Why do some people misconstrue I Corinthians 14 as saying that the gifts, especially "tongues" have ceased.
2006-07-29 06:36:07 · 7 answers · asked by atreadia 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Letting things be done decently and in order has nothing to do with some saying that the gifts have ceased.
2006-07-29 06:47:18 · update #1
This is a good question!
I was taught this when I first got saved more than 20 years ago and believed it until I began to do my own study. What it says is that these gifts will cease "when that which is perfect is come".
Many want these gifts to be done away with, I think, for 2 reasons. First, they make us uncomfortable. Second, If they are here, then we have to understand, explain, and use them properly. It is much easier to get rid of something than it is to understand and use it properly.
So, what does it mean "when that which is perfect is come"? Those against these gifts would say that it is referring to the Bible. But, is the Bible perfect? Is the Bible the completion of God's plan? ( in the KJV, "Perfect" usually meant "complete".)
Is the return of Jesus for His church the completion of God's plan? Possibly. Or, is it the end of time when all the saved are in heaven and all the lost are in hell? There are a number of possiblities, but I do not believe it is referring to the Bible.
Ultimately, why do some people misconstrue the meaning of I Corinthians 14? Because we are not truly studying the Bible. Most people study what others have said about the Bible, if they study at all. Those that do study often take a passage out of its context (hopefully without realizing it), thereby allowing it to mean something other than what it was intended to mean. Too often, we are not careful with our study. And, we very often study with a bias or preconceived idea of what the Bible says and (hopefully) without realizing it, make the Bible to mean what we want it to mean.
For a very good book on how to study the Bible, I would recommend Kay Arthor's book on inductive Bible study. She goes into a lot of details, but I thought it was laid out very clearly.
Terry
2006-07-29 07:07:18 · answer #1 · answered by Terry K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you that the gifts of the spirit are still with us.
However as a Christian Pastor I have seen where there has been to much emphasis put on speaking in tongues.
And then there are the admonitions for the women to keep silent in that same chapter.
We can not pick and choose.
2006-07-29 13:44:16 · answer #2 · answered by drg5609 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know I don't think they have ceased especially as I have seen all the gifts in action in my life and in the lives of those around me.
2006-07-29 13:41:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Verse 39 says specifically "forbid not to speak with tongues" so I don't know why some people have thrown it out. I have seen it often and not just in "charismatic" circles. This verse is in the New Testament so as far as I can see it is for us now.
2006-07-29 13:48:37 · answer #4 · answered by emmadoll83 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1Cr 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
2006-07-29 13:43:13 · answer #5 · answered by IdahoMike 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Uncle has been a minister for 50 years and never seen it.
2006-07-29 13:40:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
my pastor has seen and heard it. I have seen people who claim they are doing it but it does not sound sincere to me. It just seems to easy for them to do it. I have never done it but that does not mean it doesn't happen.
2006-07-29 14:08:53 · answer #7 · answered by melissa s 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋