Why can't I speak in tongues?

[Slug1]

Also, a question for you specifically, Slug. You stated something about the idea that each church is supposed to manifest each of the gifts, so if there is a church that does not have anyone who speaks in tongues, are they then an un-Godly church? What about a church that is not a church in the normal sense and is only comprised of a few friends, do they have to still manifest all of the gifts?

A church that does not allow the Holy Spirit to move is not "un-godly". I would speculate one that is fearful of the Holy Spirit... many in churches that do allow the Holy Spirit to flow freely don't allow the Holy Spirit to flow within themselves freely due to fear, or lack of belief that the Holy Spirit truly will move in and through them. Imagine a person surrendering and then suddenly stepping out into the aisle and praise dancing as they are led by the Holy Spirit up to the altar and they "dance" like David did? Our emotions such as "embarrasment" prevent freedom of the Holy Spirit. Church "rules" and doctrine prevent the freedom of the Holy Spirit. Many Christians are very comfortable sitting or standing at their seat, clapping maybe raising their hands but to take a person out of their comfort zone and the Holy Spirit give them "movement" of praise and worship and they are dancing, throwing their hands up, calling out to God... many say... NO, no way you'd ever see me doing that and those that do are "crazy".... I know, I was one once calling others nuts and Jesus is STILL breaking me of this.

David was such a GREAT example of being "free" in God and allowing the Holy Spirit to move a person "free" and allowing the Holy Spirit to be FREE in and through them.

Now, imagine a church FULL of people free like David. Imagine a whole church FULL of people free in the Holy Spirit and dancing and worshiping as they are led in the Spirit?

John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Many other Christians who are bound by their church rules or "order" would look in the door and react the EXACT same way that Davids wife did... so many DO react this way today and then they ask why God doesn't manifest in their church. It's because their rules and order has the Holy Spirit ordered to sit down and be quiet like everyone else in the church.

A church of just a few friends? Do you mean a fellowship gathering? My answer would be no as there are 9 gifts and only a small portion will be used by God to empower a "church". Just a few friends who are fellowshipping separate from their church or from the churches that are provided and stood up by God in an area where such a few have decided that they would rather do their studies and fellowshipping in the name of Christ away from church... no, I don't see God manifesting "all" the gifts. He's not gonna create a "super" group who only minister to themselves away from church where people are free to walk in from off the street and receive a message from Christ, get prayed over or be ministered to from a church. Such a group that has completely separated themselves from church or the Body of Christ, cannot be used to reach out to the world (the lost) and I don't see God manifesting at all as they only minster to themselves.

Did the Apostles hole up somewhere and just minister to themselves? They had moments, and personal ministering where they did... thus the purpose of home Bible Studies, home fellowship.. but not to REPLACE the purpose of a church. They stood up churches and this continues today... not for people to "hide" themselves away from but to draw people to God, be "fed", by God, be ministered to, by God, to be healed, by God, to dance, to God, to worship, to God... we can all do this alone... but NOT separated from the Body of Christ and go it completely alone.

Church is led by a man that God has gifted to be a Preacher, a shepherd that Jesus will use to lead a flock... Bible studies, fellowshipping, home studies etc.. are led by "teachers". Those led to "teach".... Preachers are used by Jesus to give HIS message of conviction, healing, and when needed of learning. These groups reserved for small group study... to learn the Bible, to pray, to minister but the "message" that Jesus would bring to the Body of Christ is through those that are anointed to preach the Gospel, not simply teach the Gospel.

If a person who knows they are "anointed" by Jesus to be a preacher... they would also find themselves provided for by God... a building to be used as a church, people walking in off the street who are in need of a shepherd, let's say it.... money to pay the bills and provide for him and his family, people who will help him (ministry leaders, people skilled in administrative management/logistics to help run the church, a PURPOSE and once all these elements (and this example is lacking in much) are in place and God has a "church" He can utilize to GLORIFY Himself through... then He will begin to move in power.

This "building" that such a preacher finds themselves provided... as God sends him more and more flock, they will be led to a bigger building or provision for the expanding congregation will be made available to by God.

I don't see this happening with a group that has decided to separate themselves from all this.

Why would anyone want to hole themselves up and be separate from the rest of the Body of Christ and think that they are conducting "church"?

[Frecs]

I don't think the average Christian goes around stepping on poisonous snakes or scorpions. But, there certainly are Christians in modern times who have had the cause to testify that God did indeed perform such supernatural protection for them--whether from snakes or bullets.

Butch is right that the gifts are for affirming the Gospel--to attest to the Power of the Holy Spirit who indwells Christians. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. What He did before, He does now and will do in the future.

[amazzin]

There are many here who speak in tongues. There are millions upon millions who speak in tongues worldwide. To say that tongues ceased 2000 years ago flys in the face of those who live lives full of the Spirit and operate in the gifts of the Spirit. We are not demon poccessed as some will have you believe but very much devoted folowers of Christ

So why do you not speak in tongues? Go to the Lord and ask Him to give you this gift. Empty your life of all things that can get in the way and be as an empty vessel before the Lord in which He can fill up. God will do it for you.

[-SEEKING-]

You see the purpose of the gifts was to confirm the Gospel as the word of God and to confirm the Apostles as coming from God.

Question for you Butch. Do you believe then that this confirmation is no longer needed? And if yes, then why?

Thank you. I always enjoy your very thorough replies.

[Firefighter]

It could be that you have other gifts. I see nothing in scripture to suggest that the Holy Spirit will give the gift of tongues to every one. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit will give the gifts as He wills. My advice: don't worry too much about pursuing the gifts. Pursue God and the gifts of the Spirit will come.

[-SEEKING-]

My advice: don't worry too much about pursuing the gifts. Pursue God and the gifts of the Spirit will come.

Excellent advice my fire fighting friend.

[Frecs]

There are many here who speak in tongues. There are millions upon millions who speak in tongues worldwide. To say that tongues ceased 2000 years ago flys in the face of those who live lives full of the Spirit and operate in the gifts of the Spirit. We are not demon poccessed as some will have you believe but very much devoted folowers of Christ

So why do you not speak in tongues? Go to the Lord and ask Him to give you this gift. Empty your life of all things that can get in the way and be as an empty vessel before the Lord in which He can fill up. God will do it for you.

Amen! As we make ourselves a willing vessel, HE will fill us. As we make ourselves available, HE will manifest HIS power and glory through us and in us.

[Slug1]

It could be that you have other gifts. I see nothing in scripture to suggest that the Holy Spirit will give the gift of tongues to every one. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit will give the gifts as He wills. My advice: don't worry too much about pursuing the gifts. Pursue God and the gifts of the Spirit will come.

Excellent advice my fire fighting friend.

I agree... I concur and second UM's post

[thedee]

Question for you Butch. Do you believe then that this confirmation is no longer needed? And if yes, then why?

Thank you. I always enjoy your very thorough replies.

Question for you.... Do Jews or Gentiles seek a sign?

[-SEEKING-]

Question for you.... Do Jews or Gentiles seek a sign?

Not sure. Do you mean in the bible or now? Even then I can't tell what another person is thinking.

[-SEEKING-]

Or like in Seeking's case, the tongues came out in a personal discussion with God. Did you know what you were saying? If not, then what was the point and why would it be a gift of the spirit?

For me it was a time of edification and encouragement I needed from God. Which He gave me.

1 Corinthians 14:1-5 "Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up."

[thedee]

Not sure. Do you mean in the bible or now? Even then I can't tell what another person is thinking.

What does the bible teach who seeks a sign?
"For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom" - 1 Cor 1:22

Being Tongues are a sign to the unbeliever would that not mean tongues was a sign to the unbelieving Jew? Anytime tongues was used in the bible, where not always Jews present?

[Slug1]

What does the bible teach who seeks a sign?
"For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom" - 1 Cor 1:22

Being Tongues are a sign to the unbeliever would that not mean tongues was a sign to the unbelieving Jew? Anytime tongues was used in the bible, where not always Jews present?

Define unbeliever? Is an unbeliever one who doesn't believe in God or can an unbeliever also be one who doesn't believe in the "power" of God?

[-SEEKING-]

Anytime tongues was used in the bible, where not always Jews present?

Consider this. How many things happened in the bible where Jews were NOT present?

[kay-gee]

1st Corinthians 14:40 Paul instructs us that all things are to be done DECENTLY (properly NASB) and IN ORDER.

I'm sorry guys, but claping and dancing and all the rest is neither proper or orderly in the Lords church.

What King David did in the privacy of His palace, is no pattern for behaviour in the New Testament church. There is to be silence except for times of singing, someone offering up public prayer, or the reading of scripture and preaching. The first day service should centre around the Lords Supper and the solemnity that is required for that as we self examine. This notion that the assembly is for the purposes of a rock concert and a party is abomidable! Neither is it for the blurting out of unintelligable vocalizations.

all the best...