You should strive to speak in tongues.

[Paul James]

On 4/22/2020 at 11:33 AM, BlessedCreator said:

The gift of tongues is not being given out in these end times and I dont believe they have been since the early church. 

Of course you have several verses of Scripture that says that it is only for the early church and not for those who follow to this day.

sc

[Paul James]

On 4/23/2020 at 1:15 AM, johnthebaptist said:

[27] If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret.
[28] But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silence in church and speak to himself and to God. 1 Cor 14:27-28 RSV

And, the rest of the chapter?  We mustn't read into the chapter what is not there, and we mustn't ignore what is there.

[johnthebaptist]

3 hours ago, Paul James said:

Someone does.  According to 1 Corinthians 14:2 it says that praying in tongues is to God, so it is fairly clear that He understands it, even if no one else does.  I guess you are satisfied with just praying from your mind, and when you don't have any more words to express yourself, you stop praying.  Paul didn't.  When he ran out of words, he prayed in the Spirit and so he was able to pray without ceasing.

Paul said to keep silent unless someone is there to interpret (1 Cor 14:27-28).

[johnthebaptist]

3 hours ago, Paul James said:

And, the rest of the chapter?  We mustn't read into the chapter what is not there, and we mustn't ignore what is there.

Paul was very clear, I believe - keep silent if no one is there to interpret.

[Paul James]

6 hours ago, johnthebaptist said:

Paul said to keep silent unless someone is there to interpret (1 Cor 14:27-28).

That's right.  But Paul said he spoke in tongues more than them all, and wished they all spoke in tongues, and that speaking tongues was giving thanks well, and seeing that in another place he said, "Be followers of me as I am of Christ", then where do you think he spoke in tongues if not in church?

[Paul James]

7 hours ago, johnthebaptist said:

Paul was very clear, I believe - keep silent if no one is there to interpret.

He said, "I thank God I speak in tongues more than you all, yet in the church, I would rather speak two words in understandable language that all may be edified".   So, he spoke in tongues more than all of them, yet not in church!  Get a dictionary and look up the meaning of the word "yet".

Edited April 28, 2020 by Paul James

[johnthebaptist]

1 hour ago, Paul James said:

That's right.  But Paul said he spoke in tongues more than them all, and wished they all spoke in tongues, and that speaking tongues was giving thanks well, and seeing that in another place he said, "Be followers of me as I am of Christ", then where do you think he spoke in tongues if not in church?

If someone is "speaking in tongues" to show off, then a person isn't speaking in tongues.

[johnthebaptist]

1 hour ago, Paul James said:

He said, "I thank God I speak in tongues more than you all, yet in the church, I would rather speak two words in understandable language that all may be edified".   So, he spoke in tongues more than all of them, yet not in church!  Get a dictionary and look up the meaning of the word "yet".

We have two great commandments to obey, that we love the Lord with all our hearts, minds, and souls, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matt 22:34-40). It would be a waste of time to see who does, and doesn't speak, in tongues, and who does it the most, I think.

[Paul James]

1 minute ago, johnthebaptist said:

If someone is "speaking in tongues" to show off, then a person isn't speaking in tongues.

That has nothing to do with the question I put on the thread.  When a person is praying in private to God, who is he showing off to?  I have been associated with Pentecostals and Charismatics for the last 53 years and I have never encountered anyone speaking in tongues just to show off.  But I have seen many worshiping the Lord with tongues, with their eyes closed and hearts lifted up to the Lord.  If you are calling that showing off when you were in the service, I wonder where your heart and eyes were at the time?

[Paul James]

2 minutes ago, johnthebaptist said:

We have two great commandments to obey, that we love the Lord with all our hearts, minds, and souls, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matt 22:34-40). It would be a waste of time to see who does, and doesn't speak, in tongues, and who does it the most, I think.

So, pouring cold water on those who prefer to worship the Lord with tongues is loving Jesus with all one's heart and loving their neighbour as themselves?  Just askin'...