NC Megachurch Pastor Says It's a Sin to Forbid Speaking in Tongues
J. D. Greear
A Durham, N.C., megachurch pastor recently asserted that he would not forbid people from speaking in tongues and to do so is a sin.
"You're never going to hear me either publicly or privately tell somebody that they should not be speaking in tongues in their private prayer times," The Summit Church Pastor J. D. Greear stated on Sunday to his congregation, noting that the Apostle Paul was clear on this. "That's not going to be forbidden at our church."
During the series, Greear noted that his denomination – the Southern Baptist Convention – has in many ways restricted speaking in tongues and believes "they are wrong and they are in sin for doing that."...
I just want to declare how awesome God is......after reading Acts 2 yesterday and plainly languages were spoken, all kinds---for those of many languages to hear and understand the wonders of God. That's awesome. There's no evil in this, its God's proclamation to the gentiles of who He is!! How awesome that through Christ's death and resurrection, both Jew and Gentile may have access to the Spirit of God!
It seems like a reversing of the tower of Babel--its not the cutting off through language, but the redemption of language or access to God through the Lamb.
Its a sign of a greater spiritual reality, that even though we are cut off from God, dead in spirit, that we may be renewed and redeemed through the Messiah. What an awesome declaration from heaven straight into the ears of the undeserving!
@Mark M. Be careful not to presume upon God by saying "I think" and "I believe". Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and see how much more God's opinion matters MUCH more than our own.
Speaking in other tongs . Meant they were speaking a language they did not no prior. Like if u speak English as your first language, and all of a sudden you start speaking to a tribe in Uganda. Not gibberish u see in Pentecostal churches or theses people falling backwards cunvalsing on the ground.. Slain in the sprit.
I believe that God can allow us any of His gifts if He chooses to do so. I don't think we'll really see it manifested greatly until the two witnesses of Revelations appear, but divine healing or speaking in tongues when it is from God shouldn't be snubbed. I'll gladly take any gift God wants to give me.
I have seen some negatives in churches that I quickly stopped attending. That is to say, the people showing these gifts of the spirit seemed to be showing off and looking for attention.
According to the Bible it is perfectly Scriptural to forbid it if no interpreter is present.
Secondly, "tongues" in the Biblical sense (as opposed to ordinary foreign languages) was always a sign of judgement to unbelievers. The first mention of tongues in the Bible is at Babel. When it is mentioned in the Old Testament, it refers to the judgement of the nation of Israel, that they would go into exile (I will speak unto this people in a speech deeper than they can perceive). At Pentecost it was a sign to the unbelieving nation of Israel that God was doing a new thing, and their unbelief excluded them from it.
The Biblical gift of tongues (again as opposed to just an unknown language) in this respect has ceased, simply because there is no further need for it. Believers in Christ are not under God's judgement.
is the issue what tongues are or if they ceased? did they legitimately exist during the time of apostles (as in exhibited by churches, ie pentacost), and if so are they inherently evil?
Regenerated, what you saw, were not gifts, remember Temporary Gifts the Spirit Gave were an aid to the early --apostolic-- church as a testament of what the apostles were saying were true. They ceased with the apostles.
This pastor is wrong about the Use and Purpose of Tongues, Prophecy, and Serving. While if you are going to speak jibberish, it is of course best to do it in private, but does God want to hear jibberish? No. Tongues were a public event. By the way San Jose John.
As I have been involved in missions in Romania I must say that I have seen many humble, serious born again christians with gifts like speaking in tongues, performing miracles, and casting out demons for the glory of God etc.
By their own "rules" you CAN forbid speaking in tongues IF there is no one present to interpret what's being said, so the congregation can be edified. Otherwise, keep it (your "tongues" language) in your prayer closet.
I maintain that tongues are archaic and are not to be pursued in this age. Same goes with miraculous healing.
These are to the church what the first stages were to the old Saturn V rockets. What a glorious spectacle they were and vital purpose they performed at lift-off, but once the astronauts were in orbit you never saw or heard from these components again because they weren't needed anymore. They had already performed their intended task.
This is rampant in the SBC. This is rampant in the reformed faith. " the new Calvinist " John piper, cj mahanny, tim Keller , mark Driscoll. And many others.. Very sad. Even a lay person doesn't need to be a theologian, to know toungs, has ceased..
1
There are a total of 73 user comments displayed | add new comment |
Dr. Alan Cairns | 12/29/2008
Dr. Alan Cairns | 2/17/2008
COMMENTS | 
