Speaking in Tongues and Gifts of the Spirit

[Butch5]

Using that logic, none of Paul's letters apply to any of us.

We aren't in Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, Colossae, Phillipi, Thessalonica, or Galatia.

Why even read the Bible if none of it applies anymore?

The application and the audience are different. None of those letters were written to the church in America. However, as Christians we can read them and apply the principles contained within them.

Some things pertain to us, and some don't. For instance, many Christians want to apply these passages about the gifts. However, earlier in the chapter Paul was telling them that they are carnal and not spiritual. I have not yet heard a Christian say these statements apply to all Christians. Instead people say, oh he was talking about the Corintians. The question then become wasn't he also talking about the Corinthians in chapter13?

 

[First and the Last]

Per the "First" I can assure you my first true receiving of the Holy Spirit was private and I did NOT speak in any language other than English.
Corinthians was a letter TO that church in Corinth. NOT evidence of continual use of Tongue speaking.
Even in the earliest days of audio recording and since has there been no evidence of it. There isn't.
Copeland is one con man where there is video and it's nothing but gibberish. Only the weak-minded, easily fooled, and lower intelligent believe he is "Christian" and "Pastor/Preacher".

Given the countless technological advancements and the fact that cellphones are everywhere then someone would have undeniable proof yet....Nothing.
"Prayer language"?
If there was true "healing" then more Christian leaders would be going to hospitals not to randos on the street.

In exploring your experience with receiving the Holy Spirit and your views on speaking in tongues, it's clear that your journey is deeply personal and shaped by your own encounters. It's significant that your initial experience of the Holy Spirit was private and did not involve speaking in tongues. Many believers also find their spiritual connections with God in diverse ways, emphasizing the personal nature of these encounters.

You rightly point out that Corinthians is a letter addressing specific issues in the church at Corinth, including guidance on spiritual gifts like tongues. While some interpret these passages as evidence of ongoing tongue-speaking in the church, others emphasize the historical context and varying interpretations within Christian traditions.

Your skepticism about the lack of modern evidence for speaking in tongues and healing is understandable in today's technological age. Questions about authenticity and the impact of spiritual practices are important considerations for any believer. The term "prayer language" resonates with many believers as a form of intimate communication with God, reflecting a deep connection in prayer.

Regarding concerns about certain Christian leaders and claims about healing and tongues, discernment and critical thinking are essential. Believers value transparency and authenticity in spiritual practices and leadership. Ultimately, your journey of faith is about seeking truth and genuine spiritual experiences that resonate with your personal beliefs and understanding of God's presence in your life.

 

[First and the Last]

Per the "First" I can assure you my first true receiving of the Holy Spirit was private and I did NOT speak in any language other than English.
Corinthians was a letter TO that church in Corinth. NOT evidence of continual use of Tongue speaking.

Paul's message to the Corinthians, conveyed through his two epistles to them, holds enduring relevance for Christians today due to its foundational teachings and timeless truths. In his letters, Paul addresses a variety of issues that were specific to the Corinthian church—such as divisions, immorality, misuse of spiritual gifts, and doctrinal disputes. Yet, embedded within these practical concerns are principles and teachings that transcend the first-century context and speak directly to the challenges and realities faced by believers in any age.

Paul's emphasis on unity and love among believers, articulated in 1 Corinthians 12-13, remains pivotal today. He teaches that although believers have diverse gifts and roles within the body of Christ, they are to operate in unity and mutual respect, guided by love (1 Corinthians 13:1-13). This call to unity amid diversity resonates deeply in today's multicultural and multi denominational church landscape, emphasizing the importance of harmony and cooperation in fulfilling God's purposes.

Paul's teachings on spiritual gifts and their proper use in the church (1 Corinthians 12) are foundational for understanding the operation of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer and the church community. While the specific manifestation of spiritual gifts may vary, the principles governing their use—such as edification, orderliness, and the priority of love (1 Corinthians 14)—remain essential guidelines for churches seeking to function in the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit today.

Paul's theological teachings in both letters, including his profound reflections on the significance of Christ's death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15), anchor the faith of believers in the timeless truths of the gospel. These truths—such as justification by faith, the hope of resurrection, and the assurance of eternal life—continue to provide a solid foundation for Christian belief and practice in every generation.

Paul's message to the Corinthians is not merely a historical artifact but a living word that continues to guide and shape the church today. Its relevance lies in its ability to address both the specific challenges faced by the Corinthian church and the universal principles that speak to the ongoing spiritual journey of believers, encouraging them to grow in faith, love, and maturity in Christ.

 

[MedicBravo]

1. It is relevant. Back then you had only eyewitness testimony to ensure something happened. Even then, with us, you have the Human Margin of Error. No two people experience anything 100% in anything.
It's why when there's a crime you ALWAYS separate the witnesses immediately.
2. No one has ever or will die for something they know is a lie.
3. The OT Mosaic Laws were not given to us but Moral Law is permanent.
4. God knew through people and variables the internet would be created and would be improved. The difference here is:
People who believe without seeing - Christians.
People who will only believe if they see. - Pagans/everyone else.

Still not convinced?
Back then, much of the world was unknown to what people did live and exist for a time. Information spread SLOWLY and even the cheapest animals skins and writing equipment still cost money. You wrote down what was important. It's why much of Jesus' life was NOT recorded b/c most of the known world of him thought him a local "activist". Was it worth putting on parchment and sent to where people had settled? No.

It doesn't seem you understand the Bible or human history that well.
When the first good cellphones came out so there was little doubt of the video and audio quality if Gifts were still a thing there'd be evidence.
The ever popular question, "Why doesn't God heal amputees?" or "insert other injury, sickness, or malady here".
There's a lot of false teachers and fakers like Todd White and Copeland.
If such two things had happened people would be telling everyone for years.

 

[First and the Last]

Still not convinced?
Back then, much of the world was unknown to what people did live and exist for a time. Information spread SLOWLY and even the cheapest animals skins and writing equipment still cost money. You wrote down what was important. It's why much of Jesus' life was NOT recorded b/c most of the known world of him thought him a local "activist". Was it worth putting on parchment and sent to where people had settled? No.

It doesn't seem you understand the Bible or human history that well.
When the first good cellphones came out so there was little doubt of the video and audio quality if Gifts were still a thing there'd be evidence.
The ever popular question, "Why doesn't God heal amputees?" or "insert other injury, sickness, or malady here".
There's a lot of false teachers and fakers like Todd White and Copeland.
If such two things had happened people would be telling everyone for years.

Modern technology's impact on faith, specifically through recording miracles, can be predominantly negative. The act of recording can shift the focus from worship and genuine spiritual experience to seeking validation and proof, turning deeply personal and communal moments into spectacles. This distraction can detract from the authenticity of the faith experience, as believers might become more concerned with capturing the event than truly participating in it. Moreover, the presence of cameras and recording devices can create an atmosphere of skepticism, where the miraculous is subjected to scrutiny rather than accepted as a divine act of faith. This can undermine the sacredness of the moment, causing believers to doubt and question rather than simply trust in God's power. Therefore, while modern technology has its benefits, its use in recording miraculous events can pose significant challenges to maintaining the purity and focus of faith within the Church community.

 

[joestue]

Modern technology's impact on faith, specifically through recording miracles, can be predominantly negative. The act of recording can shift the focus from worship and genuine spiritual experience to seeking validation and proof, turning deeply personal and communal moments into spectacles. This distraction can detract from the authenticity of the faith experience, as believers might become more concerned with capturing the event than truly participating in it. Moreover, the presence of cameras and recording devices can create an atmosphere of skepticism, where the miraculous is subjected to scrutiny rather than accepted as a divine act of faith. This can undermine the sacredness of the moment, causing believers to doubt and question rather than simply trust in God's power. Therefore, while modern technology has its benefits, its use in recording miraculous events can pose significant challenges to maintaining the purity and focus of faith within the Church community.

i agree with you here.

i've had a handful of personal experiences which have shown that God protects people's privacy more than most imagine is required.

 

[MedicBravo]

Modern technology's impact on faith, specifically through recording miracles, can be predominantly negative. The act of recording can shift the focus from worship and genuine spiritual experience to seeking validation and proof, turning deeply personal and communal moments into spectacles. This distraction can detract from the authenticity of the faith experience, as believers might become more concerned with capturing the event than truly participating in it. Moreover, the presence of cameras and recording devices can create an atmosphere of skepticism, where the miraculous is subjected to scrutiny rather than accepted as a divine act of faith. This can undermine the sacredness of the moment, causing believers to doubt and question rather than simply trust in God's power. Therefore, while modern technology has its benefits, its use in recording miraculous events can pose significant challenges to maintaining the purity and focus of faith within the Church community.

So?
If we couldn't communicate how we can with no internet and only landline calls then what?
Back then a LOT of people saw the miracles in person so if it happened today it would largely be the same.
How then, is the "whole world going to see Jesus' 2nd coming?"
LIVE TV and streaming is highly difficult to manipulate real time.
That's a lot of assumptions.

Many will be "on the fence" and it will take both faith and seeing to get them to change or like most we are told, to still reject Him.
Here's a hypothetical.
Most people work and given the Bible Jesus will return on the Mount of Olives East of Jerusalem.
Tell me...since I live in America and 99% of the media is controlled by Satan, Soros, and the Demonrats how am I going to know? How is anyone else going to know?
What about the two witnesses? Article on the net after it happened days ago b/c someone managed to it out before it was scrubbed?

Don't assume that tech is going to take away anything. It is the individual who makes the choice for good or bad.

 

[joestue]

What about the two witnesses? Article on the net after it happened days ago b/c someone managed to it out before it was scrubbed?

so who and when and how do you think the "whole world" will see them.

 

[MedicBravo]

so who and when and how do you think the "whole world" will see them.

What's the most logical inference?
Magical transportation of the entire population? No.
Ability to see around the curvature of the world to their location 24/7? No.

Mass communication and access to information is common even in many remote, 3rd world areas.
Given their nature and what's happening it will be the biggest news event in all of history.
Cell phone videos. News crews. Satellite imagery.
Word of mouth. Internet.

 

[joestue]

Mass communication and access to information is common even in many remote, 3rd world areas.
Given their nature and what's happening it will be the biggest news event in all of history.
Cell phone videos. News crews. Satellite imagery.
Word of mouth. Internet.

which, no one today will trust if they witness a "miracle"

 

[MedicBravo]

which, no one today will trust if they witness a "miracle"

Out of at roughly 330 million Americans and 6-ish billion people worldwide "no one"?

 

[Garee]

which, no one today will trust if they witness a "miracle"

A miracle like believing God not seen

Interesting when challenged by Nicodenmus a sign and wonder seeker (no faith as it is written, prophecy ) When revealing the miracle to Nicodenmus he lovingly commanded him to marvel not .

Marveling, wondering is not believing as a anchor to our new born agin soul .

Satan the king of lying sign to wonder after is still tying to add to prohecy with false prophecy oral traditons of dying mankind