Speaking in tongues
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I didn't intend to speak in tongues, I got rocked by God. It was like love pouring into me and out of me, I didn't have words to describe what I was feeling or english words for my praise. It poured out of me as I spoke in tongues praying for those all around me.
I used to go to a Baptist church, but I never felt the Spirit of God as strong as when I'd look into the eyes of people at my non denominational church, so even though they spoke in tongues and prophesied I kept coming back.
The Kingdom of God is not word only, but power. Radical transforming power. Even beyond what is found in the Bible. It's called Greater works. The Holy Spirit will not contradict the Word of God, but He will contradict our interpretations of it.
Have the gifts ceased? Not even close. In fact, they are amplifying and many people will be left with the choice to believe tradition or that God still speaks to His people through miracles, signs, and wonders. Just like in the times of Jesus.
Jesus is perfect theology. He is the perfect Image of the Father. His Words and life should hold priority over any "pet theologies" regardless of how good we think our human logic is. Or is He still not the One that confounds the wise with foolish things? Haha.
I learn every day something profound about Him. He is a continual revelation and Scripture is the introduction to Him. Now let's get down to business...
1. The Pharisees thought they knew the Bible pretty good.
- Jesus replied, you search in vain for eternal life in the Scriptures, because they TESTIFY of Me. Testify here is a witness, a sign, Scriptures are a sign that point to Him.
2. The Scriptures don't save people, the Spirit does by way of an encounter through them. What's the saying? It's not a religion, but a RELATIONSHIP? In fact, religion means "to bind" it's the process, principles, steps, methods... that some try to find in Scripture instead of signs that point to new revelations of who He is.
3. God still talks today. All hear His voice. His sheep hear His voice, Scripture fact.
4. Not all should be teachers. Scripture says, not all should be teachers. A teacher is not determined by their "book knowledge , but their Love knowledge. John tells us, that if you do not know love, you do not know God. Jesus tells us a false prophet is one who teaches something that they themselves have not been transformed by.
5. Tongues. Angelic language. Now this is where people start freaking out because it's "different". Even when I didn't speak in tongues, I just said well they can do that, but I won't. However, I think we've gone too far when we start to say something is from the enemy. The Pharisees said this to Jesus to and we would be well to remember what His comment to them was...
Now let's get Biblical.
1 Co 14:39 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.
When I read this Scripture I said okay God, I desire prophesy and sure enough He gave it to me. Have you? If not, you don't listen to the Scripture...
Let's go down the line of objection to tongues.
The gifts have ceased.
- Let's check with Jesus. “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12
WHOEVER believes, shall do the things Jesus did. That means healing, raising dead, casting out demons, etc. And GREATER works...
In fact, Jesus points to the miracles He did in His ministry! Shock!
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.12“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.13Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.14If you ask me[SUP]e[/SUP] anything in my name, I will do it. - John 14.
Believe on account of the works alone... and then He says we shall do what He has done! Oh but what about TONGUES? He didn't mention that did He??
"These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” - Mark 16:17-18.
Yes that's right Jesus just said we would speak with new tongues. Notice it says those who believed (this means forever), not just for a small period, regardless of what you want this to mean, it's very clear.
So then what are tongues? 1 Co 14.
1Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.2For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.3But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.4One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.5Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.
Notice Paul wrote 1 Co 12, 13 to build the foundation of love to explain the use of the gifts. So, we can all agree that we should prophesy, and we can agree that tongues speak to God!!! But wait, huh? Isn't it a commonly held belief that tongues speaks to unbelievers only? Isn't it the interpretation of languages? Lol. No. That's coming next.
However, let's dig into 1 co 14 for the good stuff, now we see here that Paul says Prophesy is for the church, yes this is true, and tongues is for yourself... and he even goes so far to say that he wants everyone to speak in tongues! So, it appears everyone can, but not everyone does! Yes, I know the Scripture that says do all speak in tongues? do all prophesy? I personally take that to mean, that all can, but not all do. Interest determines access, but it's fine if you don't agree.
I'm personally fine with people who don't believe they can speak in tongues or prophesy, but when they attack others who do, they have gone way too far. So, that's why I'm taking the time to write this...
Now we're going to step on some toes... or rather Paul is...
21In the Law it is written, “BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME,” says the Lord.22So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe.
Tongues are a sign for unbelievers because they refuse to listen to the Lord, but is that it's only purpose??? No!!!!! But can we obviously agree just from this, that tongues is not just for interpreting languages that doesn't make any sense! And its completely different to what Scripture says... and if you take the Acts encounter after being filled with (dunamis) power that was a miracle because all those people heard their languages... if I take 120 people from different parts fo the world and they start praising God you wouldn't be able to understand anything. This is a miracle not a rule. And Paul in 1 co 14 shows this clearly that tongues speaks to God...
How come all don't speak in tongues?
- 31For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;32and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;33for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
Notice that the spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet, you can choose if you do it or not, and if you don't believe you can or you think it's wrong obviously you won't. Now sometimes it just flows out and then people will think this isn't of God so they won't open their mouths anymore. BTW, speaking in tongues is more of letting go than actually speaking, I actually want to speak in tongues all the time and when I remove this silence is when it flows out for me.
Let's continue on with self edification that Paul talks about... surely that's not Scriptural right? Yep it is.
Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
Praying in the Spirit, yes this is also speaking in tongues. Now, in a former reply, I wrote from my mobile phone from memory Scripture that the Holy Spirit had given me... and was this one...
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
I explained that the Holy Spirit also intercedes for us when we don't know what to pray. This has happened to me many times, once when I was praying for deliverance for a woman who was severely afflicted by demons and they turned on me, I felt a blackness and a lack of connection. I prayed in the Spirit for 20-30 minutes and it was lifted. So, I have actually experienced this, but let's look at Scripture.
Now Romans 8:26 uses the term, which can not be uttered. Now I'll be the first to tell you that I was surprised by this because I didn't actually check Scripture before my reply. However, like all things the Holy Spirit will give us wisdom. So, I did a little checking around and I think you'll find this fascinating... I know I did.
"which can not be uttered." - My good brother said well obviously if its unuttered it can't be HEARD... so I was mishandling Scripture, well I never want to mishandle Scripture, so I did some investigating.
This word "unuttered" is like us, Joy unexplainable, undescribable, I can't even put into words... we all use these terms, yes? I know I do. In fact the Greek for unuttered or inexpressible is: alalētois
You can find this fun fact here: Romans 8:26 Greek Texts and Analysis
Guess where else this word "inexpressible" is found?
2 Co 12:2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 3And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— 4was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.
Notice here my friends: this word "alaletos" the same word when we are talking about tongues unuttered or inexpressible. Is also found in 2 co 12... but you can see clearly... that these words are both HEAVENLY WORDS and the are HEARD... but they are inexpressible. Yes, speak in tongues is indeed speaking with the tongues of angels and they are heard... but they can not be put into English words.
1If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.2If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.3And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
Tongues of men and angels without love is nothing. Prophesy without love is nothing. Yes, they are all still in effect today and just for fun let's confirm this whole prophesy revealing secrets of hearts...
1 Co 14:24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all;25the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.
Obviously disclosed and revealed are saying the same things. Prophesy reveals secrets of the heart. It's still in use today. As are tongues...
Now let's handle this one... is the enemy working these healings, miracles, tongues? Similar to what the Pharisees told Jesus.
Paul says this: 1 Co 12:3Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
We would be wise to remember this before we slander workers of the Lord.
Now let's handle this cessation of gifts stuff... which is the worse exegesis I've seen him awhile...
1If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.2If I have the gift ofprophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.3And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,5does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,6does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;7bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.9For we know in part and we prophesy in part;10but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.11When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.12For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.13But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
So, if we rip out of context this statement: tongues shall cease, we can easily create a new theology, but that would be foolish wouldn't it? Because I can use the Bible to say there is no God if I wanted to rip a statement out, Psalm 14:1.
In fact 1 Co 13, is so clear... it says quite simply, love is the permanent, it is God ( we know this from John ). So, when knowledge, tongues (language), prophesy (seeing vaguely), they will be not needed when the perfect comes. WHO IS GOD.
When we see and know God as He knows us.
1 Co 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.
It's also confirmed here:
2 Co 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.18But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
I used to go to a Baptist church, but I never felt the Spirit of God as strong as when I'd look into the eyes of people at my non denominational church, so even though they spoke in tongues and prophesied I kept coming back.
The Kingdom of God is not word only, but power. Radical transforming power. Even beyond what is found in the Bible. It's called Greater works. The Holy Spirit will not contradict the Word of God, but He will contradict our interpretations of it.
Have the gifts ceased? Not even close. In fact, they are amplifying and many people will be left with the choice to believe tradition or that God still speaks to His people through miracles, signs, and wonders. Just like in the times of Jesus.
Jesus is perfect theology. He is the perfect Image of the Father. His Words and life should hold priority over any "pet theologies" regardless of how good we think our human logic is. Or is He still not the One that confounds the wise with foolish things? Haha.
I learn every day something profound about Him. He is a continual revelation and Scripture is the introduction to Him. Now let's get down to business...
1. The Pharisees thought they knew the Bible pretty good.
- Jesus replied, you search in vain for eternal life in the Scriptures, because they TESTIFY of Me. Testify here is a witness, a sign, Scriptures are a sign that point to Him.
2. The Scriptures don't save people, the Spirit does by way of an encounter through them. What's the saying? It's not a religion, but a RELATIONSHIP? In fact, religion means "to bind" it's the process, principles, steps, methods... that some try to find in Scripture instead of signs that point to new revelations of who He is.
3. God still talks today. All hear His voice. His sheep hear His voice, Scripture fact.
4. Not all should be teachers. Scripture says, not all should be teachers. A teacher is not determined by their "book knowledge , but their Love knowledge. John tells us, that if you do not know love, you do not know God. Jesus tells us a false prophet is one who teaches something that they themselves have not been transformed by.
5. Tongues. Angelic language. Now this is where people start freaking out because it's "different". Even when I didn't speak in tongues, I just said well they can do that, but I won't. However, I think we've gone too far when we start to say something is from the enemy. The Pharisees said this to Jesus to and we would be well to remember what His comment to them was...
Now let's get Biblical.
1 Co 14:39 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.
When I read this Scripture I said okay God, I desire prophesy and sure enough He gave it to me. Have you? If not, you don't listen to the Scripture...
Let's go down the line of objection to tongues.
The gifts have ceased.
- Let's check with Jesus. “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12
WHOEVER believes, shall do the things Jesus did. That means healing, raising dead, casting out demons, etc. And GREATER works...
In fact, Jesus points to the miracles He did in His ministry! Shock!
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.12“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.13Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.14If you ask me[SUP]e[/SUP] anything in my name, I will do it. - John 14.
Believe on account of the works alone... and then He says we shall do what He has done! Oh but what about TONGUES? He didn't mention that did He??
"These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” - Mark 16:17-18.
Yes that's right Jesus just said we would speak with new tongues. Notice it says those who believed (this means forever), not just for a small period, regardless of what you want this to mean, it's very clear.
So then what are tongues? 1 Co 14.
1Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.2For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.3But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.4One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.5Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.
Notice Paul wrote 1 Co 12, 13 to build the foundation of love to explain the use of the gifts. So, we can all agree that we should prophesy, and we can agree that tongues speak to God!!! But wait, huh? Isn't it a commonly held belief that tongues speaks to unbelievers only? Isn't it the interpretation of languages? Lol. No. That's coming next.
However, let's dig into 1 co 14 for the good stuff, now we see here that Paul says Prophesy is for the church, yes this is true, and tongues is for yourself... and he even goes so far to say that he wants everyone to speak in tongues! So, it appears everyone can, but not everyone does! Yes, I know the Scripture that says do all speak in tongues? do all prophesy? I personally take that to mean, that all can, but not all do. Interest determines access, but it's fine if you don't agree.
I'm personally fine with people who don't believe they can speak in tongues or prophesy, but when they attack others who do, they have gone way too far. So, that's why I'm taking the time to write this...
Now we're going to step on some toes... or rather Paul is...
21In the Law it is written, “BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME,” says the Lord.22So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe.
Tongues are a sign for unbelievers because they refuse to listen to the Lord, but is that it's only purpose??? No!!!!! But can we obviously agree just from this, that tongues is not just for interpreting languages that doesn't make any sense! And its completely different to what Scripture says... and if you take the Acts encounter after being filled with (dunamis) power that was a miracle because all those people heard their languages... if I take 120 people from different parts fo the world and they start praising God you wouldn't be able to understand anything. This is a miracle not a rule. And Paul in 1 co 14 shows this clearly that tongues speaks to God...
How come all don't speak in tongues?
- 31For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;32and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;33for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
Notice that the spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet, you can choose if you do it or not, and if you don't believe you can or you think it's wrong obviously you won't. Now sometimes it just flows out and then people will think this isn't of God so they won't open their mouths anymore. BTW, speaking in tongues is more of letting go than actually speaking, I actually want to speak in tongues all the time and when I remove this silence is when it flows out for me.
Let's continue on with self edification that Paul talks about... surely that's not Scriptural right? Yep it is.
Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
Praying in the Spirit, yes this is also speaking in tongues. Now, in a former reply, I wrote from my mobile phone from memory Scripture that the Holy Spirit had given me... and was this one...
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
I explained that the Holy Spirit also intercedes for us when we don't know what to pray. This has happened to me many times, once when I was praying for deliverance for a woman who was severely afflicted by demons and they turned on me, I felt a blackness and a lack of connection. I prayed in the Spirit for 20-30 minutes and it was lifted. So, I have actually experienced this, but let's look at Scripture.
Now Romans 8:26 uses the term, which can not be uttered. Now I'll be the first to tell you that I was surprised by this because I didn't actually check Scripture before my reply. However, like all things the Holy Spirit will give us wisdom. So, I did a little checking around and I think you'll find this fascinating... I know I did.
"which can not be uttered." - My good brother said well obviously if its unuttered it can't be HEARD... so I was mishandling Scripture, well I never want to mishandle Scripture, so I did some investigating.
This word "unuttered" is like us, Joy unexplainable, undescribable, I can't even put into words... we all use these terms, yes? I know I do. In fact the Greek for unuttered or inexpressible is: alalētois
You can find this fun fact here: Romans 8:26 Greek Texts and Analysis
Guess where else this word "inexpressible" is found?
2 Co 12:2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 3And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— 4was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.
Notice here my friends: this word "alaletos" the same word when we are talking about tongues unuttered or inexpressible. Is also found in 2 co 12... but you can see clearly... that these words are both HEAVENLY WORDS and the are HEARD... but they are inexpressible. Yes, speak in tongues is indeed speaking with the tongues of angels and they are heard... but they can not be put into English words.
1If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.2If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.3And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
Tongues of men and angels without love is nothing. Prophesy without love is nothing. Yes, they are all still in effect today and just for fun let's confirm this whole prophesy revealing secrets of hearts...
1 Co 14:24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all;25the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.
Obviously disclosed and revealed are saying the same things. Prophesy reveals secrets of the heart. It's still in use today. As are tongues...
Now let's handle this one... is the enemy working these healings, miracles, tongues? Similar to what the Pharisees told Jesus.
Paul says this: 1 Co 12:3Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
We would be wise to remember this before we slander workers of the Lord.
Now let's handle this cessation of gifts stuff... which is the worse exegesis I've seen him awhile...
1If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.2If I have the gift ofprophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.3And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,5does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,6does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;7bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.9For we know in part and we prophesy in part;10but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.11When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.12For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.13But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
So, if we rip out of context this statement: tongues shall cease, we can easily create a new theology, but that would be foolish wouldn't it? Because I can use the Bible to say there is no God if I wanted to rip a statement out, Psalm 14:1.
In fact 1 Co 13, is so clear... it says quite simply, love is the permanent, it is God ( we know this from John ). So, when knowledge, tongues (language), prophesy (seeing vaguely), they will be not needed when the perfect comes. WHO IS GOD.
When we see and know God as He knows us.
1 Co 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.
It's also confirmed here:
2 Co 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.18But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
Glory to glory we are transformed as we look upon the perfect, who is God, who is love. Which by the way is the SPIRIT of God... not Scriptures. Scriptures are a sign that points to Him, who is Spirit, who transforms us. He doesn't contradict the Word, but everything about Him is not contained within it.
John 21:25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
So let's conclude. We are called to do the same things Jesus did and greater works. We shall speak with new languages, we shall heal, we shall cast out demons, and we shall raise the dead. These signs will follow those who believe, but can we all agree that we shall know who belongs to Him by the love we show one another?
Stop telling people they are not following God by speaking in tongues, healing people, and prophesying. Stop telling people that because they fall down backwards that the enemy is involved when people are praying, praising, getting healed, and worshipping God. Just stop. Don't be a Pharisee who gives the enemy credit for God's work. Don't have more belief in the power of the devil over the power of God.
Major on love. Teach love. And listen to the Holy Spirit. Who we are now trained by.
Romans 8:14 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”
1 CO 2:12 12Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.[SUP]c[/SUP]14The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
We have the mind of Christ, we are instructed by the Spirit. He still talks today. He is still Jesus. He is inside of us, now let's go transform the world and follow Him as He continues His ministry of healing, deliverance, and salvation (Sozo). And let's walk in a Kingdom of Power. Not only in word.
1 Co 2:3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling,4and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,5so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
1 Co 4:20 4:20: “For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.
Let's start preaching the Kingdom of Power.
C.
John 21:25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
So let's conclude. We are called to do the same things Jesus did and greater works. We shall speak with new languages, we shall heal, we shall cast out demons, and we shall raise the dead. These signs will follow those who believe, but can we all agree that we shall know who belongs to Him by the love we show one another?
Stop telling people they are not following God by speaking in tongues, healing people, and prophesying. Stop telling people that because they fall down backwards that the enemy is involved when people are praying, praising, getting healed, and worshipping God. Just stop. Don't be a Pharisee who gives the enemy credit for God's work. Don't have more belief in the power of the devil over the power of God.
Major on love. Teach love. And listen to the Holy Spirit. Who we are now trained by.
Romans 8:14 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”
1 CO 2:12 12Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.[SUP]c[/SUP]14The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
We have the mind of Christ, we are instructed by the Spirit. He still talks today. He is still Jesus. He is inside of us, now let's go transform the world and follow Him as He continues His ministry of healing, deliverance, and salvation (Sozo). And let's walk in a Kingdom of Power. Not only in word.
1 Co 2:3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling,4and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,5so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
1 Co 4:20 4:20: “For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.
Let's start preaching the Kingdom of Power.
C.
Being a Berean.
Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
Notice it says they examined it with great EAGERNESS. Being a berean is searching the Scriptures to see if the goodness of God's character is true.
Notice it doesn't say they examined the Scripture with great criticism, negativity, and logic. Which many have taken this to mean. Being a Berean is embracing the GOOD NEWS. Which is: God is good. Enemy is bad. God gives life. Enemy takes it. God is love. Enemy kills, steals, destroys. Jesus now lives in us. Enemy no longer does. We are a new creation. Not the old sinful one.
Unfortunately a lot of people are just now discovering what the Gospel really means, but I pray and hope that we are Bereans and search the Scriptures with GREAT JOY when we do.
C.
Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
Notice it says they examined it with great EAGERNESS. Being a berean is searching the Scriptures to see if the goodness of God's character is true.
Notice it doesn't say they examined the Scripture with great criticism, negativity, and logic. Which many have taken this to mean. Being a Berean is embracing the GOOD NEWS. Which is: God is good. Enemy is bad. God gives life. Enemy takes it. God is love. Enemy kills, steals, destroys. Jesus now lives in us. Enemy no longer does. We are a new creation. Not the old sinful one.
Unfortunately a lot of people are just now discovering what the Gospel really means, but I pray and hope that we are Bereans and search the Scriptures with GREAT JOY when we do.
C.
You do realize that Jesus is point to the greatest works they can imagine saying that without love you do not know Me?
It's very similar to this saying here (which is sometimes misinterpreted)...
Matthew 19:24 "Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
The enemy has been using this one for a long time to get people to be afraid of money. And it's also not a little hole that a camel had to take everything off. The answer to this saying is found in the sentence next...
Matthew 19:25 When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, "Then who can be saved?"
You see, it was a commonly held belief that those with money were favored by God. Jesus is saying here, that no one is saved... you can see this by His Next Statement.
Matthew 19:26 And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
God made it possible for people to be saved. Not riches, not works, not anything we can do. It is all Him.
However, once He has broken us free of Sin, now we can live alive to Love, which is God.
Therefore those who are Lawless, which is the Law of Love that Jesus talks about here:
Matthew 22:36 36“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37And He said to him, “ ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’38“This is the great and foremost commandment. 39“The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ 40“On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”
Notice that the 2nd is LIKE IT. Love God and Love People. A lot of people are so focused on the first one, that they have forgotten that the 2nd one is EQUALLY IMPORTANT. It is Love that will show who belongs to Christ.
Matthew 13:34“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
1 Co 12, 13, 14. Build out this description of love even further and how gifts exhibit God's love and equip one another in love. As far as me being dead before I came to Christ. I am dead after I come to Christ.
Colossians 3:13 "For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Now we are NEW CREATIONS! Created for Love, By Love. Boom shaka laka! Awesome isn't it????
2 Co 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
Christ is self-existent, but we are Christ-existent! Haha.
2 Co 5:18-19 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
We are now ambassadors for Christ as though God was making His appeal through us! And this is going to really rock you...
2 Co 5:20 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Boom! So let's leave our filthy works at His feet and move on to fruit which is the naturally progression of Him transforming us into good trees! Trees of love. Fruit of the Spirit. It's so awesome.
C.
It's very similar to this saying here (which is sometimes misinterpreted)...
Matthew 19:24 "Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
The enemy has been using this one for a long time to get people to be afraid of money. And it's also not a little hole that a camel had to take everything off. The answer to this saying is found in the sentence next...
Matthew 19:25 When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, "Then who can be saved?"
You see, it was a commonly held belief that those with money were favored by God. Jesus is saying here, that no one is saved... you can see this by His Next Statement.
Matthew 19:26 And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
God made it possible for people to be saved. Not riches, not works, not anything we can do. It is all Him.
However, once He has broken us free of Sin, now we can live alive to Love, which is God.
Therefore those who are Lawless, which is the Law of Love that Jesus talks about here:
Matthew 22:36 36“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37And He said to him, “ ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’38“This is the great and foremost commandment. 39“The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ 40“On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”
Notice that the 2nd is LIKE IT. Love God and Love People. A lot of people are so focused on the first one, that they have forgotten that the 2nd one is EQUALLY IMPORTANT. It is Love that will show who belongs to Christ.
Matthew 13:34“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
1 Co 12, 13, 14. Build out this description of love even further and how gifts exhibit God's love and equip one another in love. As far as me being dead before I came to Christ. I am dead after I come to Christ.
Colossians 3:13 "For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Now we are NEW CREATIONS! Created for Love, By Love. Boom shaka laka! Awesome isn't it????
2 Co 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
Christ is self-existent, but we are Christ-existent! Haha.
2 Co 5:18-19 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
We are now ambassadors for Christ as though God was making His appeal through us! And this is going to really rock you...
2 Co 5:20 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Boom! So let's leave our filthy works at His feet and move on to fruit which is the naturally progression of Him transforming us into good trees! Trees of love. Fruit of the Spirit. It's so awesome.
C.
she's she's so you do in controlling that's what he felt very
Well, if you read it, you would know:
Chapter 20-21 - Paul makes his final rounds through the churches knowing the trouble waits him in Jerusalem. In Jerusalem he is arrested. He doesn't have time to talk about tongues, for anything else for that matter.
Chapter 22 - Paul makes his defense after he is arrested.
Chapter 23 - makes his defense before the Sanhedrin Council
Chapter 24 - Paul stands before Felix
Chapter 25 - Paul's accused before Festus
Chapter 26 - Paul stands before King Agrippa
Chapter 27 - Paul is sent to Rome
Chapter 28 - Paul spends two years in Rome in his own rented house
You see, if you had read those chapters, you would've found out that Paul didn't have time to teach anything, let alone talk about tongues...... sheesh
Sorry Stephen,in a number of places Paul spent several months. Again this is over a period of about seven years.
And add to the fact as you pointed out above he was in Rome in his own house for two years,he was in prison during that time for two years,(I highly doubt he wasn't preaching during those two years) and yet not once during those four years not once does Luke mention that new believers are speaking in unknown. Not once in the three months in Greece and not once in the three months he is shipwrecked on Malta.
Add to that James lays down the foundation of how we are to seek healing,which is to go before the elders,be anoited with oil and pray. Add to that Paul in 1 Corinthians says these these things will end. Add to that Luke quits mentioning it and add to that that even in church history by the end of the first century we don't see it being recorded,the question remains why?
Add to that James lays down the foundation of how we are to seek healing,which is to go before the elders,be anoited with oil and pray. Add to that Paul in 1 Corinthians says these these things will end. Add to that Luke quits mentioning it and add to that that even in church history by the end of the first century we don't see it being recorded,the question remains why?
I kinda felt like that train for the past few hours just trying to push some Scripture through. I didn't make it either
don't trying pushing scripture through to justify unscriptural practices.
that might work.
cough...really.
Deuteronomy 4:2
Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you
Revelation 22
18For I testify to every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add to these things, God shall add to him the plagues that are written in this book: 19And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 20He which testifies these things said, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. …
please don't in one post say scripture is just an introduction to God...then give lip service to the authority of scripture.
if there's one thing i can't stand it's that.
you either believe in extra-biblical revelation or you don't. if you do, don't pretend scripture is the final authority.
what good will it be to "be a Berean" if the guy next to me stands up and opens his mouth and out comes "I THE LORD TELL YOU THIS TODAY...."
ugh
People are quoting part of the Holy Scripture to justify their own personal non-Scriptural interpretation of the gifts.
It is written tongues is for self edification, but those who are hung up on their own false knowlege are saying it is uniquely, exclusively for non believers, and that is a lie, Satanic.
The gifts will cease come the new age, when what is now called time will cease. I have posted on this before.
Prophecies will cease because this age will have ended.
Tongues will cease because (Zephaniah) God will give us a pure tongue, and there will be no foreign languages.
The gift of healing will cease when healing is no longer necessary.
Ummmmm. It seems many here are truly hung up on their minds, not giving any heed to the Holy Spirit.
Your interpretations are your personal and intellectual approach utilizing part of the Word, without the correlation of it all as one teaching, the living Word brought to life by the Holy Spirit.
Lying is not a virtue.
It is a pity the truth is glossed over without proper understanding.
Once more, all the gifts will cease when this age has ended and there is no longer need of them for the faithful, and yes, there are those who deliberately distort the Word.
Do not come back with just the Book of Acts on tongues, there is much more about tongues written, as in the quote below.........
It is written tongues is for self edification, but those who are hung up on their own false knowlege are saying it is uniquely, exclusively for non believers, and that is a lie, Satanic.
The gifts will cease come the new age, when what is now called time will cease. I have posted on this before.
Prophecies will cease because this age will have ended.
Tongues will cease because (Zephaniah) God will give us a pure tongue, and there will be no foreign languages.
The gift of healing will cease when healing is no longer necessary.
Ummmmm. It seems many here are truly hung up on their minds, not giving any heed to the Holy Spirit.
Your interpretations are your personal and intellectual approach utilizing part of the Word, without the correlation of it all as one teaching, the living Word brought to life by the Holy Spirit.
Lying is not a virtue.
It is a pity the truth is glossed over without proper understanding.
Once more, all the gifts will cease when this age has ended and there is no longer need of them for the faithful, and yes, there are those who deliberately distort the Word.
Do not come back with just the Book of Acts on tongues, there is much more about tongues written, as in the quote below.........
J
jinx
Guest
now normally when I quote a bunch of scripture people come back saying that I took it all out of context..... lets see what happens here.
***sits quietly and eats popcorn****
***sits quietly and eats popcorn****
Are you sure you're not the one using your own interpretation? And how are you 100 % sure that things did not end yet?
Again Paul says they will end,people speaking in other languages appears to have ended after Acts 19,James changes the way we are to seek healing. And again outside of 1 Corinthians there is no mention of people speaking in other languages. Why don't the other apostles speak on it if it was to continue? If this was something for a doctrinal issue why the silence? See on the side that it was to continue is only based on Acts and 1 Corinthians,nothing else. All it is based on is a historical book within the context of how God was moving at that time and one passage outside of that and nothing else to support it. James is very clear that the way we are to seek healing is by going before the elders,be anoited with oil and pray. That also MUST fit within this. Why did James say that if the gift of healing was continuing on? Which ties in with Paul saying that people speaking in unknown languages would end. It is part of the whole council of God,you CAN NOT leave that out. So why did James imply that those gifts were ending?
Are you saying you were there?
Did you read there is the language of angels, "angelic?"
Why should I have to like your opinion or lump it?
I like and believe what is written in the Word.
It is very strange you say I was not there, yet you are all capable of interpreting what was said there.
There is something more palpable, the Word as it is written. I also read the words that are actually furnished by Corinthians and Acts and more.
I can only go by the Words furnished for us all by our Heavenly Father.
I realize if a lie is repeated enough times by enough people, it becomes truth for the weak minded. I will stick to the Word.
Did you read there is the language of angels, "angelic?"
Why should I have to like your opinion or lump it?
I like and believe what is written in the Word.
It is very strange you say I was not there, yet you are all capable of interpreting what was said there.
There is something more palpable, the Word as it is written. I also read the words that are actually furnished by Corinthians and Acts and more.
I can only go by the Words furnished for us all by our Heavenly Father.
I realize if a lie is repeated enough times by enough people, it becomes truth for the weak minded. I will stick to the Word.
here is a disciple who was given a supernatural gift of a language he didn't learn.
we can say he supernaturally could speak Spanish.
he is preaching the Wonderful Works of God to a crowd.
they do not understand the language he is speaking in - Spanish.
there's no translator there.
HE IS EDIFIED because he knows (in his mind - spirit) what he is saying.
how - he got the GIFT of knowing that language!
they are NOT edified, because.......THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT HE IS SAYING.
they dont speak or understand SPANISH.
so it is better for him to KEEP SILENT and pray and speak quietly to God in SPANISH since both he and God know what the message is.
~
is this REALLY that hard
here is a disciple who was given a supernatural gift of a language he didn't learn.
we can say he supernaturally could speak Spanish.
he is preaching the Wonderful Works of God to a crowd.
they do not understand the language he is speaking in - Spanish.
there's no translator there.
HE IS EDIFIED because he knows (in his mind - spirit) what he is saying.
how - he got the GIFT of knowing that language!
they are NOT edified, because.......THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT HE IS SAYING.
they dont speak or understand SPANISH.
so it is better for him to KEEP SILENT and pray and speak quietly to God in SPANISH since both he and God know what the message is.
~
is this REALLY that hard
Wow, this is all in the Word? I do not think so. We are here because we believe the Bible in Yeshua. What are you following? This is totally off the track. Now, time for one of your followers to pipe in.
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