|
tongues
Aug 20, 2008 20:28:22 GMT -5
Post by rickymiller on Aug 20, 2008 20:28:22 GMT -5
brother mike do you believe that tongues are still a gift of the spirit for todays time.
|
|
|
tongues
Aug 21, 2008 8:38:59 GMT -5
Post by Mike Miller on Aug 21, 2008 8:38:59 GMT -5
I believe that tongues were significantly used by God in the founding of the early church. I have never, not even once, seen tongues used in a biblical way, and it seems to me that the day for tongues is over. However, I am not a true cessationist, because I believe that in any circumstances where tongues might be effective for the glory of God, He has the freedom to do as He chooses. Biblically, the first believers were given the gift of speaking in languages they did not know in order to preach the Gospel to people from other places. Could God do that today? If I were in China, could He enable me to speak Chinese to proclaim the Gospel? I believe He could. Also biblically, no one is ever supposed to speak in an "unknown tongue" in front of others unless an interpreter is first identified. Then, only two or three at most, in order, should speak. That is a far cry from what we see in charismatic churches today--either a preacher uttering something without an interpreter, or people doing it all around the room without interpreters. Some say they pray in a "prayer language." The biblical support for this is pretty thin, but if God is doing it and it is genuine, I don't want to be critical. However, nothing should be done that doesn't directly glorify God and edify the believer. 1 Corinthians 14 is the hallmark chapter dealing with the issue, and if you're interested, I have a friend who is a former word/faith pastor who has recently stopped speaking in tongues. His belief is that it is either gibberish or demonic. If you'd like to read a very brief comment from him, check out his blog at www.faithpreacher.blogspot.com/. Find the post titled, "Tongues Mystery Solved."
|
|
|
tongues
Aug 21, 2008 15:35:36 GMT -5
Post by rickymiller on Aug 21, 2008 15:35:36 GMT -5
one more question brother mike. do you think that the tongues of the bible was mysteries noise or a actual earthly language. like i know that the way that it is done today is not biblical 1 corin 12 - 14 proves that. its just i really confused on what tongues actually was.
|
|
|
tongues
Aug 24, 2008 5:21:44 GMT -5
Post by Mike Miller on Aug 24, 2008 5:21:44 GMT -5
The word translated "tongue" is the word for language, so it must have been some sort of language. Clearly in Acts 2 it was foreign earthly languages, but in 1 Corinthians 14, we have no indication if it was an eartlhy language, or something different.
|
|