It should be noted, however, that all of the works that Weitzman cites as evidence for a competing view are later than Jubilees, and the probably earliest passage among them 2 Cor Although Jubilees apparently rejects the idea of angels speaking esoteric languages, it does not do so for reasons intrinsic to this alternative view.
This understanding fits with the reception of Jubilees at Qumran. The Hebrew-first ideology displayed in 4Q is particularly significant for understanding why the Qumranites depended so much upon the Hebrew language, at a time when Aramaic was the dominant tongue of Palestinian 31 2 9 Newsom Weitzman Andersen Eshel and Stone ; ; Stone and Eshel Scott n.
Zeph 3. Here I would simply point out that 4Q is not the eschatological text that others have supposed it to be, and that its use of Zeph 3. This interpretation is in keeping, not only with the principles of Qumranic exegesis, but also with the Qumranic understanding of Hebrew. Sotah 33a b. Amora R. Yocha3 2 See Lim On the importance of Hebrew for the Qumranites, see Schniedewind For a more detailed argument, see Poirier Although R.
The tradition is found at two places in the Babylonian Talmud: b. But may the Tefillah be recited in any language? For R. And do not the ministering angels understand Aramaic? And they wrote down the time [of the heavenly voice] and it agreed. And it was in Aramaic. You may say that a heavenly voice [speaks] so that I will understand, or you may say that it was Gabriel: that as a master said, Gabriel came and taught seventy languages.
It is different for an invalid, for the shekinah is with him. It was also taught: the one who enters to visit the invalid does not sit on a bed or on a seat, but must 1 B. Sotah deal with whether one may say various blessings and invocations in any language one pleases, or only in Hebrew. The context therefore implies that angels understand Hebrew. It should be pointed out, however, that, unless one has already ruled out prayer in Greek, etc.
This makes it likely that the situation to which R. Yochanan was trying to put a stop to that. Perhaps he would have put a stop to praying in Greek as well, if that were also common in his community, but we cannot know for certain.
Overall, the rabbis are less concerned about Greek, but it is not clear whether that reflects greater openness toward that language or simply less contact with it. The notion that angels take an active role in prayer was widespread in late antiquity. The classic example of this notion is found in Tob Bless and sing praise to his name. With fitting honor declare to all people the deeds of God. And 12 when it will, it will claim its divorce in court and depart, leaving our home 13 desolate of life.
Press it as we may to stay, it will escape from our hands. So 14 subtle is it of nature, that it affords no grip or handle to the body. Of these last some, longing for the familiar and 36 accustomed ways of mortal life, again retrace their steps, while others 37 pronouncing that life great foolery call the body a prison and a tomb, and 38 39 9 Yli-Karjanmaa, Reincarnation.
Others there are of 3 perfect purity and excellence, gifted with a higher and diviner temper, 4 that have never felt any craving after the things of earth, but are viceroys 5 of the Ruler of the universe. Group 1 experiences reincar- 11 nation, group 2 escapes the cycle of reincarnation into the ether, and group 3 12 are the holy angels. They are 19 consecrated and devoted to the service of the Father and Creator whose 20 wont it is to employ them as ministers and helpers, to have charge and 21 care of mortal man.
But the others descending into the body as though 22 into a stream have sometimes been caught in the swirl of its rushing tor- 23 rent and swallowed up thereby, at other times have been able to stem the 24 current, have risen to the surface and then soared upwards back to the 25 place from whence they came. Philo described 2 what happened at his death: 3 4 The body, the shell-like growth which encased him, was being stripped 5 away and the soul laid bare and yearning for its natural removal hence.
He is to leave this physical world and enter an im- 22 material one. Wolfson , 1. Gen No room in him for add- 17 ing or taking away. In QE 2. And 32 beyond the world there is no place but God. There is no sense of cor- 8 poreal reincarnation of the righteous in Philo. It is not a birth into 11 another body. That place is most fitly called the place of the impious, but 36 it is not that mythical place of the impious in Hades. For the true Hades 37 38 17 Wolfson, Philo, Does this 27 fate apply only to the body, or also to the soul?
We may re- 5 call that Philo expressed the view that what is created can be destroyed, but 6 can also be granted immortality by God Decal. One could interpret these 7 statements to mean that God grants immortality only to deserving souls, just 8 as he granted immortality to the world. After returning from mortal bodies to the air, Philo wrote that 17 18 some, longing for the familiar and accustomed ways of mortal life, again 19 retrace their steps, while others pronouncing that life great foolery call 20 the body a prison and a tomb, and escaping as though from a dungeon or 21 a grave, are lifted up on light wings to the upper air and range the heights 22 forever.
Their souls are doomed to keep returning to mortal bodies until they 27 realize what prisons bodies are. The mortal nature of the bodies can overcome 28 the souls, according to Gig. The souls which have sunk beneath the 33 stream, are the souls of the others who have held no account of wisdom. Philo describes them moving at 10 times towards the one extreme and at times toward the other. Upon physical death, the souls return 36 to whence they came.
In his thought the orientation must in any case be away from 16 the corporeal and towards the divine; this brings happiness, its opposite mis- 17 ery. This is sufficient for Philo to be able to justify his ethical standards. In commenting on the blessings for following the cove- 23 nant, Philo described this climax Praem. This conversion in a body to 14 virtue will strike awe into their masters, who will set them free, ashamed 15 to rule over men better than themselves.
When they have gained this un- 16 expected liberty, those who but now were scattered … will arise and post 17 from every side with one impulse to the one appointed place … by a vi- 18 sion divine … unseen by others but manifest to them as they pass from 19 exile to their home. Compare b. And then its later successor whose source is selfishness and 3 its method deliberate will be easily settled, because men, I believe, will 4 take shame.
Their 18 abundance would come from plentiful harvests in conjunction with frugality 19 Praem. His view that the gathering of the virtuous, in addition 31 to being a real future event, was also a metaphor for the return of the mind to 32 God is demonstrated in Praem.
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Free forex robot trader | Weitzman Sotah 33a b. Upon physical death, the souls return 36 to whence they came. Yochanan was trying to put a stop to that. It should be pointed out, however, that, unless one has already ruled out prayer in Greek, etc. |
Live odds tracker | This would seem to detract from any attempt to generalize R. Philo, 10 vols. Scott n. In an effort to show that the mind is beyond compre- 2 hension Somn. Sotah 33a b. |
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Statarea betting predictions | Scott n. For a more detailed argument, see Poirier He is to leave this physical world and enter an im- 22 material one. Although Jubilees apparently rejects the idea of angels speaking esoteric languages, it does not do so for reasons intrinsic to this alternative view. Yocha3 2 See Lim |
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Apparently, the tendency for division among the Corinthian Christians had made them think separately or competitively about the gifts. Paul emphasizes to them that one and the same Spirit works all these things, so they should reflect that same unity among themselves.
Distributing to each one individually as He wills: Here is another reason for unity, and a reason against any sense of superiority regarding the gifts. They are distributed not according to the will of man, but as the Spirit of God wills — as He wills. As they are given as He wills, and sometimes if not often, the will and wisdom of God is different than our will and wisdom Isaiah , we should never assume the gifts are distributed as we would distribute them.
Often, we assume spiritual gifts are given because a person is especially spiritually mature or closer to God, but this may not be the case at all. We should never assume that giftedness is connected to maturity. God can and does, for His own glory and purpose, distribute spiritual gifts to those who are not especially spiritually mature or close to Him. This is why spiritual giftedness is never the criteria for positions of leadership among Christians, but Christian maturity and character are 1 Timothy and Titus God can grant anyone remarkable spiritual gifts in a moment, but character and maturity take time to build.
If the Spirit distributes to each one individually as He wills, why would He choose to give a particular gift at a particular moment? Distributing as He wills: Though the manifestations of the Spirit are given as the Spirit wills, the believer still must receive them with faith. He distributes and we receive, and the receiving and exercising of the gifts is often very natural.
Are some of these gifts of the Holy Spirit no longer given to the Church today? This is an issue that has greatly divided the body of Christ, both theologically, and spiritually. There are others who think those who believe some of the gifts are no longer given are unspiritual and dead in their walk with God. Often, Calvary Chapel churches are respected for their Biblical balance when it comes to the gifts of the Holy Spirit and their place in church life.
However, balance is meaningless unless it is a Biblical balance. First, we must understand the issue. Virtually no Christian believes all the gifts have ceased in the church today. All Christians believe the gifts of teaching and administration are given and needed in the church today. It is the gifts that have a miraculous nature which are in dispute.
Therefore, many people divide up the gifts into different categories: communicative, administrative, miraculous. Then, they often say the miraculous gifts died out with the apostles or when the New Testament came together. Yet it is important to observe that such divisions and categories are not Biblical. Nowhere does any Biblical writer categorize the gifts in such a way, and then say some categories of gifts will remain but others will cease.
Are some of them no longer being given by God? What does the Bible say about the continuation of all the gifts of the Spirit? Jesus made a promise in Mark And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.
This is a simple and straightforward promise, in context, given to those who are involved in spreading the gospel — they will be unstoppable, and God will even use miraculous means to protect them and make them effective. Acts , Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear… For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.
The promise of the Holy Spirit — specifically including miraculous gifts — is a promise made to all generations. The purpose for spiritual gifts, even miraculous gifts, is the building up of the body of Christ and individual Christians; that need remains today.
The natural, consistent testimony of the New Testament is that the miraculous gifts described in the New Testament have not been retracted. No one with a fresh reading of the Scriptures could ever come to such an understanding. There is no indication that miraculous gifts would die out when the apostles died.
Little is said about the continuation of all the gifts because it was a given among the apostles. Why do some Christians believe some gifts of the Holy Spirit are no longer given by God today? They have a wrong understanding of history, and they believe that historically, the miraculous gifts actually did cease when the apostles died or perhaps even before.
They have a wrong understanding of 1 Corinthians , which says that tongues will cease explained in the notes on 1 Corinthians They have a wrong understanding of Hebrews , which says that God bore witness with signs and wonders and various miracles by the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The idea is that the only real reason miracles and gifts were given was to authenticate revelation, and there is no longer a need for that. As well, it is explained that there were three main areas of revelation the times of Moses, Elijah and Elisha, and New Testament times , and that for the most part, miracles only happened then because God needed to authenticate revelation. But if miracles only happened around certain times of revelation, then there is a substantial amount of revelation that is unaccounted for by miracles — everything from Judges through Song of Solomon.
If miracles do authenticate revelation, then we are in trouble, because false prophets can and do perform authenticating miracles Exodus , , , Deuteronomy , and 2 Thessalonians The primary purpose of miracles was to humbly meet the needs of people. In Matthew , Jesus condemned those who sought to authenticate revelation by miraculous signs; He offered them no other sign other than His own resurrection. In John , Jesus provided one miraculous sign to the seeking: His resurrection.
In John , after the feeding of the 5,, people followed Jesus just to receive more miraculous bread, and Jesus rebuked them for their refusal to believe in Him and to see what Jesus had already done. Miracles are an insufficient evidence of authentic revelation.
We agree that miracles have a purpose in impressing unbelievers and believers with the power of God, but that is clearly their secondary purpose. They make a wrong application of the truth that things like speaking in tongues have demonic counterparts, and are not unique to Christianity. This is certainly true and recognized by Scripture; however, the existence of a counterfeit tends to prove the existence of the genuine, not deny it.
Does the history of Christianity demonstrate that some of the gifts passed away? If so, when and how? Although the issue is finally settled with what the Bible says, the voice of history is also compelling. Those who believe the miraculous gifts ceased claim the testimony of history supports them. History says it, Jesus says it, theology says it, and the New Testament itself attests to the fact. But history has another testimony, and if we will just let history speak, it will tell us.
Later, at the end of the fourth century and into the Middle Ages, the gifts were said to have ceased, and they were certainly neglected. Other factors were also involved. But if you would have gone up to a Christian in A. The diversity and unity of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.
For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. Paul clearly says we were all baptized into one body. But here, Paul does not have in mind water baptism as much as Spirit baptism: For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.
One body… many members: Paul uses the brilliant illustration of the human body to relate the working of the community of Christians. Even as every cell in a human body is linked by a common root a common DNA code , yet the parts of our body members look different, are treated differently, work differently, and accomplish different purposes.
Even so, there is great diversity in the body of Jesus Christ, both in appearance and function, yet each member has a common root and a common goal. Jew, Greek, slave, free, did not matter anymore, because they were all in one body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.
If the foot should say: If the foot felt or declared itself not part of the body because it was not a hand, the foot would be both foolish and mistaken. Diversity does not disqualify one from the body. Here, Paul puts the question in the mouth of the one who feels excluded from the body. So Paul wants these Christians who felt excluded to know they are indeed members of the body, and their sense that they are not is just as foolish as the foot or the ear that feels excluded.
Yet the same principle can be stated towards those who want to exclude others from the body. Not only is this diversity in the body of Jesus Christ acceptable, it is essential. The body cannot work properly if all are hands or if all are eyes. The body must have different parts and gifts, or it would not work together effectively as a body. Just as He pleased: Why is the foot a foot and the hand a hand?
Because it pleased the Designer to make it so. Each serves the pleasure of the Designer. In the design, we see the wisdom of the Designer: everybody has something; but nobody has everything. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need.
But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. And the eye cannot say to the hand: Now Paul writes to those tempted to pride and a sense of superiority because of their gifts or place in the body. Those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary: Often, we consider a part of our body unnecessary or of low importance, until it is hurt — then we realize how important it is!
Less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor: The parts of our bodies normally covered by clothes are often considered less honorable, but we give them greater honor by clothing them so carefully. These, when compared with the arms and limbs, are comparatively weak; and some of them, considered in themselves, uncomely and less honourable; yet these are more essential to life than any of the others.
The Corinthian Christians should care for one another because they are all part of the same body. The parts of the body work together. The eyes and ears do not only serve themselves, but the whole body. The hands do not only feed and defend themselves, but the whole body. The heart does not only supply blood to itself, but serves the whole body. Sometimes there is a part of our body that only lives to serve itself.
We call this cancer. We do not want any drones. If there are any of you who want to eat and drink, and do nothing, there are plenty of places elsewhere, where you can do it; there are empty pews about in abundance; go and fill them, for we do not want you.
Every Christian who is not a bee is a wasp. The most quarrelsome persons are the most useless, and they who are the most happy are peaceable, are generally those who are doing most for Christ. Just tell us what to do. He also knows that ultimately, the best results are based on understanding! And if one member suffers: The care for one another mentioned in the previous verse is now explained.
It means to have a heart towards, and sympathy with, our fellow members, though they be different. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
Are all apostles? V 13 For we were all baptized W by[ c ] one Spirit X so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free Y —and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Z 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? AC 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment.
But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. AL 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets?
Jesus made a promise in Mark And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. This is a simple and straightforward promise, in context, given to those who are involved in spreading the gospel — they will be unstoppable, and God will even use miraculous means to protect them and make them effective.
Acts , Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear… For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.
The promise of the Holy Spirit — specifically including miraculous gifts — is a promise made to all generations. The purpose for spiritual gifts, even miraculous gifts, is the building up of the body of Christ and individual Christians; that need remains today. The natural, consistent testimony of the New Testament is that the miraculous gifts described in the New Testament have not been retracted.
No one with a fresh reading of the Scriptures could ever come to such an understanding. There is no indication that miraculous gifts would die out when the apostles died. Little is said about the continuation of all the gifts because it was a given among the apostles. Why do some Christians believe some gifts of the Holy Spirit are no longer given by God today? They have a wrong understanding of history, and they believe that historically, the miraculous gifts actually did cease when the apostles died or perhaps even before.
They have a wrong understanding of 1 Corinthians , which says that tongues will cease explained in the notes on 1 Corinthians They have a wrong understanding of Hebrews , which says that God bore witness with signs and wonders and various miracles by the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The idea is that the only real reason miracles and gifts were given was to authenticate revelation, and there is no longer a need for that. As well, it is explained that there were three main areas of revelation the times of Moses, Elijah and Elisha, and New Testament times , and that for the most part, miracles only happened then because God needed to authenticate revelation.
But if miracles only happened around certain times of revelation, then there is a substantial amount of revelation that is unaccounted for by miracles — everything from Judges through Song of Solomon. If miracles do authenticate revelation, then we are in trouble, because false prophets can and do perform authenticating miracles Exodus , , , Deuteronomy , and 2 Thessalonians The primary purpose of miracles was to humbly meet the needs of people. In Matthew , Jesus condemned those who sought to authenticate revelation by miraculous signs; He offered them no other sign other than His own resurrection.
In John , Jesus provided one miraculous sign to the seeking: His resurrection. In John , after the feeding of the 5,, people followed Jesus just to receive more miraculous bread, and Jesus rebuked them for their refusal to believe in Him and to see what Jesus had already done. Miracles are an insufficient evidence of authentic revelation. We agree that miracles have a purpose in impressing unbelievers and believers with the power of God, but that is clearly their secondary purpose.
They make a wrong application of the truth that things like speaking in tongues have demonic counterparts, and are not unique to Christianity. This is certainly true and recognized by Scripture; however, the existence of a counterfeit tends to prove the existence of the genuine, not deny it. Does the history of Christianity demonstrate that some of the gifts passed away?
If so, when and how? Although the issue is finally settled with what the Bible says, the voice of history is also compelling. Those who believe the miraculous gifts ceased claim the testimony of history supports them.
History says it, Jesus says it, theology says it, and the New Testament itself attests to the fact. But history has another testimony, and if we will just let history speak, it will tell us. Later, at the end of the fourth century and into the Middle Ages, the gifts were said to have ceased, and they were certainly neglected. Other factors were also involved. But if you would have gone up to a Christian in A.
The diversity and unity of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. Paul clearly says we were all baptized into one body. But here, Paul does not have in mind water baptism as much as Spirit baptism: For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.
One body… many members: Paul uses the brilliant illustration of the human body to relate the working of the community of Christians. Even as every cell in a human body is linked by a common root a common DNA code , yet the parts of our body members look different, are treated differently, work differently, and accomplish different purposes. Even so, there is great diversity in the body of Jesus Christ, both in appearance and function, yet each member has a common root and a common goal.
Jew, Greek, slave, free, did not matter anymore, because they were all in one body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be?
But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. If the foot should say: If the foot felt or declared itself not part of the body because it was not a hand, the foot would be both foolish and mistaken. Diversity does not disqualify one from the body. Here, Paul puts the question in the mouth of the one who feels excluded from the body.
So Paul wants these Christians who felt excluded to know they are indeed members of the body, and their sense that they are not is just as foolish as the foot or the ear that feels excluded. Yet the same principle can be stated towards those who want to exclude others from the body. Not only is this diversity in the body of Jesus Christ acceptable, it is essential. The body cannot work properly if all are hands or if all are eyes. The body must have different parts and gifts, or it would not work together effectively as a body.
Just as He pleased: Why is the foot a foot and the hand a hand? Because it pleased the Designer to make it so. Each serves the pleasure of the Designer. In the design, we see the wisdom of the Designer: everybody has something; but nobody has everything. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.
And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. And the eye cannot say to the hand: Now Paul writes to those tempted to pride and a sense of superiority because of their gifts or place in the body.
Those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary: Often, we consider a part of our body unnecessary or of low importance, until it is hurt — then we realize how important it is! Less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor: The parts of our bodies normally covered by clothes are often considered less honorable, but we give them greater honor by clothing them so carefully.
These, when compared with the arms and limbs, are comparatively weak; and some of them, considered in themselves, uncomely and less honourable; yet these are more essential to life than any of the others. The Corinthian Christians should care for one another because they are all part of the same body.
The parts of the body work together. The eyes and ears do not only serve themselves, but the whole body. The hands do not only feed and defend themselves, but the whole body. The heart does not only supply blood to itself, but serves the whole body. Sometimes there is a part of our body that only lives to serve itself. We call this cancer. We do not want any drones. If there are any of you who want to eat and drink, and do nothing, there are plenty of places elsewhere, where you can do it; there are empty pews about in abundance; go and fill them, for we do not want you.
Every Christian who is not a bee is a wasp. The most quarrelsome persons are the most useless, and they who are the most happy are peaceable, are generally those who are doing most for Christ. Just tell us what to do. He also knows that ultimately, the best results are based on understanding! And if one member suffers: The care for one another mentioned in the previous verse is now explained.
It means to have a heart towards, and sympathy with, our fellow members, though they be different. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. You are the body of Christ, and members individually: Paul sums up his previous point. Even as a human body is a unified whole with many different parts, so also is the body of Jesus Christ.
Now Paul will write about the different parts of the body. Another hand, from his laborious exertions in the Church. Another foot, from his industrious travels to spread abroad the knowledge of Christ crucified: and so of others. Paul and others in his day had a unique apostolic authority, which will never be repeated because the foundation of the church has already been set Ephesians Prophets: These are those particularly called to speak forth for God with the gift of prophecy.
There was a unique, foundational authority to this gift as well Ephesians However, God raises up those to speak to the church and the world with a special blessing and power. Workers of miracles: Those used of God to do miracles. Helps: This has in mind those who help, or assist, others in doing the work of the Lord.
They are the sort of brethren who are useful anywhere, who can always stop a gap, and who are only too glad when they find that they can make themselves serviceable to the church of God in any capacity whatever. An old Puritan preacher once did a great sermon on this text: And Bartholomew Matthew His point was that Bartholomew is never mentioned by himself, but always with the phrase and Bartholomew. He is always spoken of doing something good with someone else. He was never the leader, but always a helper.
Since tongues is a communicative gift, used in speaking to God, the gift of tongues should be desired when the individual feels a lack in their ability to communicate with God. When one feels hindered in their ability to talk to God using their given language, they can and should ask God for the empowering to communicate with God in a language which He understands, but which surpasses their understanding.
If someone feels satisfied with their ability to communicate with God, there is really no need for the gift of tongues, and it should not be desired until one does want a communication with God which goes beyond understanding. Earnestly desire the best gifts: Though the Holy Spirit gives the gifts, it is good and proper for us to desire them, and to ask for them, all in submission to the plan of God. Z 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
AC 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.
AL 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?