I’m really a Southern Baptist at heart, but my kids and I have been attending an Assembly since our move to CA a few years ago. The pastor is exceptional, and the doctrine is sound, so I tolerate the occasional lapse into tongues. They pray for the military every week, and speak out strongly against sin.
My Dad quotes his favorite, Dr. J. Vernon McGee as saying that the only thing propping up the tongues movement is women, and I tend to agree, to a great extent. Men NEVER speak in tongues at this church. Some of it isn’t even translated, which is completely unScriptural and when it is translated, it’s garbage. I refuse to believe that God would speak through someone to say “I love you” over and over and nothing else. :)
J. Vernon McGee was a great teacher...............
It seems that much of Pentecostalism ignores the instructions given on how to use the gifts in 1 Corinthians 14.
I haven’t really paid attention in church as to whether women do it more or men but based on my recollection, it is women.
Tongues is a sign to UNbelievers, not believers. You’re right that its current use in churches is unScriptural.
My contention with these incidents is that if something spoken in tongues if not in Scripture or can’t be supported by Scripture, then it is to be rejected as it has no Scriptural basis.
If it IS found in Scripture, then it’s already there and is redundant and so isn’t necessary.
We don’t need any more *new* revelation. We need people who are going to walk out the revelation they have already been given. Once we’re obedient to what we’ve been shown so far, God will take us further.
Back in June I was filled with the Holy Spirit, not in church, I didn’t fall down, and didn’t speak in tongues. Didn’t need to to tell me that was from God. But my life hasn’t been the same since and that has been the only outward manifestation of that filling.
And you know what? The individualist within doesn’t WANT to speak in tongues; simply because everyone else is doing it. If God chooses to ever give me that gift, then I won’t argue. If someone else rags on me about *needing to* speak in tongues, watch how fast I will dig my heels in.