Speaking in Tongues

[Glorified]

What is this exactly? I mean I realize that it's a gift that God gives you. But for what reason? What purpose does this serve exactly. There's people that do it without an interpreter, is that just for show? Will God always provide an interpreter if it's for his will? How does one know?

Also is it common for Baptist to speak in tongue? I don't hear about it a lot but yet it's suppose to be a gift from God. Why don't more people receive this gift?

Sorry for all of the questions.

 

[BT]

What is this exactly? I mean I realize that it's a gift that God gives you. But for what reason? What purpose does this serve exactly.

This was a sign gift from God used to authenticate the apostles. It was the gift of "other" human languages (than those learned). It's purpose was to proclaim Christ, prove the apostles, and reach the unsaved. It was a sign to unbelievers.

There's people that do it without an interpreter, is that just for show? Will God always provide an interpreter if it's for his will? How does one know?

The gift of tongues does not exist today. So, no there will be no interpreter provided.

Also is it common for Baptist to speak in tongue?

Not normally but of course you will find some who believe that they do. I have never in my experience been to a Baptist church that practices this particular kind of thing.

I don't hear about it a lot but yet it's suppose to be a gift from God. Why don't more people receive this gift?

People don't receive this gift any longer because it does not exist. It ended with the apostolic office. It is not longer required today, and tongues as practiced in some denomination do not reflect the Biblical gift of tongues in the early church. Don't be deceived, don't worry about tongues the gift is irrelavent.

Sorry for all of the questions.

Ask, ask, ask. Learn, learn, learn!

Maranatha

 

[SumTinWong]

Also is it common for Baptist to speak in tongue?

Unless you mean the kings english, no it isn't. I think the quote I heard was it isn't discouraged, but it isn't encouraged either. If you really want to know what people think of this that are participating in it, then try the Charismatic forum.

 

[Gold Dragon]

We do have charismatic baptists here

http://christianforums.com/t739005

In my baptist church, we have some former charismatics who have experienced this gift. But I would say they are the exception and it isn't a common feature of baptist churches. Like BT, there are many baptists who believe that the gift of tongues is not something that exists today, and there are other baptists that believe it does.

 

[Glorified]

Does it say in the Bible that it doesn't exsist any longer?

 

[SumTinWong]

Not that I am aware of anyway...

 

[Glorified]

Well if it doesn't say in the Bible that it doesn't exsist anymore then why is it assumed?

 

[@@Paul@@]

Does it say in the Bible that it doesn't exsist any longer?

Not really, It's just not explained as clear as MAN would want it to be. If you just look at it verse by verse, it's a matter of interpretation.

Ask yourself this:
1) Who were the "sign gifts" promised to and what were they for?
2) It's obviously *NOT* happening the same as described in Acts, what happened?

Pentecost was a reversal of Babel; instead of spreading the nations, the time had come to re-gather "all nations".

 

[Sword-In-Hand]

Some people use these verses in the Bible to say that the gifts would disappear after the apostolic office.

1st Corinthians 13:10-11--"[10]But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.[11]When I was a child I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

That which is perfect is thought to be the completion of the Bible. So in essence when the New Testament cannon was completed then these gifts would pass away.

As for verse 11, it has been interpreted as saying that when the church was young these gifts were neccessary to help the church grow and the gift of tongues was the ability to speak in other languages so others could understand the gospel. So when the church matured, these gifts weren't needed and they would pass away. When Paul says, he spoke as a child, it could be referring to the gift of tongues, when he understood could be referring to the gift of prophecy and when he thought as a child could be referring to the gift of knowledge. So when he matured in Christ all of these gifts would pass away because they were no longer needed to help the church grow.

 

[Glorified]

So to say that it simply just doesn't exsist anymore is wrong considering that most of what you guys are saying is purly speculation and interpretation of your own not God?

Maybe there are small Churches out there that still need to bring in non-believers.
Isn't that our goal? why would God or anyone else take such a gift away or say that it's not needed anymore when there is still so many non-believers in the world. Why would anyone take such a powerful tool away if it meant leading someone, if it's just 1 person, towards Christ?

Saying that such a thing is "irrelavent" IMO, is WONDERFUL. That's more or less saying that God's work is done, that there is no one else that needs to be lead to Christ. Great, we can all go home now and await his arrival.

Am I wrong?

 

[@@Paul@@]

So to say that it simply just doesn't exsist anymore is wrong considering that most of what you guys are saying is purly speculation and interpretation of your own not God?

I'm not saying that at all...

There is a valid "scriptural" reason the Gifts of Power ceased (ALL of them).

Phi 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;​

...or, Try the things that differ. i.e. The gift of Tongues, Healing, Spiritual Transportation, Blinding people, Raising from the Dead, Drinking Poison, etc. etc... is not Normal Operating Proceedure for Christianity today. Something happened and we need to "try the things that are different, so that we can approve the things that are excellent".

 

[Glorified]

I'm terribly sorry, and I'm truly not tryin to split hairs here. Where does that exactly say to cease the speaking of tongue? It says "Try things that differ"

Normal Operating Proceedures for Christainity? Wow, I don't know why but reading that scared me, like I was getting fired from my job or something. I'm curious to what has "happened" to make us feel that we need to try to do the things that are different when it comes to worshiping?

Is all of this basically stemming from that some people just simply don't want to speak in tongues because it makes them uncomfortable? I mean that's fine because I don't know if I would ever feel comfortable doing it. But if God wants me to, and it brings another to his name, then I don't see the problem.

But to say that it doesn't exsist anymore hasn't really been proven IMO. I don't feel that it's detrimental to us making it to his Kingdom, but I believe that it still exsists and is still being used as a valuable tool to bring others to his name.

 

[SumTinWong]

But to say that it doesn't exsist anymore hasn't really been proven IMO. I don't feel that it's detrimental to us making it to his Kingdom, but I believe that it still exsists and is still being used as a valuable tool to bring others to his name.

I agree that it has not been proven by anyone at anytime that would lead me to believe it does not exist anymore. But, the same can be said that it has not been proven that this gift is still being given today, except for those who have experienced it. I guess it all falls back on how much you may rely on the testimony of those who are engaged in it.

 

[@@Paul@@]

I haven't been trying to prove or disprove whether or not tongues has ceased... That is something you will have to do for yourself. But I’ll be happy to give my opinion.

I think I left the intension of my last post a little unclear. sorry. I was trying to give you a starting point, instead of giving my explanation.

The events in Acts took place over a 33 year period. All throughout that period the Gifts of Power were in play.... It was Normal Operating Procedure. People did not TRY to speak in tongues, they DID. People did not TRY to heal, they just healed. People did not TRY to raise the dead, they just did. Today, people are TRYING to do all these things – AND all of these SIGNS can also be done by, the "other team".

The Gifts of Power were given as a SIGN to Israel in preparation of the Kingdom... Tongues were given to begin the gathering of ALL the Nations of Israel - A reversal of the events at Babel.

Peter was baptized WITH the Holy Spirit (the baptism of Power); there is NO evidence in Acts Paul (the Apostle of grace) received this baptism (although he probably did, the Holy Spirit just didn’t feel the need to tell us about it). I do not believe Paul addressed Gentiles by using "signs". He simply preached the gospel to them - and they believed. Signs were given to Israel as proof of the coming kingdom. – Just like Christ did in the gospels…
a) The ministry during the Gospels did stretch to “all nations” – tongues were not needed.
b) Christ had to equip His Apostles to spread the gospel to “all nations”…

When God stopped dealing with the nation of Israel, the signs ceased.

Act 2:8-16 KJV
(8) And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
...
(15) For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
(16) But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;​

"This, is NOT that" anymore as God's plan for Israel was postponed - I believe the signs ceased in 70ad.

I know there are a few interpretations of WHY tongues have ceased... this simply mine. And I’m also aware that I can not PROVE anything to you (which was my point in my previous post), you have to “try the things that differ”………….

…I hope that helps. I would be more than happy to aid you in this study, but I will not try to “prove” to you that tongues have ceased –I simply can’t; I can only show you WHO the gift was given to, WHAT is was given for and WHY it was given. The rest is up to you.

1) Who were the "sign gifts" promised to and what were they for?
2) It's obviously *NOT* happening the same as described in Acts, what happened?​

 

[Sword-In-Hand]

Try reading 1st Corinthians chapters 13 and 14. They both give insight to the spiritual gifts and just what they do and where they have went. It says the someone who speaks in tongues, edifies (builds) themself and not the church.

I believe and I could be wrong of course, but that we don't need those gifts any longer to be an effective witness for Christ. All of those gifts were used when the church was new and the world needed to hear about Jesus. Now that most of the living world has heard of Jesus, people who claim to still have these gifts build themselves up more than they do Christ. That's my own opinion of course.

If I can't show some non believer how Christ has effected my life through just the way I live or the way I speak, I wouldn't expect God to shower some gift on me. Our new lives in Christ are the true gifts that people need to see.

 

[9-iron]

Our local Southern Baptist preacher is okay with this gift. He prefers those in his congregation to use the gift in the privacy of their own homes. This pastor feels this gift is for personal edification only, so that is why he prefers his members not use the gift in church.

 

[P_G]

--<MOD HAT ON>--

Just a friendly reminder on this subject
we MOST definately have people on BOTH SIDES of the
subject in this forum.

Not that any one has yet but I want to remind you all
of keeping proper decourum, good Christian bearing and
using of polite words. Remember no matter who is right or wrong
on this they are still going to be in heaven for all eternity with you!

Thanks for your attention
Pastor George

--<MOD HAT ROLLED UP AND PUT AWAY AGAIN>--

 

[JVD]

Tongues threads to seem to get deleted a lot. I notice that we can disagree pretty sharply on other doctrines but it seems that if we get a little too heated on tongues that we are sent into the abyss...as it were.

Is there a special directive to the mods on tongues?

 

[Glorified]

I sincerely hope that I wasn't rude or that I used any improper words that offended anyone, that clearly wasn't my intention.

I'm simply just trying to get a grasp on the topic opposed to arguing a point. I think that I may have came off that way and for that I apologize.

Thanks @@paul@@ and others for sheding some light on this subject. Maybe I had better just let it go.

Once again I apologize if I was out of line.

God Bless All!!

 

[P_G]

Just a clarification

No one has said something wrong and the thread is not going to get deleted

This is one of those subjects that has a habit of getting very hot very fast.
I was doing a pre-emptive reminder to everyone.

Bear in mind
Who you are
Who you serve
How you should represent that!



OK Junior church is dismissed!



Blessings

PG