Speaking in tongues?

I don't know about new revelations, but I do believe gifts are still present in the world.

 

At this point we need to distinguish between revelatory gifts and ministering gifts. The former is no more, but the latter is still with us.

 

Pray tell how it is you know that so assuredly?

 

I do not believe he did either. He did say, "I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue."

I believe the point of Paul's message was not its misue or promotion but controlling its use in a worship service and when it is controlled it will cease on its own because it is not edifying and unnecessary in a worship service.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Butler
I wonder why Paul spent more time warning against its misuse than promoting its use.

I do agree that tongues are not edifying in a worship service. Paul specifically said they are a sign for unbelievers, not believers. The fact that Paul spent the entire Chapter 14 of I Corinthians criticizing their misuse reinforces my point.

I'm not sure that controlling their use to as a means of eliminating them is evident from the passage.

 

Good afternoon folks, I'm new here, and I thought I'd make my first random post in the tongues thread!

First off, greetings folks! Nice to meet you all! It's encouraging to find others who show great interest for spiritual things and have a passion for God!

I don't have time to provide scriptural backing for my stance on tongues, but I shall simply state that 1. I have spent many years of research on what entails the gift of tongues (I shall provide some of my writeups at a later date since I am stressed for time), and 2. I do not believe the gift of tongues to be anymore than a gift to speak in multiple dialects, or for your hearers to hear you in their dialect.

The purpose of the gift of tongues in Paul's day was because there were men from many nations who traveled great distances, and all their dialects were different. When the Holy Spirit fell, the gift of tongues was enabled. There was nothing special about the gift of tongues in itself, rather, the gift was a way for the gospel to communicate effectively between various races of people.

What does this mean? It simply meant that when you spoke in your own language, the listeners with multiple dialects heard you speak in their own native tongue. The second gift was when you had the ability to speak in the native tongue of your audience.

My personal view is that the third "gift" of tongues is nothing but "gibberish". It is unintelligible. It does not edify the church. I believe it to be a work Satan that makes church members think they are speaking in tongues of angels, yet they are not. It is an unintelligible language in which the Devil uses to try and make people think they are holier than they really are. I personally feel it it is one of the last day deceptions.

May the Lord help us to truly discern what the true meaning of tongues really is!

God bless,

Lys

 

I should have added more than I did. He did mentioned that there must be an interpretation. If not then it is not edifying because it would not be understood the listeners. That would place controls on it.

 

First, welcome to the Baptist Board.

Second, you have nailed it.

 

Originally Posted by Lysimachus Good day, and a warm welcome to the Board. Good to see a common sense post and well written to boot.

I was just about to type that I speak in the same kind of tongues as at Pentecost; Welsh, French and English.

I quite agree with your post.

Cheers,

Jim

 

I believe that God gives people certain gifts. I believe some are given an exceptional ability to learn and speak fluently several different languages. However, I do speak English though I suspect my accent is somewhat different than yours Brother Jim.

While I am at it I want to say something to you. I know we disagree on one matter, theistic evolution. However, I suspect that we agree on most other important doctrines, at least those that have been discussed on this Forum. I always enjoy your posts which are certainly informative and edifying to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

Thank you kindly, brother. It is not wrong to disagree on points of theology, but is important on how we do it.

Yes, I was taught early on to put Jesus first always. Sometimes we fail, even at this, but God knows the heart.

"Lift the Saviour high; lay the sinner low; remembering that we are just sinners saved by grace." (I believe the quote is from Zimmerman.)

Cheers,

Jim

 

Welcome to the Baptist Board. :wavey:

I suggest you might want to provide your Scriptural basis for your assertions, when you post, or expect to get challenged very quickly. And out of some 8K BB members, expect to meet a couple or three who will likely be able to hold their own with about anyone in any particular debate forum. Some, like maybe me perhaps, are one of the "Jack of all trades" types, who can give strong evidence to the adage that "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing," while some others will likely prove to be very knowledgable in a particular area, and will probably not hesitate to challenge an opinion.

I see multiple evidence of this "second gift" in Scripture, such as Ac. 2; 10; 19; I Cor. 14: etc.. To my knowledge, those mentioned in Acts 2; 10; and I Cor. 14 are never said to merely "hear" but to 'hear them speak' in the language, or 'speak in languages'. Ergo, I have not seen any Biblical evidence of the first flavor, but perhaps I missed it. Would you care to show such an example?

I agree that much, if not all, of what is purporting to be "speaking in tongues" today does not meet the Biblical descriptions or qualifications for the purported 'gift,' hence I believe this to be something else, entirely. I will not go as far as to "ascribe" all of it to Satan (self-deception, and ecstatic self-originated utterances may well be involved, as well, IMO), but I would say Satan certainly makes full use of the confusion that ensues, or that may arise, in this.

Ed

 

Wise counsel, Ed.

 

Thanks for your input EdSutton.

By all means, I encourage everyone to challenge a doctrine and thoroughly test it against scriptures, just as did the Noble Bereans.

I shall become more actively involved on this board as things begin to settle, no doubt. So you can look forward to more from me in the future. I simply thought I would insert my two cents for now, but as in my statement alone, I would expect no one to just swallow my opinion, hook-line-and-sinker, unless careful and biblical analysis was performed after I have offered my full exegesis on the matter.

Blessings!

Lys