Some clear teachings in the bible that you may wish to consider when it comes to handling inquiries regarding the gift of tongues.
1. Diversity of Gifts :
Different Spiritual gifts are given to different individuals, NOT ALL will receive the same gifts. Hence it is not biblical for Charismatic leaders to expect ALL their congregation to ask for the gift of tongues. Read 1 Cor 12. Why do people not ask for a gift of teaching, helps or administration, but have to ask for a gift of tongues. Referring to the occurrence in Acts 2:4, Acts 10:46, Acts 19:6, did the recipients of tongues asked for the gift, or it was Holy Spirit initiated? Can the eye say to the feet "I don't need you"?
Different Spiritual gifts are given to different individuals, NOT ALL will receive the same gifts. Hence it is not biblical for Charismatic leaders to expect ALL their congregation to ask for the gift of tongues. Read 1 Cor 12. Why do people not ask for a gift of teaching, helps or administration, but have to ask for a gift of tongues. Referring to the occurrence in Acts 2:4, Acts 10:46, Acts 19:6, did the recipients of tongues asked for the gift, or it was Holy Spirit initiated? Can the eye say to the feet "I don't need you"?
2. Ingenuity of the Gifts :
How do we know "shi ke ra la ba ke ri la ka" is the same tongues as the Corinthians spoke. Are we sure that it is not a result of imitating other believers instead of true inspiration of the Holy Spirit? Another consideration, the history of this tongue speaking we know today, is not much deeper than 1906 at Azuza Street revival and 1960s during the New Apostolic movement. Are we sure it is authentic of the early church to speak the way we do today?
How do we know "shi ke ra la ba ke ri la ka" is the same tongues as the Corinthians spoke. Are we sure that it is not a result of imitating other believers instead of true inspiration of the Holy Spirit? Another consideration, the history of this tongue speaking we know today, is not much deeper than 1906 at Azuza Street revival and 1960s during the New Apostolic movement. Are we sure it is authentic of the early church to speak the way we do today?
3. Purpose of the Gifts :
In 1 Cor 14:11-12, Paul quoted Isaiah 28:11-12. The early Church (in Acts 2) spoke in tongues speaking of the "Wonderful works of God. The "Rest" that Isaiah was talking about is the gospel of Jesus Christ, which would be what the Jews heard in Acts 2 as a witness to them. It is a sign to the Jews that God spoke to them but they were unable to hear. Can we fulfill the purpose of Paul's quote in Isaiah 28, that tongues are meant primarily as a sign for unrepentant Jews? 1 Cor 14:22-23.
In 1 Cor 14:11-12, Paul quoted Isaiah 28:11-12. The early Church (in Acts 2) spoke in tongues speaking of the "Wonderful works of God. The "Rest" that Isaiah was talking about is the gospel of Jesus Christ, which would be what the Jews heard in Acts 2 as a witness to them. It is a sign to the Jews that God spoke to them but they were unable to hear. Can we fulfill the purpose of Paul's quote in Isaiah 28, that tongues are meant primarily as a sign for unrepentant Jews? 1 Cor 14:22-23.
4. Priority of the Gifts :
1 Cor 12:4-6, the variety of gifts are given by one Spirit, same God (Eph 4:4-6). 1 Cor 12:15, no one can say that any gift are better than the other. 1 Cor 12:31-13:7, the more excellent way which Paul was referring to, is Love. We are to seek Love for one another as a priority. Gifts are not meant to be attained, but discovered as one puts his hand into the plow. If one does not have a ministry, one will not need the gifts either. If there is no outpouring of Love that is relevant to ministry needs, then one's gift will only be nothing more than a noisy gong or clanging cymbal (1 Cor 13:1-3).
5. Clarity of the Gifts:
In 1 Cor 14:1-25, it is clear that Paul preferred Prophecy (Sound Teaching) in a real language rather than speaking in unknown tongues. One just have to be diligent to read the entire passage as a whole, to understand Paul's argument, instead of nitpicking verses like 1 Cor 14:2 to justify why tongues are meant to edify oneself.
1 Cor 12:4-6, the variety of gifts are given by one Spirit, same God (Eph 4:4-6). 1 Cor 12:15, no one can say that any gift are better than the other. 1 Cor 12:31-13:7, the more excellent way which Paul was referring to, is Love. We are to seek Love for one another as a priority. Gifts are not meant to be attained, but discovered as one puts his hand into the plow. If one does not have a ministry, one will not need the gifts either. If there is no outpouring of Love that is relevant to ministry needs, then one's gift will only be nothing more than a noisy gong or clanging cymbal (1 Cor 13:1-3).
5. Clarity of the Gifts:
In 1 Cor 14:1-25, it is clear that Paul preferred Prophecy (Sound Teaching) in a real language rather than speaking in unknown tongues. One just have to be diligent to read the entire passage as a whole, to understand Paul's argument, instead of nitpicking verses like 1 Cor 14:2 to justify why tongues are meant to edify oneself.
6. Relevance of the Gifts :
When we pray in tongues in church, do we follow the guideline of having an interpreter? If no interpreter, one ought to speak privately so that it does not confuse the others with irrelevant intelligible messages that one claims to be angelic? 1 Cor 14:13-16
When we pray in tongues in church, do we follow the guideline of having an interpreter? If no interpreter, one ought to speak privately so that it does not confuse the others with irrelevant intelligible messages that one claims to be angelic? 1 Cor 14:13-16
7. Authority of the Gifts :
V18 may show that Paul had the gift and spoke more than any of the Corinthians. But one has to just zoom out a little, think and realize that, we are not Apostle Paul. Jesus and the Apostles could heal on command, that does not mean all believers can replicate the same miracles by imitating them. That was what happened to the sons of Sceva in Acts 19:13-16.
V18 may show that Paul had the gift and spoke more than any of the Corinthians. But one has to just zoom out a little, think and realize that, we are not Apostle Paul. Jesus and the Apostles could heal on command, that does not mean all believers can replicate the same miracles by imitating them. That was what happened to the sons of Sceva in Acts 19:13-16.
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