Pls don't use clichés like "believe in Jesus", Jesus taught that many who say they believe in him will told "I never knew you", so how can you know you are saved?
What Do You Actually Have To Believe To Ensure Salvation?
- Thread starter BritGuy
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Love! It's all about love. You're right...belief is not enough...after all even Satan believes in God.
To be saved you need to love Jesus, and to really love Jesus you need to know Him, know who He is, why He came and How His death and resurrection saves us. And of course following this should be repentence. We are all sinners; every time we think a snide thought or selfishly snap at others shows how at our base form we sin. So, recognising this we need to ask Jesus to forgive us; let His blood cover us so that in God's eyes we are redeemed!
To be saved you need to love Jesus, and to really love Jesus you need to know Him, know who He is, why He came and How His death and resurrection saves us. And of course following this should be repentence. We are all sinners; every time we think a snide thought or selfishly snap at others shows how at our base form we sin. So, recognising this we need to ask Jesus to forgive us; let His blood cover us so that in God's eyes we are redeemed!
aspen
“"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few
To become a true citizen of Heaven you need to be justified in Christ through submission, confession and baptism and sanctified in Christ, converted - mind, heart and soul. Obedience is our part in the process - practicing perspective taking, empathy, love and forgiveness - which it the sanctification God is working in our hearts
aspen
“"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few
When you are kneeling before the throne. God is faithful - if you have a relationship with Him, He is not going to dump you, but you are not going to know until you are there. How do you know if you are really married? You may have a piece of paper telling you that you are married, but it says nothing about the condition of your relationship.
Aspen has it right, but I often think that when talking to people unsure, or new in the faith, or even non christian, that using this kind of heavy language can be daunting and really confusing.
Really, when it comes down to it, if we pray for fogiveness, really mean it, and then ask Jesus to be a part of our lives, then we're saved. We can know we're saved because Jesus said so, and His sacrifice is enough to cover all our doubts!
All that change, growth and an honest life of repentence, that comes after. Becoming a Christian should change your life, from the inside out....it is the 'fruit', the showing, the proof of a Christian life. Its a life long, ongoing process! But being saved? It only takes a moment to realise how badly we need Jesus, and to ask Him into our lives, to ask for forgiveness!
Really, when it comes down to it, if we pray for fogiveness, really mean it, and then ask Jesus to be a part of our lives, then we're saved. We can know we're saved because Jesus said so, and His sacrifice is enough to cover all our doubts!
All that change, growth and an honest life of repentence, that comes after. Becoming a Christian should change your life, from the inside out....it is the 'fruit', the showing, the proof of a Christian life. Its a life long, ongoing process! But being saved? It only takes a moment to realise how badly we need Jesus, and to ask Him into our lives, to ask for forgiveness!
Nomad
Post Tenebras Lux
You may want to read through the epistle of 1 John where the Apostle explains to believers how they can have assurance of salvation.
Nomad
Post Tenebras Lux
Nomad
Post Tenebras Lux
well, yes, no offence but I would even wonder if the person saying it was saved because it's all subjective, I don't see any proof of God in all the religious opinions I've heard over the years... others I have spoken to say "just accept it by faith", kind of tautological, I'm saved because I believe I am!
What about where Jesus says "many will call me Lord, Lord... and I will say depart from me I never knew you".
How can I know I'm not one of these people?
How do we know if Jesus is a part of our lives?
hmm, where did he say that?
Is it?
I though doubting is unbelief / believing lies... a definite no-no?
So I have to wait for particular fruit to show? Thinking I believe something isn't enough?
Hey BritGuy. I'm wondering now where you're coming from. I thought you were asking the question in general..."how do we explain ones saved?" But it seems to me now that you are speaking of yourself...which worries me. You should know if you're saved or not. Do you love Jesus? Do you recognize your sinful nature, have you repented to Christ and asked Him to forgive you....is this an ongoing thing? Do you see things in your life that show the Holy Spirits presence? Do you find yourself realising a certain action, thought or attitude is wrong and actively striving to change it or repent of it?
I would have to say that if you wonder if you're saved, that maybe you're not. As far as 'doubts' go, I'm sorry, that was the wrong word, I should have said 'questions'. To have questions is natural, we all do at some point, but as Christians the answer to these questions should bring us closer to God, to love Him more and to trust in His sovereignty.
As far as to knowing we're saved, and to where the Bible and Jesus said so, here are some verses:
[25] Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
(John 11:25 ESV)
[For God So Loved the World]
[16] “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him
(John 3:16 ESV) should not perish but have eternal life.
[10] For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
(Romans 10:10 ESV)
So we must believe in Jesus, in God, but what does that really mean? This is something I continue to get joy out of, for you see, the more I understand just what Jesus did, who He really is, how wonderful He was and is; the more my belief in Him turns to love! And again we see in scripture just how important love is, how Jesus again and again tells us to love; both God and others!
[8] Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, [9] obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
(1 Peter 1:8-9 ESV)
[37] And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. [38] This is the great and first commandment. [39] And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
(Matthew 22:37-39 ESV)
And as far as 'waiting for fruits to show', I would say that you're missing my point. Salvation itself is not by works, but we can tell if someone is saved by their works. Someone who is saved, who has the Holy Spirit does not continue to live the same corrupt lifestyle as they did before. Are we perfect? By no means! But if others cannot tell by our outward actions (our fruit) that something wonderful has happened in our lives, then there is a good bet that our inner self has not changed either.
Whether it's for me or someone else makes no difference, answers are needed to these basic questions.
I don't seem to have received them, which concerns me for your sake because I've read the gospels & the new testament and people got answer that changed them, miracles resulted.
In the gospels it was physical miracles, in Acts people received God's Spirit.. they went away with more than just words.
How does one know if one loves Jesus?
If it is something is wrong, I am still sinning.
Yes, who doesn't?
This doesn't answer my first question:
What about where Jesus says "many will call me Lord, Lord... and I will say depart from me I never knew you".
- they obviously think they believe and confess, how can I know I'm not one of these people?
BritGuy said:
"Whether it's for me or someone else makes no difference, answers are needed to these basic questions.
I don't seem to have received them, which concerns me for your sake because I've read the gospels & the new testament and people got answer that changed them, miracles resulted.
In the gospels it was physical miracles, in Acts people received God's Spirit.. they went away with more than just words."
Your questions have been answered, and I'm sorry you just can't see it. Don't fear for my salvation, while I'll spend the rest of my life growing and learning I'm safe and joyful knowing that I'm saved. If you expect a miracle, a wonder, then most likely you will be disappointed. Can God give them, does He? Of course! In the day of Pentecost miracles were everywhere, true; it was important as the new church began to spread. But in expecting a miracle or healing to suddenly come upon you when you believe, when you receive the Holy Spirit is wrong. It's basically you telling God that you want something. God is giving you the gift of salvation...and you want more?? That I believe is selfish and childlike. My 6 yr old daughter did the same thing when she prayed to God...she opened her eyes and said "when will it work?". In her cute because her level of understanding is not yet developed, but in a grown person? Sad. When you receive the Holy Spirit, receive grace you do indeed come away with more than 'just words'. Do not be like the magician Simon in Acts, who hungered after what he perceived was great power. He too wanted more than 'just words'.
BritGuy said:
"How does one know if one loves Jesus?"
Seriously, If you do not know what love is, than no one will be able to answer your questions. For me, loving Jesus means He is more important than anyone else...more than me, my husband, my children. Loving Him means I see Him, that day by day I learn more of Him from the Bible and that He, above anything in this world, gives me peace, joy and comfort.
BritGuy said:
"If it is something is wrong, I am still sinning."
Sorry, this sentence doesn't make sense. I asked if you'd recognised your sinful nature, if you'd repented to Jesus, if this was an ongoing thing. My point is this: Until Jesus returns again, we are still sinful. Forgiven, yes. Saved, yes! But still we sin. Our lives, as Christians, should be ones of becoming more like Christ. This means that although we still have a sinful nature, we can recognize sin for what it is and by keeping a 'short account', confessing said sins and asking for forgiveness daily, we grow closer to Jesus, more aware of sin. In this way we can avoid it as much as possible...be further away from our 'old self' and closer to our 'new self'.
BritGuy said:
"This doesn't answer my first question:
What about where Jesus says "many will call me Lord, Lord... and I will say depart from me I never knew you".
- they obviously think they believe and confess, how can I know I'm not one of these people? "
There are so many fakes, that is true. Those churches who lead people astray...pastors to claim to be Christian but make it more about community, or tithing, or healing, or money or any number of things. They claim Christ, but make the faith about something other than Jesus. And by doing this they lead people away from Jesus. So yes, when they stand before Him and say, "Jesus, I was a christian, really! I told them it was in your name that I did....". No wonder Christ will tell them to depart....they used His name to feed their own Idols...be that wealth, or fame, or control.
As far as yourself? Only you and Jesus can tell the state of your heart, your real intentions....no one else can, I'm sorry.
"Whether it's for me or someone else makes no difference, answers are needed to these basic questions.
I don't seem to have received them, which concerns me for your sake because I've read the gospels & the new testament and people got answer that changed them, miracles resulted.
In the gospels it was physical miracles, in Acts people received God's Spirit.. they went away with more than just words."
Your questions have been answered, and I'm sorry you just can't see it. Don't fear for my salvation, while I'll spend the rest of my life growing and learning I'm safe and joyful knowing that I'm saved. If you expect a miracle, a wonder, then most likely you will be disappointed. Can God give them, does He? Of course! In the day of Pentecost miracles were everywhere, true; it was important as the new church began to spread. But in expecting a miracle or healing to suddenly come upon you when you believe, when you receive the Holy Spirit is wrong. It's basically you telling God that you want something. God is giving you the gift of salvation...and you want more?? That I believe is selfish and childlike. My 6 yr old daughter did the same thing when she prayed to God...she opened her eyes and said "when will it work?". In her cute because her level of understanding is not yet developed, but in a grown person? Sad. When you receive the Holy Spirit, receive grace you do indeed come away with more than 'just words'. Do not be like the magician Simon in Acts, who hungered after what he perceived was great power. He too wanted more than 'just words'.
BritGuy said:
"How does one know if one loves Jesus?"
Seriously, If you do not know what love is, than no one will be able to answer your questions. For me, loving Jesus means He is more important than anyone else...more than me, my husband, my children. Loving Him means I see Him, that day by day I learn more of Him from the Bible and that He, above anything in this world, gives me peace, joy and comfort.
BritGuy said:
"If it is something is wrong, I am still sinning."
Sorry, this sentence doesn't make sense. I asked if you'd recognised your sinful nature, if you'd repented to Jesus, if this was an ongoing thing. My point is this: Until Jesus returns again, we are still sinful. Forgiven, yes. Saved, yes! But still we sin. Our lives, as Christians, should be ones of becoming more like Christ. This means that although we still have a sinful nature, we can recognize sin for what it is and by keeping a 'short account', confessing said sins and asking for forgiveness daily, we grow closer to Jesus, more aware of sin. In this way we can avoid it as much as possible...be further away from our 'old self' and closer to our 'new self'.
BritGuy said:
"This doesn't answer my first question:
What about where Jesus says "many will call me Lord, Lord... and I will say depart from me I never knew you".
- they obviously think they believe and confess, how can I know I'm not one of these people? "
There are so many fakes, that is true. Those churches who lead people astray...pastors to claim to be Christian but make it more about community, or tithing, or healing, or money or any number of things. They claim Christ, but make the faith about something other than Jesus. And by doing this they lead people away from Jesus. So yes, when they stand before Him and say, "Jesus, I was a christian, really! I told them it was in your name that I did....". No wonder Christ will tell them to depart....they used His name to feed their own Idols...be that wealth, or fame, or control.
As far as yourself? Only you and Jesus can tell the state of your heart, your real intentions....no one else can, I'm sorry.
:-( not the Jesus I read about
No, I just want the same.
That reminds me of this:
"And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me,
and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." (Mark 10:13-14)
Selfish? - well, I can only give what I have first received so it's selfing not to ask for the full package (with signs following)
But the people with the right attitude got the signs following, the magician was sent away with just words!
Surely love is to be faithful to someone, to refuse alternatives?
Pentecost is Jesus setting up his church, his bride, the gentiles got the same experience (Acts 10:44-48, 1 Cor. 12:13), how is it love for God or man to accept alternatives?
Pentecost was the fulfilment of a Jewish Feast, as Calvary was.
Calvary was not just for a select group of people, is Pentecost?
BritGuy...you say its not selfish to want "the whole package"?? To want salvation, the gift of grace, as well as a miracle, signs, wonders? Who are you to demand that? God gives to each of us as He chooses...after all He is God, sovereign and good.
What did Jesus say?
[The Sign of Jonah]
[38] Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”
(Matthew 12:38; Matthew 12:39-40 ESV) [39] But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. [40] For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
(Matthew 12:38; Matthew 12:39-40 ESV)
Jesus is telling them that He will die and then three days and nights later will rise again for our sins, that He will make propitiation. That is the only sign we need, and if we demand more we are no better than the Pharisees. The Pharisees demand to be given a sign from heaven—not just a miracle, but a conclusive sign directly from God, to confirm that the promise had been fulfilled. Their demand for a sign, however, excludes the one essential demand that Jesus required: a fundamental change of heart.
This is what I've been trying to explain to you...when we become saved the Holy Spirit gives us a new heart, a new spirit. Man, that is miracle enough!!
BritGuy said:
"But the people with the right attitude got the signs following, the magician was sent away with just words!"
People with the right attitude received grace!! They received salvation, and sometimes they also received a miracle. See below, salvation did not come with a miracle, but the miracle was granted because of faith. God does not need to grant a miracle with salvation...He is God and can choose as He pleases!
[13] And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
(Matthew 8:13 ESV)
The magician 'got words', yes, but they were words of condemnation. We are not told if he repented or not, but if he did not he will never see heaven. So many people cannot let go of all the miracles Jesus performed in His ministry. While wondrous indeed this in not today's norm. Jesus performed so many miracles because He was fulfilling the prophecies.
[2] Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples [3] and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” [4] And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: [5] the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. [6] And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
(Matthew 11:2-6 ESV)
You see, Jesus ministry was calling people to realise He was the Messiah, that He was God, and His miracles proved His claims.
Im not sure what you're last statement means, that love means refusing alternatives. I have no alternatives, I only worship one God. Jesus talks of following Him, loving Him. He says to "take up our cross". Following Jesus is not easy, and it can mean suffering; be it from unbelievers - family or friends. It can mean hardship in the workplace...it can mean lots of things. But to honestly expect God to hand you a miracle, be it to wow you, or make your life better or to 'prove' you of His existence' whatever...it's just wrong. If what you were hoping for when you started this post was for someone to say "you know you're saved when God does this awesome miracle in your life", then you're not going to find that. Can and does God do miracles today? Of course! Saying no would be the same as saying 'he must'. But He does them when He chooses, for His purposes, for His glory.
[37] Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. [38] And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
(Matthew 10:37-38; Matthew 10:39 ESV) [39] Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
(Matthew 10:37-38; Matthew 10:39 ESV)
What did Jesus say?
[The Sign of Jonah]
[38] Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”
(Matthew 12:38; Matthew 12:39-40 ESV) [39] But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. [40] For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
(Matthew 12:38; Matthew 12:39-40 ESV)
Jesus is telling them that He will die and then three days and nights later will rise again for our sins, that He will make propitiation. That is the only sign we need, and if we demand more we are no better than the Pharisees. The Pharisees demand to be given a sign from heaven—not just a miracle, but a conclusive sign directly from God, to confirm that the promise had been fulfilled. Their demand for a sign, however, excludes the one essential demand that Jesus required: a fundamental change of heart.
This is what I've been trying to explain to you...when we become saved the Holy Spirit gives us a new heart, a new spirit. Man, that is miracle enough!!
BritGuy said:
"But the people with the right attitude got the signs following, the magician was sent away with just words!"
People with the right attitude received grace!! They received salvation, and sometimes they also received a miracle. See below, salvation did not come with a miracle, but the miracle was granted because of faith. God does not need to grant a miracle with salvation...He is God and can choose as He pleases!
[13] And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
(Matthew 8:13 ESV)
The magician 'got words', yes, but they were words of condemnation. We are not told if he repented or not, but if he did not he will never see heaven. So many people cannot let go of all the miracles Jesus performed in His ministry. While wondrous indeed this in not today's norm. Jesus performed so many miracles because He was fulfilling the prophecies.
[2] Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples [3] and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” [4] And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: [5] the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. [6] And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
(Matthew 11:2-6 ESV)
You see, Jesus ministry was calling people to realise He was the Messiah, that He was God, and His miracles proved His claims.
Im not sure what you're last statement means, that love means refusing alternatives. I have no alternatives, I only worship one God. Jesus talks of following Him, loving Him. He says to "take up our cross". Following Jesus is not easy, and it can mean suffering; be it from unbelievers - family or friends. It can mean hardship in the workplace...it can mean lots of things. But to honestly expect God to hand you a miracle, be it to wow you, or make your life better or to 'prove' you of His existence' whatever...it's just wrong. If what you were hoping for when you started this post was for someone to say "you know you're saved when God does this awesome miracle in your life", then you're not going to find that. Can and does God do miracles today? Of course! Saying no would be the same as saying 'he must'. But He does them when He chooses, for His purposes, for His glory.
[37] Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. [38] And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
(Matthew 10:37-38; Matthew 10:39 ESV) [39] Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
(Matthew 10:37-38; Matthew 10:39 ESV)
The bible shows God giving all the disciples, and those they were sent to, the same infilling of his Spirit and it was known when this happened, they spoke in tongues. surely it's unbelief and unfaithfulness to God to ask for or expect different?
But if you read on in any of the 4 gospel accounts you will see that Jesus specifically didn't appear to any of that evil and adulterous generation!
Yet Jesus said they would be given a sign! ...
Like Jonah, the sign wasn't given to the evil people until say 40-50 days later when he preqched in Ninevah.
None of the Ninevites saw Jonah being spewed up on the beach by the whale, Ninevah was hundreds of miles inland!
The sign of speaking in tongues was the sign given to the unbelievers (Acts 2, see also 1 Cor. 14:22)
You get this "new heart" phrase from the bible, correct?
Why de-select the scriptural detail about the new tongue to accompany the new heart?
"for from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks".
The apostles waited for this, how come you don't?
Jesus isn't a serial adulterer or confused... he only set up one church.
If you read Acts 2, put yourself there, how can you honestly say that you are being faithful?
Then the gentiles got the same (Acts 10 & 19).
Do you even pretend to live in the same days as Christ or the disciples? Jesus' ministry was establishing who He was and what His mission was. (see again Matt 11:2-6). Pentecost was when the Holy Spirit came on man for the first time...do you expect to see a tongue of flame on your head also?
I seriously can't comprehend how you can feel its ok to say 'God must give me a miracle.'
Isn't that the same as saying that God is a pinata and that prayer is a whack stick?? God is a good and just God and we must accept that whatever He does or does not give us is ultimately for His glory. Don't you understand? Life is not about us, about what we can get, about what God can give us...its about Him, about His glory.
Now about tongues...this is a spiritual gift, and I do believe people have it today...if you have it, well, that's awesome! My particular gifts are faith and service. Gifts however, receiving them, is very different to 'signs and miracles'. Not all people in the new church received the gift of tongues, the disciples did sure, but the disciples were a very special brand of people. They were eye witnesses to Jesus; His death and resurrection. The disciples were tools of the almighty, yes, they performed miracles in His name, but they also died horribly for their faith. D You are not the same. We are apostles! Apostle means 'messenger or missionary'.
Why was tongues such a big thing at Pentecost? Jesus had just told them that they would preach to all the peoples of the earth, and behold! They spoke in tongues and people from many nations understood them and believed!! You see...all for God's glory!!
Should it be for God's glory, you may witness a miracle. If it's for Gods glory you may even perform one! But demand one? Expect one? Nope.....
I seriously can't comprehend how you can feel its ok to say 'God must give me a miracle.'
Isn't that the same as saying that God is a pinata and that prayer is a whack stick?? God is a good and just God and we must accept that whatever He does or does not give us is ultimately for His glory. Don't you understand? Life is not about us, about what we can get, about what God can give us...its about Him, about His glory.
Now about tongues...this is a spiritual gift, and I do believe people have it today...if you have it, well, that's awesome! My particular gifts are faith and service. Gifts however, receiving them, is very different to 'signs and miracles'. Not all people in the new church received the gift of tongues, the disciples did sure, but the disciples were a very special brand of people. They were eye witnesses to Jesus; His death and resurrection. The disciples were tools of the almighty, yes, they performed miracles in His name, but they also died horribly for their faith. D You are not the same. We are apostles! Apostle means 'messenger or missionary'.
Why was tongues such a big thing at Pentecost? Jesus had just told them that they would preach to all the peoples of the earth, and behold! They spoke in tongues and people from many nations understood them and believed!! You see...all for God's glory!!
Should it be for God's glory, you may witness a miracle. If it's for Gods glory you may even perform one! But demand one? Expect one? Nope.....
Jesus doesn't change, neither does the covenant he set up, that's the nature of a covenant.
"Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulls, or adds thereto." (Gal.3:15)
Like with the Law, "not a jot or tittle shall pass"
The old "times are different now" argument won't wash with God, you change if you want, he won't.
We have cars & computers now, but our spiritual need is unchanged, so is God's solution.
The tongues of fire was a one-off to show the transfer of God's presence to people, it marked the inauguration of the New Covenant, it occurred before the Spirit was given not after.
Notice that the apostles never looked for this to be repeated, but they did attach the same significance to the speaking in tongues in future years.
God has shown what he wants to give, if you are persuaded that he doesn't then that's not God changing his mind, and it doesn't glorify God to acept the alternative.
"Spiritual gifts" are only mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 & 14 and refer specifically to the meetings-use, *giving* to the church of attributes that all Christians have for private use.
Other passages show ALL Christians having and growing in all these attributes listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-onwards: wisdom, knowledge, faith...tongues...
Has God doe away with all the gifts listed, or just the ones you personally havn't experienced?
.. which is what we were talking about, so metioning "gifts" is irrelevant.
How come the gentiles also spoke in tongues.?
Err, the bible sayss the opposite!
"And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine." (Acts 2:12-13)
... that's why Peter stood up and began to speak to the crowd in the common learned language (aramaic), then they understood and 3000 were added.
Fulfilling Jesus words of preachinmg to people.
If I walk down the Champs Elyses in Paris and over-hear 2 Americans, I will understand their words, but, I would be foolish to assume they are talking to me!
That's what you are doing with Acts 2.
The disciples were speaking to God, others recognised real language but they were not being preached to.
"he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not to men, but unto God" (1 Cor. 14:2)
God told the King of Israel to ask for a sign, he wouldn't sdso as God said, God gave one anyway
Isa:7:10: Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying,
Isa:7:11: Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.
Isa:7:12: But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.
Isa:7:13: And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?
Jesus said:
John:10:37: If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
God says our heartss are deceitful above all things, therefore he needs to bare independant witness, the apostles waited for his sign of tongues, sadly many today pronounce themselves (and others) "Christians" based on other criteria
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