is it instant?

you do have to learn, but it is also instant.
you instantly gain the ability to speak in tongues, but you do have to progress and excersise that gift to full maturity, God has to show you how its used and how its not, just like a body part it becomes stronger and stronger and more effective as its used through practice.
when i first started speaking in tongues it was only a few sylables (sorry i think i spelled that) but as i did it more and more it was clear that it grew into a full more fluent language, and was no longer what appeared to be a constant repitition of a few words. just like a baby learnes to talk, it as a progression, and really nearly all things in the Lord are this way.
you have to learn how to pray more effectively, how to battle the enemy more effectively, how to use what God has given you effectively to its true and final power.
in hebrews 5 paul said you have to EXCERSISE YOUR SENSES.
almost everything you do in the Lord has to be mastered and excersised so you can go on and use it in its full potentail. just because you gain something instantly does not mean you have mastered it. you start as a babe in Christ and you have to grow and mature, and that goes for your spiritual body parts too.

yes its instant, but that does not mean you instantly know how to use it in the fullness of its potential or power.

3. is tongues giberish?

Has God used men to speak in tongues they did not know that happened to be the native tongues of people listening, so that it came out as a known language? certainly.
IS THIS THE GUIDLINE FOR ALL TONGUES? absolutely not, and it cannot be for several reasons.

just becuase it can be called giberish soley becuase it cant be understood by anyone listening, does not make it unbiblical or false at all, as can be easily proven.
1 cor 14.1-4
for he that speaketh in an UNKNOWN tongue speaketh NOT UNTO MEN, but unto God: FOR NO MAN UNDERSTANDETH HIM, howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

so it is clearly proven that just becuase no one listening understands it, (so it can be called giberish)
DOES NOT MEAN ITS WRONG, becuase he said sometimes NO MAN WILL UNDERSTAND. does that means its not a language? no. german sounds like gierish to me.
sometimes it is an UNKNOWN TONGUE, that means NO ONE KNOWS THAT LANGUAGE.
sometimes YOUR NOT SPEAKING TO ANY MAN ANYWAY, BUT YOUR SPEAKING TO GOD. thats why it does not always need to be interpreted, nor understood by someone listening, becuase it isnt for them anyway.
so just becuase you can call it giberish becuase its something that cant be understood BY YOU, does not make it wrong in the least.

1 cor 13.1
"though i speak with the tongues of angels..."

SOMETIMES PEOPLE CAN TALK IN ANGELIC TONGUES, how are you gonna have someone listening understand that?

i think that covered everything that was brought up, and i hope i helped someone.

and no "sighn of the fish" you wont go to hell for not speaking in tongues.
it only means you sadly never truely grew to maturity in the Lord and maximised the fullness of what he gave you.

i understand your questions maybe even fear or speculation, but be encouraged, it is a wonderful experience that doesnt have to be done in public, but maybe rather in the security of your secret place alone with God. it is a wonderful experience, that cannot help but propel your walk with God to knew levels.
it allows the holyspirit to step in and help you pray in a way that is beyond your ability and receive more from the Lord than you would have on your own. and it is also a wonderful way into the presence of the Lord.
 
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onajourney87

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Hmm, someone(endure) who shares a differnent view on tongues than I has actually responded to my questions. That's great, as outa the approxamatly 20 people I've talked to about tongues, all of them have ignored my questions. It's good to see someone willing to try and back up their beliefs with the Bible(as endure did, and as I will now try to do again).

Just a note, I may only have time to address parts of the previous posts tonight, but I will do my best to address it completely by tomorrow night.

1. is tongues for everyone?

as one person showed, the bible can seem to say that no they are not.
becuase of scriptures like 1 cor 12.7-11.
but it also directly says that anyone who simply believes CAN.
Mark 16.17
and these sighns SHALL follow them that BELIEVE: In my name shall they cast out devils; they SHALL speak with new tongues...

Ah, one of the trickiest section of verses in the Bible, and one of the conerstone verses of the charismatic church. First, let's look at the verses surrounding Mark 16:17. And let's not just look at it in NIV(or a translation based on the NIV), but in both NIV, and NKJV(though most any non-NIV based translation has the differences I will point out). So, let's start by looking at Mark 16:14-20 in NIV and NKJV. The reason for using two translations here is because while the NIV is one of the more commonly used translations, I think the NKJV makes this even clearer.

First, look at the first word in verse 16. NKJV has "he" and NIV has "whoever". Both are singular("he" is definantly singular, as is "whoever", but we often missuse the latter when we talk today, so that is why I favour the NKJV here). Now, go look at who the "them"(notice, this a plural verb) in verse 15 refers too. Looking back at verse 14, we find it refers to the eleven(the disciples, but Judas has killed himself, so they are eleven instead of twelve right now). Now, carefully look at verses 17-18. In the NKJV, do they read:

And these signs will follow he who believes: In My name he will cast out demons; he will speak with new tongues; he will take up serpents; and if he drinks anything deadly, it will by no means hurt him; he will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.

Or do they read:

And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

The correct answer is the last one. Now I'm told this is completely obvious if you can read Greek(the original language Mark was written in), but as most don't, we instead must pick through these verses. If we trace the plurals used, we come back to finding out that the purals in this entire section refer to the eleven. Verses 17-18 aren't talking about Christians in general, but of the eleven. If that is not enough to convince you, then get this. If it is talking about Christians in general, Jesus is a liar. You see, if you wish to say it applies to all Christians, then you can for instance read it as follows:

And these signs will follow Billy Graham: In My name Billy Graham will cast out demons; Billy Graham will speak with new tongues; Billy Graham will take up serpents; and if Billy Graham drinks anything deadly, it will by no means hurt Billy Graham; Billy Graham will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.

Using your interpritation, we find that Jesus said Billy Graham will do all those things. No, not a "he might do all those things" but a "he will do all those things". Well, Billy Graham hasn't done all of those. Yes, I know, some Christians have been poisened with doses of poisen that should kill them ten times over, but it's not effected them(praise God! He does still work miricles). But those same Christians haven't done everything in verses 17-18.

Now, if anyone wishes to explain to me how what I have said is inaccurate, by all means, please do so.

Do not, do not however just say "you're twisting scripture" and then hit post. Please back up what you say.

osm
 
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endure

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thankyou for your reply.

i understand your thinking and i commend you, i have never heard that defense before.
but i find it very unfounded, just becuase the author of the text changed the personal pronouns being used does not have to mean he changed who he was refering to, i see the question that is raised but i see really absolutely no evidence to that would lead me to think it is of worth.
and one of your 2 foundations for this was that 3 verses earlier "they" was used to refer selectivley to the disciples.
how is that anymore proof for that, than thinking its also proof that everywhere an author said "they" in the bible it had to stand the for certain disciples of Jesus.

earlier in the chapter "they" refers to two women who are not of the 12 disciples at all.
i see your thinking, but what foundation do you have to say its true?

you gave the foundation that since billy graham didnt do those things, then aparently it couldnt have refered to anyone except the 12.
paul the apostle, who lacked nothing compared to any of the 12 disciples and who had everyone of the 8 gifts of God working in him and manifest through him, was not a disciple. it is aparent that verse 17 does not refer to only the 12 disciples, and you cant say it does based on such small evidence as "well they changed the pronoons, and 3 verses earlier ""they"" meant the disciples only."

Billy Graham not doing those things (if you can prove he didnt which i doubt you can, which really doesnt matter anyway) does not prove they are only for a few or werent for billy graham. just becuase you have faith enough to believe in salvation, does not mean you have faith enough to believe that a dead man can come back to life, cast out a demon, etc. they take very diffrent levels of faith.
most people get saved and from then on dont even question whether or not they are saved. thats faith.
but most people could not ever bring themselves to believe they could ever see a man come back from the dead, and this is true from the complete absence of expectation. and when it does happen people get scared or are totally freaked out, and thats not faith.
but both realities can be in one person who is very sure of their salvation.

the man came to Jesus, mark 9.24
"Lord i believe, help thou myne unbelief"
just becuase have faith enough for something, doesnt mean you have faith enough for all things.

again, the key was beleiving.
it didnt say that if they got saved they would cast out demons etc.
it said they believed and got saved and these would follow those who believe. i know plenty of people who fully beleive they are saved, but do not at all believe they can heal the sick, cast out a demon, etc.
and this can be anyones state.
and it doesnt matter whether you had enough faith to be saved or not, if you do not believe you can heal the sick or cast out a demon it wont happen.
and that is maybe why billy graham never did, if he really never did, but im sure there is much about him that no one will ever know.
i didnt really think he was much of a charismatic though, forgive me if im wrong.
and if he wasnt and didnt believe in those things, then no wonder he didnt do them, hes only proving the bible that says if you dont believe then you will by no means receive
 
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LarrySmith

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SAVEVERYONE said:
You Guys have the Holy Spirit in you right, then what makes you think you cant speak in tongues, If he chooses to start speaking in tongues through you are you going to stop him and say thats not my gift , no let it happen its ok....
I would have to agree with the otherside on this saveveryone. I would rather lay hands on the sick and see them recover. I would rather speak a word of knowledge to a confused brother. The unknown angelic tongue is only profitable for the one speaking it...except he interpret. I would rather speak in a human tongue unknown to me but known to the person I'm witnessing to. That is what happened at Penecost.


Acts 2:5-11
5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."
NKJV

We can see from the above passage that in this case the tongues were understood. There are unknown tongues..but speaking in a known tongue is a better witness.
 
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LarrySmith

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osmaker said:
Hmm, someone(endure) who shares a differnent view on tongues than I has actually responded to my questions. That's great, as outa the approxamatly 20 people I've talked to about tongues, all of them have ignored my questions.

*I will gladly answer them all*


It's good to see someone willing to try and back up their beliefs with the Bible(as endure did, and as I will now try to do again).

Just a note, I may only have time to address parts of the previous posts tonight, but I will do my best to address it completely by tomorrow night.



Ah, one of the trickiest section of verses in the Bible,

* Wrong..it only tricky is you are a cessationist....then it is tricky. It is very clear to me.


and one of the conerstone verses of the charismatic church.



*I glad you said one because there ae quite a few others.*



First, let's look at the verses surrounding Mark 16:17. And let's not just look at it in NIV(or a translation based on the NIV), but in both NIV, and NKJV(though most any non-NIV based translation has the differences I will point out). So, let's start by looking at Mark 16:14-20 in NIV and NKJV.


* I have a better idea. Lets examine the greek.
The key word for them there is "tios"
What does it refer to? By every law of greek translation it refers to ALL believers. It doesn't mean however that each sign will follow each believer..it simply means that a sign will follow each believer. One may have tongues...one may heal..one may prophesy. Your lack of knowledge as far as greek is concerned is apparent.*




The reason for using two translations here is because while the NIV is one of the more commonly used translations, I think the NKJV makes this even clearer.

First, look at the first word in verse 16. NKJV has "he" and NIV has "whoever". Both are singular("he" is definantly singular, as is "whoever", but we often missuse the latter when we talk today, so that is why I favour the NKJV here). Now, go look at who the "them"(notice, this a plural verb) in verse 15 refers too. Looking back at verse 14, we find it refers to the eleven(the disciples, but Judas has killed himself, so they are eleven

*Once again your lack of greek syntax is apparent. It in fact refers to every one who BELIEVES...that is the verb in the parsing of the greek. You don't have a leg to stand on if you are trying to insinuate that signs and wonders have ceased.*

instead of twelve right now). Now, carefully look at verses 17-18. In the NKJV, do they read:

And these signs will follow he who believes: In My name he will cast out demons; he will speak with new tongues; he will take up serpents; and if he drinks anything deadly, it will by no means hurt him; he will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.

Or do they read:

And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

The correct answer is the last one.
CORRECT! It refers to ALL believers..."Those that believe" An apostolic qualification isn't even mentioned.... Look at STEVEN! In Acts.

Acts 6:8
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people
NKJV

Now I'm told
this is completely obvious if you can read Greek(the original language Mark was written in), but as most don't, we instead must pick through these verses.

*I do read kione greek. Whoever told you that is in error*

If we trace the plurals used, we come back to finding out that the purals in this entire section refer to the eleven. Verses 17-18 aren't talking about Christians in general, but of the eleven. If that is not enough to convince you, then get this. If it is talking about Christians in general, Jesus is a liar. You see, if you wish to say it applies to all Christians, then you can for instance read it as follows:

And these signs will follow Billy Graham: In My name Billy Graham will cast out demons; Billy Graham will speak with new tongues; Billy Graham will take up serpents; and if Billy Graham drinks anything deadly, it will by no means hurt Billy Graham; Billy Graham will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.

Using your interpritation, we find that Jesus said Billy Graham will do all those things. No, not a "he might do all those things" but a "he will do all those things". Well, Billy Graham hasn't done all of those. Yes, I know, some Christians have been poisened with doses of poisen that should kill them ten times over, but it's not effected them(praise God! He does still work miricles). But those same Christians haven't done everything in verses 17-18.

Now, if anyone wishes to explain to me how what I have said is inaccurate, by all means, please do so.

<br>

*I will do so to a much fuller extent later. I'm sure most will agree this is enough for now. I will be happy to parse all the verses in greek. I suggest however that you bring your greek mentor into this discussion.*






Do not, do not however just say "you're twisting scripture" and then hit post. Please back up what you say.

osm

nuff said
 
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onajourney87

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Hmm... this may take awhile, still on the same point...

endure said:
thankyou for your reply.

i understand your thinking and i commend you, i have never heard that defense before.
but i find it very unfounded, just becuase the author of the text changed the personal pronouns being used does not have to mean he changed who he was refering to, i see the question that is raised but i see really absolutely no evidence to that would lead me to think it is of worth.
and one of your 2 foundations for this was that 3 verses earlier "they" was used to refer selectivley to the disciples.
how is that anymore proof for that, than thinking its also proof that everywhere an author said "they" in the bible it had to stand the for certain disciples of Jesus.

earlier in the chapter "they" refers to two women who are not of the 12 disciples at all.
i see your thinking, but what foundation do you have to say its true?

you gave the foundation that since billy graham didnt do those things, then aparently it couldnt have refered to anyone except the 12.
paul the apostle, who lacked nothing compared to any of the 12 disciples and who had everyone of the 8 gifts of God working in him and manifest through him, was not a disciple. it is aparent that verse 17 does not refer to only the 12 disciples, and you cant say it does based on such small evidence as "well they changed the pronoons, and 3 verses earlier ""they"" meant the disciples only."

Billy Graham not doing those things (if you can prove he didnt which i doubt you can, which really doesnt matter anyway) does not prove they are only for a few or werent for billy graham. just becuase you have faith enough to believe in salvation, does not mean you have faith enough to believe that a dead man can come back to life, cast out a demon, etc. they take very diffrent levels of faith.
most people get saved and from then on dont even question whether or not they are saved. thats faith.
but most people could not ever bring themselves to believe they could ever see a man come back from the dead, and this is true from the complete absence of expectation. and when it does happen people get scared or are totally freaked out, and thats not faith.
but both realities can be in one person who is very sure of their salvation.

Okay, you did correct me on one thing. The "they" in verses 17-18 doesn't mean just the eleven. But perhaps it means just the apostles(which included the eleven, and then Matthias who was added by the help of God in Acts 1:15-26). We know God also added Paul to the apostles via Acts chapter 9 and the fact that Paul calls himself an apostle. Now, throughout the rest of the new testament, there is only one group of people who are recorded to have fullfilled Mark 16:17-18: the apostles(though the Bible doesn't record the apostles eating anything deadly).

Now, I'm not saying that only the apostles could speak in tongues. What I am trying to say is how ridiculas this verse is to use to say that everyone can have the gift of tongues. I tried to emphisize my point via the Billy Graham example, which appears to not have been a good enough example for you. I shall try again, but not with an example. Read very, very, very carefully verses 17 & 18, especially the parts I have put in italics:

And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

Jesus isn't saying "they have the ability" or "they may do this". He's saying "they will do this". In other words, if you wish to say this verse applies to every single believer, then the verse is saying that every single believer will do the things listed. But every single believer doesn't and hasn't and won't do everything listed. Mark 16:17-18 cannot be applied to every single believer. Jesus was specifically talking about a group of people. Maybe the group was the apostles. Maybe the group is just any group of believers. If you say the group was the apostles, you have absolutily no problems. If you say the group is any group of Christians today, then you simply must say that the verse is saying some people in the group will do these things(or one of these things), others will not.

I really, really, really, really, really want to stress this though. Mark 16:17-18 can't be applied to every single believer. If you carefully read my last paragraph, I think you will agree with me. If you don't agree with me, by all means, please explain why you don't agree with me.

----------

Okay, onto your try at what I wrote(which I re-explained above)...

endure said:
the man came to Jesus, mark 9.24
"Lord i believe, help thou myne unbelief"
just becuase have faith enough for something, doesnt mean you have faith enough for all things.

again, the key was beleiving.
it didnt say that if they got saved they would cast out demons etc.
it said they believed and got saved and these would follow those who believe. i know plenty of people who fully beleive they are saved, but do not at all believe they can heal the sick, cast out a demon, etc.
and this can be anyones state.
and it doesnt matter whether you had enough faith to be saved or not, if you do not believe you can heal the sick or cast out a demon it wont happen.
and that is maybe why billy graham never did, if he really never did, but im sure there is much about him that no one will ever know.
i didnt really think he was much of a charismatic though, forgive me if im wrong.
and if he wasnt and didnt believe in those things, then no wonder he didnt do them, hes only proving the bible that says if you dont believe then you will by no means receive

Okay, I see what you are trying to say(please correct me on any of these if I am wrong):
a) you must first be a Christian(believe that Jesus is the only way to Heaven, that He died on the cross, etc)
b) you must then believe that the gift of tongues, etc is possible for you to have
c) the "those who believe" in Mark 16:16 is refering to those who believe the gifts are possible/real/etc(see 'b')

Alright, I'm not going to touch 'a' and 'b', but I will say something about 'c'. First, let's look at verses 15 & 16:

And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

"he who believes"... Believes what? Looking at these two verses alone, it would be obvious that it's he who believes the gospel. This makes sense, if someone believes the gospel, they are saved from condemnation. If they don't believe the gospel, they are condemned. John 3:18 says that in fact. Now, if "he who believes" means he who believes in tongues, etc, then you've got one big problem on your hands. You must then say that if one doesn't believe in tongues, etc, then they are condemned. That is unbiblical.

Again, if I have missunderstood you, please explain what you meant, and if I have said something that you think is wrong, please explain what it is, and why you think it is wrong. :)

osm
 
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LarrySmith

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These signs shall follow who? The apostles? The apostles plus Steven?
No....those that BELIEVE...all believers!. It IS for every believer. No greek scholar with any merit would disagree with this. I would agree with you you if you presented any evidence that refuted my statements. You haven't and I doubt you will be able to. I have studied this issue time and time again.
Your arguement that because the signs don't follow believers now is because the verse isn't meant for us is a fallacy of logic called:


"AFFIRMATION OF THE CONSEQUENT "

Description: An argument from the truth of a hypothetical statement, and the truth of the consequent to the truth of the antecedent. In the syllogism below, P is the antecedent and Q is the consequent: P implies Q
Q is true <-- Affirming the consequent
Therefore: P is true

You assume that the those who the signs aren't following are believers. Perhaps they AREN"T!
At least not to the degree required by our Father.
example:
Let's say I had instructions for assembling a radio.
I put the radio together by following the instructions. I turned it on when it was completed and it didn't work. Let's assume for the sake of the example that all the parts were pretested. We also kow the instructions are correct because others followed them with success. From these two facts I would have to gather that I misread the instructions or that I missed a step.

That's how I read those verses in Mark 16.
Perhaps I have missed a step in my walk with God.
Perhaps I haven't forsaken all
Perhaps I haven't taken up my cross and followed.
Do you see my point now? I believe these signs haven't ceased because God doesn't work wonders anymore...I beleive they have because we don't really believe anymore.
Do you think there is a chance that there is more to salvation than saying the sinners prayer?
Is it only a salvation based on works that follows Jesus with obediance?
Is it deception to forsake all that we might gain Christ?
Here is a scary thought...what if that is the only faith acceptable to God?

I wasn't dealing with your argument on tongues here...I was dealing with veiled assumption that miracles have ceased. I thought that was where you were coming from.Are you? If so you don't have one scripture that I can't deal regarding this issue. It is simply a fact that miracles are SUPPOSED to follow believers...it is a biblical hallmark of faith. I would like to discuss this issue with the scholar you said told you otherwise.
I want to see how he deals with the greek syntax in this verse. I am also curious how he deals with the fact that miracles happen all over the world today in places where the gospel is new. Are all these people deceived and only he has the truth?
Are all the people that speak in tongues deceived by the devil? I speak in tongues. I claim it is by the Holy Spirit. Who does he claim I do it by?

As for your point about this verse being used improperly to teach that all should speak with tongues...I agree. Paul himself asked the Cor. church if all spoke with tongues...the rhetorical answer was of course ...no.

Praise the LORD.
 
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Rafael

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I've listened to many languages spoken in my life. Just about any sound a person can make is a sound or word in another persons language somewhere on earth. Even at Penecost, there were people proclaiming the disciples as loonies drunk on wine, and listening to someone speak another language you don't understand always sounds like gibberish. Paul said that he spoke in tongues more than them all and that it was not to be forbidden in Church but was to be done in a certain order - two or three, with the other half of the gift for use in Church - interpretation of tongues. Now, for the rest, it was a private language of prayer where one would speak mysteries unto God. Have you ever felt like you could not find words to express the burden or anguish of soul you felt? This would be a place where one could go to their prayer closet and ask for this intercession of Spirit, with groanings unutterable.

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

Paul said that he would like it if we all spoke in tongues, but that in the Church gatherings he would rather that we prophesy. He says to seek the spiritual gifts, and that, indeed, speaking in tongues was one of the lesser gifts, but nowhere does it say to not want what God has available to the one hungry for more of God.

1 Corinthians 14:1 ¶ Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

1 Corinthians 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.


I just don't think God would ever let a person down in an act of faith towards Him. Many people would be too embarrassed to submit theirselves to God in such a way and prefer to just not believe it as real for today - but there it is - right there in the Bible, and "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" (Hebrews 13:8).
 
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