not.” This indicates strongly that the tongues of I Corinthians 12, 14 and Acts 2 are geographical, national, na tive dialects. The reason for them is that people who have not heard the Gospel may understand God’s message of grace in their own language. “If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbeliev ers, will they not say that ye are mad?” (v. 23). You can imagine what it would sound like if everyone spoke in tongues all at once. This is not the work of the Holy Spirit for two reasons.
SAN DIEGO ON THE A IR
Mr. Phil Butler, manager of KBBW. Biota's Radio Voice in San Diego, shows some of the equipment for broadcasting now IS hours each day. done unto edifying. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret” (I Cor. 14:26, 27). Paul does not deny the possibility that the Holy Spirit gave some believers an ability to speak in tongues. He emphatically states, however, that there is always to be an interpreter, and if none is present, the person is to keep silent. It would be meaningless for any congregation to listen to something they could not un derstand. It has been my experience that in meetings where tongues have been spoken, the people are agitated, excited, and extremely nervous. They seem to lose control of themselves. In the l i g h t s the Word of God this is absolutely contrary to the ministry of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit never does anything uselessly, nor does He ever do anything for our spiritual amuse ment. There is always some useful end and purpose. This is what we need to keep firmly in our minds. In the light of these verses, we see that the tongues of today are radically different from that of which the Apostle speaks. As we seek a deeper Christian life, let us not be led astray by experiences of men apart from the teachings of the Word of God. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God” (I John 4:1). 11
TAKE TIME WITH JESUS There's so much pain and sorrow, Grief and toil and care; That I couldn't bear my burdens. If I couldn't leave them there. But since I know He loves me, He will ne'er let go my hands, I pray, and rest beneath His cross, For I know He understands. As I rise to make my way— To paths as yet unknown, I feel His "Benediction" Since I've knelt at His Throne. M y tears somehow have vanished, And instead I try to smile, For I take time with Jesus; Daily rest in Him awhile.
The blessed Third Person always does everything decently and in order. Sec ondly, the Spirit never has us do those things which are irrational. The more I read the Word of God, the more I am impressed that spirituality and sanity go hand in hand. Prophecy edifies the believers and brings salvation to those whp know not the Lord Jesus. This is in complete harmony with what Paul says in Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Paul now propounds an important question, “How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, everyone of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be
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