Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: boatbums; Amityschild; firebrand; GiovannaNicoletta; Lera; marbren; metmom; navygal; Outership; ...
There is discussion over what "that which is perfect" or "when completeness comes" means. I tend to go with the completed Scriptures since their authority as the Word of God supersede any "sign" gifts that were needed prior to this happening.

GIFTS OF HOLY SPIRIT WERE TO EQUIP The Church for functioning in a sin-soaked world where-in satanic forces were having a field day.

It's NOT LOGICAL that God would leave His kids powerless when facing demonic forces.

Scripture speaks of a coming era when there WOULD BE A FORM OF GODLINESS BUT DENYING the POWER thereof.

We are smack in the middle of that era, now. Folks will either stand WITH HOLY SPIRIT IN POWER AGAINST the forces of darkeness

or

They'll rationalize about how wonderful and 'Biblical' a powerless 'Church' is before a watching world.

======================================================

In terms of that which is perfect comes . . .

I don't find that off the wall interpretation remotely logical.

======================================================

New International Version (©1984)
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

New Living Translation (©2007)
Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!

English Standard Version (©2001)
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.

International Standard Version (©2008)
Love never fails. Now if there are prophecies, they will be done away with. If there are languages, they will cease. If there is knowledge, it will be done away with.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Love never comes to an end. There is the gift of speaking what God has revealed, but it will no longer be used. There is the gift of speaking in other languages, but it will stop by itself. There is the gift of knowledge, but it will no longer be used.

King James Bible
Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away.

American King James Version
Charity never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

American Standard Version
Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away.

Bible in Basic English
Though the prophet's word may come to an end, tongues come to nothing, and knowledge have no more value, love has no end.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Charity never falleth away: whether prophecies shall be made void, or tongues shall cease, or knowledge shall be destroyed.

Darby Bible Translation
Love never fails; but whether prophecies, they shall be done away; or tongues, they shall cease; or knowledge, it shall be done away.

English Revised Version
Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away.

Webster's Bible Translation
Charity never faileth: but whether there are prophecies, they shall fail; whether there are languages, they shall cease; whether there is knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Weymouth New Testament
Love never fails. But if there are prophecies, they will be done away with; if there are languages, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be brought to an end.

World English Bible
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with.

Young's Literal Translation
The love doth never fail; and whether there be prophecies, they shall become useless; whether tongues, they shall cease; whether knowledge, it shall become useless;

==========================================================

As of this point near the end of the church era . . . I think it should be OBVIOUS:

1. Christ Himself made clear that prophecies would continue through the whole of the END TIMES era--even increasing as The Day approached. He has not yet returned in the clouds NOR set foot on the Mt Of Olives . . .

2. THEREFORE old men shall continue to & even increasingly dream dreams, . . . young men . . . prophecy . . . And, in fact, that is what is happening.

3. KNOWLEDGE has *CERTAINLY*

*NOT:* come to an end; been done away with; become useless; been destroyed; vanished away; lost all its value; become no longer used; passed away as unnecessary.

4. THEREFORE, OBVIOUSLY, The "THAT WHICH IS PERFECT" *CANNOT* be Scripture.

5. Scripture describes The Messiah as the Perfect One.

=====================================================

I hate to say it, but some even today try to use such things to make everyone think they are holier than others or more blessed by God. They often preach a different Gospel, too, and many uninformed believers fall for their scheme and are lead away from the truth of Jesus Christ. That was definitely NOT how that was to happen in the church.

SO?

Photobucket

AND, Folks use NOT speaking in tongues similarly.
AND, Folks use NOT healing the sick similarly.
AND, Folks use NOT prophecying similarly.
AND, Folks use NOT discerning spirits similarly.
AND, Folks use NOT casting out demons similarly.
AND, Folks use NOT doing miracles similarly.
AND, Folks use NOT dreaming prophetic dreams similarly.

Whooop-T-Do!

When Jesus returns, HE WILL NOT be flattering folks about how their absurd constructions on Scripture bailed them out of speaking in tongues, prophecying, casting out demons, doing miracles . . .

He'll GREATLY MORE LIKELY be asking why they didn't do such and MORE of such. He PROVIDED FOR THE GIFTS TO EQUIP THE CHURCH TO MINISTER TO A HURTING, SIN-SOAKED, DEMONIZED WORLD . . .

A world in which

--MAN HAD NOT CHANGED HIS NATURE;
--SATAN HAD NOT CHANGED HIS NATURE NOR OPERATIONS;
AND

--GOD HAD NOT CHANGED HIS NATURE NOR OPERATIONS.

What excuse will folks have . . .

--Oh, Lord, it was that wife you gave me!
--Oh, Lord, it was that commentary you gave me!
--Oh, Lord, it was that denomination you gave me!
--Oh, Lord, it was that bias you gave me!
--Oh, Lord, it was that ignorance you gave me!
--Oh, Lord, it was that thick-headedness you gave me!
--Oh, Lord, it was that translation you gave me!
--Oh, Lord, it was that erroneous teaching you gave me!

None of such is gonna cut it to the least degree.

==================================================

New International Version (©1984)
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

New Living Translation (©2007)
These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages.

English Standard Version (©2001)
And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;

International Standard Version (©2008)
"These are the signs that will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
"These are the miraculous signs that will accompany believers: They will use the power and authority of my name to force demons out of people. They will speak new languages.

King James Bible
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

American King James Version
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

American Standard Version
And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;

Bible in Basic English
And these signs will be with those who have faith: in my name they will send out evil spirits; and they will make use of new languages;

Douay-Rheims Bible
And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils: they shall speak with new tongues.

Darby Bible Translation
And these signs shall follow those that have believed: in my name they shall cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;

English Revised Version
And these signs shall follow them that believe: in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Webster's Bible Translation
And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak in new languages;

Weymouth New Testament
And signs shall attend those who believe, even such as these. By making use of my name they shall expel demons. They shall speak new languages.

World English Bible
These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages;

Young's Literal Translation
'And signs shall accompany those believing these things; in my name demons they shall cast out; with new tongues they shall speak;

---------------------------------------------

New International Version (©1984)
they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

New Living Translation (©2007)
They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won't hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed."

English Standard Version (©2001)
they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

International Standard Version (©2008)
they will pick up snakes with their hands; even if they drink any deadly poison it will not hurt them; and they will place their hands on the sick, and they will recover."

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
They will pick up snakes, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them. They will place their hands on the sick and cure them."

King James Bible
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

American King James Version
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

American Standard Version
they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Bible in Basic English
They will take up snakes, and if there is poison in their drink, it will do them no evil; they will put their hands on those who are ill, and they will get well.

Douay-Rheims Bible
They shall take up serpents; and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they shall recover.

Darby Bible Translation
they shall take up serpents; and if they should drink any deadly thing it shall not injure them; they shall lay hands upon the infirm, and they shall be well.

English Revised Version
they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Webster's Bible Translation
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Weymouth New Testament
They shall take up venomous snakes, and if they drink any deadly poison it shall do them no harm whatever. They shall lay their hands on the sick, and the sick shall recover."

World English Bible
they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no way hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

Young's Literal Translation
serpents they shall take up; and if any deadly thing they may drink, it shall not hurt them; on the ailing they shall lay hands, and they shall be well.'

===================================================

Where did this UNBiblical ASSUMPTION come from that . . . when was it . . . after John ran out of ink at the end of Revelation or after the Canon was decided 300+ years later . . . ??? . . . Where'd the idea come from that suddenly mankind would be so much more wonderful in character, INTELLECTUAL understanding, morals and spiritual sensibilities that Holy Spirit could go fishing until Jesus came back?

Oh, right . . . such ASSUMPTIONS come from the pit of hell. Satan's always been eager to neuter Believers. That hasn't changed A BIT, either.

I have decreasing patience with my own wimping out in such regards as well as the wholsale wimping out on the part of whole congregations, denominations etc.

May God have mercy!

Folks in foreign lands where demonic forces are mangling people and whole villages right and left DO NOT GIVE A FLIP ABOUT COMMENTARIES, ASSUMMPTIONS FROM HELL NOR ANY OTHER THEOLOGICAL HOGWASH FROM SEMINARIES/CEMETARIES!

THEY want their daughter healed; their son delivered. They desperately need the loaves and fishes multiplied. They want the mind-numbing tooth-ache healed.

Folks rationalizing about how that was for 'a different era,' can go suck rocks or pointy hats as far as such demon-mangled hurting people are concerned.

37 posted on 03/22/2011 3:58:45 AM PDT by Quix (Times are a changin' INSURE you have believed in your heart & confessed Jesus as Lord Come NtheFlesh)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies ]


To: Quix
For those who find fancy formatting hard on the eyes, here is the crux of my dear friend Quix's post:

When Jesus returns, HE WILL NOT be flattering folks about how their absurd constructions on Scripture bailed them out of speaking in tongues, prophecying, casting out demons, doing miracles . . .

We have been given in the Lord Jesus Christ "all things pertaining to life and godliness." The Great King has paid the highest price imaginable to cater an amazing banquet...

.

.

.

.

.

. and too many of the beloved invitees are ignoring the feast His kind and lavish provision has placed right under their noses. Instead, they are surreptitiously snacking on hidden biscuits, stale little crackers they smuggled into the banqueting hall.

47 posted on 03/22/2011 5:46:36 AM PDT by RJR_fan ("Be kind to every person you meet. For every person is fighting a great battle." St. Ephraim)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies ]

To: Quix
Well, I put on my crash helmet before I posted my thoughts about this, and you definitely did not disappoint me in your fierce response. I count you as a brother in Christ and we agree about much. My post was not meant to be addressed to you personally. I sincerely hope you know this. I truly believe we should major in the major things. I definitely DON'T believe the church today lacks the full empowerment of the Holy Spirit nor that he has ever left us powerless.

Here's something that I think you and maybe others have totally missed about the whole spiritual gifts doctrine. Of the so-called sign gifts - healing, tongues, prophecy (new revelations), knowledge - several certainly did cease for centuries. They were most active in the beginnings of the establishment of the church. It has only been in the last century, really, that those specific "gifts" have popped back into vogue. Most especially the outward ones of tongues and healing. As you said, you believe since we are in the end-times, these gifts are needed. My contention is that the church STILL has the revealed Word of God for knowledge and no new prophecies can be given outside of Holy Scripture, else what could they be judged against for authenticity? The gifts of healing and tongues were SPECIFICALLY useful in the early establishment of Christianity because they were signs of authority necessary for the Apostle evangelists. The people of that time saw the miracles of God that would follow the proclamation of the gospel and they knew the truth. The church today has NEVER lost the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, just certain ones that, I believe, had a limited purpose.

When Paul said to "earnest desire the greater gifts" he was speaking of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that had the purpose of edification of the church. Here is what Paul had to say about the order of the church and the "intelligibility" of worship, see how carefully these directions are followed in most "Charismatic" churches today:

I Corinthians 14

"Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.

For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer,say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. In the Law it is written:

“With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.”

Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.

Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.

Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."

68 posted on 03/22/2011 4:49:36 PM PDT by boatbums (God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to him.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies ]

To: Quix

Such “churches” which are in darkness are indeed for the wealthy and healthy.


73 posted on 03/23/2011 1:08:25 PM PDT by ROTB (Sans Christian revival, we are government slaves, or nuked by China/Russia when we revolt.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies ]

To: Quix

“they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Picked up any serpents lately? Ignored the poison signs on bottles? Visited a hospital and healed the sick?

I believe God gives gifts IAW His will, as needed for His purpose - not ours. I don’t believe gifts have ceased, but neither do I believe they are as omnipresent as some Pentecostals suggest.


168 posted on 05/05/2011 12:39:18 PM PDT by Mr Rogers (Poor history is better than good fiction, and anything with lots of horses is better still)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies ]

To: Quix
EXCELLENT POST!!!!!!
172 posted on 05/05/2011 2:08:37 PM PDT by presently no screen name
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson