Bible Discussion Thread

1Cor 14:39 is clear: "....forbid not to speak in toungues." So we have nothing to say about it being past away, wrong, bad, good, or whatever; we simply "forbid not."

Of course, you're correct. However, when some speak against such manifestations of spiritual gifts, they see how it is being done outside of Biblical instruction. The chapter you quote, is filled with instruction on its permitted use. And if there is no one to interpret when a tongue is given, then he should remain silent; for the gift is given so an unbeliever has a sign from God that an unlearned language is spoken (maybe God is giving him a Word), and to the believer, the translated message from that tongue will be for mutual edification. Outside these guidelines, the gift of tongues becomes pointless and of little use in the Church.

"Forbid not" means "FORBID NOT." It doesn't mean give my opinion or an accurate disputation about toungues being meaningless or interpretable, or etc.....Simply, humbly "Forbid not." What section of "Forbid not" is cofusing to you?!

Chris, very well said, Amen! What you just said is the reason why I believe that what is going on in our churches today is not the tongues that the bible speaks of. In fact, what is going on today as far as tongues goes, it doesn't even come close to what was happening in the early church, and the purpose God intended it to be.

My guess on why Paul said forbid not to speak in tongues was because at that time, God was giving them that ability. Therefore, at that time, it would have been right for Paul to say that.

Acts Chapter 2 is a perfect example of tongues in its proper function. The Holy Spirit fell on these men, and they spoke in tongues. What they were speaking were known languages, not known to those who were speaking, but known by those who were hearing them speak.

Most of what is going on in our churches as far as tongues goes is in complete violation of 1 Corinthians 14:22.

Thank you Jesse for your wise perceptions & 'correct dividing of the Word'. If I could give an illustration of a false tongue ( 1 Jn 4:1). At a Church meeting, that I was told about, a brother went forward to share a Word & proceeded to speak in an unlearned language. However, no one got up to interpret, so by rights he should have ceased & taken his seat. But as he continued, another in their midst listened intently & became increasingly agitated. He went forward hurriedly to the pastor/elder to immediately shut down the speaker. The elder enquired as to why he needed to do this. The man replied, that the speaker was in fact speaking in a language he understood (i.e. an actual unlearned language was being spoken), but the content of it was a series of utter blasphemies against the Living God & His Son. The question then: how can we know the Spirit behind the tongue if an interpretation is not given; is the Church edified in any way; or, is it just a 'confirmation' of an alive Church!

If we take "Forbid not" as a command on its own, then you are quite correct that no one should forbid the speaking in tongues under ANY circumstances. Yet, all good biblical exposition requires that all Scripture, be understood in its proper context, with the background in mind & in line with other Scriptures. To use "Forbid not" as a command to speak in tongues without restraint (unless speaking/praying in private ( 1 Cor 14:4)), then we demonstrate a myopic & distorted view of the subject. The use of tongues is given to the Church as one of several gifts for its edification, but if there is no one to translate, then the gift is to be withheld, as the Spirit of God leads in the service. The instructions by Paul are ample in showing the correct use of this gift, more so because of its misuse & by those who wished to demonstrate a sense of superiority over others. And then, the opponents of the gifts quote 1 Cor 13:8-10: that all gifts are now redundant; but I don't share that view.

Excellent response! I agree that "Forbid not...." is not the final command on toungues and that a myoptic view of any scripture will always bring error or misunderstanding.

However, there are persons in the church who sadly make the crnter piece of their Christian lives communicating that "toungues" have past away and indeed all of God's ministerial gifts have past away." If I had not ever heard anyone speak in toungues I would still have faith in it because of "Forbid Not."