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This blog will contain some insight for those who have experienced spiritual abuse and will also hopefully help to educate those who would like to learn about it.
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Informational post on speaking in tongues #6- Where I Stand

Posted November 13th, 2011 at 08:30 AM by Lois
I do believe in the gifts of the Spirit, including speaking in tongues, and believe the gifts of the Spirit are available today. I believe the Bible clearly shows that these gifts are not limited to the nine often taught in some circles. I do not believe the Bible teaches that tongues are evidence of anything or salvational.

I do believe that there is a wrong overemphasis on speaking in tongues in some churches (as well as an almost equal underemphasis of other gifts), in addition to their misuse, like there was among the Corinthian believers. The Bible says very little about speaking in tongues, with the most being found in 1 Corinthians 12 & 14, where much correction was made by Paul.

I believe the Bible teaches that tongues do not have a place in a gathering of believers unless there is an accompanying interpretation. I firmly stand upon what Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 12-14 with regard to the gifts.

Nowhere in the Bible do I see speaking in tongues as anything more than one of many gifts of the Spirit that a believer might possibly receive. Paul clearly showed that all do not speak in tongues and that we should desire gifts that edify all and not just ourselves.

So, in none of my postings am I trying to discredit or say that speaking in tongues isn't for today. They are not at all trying to take from anyone's experience. What they ARE trying to do, is put tongues in their proper biblical place - one of many gifts of the Spirit a believer might or might not receive. Nothing more and nothing less. And to bring attention to places where things are read into the Bible and assumed.
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Informational post on speaking in tongues #5

Posted November 12th, 2011 at 08:00 AM by Lois
Did you know that there are only three instances in the book of Acts where it is said that believers spoke in tongues? They are Acts 2, Acts 10 and Acts 19. (That's right- Acts 8 isn't included as it never once mentions tongues.) There are similarities in all three instances.

When these people spoke in tongues, they were not seeking or expecting to do so. In fact, only one of these instances showed that some people may have been praying at the time. All three show that it happened with a group of people and not one or two. In addition, in two of the three cases, it clearly shows the speakers were magnifying and exalting God, telling of His mighty works, as they were understood by those nearby.

None of those who are recorded in Acts as speaking in tongues had been taught about them, told to expect them nor told they must speak in tongues. An interesting point is that you never hear of these believers speaking in tongues again after they did on each of those days.
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Informational post on speaking in tongues #4

Posted November 11th, 2011 at 07:30 AM by Lois
Did you realize that in Acts 2, that the Bible only records about 120 people speaking in tongues? I know what many have been taught, but the Bible doesn't say anyone else did on that day.

Acts 1:15 shows us that "a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together." (NASB) Verse 41 shows us that after Peter's message, about 3,000 people became believers that same day and were baptized. But there is not one word about them ever speaking in tongues. It is read into the text and assumed by those who believe all must speak in tongues.

Did you also realize that those who spoke in tongues on that day spoke about the mighty works of God? They were actual earthly known languages, understood by people who were gathered in Jerusalem from around the world. (see verses 7-11) There was no jibberish, repeated syllables or la-la-las.
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Informational post on speaking in tongues #3

Posted November 10th, 2011 at 07:00 AM by Lois
Did you know that Paul shows that everyone will not speak in tongues? This is found in 1 Corinthians 12:29-30 where Paul asks a series of questions where the obvious answer is 'no.' "All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All do not have gifts of healing, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they?" (NASB)

Some people will tell you that you must speak in tongues or that all believers will. That line of thought is not found in scripture. The apostle Paul didn't teach or believe it, nor did any of the other apostles.
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Informational post on speaking in tongues #2

Posted November 9th, 2011 at 06:52 AM by Lois
Did you know that the Bible teaches that when believers gather together, people should not be speaking in tongues all at the same time? Did you know that the number of believers who should speak in tongues in a gathering is no more than three- with each speaking separately? And then did you know that if anyone does speak in tongues at a service, they should only do so if someone is there to interpret?

Surprised? I imagine many are. A number of apostolic and Pentecostal churches encourage people to speak in tongues during gatherings. But if the apostle Paul were alive today, he would be telling them to stop this practice. He would consider this to be out of order and causing confusion, just as he did with the church at Corinth.

In 1 Corinthians 14:27-28 Paul says: "If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God." (NASB)
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