Expert: Dean Gade - 9/12/2006

Question
I am a Christian who has recently discovered the importance of having a relationship with Christ.

I am confused because our Pastor had recently went on a mission, and when he returned he was definitely "different". He began to tell us that the church will be "different" too. It's been about 6 weeks since his return and every Sunday he will make comments like "dont be afraid if people yell out, or roll around, or speak in tongues" I was completely baffled. Because I felt he was kind of encouraging...something, im not sure what. He also says things like..."You need to be in God's presence and allow the Holy Spirit to take over". Well, after that my brother told me some guy at his job was saying that at his church they have classes to teach people how to speak in tongues, and during there services there is a time when everyone in the congregation starts speaking in tongues...After all this I turned to the Bible. The scriptures I read did not sound like they were encouraging people to speak in tongues. It sounded more like at certain times when there was a need, God chose certain individuals to be translators of his message so he gave them this gift.

I think my main concern, other than my utter confusion, is that people at our church will be more concerned about this "idea" or "method" of how to embrace the Holy Spirit, and not staying focused on the true Trinity.  

My question to you is what do you think about all this? ( I hope my scenario made sense)

-Mandy

Answer
It sounds very much like your pastor has had an experience which in the 1970s was called "charismatic" or even "pentacostal".  Some people who learn of the gifts ("Charis" in the Greek of the NT) are so overwhelmed with realizing the spiritual gifts God gives that it takes them a few months to, for lack of a better term, "calm down".

When God first gave the gift of tongues to the apostles, others who saw them said, "They are drunk".

It seems that you have read some parts of the Bible where St. Paul speaks of the problems when people do make speaking in tongues their main focus.  He says that we are to be most interested in sharing the good news of God's love in Christ.  And then even says that the real focus after that is loving others, which is the best enabling gift God has given us.  

But in my long experience in the church, I have seen much good come out of realizing that God is still active in our world and in His church.  But it is He alone which gives the gifts...and He alone gives to each one as He wills. The gifts cannot be forced on any.  And some who do not get, say the gift of tongues, often feel lacking because of the pressure put on them.

St. Paul points out that all do not get all gifts:

1 Cor 12:28-31
"...those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
(from New International Version)

The answer Paul exptects to his question is "No, they don't all..."

However the baggage of traditional pentacostalism includes that tongues are THE sign of the Holy Spirit and if you don't have tongues you don't have the Holy Spirit.  This would mean that you have not been reborn of the Spirit and don't have salvation. This is a very serious false teaching.

I have had to counsel a number people who were taught this and had to give them the assurance of God's love for them and His having called them to be His child.

On the other hand, I repeat, I have seen many good things come out knowing these gifts of God are still being given and being willing to receive whatever gift(s) God wants to give us.  People's lives in Christ are enriched and they become bold in proclaiming His love, the salvation which He has won for us on the cross and the abundant life that He is trying to give us while still on earth.

I believe that the Word of God, the Bible, is the ONLY SOURCE AND NORM OF DOCTRINE.  With that belief I can weigh any teaching and see if it is from God or not.  I would suggest that to you also.  Carfully study all the passages on the gifts given by the Holy Spirit in the Bible and even those in the Old Testament when the Spirit of God was with the Isrealites.  Then be slow to judge what is going on in your congregation...but be ready to point out anything contrary to the Bible.

If you have any further questions, please write again.