CONFUSION
“If therefore the whole church comes together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad? (1 Corinthian s 14:23).
When I was about age 18 there was a Christian man where I worked. He asked me to go to church with him in Hicksville, Ohio. So my girlfriend and I got dressed up and went with he and his wife. The worship was the same songs I was used to in the Church of Christ and what she was used to in the Lutheran Church, but perhaps a little more lively, and they had guitars! But soon the minister announced that it was time for prayer. At that point every person in the room, with a loud voice, began speaking with words that sounded like mumble jumble to us. People were shouting and getting really emotional. We both sat really still, but it scared us. We had no idea what we had gotten ourselves into. It did not draw us closer to the Lord, it scared us away. We never returned.
I’m not sure, but it must have been a Pentecostal Church and they were probably praying in their prayer language. As I read the scriptures, it was probably a good thing. But, from the perspective of unbelievers, we thought they were way too radical for us. We never considered this might be God. If there was prophecy present, I can’t recall. All I remember is never wanting to go back to that wild place.
I think we get the idea of what was happening at the Corinthian Church that motivated Paul to make this statement. They were probably getting real serious with the Lord in prayer in a big public meeting and scaring everyone away before the Holy Spirit could grab their hearts. Sometimes we must be real careful with spiritual gifts, because ministry is always about helping others take their next steps toward Him, and not about our own experience. Its what we give away that comes back to us. People will not invite their friends to a place that will embarrass them.
Tell us about your early experience with others praying in tongues.
Tags: evangelism, spiritual gifts, tongues
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