I have a problem with a friend of mine who thinks no one is saved unless they can speak in tongues, this is not to say a known language, but jibber jabber he admits he does not know what he’s saying when he speaks these so-called tongues, but a lady in the church always interprets. I need an answer as soon as possible as he is going around work telling people they are not saved or they can’t be saved unless they speak in tongues.
Thanks,
Still on the Milk
Jesus said in John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. That whosoever doesn’t mean only those who speak in tongues! It means anybody. That sounds unconditional to me. Paul had a problem with those who were practicing tongues and he had to plainly tell them that if it doesn’t edify, (improve) it’s better not to use them. 1st Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 14:16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? 14:17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
As for knowing that we are saved and letting others know that we are saved, they can see it by our walk and our conversation and by the Love the Savior has placed in us.1st John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Not because we speak in tongues.
On the other hand, just because I speak Italian, doesn’t make me Italian, and the unknown tongue I do speak is the prayer I make through the Holy Spirit as He interprets to the Father. Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
My personal belief is that the tongues practiced by some churches today are actually done away with. I believe that the Bible is that which is perfect spoken of in 1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. Tongues were needed in the infant church. But since the scriptures have been completed (that which is perfect), we have what we need as a matured church.