Teachings about 'speaking in tongues' unmasked with the Bible
Many evangelical-WEA/WEF-churches and connected charlatans preach and teach a lot of unbiblical rubbish about the speaking in tongues; for instance they claim:
- that only by means of speaking tongues you are a true Christian
- that speaking in tongues consequently is an important Gift for Christians
- that speaking in tongues actually is the basic-language for Christians
- that speaking in tongues is an important tool in bringing the Gospel
- that speaking in tongues is edifying the congregation of GOD
Unbiblical teachings about speaking in tongues
That is why people are encouraged and directed to speaking in tongues; inevitably every man and woman not speaking in tongues is labled 'not a true Christian' or 'not truly connected to GOD'. Consequently without being able to speak in tongues one is considered 'a lesser Christian' or not to be 'full Christian yet'.
Only when you speak in tongues openly, freely and in full you you belong to the 'christian-herd' they say...
The bible however says something completely different about the speaking in tongues; please read with me
What the Bible tells us about 'the speaking in tongues'...
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GOD provides Christians with different tasks and different corresponding Gifts
1 Corinthians 12:28 - GOD appoints different people for different tasks with different Gifts
And in the Congregation God has appointed first some to be his messengers, secondly, some to be preachers of power, thirdly teachers. After them he has appointed workers of spiritual power, men with the gift of healing, helpers, counsellors and those with the gift of speaking various "tongues".
1 Cor 12:29-30 - consequently Christians neither have the same tasks nor the same spiritual Gifts
Are all Apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? have all the power of working wonders? Are all able to take away disease? have all the power of tongues? are all able to give their sense?
- Speaking in tongues is the most minor Gift
1Cor12:28 - Gifts of the Spirit in order of importance
And God has appointed in the Congregation:
- first apostles,
- second prophets,
- third teachers,
- then workers of miracles,
- then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues (=last!)
Speaking in tongues only edifies oneself
1 Corinthians 14:4 - Speaking in tongues doesnot edify the Congregation
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the Congregation.
Speaking in tongues is for unbelievers
1 Corinthians 14:22 - Speaking in tongues is meant for unbelievers!
Thus, tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers..
Speaking in tongues doesnot edify others, but alienates instead
1Corinthians 14:14-18 - Speaking in tongues doesnot edify others
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. What am I to do? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how can any one in the position of an outsider say the "Amen" to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? For you may give thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.
1Corinthians 14:9-11 - Speaking in tongues will alienate others from yourself ánd your message
So if you, in using a strange tongue, say words which have no sense, how will anyone take in what you are saying? for you will be talking to the air. There are, it may be, a number of different voices in the world, and no voice is without sense. But if the sense of the voice is not clear to me, I am like a man from a strange country to him who is talking, and he will be the same to me.
Resuming:
The speaking, praying or singing of tongues is not suitable or meant for everyone. Also: speaking of tongues is not at all suitable for edifying the Congregation of GOD. Nor is speaking in tongues suitable for bringing the Gospel. The speaking of tongues primarily is for unbelievers; therefor GOD gives them this Sign; to edify and lead them personally. When all people gathered speak in tongues they actually show that they are unbelievers and consequently that they are a gathering of unbelievers...
How to use speaking in tongues properly according to the Bible
Clearly the Bible teaches us, that only few people can speak in tongues. Also: when people speak in tongues also tongue-translators have to be present and translating as well. When people speak in tongues in absence of tongue-translaters it may indicate the spoken language and message is not of GOD at all!
The speaking, praying or singing in tongues is done best in personally in personal circumstances [like your own house or room]. Clearly the speaking of tongues will edify only yourself.
The Bible tells us that speaking in tongues actually is a minor Gift since it doesnot edify- or teach others. Therefor the Bible asks Christians to desire the higher Gifts instead!
1 Corinthians 12:31 - But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
Ask GOD for Gifts so you can prophecize, preach, teach or heal instead. Those Gifts can help you be active as a Christian in a sound and helping way in service for others. In the same way you will grow in the Fruit of the Spirit!
Personal advice for people having aimed for speaking in tongues...
Have you been aiming for speaking in tongues because of churchteachings?
Have you been instructed speaking in tongues openly and all together in church?
Have you been potrayed 'a lesser Christian' or 'a budding Christian'? because of not speaking in tongues?
Are you confused because the Bible says the opposite of what your church teaches/does?
Do realize that the teachings your church and leaders have brought you are contra-biblical and as a result anti-christian. Those churchteachings do not shape you as/into a Christian but in the opposite. Consequently you do not grow into the Fruit of the Spirit either. You are kept from becoming a Christian, from acting as a Christian and from eternal life.
GOD wants His Children to be active and act with the Spiritual Gifts according to the instructions of Christ: 'go out, bring the Gospel, teach, baptize, heal, etc.'.
Therefor: leave your church and quit your membership. That willnot be easy or nice at all. Still: it is better to leave church as soon as possible in order you can get going according to Gods Wil and the instructions of Christ. In Christ Christians are temples of GOD themselves; worthy of receiving Gods Spirit in that clean temple.
It willnot be easy nor will it feel easy. Still it is beter to leave in a hurry and to get going and change as Christians should!
I wish you Gods Blessings!
- Leaving church in a sound and wise way: prepare yourself and click here!
- Pointers so you can get going as an active Christian click here!
- Insights in truly biblical foundations, rules, values and teachings: click here!
by: Hein dd. 1 december 2007
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