>>Continue....J
Now, where it concerns tongues, we find out from the Bible that there are
only two chapters devoted to this topic (1 Cor. 13 and 14).  But before we
even begin to discuss them, there are a couple of things we must keep in
mind.  First remember what kind of people are getting this letter.  Paul's
letter is written to the most carnal, unruly, Gentile church ever to exist
in the New Testament. Their conduct was not to be admired.   These people
quarreled with each other, had division, had contention, a petty spirit,
committed fornication, ate meats offered to idols, sued one another, had
incest, drunkenness,  divorces, and most of all, they were very poor at
discerning spiritual things.  These were baby Christians. These were our
"Charismatic Brethren" centuries ago, who were Gentiles seeking Jewish signs
(1 Cor. 14:22).  You find the same Charismatic Brethren among us today, in
the same situations.
The second thing to keep in mind is to note the overall tone of Paul's
letter. He does not approach them in the positive, but rather with a
NEGATIVE approach.
I must also tell you the only Book that can clarify the confusion concerning
tongues is the Authorized Text.  In the Authorized Version it can be easily
understood that Paul is speaking about "two types" of tongues. There is the
"authentic tongues," and the "counterfeit tongues." Just as we have the
"authentic Bible," and the "counterfeit Bible."
In 1 Cor. 14:18 Paul claims to speak *WITH TONGUES.
Notice he did not say he spoke with "unknown tongues" more than anybody
else.
Paul claimed to speak with tongues, and he did not forbid anyone to speaks
with tongues (1Cor. 14:39).  However, in his favor of speaking "with
tongues," in the same breath, places RESTRICTIONS where it concerns speaking
in "unknown tongues."  So again, I thank God for the "authentic" Authorized
Version.  To leave out the italicized word "unknown," as most of these
counterfeit modern bibles do from the text, we are left with a phenomena very
unexplainable, and there lies some of the cause and confusion of what we have
today.
Now, there are some who would like to convince us that an unknown tongue is
really a "heavenly language" only God can understand.  You see, by claiming
this, one does not have to commit himself in defending what he babbles.
Furthermore, why would God be interested in you praying to Him in a language
that is "unknown" to you  when He can understand the one you do know?  What
you babble is exactly what God hears, babble.  You simply "speak into the
air."
If you want to claim you speak in a heavenly language, then as far as
scriptures are concerned, you should be speaking in the Hebrew tongue.
That is the language which mostly came down from heaven when the angels
spoke to the Hebrews in the Old Testament.  They spoke in a language
the person could understand..  When Paul faced Jesus Christ on the road to
Damascus, Jesus spoke to him in the Hebrew tongue.  The Holy Spirit confirms
this in Acts 26:14 (not in "Aramaic" as the  perverted versions would
say).
So what we have is Paul writing a letter of rebuke.  A lot of heresy is
taught at this Charismatic (Corinthian) Church meetings.  Now, here's where
we can take an example from Paul when it concerns people caught teaching
heresy. Paul's time is too precious, so he is not going to waste hours
refuting their EXPERIENCE where it concerns unknown tongues.  Nor will you
find him trying to talk them out of it.  He's going to give it to them head
on. If you have ever witnessed to a person caught in a cult, you will find
it doesn't pay to try and talk them out of  it.  However, go to the word of
God and give it to them straight, and if they are open to the scriptures,
you won't have to try and talk anybody out of anything.  All you do is
present them with the truth (John 17:17), and let the Holy Spirit do the
convicting.  Hopefully, they will repent of their actions.
It is obvious Paul's letter is written because there was much confusion among
these Carnal Christians about tongues.  What is happening today in 1997 is no
different than what happened here  at Corinth centuries ago. There were some
causing confusion among the people who did not possess the gift of tongues,
just as there are today.  Sadly, our problem is much more serious, because it
concerns the precious promise of Salvation. There are many people who do not
believe they are saved because they don't speak in unknown tongues.  These
people have been involved in the deadly 20th century Corinthian church.  So
for those of you who have been confused, let's go to the Scriptures.
Continue.....
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 þ OLX 2.2 TD þ "There's no place like Rome..." St. Dorothy of Oz
--- GEcho/32 1.20/Pro
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