For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
anita holtzhausen
Doesn't make sence cause why would God who knows everything make people speak in languages when He knows there's no one there who understands the langauges. I think tongues is a spiritual thing. Its on another level. Its between you and God and has powers in the spiritual rehelm.
anita holtzhausen
To add to the above. To my understanding the one who speaks in tongues doesn't even know the langauge like 1 Cor 14v4 says the one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself. So how can you edify yourself not knowing what you're saying. The answer to this must be in Rom 8:26-27. Because your will is not present because you don't know what your praying. Its then only God's will praying. And that's the purpose of tongues then.
Siniva Ala
I am in total agreement with Anita Holtzhausen. Thank you Anita.
Terry Gillard
Note: The whole chapter is "by the Spirit". Using our poor intellects to determine the glorious way of our Father is pointless at best.
In the same way the "gift of tongues" is exercised by one who has not learned the language, so the interpretation is given by one who has not learned the language. In fact, in the rare circumstance someone is present who does understand the language, they report that the interpretation given is not a direct translation, but a beautiful interpretation of the message!
Such an event is bound to edify - you are in the presence of the Spirit of God: You are hearing the words of God - if you know Him, how can you not be blessed?
Terry
Corrie Lof
There is no irrelevant or pointless passage. The fault is our lack of understanding. There are many things that we will not fully understand in this life. My understanding of speaking and interpreting tongues is this:
The Apostles, at the time of Pentacost, were given supernatural gifts, also healing. The context of this passage is at a time when Christ is just beginning to build His church through His Apostles. The Gospel is to be spread to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and then to the ends of the earth, Acts 1:8. The Apostles are given these spiritual gifts for the spread of the Gospel to all nations.
Now that His church has been established and we have the complete scripture, these special gifts are no longer needed. There are "tongue-speakers" and "faith-healers" today, based on passages like this, but is that really scriptural? We live in a very different time than the early days of the church, we do have the spirit, but He speaks through the preaching of the Word, not miraculous signs.
Corrie Lof
An afterthought...It's actually quite beautiful, a reversal of the tower of Babel! The Lord confused language to divide otherwise people would think themselves gods. But in the first century he uses language to unite people to build his church!
Terry Gillard
Corrie
You raise a lot of issues!
1. There is not a scripture anywhere that speaks of apostolic times being different to our own. The ones that are used, if read without prejudice, simply are used out of context completely. There is no difference
2. "Faith Healers" are nowhere to be found in scripture, and should nowhere be found in the Church of God. However, saints moved in faith who see miraculous healing should be more common.
3. Can you show where miraculous signs are not a sign used by a Gracious God? I'll save you the trouble. It's not there!
4. Your beautiful thought, though is exactly what I have believed. Somehow God is reversing our separation from Him and each other by this miraculous sign.
Be blessed. Rejoice in our Lord always
Corrie Lof
I am thankful we can agree on some things, Terry! I was referring to miraculous signs such as the healing of diseases and raising of the dead during Jesus' earthly Ministry, the gift of speaks ng in tongues in Acts 2, the healing of the lame man in Acts 3, the angel of the LORD opening the prison doors in Acts 5.
To clarify, we do not see these kinds of things today. God worked these miracles and inspired men to record them for the building of our spiritual healing and growth.
Indeed, we do see God working miracles every day, the miracle of a baby, of new life,for example.
Perhaps you can clarify your statement about saints being moved in faith who see miraculous healing? Does this mean that if I die of cancer, it's because of lack of faith, or not enough prayer?
I didn't have a specific text in mind to prove those days were different, but surveying the Old and New Testament, we do see a progression in God's plan for His children.
Terry Gillard
Hi
I'm sorry to hear of the lack of the miraculous in your experience.
Speaking in tongues is a daily experience for millions.
Healings are too rare, but still there (I mean real ones!)
As to prison doors opening - do you know anyone imprisoned for the Lord?
So I'm afraid your statement that "we do see these kind of things" is very simply untrue. Or you have to declare every Pentecostal church a work of Satan!
Be blessed. And know your Lord is alive and is still "the same yesterday today and forever"