Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ (by the will of God) wrote -- "Moreover, I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth, not for that we have dominion over your faith but are helpers of your joy -- by faith ye stand." (II Corinthians 1:23)
In previous posts, we learn that through the laying on of hands by apostles Peter and John, the gift of the Holy Ghost was given to the believing Samaritans. Although the scriptural record does not explicitly state that the Samaritans spoke in tongues when they received the Holy Ghost, we are able to assume this because of the number of other examples cited in the Bible whereby tongues accompanied the entrance of the Holy Ghost into believers, and thus, likewise it was an occurrence with the Samaritans too.
"Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John, who, when they were come down prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost (for as of yet He was fallen upon none of them, only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then laid they ĥands on them and they received the Holy Ghost." (Acts 8:14-17)
As a sidebar to this conversation, gifts of the Holy Ghost include the indwelling presence of the holy Spirit of Jesus. Indeed, Jesus said, "I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you." (John 14:18)
But in relation to the gift of tongues, it is a topic that has been much debated among religious institutions. Questions have come forward including whether it is reasonable in the 21st century to assume that believers today could (or even would) still speak in tongues. In fact, one of the favored verses used by institutions for opposing the gift of tongues is the scripture that states tongues will cease. (I Corinthians 13:8)
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal, and though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profits me nothing. Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Charity never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away." (I Corinthians 13:1-8)
In previous posts, we learn that through the laying on of hands by apostles Peter and John, the gift of the Holy Ghost was given to the believing Samaritans. Although the scriptural record does not explicitly state that the Samaritans spoke in tongues when they received the Holy Ghost, we are able to assume this because of the number of other examples cited in the Bible whereby tongues accompanied the entrance of the Holy Ghost into believers, and thus, likewise it was an occurrence with the Samaritans too.
"Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John, who, when they were come down prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost (for as of yet He was fallen upon none of them, only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then laid they ĥands on them and they received the Holy Ghost." (Acts 8:14-17)
As a sidebar to this conversation, gifts of the Holy Ghost include the indwelling presence of the holy Spirit of Jesus. Indeed, Jesus said, "I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you." (John 14:18)
But in relation to the gift of tongues, it is a topic that has been much debated among religious institutions. Questions have come forward including whether it is reasonable in the 21st century to assume that believers today could (or even would) still speak in tongues. In fact, one of the favored verses used by institutions for opposing the gift of tongues is the scripture that states tongues will cease. (I Corinthians 13:8)
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal, and though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profits me nothing. Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Charity never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away." (I Corinthians 13:1-8)
Unfortunately, it is only this latter portion of the verse that they rely on. In so doing, they withhold the rest of the verse which of course mention ‘when” tongues will cease. That is, the most important part -- "when that which is perfect will come."
But this is not all. These institutions also forget that tongues were given as a sign. Not as a sign to them that believe but tongues were given as a sign to those that do not believe. (Acts 2:1-47)
He or she that speaks in an unknown tongue, whether it be tongues of men or angels, or a completely unknown tongue is not speaking to men. No, they are speaking to God. The person praying is praying to God in a spirit language. Although his or her understanding of what he or she is praying about is unfruitful, at least in their natural mind, speaking in tongues represents a pouring out of one's heart to the Lord.
Put another way, in the spirit one is speaking mysteries. Even though the praying believers' understanding is unfruitful, the praying believers are being edified in spirit. For assuredly the believer rightly knows that God knows what is on their mind when they pray. Often, the believer quietly prays in spirit and at times he or she prays also with her natural tongue of understanding.
What then is the exhortation of the scripture, that believers who have received the Holy Ghost gift of tongues (as it was in the day of Pentecost) should cease to speak in tongues. Indeed, believers ought to continue praying quietly in the spirit until the need of the spirit rests. Some might ask why? Because the same God who hears and sees in secret shall reward openly. At the same time, the gifted believer should pray to receive the gift of interpretation that accompanies the gift of tongues, in order that the believer’s understanding will be nourished. (I Corinthians 12:1-13)
For in the spirit, the believer speaks mysteries. Paul (the apostle to the Gentiles) expressed that he spoke with tongues more than all the ones he was addressing . And as a crescendo, the scriptures also state that believers should not be forbidden to speak in tongues. How do the scriptures put it? Desire spiritual gifts because every good and perfect gift comes from Jesus, the true God as a son. The same God who Himself Fathered us at Calvary. God as a son sacrificed Himself for His children. In other words, God loves His believing children.
Believe in His good news gospel of peace today. Stand in the offering plate!
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