Simmagus, I am going to continue to answer your things on a new thread. Some of the other one has already slid onto another page. I am afraid it will be wasted effort this way, and will not be read or studied.

So let's continue on this thread, if you do not mind.

Here is the part of your first post, which I will answer now.

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Take what I was given to read the other day-Friday- 1 Cor.14, read it for yourselves, don't just take my word herein

Paul is arguing that we should be striving for GIFTS of GOD, the very gifts that Jesus summed better in Mark 16,17+18

that Paul often was as lackluster about as were the disciples.

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But Paul has issue with the gift of tongues here doesn't he, he prefers that of prophecy.
I ask you which would you rather be able to have, be in direct contact with ABBA or be given some glimpse of prophecy?
To me it's a no brainer, TONGUES, for thereby is one edified and then one can prophecy, but if one only knows

how to drive nails but has no hammer what use is that laborer? that is what prophecy is like without tongues.
then Paul notes that tongues is for the edification of whom? The believers, but prophecy edifies the unbeliever.

well this is really confused, "if all prophecy then the unbeliever is convinced". HORSE HOCKEY

We see what this has become today, everyone is prophecying what they feel is the TRUTH, and if they

combine as happens so often in seminaries where they breed new ideals then how can anyone be convinced let

alone be convicted?
I am often accused of belittling Paulie, I do so not to throw dirt on Paulie but to show that Paulie isn't whom we

are to follow, no matter how many times he may say, FOLLOW ME.
Remember what Jesus said? BELIEVE GOD-ABBA, and (then He said) believe also in Me.
We are to believe ABBA-GOD, the GOD of all CREATION first, not what some body has cobbled together later..

Most often what they have cobbled together won't fit.It's either so loose it slips and trips us or so restricting we can't walk.

That is the point of why I could and would not bow to their demand that I curtsey to their ever loving and

changing- changable creed. [simmagus]

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Me:

Mr 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Mr 16:18 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.

Simmagus, how is that you can say that Paul and Peter and the others were lackluster toward the above verses? Both Peter and Paul raised the dead, on more than one occasion, they healed innumerable sick folks, taught the people, cast out devils, and gave prophecies to those in need. Can you do this? Do you prove with the above that you are a true believer? If not, how is it that you dare say such things against these Holy Men, whom Jesus sent out?

Jesus said if you receive me, you receive my Father which sent me. He said if you receive those I send, you receive me. So why do you not see this?

He, Jesus called and set out those Holy Men, who gave their very lives for the cause of Christ. Yet here you are down here today, speaking very disrespectfully of them all. Maybe you think it is �?EM>cute�?/EM> of you, or lifts you up, to mock them with your ‘paulie�?and pete? And what about �?STRONG>this Jesus fellow?�?/STRONG>

You truly feel that shows respect for our Saviour? It surely does not to me.

Now?

1co 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

1co 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

1co 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

1co 14:21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

1co 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

1co 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

1co 14:24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

1co 14:25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

Simmagus, How is it you say Paul had an issue with tongues? He said I thank God I speak with tongues more than you all. Does that sound like an ‘issue�? Sure does not to me.

Yet he said in the church he would rather say words they understand, so he can teach them. That is a man of LOVE.

Tongues is the sign which is spoken against. Tongues is the sign to the unbeliever that he is an unbeliever. How? Because, read Isa. 28. See how Paul took it back to that? God had said he would speak to the people with other tongues, yet they would not hear. So Paul knew if they cannot hear this, they are unbelievers.

So if you speak to them in tongues, they will not hear. But if you tell them the things of their own lives and hearts, then they KNOW this had to be God. Then they will come to believe. How is it that you cannot see something this simple?