I want to be in the will of God. Available and a good and faithful servant. If that involves "tongues" then so be it. If it doesn't then so be it. What ever gift of the Holy Spirit is given it is given at the will of the father at his will for his purpose.
That I use as He wills, what ever gift that he gives is my only desire. If one digs ditches or washes bed pans to th glory of God. If they honor Him in what they do and are they are his just as much as, possibly more than those who are noted and bestowed with any or all gifts but don't use them to His glory.
Many gifts or the false presentation of those more valued gifts is most prevelant in the aclaimed christian church and getting more prevelant with each passing day. "Tongues" is the most impressive, easiest to immutate and hardest to disprove making it the most abused amung those who seek for their own purposes and or to deceive.
I don't doubt that "tongues" was and at the will of God still is manifest today. And just as I am sure of that I am sure that it has been over exagerated, abused and miss used.
sincerely
Cliff
Brother, I don't think I've ever heard it said any better!!!
Could someone please explain the scripture referring to an interpreter if someone speaks in tongues?
As I mentioned earlier, doesn't the same scripture imply that you can speak in tongues alone with God?
Yes Violet, the Bible says that. But that's kind of a loaded question. My best advice to you instead of directing you to a verse or two, would be to read the entire Chapters of 1Cor 12, 13, and 14. It's kinda tricky to take just one verse from those to explain tongues.
I heard a really good example once about just taking a certain part of the Bible. A person could read just part of Psalms 14:1 to prove the point that God does not exist. Because part of that verse says "There is no God." It's only when you read the first part of the verse also that the full context comes into play. "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God."
This is definitely one of those issues that you simply cannot settle with one verse. But I'll be glad to give you my take on it.
To the best of my understanding according to the teachings of Paul, he refers to tongues as personal prayer, not necessarily a congregational thing. The first few verses 1Cor 14 explains this best. He said that tongues edified self, but prophecy edified the Church. He goes on to say in verse 18 that he speaks in tongues more than anybody else, but goes onto say in verse 19 that words of understanding are better than unknown words in the Church.
Now getting to your question about the interpreter, Paul says that tongues do not edify the Church, meaning does the Church no good unless someone can interpret the tongues someone is speaking. Just imagine listening to a conversation in Spanish(assuming that you do not speak Spanish) and that person is telling you how to do something. You're going to be stuck unless someone can tell you what that person has said. God needs no interpreter, because He understands all.
So this is why Paul explained it this way. Hope this helps, but definitely don't take my word for it without reading those 3 Chapters.
If this is the case for why all believers should speak in tongues then why don't they all do what the rest of Mark 16 says
17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
If what you say is correct all born again believers washed in the blood of Jesus shall cast out devils, speak in tongues, pick up snakes, not be poisoned ever, and heal every person they lay hands on.
The fact is not all these things are for everyone but all these things were for the establishement of the church through miracles and I don't doubt still may be. Never as a pre-requiset for being called Christians
If a person is under the Holy Ghost, then they most definitely cast out devils, pick up snakes, and eat poison without being hurt!!! You have to remember, Jesus told his disciples that they would do greater things than He did.