Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:00 - Intro 1. 0:07 {A Difficult Bible Contradiction} Can you please explain 1 Corinthians 14: 22-24? Verse 22 states that tongues are a sign for unbelievers, and prophecy is for believers. But vv. 23 and 24 then go on to seemingly describe the exact opposite. 2. 27:09 {John Rejects but Jesus Affirms?} How should we understand John's rejection of being Elijah and a prophet (John 1: 21), while Jesus affirmed it (Matthew 11: 14)? 3. 34:42 {Debates on the Canon} What do we do with some of the earliest listed Bible canons and church fathers that exclude Esther and include Sirach and Wisdom of Solomon? 4. 39:47 {Are Easier Translations Unwise?} I struggle reading word for word translations of the Bible like the ESV. I love the NLT for its simple vocabulary and how easy it is to understand. Is it unwise to use the NLT to memorize and study from? 5. 41:56 {Proper Interpretation of a Common Passage} What are your thoughts on 1 Corinthians 6: 19? I hear people use this Scripture to call anything they don’t like sin (tattoos, drugs, junk food, etc.). But it seems it’s mostly about sexual immorality. 6. 52:36 {Are We Still Made in God’s Image?} Can you explain Genesis 5:1-3? Why is it different with the birth of Seth? Are we still God’s image bearers? 7. 56:10 {Is “Déjà Vu” a Biblical Concept?} What are your thoughts on Deja Vu and are there any examples of it in the Bible? I've definitely had times where I had the feeling of being somewhere before when it was the first time being there. 8. 1:01:02 {Are Eating Challenges Sinful?} Could you talk a little on what is and is not gluttony? Is it just eating more than you need to, or is there more involved (i.e., eating challenges)? 9. 1:07:38 {When Competition turns Sinful} How do I know when my competitiveness is sinful? I coach baseball and want to ensure I'm providing the right model of competition for the players, while also still being as competitive as possible. 10. 1:10:29 {“Apostasy” = “Departed”?} I've heard that the word translated "apostasy" in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 can also be translated as "departed," as in "the end will not come until the departing (rapture) comes first." Do you think this is true?
Good thing God made it all so difficult or we'd be helping the poor instead of trying to figure all this out! But he wanted to keep us busy to be nice.
@@junk3996 ummm it's literally 700,000 words, mostly about how to properly slaughter animals and how it's ok to beat your slaves and how its' good to kill your enemies even if they're babies, and how God regretted making us and wanted to kill us all. It's man who has to take that mess and somehow come out with "it all means he loves us".
About 7 years ago an Egyptian man walked into church. A person stood up and spoke in tongues then sat down. We waited for a response of interpretation but it didn't come immediately so we sang the next song. The Egyptian man approached the Pastor after the service. The message was spoken in Egyptian Arabic. It communicated that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh and the only Way to reconcile with God. This skeptic gave his life to God because of this very personal message. One of my favourite testimonies 🤗
Praise the Lord. And that is exactly the difference between Acts 2 (speaking in tongues of men) and 1 Corinnthians 14 (speaking in strange tongues). Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 14 are Not the same thing.
That’s crazy. I remember similar experiences and when people are legitimately speaking in tongues it’s strange/cool. You can really tell it’s another actual language is nuts.
@MikeWinger I'm 33 now. When I was around 15 years old I started to question Christianity because of the actions of some of my Christian family members. My family broke apart and I wanted nothing more than my relationship with my mother to be restored to a time that I felt like she loved me. I started searching for god through other means (aliens and whatever else) Until one day I was invited to church by my grandmother. The pastor was preaching when all of a sudden a lady stood up and interrupted the service. She said words that i will never forget. Words that i can only explain by saying that i felt them more than I heard them, but i did hear them. The lady said "Do not worry about your life. I will be your mother." Overwhelmed and shocked! I turned to my grandmother and asked her if she heard what the lady had said. My grandmother turned to me and said "honey, she didnt say anything, she was speaking in tongues" my life has never been the same. Ive had a foundation because of this that has kept me, even through my unbelief. Praise God.
@mikewinger my dad pastors a small church in Everglades City, Florida. We get a lot of snow birds that come down during the winter season. We had a couple that visited who ONLY spoke German (with very little English). My dad does not speak German at all. They visited on a Sunday evening and after the service my dad went to shake their hands and greet them. With broken English they said they understood EVERYTHING that was said. The only think we can contribute it to is to the Holy Spirit translating. It was one of the most awesome things I've ever witnessed.
I knew an old lady, the mother of friends, who was a member of a northern Canadian tribe. She spoke almost no English, but her family was always amazed that, after church, which was in English, she could discuss what was said in the sermon in detail. It was the same in other churches. She said "If the Holy Spirit is there, He will tell me what it means". Once, after the friends moved away, she came to visit and went to their church. Their pastor was not all they hoped for. After church, they asked the mother how she enjoyed the service. She answered, "I didn't understand what he was saying."
This is the true gift of tongues. The gifts are for edifying others and witnessing not to make ourselves feel emotionally elated. I do believe in the use of the gifts today but they are just that gifts.
I'm going through your Bible contradiction series from a while back and I've gotta say thank you so much. I thank God for those videos. They helped me tremendously in a desperate time.
I worked in Singapore for a short project long time ago. On one Sunday, at the end of service, a pastor called for people who need to be prayed. What I heard was not common calling but specific for knees problem. I believe the Holy Spirit spoke to me specifically. Since being prayed for that day, until now I have never again experienced the knee problems I have suffered since I was a teenager. Glory be to God for healing my knees.
I really struggle with things like tongues and prophecies, I have seen far too many people hurt by charlatans and false prophets. Cases where tongues seem to still be around is when someone hears their native language spoken, but when it’s just gobbledegook I struggle to see how that’s helpful. Idk, this is something I’ve been praying about because in truth I’m a deeply cynical and skeptical man, but I am nonetheless grateful to God for meeting me where I was and leading me to Him. Im also really thankful for mikes messages and videos, they have been a huge help
Dr. Chuck Missler taught me how important John (the baptizer😉) was, both in the context you’re (Mike) speaking about - *his* quote when he first saw Jesus - “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” - and then what Jesus said about John after that. Another amazing teacher, I didn’t even know Chuck existed until about 2020 and he had already passed away in 2018! His wisdom, the materials he left behind, are such a blessing. Thanks Mike, you’re an excellent pastor/teacher!
Matthew 11:2,3 now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ ( John is now imprisoned and discouraged ) he sent two of his diciples. 3 and said unto Him, are you He who should come, or do we look for another? Doubt is nemesis of Faith, and plagues every Christian at one time or another.)
MIKE!!! You said in one of your Q&A's that you plan to do a verse-by-verse study through Hebrews. Are you still planning to do that and any idea when? 😃😃😃
Mike, thanks for the time that you take to help others understand the Bible and think Biblically. I'm a Vineyard pastor (I think that you spent time in our movement at one point) that appreciates you speaking truth even when it's not popular.
Whoa!! Gods timing is perfect ❤ I hadn’t listened to one of your live questions videos for about 3 months. On my way to work this morning, I looked you up and clicked on your most recent. A bunch of us from a Baptist church went to a Pentecostal revival a couple of weeks ago. My first time being in a Pentecostal church and a lot of us were like deer in headlights with things their congregation was doing during the alter call. We had soooo many questions and judgments if I’m being honest… so we plan to do a Bible study on 1 Corinthians 12,13 & 14, on Wednesday, May 8th 2024. So the timing of this first question is just perfect. Our God is not a God of confusion. Thank you for your wisdom Mike!! I’ve already shared this video with my pastor.
Thank you for your efforts, all your time and words of faith and Truth, God bless. Prayers for all our brothers and sisters in need, may Jesus Christ bless you. From New Zealand.
Its important we understand the purpose of tongues and prophecy because there isn't a shred of plausible evidence in scripture that the gifts have ceased.
Yup, because the gifts have not ceased. That's why--and millions of others--speak in tongues every day. And we see instantaneous healing miracles, and prophecies, etc.
The Holy Spirit dwells in the church of christ since 33AD! He protects, defends, cares for, and leads her to all truth! The Holy Spirit moved the Church to give the world the bible in 382AD!!! Acts 5:38-39! That was 2000 years ago!!!
@@davido3026 hmm... You could say 382 AD as far as when church leaders all convened and agreed on the canon. But of course the Holy Spirit gave us all of the books of Bible before the end of the first century. (And even that was less than 2000 years ago.) :)
The power of Christ in all its manifestations is to edify each of us through the trials of this age. Every ministry has its place, both for unbelievers and for believers. Praise be to God.
Definitions needed: 1) Prophesy - To tell or forecast future events 2) Prophesy - To preach or tell the Gospel 3) Tongues - Languages 4) Tongues - The act of speaking the Gospel and having recipients of other languages hear it in the native language 5) Tongues - Unruly outbursts in modern churches So, depending on which definitions are applied, the discussions become much different. When Paul speaks of an interpreter, I believe he is speaking of item 3 above. Interpreters are required so that the message is properly delivered to those in attendance. He also warns against varied and undecipherable languages being spoken together to prevent confusion and bad witnessing. In all of scripture, there is only one use of tongues like item 4 above. At the day of Pentecost, there was no interpreter. Every participant or person nearby heard the preaching in their native tongue. This was a supernatural miracle to disperse the Gospel throughout the world. Today's tongues is often item 5 above. It is not for the spreading of the Gospel, nor for the building up of the body, but rather for personal entertainment and to attempt to demonstrate one's "fulfilling". Isn't it interesting that the Apostles began to preach with no concept nor plan for tongues. They simply proclaimed the truth. In flight, God delivered the message of the Gospel to each recipient. Now, if in your local body, there are visitors from some far away land and someone preaches or declares the Gospel in their primary language and the visitors receive and understand the preaching, then God is once more executing the miracle of tongues.
Neither of your 'prophecy' definitions matches what we find in Scripture. There, true prophecy is shown to be a message God has revealed to the prophet that is to be told to the intended recipient(s). It has nothing to do with preaching the Gospel and no necessary connection with foretelling the future. Likewise, none of your 'tongues' definitions fit what Scripture describes 'tongues' as being, which is: • a human or angelic language (1 Corinthians 13:1) • spoken to God (1 Corinthians 14:2, 14-16, 28) • not known to the speaker (1 Corinthians 14:2, 14) • unless interpreted, edifies the speaker alone (1 Corinthians 14:4) • not ordinarily intelligible to others (1 Corinthians 14:2-5, 9-11, 16), but can be (Acts 2:11).
@@Berean_with_a_BTh Interesting. "true prophecy is shown to be a message God has revealed to the prophet that is to be told to the intended recipient(s)." Pray tell, how does that not fit into numbers 1 and 2 above? Receive message from God, tell message to others. Does the message not contain future events, His plans, or how great God is (i.e. the Gospel)? Your first bullet "human or angelic language" matches number 3 in my list pretty closely. Your second bullet matches number 3 pretty closely. 1 Cor 14 is an interesting passage. However, it can be read fairly literally as languages. Verse 2 is saying that if someone speaks, and no one knows what he is saying because of the language barrier, he can still communicate with God and worship in the Spirit. Similarly in verse 4, if someone speaks in a language no one else understands, he can uplift himself and communicate with God, but only for himself. Verse 14 revisits the same concept of only one person benefitting when an unknown language is used.
@@bogusphone8000 Your definitions fail because you allow false inclusions and, even where true, are only partly so. As for your claim that tongues includes languages, you clearly don't know NT Greek, which uses γλῶσσα (glóssa) for tongue and διάλεκτος (dialektos) for language. They are clearly differentiated in Acts 2:4-8, where the disciples were praising and glorifying God in tongues but being heard by the onlookers in their own languages. If you read the Acts 2:4-40 account closely, you will see there is no suggestion Peter preached in tongues. People who claim he did are reading into the text something it doesn't say and which contradicts the only definition we have - 1 Corinthians 14:2.
Paul, was baptized in the Holy Spirit and the evidence is speaking in tongues. Acts 9: 17,18.And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house and putting his hands on him Brother Saul ( he addressed Paul in this manner because Paul was already Saved and had been so for the last three days and nights) the Lord even Jesus, who appeared unto you in the way as you came,has sent me, that you might receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirt. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales and he recieved sight forthwith and rosed and then water baptized.
@@sharonevans8504 Your point in quoting that passage being? Or don't you understand the difference between being baptized and being filled? And where does that passage mention Paul speaking in tongues?
I grew up on the NLT for my teenage years and it did mess with my theology. For example, in Hebrews 6 the NLT reads: Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from "evil deeds" and placing our faith in God. Whereas the literal translation is "dead works". Now when you get to Heb 6:6, the difference between dead works and evil deeds couldn't be more important. In general the NLT has a very heavy "prove you're saved by stopping sinning" bent. As an example, every time the new testament says "repent" the NLT interpolates "repent (of your sins)". And in the cases in the old testament where God is said to repent (and we all know God's repentance could not be from sin), instead of saying so the NLT chooses to replace the word with "He was sorry". Therefore I was led to believe that repentance was inexorably tied to "quitting sin", and if I failed to do so I hadn't repented adequately to be saved. My church still uses the NLT to help those with poor reading comprehension, and I will never leave because of it. But I do point out the theological bias when I can so others are not harmed as I was.
Works from faith and not dead works (pride leading to pride or conceived from pride). It is indeed dead works, and dead works are sin. I love the NLT and the NiRV but it is not my "base". I will use NIV, ESV, NASB to start with. Also the NET.
@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr yes, you are correct in a way. It is his Righteousness but it is worst than that, death is not final. Death is in a rubbish bin where it never ends. Thus without understanding his Righteousness, we cannot understand his Love, which is conditional not unconditional. It is his love that mercy has been given unconditionally
The best bit was what you said at the end, thanks for doing content that you believe/think is important/necessary. Some videos may not get much attention but they probably get the attention of people who really need what you have to say. Thanks and God bless.
Just want to say a thank you to God for speaking through Mike. I have never come across someone who swung heavily toward the liberty side until I started a chat on a YT video. This person believed it so hard with no limits that, having never heard it before, I reached out to my church brothers to ask them if I completely missed something in the gospels. I know it wasnt one of the questions but so glad Mike addressed this.
It feels like God’s timing. I was reading 1 Cor. 14 today and noticed the issue of tongues and prophecy for the first time. Great possible explanations to resolve the matter. Still not sure, but it’s really interesting. Side note: I’d love to see Mike do a video on the Shroud of Turin and go in depth on all the evidence for and against its authenticity. That is one topic that I originally approached with major skepticism. But after studying it deeply my convictions have dramatically changed and I have been truly inspired and amazed. I believe more people need to be exposed to the evidence and taught to think critically about it.
1 Corinthians 14:20-25 contains my favorite verses. Looking in my Bible (The Way) from 1974 I wrote “My testimony April ‘74, Wheaton IL, Assembly of God!! Praise God!! The prophecy was about the 99 sheep and the lost lamb, definitely me! I did fall on my knees, chose Jesus as my Lord, and have followed ever since. I love this ministry! Our small group used the 1 Peter verse by verse video as our study, so good. Now we are doing Mark! Looking forward to Hebrews 🙏 Thank you Mike !
Tongues is for both. I was saved after hearing the gift of tongue and the interpretation of the tongue which was for me. Speaking in tongues as a group of believers isn't for the unbeliever but for the enjoyment of believers
I'm so glad i found your youtube channel. I feel I can tell immediately when a Christian teacher is a genuine, wise , knowledgeable Christian teacher,,and thankyou I've found a channel I can listen too❤❤❤❤
I hope this may help your deliberation. Proverbs 26:4-5 says Answer a fool... and then; Don't answer a fool. You took an very good approach and I agree with a lot of your findings. Nevertheless, what seems to be a contadiction is not a problem because both situations are true as in the Proverbs example. Toungues could be a sign of judgment to unbelievers. Tounges also, without interpretation in public are just useless noise. Prophesy edifies believers. When toungues are interpreted they are raised to the level of prophesy. This is how I see this. Anyway, thanks for your incites.
Reg. Q1; Whatever may be the interpretation, I think Paul wants them to know that it is simply not-alright to speak in tongues in the Church without interpretation. Paul's argument here is similar to his arguments for head covering. At times, we just take the "take-away" while being puzzled about the logic
About this conundrum that you mentioned, I am only 10 seconds into it and I totally understand it even though I've never read it myself to my remembrance in the Bible. Simply put, if a Christian has not been anointed by the language of the Holy Spirit but yet understands and appreciates prophecy, that same person can be put off from the fact that they were not anointed in the Holy Spirit. So for me, when you read the scripture that I have never heard before I was relieved because I have never been able to speak in tongues but I appreciate and delve into any and all prophecy and consider myself a blessed daughter of Christ. To me, this is affirmation that I am not able to speak in tongues, and I'm still a special in God's eyes as I feel that I could be.
RE QUESTION 10 (APOSTASY) The Greek noun ἀποστασία (apostasia) can be translated as "depart' but never in the spatial sense. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Acts 21:21, and throughout the Septuagint, it always means rebellion or defection. It has nothing to do with a pre-tribulation rapture. The same word with the same sense is found in: • Septuagint of _Jeremiah_ 2:19; _Job_ 22:22; _2 Chronicles_ 29:19; _1 Maccabees_ 2:15 • Cassius Dio Cocceianus, _Historiae Romanae_ 63.22, 63.24 • Flavius Josephus, _The Wars of the Jews_ 7.82, _The Life of Flavius Josephus_ 43 • Plutarch, _Galba_ 1.5, _Mulierum Virtutes_ 16, • Eusebius of Caesarea, _Historia Ecclesiastica_ 1.5, 4.6, 5.28, 6.45, 7.24 • Julian the Emperor, _Contra Galilaeos_ 235 • Basil of Caesarea, _Epistulae_ 139, 233, 243, 264 There isn't a single reference to ἀποστασία (apostasia) being used in a spatial sense anywhere in ancient literature. Had Paul intended his audience to understand that he meant a physical departure, he would have used a noun that was widely recognized as having that meaning, such as ἔξοδος (exodos) or ἀνάλυσις (analusis) - see Luke 9:31 and 2 Timothy 4:6, respectively. What pre-tribbers are arguing for is that Paul used ἀποστασία (apostasia) in a way none of his audience would have recognized. In doing so, they render Paul unintelligible. Contrary to what some pre-tribbers claim, the addition of the definite article in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 [i.e. ἡ ἀποστασία (hē apostasia)] doesn't suddenly give the word a spatial sense, either - as anyone familiar with its ancient usage would know. All the article does is to particularise it. The rebellion/defection sense of ἀποστασία (apostasia) is confirmed in works such as _Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words,_ ('fall', p.223, 'forsake', p.253) and _A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature_ [BDAG] ('ἀποστασία', p.120).
what they're doing is reaching for anything to try to justify their belief, unfortunately. completely ignoring so many other words, factors, verses and focusing on one tiny thing they want to translate or mean a certain way so that their belief of a pre-tribulation "rapture" is justified. it really just demonstrates a massive ignorance, or misunderstanding, about several other things in scripture. EG what the day of the Lord is, etc. again, unfortunately, its usually in ignorance (as in a lack of knowledge, not knowing) because of what is taught and learned usually at a young age and never actually challenged. so many things in our lives take this form, of just taking it for granted and assuming its true the other thing is, scripture is never in a vacuum either. and in 2 thess it speaking about the "rebellion" or a massive event of apostacy has supporting scripture in Matt 24:12 where the "agape" love of many will grow cold, speaking of their love for God.
Very strong points! I am going to copy and paste to study these sources. What do you think of the theory that the Roman Catholic church created the "pre-tribulation/secret rapture" doctrine to elimate the Church from possibly be labeled as the Antichrist by the protestant movement??
@@ThePerpetualStudent The history of the pre-tribulation rapture teaching shows it not to be of RCC origin. Claims to the contrary are just an anti-papist conspiracy theory with no supporting evidence.
Hey Mike, Dr. Andy Woods wrote a very short booklet called "The Falling Away - Spiritual Departure or Physical Rapture?" Might be worth taking a look at to see what you make of his 10 arguments.
On the question about the NLT. I was raised strict kjv. I was told All other versions are corrupt and you are being deceived and aren't really saved if you read other versions. One day, idk, something just came over me and I read hebrews in the nlt and understood it all. I was amazed because I had previously tried to read it in the kjv and was just confused. So now what I do is read from the NLT, ESV, then KJV of whatever passage in in. Sometimes I may read the niv or nasb. I feel like reading multiple is very helpful and my favorite is the NLT but I know I need to try to read the more word for word and not just stick to a thought for thought.
The KJV only thing is sad, because it does make a barrier for many people in understanding. And it doesn't even make sense, because if they really insist that people only read the "purest" text, they should insist people only read the Greek/Hebrew Bible. Anyway, glad you found understanding!
Can I ask you a question? In John 8:44 ish, who was Jesus speaking to, and what is the name of the law giving God they worship. Isn't it Yahweh, the same God the author of Hebrews worships?
The NLT can make a lot of sense, but just remember that not all of it is true to the original language meaning (for instance, it often, if not always, adds "of your sins" after the word "repent", among others). So just always pray about whatever it is you're reading (or anything else at all) to God, asking for His wisdom, knowledge and understanding of it, for we are but men who all too often lean on our own understanding, leading ourselves into a ditch 😵💫 But I too use multiple versions, mainly NKJV, NLT and AMP, but I also very much depend on a concordance
@WeWillShowMercy Those " scriptures " are not Jesus's ABBA, their John 8:44 Yahweh's. You got a bag full of christ DECEPTION from them Matthew 23:4-5 4Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.5For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. And he was right, look how MANY of you pharisees go around falsely claiming he is the Christ, of John 8:44 YHWH
Paul is talking about three different ways toungues have been and/or should be used (for example: speaking within earshot in a known language or unknown language). Also, I believe he is talking about a third type of language...a language of doctrine or worship. All examples were given starting at verse 6. Further examples are given in the book of Acts 2:4, 6-13 - Acts 10: 44-46 - Acts 19:6. It's important to read the whole chapter to get context on what is actually occurring. Much of supposed contradictions come from reading a verse and trying to understand it out of context (usually because the rest of the chapter is ignored).
I was an overweight child and fluctuate din my teens. At 22 I got serious about my health and lost 40 pounds and have kept it off for 10 years. Gluttony is something I’ve wanted to address and start some type of ministry in our church involving getting healthy to honor the Lord but I have no idea how to approach that. I fear really hurting peoples feelings.
Don’t fear that you hurt people’s feelings. Sometimes to show love or concern to people you have to make them take a look at themselves, even if it breaks their esteem a bit. Be strong.
If you haven’t already, you may be surprised to learn that being overweight is not always a sign that someone is gluttonous. Other things can always be at play. Seek to understand and to inspire.
Talk to your pastor about starting a "Let's Get Fit and Healthy" class. Everyone can benefit from learning about healthy eating and exercise and we all no it'd not a "one size" fits off solution. You have a testimony and you can use it to help people live a healthier lifestyle.
Conviction hurts feelings, but is still important. Some sins are extremely minimized generally in the church which makes ministries focused on them important. I don’t struggle much with gluttony, but with slothfulness. I would have loved a ministry that helped me with that earlier in my walk that was biblically focused, so I say go for it. There are tons of diet/health focused stuff out there, but not much biblically-based and focused more on the heart than just behavior and numbers.
Great video Mike. There is one other explanation that came to me as I was listening to you read the scriptures in 1 Cor 14: What if the “believers” in verse 22 refers to the converted “unbelievers” in verse 23-25. This can work because 23-25 can be interpreted as “tongues builds/creates unbelievers from unbelievers while prophecy builds/creates believers from unbelievers”. So verse 22 can be understood as “prophecy is a sign for ‘creating/building’ believers not unbelievers. While tongues is a sign for ‘creating/building’ unbelievers not believers”. So in verse 22 “believer” or “unbeliever” may not be referring to the initial state of a person before they experience the sign but their end state after the sign It also holds up because verse 23-25 only explains the impact of tongues and prophecy on unbelievers not believers. In these verses the starting position of the person coming to the church is always as an unbeliever. In the case of tongues, they remain an unbeliever while in the case of prophecy they become a believer In summary, Paul could be talking about the end state of a person in verse 22, who has ended up as a believer or unbeliever and which sign of tongues or prophecy would have got them there Would be keen to hear you explore this path more. God bless
I haven't heard your offerings yet, but the way I've always understood that passage "all" is the key. The former says tongues are for unbelievers and prophecy is for believers. The latter seems to be a warning against everyone speaking in tongues at the same exact time, but if you're united in the spirit, and there are unbelievers amongst you, prophesy instead. So, I always understood the former to be for more personal settings and the latter for gatherings where believers are united in the Holy Spirit.
This is where I have landed also. "ALL" is key. And it is fitting that the very next passage is about orderly worship and speaking a few at a time. Yes, tongues are a sign for unbelievers, but if an unbeliever shows up to your church and you are all shouting over eachother in uninterpreted tongues then they don't act toward that purpose.
Had deja vu MANY MANY times when I was young, and just like Mike said, I tried to predict what would happen next when that feeling came about. Never. Not ONCE, did I predict correctly.
Hi friend. Although this experience may have taken place at the time, your conversion took place when you put your faith in Christ and He filled you with His Spirit. Praise God. Salvation is of the Lord. God continue to bless you and keep you
When you heard someone babbling nonsense you believed it was from God? Maybe if someone with no knowledge of Japanese started speaking perfect Japanese, that would be a sign. But lalallahahahhababababa is not a language. Anyone can do that.
Could you please explain why this made you believe and what exactly happened? What do you mean with light on? Did you understand what the person was talking? Appreciate your answer :)
Are you guys familiar with the teaching of Teacher Steve Gregg? I am intrigued by his work and would like to get your opinions. He's extremely thorough to my mind.
I started listening to Steve Gregg when I heard Leighton Flowers mention Steve's debate with James White. This was maybe almost a year ago, and since then I've listened to a lot of his teaching and especially his radio programme where he answers questions live, much as brother Mike does here. I think Steve is a great teacher and, most importantly, someone whose heart is truly in the right place when it comes to following Jesus faithfully and teaching others to do the same. He is self taught when it comes to the Bible and, while his understanding and grasp of it is truly prodigious, I do notice sometimes some little places where, say, the fact that he hasn't had academic education in Hebrew and Greek is limiting him a bit. I say that as a total lay person myself, it's just that I also listen to a lot of Bible scholars and I notice some little differences. When it comes to approaching the Scriptures in context with a humble heart and a desire to obey, Steve Gregg is an amazing example and teacher though, I love his attitude of courageous submission to the Lord, again, much like Mike Winger, who is also self taught and brilliant at teaching us how to think biblically about everything 😊
@mariemilycraig So good of you to respond. I have the same feeling about him. He went to Wheaton College I think. I could be wrong. His take on the Book of Revelation has me convinced. At first it shocked me. But now I'm convinced. I hope more people listen to him, not to unsee Revelation as an end time book, but at least to hear and consider another perspective.
@@republiccooper I'm also very on board with his interpretation of Revelation! It makes the most sense compared to everything else I've come across so far. According to his biography at The Narrow Path website, he doesn't seem to have been to Wheaton or anywhere else like that.
Wrong. You realize languages are fluid and change every trendy month right? Bottom line, you are speaking TO the LORD. It says..tongues are a sign of the unbeliever but also the unlearned. If you think speaking in tongues is ‘madness’ you are in common belief with the unbelievers
@@9432515 I didn't say speaking in tongues is madness. I said. The mindless babbling you hear in some churches today isn't speaking in tongues. It's meant to be an actual language that someone can understand. Otherwise, what's the point
@@9432515Yes of course language is fluid but it's always coherent - Always! Babbling is not the same as the evolution of modern languages. Your argument is a classic non sequitur.
It talks about how when someone speaks in a special way that not everyone understands, they’re talking to God in a mysterious language that only God knows. But when someone can predict or explain things that help and comfort others, that’s really helpful and kind. It says that when someone speaks in that mysterious way, it helps them grow stronger inside. But when someone helps and comforts others, it makes the whole group of people who believe in God stronger. Paul wishes that everyone could talk in that special way, but they think it’s even better when someone can explain things clearly and help everyone understand, because that helps the group grow and learn together.
I was in church recently and a lady prayed in Spanish. I do not understand Spanish and because there was not an interpreter my mind was unfruitful, I did not understand. I could not share in the blessing of the prayer, but she was personally benefited and edified because she understood what she was praying about. If unbelievers walk into a service where they miraculously hear the gospel in their language they will be blessed to hear the truth in their own language. That is the purpose of Tongues. The Lord knew that language barriers would hinder the spreading of the gospel so He gave gifts to his followers to triumph over the language barriers. In 2 Cor 14:14 the phrase my spirit prays can be translated as . If you insert mind for spirit, this verse it makes sense and is in line with what the Bible teaches about tongues. “For if I pray in a tongue, my prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. VS 23: The unbeliever will think the people are out of their mind if everyone is speaking in foreign languages and none of those are a language they speak, but if someone is gifted to speak that persons earthly language then they will be edified and convicted of truth.
Spot on. You've look closely at the scriptures. Much of 1Cor 14 is Paul using ridiculous scenarios to lead the Coriths away from their obsession with seeking after speaking in tongues to the neglect of other gifts and work. Most people read his arguments against the obsession with speaking in tongues as arguement for it...to get more obsessed over it. Paul is a painful difficult to follow writer.
I don't know, because there's two God's, one is the heavenly ABBA, Barabba being his son, and the other one you christians follow is John 8:44 Yahweh, who's two bit son is the Christ, and he's the one Paul worships. Are you of your John 8:44 YHWH Father too?
I find it very intriguing that whenever there is an apparent contradiction, those who want to disprove the Bible automatically assume the Bible is now disproven. Like you said, its a contradiction if you just glance at it. That's what most people do. Just glance. Anyway, thank you for not glancing at the text.
@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr people like that come from some type of presuppositions type of view( lense) when it comes to the Bible.if someone is truly searching and seeking they will find Truth.
@@chrisG629 I had no pressuposition. I came out of reading the bible thinking like a protestant. Then I understood deeper and now think it makes more sense that this God is probably just Satan lying and is a narcissist abuser. When you TRULY search, without NEEDING to end where you begin, then you realize it's all rotten. You do find the truth. Good luck and keep asking questions.
@@chrisG629 It is actually the people with presuppositions that need to conclude that things that really really really really really seem to be contradictions, somehow actually aren't. When you're free to be honest, you can admit, well yeah, there are tons.
@@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr That answer literally makes no sense. How could God be a narcissist? Narcissism is wrong because being self-centered as a human is wrong. The universe does not revolve around one single human. However, the universe does revolve around God. There is no truth if there is no God. There is no real authority for anything you say if there is no higher authority. Your presuppositions about God are very evident. You aren't even critiquing God, you are critiquing who you think God is in your own mind. Any version of God that isn't the true God is an Idol. So you are just critiquing an idol.
Mike, so few Believers today have trained themselves to rightly divide the word of God as you do. Love your honest and skilled ministry. It’s quite refreshing.
I think I was more of a glutton when I was underweight than I am now that I am overweight. I am careful now and yet I can't lose weight. When I was younger, I ate whatever I wanted and didn't limit myself if I was enjoying something and never gained weight. When I was in my 40's I gradually just started putting on weight. As I noticed this, I became more mindful about not overeating. Be careful about assuming that fat people are all gluttons.
You can't gain weight without having consumed a certain number of calories. However, people process calories at all different rates. And age does factor in, when it comes to the metabolism slowing down. For women, having been through child birth also can slow it, or throw it off balance.
Prophesy leading unbelievers to salvation, revealing to them that God knows their lives and minds; and a sign for believers by doing the same. As a Christian the Holy Spirit will lead me into a certain course of life choices and when a prophecy comes, it confirms to my mind what my spirit already knows, thus being a sign for me that God truly has led me on the way.
Mike, I have to correct you on something. Being fat or even “obese”. does not automatically reveal a person to be gluttonous. Some people are genetically predisposed to being fat and/ or they have a medical condition/ medications that can cause weight gain (sometimes significantly so). We need to be careful with the way we discuss the correlation of gluttony to fat people. If we all ate the same and exercised the same, we still wouldn’t all look the same. Our society has trained us to believe that fatness automatically equals gluttonous behavior and that’s just not always the case. I mention this because there is strong judgement and dislike of fatness because of its attachment to over eating/ unhealthy eating. It goes without saying that there is much unhealthy eating in our current day, but truly it’s an unfair assessment of a person to think that their fatness automatically points to a sinful behavior. Please I encourage you to consider these things when you start diving into the topic of gluttony and shed light on this issue! I do love and appreciate your content/ ministry very much and I’ll be excited when you provide this new material for us.
Society hasn’t trained me anything. Every single overweight person I’ve ever met in 37 years of life over eats and/or doesn’t exercise. A tiny amount of people have genes that do what you describe or medication that makes them fat.
@@beefymario88 that’s just not true. I’m not trying to excuse bad eating habits/ no exercise, but so many things contribute to a person’s shape and size beyond those things. You cannot tell me that if we all ate and exercised the same that we’d all have the same body fat percentage. Genetics, age (hormones - slowed metabolism), disease/ medications all play a role. Evidence is pretty clear that there are myriad of factors that affect a person’s body fat percentage beyond eating and exercise alone.
@@seaglass.jen86 They play a much smaller role than you want to admit, though. Of course we wouldn’t all look the same, but the difference for the vast majority of us would be rather minimal overall. Evidence just is not on your side. It’s certainly on the side that people are different, but not to the level that you clearly want it to be.
I would go along with option 3. I wrestled with this section of scripture before, and I always thought of it being akin to how Jesus taught the general public. He only spoke to them in parables, but to his disciples, he gave explanations. He said that it was not given to the people on the outside to know, showing separation. But it's the churches job to bring people into the knowledge of God and hopefully a relationship with him.
One of the principles of interpretation is to look at the overall context that difficult verses are in to understand. With that in mind the overall context of the chapter is that prophecy is more important to believers and unbelievers than tongues.
I am literally like.....MIKE: are you needing to burst out in tongues here - cuz I have never heard you mess up so much you confused me MORE 😂 I'm sure it all gets better & comes out clear in the end I appreciate your style of teaching. Even the messy days 🎉
I was taught to understand it that there were different types of tongues. One for God and you speak to each other, one meant as a gift (public use), and one meant as the gift of earthly tongues (speaking in a language you don’t know).
Where this come from as I listened I don't know but a thought of Babel came to mind, how God divided the people by different tongues, and maybe even different flesh but anyway, concerning tongues, God scattered the people with different tongues while at Pentecost He brought every tongue together through one tongue, the tongue of the Holy Spirit. This Tongue was able to allow all tongues of men to understand and be united in God with every nation and every tongue speaking as one. That is blowing my mind right now.
Dear Mike, I love watching your videos, and my heart is going out to you as I watch you struggle with this. As I grew up in a Pentecostal church, we leaned heavily on Acts 2. The pouring out of the Holy Spirit and people speaking in tongues on the day of Pentecost, was the gift that Jesus foretold before he ascended into heaven for the last time, until his second coming. He has to send the Holy Spirit onto his people so they could spread the gospel of Christ. As Paul began to write to the church if Corinth, he was writing to a wayward bunch of people. They were doing things in vain, they were doing paganism too. He needed to let them know that not everyone is to speak in tongues. Those who DO speak in tongues are speaking in vain without an interpretation quickly after. That is when you know that the Tongues and the Prophecy is of God. Without that you can turn an unbeliever away from Christ because of disbelief and confusion. They will see us as crazy.
I think adding a couple of words in this paraphrase helps explain. . . "YES tongues are a sign for unbelievers BUT if an unbeliever comes into your service and everybody is acting crazy, it is not helpful to them."
13:00 I think I remember a preacher talked about this in my church in the past. So Paul was talking about Holy Spirit being the spirit that is orderly. So if you talk in tounges, you manifest, just because you manifested doesn't mean you'd release control over yourselves. 14:05 so you see the word "whole" there, that's the problem
To reconcile the apparent contradiction in 1 Corinthians 14:22 and 23: 1. Contextual Use: by Understanding that tongues as a sign are theoretically beneficial for reaching unbelievers as mentioned in verse 22, but their practical application in worship must be managed. 2. Misuse in Worship : In verse 23, Paul highlights the issue that if everyone speaks in tongues without interpretation, it leads to confusion rather than edification or evangelism, which contradicts the purpose of tongues as a beneficial sign. 3. Promote Order and Understanding: Paul advocates for the use of spiritual gifts in a way that promotes clarity and order in worship services, particularly recommending prophecy over tongues because it is intelligible and edifying for both believers and unbelievers. In essence, Paul argues for a balanced and orderly use of spiritual gifts that builds up the church and effectively communicates the gospel to outsiders.
WHOAAAAA! Mike says, leaning slightly away from pre-trib!! I agree with you on almost of everything thelogically I’ve heard. But not previously on eschatology! So this one was or of left field! Tell me more!!! 😂😂😂😂😂 My pastor just did an amazing sermon on Matthew 24 a couple weeks ago. I think it’s often misinterpreted. And a lot of the first part of Jesus’ answer was talking of the destruction of the temple. But as for the Day and the hour, no one knows! And all the parables around it, make it clear…Be prepared. Stay away. Be alert. No one will expect it!
Please,please, do a series on the rapture! It is very important in the days we are living in. We need to be prepared for whatever comes and I’m afraid some people just think they will be raptured….in my opinion are not prepared…and might be deceived…or confused by whatever they might have to go through….and might fall away.
Consider 1 Cor.13: 8 the ceasing of these gift is also a factor. In agreement and context of all scripture, 2 Tim .3: 16-17. We are furnished perfectly /thoroughly / completely for “ALL” good works By the inspired Word of God. Therefore, there should be no divisions, contradictions, or misapplications of these gifts today in the church. All is all !
It's explaining that the tongues are for unbelivers when they come inside the church and prohesy will convect them, and also tongues and prophecy are for the church. BUT ALL IN THEIR RIGHT TIME. This is how I was taught to come to a resolution, in fact I believe ol' @MikeWinger here was the one that taught me this. But this may help, I hope so it did for me.
Mike, thanks for the challenge. First, let us confess that God does not contradict Himself. That said, tongues from what I understand, is primarily for the edification of the Church, for prophecy and the interpretation thereof. However, as we know, tongues was also used at Pentecost as a sign for unbelievers. And so, tongues can have multiple purposes. It's not an either this or that sort of thing. Further, the Speaking in Tongues is a Gift of the Spirit. Not everyone has it, which to me, explains why some unbelievers won't receive it, because it is not annointed.
I saw a young man in a church I was visiting standing with tears in his eye holding onto every word the preacher said. A woman started speaking in tongues and the young man just looked at her for a few minutes as his eyes dried up and then he left the church
It's been that way, even if there's only one or two. I have preachers condemn me for tongues. So it makes great sense that is explained in the scriptures.
Hi pastor @mikewinger, your perspectives on question 1 were great. Even as i was studying it, i couldn't fully understand this portion Paul talked about until you provided some explanations that made me see something new. This is what i got that's clearly not a contradiction. Correct me if I'm wrong or have overlooked something. In 1 Cor 14:21, Paul is referencing Isaiah to inform the Corinthians that God would use foreigners (i.e., gentile believers in the church) to speak in the tongues/language of the Jews (to the unbelieving Jews) as evidence that the Holy Spirit is at work and that Jesus is God. Verse 22 supports this understanding. He then moves onto verse 23 to say that inquirers and unbelievers would think that the church is out of their minds if everyone speaks in tongues, perhaps because: 1. They are all believers. Thus, it does not make sense that everyone is speaking random languages to each other that produce no intelligible responses. 2. Tongues may also be an angelic language that no one could possibly understand unless interpreted, leading to confusion (may even come off as being possessed). On the other hand, prophesying in understandable words would produce unity and conviction. Verse 24 seems to imply that the prophecies spoken in the church are such that produce holy living (e.g., God commands us to rid ourselves of sexual immorality before judgment is pronounced and God would bless the ministry of the church if we live righteously, etc.). So, in this sense, the unbeliever would repent of their sins and believe whilst believers are reminded of the statutes of God (latter part of verse 22). What's your take on this perspective? I've been learning much from you lately. Thank you for your ministry. May God endow you with greater wisdom and understanding of his word and strengthen you at all times!
For option 3, vs 22 prophetic utterances can often be a sign of judgment to believers, calls to repentance etc... so in that way the prophetic does harmonize with that option so I wouldn't see that as a weakness.
BETTER EXPLANATION: I understand: "a sign for the believers" as a sign hat leads to believe and "a sign for unbelievers" as a sign that leads to unbelieve. R. C. H. Lenski sees it similar: 1. Korinther 14,22: The point to be noted in regard to both the tongues and the prophecy lies in the phrase “for a sign”; and εἶναι (here εἰσί) combined with εἰς: “to be for,” etc., expresses, not the nature of tongues and of prophecy, but the effect.
Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:
0:00 - Intro
1. 0:07 {A Difficult Bible Contradiction} Can you please explain 1 Corinthians 14: 22-24? Verse 22 states that tongues are a sign for unbelievers, and prophecy is for believers. But vv. 23 and 24 then go on to seemingly describe the exact opposite.
2. 27:09 {John Rejects but Jesus Affirms?} How should we understand John's rejection of being Elijah and a prophet (John 1: 21), while Jesus affirmed it (Matthew 11: 14)?
3. 34:42 {Debates on the Canon} What do we do with some of the earliest listed Bible canons and church fathers that exclude Esther and include Sirach and Wisdom of Solomon?
4. 39:47 {Are Easier Translations Unwise?} I struggle reading word for word translations of the Bible like the ESV. I love the NLT for its simple vocabulary and how easy it is to understand. Is it unwise to use the NLT to memorize and study from?
5. 41:56 {Proper Interpretation of a Common Passage} What are your thoughts on 1 Corinthians 6: 19? I hear people use this Scripture to call anything they don’t like sin (tattoos, drugs, junk food, etc.). But it seems it’s mostly about sexual immorality.
6. 52:36 {Are We Still Made in God’s Image?} Can you explain Genesis 5:1-3? Why is it different with the birth of Seth? Are we still God’s image bearers?
7. 56:10 {Is “Déjà Vu” a Biblical Concept?} What are your thoughts on Deja Vu and are there any examples of it in the Bible? I've definitely had times where I had the feeling of being somewhere before when it was the first time being there.
8. 1:01:02 {Are Eating Challenges Sinful?} Could you talk a little on what is and is not gluttony? Is it just eating more than you need to, or is there more involved (i.e., eating challenges)?
9. 1:07:38 {When Competition turns Sinful} How do I know when my competitiveness is sinful? I coach baseball and want to ensure I'm providing the right model of competition for the players, while also still being as competitive as possible.
10. 1:10:29 {“Apostasy” = “Departed”?} I've heard that the word translated "apostasy" in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 can also be translated as "departed," as in "the end will not come until the departing (rapture) comes first." Do you think this is true?
Thanks for these time stamps. They are really needed
@@Heightsomethinghuman my pleasure! 🙏
Good thing God made it all so difficult or we'd be helping the poor instead of trying to figure all this out! But he wanted to keep us busy to be nice.
@@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr scripture is clear and "easy", its man who screwed it all up with our "wisdom". thats what needs to get sorted out
@@junk3996 ummm it's literally 700,000 words, mostly about how to properly slaughter animals and how it's ok to beat your slaves and how its' good to kill your enemies even if they're babies, and how God regretted making us and wanted to kill us all. It's man who has to take that mess and somehow come out with "it all means he loves us".
About 7 years ago an Egyptian man walked into church.
A person stood up and spoke in tongues then sat down. We waited for a response of interpretation but it didn't come immediately so we sang the next song.
The Egyptian man approached the Pastor after the service. The message was spoken in Egyptian Arabic. It communicated that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh and the only Way to reconcile with God.
This skeptic gave his life to God because of this very personal message.
One of my favourite testimonies 🤗
Wow! So amazing. Praise the Lord
Wow! That is unbelievable! What a testimony!
Praise the Lord. And that is exactly the difference between Acts 2 (speaking in tongues of men) and 1 Corinnthians 14 (speaking in strange tongues). Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 14 are Not the same thing.
That’s crazy. I remember similar experiences and when people are legitimately speaking in tongues it’s strange/cool. You can really tell it’s another actual language is nuts.
Like Pentacost, this man heard the Gospel in his own tongue.
@MikeWinger I'm 33 now. When I was around 15 years old I started to question Christianity because of the actions of some of my Christian family members. My family broke apart and I wanted nothing more than my relationship with my mother to be restored to a time that I felt like she loved me. I started searching for god through other means (aliens and whatever else)
Until one day I was invited to church by my grandmother. The pastor was preaching when all of a sudden a lady stood up and interrupted the service. She said words that i will never forget. Words that i can only explain by saying that i felt them more than I heard them, but i did hear them. The lady said "Do not worry about your life. I will be your mother." Overwhelmed and shocked! I turned to my grandmother and asked her if she heard what the lady had said. My grandmother turned to me and said "honey, she didnt say anything, she was speaking in tongues" my life has never been the same. Ive had a foundation because of this that has kept me, even through my unbelief. Praise God.
That gave me chills!
@@jessinaespinal8206 me too!
Thank you for sharing and im glad you are here
God is so very good at getting His heart across to every single one of us. 🙏
Did you eventually form a relationship with the lady in church? I'd love to hear more :)
@mikewinger my dad pastors a small church in Everglades City, Florida. We get a lot of snow birds that come down during the winter season. We had a couple that visited who ONLY spoke German (with very little English). My dad does not speak German at all. They visited on a Sunday evening and after the service my dad went to shake their hands and greet them. With broken English they said they understood EVERYTHING that was said. The only think we can contribute it to is to the Holy Spirit translating. It was one of the most awesome things I've ever witnessed.
I knew an old lady, the mother of friends, who was a member of a northern Canadian tribe. She spoke almost no English, but her family was always amazed that, after church, which was in English, she could discuss what was said in the sermon in detail. It was the same in other churches. She said "If the Holy Spirit is there, He will tell me what it means". Once, after the friends moved away, she came to visit and went to their church. Their pastor was not all they hoped for. After church, they asked the mother how she enjoyed the service. She answered, "I didn't understand what he was saying."
That is truly what the gift of tongues is ...complete understanding of what is being said. This is how the Spirit operates.
This is the true gift of tongues. The gifts are for edifying others and witnessing not to make ourselves feel emotionally elated. I do believe in the use of the gifts today but they are just that gifts.
I use to have a Bible teacher that said if you see a “Therefore” you need to find out what it’s “there for.”😊
You had a real teacher not just someone play acting as one.
God Bless...
I've heard that often, and I thought this exact thing when he stressed the "therefore."
Chuck Missler or Derek Prince? 'May Their Memory Be for a Blessing'
I'm going through your Bible contradiction series from a while back and I've gotta say thank you so much. I thank God for those videos. They helped me tremendously in a desperate time.
Me too!
I worked in Singapore for a short project long time ago. On one Sunday, at the end of service, a pastor called for people who need to be prayed. What I heard was not common calling but specific for knees problem. I believe the Holy Spirit spoke to me specifically. Since being prayed for that day, until now I have never again experienced the knee problems I have suffered since I was a teenager. Glory be to God for healing my knees.
I really struggle with things like tongues and prophecies, I have seen far too many people hurt by charlatans and false prophets. Cases where tongues seem to still be around is when someone hears their native language spoken, but when it’s just gobbledegook I struggle to see how that’s helpful. Idk, this is something I’ve been praying about because in truth I’m a deeply cynical and skeptical man, but I am nonetheless grateful to God for meeting me where I was and leading me to Him.
Im also really thankful for mikes messages and videos, they have been a huge help
It is just gobbledegook. Read my above replies.
Dr. Chuck Missler taught me how important John (the baptizer😉) was, both in the context you’re (Mike) speaking about - *his* quote when he first saw Jesus - “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” - and then what Jesus said about John after that.
Another amazing teacher, I didn’t even know Chuck existed until about 2020 and he had already passed away in 2018! His wisdom, the materials he left behind, are such a blessing.
Thanks Mike, you’re an excellent pastor/teacher!
Why did John the Baptist send his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the Messiah?
Hadn't he baptized him?
Weren't they relatives?
Matthew 11:2,3 now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ ( John is now imprisoned and discouraged ) he sent two of his diciples. 3 and said unto Him, are you He who should come, or do we look for another? Doubt is nemesis of Faith, and plagues every Christian at one time or another.)
Chuck Missler was pretty interesting to listen to! His videos about the Nephilim etc wow
MIKE!!! You said in one of your Q&A's that you plan to do a verse-by-verse study through Hebrews. Are you still planning to do that and any idea when? 😃😃😃
I do plan on it but life is not always agreeable to my plans. I have no clue when it will begin. So sorry for the long delay.
@@MikeWinger It'll be well worth the wait. Thanks for all you do, Mike!
Mike, please find time. Verse by verse study is the best teaching. No one gets to pick the verses and topics they like. Just the word.
@@bassmanjr100there is truth to this, however still great value addressing people's doubts and confusions about the faith and the word.
@@lauracheever my sentiments exactly!
Mike, thanks for the time that you take to help others understand the Bible and think Biblically. I'm a Vineyard pastor (I think that you spent time in our movement at one point) that appreciates you speaking truth even when it's not popular.
Sorry, blind leading the blind! What do you make of John 6:53?
Are you in the group of Jonh 6:66?
Whoa!! Gods timing is perfect ❤
I hadn’t listened to one of your live questions videos for about 3 months. On my way to work this morning, I looked you up and clicked on your most recent.
A bunch of us from a Baptist church went to a Pentecostal revival a couple of weeks ago. My first time being in a Pentecostal church and a lot of us were like deer in headlights with things their congregation was doing during the alter call. We had soooo many questions and judgments if I’m being honest… so we plan to do a Bible study on 1 Corinthians 12,13 & 14, on Wednesday, May 8th 2024.
So the timing of this first question is just perfect. Our God is not a God of confusion. Thank you for your wisdom Mike!! I’ve already shared this video with my pastor.
Speaking in Tongue’s practiced honesty is a gift ! Being done in praising Our Heavenly Father there should be zero problem !
Thank you for your efforts, all your time and words of faith and Truth, God bless. Prayers for all our brothers and sisters in need, may Jesus Christ bless you. From New Zealand.
Just wanted to say how much we appreciate your assistants and moderators like Sarah. We know y'all work really hard.
Its important we understand the purpose of tongues and prophecy because there isn't a shred of plausible evidence in scripture that the gifts have ceased.
That is correct, but many are deceptions. Look at the fruits (character) , I would not believe them. Jesus have many warnings …
Yup, because the gifts have not ceased. That's why--and millions of others--speak in tongues every day. And we see instantaneous healing miracles, and prophecies, etc.
The Holy Spirit dwells in the church of christ since 33AD! He protects, defends, cares for, and leads her to all truth! The Holy Spirit moved the Church to give the world the bible in 382AD!!!
Acts 5:38-39! That was 2000 years ago!!!
@@davido3026 hmm... You could say 382 AD as far as when church leaders all convened and agreed on the canon. But of course the Holy Spirit gave us all of the books of Bible before the end of the first century. (And even that was less than 2000 years ago.) :)
@@FRN2013in genesis 1 the spirit of gid was hovering over the waters, too!
The power of Christ in all its manifestations is to edify each of us through the trials of this age. Every ministry has its place, both for unbelievers and for believers.
Praise be to God.
Definitions needed:
1) Prophesy - To tell or forecast future events
2) Prophesy - To preach or tell the Gospel
3) Tongues - Languages
4) Tongues - The act of speaking the Gospel and having recipients of other languages hear it in the native language
5) Tongues - Unruly outbursts in modern churches
So, depending on which definitions are applied, the discussions become much different.
When Paul speaks of an interpreter, I believe he is speaking of item 3 above. Interpreters are required so that the message is properly delivered to those in attendance. He also warns against varied and undecipherable languages being spoken together to prevent confusion and bad witnessing.
In all of scripture, there is only one use of tongues like item 4 above. At the day of Pentecost, there was no interpreter. Every participant or person nearby heard the preaching in their native tongue. This was a supernatural miracle to disperse the Gospel throughout the world.
Today's tongues is often item 5 above. It is not for the spreading of the Gospel, nor for the building up of the body, but rather for personal entertainment and to attempt to demonstrate one's "fulfilling".
Isn't it interesting that the Apostles began to preach with no concept nor plan for tongues. They simply proclaimed the truth. In flight, God delivered the message of the Gospel to each recipient. Now, if in your local body, there are visitors from some far away land and someone preaches or declares the Gospel in their primary language and the visitors receive and understand the preaching, then God is once more executing the miracle of tongues.
Neither of your 'prophecy' definitions matches what we find in Scripture. There, true prophecy is shown to be a message God has revealed to the prophet that is to be told to the intended recipient(s). It has nothing to do with preaching the Gospel and no necessary connection with foretelling the future.
Likewise, none of your 'tongues' definitions fit what Scripture describes 'tongues' as being, which is:
• a human or angelic language (1 Corinthians 13:1)
• spoken to God (1 Corinthians 14:2, 14-16, 28)
• not known to the speaker (1 Corinthians 14:2, 14)
• unless interpreted, edifies the speaker alone (1 Corinthians 14:4)
• not ordinarily intelligible to others (1 Corinthians 14:2-5, 9-11, 16), but can be (Acts 2:11).
@@Berean_with_a_BTh
Interesting.
"true prophecy is shown to be a message God has revealed to the prophet that is to be told to the intended recipient(s)."
Pray tell, how does that not fit into numbers 1 and 2 above? Receive message from God, tell message to others. Does the message not contain future events, His plans, or how great God is (i.e. the Gospel)?
Your first bullet "human or angelic language" matches number 3 in my list pretty closely.
Your second bullet matches number 3 pretty closely.
1 Cor 14 is an interesting passage. However, it can be read fairly literally as languages. Verse 2 is saying that if someone speaks, and no one knows what he is saying because of the language barrier, he can still communicate with God and worship in the Spirit. Similarly in verse 4, if someone speaks in a language no one else understands, he can uplift himself and communicate with God, but only for himself. Verse 14 revisits the same concept of only one person benefitting when an unknown language is used.
@@bogusphone8000 Your definitions fail because you allow false inclusions and, even where true, are only partly so.
As for your claim that tongues includes languages, you clearly don't know NT Greek, which uses γλῶσσα (glóssa) for tongue and διάλεκτος (dialektos) for language. They are clearly differentiated in Acts 2:4-8, where the disciples were praising and glorifying God in tongues but being heard by the onlookers in their own languages. If you read the Acts 2:4-40 account closely, you will see there is no suggestion Peter preached in tongues. People who claim he did are reading into the text something it doesn't say and which contradicts the only definition we have - 1 Corinthians 14:2.
Paul, was baptized in the Holy Spirit and the evidence is speaking in tongues. Acts 9: 17,18.And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house and putting his hands on him Brother Saul ( he addressed Paul in this manner because Paul was already Saved and had been so for the last three days and nights) the Lord even Jesus, who appeared unto you in the way as you came,has sent me, that you might receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirt. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales and he recieved sight forthwith and rosed and then water baptized.
@@sharonevans8504 Your point in quoting that passage being? Or don't you understand the difference between being baptized and being filled? And where does that passage mention Paul speaking in tongues?
Thank you, Mike, for your diligence in "rightly dividing" God's Word. Your explanation of the I Corinthians 14 passage is the best I've ever heard.
Where does it say in the bible that you have to divide the word of God?
In 2 Tim 2:15
I grew up on the NLT for my teenage years and it did mess with my theology. For example, in Hebrews 6 the NLT reads: Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from "evil deeds" and placing our faith in God.
Whereas the literal translation is "dead works". Now when you get to Heb 6:6, the difference between dead works and evil deeds couldn't be more important. In general the NLT has a very heavy "prove you're saved by stopping sinning" bent.
As an example, every time the new testament says "repent" the NLT interpolates "repent (of your sins)". And in the cases in the old testament where God is said to repent (and we all know God's repentance could not be from sin), instead of saying so the NLT chooses to replace the word with "He was sorry".
Therefore I was led to believe that repentance was inexorably tied to "quitting sin", and if I failed to do so I hadn't repented adequately to be saved.
My church still uses the NLT to help those with poor reading comprehension, and I will never leave because of it. But I do point out the theological bias when I can so others are not harmed as I was.
I think God WAS sorry he made us. That's why he wanted to kill us all. Makes sense to me.
You are pretty stupid THEN..
Works from faith and not dead works (pride leading to pride or conceived from pride). It is indeed dead works, and dead works are sin. I love the NLT and the NiRV but it is not my "base". I will use NIV, ESV, NASB to start with. Also the NET.
@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr yes, you are correct in a way. It is his Righteousness but it is worst than that, death is not final. Death is in a rubbish bin where it never ends. Thus without understanding his Righteousness, we cannot understand his Love, which is conditional not unconditional. It is his love that mercy has been given unconditionally
@@Logic807 Mercy is not given unconditionally. It's entirely conditional on worshipping this God.
The best bit was what you said at the end, thanks for doing content that you believe/think is important/necessary. Some videos may not get much attention but they probably get the attention of people who really need what you have to say. Thanks and God bless.
You are such a blessing. I love your videos.
per Doctor Gene Scott- ..."faith is Action, Based on belief, supported by Confidence that God keeps His Word..."
Just want to say a thank you to God for speaking through Mike. I have never come across someone who swung heavily toward the liberty side until I started a chat on a YT video. This person believed it so hard with no limits that, having never heard it before, I reached out to my church brothers to ask them if I completely missed something in the gospels. I know it wasnt one of the questions but so glad Mike addressed this.
God bless you pastor 🙏🙏🙏✝️
It feels like God’s timing. I was reading 1 Cor. 14 today and noticed the issue of tongues and prophecy for the first time. Great possible explanations to resolve the matter. Still not sure, but it’s really interesting.
Side note: I’d love to see Mike do a video on the Shroud of Turin and go in depth on all the evidence for and against its authenticity. That is one topic that I originally approached with major skepticism. But after studying it deeply my convictions have dramatically changed and I have been truly inspired and amazed. I believe more people need to be exposed to the evidence and taught to think critically about it.
1 Corinthians 14:20-25 contains my favorite verses. Looking in my Bible (The Way) from 1974 I wrote “My testimony April ‘74, Wheaton IL, Assembly of God!! Praise God!! The prophecy was about the 99 sheep and the lost lamb, definitely me! I did fall on my knees, chose Jesus as my Lord, and have followed ever since. I love this ministry! Our small group used the 1 Peter verse by verse video as our study, so good. Now we are doing Mark! Looking forward to Hebrews 🙏 Thank you Mike !
Tongues is for both. I was saved after hearing the gift of tongue and the interpretation of the tongue which was for me. Speaking in tongues as a group of believers isn't for the unbeliever but for the enjoyment of believers
I'm so glad i found your youtube channel. I feel I can tell immediately when a Christian teacher is a genuine, wise , knowledgeable Christian teacher,,and thankyou I've found a channel I can listen too❤❤❤❤
I hope this may help your deliberation. Proverbs 26:4-5 says Answer a fool... and then; Don't answer a fool. You took an very good approach and I agree with a lot of your findings. Nevertheless, what seems to be a contadiction is not a problem because both situations are true as in the Proverbs example. Toungues could be a sign of judgment to unbelievers. Tounges also, without interpretation in public are just useless noise. Prophesy edifies believers. When toungues are interpreted they are raised to the level of prophesy. This is how I see this. Anyway, thanks for your incites.
Well done Mike, I've not heard such sensible exposition in years.
Reg. Q1; Whatever may be the interpretation, I think Paul wants them to know that it is simply not-alright to speak in tongues in the Church without interpretation. Paul's argument here is similar to his arguments for head covering. At times, we just take the "take-away" while being puzzled about the logic
About this conundrum that you mentioned, I am only 10 seconds into it and I totally understand it even though I've never read it myself to my remembrance in the Bible.
Simply put, if a Christian has not been anointed by the language of the Holy Spirit but yet understands and appreciates prophecy, that same person can be put off from the fact that they were not anointed in the Holy Spirit.
So for me, when you read the scripture that I have never heard before I was relieved because I have never been able to speak in tongues but I appreciate and delve into any and all prophecy and consider myself a blessed daughter of Christ. To me, this is affirmation that I am not able to speak in tongues, and I'm still a special in God's eyes as I feel that I could be.
RE QUESTION 10 (APOSTASY)
The Greek noun ἀποστασία (apostasia) can be translated as "depart' but never in the spatial sense. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Acts 21:21, and throughout the Septuagint, it always means rebellion or defection. It has nothing to do with a pre-tribulation rapture. The same word with the same sense is found in:
• Septuagint of _Jeremiah_ 2:19; _Job_ 22:22; _2 Chronicles_ 29:19; _1 Maccabees_ 2:15
• Cassius Dio Cocceianus, _Historiae Romanae_ 63.22, 63.24
• Flavius Josephus, _The Wars of the Jews_ 7.82, _The Life of Flavius Josephus_ 43
• Plutarch, _Galba_ 1.5, _Mulierum Virtutes_ 16,
• Eusebius of Caesarea, _Historia Ecclesiastica_ 1.5, 4.6, 5.28, 6.45, 7.24
• Julian the Emperor, _Contra Galilaeos_ 235
• Basil of Caesarea, _Epistulae_ 139, 233, 243, 264
There isn't a single reference to ἀποστασία (apostasia) being used in a spatial sense anywhere in ancient literature. Had Paul intended his audience to understand that he meant a physical departure, he would have used a noun that was widely recognized as having that meaning, such as ἔξοδος (exodos) or ἀνάλυσις (analusis) - see Luke 9:31 and 2 Timothy 4:6, respectively.
What pre-tribbers are arguing for is that Paul used ἀποστασία (apostasia) in a way none of his audience would have recognized. In doing so, they render Paul unintelligible.
Contrary to what some pre-tribbers claim, the addition of the definite article in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 [i.e. ἡ ἀποστασία (hē apostasia)] doesn't suddenly give the word a spatial sense, either - as anyone familiar with its ancient usage would know. All the article does is to particularise it.
The rebellion/defection sense of ἀποστασία (apostasia) is confirmed in works such as _Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words,_ ('fall', p.223, 'forsake', p.253) and _A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature_ [BDAG] ('ἀποστασία', p.120).
what they're doing is reaching for anything to try to justify their belief, unfortunately.
completely ignoring so many other words, factors, verses and focusing on one tiny thing they want to translate or mean a certain way so that their belief of a pre-tribulation "rapture" is justified. it really just demonstrates a massive ignorance, or misunderstanding, about several other things in scripture. EG what the day of the Lord is, etc.
again, unfortunately, its usually in ignorance (as in a lack of knowledge, not knowing) because of what is taught and learned usually at a young age and never actually challenged. so many things in our lives take this form, of just taking it for granted and assuming its true
the other thing is, scripture is never in a vacuum either. and in 2 thess it speaking about the "rebellion" or a massive event of apostacy has supporting scripture in Matt 24:12 where the "agape" love of many will grow cold, speaking of their love for God.
Very strong points! I am going to copy and paste to study these sources. What do you think of the theory that the Roman Catholic church created the "pre-tribulation/secret rapture" doctrine to elimate the Church from possibly be labeled as the Antichrist by the protestant movement??
@@ThePerpetualStudent The history of the pre-tribulation rapture teaching shows it not to be of RCC origin. Claims to the contrary are just an anti-papist conspiracy theory with no supporting evidence.
Hey Mike, Dr. Andy Woods wrote a very short booklet called "The Falling Away - Spiritual Departure or Physical Rapture?" Might be worth taking a look at to see what you make of his 10 arguments.
@@ThePerpetualStudent i think its wise to stick to scripture and leave theories, heresay, and accusations aside
Thank you Mike for your consistency and faithfulness.
On the question about the NLT. I was raised strict kjv. I was told All other versions are corrupt and you are being deceived and aren't really saved if you read other versions. One day, idk, something just came over me and I read hebrews in the nlt and understood it all. I was amazed because I had previously tried to read it in the kjv and was just confused. So now what I do is read from the NLT, ESV, then KJV of whatever passage in in. Sometimes I may read the niv or nasb. I feel like reading multiple is very helpful and my favorite is the NLT but I know I need to try to read the more word for word and not just stick to a thought for thought.
The KJV only thing is sad, because it does make a barrier for many people in understanding. And it doesn't even make sense, because if they really insist that people only read the "purest" text, they should insist people only read the Greek/Hebrew Bible. Anyway, glad you found understanding!
Can I ask you a question? In John 8:44 ish, who was Jesus speaking to, and what is the name of the law giving God they worship. Isn't it Yahweh, the same God the author of Hebrews worships?
The NLT can make a lot of sense, but just remember that not all of it is true to the original language meaning (for instance, it often, if not always, adds "of your sins" after the word "repent", among others). So just always pray about whatever it is you're reading (or anything else at all) to God, asking for His wisdom, knowledge and understanding of it, for we are but men who all too often lean on our own understanding, leading ourselves into a ditch 😵💫 But I too use multiple versions, mainly NKJV, NLT and AMP, but I also very much depend on a concordance
@WeWillShowMercy Those " scriptures " are not Jesus's ABBA, their John 8:44 Yahweh's. You got a bag full of christ DECEPTION from them
Matthew 23:4-5
4Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.5For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.
And he was right, look how MANY of you pharisees go around falsely claiming he is the Christ, of John 8:44 YHWH
Thanks for what you do Mike!
I appreciate your videos brother🙏🏻
Paul is talking about three different ways toungues have been and/or should be used (for example: speaking within earshot in a known language or unknown language). Also, I believe he is talking about a third type of language...a language of doctrine or worship. All examples were given starting at verse 6. Further examples are given in the book of Acts 2:4, 6-13 - Acts 10: 44-46 - Acts 19:6. It's important to read the whole chapter to get context on what is actually occurring. Much of supposed contradictions come from reading a verse and trying to understand it out of context (usually because the rest of the chapter is ignored).
I was an overweight child and fluctuate din my teens. At 22 I got serious about my health and lost 40 pounds and have kept it off for 10 years. Gluttony is something I’ve wanted to address and start some type of ministry in our church involving getting healthy to honor the Lord but I have no idea how to approach that. I fear really hurting peoples feelings.
Don’t fear that you hurt people’s feelings. Sometimes to show love or concern to people you have to make them take a look at themselves, even if it breaks their esteem a bit. Be strong.
If you haven’t already, you may be surprised to learn that being overweight is not always a sign that someone is gluttonous. Other things can always be at play. Seek to understand and to inspire.
Talk to your pastor about starting a "Let's Get Fit and Healthy" class. Everyone can benefit from learning about healthy eating and exercise and we all no it'd not a "one size" fits off solution. You have a testimony and you can use it to help people live a healthier lifestyle.
Conviction hurts feelings, but is still important. Some sins are extremely minimized generally in the church which makes ministries focused on them important. I don’t struggle much with gluttony, but with slothfulness. I would have loved a ministry that helped me with that earlier in my walk that was biblically focused, so I say go for it. There are tons of diet/health focused stuff out there, but not much biblically-based and focused more on the heart than just behavior and numbers.
Great video Mike. There is one other explanation that came to me as I was listening to you read the scriptures in 1 Cor 14:
What if the “believers” in verse 22 refers to the converted “unbelievers” in verse 23-25. This can work because 23-25 can be interpreted as “tongues builds/creates unbelievers from unbelievers while prophecy builds/creates believers from unbelievers”. So verse 22 can be understood as “prophecy is a sign for ‘creating/building’ believers not unbelievers. While tongues is a sign for ‘creating/building’ unbelievers not believers”. So in verse 22 “believer” or “unbeliever” may not be referring to the initial state of a person before they experience the sign but their end state after the sign
It also holds up because verse 23-25 only explains the impact of tongues and prophecy on unbelievers not believers. In these verses the starting position of the person coming to the church is always as an unbeliever. In the case of tongues, they remain an unbeliever while in the case of prophecy they become a believer
In summary, Paul could be talking about the end state of a person in verse 22, who has ended up as a believer or unbeliever and which sign of tongues or prophecy would have got them there
Would be keen to hear you explore this path more. God bless
Based on the language and overall context, I'd say this is a better explanation. 👍
A sign to the world that we are living in the last days. Speaks of Edification, Exhortation, and Comfort to the Church.
I haven't heard your offerings yet, but the way I've always understood that passage "all" is the key. The former says tongues are for unbelievers and prophecy is for believers. The latter seems to be a warning against everyone speaking in tongues at the same exact time, but if you're united in the spirit, and there are unbelievers amongst you, prophesy instead. So, I always understood the former to be for more personal settings and the latter for gatherings where believers are united in the Holy Spirit.
This is where I have landed also. "ALL" is key. And it is fitting that the very next passage is about orderly worship and speaking a few at a time. Yes, tongues are a sign for unbelievers, but if an unbeliever shows up to your church and you are all shouting over eachother in uninterpreted tongues then they don't act toward that purpose.
This is amazing! God gave you comfort! 😇
Had deja vu MANY MANY times when I was young, and just like Mike said, I tried to predict what would happen next when that feeling came about. Never. Not ONCE, did I predict correctly.
glitch in the matrix
Thank you Mike for another solid biblical Q&A Session 👍
(It was also a great podcast for me while doing my vacuuming 😁)
My conversion to faith was when I heard a friend quietly praying in tongues beside me. At that point it was like a light went on and I believed
And it was not interpreted
@@dianeglover479 Does it ever edify the church??
Hi friend. Although this experience may have taken place at the time, your conversion took place when you put your faith in Christ and He filled you with His Spirit. Praise God. Salvation is of the Lord. God continue to bless you and keep you
When you heard someone babbling nonsense you believed it was from God? Maybe if someone with no knowledge of Japanese started speaking perfect Japanese, that would be a sign. But lalallahahahhababababa is not a language. Anyone can do that.
Could you please explain why this made you believe and what exactly happened? What do you mean with light on? Did you understand what the person was talking? Appreciate your answer :)
SHARE THE STORY PASTOR MIKE!
Are you guys familiar with the teaching of Teacher Steve Gregg? I am intrigued by his work and would like to get your opinions. He's extremely thorough to my mind.
I started listening to Steve Gregg when I heard Leighton Flowers mention Steve's debate with James White. This was maybe almost a year ago, and since then I've listened to a lot of his teaching and especially his radio programme where he answers questions live, much as brother Mike does here.
I think Steve is a great teacher and, most importantly, someone whose heart is truly in the right place when it comes to following Jesus faithfully and teaching others to do the same.
He is self taught when it comes to the Bible and, while his understanding and grasp of it is truly prodigious, I do notice sometimes some little places where, say, the fact that he hasn't had academic education in Hebrew and Greek is limiting him a bit. I say that as a total lay person myself, it's just that I also listen to a lot of Bible scholars and I notice some little differences.
When it comes to approaching the Scriptures in context with a humble heart and a desire to obey, Steve Gregg is an amazing example and teacher though, I love his attitude of courageous submission to the Lord, again, much like Mike Winger, who is also self taught and brilliant at teaching us how to think biblically about everything 😊
@mariemilycraig So good of you to respond. I have the same feeling about him. He went to Wheaton College I think. I could be wrong. His take on the Book of Revelation has me convinced. At first it shocked me. But now I'm convinced. I hope more people listen to him, not to unsee Revelation as an end time book, but at least to hear and consider another perspective.
@@republiccooper I'm also very on board with his interpretation of Revelation! It makes the most sense compared to everything else I've come across so far.
According to his biography at The Narrow Path website, he doesn't seem to have been to Wheaton or anywhere else like that.
Thanks for posting
In other words. Tongues isn't just mindless babble, like you hear in churches today
Wrong. You realize languages are fluid and change every trendy month right? Bottom line, you are speaking TO the LORD.
It says..tongues are a sign of the unbeliever but also the unlearned. If you think speaking in tongues is ‘madness’ you are in common belief with the unbelievers
@@9432515 I didn't say speaking in tongues is madness. I said. The mindless babbling you hear in some churches today isn't speaking in tongues. It's meant to be an actual language that someone can understand. Otherwise, what's the point
@@9432515Yes of course language is fluid but it's always coherent - Always! Babbling is not the same as the evolution of modern languages. Your argument is a classic non sequitur.
I have wondered about this for years............surely I thought others must see this........finally
Ok, the deja vu joke was hilarious 😂👍
Look up the Monty Python skit about Deja Vu if you've never seen it. It may or may not have influenced Mikes joke.
Thanks, Mike! Really appreciate your efforts and insights on that tricky passage.
It talks about how when someone speaks in a special way that not everyone understands, they’re talking to God in a mysterious language that only God knows. But when someone can predict or explain things that help and comfort others, that’s really helpful and kind. It says that when someone speaks in that mysterious way, it helps them grow stronger inside. But when someone helps and comforts others, it makes the whole group of people who believe in God stronger. Paul wishes that everyone could talk in that special way, but they think it’s even better when someone can explain things clearly and help everyone understand, because that helps the group grow and learn together.
I was in church recently and a lady prayed in Spanish. I do not understand Spanish and because there was not an interpreter my mind was unfruitful, I did not understand. I could not share in the blessing of the prayer, but she was personally benefited and edified because she understood what she was praying about. If unbelievers walk into a service where they miraculously hear the gospel in their language they will be blessed to hear the truth in their own language. That is the purpose of Tongues. The Lord knew that language barriers would hinder the spreading of the gospel so He gave gifts to his followers to triumph over the language barriers.
In 2 Cor 14:14 the phrase my spirit prays can be translated as . If you insert mind for spirit, this verse it makes sense and is in line with what the Bible teaches about tongues. “For if I pray in a tongue, my prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
VS 23: The unbeliever will think the people are out of their mind if everyone is speaking in foreign languages and none of those are a language they speak, but if someone is gifted to speak that persons earthly language then they will be edified and convicted of truth.
I suggest you look more closely into the Scriptures. There are many Scriptures that contradict your theory.
Spot on. You've look closely at the scriptures. Much of 1Cor 14 is Paul using ridiculous scenarios to lead the Coriths away from their obsession with seeking after speaking in tongues to the neglect of other gifts and work. Most people read his arguments against the obsession with speaking in tongues as arguement for it...to get more obsessed over it. Paul is a painful difficult to follow writer.
Can there be "2" kinds? One for God's ears and the other for speaking with others whose language you don't know so that they may be preached to?
I don't know, because there's two God's, one is the heavenly ABBA, Barabba being his son, and the other one you christians follow is John 8:44 Yahweh, who's two bit son is the Christ, and he's the one Paul worships.
Are you of your John 8:44 YHWH Father too?
4:00 that is a truly helpful explanation. Thank you for your wisdom.
great shirt!
Great practical video Mike. This really opened my eyes.
I find it very intriguing that whenever there is an apparent contradiction, those who want to disprove the Bible automatically assume the Bible is now disproven. Like you said, its a contradiction if you just glance at it. That's what most people do. Just glance. Anyway, thank you for not glancing at the text.
OR they dig deeply into the context and everything about it and realize that it IS a contradiction.
@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr people like that come from some type of presuppositions type of view( lense) when it comes to the Bible.if someone is truly searching and seeking they will find Truth.
@@chrisG629 I had no pressuposition. I came out of reading the bible thinking like a protestant. Then I understood deeper and now think it makes more sense that this God is probably just Satan lying and is a narcissist abuser. When you TRULY search, without NEEDING to end where you begin, then you realize it's all rotten. You do find the truth. Good luck and keep asking questions.
@@chrisG629 It is actually the people with presuppositions that need to conclude that things that really really really really really seem to be contradictions, somehow actually aren't. When you're free to be honest, you can admit, well yeah, there are tons.
@@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr That answer literally makes no sense. How could God be a narcissist? Narcissism is wrong because being self-centered as a human is wrong. The universe does not revolve around one single human. However, the universe does revolve around God. There is no truth if there is no God. There is no real authority for anything you say if there is no higher authority. Your presuppositions about God are very evident. You aren't even critiquing God, you are critiquing who you think God is in your own mind. Any version of God that isn't the true God is an Idol. So you are just critiquing an idol.
Mike, so few Believers today have trained themselves to rightly divide the word of God as you do. Love your honest and skilled ministry. It’s quite refreshing.
I think I was more of a glutton when I was underweight than I am now that I am overweight. I am careful now and yet I can't lose weight. When I was younger, I ate whatever I wanted and didn't limit myself if I was enjoying something and never gained weight. When I was in my 40's I gradually just started putting on weight. As I noticed this, I became more mindful about not overeating. Be careful about assuming that fat people are all gluttons.
Wrong type of food, not quantity,
You can't gain weight without having consumed a certain number of calories. However, people process calories at all different rates. And age does factor in, when it comes to the metabolism slowing down. For women, having been through child birth also can slow it, or throw it off balance.
He also assumes we live on a spinning ball even when the bible implies stationary flat earth. So that's Mike for ya. Not perfect.
@@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr no one is perfect
@@Volleyball_Chess_and_GeoguessrSo you ignore both scripture and science? 😂 I guess Job got it all wrong then.😂
Prophesy leading unbelievers to salvation, revealing to them that God knows their lives and minds; and a sign for believers by doing the same.
As a Christian the Holy Spirit will lead me into a certain course of life choices and when a prophecy comes, it confirms to my mind what my spirit already knows, thus being a sign for me that God truly has led me on the way.
Mike, I have to correct you on something. Being fat or even “obese”. does not automatically reveal a person to be gluttonous. Some people are genetically predisposed to being fat and/ or they have a medical condition/ medications that can cause weight gain (sometimes significantly so). We need to be careful with the way we discuss the correlation of gluttony to fat people. If we all ate the same and exercised the same, we still wouldn’t all look the same. Our society has trained us to believe that fatness automatically equals gluttonous behavior and that’s just not always the case.
I mention this because there is strong judgement and dislike of fatness because of its attachment to over eating/ unhealthy eating. It goes without saying that there is much unhealthy eating in our current day, but truly it’s an unfair assessment of a person to think that their fatness automatically points to a sinful behavior. Please I encourage you to consider these things when you start diving into the topic of gluttony and shed light on this issue! I do love and appreciate your content/ ministry very much and I’ll be excited when you provide this new material for us.
Wait till Mike ages just a little bit more and becomes fat LOL. It happens with age.
Society hasn’t trained me anything. Every single overweight person I’ve ever met in 37 years of life over eats and/or doesn’t exercise. A tiny amount of people have genes that do what you describe or medication that makes them fat.
@@beefymario88 Plenty of skinny people also don't over eat or exercise.
@@beefymario88 that’s just not true. I’m not trying to excuse bad eating habits/ no exercise, but so many things contribute to a person’s shape and size beyond those things. You cannot tell me that if we all ate and exercised the same that we’d all have the same body fat percentage. Genetics, age (hormones - slowed metabolism), disease/ medications all play a role. Evidence is pretty clear that there are myriad of factors that affect a person’s body fat percentage beyond eating and exercise alone.
@@seaglass.jen86 They play a much smaller role than you want to admit, though. Of course we wouldn’t all look the same, but the difference for the vast majority of us would be rather minimal overall. Evidence just is not on your side. It’s certainly on the side that people are different, but not to the level that you clearly want it to be.
I would go along with option 3. I wrestled with this section of scripture before, and I always thought of it being akin to how Jesus taught the general public. He only spoke to them in parables, but to his disciples, he gave explanations. He said that it was not given to the people on the outside to know, showing separation. But it's the churches job to bring people into the knowledge of God and hopefully a relationship with him.
One of the principles of interpretation is to look at the overall context that difficult verses are in to understand. With that in mind the overall context of the chapter is that prophecy is more important to believers and unbelievers than tongues.
I am literally like.....MIKE: are you needing to burst out in tongues here - cuz I have never heard you mess up so much you confused me MORE 😂
I'm sure it all gets better & comes out clear in the end I appreciate your style of teaching. Even the messy days 🎉
I was taught to understand it that there were different types of tongues. One for God and you speak to each other, one meant as a gift (public use), and one meant as the gift of earthly tongues (speaking in a language you don’t know).
Mike……another Tee with a beautiful message. Glad you went from 20 to 10……questions each week…..😎
Everyone cling to Jesus! He is trustworthy!
Where this come from as I listened I don't know but a thought of Babel came to mind, how God divided the people by different tongues, and maybe even different flesh but anyway, concerning tongues, God scattered the people with different tongues while at Pentecost He brought every tongue together through one tongue, the tongue of the Holy Spirit.
This Tongue was able to allow all tongues of men to understand and be united in God with every nation and every tongue speaking as one.
That is blowing my mind right now.
I loveeee Fridays because of these videos
Dear Mike, I love watching your videos, and my heart is going out to you as I watch you struggle with this. As I grew up in a Pentecostal church, we leaned heavily on Acts 2. The pouring out of the Holy Spirit and people speaking in tongues on the day of Pentecost, was the gift that Jesus foretold before he ascended into heaven for the last time, until his second coming. He has to send the Holy Spirit onto his people so they could spread the gospel of Christ. As Paul began to write to the church if Corinth, he was writing to a wayward bunch of people. They were doing things in vain, they were doing paganism too. He needed to let them know that not everyone is to speak in tongues. Those who DO speak in tongues are speaking in vain without an interpretation quickly after. That is when you know that the Tongues and the Prophecy is of God. Without that you can turn an unbeliever away from Christ because of disbelief and confusion. They will see us as crazy.
I think adding a couple of words in this paraphrase helps explain. . . "YES tongues are a sign for unbelievers BUT if an unbeliever comes into your service and everybody is acting crazy, it is not helpful to them."
The way you talked about the tongues was a "Princess Bride" moment with the poison cups.
"Clearly I can't take the cup in front of me..."
Praying for you
13:00
I think I remember a preacher talked about this in my church in the past. So Paul was talking about Holy Spirit being the spirit that is orderly. So if you talk in tounges, you manifest, just because you manifested doesn't mean you'd release control over yourselves. 14:05 so you see the word "whole" there, that's the problem
I love Friday Q & A Thanks brother Mike. great answers, you did good on #10 lol
To reconcile the apparent contradiction in 1 Corinthians 14:22 and 23:
1. Contextual Use: by Understanding that tongues as a sign are theoretically beneficial for reaching unbelievers as mentioned in verse 22, but their practical application in worship must be managed.
2. Misuse in Worship : In verse 23, Paul highlights the issue that if everyone speaks in tongues without interpretation, it leads to confusion rather than edification or evangelism, which contradicts the purpose of tongues as a beneficial sign.
3. Promote Order and Understanding: Paul advocates for the use of spiritual gifts in a way that promotes clarity and order in worship services, particularly recommending prophecy over tongues because it is intelligible and edifying for both believers and unbelievers.
In essence, Paul argues for a balanced and orderly use of spiritual gifts that builds up the church and effectively communicates the gospel to outsiders.
WHOAAAAA! Mike says, leaning slightly away from pre-trib!! I agree with you on almost of everything thelogically I’ve heard. But not previously on eschatology! So this one was or of left field! Tell me more!!! 😂😂😂😂😂
My pastor just did an amazing sermon on Matthew 24 a couple weeks ago. I think it’s often misinterpreted. And a lot of the first part of Jesus’ answer was talking of the destruction of the temple. But as for the Day and the hour, no one knows! And all the parables around it, make it clear…Be prepared. Stay away. Be alert. No one will expect it!
Please,please, do a series on the rapture! It is very important in the days we are living in. We need to be prepared for whatever comes and I’m afraid some people just think they will be raptured….in my opinion are not prepared…and might be deceived…or confused by whatever they might have to go through….and might fall away.
Hes talked about it some in his Mark series
That was funny, "Deja Vu"! Also, what a great album by CSNY! ✌️
Consider 1 Cor.13: 8 the ceasing of these gift is also a factor.
In agreement and context of all scripture, 2 Tim .3: 16-17.
We are furnished perfectly /thoroughly / completely for “ALL” good works
By the inspired Word of God.
Therefore, there should be no divisions, contradictions, or misapplications of these gifts
today in the church.
All is all !
It's explaining that the tongues are for unbelivers when they come inside the church and prohesy will convect them, and also tongues and prophecy are for the church. BUT ALL IN THEIR RIGHT TIME. This is how I was taught to come to a resolution, in fact I believe ol' @MikeWinger here was the one that taught me this. But this may help, I hope so it did for me.
Mike, thanks for the challenge. First, let us confess that God does not contradict Himself.
That said, tongues from what I understand, is primarily for the edification of the Church, for prophecy and the interpretation thereof. However, as we know, tongues was also used at Pentecost as a sign for unbelievers. And so, tongues can have multiple purposes. It's not an either this or that sort of thing. Further, the Speaking in Tongues is a Gift of the Spirit. Not everyone has it, which to me, explains why some unbelievers won't receive it, because it is not annointed.
I saw a young man in a church I was visiting standing with tears in his eye holding onto every word the preacher said. A woman started speaking in tongues and the young man just looked at her for a few minutes as his eyes dried up and then he left the church
It's been that way, even if there's only one or two. I have preachers condemn me for tongues. So it makes great sense that is explained in the scriptures.
“You get 5, for the price of none…because you didn’t pay for it…” 😂😂😂 Appreciate you Mike 💪
Very eye opening, Thank you!
okay thanks for the sneak peak, I am looking forward to next week :)
Pastor, giving up is not quitting. It's a "fall back, regroup, and re engage"
Mike, brother, regarding your first question today, a good brother called Tom Schreiner dealt with this really well in his book on Spiritual Gifts. 😁🙏
Ty for your teachings
John did no miracle but prepared the people for God presenting his son which was the greatest job any prophet ever had😊
if you ever do decide to do a vid on the rapture i recommend starting with Matthew 24. Jesus does a nice job of describing everything for us.
You DO NOT GIVE-UP. You PRAY and your answers will come.
Hi pastor @mikewinger, your perspectives on question 1 were great. Even as i was studying it, i couldn't fully understand this portion Paul talked about until you provided some explanations that made me see something new.
This is what i got that's clearly not a contradiction. Correct me if I'm wrong or have overlooked something.
In 1 Cor 14:21, Paul is referencing Isaiah to inform the Corinthians that God would use foreigners (i.e., gentile believers in the church) to speak in the tongues/language of the Jews (to the unbelieving Jews) as evidence that the Holy Spirit is at work and that Jesus is God. Verse 22 supports this understanding.
He then moves onto verse 23 to say that inquirers and unbelievers would think that the church is out of their minds if everyone speaks in tongues, perhaps because:
1. They are all believers. Thus, it does not make sense that everyone is speaking random languages to each other that produce no intelligible responses.
2. Tongues may also be an angelic language that no one could possibly understand unless interpreted, leading to confusion (may even come off as being possessed).
On the other hand, prophesying in understandable words would produce unity and conviction. Verse 24 seems to imply that the prophecies spoken in the church are such that produce holy living (e.g., God commands us to rid ourselves of sexual immorality before judgment is pronounced and God would bless the ministry of the church if we live righteously, etc.). So, in this sense, the unbeliever would repent of their sins and believe whilst believers are reminded of the statutes of God (latter part of verse 22).
What's your take on this perspective?
I've been learning much from you lately. Thank you for your ministry. May God endow you with greater wisdom and understanding of his word and strengthen you at all times!
@sarahfaith316 could you help bring this to pastor Mike's attention? 🙂
For option 3, vs 22 prophetic utterances can often be a sign of judgment to believers, calls to repentance etc... so in that way the prophetic does harmonize with that option so I wouldn't see that as a weakness.
I think you've got it, brother. If Isaiah is the context, then prophecy is a sign of impending judgment for believers (Jews in the original context).
BETTER EXPLANATION: I understand: "a sign for the believers" as a sign hat leads to believe and "a sign for unbelievers" as a sign that leads to unbelieve.
R. C. H. Lenski sees it similar:
1. Korinther 14,22: The point to be noted in regard to both the tongues and the prophecy lies in the phrase “for a sign”; and εἶναι (here εἰσί) combined with εἰς: “to be for,” etc., expresses, not the nature of tongues and of prophecy, but the effect.