Wouldn't there need to be another New Testament if the rules had changed? I have heard arguments that the way that the gifts worked in the early church do not apply anymore, but isn't that throwing out scripture? If the church claims that the scriptures are the source of their doctrine, how can modern churches deny, amongst others, that tongues are no longer necessary?
2007-03-03 06:25:15 · 8 answers · asked by Justyn 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In response to those asking where in the NT it indicates we should be praying in tongues:
The whole chapter of I Corinthians 14 is a great place to start.
Don't get distracted by the tongues issue. The point is that much of the modern American church has erroneously called tongues a "Dispensation", but that is clearly adding to scripture.
Another point, how can we call the Bible the "perfected" work. It's a BOOK people! When Christ ascended He promised the Helper, not a book. To say that the Bible is the reason that Christ came would be ridiculous. WE are to be the perfected work...
2007-03-03 06:59:15 · update #1
The apostle spoke in tongues to spread the gospel message. There were many different dialects where they preached, so they were given that to communicate to the unsaved. I suppose if we were in that boat we could be gifted that way to. I have gone to Churches that teach it is a gift for all Christians and some that say it is not for our time. I personally don't feel comfortable with it and ask why, I can pray to God in my own language. The Holy Spirit lives in us and helps us pray.
2007-03-03 07:34:16 · answer #1 · answered by angel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
...After that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall cease. Whether there be tongues, they shall CEASE, whether there be Prophecies, they shall FAIL....and NOW abideth Faith, Hope, and Charity!
During the formation of the Church and while the Canon of Scripture was being developed and completed, the early Church had a period (dispensation) whereby the Holy Spirit embued special "gifts" which miracles converted the unbelievers. (See Pentacost).
When the Canon of Scripture was complete (perfect), then the "partial"/incomplete was done away - along with those "special gifts" . NOW (this present dispensation) abides, FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY.
*****
II Tim. 3-16: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for DOCTRINE, for REPROOF, for CORRECTION, for INSTRUCTION in righteousness.
The Holy Spirit lead and guides and illuminates the scriptures for our perfection in Christ.
If NOW, abides Faith, Hope, and Charity, that implies that the "other" gifts are not operating NOW.
To divide the scriptures into various "periods" whereby God dealt with people in different manners is very common to the Bible. It is not ADDING nor SUBTRACTING to explain that some Scriptures refer only to a particular time period. The examples are too many to list.
The word "dispensation" is merely a word used to express such a truth. Older theological works similarly use the word, "economy" which had nothing to do with money!
Anyway, the tongues used on Pentacost were different that another kind of "spiritual" tongue which says NO MAN understand him, "howbeit in the Spirit he speaketh mysteries" I have always discriminated between the two. The first being a "known language" which required an interpreter, and the second, a secret, mysterious language which is used for prayer and utterances which only our spirit cries directly to God.
Just a few thoughts. I do not wish to divide over this issue.
2007-03-03 06:36:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nowhere does it say that you MUST have praying in tongues. It says that this is sometimes a gift of the Spirit, along with numerous other gifts. It isn't a "rule". The Spirit gives the gifts which the church needs. Maybe at this time, it's not a gift we need at the moment. When we do need it, the Spirit will give it. Meanwhile, there are plenty of other gifts of the Spirit; -- don't get fixated on just one particular one. (By the way, scriptures are not the "source" of doctrine. Scriptures were written by the early church to explain the teachings which had already been given out orally. The "source" is actually the same Spirit which gives those gifts.)
2007-03-03 06:34:00 · answer #3 · answered by Maria E. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Amend your question and show me where in the Bible it encourages us to speak in tongues.
As a matter of a fact, it list them as being the least of the gifts, and that the gift of tongues does nothing when it comes to edifying the body.
The greatest gifts are faith, hope, and love.
Speaking in tongues without love is like sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
Tongues [glossa] means the language of a particular people that separates them from other nations.
'When that which is perfect has come', it is not talking about a person it is talking about an object.
If it were a person, the translation would be 'When He who is perfect has come.
Some believe it talks about the completion of the Holy Scriptures, but having the Holy Scriptures without the Holy Spirit is worthless, for it is worthless dribble to those who are not guided by the Holy Spirit.
I have always believed that 'when that which is perfect' is the new heaven and the new earth, then none of these gifts will be necessary and we will be able to speak directly with God and Christ without the need of the Holy Spirit or the Bible.
Oh, I guess you know that we will not be able to take our Bibles with us when we go to heaven, nor will we need them.
grace2u
2007-03-03 06:48:24 · answer #4 · answered by Theophilus 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Scripture says that nothing should be added to the Word and nothing should be taken away...
Speaking in tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit....and God has distributed gifts according to how He sees fit....
Therefore, I would examine the doctrine of the Church to determine if they are teaching sound doctrine...and if they are rightly diving the word of truth.....
Yes, to say there is no more need for speaking in tongues is throwing out the word of God....
Spiritual warfare is real...and speaking in tongues is a way of communicating with God that keeps prayers coded for God and Prophecies here on earth to be appropriately decoded (speaking of those with the gift of tongue interpretation....)
To say it is no longer need says we no longer need the gift of evangelism or prophecy...which were called out in the same list of the gift of tongues.
Also, that is a form of evidence of the Holy Spirit.....
2007-03-03 06:45:31 · answer #5 · answered by LIFECOACH 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People today speak in many tongues or languages, but at 1 Corinthians14:5 it brings out to only speak in tongues if it can be translated, and when people "get the holy spirit" and speak in tongues no one can understand what they are saying. 1John 4:1 says not to believe all inspired expressions are from God. Speaking in tongues that can't be understood is not following God's way.
2007-03-03 06:39:58 · answer #6 · answered by j girl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Now where does the New testament say we should be praying in tongues? What the New Testament teaches, is that if you think you have the gift of tongues, prove it by providing a reliable translator.
2007-03-03 06:29:15 · answer #7 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Talking bollocks? I'll give you that!
2007-03-03 06:48:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋