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.

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The Book of 3 John

Bible Study: The Book of 3 John

1:1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

In 1:2 we can see that John recognizes that Gaius’ soul is prospering (in other words he is laying up treasures in heaven rather than on earth… following the ways of Jesus). John wishes him as much good health and prosperity as his soul has.

1:3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Brethren have reported back to John in 1:3 that Gaius is walking in the truth (John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me). Obviously Gaius is following Jesus’ teachings. In 1:4 when John refers to Gaius as his child, I believe he is referring not to his physical child, but to his spiritual family… John probably lead Gaius to salvation, then making him his child and John his father… John is very pleased that Gaius has continued to walk in the ways of Jesus.

1:5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
1:6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:

Gaius does good for not only those he knows and is spiritual brothers with, but also shows his love and kindness to strangers… we need to recognize that only showing that we have Christ in us to those who are already saved doesn’t do any good for those that aren’t saved… we should show our love to all people… look at Christ, who prayed for his enemies while he was hanging on the cross. Jesus has given us the best example of how to live our lives… we need to walk as Jesus walked and do as he did, because this is the way we will do well, not only here on earth, but also in heaven.

1:7 Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
1:8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

Even though you and I may not be good at preaching the word, we should accept the help others may give us in doing this so that we can do our part to get the word out and tell everybody the good news.

1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

Diotrephes is the pastor of another church. John wrote him a letter, but Diotrephes, who likes to be the most knowledgeable and be in charge is unwilling to allow John to visit the church.

1:10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

Diotrephes speaks badly of John and his followers, probably out loud to the church congregation (something a good pastor wouldn’t do). Diotrephes won’t even receive John’s followers, Diotrephes fellow brethren, and forbids anybody in his church to receive them. If somebody doesn’t do something Diotrephes likes, he casts them out of the church… this seems like a dictatorship to me, instead of a family. To me this church sounds like it would be an unhappy one.

You know, the Bible talks a lot about doing things that are edifying to God and to the church, instead of to yourself… Diotrephes seems to only want to do things edifying to himself. Romans 14:19 also says, “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” We should try to lift other people up and help them, and not just try to make ourselves look good. Diotrephes doesn’t want John and his followers to pay the church a visit, because he is afraid he will not look as good or as smart if they do.

1:11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

John reminds us that we need to good, not evil. A person who does good is of God, and a person who has evil in his heart and does evil things obviously doesn’t known God… I think you have to wonder about a person who claims to be saved, and yet does evil things. Diotrephes would be an example of one of these people… just reading John’s description of the things he does or refuses to do, I have to wonder if he really accepted Jesus as his savior and Lord of his life… when you become saved, a change takes place within you… not a physical change, but a change in your heart, because the Holy Ghost will be in you, and you will want to do good things, or to change for the better for God. Don’t forget, our flesh will still sin, but our soul will not. It is human nature to sin, but there is a difference between simply sinning, and trying to be better, than to have evil in your heart and want to do evil.

1:12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
1:13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
1:14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

In this epistle (letter) John has shown Gaius an example of a bad role model (diotrephes) and a good role model (Demetrius, who hath good report of all men and of the truth itself).

Having too much to write to Gaius in a letter, he tells him that he will be coming to talk to him in person. He wishes him peace, gives him greetings from friends, and tells him in the end to greet friends by name.

-JW.

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The Book of 2 John

Bible Study: The book of 2 John

Note: While there is no reliable source that tells us John the apostle is the author of this book, “The elder” in verse one is traditionally thought to be John. Second John touches on a few things the book of 1 John goes into in more detail.


1:1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

While some believe “the elect lady and her children” are a noble woman and her family, I think this verse is John addressing a church and the church’s congregation.


1:2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.


When John refers to “the truths sake” he is referring to Jesus. John 14:6 says: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus tells us he is the “truth” which is obviously what John is referring to here. We also know this because we know that once we are saved, we have the Holy ghost in us, and we will never lose our salvation (“and shall be with us forever”).


1:3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.


Here the author is trying to bless the “elect lady” and her children, and is quick to remind us that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.


1:4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.


The author is pleased to hear that the elect lady and her children (church and congregation) are keeping God’s commandments and walking in the truth. Because Jesus is the truth, I believe that this also means to follow Jesus and the ways that he has shown us. At every step of Jesus Christ’s life he has shown us how we should live. 1Peter 2:21 tells us, “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” 1 John 2:6 says, “ He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” We know from the Bible that it is not enough to just say you believe in Jesus. A good example of this would be: If you walked around drunk all the time, and then one day went out to try and save some souls, you are probably going to run into people who have seen you stumbling around drunk, who are then not going to care what you have to say, because you’re not acting very much like Christ. People will think, “How can he be a Christian? They can’t even take care of their own life, why should I trust them to take care of my soul?” So we can see why John is so pleased to hear that this elect lady and her children are walking in the truth, and not simply claiming to be believers.


1:5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
1:6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.


In 1:5 John is pleading with the elect lady to follow God’s commandment to love one another. John admits that this is not a new commandment, but one that we have had from the beginning. In 1:6 John tells us what love is: “that we walk after his commandments.” If we love God, we will try to do as he wants us to, and walk as he walked.


1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

John tells us in 1:7 that there are many “deceivers” that are in the world… people who would act as if they are connected to God in some way, but never confess that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior… that he was born as man and died as their sins. He tells us these people who would try to deceive us into believing they are followers of God but never accept Christ are called an “antichrist.”


1:9 tells us that whoever doesn’t abide in Christ’s teachings doesn’t have God and isn’t saved. Remember that once you are saved, your flesh will continue to sin, but your soul is clean, and will not sin… your body doesn’t go to heaven, but if you are saved, your clean soul does go to heaven.


1:10 tells us that if an antichrist comes to you, don’t bid him God speed… I think this is important: why would you bid somebody God speed, or, “May God go with you and help you with your task,” if they don’t have plans to do things for God… people who aren’t saved don’t have God in their hearts, and don’t want to do good things for God. Now that’s not to say it’s not ok to pray for the unsaved. 1:11 tells us that if you bid the antichrist God speed you then become part of his evil deeds. I'm pretty sure this is just like being the getaway driver for a bank robber...

1:12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
1:13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.


Because John has many things to speak to the “elect lady” he is planning on trying to meet with them instead of writing it all out on paper.


In 1:13 when he says, “The children of thy elect sister greet thee,” I believe this is also a sign that the “elect lady,” and her children refers to a church, and not an actual person. If you think about the word “elect” defined in the Websters 1828 dictionary as: “Chosen, but no inaugurated, consecrated or invested with office; as bishop elect; emperor elect; governor or mayor elect. But in the scriptures, and in theology, this word is generally used as a noun.” And also defined as, “Chosen; selected; set apart as a peculiar church and people; applied to the Israelites. Is.45,” we can see that this elect lady is probably a type of office, such as the one the pastor of a church might hold. If the elect lady and her elect sister were two churches, it would make sense that their children are the congregations of those two churches.


-JW.

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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.

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