Known Languages

Royal Priesthood, Holy Nation                                          Acts 2:4

Known Languages

by Robert T. Cooper

When The Gathering in the Mountains was a mission church, we agreed we would base it on the Scriptures. Wherever the Scriptures took us, we would go.

So I was a little nervous when it came to the study of I Corinthians. I was certain that at some point in the study I would come to a verse that would require the acceptance of what in Pentecostal and charismatic circles is today called “tongues.”

Now, don’t get me wrong. I have friends who engage in that practice. I even had a friend long ago who told me God wanted me to have that “gift.” The Lord takes them down their paths; He has taken me down my path.

But we were talking about what the official doctrine of a Southern Baptist Mission Church would be. And so I began preaching through the book. But each time I came to a mention of tongues, the interpretation of known languages was possible. There was no time in which the only possible interpretation was modern-style “tongues.”

So after awhile, I went back and studied again through Acts to see whether known languages was a valid interpretation of every mention of tongues in that book. Sure enough, it was.

In Acts 2:4, the translation “tongues” is footnoted to include the alternative “languages.” My advice is that we just use that alternative all the time. That way we can be clear about what is meant.

And even if I am wrong, on the Day of Pentecost we are certain those were all known languages, for those languages are specifically listed. Also the Scripture says that native speakers of those languages understood what was being said.

Point the last: the Holy Spirit brought this about. He was accomplishing His ministry by doing so.

There are modern stories of people who were enabled to witness in languages they had never studied. If you are familiar with any of those stories, or if it has happened to you, please share with us.

Then They Prayed

Royal Priesthood, Holy Nation                                        Acts 1:24

Then They Prayed

by Robert T. Cooper

There was a need in the church. They examined the options and came down to one of two choices. In this case, there was a need for a single person. They came down to one of two people to fill the need. Then they prayed.

How often in church business do we never get around to praying more than a “God bless this business” opening and closing prayer? It is shamefully too often. Churches nowadays don’t have many real prayer meetings on their schedules anyway. But the church business meeting should be one of the prayingest meetings of all!

So when they got to the point of praying, how did they begin their prayer? “Lord, you know everyone’s heart.” Did you catch that? They began with praise, but not just with any old praise. They began with praise that was specific to the business decision at hand. The Bible tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. Face it, if in your church business meetings you want to vote for God’s will to be done (on earth as it is in heaven), then you would do well to pause before the vote and praise God in terms specific to the business decision at hand.

Finally, they were ready to pray, “Show us which of these two you have chosen.” You do understand that God is quite capable of answering, “Neither.” He did so on several occasions in Scripture. He is also quite capable of answering, “Both.” But if you have been seeking the Lord up to this point and have concluded that it is one or the other of the options on the table at the present time, then God will do just what you have prayed. He will show you which of the two He has chosen.

There are often things that need deciding in a church. Next time consider doing it this biblical way.

Has your church ever prayed like this right before a vote in a business meeting? Could your church do so in the future? We welcome your comments.

So They Proposed Two Men

Royal Priesthood, Holy Nation                                        Acts 1:23

So They Proposed Two Men

by Robert T. Cooper

Face it! There’s a whole lot that the Bible doesn’t tell us.

There’s a cartoon on the internet with a caption that reads something like, “Prior to the election of the replacement apostle, they went through several rounds of narrowing down the candidates using the latest high tech methodology.” The picture in the cartoon is of two men in 1^st century biblical attire playing “Scissors, Paper, Stone” (or whatever name that folk game is going by at this time).

And while I am confident the narrowing process wasn’t done by that particular game, one has to consider how many people were actually qualified to serve and how they finally narrowed it down to these two. And when in the process were they asked whether they would serve if selected? We simply don’t know.

But it is not uncommon in the Scripture for questions placed before God to be put into “one or the other” terms. It is always either “my side or their side,” “yes or no,” “this or that,” “this one or not.” So perhaps there is something for us to learn about how to put questions to the Lord after all.

I guess I am too steeped in probability theory to make most decisions by casting lots. But I can often pray in that binary sense and watch for how the Lord answers. It has even happened to me that I asked the Lord to put one of the answers in my mouth; when the time came I intended to give one answer, but was surprised to find the other answer coming out of my mouth. In every case, I have known with confidence it was the Lord who brought that about. Yes, I have found He is trustworthy in that regard.

So the next time you have a question to present to the Lord, why don’t you try asking in that binary fashion? See how He answers. And perhaps you can do so at church business time too.

What has been your experience presenting binary questions to the Lord? What questions are you facing at this time that you could present to the Lord in a binary fashion? We’d love to get your comments.