Petro, regarding your last point I would say the tongues drew the crowd which is SUPER IMPORTANT!

see Acts 2:5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6  And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.

You need a crowd to preach to in the open air especially if lots of people need to be saved!

Every blessing,

Rapha.

[Acts 2]

There are those that are sceptical of healing and speaking in tongues.

But consider the following:-

The book of Acts is sometimes called the Blue Print for evangelism. Salvation of souls is most important most Christians would agree!

Notice

Acts 2 Tongues + Preaching = 3000 souls saved.

Acts 3 and 4 Healing + Preaching = 5000 men saved

Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. Acts 4:4

It is significant to note how many times tongues and healing / deliverance is mentioned in this important book.

Take away the supernatural from The Acts and there is nothing much left.

Rapha.

[ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS IN RED]

ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS IN RED
is there such a thing as the tongues of angels. There has to be ... 1 Cor. 13:1 plus we know angels speak in other passages!
unknown means  what?  unknown to mankind? unknown to the person ( like I do not know Spanish). In 1 Cor. 14: 4, 13, 19 for example the KJV translators have added the word unknown.In the RSV we see the word unknown is missing.
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church( 1 Cor. 14: 4)
was the purpose  of  tongues  to spread the gospel?  as in  the folks in Egypt did not  speak the same as the disciples?Tongues in my opinion has many uses:
1. Pray in tongues when you don't know what to pray.
2. Tongues + Interpretation of tongues is equal to prophesy. Notice verse 1 Cor. 14: 13. If you can pray in tongues you can also pray you can interpret!
3. Can save your life ... I know a powerful testimony where this actually happened.
4. Yes it has happened tongues ... can be used to preach the gospel, eg Tommy Hicks in Russia.
5. Salvation of souls. In Acts 2 we have:-
Tongues + Preaching = 3000 souls saved. The book of Acts is sometimes called the Blue Print for evangelism. It is significant to note how many times tongues is mentioned!

... And there are other purposes!

It is down played by some commentators of the Bible but I believe speaking in tongues is the gateway to the supernatural gifts mentioned in 1 Cor. 12.

Rapha

My comment on Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copleland et al is , " No comment! "

Rapha

Just a quick response!

Some messages in tongues are like those in Acts 2...i.e. in known languages!

For example, have been in a meeting when this happened... someone spoke in tongues and it was understandable by a couple who spoke an African dialect!


Rapha

Your quote on Faith is NOT found in the Bible! What the Bible says on faith and healing in the Gospel of Matthew ( for example ) is as follows:-

Mt 8:10
    When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

Mt 9:2
    And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

Mt 9:22
    But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Mt 9:29
    Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

Mt 15:28
    Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Mt 17:20
    And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Mt 21:21
    Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith , and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

*******

Notice  Mt. 17:20 is Healing Method no. 5!

Rapha.

Within the Holy Bible there are several ways of getting healed. They include:-

1. Standing on the Word as explained in my first posting wrt 1 Peter 2 :24b

2. Laying Hands on the Sick according to Mark 16: 17, 18

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

3. Call For the elders James 5: 14 - 16
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.

4. Ask ( John 14: 13 ) And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  

AND there are other methods!!!

The Holy Bible says it is God' s will to heal, for example,
see Matthew 8: 1 f  as it God' s will that everybody be saved.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2Pe 3:9 ).

How can you pray / act in faith if you are not sure of His will in this matter?

Rapha.






 

For your information more on speaking in tongues.
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Acts 2 : 1 - 5

1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

It is significant to mention what happened to Smith Wigglesworth when he first received the ability to speak in tongues in Sunderland in 1907.

He described this experience as follows: "She [Mrs Boddy, a minister?s wife] laid her hands on me and then had to go out of the room. The fire fell. It was a wonderful time as I was there with God alone. He bathed me in power. I was conscience of the cleansing of the precious blood, and I cried out: ?Clean! Clean! Clean!? I was filled with the joy of the consciousness of the cleansing. I was given a vision in which I saw the Lord Jesus Christ. I beheld the empty cross, and I saw Him exalted at the right hand of God the Father. I could speak no longer in English, but I began to praise Him in other tongues as the Spirit of God gave me utterance. I knew then, although I might have received anointings previously, that now, at last, I had received the real Baptism in the Holy Spirit as they received on the day of Pentecost." (1).

According to Bagster (2 ) the symbol of fire means judgment or purification.

In Acts 2: 4 the Bible says that they were ALL filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues. Let us now look at two very similar events in the Book of Acts.

A. Acts 10: 44 - 48
The Bible says the gift of the Holy Ghost was poured on Cornelius and his Gentile household. How did Peter and the other Jews present know? ? because

? they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God ( v.46 )

In Acts 11 Peter had to defend his preaching to the Gentiles. In his defence he makes a very interesting comment. He says ? the Holy Ghost fell on them as on us at the beginning ( v.15 ) . In other words the same thing happened to the Gentiles in Acts 10 as happened to the Jews a few years previously in Acts 2: 4.

B. Acts 19: 1 - 7

The Ephesians were baptized ? unto John ?s baptism ?; later through Paul the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied (v.6 ).

There are two other events in the Book of Acts which are worth considering in this study.

1. Acts 8: 12 - 19

People in Samaria received the Holy Ghost through Peter and John. How do we know they received the Holy Spirit? Because Simon saw something that he was prepared to pay for!

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles? hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

2. Acts 9: 17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

We know from the next verse that Saul ( Paul ) received his sight and we have no reason to doubt that Paul was filled with the Holy Ghost. Also we know that Paul spoke in tongues (1 Cor. 14: 18) so we see again the connection between being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues.

I suggest again  reading the ? classic ? book by Dennis Bennett, ? Nine O? Clock In The Morning ? (3). This Christian book is a fascinating account of what happened to the pastor of an Episcopal church in the Los Angeles area when he got involved with the ? baptism in the Holy Spirit ? and speaking in tongues.

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1. Frodsham, Stanley, ? Apostle Of Faith ?, P. 44

2. Bagster, S., Notes from the Teachers? Bible.

3. Bennett, Dennis ? Nine O? Clock In The Morning ?, Kingsway ( 1970 ).

There is good book called  " Nine O'Clock in the Morning " by Dennis Bennett ( full refer. given in my next posting). I know one person who recieved the gift of speaking in tongues thru' reading this book.

I know others who were very scepitcal but when they received the gift changed their " doctrine." I heard of one man had 6 tape series why tongues is not for today. ... but after he received had a 6 tape series why it is!

Rapha

Tongues and interpretation of tongues from a Christian perspective.
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The main purpose the Holy Spirit came down at Pentecost was to find, equip and adorn the bride of Christ - the Church and to escort her safely through this world and present her to Jesus - a pure and spotless bride (1).

In Genesis chapter 24 there is a beautiful illustration of how Abraham went about obtaining a bride for his son Isaac. The types in this account are as follows:-

Abraham ... a type of God the Father

Isaac ... a type of Son

Servant ... a type of Holy Spirit

Rebecca ... a type of Church

When the servant went to seek a bride for Isaac, he loaded ten camels to take with him. Included in these loads were precious gifts of jewellery.

In the New Testament, nine beautiful gifts of the Holy Spirit are listed in 1 Cor. 12: 8- 10.

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

Two words are used commonly in speaking of the gifts (2). One is charisma (or plural, charismata), gift of God' s love; the other is phanerosis, manifestation.

The word gift serves to remind us that these blessings cannot be earned but that they are freely given by God to His children.

In my own experience shortly after being born again I started to speak in tongues but they sounded repetitive.

Several months later a lady told me there were two people in my life that I should forgive. I did this right away and about one week later felt led to drive from my abode out into the country side to a small town - about one hour drive away.

I spoke in tongues all the way there. Once in the country area I began to get a sudden release in my heavenly language in that I started to have more variety in tongues and also sing in tongues. I remember the tremendous joy associated with this experience.

It is significant to note that a friend of mine was consistently able to interpret my tongues after the "country trip".

In 1 Cor. 14 Apostle Paul teaches on tongues and interpretation of tongues. Points that are pertinent here include:-

1. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself ( v.4a ).

According to The Hebrew - Greek Key Study Bible (3) the word edify here means to build, build up, rebuild, strengthen and benefit.

2. Tongues and interpretation of tongues together have the same benefit as prophesy (v.5).

3.Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. ( v.13)

It is obvious that there is a private side of speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues as well as a public side.

On one occasion I was walking down a road by myself speaking in tongues and at a certain point the language suddenly changed. With the change in utterance the interpretation became manifest. To this day I can remember the approximate location of this phenomena and also the gist of the interpretation.

In public have also received interpretation of tongues spoken by others. One early example involved an invitation to a person's apartment for dinner together with others. After the meal one of the men present spoke in tongues and suddenly without warning I realised I had the interpretation of the tongues uttered.

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1. Prince, Derek, Teaching Letter No. 21

2. Bennett, Dennis and Rita, " The Holy Spirit and You ", Logos (1971).

3. Zodhiates, Spiros," The Hebrew - Greek Key Study Bible", AMG Publishers (1996)

[Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith]

Your for information my favourite preacher of modern time was Smith Wigglesworth who God used to raise at least 14 people from the dead and also heal many people. However, I do not look to him or any other preacher for healing but the Lord Jesus Christ ... He was the Healer, is the Healer and will be the Healer. Consider :-

Hebrews 12:1, 2 ( KJV)

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. {author: or, beginner}

The point is when a person has a problem ...healing or whatever, Do they look at the Lord first and get His wisdom, thoughts OR panic and go for the carnal solution?

I have not been to the doctor or dentist for about 15 years nor have I taken any natural medicine for ~15 years And I give ALL the glory to the Lord Jesus Christ

Rapha.

... AND in the book of Acts both Peter and Paul healed people. So what do you conclude from that?

Rapha.

[Does the Bible say that Paul's thorn was sickness?]

Does the Bible say that Paul's thorn was sickness?

I base my case for healing on the Hole Bible. In healing the Christian has a choice... the Lord Jesus Christ or the doctors/ natural medicine.

The BIBLE says the following about doctors:-

Mark 5:25 f And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

2 Chron. 16:12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians. 13 And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.

Therefore the success rating for doctors is 0.00%

Acts 10:38
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing ALL that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

The Lord Jesus Christ has a success rating of 100.00%

It is pretty obvious who is the better doctor!

Rapha

Acts 10:38
" How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing ALL that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."

That is the Jesus I know; everywhere He went the sick were healed.  

Also Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, and today and forever.

Rapha

Dear Friends,
Please find below 31 Healing Scriptures ( Part 2 ) to consider.
God bless,
Rapha
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31 Healing Scriptures
One for every day of the month - Part 2 NT
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New Testament
Matt 7:7-11 | Matt 8:16-17 | Matt 9:35 | Matt 15:30-31 | Mark 11:22-24 Mark 16:17-18 | Luke 4:17-19 | Luke 9:1-2 | Luke 10:8-9 | Luke 13:16 | Acts 4:29-30 Acts 5:15-16 | Acts 10:38 | Gal 3:13 | James 5:13-16 | 1 John 5:14-15 | 3 John 2
Matt 7:7-11
7Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Matt 8:16-17
16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: 17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
Matt 9:35
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Matt 15:30-31
30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them: 31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
Mark 11:22-24
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Mark 16:17-18
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Luke 4:17-19
17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Luke 9:1-2
1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
Luke 10:8-9
8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: 9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
Luke 13:16
16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
Acts 4:29-30
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
Acts 5:15-16
15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. 16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
Acts 10:38
38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Gal 3:13
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
James 5:13-16
13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
1 John 5:14-15
"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
3 John 2
"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.