Bible Discussion Thread

This same outpouring of the HolyGhost is for us day. We can be filled with HolyGhost by the evidence of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.

Albert, further to what Bob has shared: I believe there is confusion on the meaning of the word 'tongue'. Sadly, it is often interpreted as some special uttering that may or may not be known to us. Hence, as some who have this 'gift' have said to me, that a 'tongue' could be an earthly language or a heavenly language. But is this what the Scripture, indeed all of Scripture on this subject implies?

In such situations, I wish I could altogether remove the word, 'tongue', & just insert 'unknown or unlearned language' as it clearly implies in Scripture, i.e. a language in existence on Earth, but which has not been learned by the utterer. When this gift came upon men showing the arrival & indwelling of the Holy Spirit in people, they always spoke in a language that they had not learned but it was a language that was known by someone else. Thus, the 'tongue' served absolutely no purpose unless it was for the benefit of another (e.g. as evidence to the unsaved & to hear God's message to them, or God's Word to believers, if only it came with interpretation).

And to those dear, well meaning believers so 'gifted', also suggested to me, a non-gifted 'tongue' believer, that if no 'tongue' came out of me, then I should just 'start babbling something to start the process going'! Of course, an extreme, perverted understanding of the Gift, but it showed to me, as a new Christian, the lengths they would go to give such importance to this least of all gifts. The only occasion of when this 'gift' is used other than what I've indicated here, is when there is none to interpret it, that it is used not publicly, but in his/her prayer to God & be edified through it ( 1 Cor 14:28).

The Bible speaks on tongues 1 Corinthians 12:28 - And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. (Tongues notice the last least gift.)

1 Corinthians 12:29 - Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

1 Cor 12:30 - Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

1 Cor 12:31 - But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

1 Corinthians 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues. for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues.

1 Corinthians Chapter 14: 26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue,

hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

....But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church....

not one Pentecostal church I have ever been to have ever followed this in scripture.

tongues is the least important gift. no interpreter = keep silent.

Tongues are the initial evidence that one has received the gift of the HolyGhost. There are nine gifts of the Spirit outlined in I Corinthians 12. Paul wrote to the Corinthians to help things in order; for they were all out of order. The gift of tongues outlined in I Corinthians 12 is part of the nine gifts of the Spirit. Every believer who received the HolyGhost may not have the gift of tongues. While a person will speak in tongues when they receive the HolyGhost according to Acts 2:4 and Acts 2:38, he or she may not have the gift of tongues. I have never witnessed where one speaks in tongues in the congregation and there was no one who could interpret what was said. I understood what you documented from I Corinthians 14. I agree. Again, there are nine gifts: 1) word of wisdom; 2) word of knowledge; 3) gift of faith; 4)gifts of healing; 5)working of miracles; 6) gift of prophecy; 7) discerning of spirits; 8) divers kinds of tongues; and 9) interpretaion of tongues. These gifts are operating in the church today. I have witnessed all nine in operation in the body of Christ. They are in people. Some people may have one gift; while others have multiple gifts. God has set them in the church to edify the body of Christ and bring glory to Him. Tongues are not forbidden in the body of Christ; and all should seek to bring glory to God by edifying the church. Prophesy edifies the church; tongues edify an individual believer. We should all, if do not posess the interpretation( not a translation) of tongues, pray that we may interpret. Again, I have witnessed all nine gifts in operation. You can interpret if you desire that gift from God. Trust me, I know. But we should desire spiritual gifts to bring glory to God and to edify or encourage the fellow believer. Again, God is still fulfilling prophesy ( Joel 2:28). Christians need the leaders of the body of Christ to teach them what is proper and orderly.