Questions

[j86schroeder]

Hello,

I want to give you a little background so that any of you reading could give me some insight into something that will help me to help edify the church.

I started speaking in tongues, and singing in tongues in november of 2014, then about a year later, started having many dreams, and still do as of right now. I can speak in tongues/pray in spirit whenever I want as loud or as soft or as much as I want. Although I can speak in tongues, I want to be able to interpret as the scriptures say, so my question is what is the most practical way of knowing when you are interpreting your tongues? Another way to ask this question is, how do i see/know/hear the difference when im just speaking on tongues without praying for the interpretation, vs speaking in tongues and praying for the interpretation? In other words, I walk boldly in speaking in tongues when necessary, especially by myself, or if around someone who doesn't believe in the Lord because they told me so, not because i judged them. It is awesome gift to speak/pray and sing in spirit, it is a great joy to have this gift, but ultimately although it brings me and God closer together, i feel selfish in not pursuing further to learn to interpret the tongues so that i may edify the church, which i am assuming would be to prophesy.

Please any thoughts you might have would be great, especially those who do speak in tongues. I would like to know how to discern when the spirit does interpret for me when I ask the for the interpretation. Is it only by myself when i ask, or in a setting with a couple of people, or?

What is a example of a interpretation that one of you have had after you spoke in tongues alone? Did it come as you were speaking, or after you were done speaking or singing in tongues? Also if it was a interpretation that was very clear, was it for you, or for someone in particular at your church, or a co-worker, or etc?

Thanks for reading,


14 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.
26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, eachin turn, and let one interpret.
39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

• Gifts

 

[NJA]

I want to give you a little background so that any of you reading could give me some insight into something that will help me to help edify the church.

I started speaking in tongues, and singing in tongues in november of 2014, then about a year later, started having many dreams, and still do as of right now. I can speak in tongues/pray in spirit whenever I want as loud or as soft or as much as I want.

Yes, many Christians don't realise this (often because they have beleived wrong teaching).

"the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets" 1 Cor. 14:32

Although I can speak in tongues, I want to be able to interpret as the scriptures say, so my question is what is the most practical way of knowing when you are interpreting your tongues?

Interpretation, like other "gifts" is only for meetings, it follows operation of a gift of tongues.

The interpretation also comes from God, you do not pre-meditate what to say, you get a clear, inspirational thought which you should speak out, you may get more after you start speaking, or it may just be a one-liner.

"Gifts" are the giving to the church of attributes that all Christians have for private use. The gifts are vehicles for God's love.

Another way to ask this question is, how do i see/know/hear the difference when im just speaking on tongues without praying for the interpretation, vs speaking in tongues and praying for the interpretation?

You simply don't pray for interpretation at home.
Personally I'm in a church where many are confident in the gifts so I let another interpret as this
1) shows clearly that it is God working through different people rather than just one person who, a doubtful person could argue was giving a pre-meditated interpretation.

2) it gives another the opportunity to be used by God.


In 1 Cor. 14:27 "If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret"
"one" interpret can also be translated as "another".

In other words, I walk boldly in speaking in tongues when necessary, especially by myself, or if around someone who doesn't believe in the Lord because they told me so,

We counsel that rather than speaking in tongues in front of people, tell them that if they come to a meeting they will hear 2 or 3 gifts of tongues, interpretation, prophecy etc., i.e. much more of a full message. We offer a lift so that they have no good reason not to come.

 

[Look Up]

While I do not speak in tongues, given certain assumptions I can imagine little better in eagerly seeking the greater gift--edification of the church--than asking God for the gift of interpretation. Pray (and ask for prayer).

What I would also encourage is interpreting and expounding on the existing Scriptures. As apex and culmination of God's revelation to mankind, Jesus in His public ministry promised His disciple/apostles a then-coming Exhorter/Encourager (the Holy Spirit--John 14 and 16 as you know) who would guide them into all truth (and tell them what was to come, etc.), thus virtually prophesying a "Jesus canon" like the existing Tanakh (Old Testament) canon which Jesus believed to be the word of God. This prophecy goes some distance toward our believing Jesus intended the New Testament to come into being even if it does not answer all questions (like boundaries of the canon). By now, prophecy and preaching and edifying the church must stand or fall based on conformity to the accepted canon of which Jesus is, as it were, the First Cause.

Pray that God would give you wisdom in understanding the Scriptures, energy in study, and grace to communicate the Scriptures to the edification of the church. If your desire for the edification of the church is centered in Jesus, I think it is a good desire, one that must focus on truly and accurately representing the Scriptures whatever other direction it takes.

 

[j86schroeder]

NJA,

My follow-up reply is in this color. I do want to say, I greatly appreciate your reply and thoughts.

========================================================================

I want to give you a little background so that any of you reading could give me some insight into something that will help me to help edify the church.

I started speaking in tongues, and singing in tongues in november of 2014, then about a year later, started having many dreams, and still do as of right now. I can speak in tongues/pray in spirit whenever I want as loud or as soft or as much as I want.
Yes, many Christians don't realise this (often because they have beleived wrong teaching).

"the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets" 1 Cor. 14:32

The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets, does that simply mean only prophets would understand this? I would have to consider my self a prophet to be a prophet. I have not come full terms to believe that I am a prophet.

37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

==========================================================================


Although I can speak in tongues, I want to be able to interpret as the scriptures say, so my question is what is the most practical way of knowing when you are interpreting your tongues?
Interpretation, like other "gifts" is only for meetings, it follows operation of a gift of tongues.

The interpretation also comes from God, you do not pre-meditate what to say, you get a clear, inspirational thought which you should speak out, you may get more after you start speaking, or it may just be a one-liner.

"Gifts" are the giving to the church of attributes that all Christians have for private use. The gifts are vehicles for God's love.

This question might be really similar to the question below about seeing know hearing the difference, because it stems from the same perspective i am curious about, which is these two verses:

5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

Would one believe that you can interpret your own tongues by yourself? Or if you can only interpret your own tongues during a meeting? If you can interpret your own tongues then, what i mean by practical way of knowing is, what is example of that? I find it hard to discern weather or not the thought that you received is really from the Lord or from the enemy, we are to take every thought captive and make it obedient to the word, but what the enemy likes to do is just change your perspective on what Gods word says just like in Genesis 3 with eve. If you can you interpret your own tongues then, is the interpretation always for the church? I would assume or think so, but if I understand your point of view, this only happens in meetings not at home, and obviously not for you, but for the church, interpretation that is.

==========================================================================



Another way to ask this question is, how do i see/know/hear the difference when im just speaking on tongues without praying for the interpretation, vs speaking in tongues and praying for the interpretation?
You simply don't pray for interpretation at home.
Personally I'm in a church where many are confident in the gifts so I let another interpret as this
1) shows clearly that it is God working through different people rather than just one person who, a doubtful person could argue was giving a pre-meditated interpretation.

2) it gives another the opportunity to be used by God.


One of the reason why im asking these questions on a forum is because it is a very hard topic to talk to people about because so many people have so many misconceptions about all of this like myself. So I am in agreement that giving another the opportunity to be used by God. How does someone know if they have the gift of interpreting tongues if they dont expose themselves to it? I know only a few people who speak in tongues, and yet they simply believe its just simply private. I would love to bring two or three people over to my house, whom speaks or does not speak in tongues, whom does or does not interpret, and let me speak, and let them pray to interpret, or vice verse, in order of course, etc. I would definitely like to have some sort of meeting where two people after taking turns has the same interpretation, etc. to see God working amongst us.

==========================================================================

In 1 Cor. 14:27 "If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret"
"one" interpret can also be translated as "another".

Since this can also be translated as another, is this two or three people that speak in tongues, or two or three interpreters? Also, if it says let it be by two, then its as you have to have at least two people in a small meeting while one interprets?
==========================================================================

In other words, I walk boldly in speaking in tongues when necessary, especially by myself, or if around someone who doesn't believe in the Lord because they told me so,
We counsel that rather than speaking in tongues in front of people, tell them that if they come to a meeting they will hear 2 or 3 gifts of tongues, interpretation, prophecy etc., i.e. much more of a full message. We offer a lift so that they have no good reason not to come.

I think its a great point you bring out here, basically, instead of speaking to have them come to a meeting, but one time i visited with a muslim, and i begin to share my testimony, briefly, and then asked him if they speak in tongues, and i actually dont recall what he said, but i told him that i do that that is a controversial thing amongst christians, and afterwards i spoke just a minute or two, then at the end of our conversation, he asked how did i have so much self control, so i was only able to plant a seed at that time.
==========================================================================

 

[j86schroeder]

While I do not speak in tongues, given certain assumptions I can imagine little better in eagerly seeking the greater gift--edification of the church--than asking God for the gift of interpretation. Pray (and ask for prayer).

What I would also encourage is interpreting and expounding on the existing Scriptures. As apex and culmination of God's revelation to mankind, Jesus in His public ministry promised His disciple/apostles a then-coming Exhorter/Encourager (the Holy Spirit--John 14 and 16 as you know) who would guide them into all truth (and tell them what was to come, etc.), thus virtually prophesying a "Jesus canon" like the existing Tanakh (Old Testament) canon which Jesus believed to be the word of God. This prophecy goes some distance toward our believing Jesus intended the New Testament to come into being even if it does not answer all questions (like boundaries of the canon). By now, prophecy and preaching and edifying the church must stand or fall based on conformity to the accepted canon of which Jesus is, as it were, the First Cause.

Pray that God would give you wisdom in understanding the Scriptures, energy in study, and grace to communicate the Scriptures to the edification of the church. If your desire for the edification of the church is centered in Jesus, I think it is a good desire, one that must focus on truly and accurately representing the Scriptures whatever other direction it takes.

Thanks for your reply, i will say i accepted Christ when i was 14 then, it was not until Nov. 2010 that i made a life changing decision regarding my career to pursue after the Lord with all my heart in which I got the opportunity to pursue the Lord like never before, but it really wasn't until Nov. of 2014 that i simply asked the Lord, if i am not baptized with your fire, then please baptize me with fire, and then i started this awesome journey of speaking and singing! praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. Although i am still seeking to edify the church, i want to be able to interpret the tongues to edify instead of prophesy, but if i cannot interpret then i choose to be zealous for prophesy to build up the church.

 

[NJA]

NJA,

My follow-up reply is in this color. I do want to say, I greatly appreciate your reply and thoughts.

Good to meet someone who wants to understand these things!

The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets, does that simply mean only prophets would understand this? I would have to consider my self a prophet to be a prophet. I have not come full terms to believe that I am a prophet.

It means that God does not "take over" his people, you cann control when, whether & how loud you speak.

37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

People that ignore these things and teach otherwise are not prophetic or spiritual!

"the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Rev. 19:10)

A prophet sees things as God sees them and speaks accordingly, foretelling the present forthtelling the future.
Anyone who "walks in the Spirit" is a prophet whereas in the Old Testament, the Spirit would come upon people to speak things which they did not fully appreciate

5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

Would one believe that you can interpret your own tongues by yourself?
Or if you can only interpret your own tongues during a meeting? If you can interpret your own tongues then, what i mean by practical way of knowing is, what is example of that? I find it hard to discern weather or not the thought that you received is really from the Lord or from the enemy, we are to take every thought captive and make it obedient to the word, but what the enemy likes to do is just change your perspective on what Gods word says just like in Genesis 3 with eve. If you can you interpret your own tongues then, is the interpretation always for the church? I would assume or think so, but if I understand your point of view, this only happens in meetings not at home, and obviously not for you, but for the church, interpretation that is.

The whole context, since 1 Corinthians chapter 11 is meetings. Interpretation is in the language of the people so it is for the edification of those present.
Technically one can give interpretation to one's own gift of tongues in a meeting, but for the reasons I gave last time we tend not to.

The best way to discern (judge), and appreciate these things is to be a doer of them, as Jesus says ...

"If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. " (John 7:17)
- the true testimony of Jesus, his doctrine and way. here are many "other Jesus" messages and churches out there!

Many theologians & others have written books on these things having never been a doer of them, or even been to a meeting where things are done as God "commands"!

In our meetings we have:

• choruses (spiritual songs) and a hymn
• "communion" (a bit of unleavened bread and non-alcoholic wine, Sundays only generally)
• 2 or 3 gifts of tongues, each followed by a gift of interpretation
• 2 or 3 prophecies
• talk (words of wiosdom and knowledge)
• prayer for needs
• close & fellowship, food, opportunity for private chat, baptism

If you could get down our way one weekend it would really help your vision. I'm actually near London, England but I have visited the US saints, I know them, they know me. I have to go out now, I'll answer the other points later.

 

[NJA]

How does someone know if they have the gift of interpreting tongues if they dont expose themselves to it?

1 Corinthians begins:
"in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift;
waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1:5-7)

All Christians have Jesus Christ inside, his heart, mind, all his attributes!

The best way to realise what you have and who you are in Christ is to get in the right environment, like a seed is unrecognisable to most people until it is planted in good soil, watered regularly and receives warmth ... the true church is a spiritual greenhouse with a good gardener!

I know only a few people who speak in tongues, and yet they simply believe its just simply private. I would love to bring two or three people over to my house, whom speaks or does not speak in tongues, whom does or does not interpret, and let me speak, and let them pray to interpret, or vice verse, in order of course, etc. I would definitely like to have some sort of meeting where two people after taking turns has the same interpretation, etc. to see God working amongst us.

Normally I would volunteer to bring some friends and help you run a meeting, but I'm too far away.
Why not call our nearest contact?
Skyping in is another option, if you can get it to work ok!

Since this can also be translated as another, is this two or three people that speak in tongues, or two or three interpreters? Also, if it says let it be by two, then its as you have to have at least two people in a small meeting while one interprets?

One interpretation per gift of tongues so if there are 2 gifts of tongues theer should be 2 interpretations.

 

[NJA]

Hi again Schroeder,

here are testimonies, items and talks from our US camp in the fall of last year.

Still hoping you will get in contact with us!

 

[j86schroeder]

Hello NJA,

Thanks for your posts, I am still looking into all of this.

Prov. 12:26
Prov. 14:8,15

 

[NJA]

Hello NJA,

Thanks for your posts, I am still looking into all of this.

Prov. 12:26
Prov. 14:8,15

OK.
I tell you one thing from experience - getting to know the scriptures is good but coming to 1 meeting & chatting to the people will make things clear!

Interestingly the first words of Jesus to people that questioned his house (now his true church) were "come and see"

"then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye?
They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt" (John 1:38-39)

 

[Look Up]

A footnote occurs to me this morning, j86schroeder.

Assuming your mother tongue is English and not German (or French), I recommend the commentary on 1 Corinthians written by Anthony Thiselton. In my opinion, having read about half of the 1300-odd page book, the author is massively informed, cogent in style, even handed and careful in exegetical and historical judgment. Not that I always agree with him, not surprisingly. But I think this is an excellent resource, for example on chapters 11 through 14 (better overall than Gordon Fee in my opinion).

One caveat: he does throw in a bit of Greek, Latin, German, French, and I think assorted other languages depending for example on the source he is incorporating into his argument. Most of the words of course are English, and you can get by with that alone for most of the commentary.

 

[Emmy]

Dear j86schroeder. Jesus gives us meaningful advice: " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is like it: love thy neighbour as thyself." In verse 40 we are told: on these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. God is Love, and God wants loving sons and daughters. In Matthew 7: 7-10: we are told: " ask and you shall receive," we ask for Love and Joy, then thank God and share all love and joy with our neighbour. ( neighbour is all we know and all we meet, friends and not friends)
We keep asking for Love and Joy, then thank God and share all love and joy with our neighbour. God will see our loving efforts, and God will Bless us.
The Bible tells us: " Repent and be loving and kind and caring. Give up all our selfish wishes and wants, and start loving and caring. The Holy Spirit will help and guide us, Jesus our Saviour will lead us all the way: JESUS IS THE WAY, JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY BACK TO GOD. We might stumble and forget at times, but then we ask God to forgive us and carry on Loving and Caring. Love is very catching, and a Christian`s weapon is Love, love will help us overcome all enmity and wrong behaviour. We keep asking for Love and Joy, then thank God and share all love and joy with our neighbour. I say this with love, j86schroeder. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[NonTheologian]

Hello,

I want to give you a little background so that any of you reading could give me some insight into something that will help me to help edify the church.

I started speaking in tongues, and singing in tongues in november of 2014, then about a year later, started having many dreams, and still do as of right now. I can speak in tongues/pray in spirit whenever I want as loud or as soft or as much as I want. Although I can speak in tongues, I want to be able to interpret as the scriptures say, so my question is what is the most practical way of knowing when you are interpreting your tongues? Another way to ask this question is, how do i see/know/hear the difference when im just speaking on tongues without praying for the interpretation, vs speaking in tongues and praying for the interpretation? In other words, I walk boldly in speaking in tongues when necessary, especially by myself, or if around someone who doesn't believe in the Lord because they told me so, not because i judged them. It is awesome gift to speak/pray and sing in spirit, it is a great joy to have this gift, but ultimately although it brings me and God closer together, i feel selfish in not pursuing further to learn to interpret the tongues so that i may edify the church, which i am assuming would be to prophesy.

Please any thoughts you might have would be great, especially those who do speak in tongues. I would like to know how to discern when the spirit does interpret for me when I ask the for the interpretation. Is it only by myself when i ask, or in a setting with a couple of people, or?

What is a example of a interpretation that one of you have had after you spoke in tongues alone? Did it come as you were speaking, or after you were done speaking or singing in tongues? Also if it was a interpretation that was very clear, was it for you, or for someone in particular at your church, or a co-worker, or etc?

Thanks for reading,


14 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.
26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, eachin turn, and let one interpret.
39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

• Gifts

Which languages do you speak when you speak in tongues?

 

[j86schroeder]

OK.
I tell you one thing from experience - getting to know the scriptures is good but coming to 1 meeting & chatting to the people will make things clear!

Interestingly the first words of Jesus to people that questioned his house (now his true church) were "come and see"

"then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye?
They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt" (John 1:38-39)

Well, I do appreciate your reaching out to me, but to identify which is his is true church, is a great question, in terms of find a local church.
Now, I do believe that Jesus is in the midst of the churches.
It is interesting to note that in Matthew 13, which is almost entirely about parables, in the book of revelation, the word "church" is only listed 7 times, and the word "churches" 13 times. Why is that important? I am sure there is deeper meaning behind that, but my point is this, that the enemy comes from within the church.

Proverbs 21:30
"There is no wisdom or understanding
Or counsel against the Lord."

There are many churches where I live, at least one was recognized as a very fast growing church. So if this church the one you belong to, what is it they have figured out that these other churches have not? I am sure your church has figured something out, and its just a matter of time before another church figures it out in the area where I live.

"come and see", i think is very important, to seek and understand, i have listed some verses below:

==========================================================
The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men,
To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. (Psalms 14:2 NKJV)

And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;
For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.(Psalms 9:10 NKJV)

Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding;
He who does so destroys his own soul.

I love those who love me,
And those who seek me diligently will find me.(Proverbs 8:17 NKJV)

Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the LORD understand all.(Proverbs 28:5 NJKV)

“so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; (Acts 17:27 NKJV)

But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight,” says the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:24 NKJV)

Seek the LORD while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6 NKJV)
==========================================================
In conclusion, from my notes you might or might not understand the perspective I have on church at this time. I do not trust any church that also claims that it does or does not have it figured out. Now, if you do not understand the perspective I have, please do not be offended. I am not looking to debate church, I am seeking and learning day by day to understand more practical ways of understanding the gifts and using them. A link or a direct testimony or testimonies on someone interpreting after tongues are spoken, or someone speaking by themselves, and interpreting, and what it is that they interpret, etc. is more of what I am looking for. Weather they be true or false, the Holy Spirit will let me know, as He guides me into all truth.

I will say, I did click on the link you provided, but I was looking for something more practical, for example, like this video I found on youtube.

Hebrews 12:14
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Proverbs 18:19
A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a castle.

 

[j86schroeder]

A footnote occurs to me this morning, j86schroeder.

Assuming your mother tongue is English and not German (or French), I recommend the commentary on 1 Corinthians written by Anthony Thiselton. In my opinion, having read about half of the 1300-odd page book, the author is massively informed, cogent in style, even handed and careful in exegetical and historical judgment. Not that I always agree with him, not surprisingly. But I think this is an excellent resource, for example on chapters 11 through 14 (better overall than Gordon Fee in my opinion).

One caveat: he does throw in a bit of Greek, Latin, German, French, and I think assorted other languages depending for example on the source he is incorporating into his argument. Most of the words of course are English, and you can get by with that alone for most of the commentary.

Thanks for your reply, yes mother tongue would be English. I did try clicking on the resource, but it did not take me anywhere.

 

[j86schroeder]

Dear j86schroeder. Jesus gives us meaningful advice: " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is like it: love thy neighbour as thyself." In verse 40 we are told: on these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. God is Love, and God wants loving sons and daughters. In Matthew 7: 7-10: we are told: " ask and you shall receive," we ask for Love and Joy, then thank God and share all love and joy with our neighbour. ( neighbour is all we know and all we meet, friends and not friends)
We keep asking for Love and Joy, then thank God and share all love and joy with our neighbour. God will see our loving efforts, and God will Bless us.
The Bible tells us: " Repent and be loving and kind and caring. Give up all our selfish wishes and wants, and start loving and caring. The Holy Spirit will help and guide us, Jesus our Saviour will lead us all the way: JESUS IS THE WAY, JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY BACK TO GOD. We might stumble and forget at times, but then we ask God to forgive us and carry on Loving and Caring. Love is very catching, and a Christian`s weapon is Love, love will help us overcome all enmity and wrong behaviour. We keep asking for Love and Joy, then thank God and share all love and joy with our neighbour. I say this with love, j86schroeder. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

Hello Emmy, I do appreciate your post, but I do want to say, that we do not need to ask for love or joy, because God is love, and He himself has taught us to love, Also, for joy, it is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. but more importantly, I again appreciate your post, but I would rather you post something in regards to comments towards tongues/interpretations/gifts/ so forth. to keep this thread in line with the subject of Tongues/Interpretation/Gifts

But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;
1 Thessalonians 4:9

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Galatians 5:22

Let all that you do be done with love.
1 Corinthians 16:14

 

[j86schroeder]

Which languages do you speak when you speak in tongues?

Thanks for your question, I will say I have often wondered what languages I speak. I will say this, I only have 5 percent hearing in my right ear, and only about 40 percent in my left ear without my hearing aid. I have been told that, it sounded like Amish, Arabic, and also, a northern African language from the times I have asked what did it sound like. These were three different people, on three different accounts in different settings and seasons of life. Believers or non-believers I do not know, only God knows. So, in answer to your question, I have no idea. My wife speaks Spanish, she is from another country, and when I am hearing even Spanish being spoken, because I cannot hear well, it is even harder for me to determine that it is actually Spanish being spoken.

I would love for the opportunity to speak, and give someone the opportunity to interpret, but if I begin talking about tongues/or interpretation, someone assumes that I am a pentecostal christian, and/or they dont believe or view gifts a certain way. Again, the language that comes out of my mouth is unpredictable. It seems like with certain people it can be really different. I don't know yet if there is a correlation with believers and unbelievers. On another note, I do want to learn spanish, and know spanish, but I am for certain I have not spoken in languages of "spanish" yet.

Again thanks for your question.

 

[NJA]

... There are many churches where I live, at least one was recognized as a very fast growing church. So if this church the one you belong to, what is it they have figured out that these other churches have not? I am sure your church has figured something out, and its just a matter of time before another church figures it out in the area where I live.

We don't believing in going by numbers or rate of growth.
Remember the story of the three little pigs?
The ones that built quickly were not the ones that lasted!

Jesus is returning (soon) for those that are faithful to what he and his apostles set up.

1 Corinthians 12:13 (like other verses) teaches that there is one body, i.e. one church, and you become a member by the baptism in the Holy Spirit, whereupon all are "made to drink" as they speak in tongues (compare Acts 1:8, 2:4, 33; 10:44-46, 11:14-18)

Revelation and other letters talk about "churches" but it is referring to different locations, certainly not different versions of becoming a member or even worship ... the same apostles, indeed the same Holy Spirit was teaching and revealing the same truths to all, as they had need. At the time, there was only one church per city, since then many other versions of "the church" have appeared.

I can understand you want to be used by God to fulfil your calling.
I firmly believe, from experience, that visiting us one weekend will do more than many hours looking at youtube vids trying to figure it out or visiting groups that disagree on the above.

You will get at least one meeting operated as 1 Corinthians details, and because you are there, you can be sure that God is talking to you ... Jesus is personal like that ... some people "heard him say" and listened to what others said about him but those that went to him really understood ... that's why it says:

"let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is;
but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching"
(Hebrews 10:24-25)

I learned much from physically being with people who were doing things God's way, such people are "living epistles", not just people that quote the bible and have an opinion on it. This helped me see my own potential. There is no adequate substitute for true fellowship where the people are in unity with God, and therefore with each other, this is "walking in love". Of course no-one is perfect, but some are taking correction some are not.

 

[Look Up]

Thanks for your reply, yes mother tongue would be English. I did try clicking on the resource, but it did not take me anywhere.

I did not link the word "resource" but only underlined it, knowing the book would be easy enough to find online, such as at http://www.christianbook.com/epistl...thiselton/9780802870919/pd/870913?event=ESRCG .

 

[j86schroeder]

NJA,

has there ever been a time, when someone was speaking and it was not controllable, at any of your meetings? Or if not in meetings have you ever experienced that?