Should one exercise speaking in tongues?

[Rodger]

It's you that said what was spoken on the mount of Olives was only for the disciples that sat with Jesus as I never said otherwise. Where have I placed words in your mouth?

What does Mark 16:14 which is about the resurrection and the great commission have to do with the Olivet Discourse that came before Jesus was crucified?

No, we are not on the same page. In Matthew 24 the first thing Jesus told the Disciples was about Jesus foretelling them about the destruction of the Temple, then tells the disciples of the signs of the end of the age and His second coming. These teachings of Jesus was/is to all who will have ears to hear.

It is clear that we have some problems here.

Most all Bible scholars from all theological persuasions have understood that the text we are talking about was added in the form of a footnote, or addendum, which was mistakenly absorbed into the text itself by a later scribe. Two of the oldest and most respected manuscripts, the Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus, do not contain the longer ending to the Gospel of Mark. Both of those ancient Greek manuscripts end at Mark 16:8. That means we are talking about something that does not matter or even exist.

 

[hawkman]

Those who believe" in Mark 16:17 refers to the ELEVEN that was seen in verse 14.

As badly as you want the verse to say "These signs shall follow the apostles only " , guess what it does not say it . It said "them that believe" .

Them that believe .
Sight restored by Ananias laying on hands , he was not an apostle . Acts 9:17
Them that believe .
Stephen worked great wonders and miracles , he was not an apostle . Acts 6:8
Them that believe .
Cornelius has a vision from God , he was not an apostle . Acts 10:3
Them that believe .
About 12 men that spoke in tongues and prophesied , they were not apostles . Acts 19:6

Rodger , do you now have an understanding of Them that believe ?

Now, with all the common sense that we have, and the ability to read and understand what we read, NO WHERE in those Scriptures can we validate a statement about what was to happen at all church services from then on including today.

Do you have a record of all the church services ? ! ? What are you talking about ?

Remember, it is OK to disagree but it is not OK to be disagreeable.

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit as given to ALL Christians as the Holy Spirit sees fit .

1 Corinthians 12:10 Context​

7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

 

[deepfaithpraise]

Let me add "Behold The Bridegroom" from William G. Schell. May you all have plenty of oil when the hour arrives! Tongues or no tongues we all need a bit of cheer every now and then in these times of watching and waiting.

1. We're nearing the closing of time's mortal year,
   God's kingdom doth now as ten virgins appear,
   With lamps trimmed and burning, a light to their feet,
   They're all going forward the Bridegroom to meet.
   • Refrain:
     Behold, the Bridegroom cometh,
     Behold, the Bridegroom cometh;
     Behold, the Bridegroom cometh,
     Go ye out to meet Him.
2. With oil in their vessels the wise forward go,
   Their lamps shining bright and their hearts white as snow,
   They're ready each moment to welcome the Lord,
   Who shortly will take them to gain their reward.
3. The foolish go forward without any oil,
   They're just as contented as those who have oil;
   They trust in the future the oil to supply,
   They'll wake soon to find that their lamps are all dry.
4. Lo, now, just at midnight, the watchman they hear;
   "Awake from your slumber, the Bridegroom is near";
   Their lamps to prepare now the foolish arise,
   "Our lamps are gone out!" they all cry in surprise.
5. The foolish to wise say, "Give us of your oil";
   "Not so, lest there be not enough for us all;
   Go, buy for yourselves from the merchants who sell";
   They start, but, "Too late!" in their anguish they tell.
6. Lo, now comes the Bridegroom with angelic host,
   All those who are ready go into the feast;
   The door being closed come the foolish to knock,
   "Depart," saith the Lord, "I indeed know you not."

Just wanted to highlight how much I love this soul-stirring hymn. It reminds me of how our spiritual ancestors found strength in uncertain times through music that pointed to eternal hope.

I love how this hymn doesn't just entertain - it challenges us! That haunting call "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh" should awaken something deep within every believer. Are we like those wise virgins with lamps full and ready, or are we spiritually depleted, thinking we can fill up our reserves at the last minute?

Throughout history, believers have drawn courage from these words during their darkest hours. When Roman Christians faced persecution, medieval believers endured plagues, or our grandparents weathered world wars - songs like this reminded them that their present trials were temporary.

The oil in our lamps isn't something we can borrow or fake. It represents that deep, authentic relationship with Christ that sustains us through life's midnight hours.

 

[for_his_glory]

It is clear that we have some problems here.

Most all Bible scholars from all theological persuasions have understood that the text we are talking about was added in the form of a footnote, or addendum, which was mistakenly absorbed into the text itself by a later scribe. Two of the oldest and most respected manuscripts, the Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus, do not contain the longer ending to the Gospel of Mark. Both of those ancient Greek manuscripts end at Mark 16:8. That means we are talking about something that does not matter or even exist.

We have no problems as I gave you the scriptures as clearly as they are written. If you do not believe tongues are for today then I don't have anymore to give that I haven't already given to this thread. At least it has nothing to do with our salvation through Christ Jesus and the grace of God.

 

[Rodger]

We have no problems as I gave you the scriptures as clearly as they are written. If you do not believe tongues are for today then I don't have anymore to give that I haven't already given to this thread. At least it has nothing to do with our salvation through Christ Jesus and the grace of God.

And that is exactly my feelings as well.

Isn't it interesting that two people can read the same Scripture and have different understandings?

Why is that you think? Well, it seems that In the American education system, we are taught many things about science, art, math, language, as well as other topics. As a result, most of us have a basic idea of how the world works. These ideas are part of the preunderstanding/bias we bring when we study the Bible. Most of us also have learned a certain set of values from their parents and have a basic understanding of right and wrong. This also forms part of our preunderstanding./bias.

Before I sign off on this discussion with you, allow me to say that A good example of the truth of the Bible correcting our preunderstanding/bias is the experience that every Christian has had — conversion.

Before you were born again, you did not believe that you were a sinner in need of salvation. This was part of your preunderstanding. When you heard the Gospel, however, the truth of the Word of God, by the ministry of the Holy Spirit, convinced you that you were a sinner and that you needed salvation. The truth of God’s Word replaced your incorrect preunderstanding. There is more to the experience than this, of course, but being born again is certainly not less than this. Part of the conversion experience is coming to accept the truth about you, about God, and about your need for His righteousness.

 

[hawkman]

Since we have been talking about the book of Mark I thought I would share this .
One evening I was reading in the book of Mark and I came to this verse in Mark 15 .

34And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

I wondered exactly how to say "Eloi, Eloi , lama sabachthani " so I thought I would speak and sound it out loud , so I did . But what happened as I started to sound it out the Holy Spirit gave the utterance and the four words came out with a loud volume and power that surprised me , but it was a very good surprise .