Former pentecostal
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Are you talking about Acts 2? If you are, then I don't agree with that interpretation, as the context doesn't say that. The disciples spoke in those languages, and that's the reason why the crowd heard them and understood. It says "each in their own language" - that is, one disciple spoke Phrygian, and those in the crowd who spoke that language understood him. Another disciple spoke Parthian, and those in the crowd who spoke that language understood him, etc. It was a speaking miracle, not a hearing miracle. This is the way the text reads.
And in Corinthians, there is no indication that there is a different type of tongues than that of Acts 2. The reason why people think so is because they impose an idea into the reading that isn't there.
So then since you mentioned it, were you an eyewitness of an account where someone preached in English, and someone in the crowd heard it in Spanish and another heard it in Indonesian?
And in Corinthians, there is no indication that there is a different type of tongues than that of Acts 2. The reason why people think so is because they impose an idea into the reading that isn't there.
So then since you mentioned it, were you an eyewitness of an account where someone preached in English, and someone in the crowd heard it in Spanish and another heard it in Indonesian?
I hate to over simplify but I guess I will for you. Tongues is actual language not random syllables, certainly not the three to five syllable repeated over and over. Prayer for the healing the sick is to be done done in accordance with the instructions given to James. Prophecy is the expounding upon the written word, exegesis as its called. Not what we saw back during the elections with all these guys saying God told them Trump would be president.
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I agree, it is an actual language. As the testimony I told of my pastor friend. He heard someone speaking in his own language telling him how to become saved. Now he is a preacher in one of the biggest churches in Canada. His family became saved as a result. So when people say to me it's fake or demon possession, I think that's a very dangerous thing to say. Not saying you are saying that, but there are people here that do. I agree on healing. You know there was one man that prophesied Trump would not get back into office, and that some serious things were about to happen. I thought that was rather interesting...
I hesitate to simply dismiss a thing as demonic. I tend to think that generally is someone is taking it then its because they are in an emotional state and are probably being sincere. Sincerely wrong and misguided but not up to evil. I think there are some people who want to be spiritual and want the security of physical proof if the Holy Spirit they will do about anything to feel secure. I think the gifts are rare and that those people need encouragement in the Gospel and given the sacraments. Understanding that Jesus does give us himself in his supper and the Holy Spirit buries us with Christ and joins us to the resurrection in baptism. There is danger in neglecting the importance of these things
There is no reason to think speaking in tongues has to be the exact languages listed in Acts 2. The difference is that in Acts 2, people present understood the language, but in a I Corinthians 14 situation 'no man understandeth him' so it has to be interpreted through the gift of interpretation if others present are to be edified.
I don't think it is necessarily sinful to find someone prophetically gifted and to ask for this. You could try to find a church where the gift of prophecy is active, and pray to God to speak through people to you in that way.
In the Old Testament, it was forbidden to go to soothsayers, diviners, mediums, and various other occultists, but Israelites were allowed to go to a prophet of the Lord. Two men even came to Samuel the prophet and asked where lost donkeys were. He told one of them bout it and much, much more.
But I do notice a lot of modern Christians are uncomfortable with the idea in this day and age, including many of them who prophesy. I've heard people call asking someone gifted in prophecy if they hear anything like this to be 'fortune telling.' It seems in line with at least ___ Old Testament___ practice to me. Inquiring of the LORD was allowed. Some of that was done through the Urim and Thummin on the ephod outfit the high priest wore, but inquiring through prophet was allowed. Those engaged in idolatry who asked the Lord for a message through a prophet could get unfavorable messages.
There is also the problem that there are false prophets, and if you go around asking strangers for prophecies, someone could give you a word that could confuse you or mess up your mind if you believed it.
I've gotten words of knowledge for people... at least that's how I classify it... but I don't get them 'at will.' Sometimes my attention rests on someone, for example in a meeting, then I might pray if the Lord had something to tell me, and I'd get something. Or probably more often, I'd be praying with someone and just get detailed stuff to pray that was rather detailed about their situation.... stuff I didn't naturally know. My wife has gotten personal prophecies for people... personal prophecies as in prophecies about individuals. Some were quite detailed, and there have been seasons where she would just flow with it, usually when she was in situations where that gift could flow, and at other times, it wouldn't seem to happen that much.
I don't think most people who operate in this gift that I have met would be comfortable for someone asking what you are asking, though I don't see a Biblical prohibition of it.... necessarily. My wife has expressed discomfort with that sort of thing.
I've also been in meetings where I sensed a certain person was supposed to receive a prophecy directed at him or her, and it happened. You can pray for God to speak to you through dreams, etc.
In the meantime, you can also do what you can do with what you have. If you have sinned, you can confess your sin and ask for forgiveness. You can pray and ask God for wisdom to make decisions. You should not think how close you are to God is based on how you feel. If you aren't feeling anything in particular, then you have faith in promises in scripture. One that comes to mind is,
'I will never leave you, nor forsake you."
That's from Deuteronomy, so there is a specific context you can study. Here is another one.
II Timothy 2
12 If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
13 If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.
If you are walking with God, then do not feel that He is with you, and you can know and trust that He is, based on His Word, then you can have confidence in Him, apart from some sort of sensory feedback that causes you to believe God is with you. If you have sinned against Him, confess your sins and repent.
In the Old Testament, it was forbidden to go to soothsayers, diviners, mediums, and various other occultists, but Israelites were allowed to go to a prophet of the Lord. Two men even came to Samuel the prophet and asked where lost donkeys were. He told one of them bout it and much, much more.
But I do notice a lot of modern Christians are uncomfortable with the idea in this day and age, including many of them who prophesy. I've heard people call asking someone gifted in prophecy if they hear anything like this to be 'fortune telling.' It seems in line with at least ___ Old Testament___ practice to me. Inquiring of the LORD was allowed. Some of that was done through the Urim and Thummin on the ephod outfit the high priest wore, but inquiring through prophet was allowed. Those engaged in idolatry who asked the Lord for a message through a prophet could get unfavorable messages.
There is also the problem that there are false prophets, and if you go around asking strangers for prophecies, someone could give you a word that could confuse you or mess up your mind if you believed it.
I've gotten words of knowledge for people... at least that's how I classify it... but I don't get them 'at will.' Sometimes my attention rests on someone, for example in a meeting, then I might pray if the Lord had something to tell me, and I'd get something. Or probably more often, I'd be praying with someone and just get detailed stuff to pray that was rather detailed about their situation.... stuff I didn't naturally know. My wife has gotten personal prophecies for people... personal prophecies as in prophecies about individuals. Some were quite detailed, and there have been seasons where she would just flow with it, usually when she was in situations where that gift could flow, and at other times, it wouldn't seem to happen that much.
I don't think most people who operate in this gift that I have met would be comfortable for someone asking what you are asking, though I don't see a Biblical prohibition of it.... necessarily. My wife has expressed discomfort with that sort of thing.
I've also been in meetings where I sensed a certain person was supposed to receive a prophecy directed at him or her, and it happened. You can pray for God to speak to you through dreams, etc.
In the meantime, you can also do what you can do with what you have. If you have sinned, you can confess your sin and ask for forgiveness. You can pray and ask God for wisdom to make decisions. You should not think how close you are to God is based on how you feel. If you aren't feeling anything in particular, then you have faith in promises in scripture. One that comes to mind is,
'I will never leave you, nor forsake you."
That's from Deuteronomy, so there is a specific context you can study. Here is another one.
II Timothy 2
12 If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
13 If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.
If you are walking with God, then do not feel that He is with you, and you can know and trust that He is, based on His Word, then you can have confidence in Him, apart from some sort of sensory feedback that causes you to believe God is with you. If you have sinned against Him, confess your sins and repent.