The Author of my Faith
Puritan Board Freshman
Tongues/Prophesy/Healing/Miracles.
Coming out of the Charismatic Movement I am still trying to find out what is Biblical and what is not. I want Theology not Zoology but I have to be convinced by Scripture Alone.
I just heard a sermon by John MacArthur on Miracles/Healings/Tongues and he makes a very strong and persuassive argument that these "sign" gifts passed away witht he apostolic age. The only mention of tongues in the first and second century church after the Apostles were gone were from heretical sects such as Montanis and his two prophetesses.
I have seen and heard so much emphasis on Signs and Wonders and healing and tongues. Yet I see men of God dying and nobody heals them. I do know people who have been healed by God through prayer but not through a person claiming to have The gift of healing. I have always said if you have the gift of healing go empty out the hospital.
I am on the fence with tongues. I was young in the Lord and everyone told me I had to have the gift and it was the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues. I prayed, fasted, cried and wanted it so bad but for a few years nothing happened. I met a sister who said she could help and she prayed over me and said that I had to release it. It was already in side. I tried but could not find it inside. A few weeks later I was praying alone and wanted it so bad I muttered a sound. I did it again and again and thought to myself, I have it this is it. But was not sure. I spoke to someone and they told me that by faith just keep doing it. I did and began to speak with these words and when people found out they were so happy. But nothing ever really changed and I never really felt evidence of any change or benefit. I was todl to pray that way because it was "praying in the spirit" in my personal prayer language. But I never found that verse. I guess it is in the Book of Hezekiah but I have not gotten to that book yet.
I belive that I so desired this gift that I convicned myself that I had it and forced myself to do it thinking it was by faith. I think I was hoodwinked. Now I do not speak in the jibberish anylonger because I do not really believe I ever recieved this gift FROM God or is it really a gift?
I know some who even adhere to Sola Scriptura but say they still believe in the gifts and practice speaking in toungues.
I just want to be Biblical, not denominational or indoctrinated. I have never really looked into this topic in the way John MacCarthur presented it because I simply believed that there was not one verse that said the gifts ceased. But I am leaning in that direction just based on my experience. I have seen so much over emphasis yet so little results or changed lives in this area of the sign gifts.
If you were trying to show a brother that the sign gifts infact passed away with the Apostolic age what scritpures or writings would you recommend? Again I do believe God can and does still heal, and that miracles can happen. I just do not think it is the norm.
Thanks
Steve
Coming out of the Charismatic Movement I am still trying to find out what is Biblical and what is not. I want Theology not Zoology but I have to be convinced by Scripture Alone.
I just heard a sermon by John MacArthur on Miracles/Healings/Tongues and he makes a very strong and persuassive argument that these "sign" gifts passed away witht he apostolic age. The only mention of tongues in the first and second century church after the Apostles were gone were from heretical sects such as Montanis and his two prophetesses.
I have seen and heard so much emphasis on Signs and Wonders and healing and tongues. Yet I see men of God dying and nobody heals them. I do know people who have been healed by God through prayer but not through a person claiming to have The gift of healing. I have always said if you have the gift of healing go empty out the hospital.
I am on the fence with tongues. I was young in the Lord and everyone told me I had to have the gift and it was the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues. I prayed, fasted, cried and wanted it so bad but for a few years nothing happened. I met a sister who said she could help and she prayed over me and said that I had to release it. It was already in side. I tried but could not find it inside. A few weeks later I was praying alone and wanted it so bad I muttered a sound. I did it again and again and thought to myself, I have it this is it. But was not sure. I spoke to someone and they told me that by faith just keep doing it. I did and began to speak with these words and when people found out they were so happy. But nothing ever really changed and I never really felt evidence of any change or benefit. I was todl to pray that way because it was "praying in the spirit" in my personal prayer language. But I never found that verse. I guess it is in the Book of Hezekiah but I have not gotten to that book yet.
I belive that I so desired this gift that I convicned myself that I had it and forced myself to do it thinking it was by faith. I think I was hoodwinked. Now I do not speak in the jibberish anylonger because I do not really believe I ever recieved this gift FROM God or is it really a gift?
I know some who even adhere to Sola Scriptura but say they still believe in the gifts and practice speaking in toungues.
I just want to be Biblical, not denominational or indoctrinated. I have never really looked into this topic in the way John MacCarthur presented it because I simply believed that there was not one verse that said the gifts ceased. But I am leaning in that direction just based on my experience. I have seen so much over emphasis yet so little results or changed lives in this area of the sign gifts.
If you were trying to show a brother that the sign gifts infact passed away with the Apostolic age what scritpures or writings would you recommend? Again I do believe God can and does still heal, and that miracles can happen. I just do not think it is the norm.
Thanks
Steve