Chinese Symbols Prove the Bible

Often when people struggle with questions of faith such as, "Is God real?" we as Christians don't know where to direct them except the Bible, which is our final authority.  When someone isn't even sure if God is real however, it may be hard for them to trust the Bible at that point.  Where else can we direct them then?  How about historical evidence?

Check out this site HERE that shows how the Bible can be proven through Chinese symbols.  This site claims that Chinese is the oldest language (possible not) but even so it is old, and Chinese write with symbols that have meaning rather than with letters that spell words.  Some of their symbols show creation, God, the fall of man, and much more that you will find in God's Word.  Very cool, so take a look!


http://students.washington.edu/cbsf/cool/Chinese.swf

Blessings!

Read More

Questions and Answers

About Heaven
About Hell
About God
About Prayer
About Sin
About Other Religions
About Salvation
About the Bible

Read More

2011 Challenge

A friend said to me once, "No Bible no breakfast, no Bible no bed."  I had never heard that, and had never lived by it.  This year I have a challenge for you, as well as one for myself.  I challenge us to read the Bible before breakfast, to start our day, and read it before bed to end it.  What better way to start and end a day than by the Word of the Lord our God?  This year, let yourself walk closer to God.

Read More

Science in the Bible

You've heard it before... scientists and atheists alike saying that the Bible is made up, and written by men.  Yes, science is the only truth we can trust in because it has been proven.  I've heard this over and over not only from non-believers, but in school from grade school all the way through college.  This a problem with the assumptions people are making though because the Bible has been scientifically accurate time and again, even before man had certain scientific things right.  For instance, back when men were saying that the earth was the center of the universe, the Bible said it was the other way around.  So if the Bible was really written only by men, wouldn't they have the same thoughts as the popular teachings of the time?  Most of these men were after all only peasants, not scholars.  

Read More

About the Bible

About the Bible:

Q. What is the Bible?
A. The Bible is the whole, inerrant (without error), Word of God. The Bible cannot be improved upon because it is God's Word, and trying to improve on God's Word would be like saying you know better than God does.

Q. Who wrote the Bible?
A. The Bible was written by over 40 authors! Not only is it written by over 40 authors, but it is written over a period of 1,600 years! Each author agreed on: history of the world, their idea of what God is like, their rules for living, prophecies for the future, and man's sinfulness. Because there are so many authors and the books were written over such a vast amount of time, there is no possible way that all of these authors could have gotten together and talked about writing the same thing over and over and over again. I like to think about it this way: If you look at a painting by Divinci, you can tell that he did it. If you look at another one of his paintings, you can still tell by the style of painting that Divinci painted it, and not another artist. We're supposed to compare spiritual things to spiritual things in the same way. In each book of the Bible, we can see God's brush strokes. Yes, he used men to write and preserve the Bible, but He (God) is still the author. He inspired the men he used to write what he needed them to write, and promised us that He would preserve His word for all time.

Q. How was the Bible made?
A. The church founders got together and collected all of the writings and scriptures concerning God. They compared them to each other (comparing spiritual things with spiritual), and included the books that were found to meet the standards set for the Bible. Books that did not meet the standards were found to be scripturally inaccurate and were not included. To read more about the history of the Bible, please click here.

Q. What is the difference between the King James Version (KJV) Bible and other versions of the Bible?
A. The King James Bible (KJV) is translated from a different manuscript than other versions of the Bible. The KJV is translated from the Textus Receptus ("received text") while other versions of the Bible are translated from the Critical Text. The Textus Receptus is the oldest manuscript. A man named Origen took the Textus Receptus and changed it around to meet his views of the world and religion, and this "revised" manuscript became known as the "Critical Text". Please click here for a more detailed overview of the differences between the KJV and other versions of the Bible.

Q. Where can I get a free version of the KJV Bible?
A. Click here to read the KJV Bible for free online.

Q. Is there a place I can read the KJV Bible online?
A. There sure is! http://etext.virginia.edu/kjv.browse.html. You can click on the book, and then the chapter of the book. This is the King James Version of the Bible.

Q. Are there books to help me read and learn the Bible?
A. There are many books available to help you learn about the Bible, but be careful about which books you lead, because some of them can lead you astray. The best way to learn about the Bible is to read it for yourself, and decide for yourself what it says.

The main type of book there is to help you learn the Bible is called a Commentary. J. Vernon McGee's commentaries are some of the best. Basically a Bible commentary will take you through the Bible verse by verse with a detailed explanation.

Q. Are there any websites that can help me learn the Bible?
A. Of course! We hope that you will find lots of useful information on CBSB (this site). On the top of this page there are many links including "tools" and "resources" that are there specifically to help you learn and understand the Bible.

Q. Are there any tips for reading the Bible?
A. Of course! One thing I always like to have handy when reading the Bible is a Bible highlighter... these are highlighters made specially for Bibles so that they don't soak through the thin pages. As I'm reading the Bible, I like to highlight passages that are meaningful to me, and sometimes I also write notes with a ball point pen or pencil in the margins of the Bible so that when I read through it again I will remember what I learned about.

It's a good idea to read the Bible with other people, in a type of study group, but it is also a good idea to read your bible in a quiet place where you feel comfortable, and will be able to concentrate on God's Word.

Another good thing to do before reading your Bible is to pray to God to give you wisdom while reading His Word, and to open your heart and mind to His Word, and help you understand. Ask Him in prayer to reveal things to you.

Read More

About God

About God:

Q. What is God like?
A. As stated in the scriptures below, the Bible tells us that God is light and has no darkness (evil) in him at all. God is love. God cannot lie, and God is not the author of confusion (he will not try to confuse us in his Word the Bible), but is the author of peace.

• 1John 1:5 "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."

• 1John 4:8 "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. "

• Titus 1:2 "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began."

• Hebrews 6:18 "That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie..."

• 1Corinthians 14:33 "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."

Q. What are God's other names?
A. God is also known as:


Abba (meaning "daddy" or, "father") Romans 8:15,
Almighty God Deuteronomy 10:17,
Alpha & Omega ("the beginning and the end") Revelation 21:6, Calmer of Storms Psalms 107:29,
Comforter Isaiah 66:13,
Compassionate Lamentations 3:22,
Conqueror of Our/My Enemies Psalms 108:13,
Counselor Isaiah 28:29,
Creator Genesis 1:1,
Director of My/Our Path Proverbs 3:6,
Disciplinarian Psalms 89:32,
Doer of Wonders Psalms 77:14,
El Shaddai (God Almighty) Exodus 6:3,
Emmanuel Isaiah 8:8,
Eternal God Deuteronomy 33:27,
Everlasting God Isaiah 40:28,
Everlasting Strength Isaiah 26:4,
Faithful Lamentations 3:23,
Father Isaiah 63:16,
Father of the Fatherless Psalms 68:5,
Feeder of the Hungry Psalms 146:7,
First & Last Isaiah 41:4,
Forgiving Numbers 14:18,
Gentle Isaiah 40:11,
Gift Giver James 1:17,
Giver of Good Things Matthew 7:11,
Glorious Lord Isaiah 33:21,
Good Psalms 145:7,
Gracious Psalms 145:8,
Great Psalms 145:3,
Healer Exodus 15:26,
Healer of Broken Hearts Psalms 147:3,
Holy One Isaiah 12:6,
Holy Leviticus 19:2,
The Great I Am Exodus 3:14,
In Us All Ephesians 4:6,
Infinite Understanding Psalms 147:5,
Jehovah Jireh (will provide) Genesis 22:14,
Jehovah Nissi (our banner) Exodus 17:15, Jehovah Shalom (our peace) Judges 6:24,
Jehovah Shammah (is there) Ezra 48:35,
Jehovah Tsidkenu (our righteousness) Jeremiah 23:6,
Judge Genesis 18:25,
Just Isaiah 45:21,
Keeper Psalms 121:5,
King of Glory Psalms 24:10,
King of All the Earth Psalms 47:7,
Lawgiver Isaiah 33:22,
Lifter of Our/My Head Psalms 3:3,
Light Psalms 27:1,
Lord Genesis 15:2,
Lord God Omnipotent (all powerful God) Revelation 19:6,
Lord of Hosts Psalms 24:10,
Lord of Lords Deuteronomy 10:17,
Lord of the Sabbath (Lord of the seventh day) Exodus 20:10,
Lord on High Psalms 93:4,
Majesty Psalms 145:5,
Maker of Heaven & Earth Psalms 115:15,
Merciful Ephesians 2:4,
Mighty Luke 1:49,
Mighty in Wisdom Job 36:5,
Miracle Worker Matthew 19:26,
Most High Daniel 7:27,
Never Changing James 1:17,
Omnipresent (everywhere) Psalms 139:7-10,
Peacemaker Proverbs 16:7,
Perfect Matthew 5:48,
Powerful Psalms 66:7,
Promise Keeper Isaiah 46:11,
Provider Matthew 6:31 33,
Ready to Forgive Psalms 86:5,
Reconciler 2Corinthians 5:18 19,
Redeemer Isaiah 54:5,
Refiner Malachi 3:3,
Refuge Psalms 46:1,
Rescuer Daniel 6:27,
Righteous Psalms 5:8,
Rock 2Samuel 22:32,
Rock of Our/My Refuge Psalms 94:22,
Rock of Our/My Salvation Psalms 89:26,
Salvation Psalms 91:16,
Satisfier of Desires Psalms 145:16,
Satisifier of the Longing Soul Psalms 107:9,
Saviour Psalms 106:21,
Shadow from the Heat Is 25:4,
Shepherd Psalms 23,
Shield Psalms 3:3,
Steadfast Daniel 6:26,
Strength to the Needy Isaiah 25:4,
Strength to the Poor Isaiah 25:4,
Our/my Strength Psalms 46:1,
Strong Psalms 89:8,
Sustainer Psalms 3:5,
Teacher Psalms 119 ,
Trustworthy Psalms 144:2,
Truthful 1Samuel 15:29,
Upright Psalms 25:8,
Wisdom Daniel 2:20,
Worthy Revelation 4:11

Q. What is the Holy Ghost?
A. The Holy Ghost is part of the Holy Trinity (see question below). The Holy Ghost is the part of God that lives within us after we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. The Holy Ghost takes our souls to heaven if we are saved.

Q. What is the Holy Trinity?
A. God is a three part being: the Father, the Son (Word), and the Holy Ghost. 1John5:7-8 clearly states this. In Genesis 1:26 and Genesis 3:22, God makes reference to himself as "us" and "our image." "Us" and "our" meaning more than one. Some people think of God (the Holy Trinity) as God having multiple personalities. God's different parts allow him to be in many places at the same time however, unlike a human with multiple personalities.
 
1John 5:7-8 "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one."
 
Genesis 1:26 "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."
 
Genesis 3:22 "And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever..."

Personally I like to think of God (the Holy Trinity) like this: As a human, you and I have many body parts, all of which work together at the same time to make us live.  Our three most important body parts are our brain, our heart, and our soul (consciousness).  God the father is the brain (He created us and can speak things into existence with His Words... he hears all things, sees all things, and knows all things).


Jesus Christ (aka the Word/our Saviour) is like our heart.  Without him we cannot get to heaven.  It is through Christ that we can have eternal life.

The Holy Ghost is that part of God that comes and attaches itself to our soul once we accept Jesus as our Saviour, so that when we die, while our bodies and flesh remain here on earth, our soul can be taken to Heaven.


Q. If God is our creator, then who created God?
A. Nobody created God.  While it is hard for us to wrap our brains around, God was always there, and always existed before time and space.  God created us, the Heavens and the earth, and everything within.  Many people don't understand how God can exist if nobody created him, but that's ok if we don't understand.  Just because we don't understand something completely yet doesn't mean it's not real.  Even today, scientists are still pondering and trying to understand things in science, that they don't have a clear grasp on.

Q. Are God, Allah, and Buddah the same?
A. No, definitely not.  God is our only Lord and Saviour.  He is the one God of creation (the one who created us).  The Bible clearly tells us that there are no other Gods, only God himself, and the Lord of the Bible is the only one that claims that he died in order to cleanse you of all your sins so that you could go to Heaven.  Allah and Buddah were men, not Gods.

About Jesus Christ:

Q. Who is Jesus Christ?

A. Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  He is God.  Jesus Christ was sent to earth as a baby, lived among humans, taught people about God, left us a perfect example of how to live life with every step he took and every word he spoke, and then died on the cross unjustly for sins he did not commit, so that he could take our place in death so that we could have eternal (everlasting) life with him in Heaven.  To learn more about the sacrifice Jesus made for us, and how to get to Heaven, please read the article HERE.

Q. What does Christ mean?
A. Christ means "Son of God."  It is not simply Jesus' last name, it is his title: Jesus Christ = Jesus Son of God.

Q. Why did Jesus Christ die for us?
A. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

The punishment for our sins is eternal death, but God loved us so much, that he gave his one and only son, Jesus Christ, to pay the punishment for our sins so that we wouldn't have to.  To learn more about accepting Christ as your saviour and going to Heaven, please click HERE. 

Q. Will Jesus Christ ever come back to earth again?
A. Yes. According to the book of Revelation (the last book in the Bible) Jesus will soon come back to earth to cleanse it and to reclaim his Kingdom. He will reign for a thousand years, and then cast death and hell into the lake of fire, along with disease and the devil, and then he will continue to reign forevermore, with those who have accepted him at his side.

Q. Are Jesus and Satan brothers?
A. No. Jesus Christ is NOT the brother of Lucifer/Satan, as this is never ever said any place in the Holy Bible of God. Furthermore, the Bible says that Jesus is not created, but that Lucifer is created (an angel... God created all angels). How can they be brothers if Jesus is one with God and is not created, and God created Lucifer? That would mean that if they were brothers, Jesus would have had to create his own brother ( "...God, who created all things by Jesus Christ..."Ephesians 3:9)... Jesus and Satan are NOT brothers.
 
Q. Are there any prophecies about Jesus Christ before he was alive?

A. Yes. Jesus fulfilled around 60 prophecies told by many prophets over many years. To see a list of those prophecies that Jesus fulfilled, click here.

Q. How did Mary give birth to Jesus if she was a virgin, and how was this important?
A. Mary gave birth to Jesus even though she was a virgin because God made her pregnant with Jesus. It is important that Mary was a virgin because of prophecy about the Christ being born to a virgin. A child being born to a virgin was supposed to be a sign that the son of God had arrived. If you think about it, it wouldn't be much of a sign if a young woman gave birth... lots of young women give birth, but a young virgin woman giving birth is not something that has ever happened before or will ever happen again, making it a clear sign.

Read More

Speaking in Tongues: Edifying to whom?

Today when you walk into a church, and hear people in the congregation, or the preacher even, speaking in a different language (mostly words you don't understand) that makes no sense at all, this is what we call speaking in "tongues." Mostly these people who speak in tongues are called "Charismatics," well, because they are charismatic about their faith. You may find yourself asking, what exactly is tongues, aside from speaking a bunch of mumbo jumbo? Well, let's take a look at what the Bible says:

• Act 2:4-11 - And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
  

• Basically the disciples of Jesus stood up in front of a crowd of men from many different places that spoke many different languages, and the Spirit of God filled them and when they spoke the Word of God, every man understood the disciples, even though they all spoke in one language... now how amazing is that? I think that's pretty cool. But you'll notice that the scriptures say: And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? The many people didn't here mumbling and words that they didn't understand... what they heard was the disciples speaking the word of God in their own language... every person there understood every word being said. Now that's a little different than speaking in tongues today. Today when people speak in tongues, it is speaking in words that do not mean anything, that nobody understands.

• So, what else does the Bible say about speaking in tongues?

• 1Corinthians 14:5 - I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

• In 1Corinthians 14:5 we see that it is better to not speak in tongues, but to prophesy instead... and if you have something to do with speaking tongues, you should be interpreting what the person speaking in tongues is saying so that the church may be edified... that's not to say you should jump up and say, "I know what he's saying!" when a person starts speaking in tongues, so that you can receive the credit... it is lying to say you know what is being said if you don't know. Jeremiah 23:31 says Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. God clearly does not like people who lie about what he says... if God today did cause somebody to speak in tongues, and somebody else jumped up and said, "he is saying this, this, and this," and you don't know what is being said, God isn't going to be happy.

• 1Corinthians 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

• While 1Corinthians 14:12 doesn't speak directly to us about speaking in tongues, it does say that while we want to have spiritual gifts, such as speaking in tongues, or healing powers, we should always seek to edify the church, not ourselves. I find that most people say or act like they have a spiritual gift, because they want the credit for having it, not giving the credit to God. We need to realize, that if a person does have a spiritual gift, it isn't because they are special, it isn't because they have done something great or can do something amazing, it is because God is an amazing God and has blessed that person with a gift, from Him. Not because the person was worthy of the gift from God, but because God is good, and gave the person that gift. 1Corinthians 15:10 says But by the grace of God I am what I am.

• 1Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

• 1Corinthians 14:26 asks how come each one of us, or most of us seem to speak in tongues, or have a revelation about God, or know how to interpret tongues, or seem to have some kind of spiritual gift? We need to realize that God doesn't bless everyone with spiritual gifts, and it's ok for us not to have one. God blesses all of us in different ways. And if we do have a gift, again, it should be used to edify the church, not ourselves.

• 1Corinthians 12:1-14 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. To 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:Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. For 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. For 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. For the body is not one member, but many.

• 1Corinthians 12:1-14 tells us that there are many different blessings that God gives us, and that even being saved and confessing Jesus is a blessing from God. It also tells us that no matter what gift God gives you, it is God who gave you that gift, and that it is the same God who has blessed other people with other gifts. It also says that once you are saved, you are not the only one... you, and everybody else is baptized into one body, the body of Jesus Christ... we are all one after we are saved. This again works into edifying the Lord, and edifying the church... see, if you are edifying the whole body, you are also then edifying yourself, but if you only work to make yourself look better, and lift yourself up, you aren't helping anybody but yourself.

• 2Corinthians 12:19 - Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
  

• Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
  

• Ephesians 4:29 is telling us that we need to speak the truth, not corrupt words or mumblings. We need to speak so that others can understand, so that we can tell them of the grace of God, and lead them to Him. What good is it if you are there "speaking in tongues" and nobody can understand you? Will that really help lead somebody to God?

• Acts 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

• In Acts 10:46, we see that they spoke in tongues to "magnify" God, or to praise God and lift him up so that others may see how great he is. When they spoke in tongues, they weren't thinking about their reputation in the church, and they weren't thinking about how special they were because they had been blessed with this gift. They were only thinking about God, which is what we should be doing, whether we speak in tongues or not.

• Acts 19:6 - And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
  

• Now, if you are saved, you have the Holy Ghost in you... you don't need to speak tongues to have the Holy Ghost in you, so it is ok to not speak in tongues. But to speak in tongues, you must have the Holy Ghost come on you as the scripture says... God has to give you this gift. This isn't something you can give yourself.

• 1Corinthians 13:1-4 - Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up...

• You can speak in tongues, and do miracles, and have a great amount of faith, but if you don't have charity (love) in your actions, you have nothing, and are nothing... love envies not, love is not full of itself, and love does not try to build itself up. 1John says, "God is love." God doesn't build himself up... if you are pretending to have a gift of God... speaking tongues, interpreting tongues, prophesying, and God has not given you this gift, you have nothing... you know you have nothing if you are trying to build yourself up instead of edifying the church, and edifying God. When John says, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal," he's telling us that if you don't have God in you... if God hasn't given you the gift of tongues (speaking in one language that people of many languages all understand... in otherwise, not mumbo jumbo) that you will only speak mumbo jumbo, or words that don't make sense (sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal... not words). Can you play a set of drums, and not say a word, and all the sudden everybody around you knows what you were thinking about God and salvation? Of course not... people who claim to speak in tongues today are doing just as much good as just going up to an unsaved person and playing drums without saying a word.

• 1Co 14:2-4 - For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

• When people prophesy it is in a language that other people can understand, so it is edifying to the other people. When you speak in a language others don't understand, you are only building yourself up.
  

• 1Corinthians 14:6 - Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
  

• Again, what does it do for other people if you are walking around speaking in tongues and it doesn't match doctrine, and they can't even understand you and what God is trying to say through you?

• 1Corinthians 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

• Telling people who are unbelievers about prophecies of God does nothing to bring them to God, but to teach God's prophecies to believers is a good thing. 1Corinthians 14:22 also says, that to speak in tongues in front of a bunch of people who are already saved does no good... speaking in tongues is supposed to be a sign to unbelievers that God is there, and that God is real, just like in Acts when the disciples spoke in tongues to a large group of unbelievers, and each person heard them speaking in their own language so that they understood... again, they weren't speaking words that didn't make any sense to anybody. Wouldn't you believe in God if you were standing in a group of people, and some were Americans who only spoke English, and some were Germans who only spoke German, and some were French, who only spoke French, and a Spanish man who only spoke Spanish walked up and began preaching to you about God and his Word in Spanish, but you all understood him as if he were speaking your own language?

• 1Corinthians 14:23 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 unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

• 1Corinthians 14:23 is very important... if you are in a church speaking in tongues, and a non-believer walks in to see what God and church is all about, he or she is going to think you are all crazy and walk out, because they are going to hear you saying, "halalujia chemloliki blachmoogo boogo googo..." instead of hearing you say, "God has a plan for you. God loves you. God wants you to be in heaven with him for eternity so he gave his only begotten son, Jesus Christ so that you could get there and be with him in the end."

• 1Corinthians 14:14-17 - For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 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. 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? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

• Again, if you pray, or sing, or speak in a language others don't understand, you aren't helping others at all, only yourself.

• 1Corinthians 14:27-28 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. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

• The above verse states that if you do speak in tongues, it should be only one or two words at a time, and you should only speak in tongues if there is somebody to CORRECTLY interpret what you are saying. If there is no interpreter, the person speaking in tongues should remain silent, and speak to themselves and to God only, not to others around them or in the church, or at least not while they are still speaking in tongues, again, because it is not edifying to the church to speak in tongues. The Bible has quite a lot to say about speaking in tongues and doing things that are edifying to you vs. doing things that are edifying to the church.

• In summary:

• For the record: speaking in tongues is not speaking in a way that other people don't understand, it is speaking in your own language, but other people in their own language understand you.

• When you prophesy you are edifying the group as a whole, including God. When you speak in tongues, you are only edifying yourself, even if you aren't trying to.

• All things should be done unto edifying God and the church, not yourself.

• God does not like it when you claim to know what somebody speaking in "tongues" is saying when really you do not, because that is saying you know what God is saying, and you are probably going to say something different than what God is trying to say.

• God gives the gift of tongues, not people. You can't give yourself the gift of tongues.

• If you don't speak in tongues, even though other people you know may have that gift, that's ok, because God gives different people different gifts, because God has different purposes for different people. Even just being saved, is an enormous gift from God.

-JW.

Read More