Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.
1 Corinthians 14:39-40
Last week we looked at church doctrines that diverge from the Bible by saying that people who do not speak in tongues have not been baptized by the Spirit.
On the other side of the aisle are the denominations that categorically reject the practice altogether. As we can see from today’s verse, it requires quite a bit of biblical hopscotch and a good dose of conjecture to justify such a doctrine.
Some folks just aren’t comfortable with the practice of speaking in tongues. If that’s you, the good news is you probably don’t have that gift anyways. The bad news is, it’s still in the Bible.
“Love your enemies.” I’m uncomfortable with that one. I could pick it apart. I could propose that in the original language love probably meant something different. I could say that it’s not applicable for today, or I could avoid that section of scripture altogether. None of those things changes God’s Word. Jesus said it and I’m disobedient if I don’t do it.
Paul gave very specific instruction on how the gift of tongues was to be practiced in the church. He said, “If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.”
So if the Bible is so clear on how this gift is to be practiced, why is it that I’ve seen it done this way exactly once? And trust me when I tell you I’ve been to lots of churches. As a disclaimer, some of the churches would have been too large for the speaker or the interpreter to have been heard by the whole church. It’s not an excuse, just an observation.
The simple conclusion to all of this is that America is full of churches with doctrine that contradicts God’s Word. Some get off the path to the right and others to the left. Satan isn’t picky. He’ll take either one. So don’t get your doctrine from church. Get it from the Bible, then find the church that most closely aligns with what God’s Word says. And don’t let anyone tell you that you need a degree to understand the Bible. The time of the scribes and pharisees are over.
Jesus said, “what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his own soul?” Prepper translation: “What good will it do you to survive the coming economic collapse, nuclear war, or even a zombie apocalypse if you don’t know you will go to heaven when you die.” A recent study found that 10 out of 10 people die! On that day we will meet our Maker. It only makes sense to be prepared for that day. Click here to learn more about knowing GOD.
Have a blessed day and happy prepping!
Mark
