APAK,
Have you overlooked these verses from I Cor 14? They refute your view:
2 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.... 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you 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 edified.
6 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?... 9 Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 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. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they (sic) may interpret what they say (NIV).
So the person who speaks in tongues by himself/herself is speaking to God and not to people. In 2018 there is a definite place for the God-given gift of tongues for private use.
But in the church or small group, tongues needs an interpreter to edify/build up the church.
To say tongues is 'false', violates these Scriptures. Could it be that you come to these Scriptures with a presuppositional bias against the continuing gifts of the Spirit?
Oz
Oz, I believe I am urged to do a short commentary of 1 Corinth 14 for you, at least. I believe you have completely ignored the context of this chapter and misinterpreted its scripture.
The setting here is Corinth, a busy ‘international’ port where many languages were spoken. Greek was not understood by many transients there. The assembly at Corinth possessed the gift of tongues and were abusing it. They were not edifying anyone at times and used it for selfish purposes in public forums. Like children that did not understand it purpose and power. Yes they used it in private prayer which was not to be condemned.
(1Co 14:2) For he that speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God. For no one understands, but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.
(1Co 14:4) He that speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he that prophesises edifies the church.
(1Co 14:6) But now, brothers, if I came to you speaking with tongues, without speaking to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching- what shall I profit you? (NEV)
Now if verse 2 is not understood correctly it will skew the entire chapter and folks will get your type of meaning, which is incorrect and very damaging.
First, Verse 2 is not saying that if you speak in ‘babble,’ then this is great and is deliberately a mystery language not meant to be in a coherent foreign language form. And it is only to be used as a private language to God for one’s own edification and to be used in public also. That is a modern false view where a few modern denominations have made it their cornerstone scripture and interpretation.
Paul is saying in Verse 2 that it is wrong to speak in a foreign legitimate language or a slang or abbreviated version of it. Paul and no one else with the gift of a foreign language (tongue(s)) would ever recognize the ‘babble’ talk of some today. He would denounce it worse that what the Corinth were doing with their legitimate gift of foreign languages. The so-called gift of tongues today has no resemblance to the legitimate gift of tongues given in the days of Pentecost and several decades later.
Paul further goes on to say that only God would understand someone using this gift from the spirit and not anyone in ear-shot. It would be like a mystery language indeed to everyone else except God and it would be a selfish act that would only edify the speaker.
Again, Paul and scripture never even suggested or thought of a nonsensical or ‘babble’ talk as a gift for God. Paul always meant a coherent and foreign language that I guess can be called ‘babble’ is no one can understand it.
So, Paul was denouncing the improper use of this gift that does not edify anyone, in Verse 2 and other parts in this scripture. They were abusing this gift. This was one of Paul’s major points he was presenting to the congregation in Corinth. The gift of speaking or interpreting in/from another language was to be performed in public for the edification of the assembly – to a mixture of foreigners from many shores.
For the sake of brevity let me go further down to Verses 27 and 28. These reinforce what Paul was saying in Verse 2, Verse 4, Verse 6
(1Co 14:27) If anyone speaks in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three; and even then in turn, and let one interpret.
(1Co 14:28) But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church, and let him speak to himself and to God.
Therefore, the gift of a tongue was not understood by Paul and scripture to be a mysterious and of an ecstatic utterance or nature where some would communicate to God.
It was a gift of foreign comprehensible languages that was accessible to the public with an interpreter or, of private use only used in prayers to God.
Now is this gift of the tongues prevalent today as I said. My answer still is no. I do not even think the so-called gifts of tongues today are the same as in Paul’s days.
Oz, I never said the TRUE gift of tongues was false as you stated I said. I’m suggesting that the TRUE gift of tongues are not prevalent today and that some folks they believe they have a gift, is not a gift from God at all.
To answer your question, no I never overlooked I Corinth Chapter 14 as you can read. You just made me spell it out, a place I really did not want to go - get folks upset.
Bless you,
APAK