Michael I am sad to understand that you do not believe in any Pentecostal ministry today. We do not support or promote the Toronto blessing or any wacky unscriptural misuse of spiritual gifts, We don't support Benny Hin or the like. We want to see Roman Catholics saved and out of Rome etc. But as a follower of Jesus Christ I am led by His Holy Spirit to believe from Holy Scripture that spiritual gifts are for the church today. I realize that a lot of Charismatic leaders have become heretics and some may not have even been saved at all. But in amongst the deceivers there are true believers, born again, Spirit filled, Spirit led, followers of Jesus or Lord.
We are all still growing up in Christ, learning from Him. Can I suggest you look at a small study concerning tongues. Now Michael i am not thinking that i can change your mind, but God's Word speakes for Himself. Once you have done the study below from the alpha and omega Bible course, email me and let me know why some of your videos teach that there are only tongues to men. Due to your email I assume that this is what you believe.
Michael my brother in Jesus i will of course tone down/alter the way that i have spoken about yourself and penfold books. It saddens me to do so but in the love of Jesus i will of do as you have requested. I will make it clear that we are not affiliated with yourselves.
This is only a small study. We hope you enjoy God's Word in it.
The Scripture says in 1 Cor 12 vs 10 “different kinds of tongues”.
1st there are tongues that speak to men. 2nd tongues that speak to God. 3rd tongues that sing to God. 4th tongues that bless in giving thanks to God.
C) 1st tongues that speak to men. Acts 2 vs 4. “They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance”. The disciples who spoke in tongues did not know the languages they spoke.
The hearers were Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven who spoke different languages. Acts 2 vs 8 “We hear each in our own language in which we were born”. In this situation, the gift of tongues was given as a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophesy 28 vs 11-12 confirmed in 1 Cor 14 vs 21. Unbelievers heard about the wonderful works of God miraculously in their own language. This tongue to men continues today as the Holy Spirit Wills.
Question 34. Do you agree with the whole of the above section C ?
As part of your Christian fundamentalist course work, you will need to answer this question.
D) 2nd tongues that speak to God. 1 Cor 14 vs 2 “For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no-one understands him; however in the spirit he speaks mysteries”. Speaking to God in tongues 1 Cor 14 vs 4 says. “He who speaks in a tongue edifies/emboldens/builds up himself”. 1 Cor 14 vs 28. Says “If there is no interpreter let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. 1 Cor 14 vs 13 says “Let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret”. Its important to read 1 Cor 14 vs 26-33. What is the conclusion then ? “I will pray in the spirit (speak to God in a tongue), and I will also pray with the understanding”. Not empty or meaningless thoughts, but Holy Spirit led prayers in awe of God and to God.
Question 35. Do you agree with the whole of the above section D ?
As part of your Christian fundamentalist course work, you will need to answer this question.
E) 3rd tongues that sing to God. 1 Cor 14 vs 15. “I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding”. This can be part of our worship of the Almighty. Singing to Him in tongues. Colossians 3 vs 16-17.
Question 36. Do you agree with the whole of the above section E ?
As part of your Christian fundamentalist course work, you will need to answer this question.
F) 4th tongues that bless in giving thanks to God. 1 Cor 14 vs 16-19. When thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say A-men at thy giving of thanks, seeing he undersandeth not what thou sayest ?
When blessing God in the spirit pray that you may interpret in words of understanding so that others can say Amen.
Question 37. Do you agree with the whole of the above section F ?
As part of your Christian fundamentalist course work, you will need to answer this question.
G) Christianity is not anti-intellectual. Jesus commanded us to love God with all our minds as in Matthew 22 vs 37. 1 Cor 14 vs 23 gives a clear teaching that our Lord doesn't want His people to be seen as out of their mind. This is very important and overlooked by many Christians. God want’s us to be seen as one with a sound mind. 2 Tim 1 vs 7. Christians who lack self control, can be seen as out of their mind. We should read Gal 5 vs 22-23. Christianity is a sober and reasonable belief. Isaiah 1 vs 18 says. “Come let us reason together Says the Lord”. Christians should be orderly and not look wild and senseless causing confusion. 1 Cor 14 vs 33. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are to build up the church. Glorify God, and aid, in reaching the lost. Jesus is to remain our focus. Love is more important than any of the spiritual gifts. Believers are to pursue love and the gifts. 1 Cor 13 vs 1. The full council of God gives us understanding, some Christians when they think of the gift of tongues they forget the bible actually speaks of different kinds of tongues. In forgetting, some Christians over emphasis tongues to men, and then speak out against the other tongues, saying that they are not of God because they aren't a human language. As we have seen in this study different kinds of tongues are among the gifts of the Holy Spirit to His Church.
Question 38. Do you agree with the whole of the above section G ?
As part of your Christian fundamentalist course work, you will need to answer this question.
H) The ability to speak in tongues alone is not proof of a person being filled with the Holy Spirit. Counterfeit tongues exist in many non Christian religions, for example, the Mormons speak in counterfeit tongues. For any person to move in the true gifts of the Holy Spirit they must first be born again of the Holy Spirit living by faith in Jesus Christ. Counterfeit gifts are always associated with counterfeit religions, heretical teachings and not biblical Christianity.
Question 39. Do you agree with the whole of the above section H ?
As part of your Christian fundamentalist course work, you will need to answer this question.
Alpha and Omega Churches together Bible Course. .www.lifetothefullchurch.com...for prayer or spiritual advise contact Stan Earle 01708-641555
Love in Jesus to you Michael and all your family.
Your friend and brother in Christ. Stan
www.lifetothefullchurch.com
Michael then sent us a sermon on his beliefes concering spiritual gifts.
Michael, I listened to you sermon, and agree with most of what you said. You are a good communicator. Our Lord showed me 13 years ago that the assemblies of God have it wrong about the saying to Christians" have you received the Holy Spirit yet".
As you say a person without the Holy Spirit doesn't belong to Jesus. You are right about all that. Praise God for your clear instruction.
Where we differ is that I am unable to agree concerning spiritual gifts today. My experiences at times line up with God's promises in the Bible concerning spiritual gifts. But like yourself I am against building upon spiritual experiences. That's how many have gone wrong.
Like yourself I assume, I have read the whole Bibles right through many times, all glory to God for getting me into His Holy Word. In all my studies I have not found any teaching to say that believers after the first century should not seek spiritual gifts.
Its on this basis that I believe what I believe.
Michael you talk about relying on church history from the 2nd century. You mention a few key writings that support what your believe, that the gifts have ceased since the first century.
Its interesting to hear different peoples observations down through the ages. But I can not build upon them. I am sure you would agree, only the Bible has authority.
I have more to look at though the link that you gave me.
Blessings in Jesus.
Stan.
PS.
Michael. Can you give me a verse to prove to me that spiritual gifts ceased after the first century.
We at life to the full still haven't had an answer from Michael Penfold concerning the above underlined question, however within Penfold books there are a great number of very biblically based DVD's and books on many necessary subjects, this is why we at Life to the Full still advertise Penfold books. Even though we have to disagree concerning their stance concerning spiritual gifts we do suggest that you contact Michael and order a free catalogue as within it you will find some great stuff.
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