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Do not forbid speaking in tongues?!

"Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues." (1 Corinthians 14:39)

Some say that it is wrong to forbid speaking in tongues, referring to this verse. But there is a problem with this claim. First, the reason Paul said do not forbid speaking in tongues is because the gift of tongues was given in his day. And to forbid a God-given gift would obviously be going against God. However, today, this verse does not apply, because God does not give tongues anymore. If you say that this verse applies today, how would you interpret be eager to prophesy in the same verse? Would you say that we are supposed to eagerly seek to prophesy, when we have the completed Word of God? As explained earlier, prophecy and tongues have been ceased with the completed Word of God, therefore this verse does not directly apply to us today.
Second, even in those days when the gift of tongues was given, the gift of prophecy, which is the Word of God, was more important than the gift of tongues. Then, how much more important is the Word of God, when the gift of tongues has ceased today? There is nothing but the Word of God because all the revelatory gifts have been ceased. When there is the perfect Word of prophecy given to us as a gift, why would we need more prophecies, knowledge, and tongues?

?s for those who believe and teach that the gift of tongues exists today even though we have the completed Word of God:
-If you pray in tongues does God answer more readily because praying in tongues is more powerful than normal prayer? Where in the Bible does it say that?
-Does the Bible command believers to pray in tongues?
-Did Jesus ever pray in tongues? Did He ever teach His disciples to pray in tongues?
-Is there any Biblical evidence that the apostles prayed in tongues after the day of Pentecost?
-Do you try to make your church members to pray in tongues? Is that Biblical?
-Do you teach 1 Corinthians 14:19?
-Do you only emphasize certain verses that support your views and disregard other verses that seem to go against your views?
-Do you claim that tongues are heavenly language or angelic language? How then, did those Diaspora Jews understand the disciples in their own language on Pentecost? In what languages do all angels throughout the Bible speak? (human or heavenly?!)
-Does the Bible teach you to pray in tongues when you heal people?
-Do you receive prophecies when you are praying in tongues? If you do, how can you be sure that it is from God?
-Do you think that the prophecies that you received are from God? Does God still give prophecies? Can you honestly believe that it is from God?
-If the prophecies that you received do not come true, what would you think then? Would you doubt that it was from God?
-You would probably know that God's prophecies are always true, without exceptions. Then what about the prophecies that don't come true today?
-Is a tongue really a proof that you are saved? Does the Bible teach this?
-Is a tongue really a proof that God loves you?
-Is it true that if a person can't speak in tongues he has not received the Holy Spirit? What is the true evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit?
-Some same that if you pray in tongues you can pray longer without getting tired. But, does that define true prayer? Is true prayer supposed to be long and not tiring?
-Do you have Biblical evidence that God gives tongues even today?
-Do you believe that tongues in 1 Corinthians and tongues in Acts are different? If so, can you prove this from the Bible?
-Do you speak the same tongues as the Corinthian church? What kind of tongues was mentioned in 1 Corinthians and what kind of tongue do you speak?
-Is it true that you can learn how to speak in tongues? If so, how can something that could be acquired by learning be a gift?
-How can you be sure that the tongue you speak is from God and where do you base your trust?
-Among many gifts from God, are tongues the superior gift? What is the evidence for that?
-If you say that the gift of tongues is a proof that one is saved, do you have assurance of salvation? How did you become a child of God?
-Do you sincerely love other souls? If so, is the Gospel more important than tongues?
-Do you believe in the Gospel or do you believe in supernatural gifts?
-What is your true motive for stressing the gift of tongues?
-Can the miracles of the apostolic era happen today? Where is the evidence of that?
-Are all miracles form God? Can't Satan also perform similar miracles?
-Have you ever questioned your tongues before God? Did you ever test the spirit to see if it is from God by diligently studying the Bible?
-If tongues are that important in Christian life, why doesn't the latter New Testament books mention the gift of tongues?
-If you speak in tongues and do not understand it, have you ever wondered if it was just babbling?
-What is more important to you, your experience or the Bible?
-Is it a blasphemy against the Holy Spirit if you forbid speaking in tongues? What does blasphemy against the Holy Spirit really mean in the context? (Mark 3:29,)
-When you pray in tongues do you ever fear that it is not from God?

Frankly, I have no intention of being offensive as I ask these questions. My hope is that those who claim that the gift of tongues is for today would thoughtfully answer these questions as a person who loves Jesus and who reveres God. This is a very important issue, because we are dealing with spiritual matters...Please help me to understand why your passion and focus is on tongues and other miracles rather than the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What was Paul's attitude as a minister?
"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:6-10)

What is at stake is the eternal destiny of individual souls. Leading people into repentance honors God and frees people from eternal condemnation. Evangelism is certainly pleasing to God!
Someday we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Oh, how glorious that day will be when we see our Savior face to face and He honors and blesses us for honoring and blessing Him in our lives upon the earth. What could be more wonderful and glorious than that!
I have no intention of condemning anyone. I simply desire that we may have a sound, Biblical understanding of tongues.
(from Paul M. Yoon's "Biblical Understanding of The Gift of Tongues" from "Sound Doctrine Missions")

The Last Post of "My Students' Writing" For This Semester

"What if I had known about the things that I know now"
This is the famous verse by Ryu sihwa a Korean poet. This is his poetry's title and I heard this when I was middle school. At that time, I went on a school excursion to Kyŏngju. At the place, a staff read this poetry. If I write a letter to a author, I would write to him. We often regret myself and worried about that, so the verse means 'think more and don't make to regret yourself'. I thought more in the add. I think everyone's life is endless learning process. Like Mr.Hitch a recently movie, There is no royal road to move someone's heart. We should act as each situation. Don't make you regret and depressed. If you did your best, there would no be wrong. When my parents left Korea, they sent mails to me. It was first to me to live separately. I was very sad and couldn't see and think anything. Their love and encourage message made me feel better. After I receive this, I decided that I would have more strong sense of responsibility. When I am depressed and missed them, I read the letters, crying. I say to them, "I will do my best and be grew more until we meet agan. I like write letters and express my feelings. As they gave me courage, I hope to do that to others.

I became to love a guy.
Is it for spring? From 3weeks ago, I began to love a guy who is in same team. I has prayed God to meet a boy. It is because I want to learn the love. Though it is important, there is a more important reason to me. I want that someone loves me and I love someone. I think the experience of love is very important. It makes me grow. Both One-sided love and love together are important. Controlling and changing myself are hard but it needs to practice.
He is pure and kind for others. I heard man can be known by his friends. His younger and old friends like him. For me, there are many reasons. It is possible to God’s answer but it is just my think. It takes 15 minutes to go from his home to mine. The more I consider about him, the more I love him. I am hasty because I have no time. Maybe he will go to the military service after this semester or next semester. It makes me worried but I conclude my present feeling is important. There are few chances in life, and I need to try if I want. I don’t know well. Because I am female, I can’t play hardball to him. Originally I don’t like it, but I see that I sometimes need to hide my feelings. There are always many people around him, so I am hard to get near to him. His major and mine are different and I have few chances which I meet him naturally. It is very hard problem because moving human’s heart is very difficult. Nevertheless, I will pray and wait. I will calm down and look for more reasonable ways. These attitudes are first to me, and it will the good experience.

discussion about arranged marriage
Today, my roommates and I had a meeting. We told about many thing while we ate a stewed chicken. One subject was about arraged marriage. I oppose arraged marriage because the marriage is the house built on love and understanding. Love is an essential element of marriage. How can se get married without love? But one of my roommate had another points. She thought she could do arragned marriage. She considered a condition more than love. I thought it is sure that arranged marriage show suitable way someone who finds good condition in spouse but if we want to mak happy and secure home, we have to choose love!!

An old man, a young man, and life's greatest lesson.
I read "Tusedays with Morrie". This is a story about Morrie professor whe was attacked by Lou Gehrig's disease and his disciple Mitch. They talked about death, love, marriage, money, and so on. After I read this book, I thought again about death. Although Morrie got terrible disease, he spent his remaining time valuably and enjoyed life. He encouraged people who were sad and lived whole days as arranging his life. Death was not a fear to him. The most impressive passage in my memory was that "We all need teachers in our lives." It seems to ve really nice and correct speech. Everyvody need teacher to teach meaning of life. I miss such teacher yet, want to meet nice teacher such as Morrie and quickly as possible.

I went to my student house to teach math and science
I am a private teacher. So I went to my student house to teach math and science. I taught a diagram in math and structure of plant in science. Because I studied the science department, I could teach these subjects easily. Gyo-jin my student was really smart so I didn't feel stress. His mother was also good. She made delicious food for us. And she gave a ride me to the school. I am lucky girl because I met these good people.

Short diary for today :)
I don't know what happened to my MP3 player. I think I lost it in Handong. ;( I don't like when I start to lose something. I ate so much that I'm worried of getting weights. I ate chicken, pizza, sandwich, juice, snacks and etc. It was also a tired day because I slept for 3 hours last night for the test and what made things worse is that I screwed up my test. However, I know the fact that I didn't really do my best so I'm little bit regretful but not shocked. I'll do my best next time! I didn't eat the breakfast today because of the fast but I started to complain and regret. I think I concentrated only on the fast itself but not God. I think I have to be close to God, read bible more and pray more while fast. I didn't really do it, I just skipped the breakfast. I hope to know the true meaning of fast. Prayer for today>>God, Thank you for giving me such a nice day like today. I want to know you and live in the Holy Spirit. Make me give up myself more and obey you. Amen.

Courage
I read a book about lawyers who worked for human rights in Korea. Korea, after the war, divided into South and North. Anti-communism and dictatorship were prevalent in Korea. Human rights was almost non-existence in the era of President Park and President Cheon. Many people were innocently condemned and sacrificed. Many lawyers were there, but ministry of Justice was in favor of the government. Also, there were a lot of disadvantages toward those lawyers who fought for human rights. But these few lawyers actually changed Korea into a more democratic country. After I read this book, I wonder how they can be so courageous. If it was me, do I have courage to speak up for what is wrong? Even though I am a Christian, do I speak against the wrongdoings of the world? I want to have that courage to speak up for what is right.

To author of "A Separate Peace"
Mr. John Knowles I have read your book "A Separate Peace". I wonder if this book is based on the true story. Your story describe how Gene envied the perfect guy Phineas and pushed him off a tree, which evetually killed him. Have you ever envied a guy that you felt like to kill him? Because I never had that feeling. I do feel envious toward some individuals, but not to the degree to push him off the tree. Actually my friend pushed me off from the third floor when I was five, and it almost killed me. Ofcourse I'm not a perfect guy to make others feel envious. So I am wondering if there are any other reasons that made Gene to push Phineas, or anybody else. Since you wrote the book, I think you had that feeling of strong envy. Write me back if you have the answer.

MK (Missionary Kids) Nest
I was invited for dinner today. Principal of Handong International School invited me with other four missionary kids. She is also a staff in an organization called "MK nest", which is a kind of M.K. network. Anyways, we had a wonderful dinner. I finally ate something you can say "Korean food". It's incomparable with food of pulmuwon (dining hall). We ate bulgogie and jjigae. I ate so much that it was hard to breathe. After dinner, we had some conversations. I was surprised to find that we missionary kids have so many things in similar. They also moved many times. So that after a year or two, we feel insecure and it feels like it's time to leave for another place. Not only that, it is hard for us to make close friends. Subconsciously, we think we will move again soon that we don’t really want to make close friends, because it is always hard to say “good bye”. That is why four years I am going to spend in Handong is so important. There are more interactions between students in Handong then any other universities. We learn to stay long enough in one place to make close friends in Handong. Handong maybe is the best place for the M.K.s.

Change
What if... things don't change? What would happen? Sometimes, I really want time to stop. Let everything remains the same, just as it is. Nontheless, time flows and things change. Even i change differently from yesterday. Change is a risky thing, but change also means chance. A chance to change to a better being. However, I afraid... I really afraid that things will go bad and i change negatively. Perhaps, now is another point of change. Seize the day...

Sleepy Day
What a sleepy day is today! Ever since I got cold, I always feel sleepy. Today was on the peak. I couldn't ge up in the morning. I slept after lunch, yawning all day. Not a single word come into my mind. My brain stopped functioning, but I'm in the library now! There are too much work to do. I'm even thing about taking rest next semester. Am I still not used to life in university? Ever will I get used to it? Well...Too much thing for this sleepy day.

Star Wars
Today is Sunday so we watched star wars episode I and II. I don't know why most Americans are so crazy about them. I just couldn't stand IV, V, VI . I fall asleep every time I watch them. Episode I and II is relatively modern. It was okay to watch, and I didn't fall asleep. However, nothing is left in my brain now. I didn't remember what the movies were about. Only thing I remember is that Skywalker is like typical attitude guy you can see in high school. He shouldn't be accepted as a Jedai. Even with great power and talent, if you don't have good personality, it is better to have no power at all. Great power comes with great responsibility. Is this from Spider man? Anyways, today was star wars' day.

A turning point for me
A turning point for me was the entrance examination for the university. I studied very hard during 3 years (when I was in the High school) and when I was 19 years old, especially I did my best in view of the faith so that I might not be far from the Lord. When it was 40 days before the entrance exam, I determined to pray to the Lord on the roof of structure everyday and there were no exeptionable days. However, terrible tension prevented me from getting a good result and I recorded the worst rank through my whole period in the high school. Then I decided to challange again for the exam, but my parents' careful advice and my serious consider made me to come here Handong university. (Frankly speaking, it was the Lord's providence for me.) Until I took the entrance exam, I thought that all acceptance and no rejection is the Lord's will, but after the exam, I realized that acceptance of my own desire is not be concerned with the Lord's will. Through my whole life, I had never been frustrated, so I didn't know that what is true thank, but true the entrance exam, I realized that even though the Lord doesn't accept my wish right now, he accomplish "good" after all, and I realized that justifying my selfish greed and ambition is not the Lord's will. Now, even if there are many things that cannot be done as my will, I can say "thank you, God." because in the long run, God will accomplish the good certainly. I believe that the Lord manage my daily life in details even if it is invisible, and I also believe that the Lord want to manage me as his faithful disciple though I am so weak person.

If I put on a play with this script...^.^;
I want many students of handong university to know the importance of the Lord's calling in their lives. When I was in my adolescence, I was interested in theater (performance). Now I'll introduce this script for you. You would better know 'specific plannings of the Lord' for you.
Marble : Wow. Long time no see!Iron!
Iron : Yeah, It seems that almost two years have passed since I saw you at this place last time. How have you been these days?
Marble : Um…I almost lost my reason because of many things to study. I’m going to take the mock examination tomorrow.
Iron : You carry our joke to far. Didn’t you enter Seoul NationalUniversity?
Marble : That’s right. I had passed the entrance examination. However, I couldn’t be satisfied with the policy that is taken in many universities of Korea. As a result, I’ll try again to enter Handong Global University.
Iron : What? Are you crazy? If I were you, I would enter Seoul University with great joy, but…to tell the truth, it seems that there are so many problems in university education.
Marble : In case of many students, once they have entered university, they are apt to play a lot because they have suffered from studying in high school. It’s a kind of compensation psychology. However, professors in universities don’t make efforts to correct such phenomena.
Iron : I think so. A lot of universities in Korea are producing foolish students. Therefore, unless they determine firmly about studying in university, they can’t bear such a terrible surrounding in university and they are likely to give up studying.
Marble : Many student’s spirits are being destroyed because of many drinking houses and entertainment centers.
Iron : I think that not only universities but also high schools have many problems to solve

Family
someone told me that "family" stood for "Father and Mother I love you"... Lately I decided to express my love toward my parents so when they go to see my Heavenly Father i would not regret that i wouldn't express my love to them enough...

Cats in the Cradle
professor Andy taught us a song "cat's in the cradle"...it was a quite sad song for me.. i couln't reppress my tears after listening this song. so i cried at the class trying not to be found out that i was crying. i could feel how my parents when they looked at me... i always said to them, "i wanna be an adult as soon as possible!!! i wanna be like you..." and the little girl grew up like now so that i can look after myself...i remember the time when i told my parents that i would go to israel where the news of terror is ongoing. their face turned stiff...but they accepted my decision in silent... for 7 months when i was in another countries, all they could do was just praying to God for security... after entering this school, there was not enough time to spend with my family at home. even though i call my home everyday, it's really sad that i cannot see them for a long time (for 16weeks) people say that everybody is alone...it's true but i wanna be with them... when can i get together with them?!!!
(verse 1)
My child arrived just the other day.
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay.
He learned to walk while I was away.
And he was talking before I knew it.
And as he grew, he'd say"I'm gonna be like you, Dad.
You know I'm gonna be like you"
(chorus)
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little Boy Blue and the Man on the Moon.
"When you coming home, Dad/son(verse 1,2/3,4)?"
"I don't know when, But we'll get together then
You know we'll have a good time then"
(verse 2)
My son turned ten just the other day.
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, Come on, let's play.
Can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today,
I got a lot to do" He said, "That's ok."
And he walked away. But his smile never dimmed
And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah,
You know I'm gonna be like him"
(verse 3)
Well, he came home from college just the other day.
So much like a man I just had to say, "
Son, I'm proud of you. Can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head. And then said with a smile
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys.
See you later. Can I have them please?"
(verse4)
I've long since retired. My son's moved away.
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time.
You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu.
But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad.
It's been sure nice talking to you"
And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me.
He'd grown up just like me
Yeah, my boy was just like me.

Cute Answers from my Students Grammar Practice Final

What did you think when you were younger which you know to be untrue now?
-I thought that my mother knew everything when I was 7 years old.
-I thought I was smart. (Does the student think he is dumb now….don’t know)
-I thought that the North Koreans were monsters.
-I thought my father was Superman.
-When I was younger, I thought I was unhappy.
-I thought if I pray seriously, Santa Claus will give me a present that I want. (Of course, I have some serious doctrinal problems with this case, ha!Ha!)
-I thought that my mother was police because she knew almost everything I did.
-When I was young, I believed Santa Clause existed.
-I thought that I could save the world.
-I thought that teachers knew everything in the world.
-I thought that my father was the strongest man in the world. (2 students answered this one and no, they weren’t sitting next to each other…)
-When I was younger, I thought that I could have been a supermodel.
-I thought that I could do everything that I wanted.
-I thought that dogs could speak.
-I thought I would marry my friend.
-I thought that if I cried at Christmas Eve Santa wouldn’t give me a present.

When I Say I'm A Christian

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I'm not shouting "I am saved"

I'm whispering "I was lost!"

"That is why I chose this way."

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I don't speak of this with pride.

I'm confessing that I stumble

and need someone to be my guide.

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I'm not trying to be strong.

I'm professing that I'm weak

and pray for strength to carry on.

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I'm not bragging of success.

I'm admitting I have failed

and cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I'm not claiming to be perfect,

my flaws are too visible

but God believes I'm worth it.

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I still feel the sting of pain

I have my share of heartaches

which is why I seek His name.

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I do not wish to judge.

I have no authority.

I only know I'm loved

- by Carol S. Wimmer