OE Bisong

Run far away from any Christian that slanders Kenneth Hagin.

This is why heresy hunting gatekeepers annoy me so badly. The pop off because on a surface-level, initial hearing it sounds bad. Did Jesus HAVE to be virgin born in order to be divine? Did He HAVE to be virgin born in order to be sinless? WLC says no, and to say yes would mean God was *unable* to accomplish these things without a virgin birth. But like all cynical gatekeepers, if it’s something the grand authorities of Sproul and MacArthur never taught, it’s bad no matter what.

I mentioned this during the Space. We can engage the gift of tongues willfully in the domain of prayer. This is because tongues is a verbal gift given to the believer so that he may worship God through it. Gordon Fee agrees. I hate to quote scholars because the texts speak for themselves. But let's hear Fee: “Paul’s language assumes that glossolalia can be initiated and terminated at will.” That is why Paul says: “I WILL sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.” (1 Corinthians 14:15) He also says: “Otherwise, if YOU give thanks with the spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say ‘Amen’…?” (1 Corinthians 14:16) And earlier he states plainly: “I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also.” (1 Corinthians 14:15) So Paul linked tongues to: Prayer Singing Thanksgiving Paul speaks this way because he possessed the gift, and it is in the very nature of the gift to be engaged willfully. Scripture presents tongues as one of the means by which we worship God, through prayer, singing, and thanksgiving. These three are not optional; they are commands we are to practice intentionally, consistently, and willfully. Most scholars agree tongues is worship speech. Craig S. Keener “In 1 Corinthians 14, tongues are addressed to God and function as prayer or praise.” Max Turner “Tongues function primarily as prayer and praise rather than as revelation for others.” Gordon D. Fee “It is clear that speaking in tongues is prayer or praise directed to God.” “What is spoken in tongues is addressed to God and is therefore a form of worship, not instruction.” Anthony C. Thiselton “Glossolalia is not speech addressed to other human beings but prayer or praise addressed to God.” This distinguishes tongues from other gifts, such as prophecy, healing, faith, and miracles. These are primarily exercised horizontally, that is, toward other believers. Tongues, however, is unique in that it can operate both horizontally (to edify the church when interpreted) and vertically (directed to God). We cannot prophesy to God. What could we reveal to Him that He has not already revealed to us? But Scripture does say: “For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God… he utters mysteries in the Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 14:2) In conclusion, by God’s sovereign design, the very nature of the gift of tongues is that it can be used in prayer as worship toward Him. That is why Paul says he will pray in the Spirit. Therefore, for the believer who has received the gift of tongues, it is entirely biblical to use it in prayer—uttering mysteries to God. This is precisely what Arome was saying here. Gordon Fee says it can be willfully initiated and terminated. Arome says the same. Only that Arome says when you pray in tongues, you maximise the investment of the holy spirit in you. Which makes more spiritually pragmatic sense.