Speaking In Tongues?

[freeway]

check out this video #391... awesome..:yeah



http://www.voe.org/manna_fest/video.aspx

[readytofly07]

I really didn't want read the post from this thread, but I did and I have in the past and why I do I will never know. I guess I like to get my dander up. First, let me say that I don't mean to have a tone in this reply, however, I get so fed up with people attacking certain denominations. I believe, that some rotten fruit as spoiled the whole bunch, especially the WOF....give me a break with that. God will bless you how He sees fit and it is not in sowing a seed on some feast day!! And as one person replied earlier, ALL have their issues. With that being said, let me say, I grew up in Church of God, the one out of Cleveland Tennessee - COG international. Apparently, there are several other types of "church of Gods" out there. And yes the doctrine or statement of faith that was posted earlier is from our website. However, I would like to clarify one thing, we DO NOT believe that you have to have the Baptism of the Holy Spirit to be saved. Where in the world did you get that? I believe it says, that one is filled with the Holy Spirit subsequent to a clean heart. Merely meaning that once you get saved you become indwelled with the Holy Spirit, but to be Baptized with the Holy Spirit as in Acts, one must be saved, BUT you DO NOT have to be "baptized with the Holy Spirit to be saved. We do believe in a difference between, having the Spirit live inside of you versus being Baptized in the Holy Spirit, with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues, however, it is NOT the same as having the Spirit living inside of you. In Acts 19, Paul asks some disciples asked if they received the Holy Spirit with they believed and the had not heard of this, and he then said "Into what then were your baptized” and they replied Johns baptism with the baptism of repentance, then Paul laid hands on them, The Holy Spirit came upon them and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. By the way, that does not mean that one must speak in tongues all the time. BIG misconception, and for a long time in my life because of ignorance and I believe we ALL have ignorance; I thought that’s what it meant to be baptized with the Holy Ghost – to speak in tongues all the time! Well, I have matured since then, and have also been fed at a wonderful Church of God in Charlotte, by one of the most anointed pastors / preachers who has said many times that the Holy Sprits only function was to point to Jesus and to help us be strong in our faith, to guide us into all understanding, to bring to our remembrance scriptures, to help us pray and I could go on. But do I speak in tongues all the time. NO! That is not my gift. There are gifts, as you well know besides the fruits. And this wonderful pastor, which you can hear via our website at centralchurchofgod.org has always, always always, taught it's about Jesus and NOT Jesus and your doctrine, Jesus and this and Jesus and that. Any teaching that says you must have Jesus and this and such is WRONG. Its simply Jesus and that’s it....nothing more. We all get tide up in our doctrines and say you got to pray a certain way, sing a certain way and yadda, yadda yadda, but we are taught, again by a Church of God pastor, its simply Jesus and nothing else. Yes, there was a lot of legalism but, again we were wrong in a lot of things and my pastor as well as other COG pastors have said that we were wrong in some areas regarding legalism. Good grief people, the church of God I go to is not a cult, we don't chant and brainwash and teach is about works. We simply love the Lord and Praise and Worship this wonderful savior who died for our wretched lives that we don't deserve. Yes I clap my hands, raise my hands and move about...and why not HE - Jesus Christ deserves our worship and is WORTHY to be praised! If you can't praise Him here on earth like this, how in heaven are you going to Praise Him when you get there? And by the way, no we don't have laughing fits, shouting matches, running the aisles, falling out. That does not go on in our church and frankly, its fleshy and draws attention to oneself and takes away the attention on God and that’s taught from my pastor too! Again, I am sorry for the tone, I am just passionate for what I believe. And there again, the bottom line is - believe that Jesus is the Son of God, died, rose again and confess with your mouth and repent of sins...done deal...forgiven nothing else is required except worship, read and pray and pray and read. Again, I am sorry if this seems like I have a tone, but I needed to voice my opinion and defend. I hope no one takes offence. I did not mean to come off that way by any means. I do love eveyone and this is written in love hoping that someone can see that not all Pentecostals weird! :hug

[Kliska]

It not so much "speaking in tongues all the time" that is at issue. It is speaking in tongues at any point in time as a sign of the Holy Spirit. I've never spoken in tongues, yet I do have a different gift, according to some this would show that I'm indeed not saved since I've never spoken in tongues. That's the kind of teaching I (and others) are warning about here as it is unbiblical.

[KnowingYouNow]

I am currently being called back into church. I for many years have not been a part of any organized church. I was raised Southern Baptist.

I attended a church Sunday, A non-denominational church, that my life-long Best friend attends. I enjoyed the service, singing, and sermon, very much. But, people there do occasionally speak in tongues.

Being raised Southern Baptist, I was raised that this practice is unholy and is of Satan. But I have watched the blessings my friend has recieved since attending this church. And the tremendous positive changes in her. So I prayed about it and asked God to give some direction in finding a spiritual home, for myself and my family.

Sunday when there, I was very much feeling the genuine spirit of the Lord in this place of worship. But each time I was very deep into prayer, someone would begin to speak in tongues, and it would totally distract me.

After leaving and speaking with my husband, we had decided, we would find another place to worship. Well tonight, the pastor called me. I was struck by his candor and genuine concern for our welfare, and for my search. He asked me to do my own search of the the scriptures, and even online, for my answers on this practice.

What is y'alls understanding of speaking in tongues? And where are some scriptures that speak of this practice?

[Tall Timbers]

I don't have the bible handy at the moment to look for verses, but I speak/sing in tongues, and thus of course believe it's from the Lord. The Assemblies of God and most Pentecostal churches are participants in tongues. The pro-tongue and anti-tongue folks on this board are probably pretty evenly divided, and you're sure to get an earful. You might search this site on the topic as it is frequently discussed.

[Tenbear2808]

Hi Knowing You Now,

In my daily readings a couple of days ago I was in I Corinthians - please refer to I corinthians 12-14 in regards to Paul's teachings on this.

I also recommend that you read it in the KJV and in the AMP as the AMP provides insights that sometimes are confusing in the KJV.

I was raised Southern Baptist - the old hardliners - just as you were. Same teachings as you, NOW

I am a tongue talking full gospel Christian - but BEWARE, there are many churches who play to the gifts and not to the Scriptures. They have corrupted the teachings of God, IMO - and thus we have such divisions and splits over these things.

That pastor is one that is truly hard to find. Most dont follow up with those who visit - they just care about numbers and not truth.

Read the scriptures and perhaps attend a few more services. Be candid with the pastor as well, and see how he guides you in this matter. Continue praying for God's wisdom in this matter and opening up the eyes of your understanding.

Another thing to remember is that no one should force speaking in tongues either. It sounds as perhaps this church might be grounded in truth but only your attendance, the Pastor's devotion to his flock and the Holy Spirit can determine that.

:pray :thumb

[DJHere]

1 Cor. 14 notes Pauls instruction about speaking in tongues in church:

26What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.

Does the church you attended follow these instructions?

[Tenbear2808]

Yes, there should be order. When a word is spoken for the Church there should be an interpretation and actually the Pastor himself should also have that interpretation as he is the head of the flock, even though he may allow someone else to give it.

This is when the word is spoken for edification of the Church body itself.

However during worship service, what usually happens, unfortunately, is that many around you are speaking in tongues to themselves for their own edification and rather than being quiet with it and under their breath so to speak they are vocal. Some more so for show than for true edification. So rather than edifying anybody it causes visitors who dont understand this to be uncomfortable.

If this does happen, you should talk with the Pastor about it. If this continues and you are still uncomfortable, then you should not stay, because it is hindering your walk with God.

:)

[Lazarus01]

Yes, there should be order. When a word is spoken for the Church there should be an interpretation and actually the Pastor himself should also have that interpretation as he is the head of the flock, even though he may allow someone else to give it.

This is when the word is spoken for edification of the Church body itself.

However during worship service, what usually happens, unfortunately, is that many around you are speaking in tongues to themselves for their own edification and rather than being quiet with it and under their breath so to speak they are vocal. Some more so for show than for true edification. So rather than edifying anybody it causes visitors who dont understand this to be uncomfortable.

If this does happen, you should talk with the Pastor about it. If this continues and you are still uncomfortable, then you should not stay, because it is hindering your walk with God.

:)

Where did you get the idea that the pastor is the head of the flock? The title is a gift not an office. There are only two offices (elder and deacon) and the NT requires a plurality of these in the local church. There is nothing in the NT that indicates any "authority" is vested in a single person in the local church. This is a denominational belief that is not Biblical.

[Kliska]

Where did you get the idea that the pastor is the head of the flock? The title is a gift not an office. There are only two offices (elder and deacon) and the NT requires a plurality of these in the local church. There is nothing in the NT that indicates any "authority" is vested in a single person in the local church. This is a denominational belief that is not Biblical.

Ultimate authority is invested in Christ, but biblically it is shown that there are those that could be phrased "under-shepherds." For example: 1 Peter 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Notice Christ is not just referred to as the "Shepherd" which would be apporpriate too of course, but in Peter, the title "chief" Shepherd intimates underling shepherds.

And in Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Will return when I have time to try to find an earlier post of mine about speaking in tongues...