This morning’s session of Crosstalk commenced with Doug emphasizing that in our Christian fellowship with other Christians, we should apply the following principle. "In necessariis unitas, in non-necessariis (or, dubiis) libertas, in utrisque (or, omnibus) caritas." This quote incorrectly attributed to St. Augustine is translated, "in essentials, unity; in doubtful matters, liberty; in all things, charity."
From there, we launched into Acts 2:5-13 and focused the discussion on speaking in tongues and what that meant in the context of the Acts passage. Some thought that it meant the apostles “began to speak” in foreign languages to the people listening to them, while others thought that the apostles were speaking in their own native language but the people listening were “hearing” the message in their own heart language. Some comments focused on how many people speaking at the same in different languages to a large crowd of people could possibly be heard and understood. Others said it really didn’t matter how the message of “the mighty works of God” was communicated or understood but that the important thing was that the listeners received the good news.
The discussion shifted to whether the gift of tongues is available and in use today. A poll of our group by the raising of hands indicated that a small number of men believe that speaking in tongues is still occurring today and some even went on to say that every true Christian has all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and hinted that the practice of speaking in tongues is a necessary manifestation of the Holy Spirit and without it a person is not truly saved. Some men stated that people speaking in tongues to others was a practice still done today while others indicated that speaking in tongues was only part of their private prayer practice. Various opinions indicated that there was a difference of opinion on whether “speaking in tongues” today is an essential or non-essential part of the Christian belief system.
Some comments were focused on the seeming theme of the day which was that differences of opinion among Christians on “speaking in tongues” can destroy a relationship or ministry where believers cannot decide if “speaking in tongues” is essential or non-essential to the Christian faith.
Doug focused the group’s attention on 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 which stated: “4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are activated by the one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.” (New Revised Standard Version)
The morning’s session of Crosstalk closed with many men still desiring to share their thoughts with their fellow believers. Next week will be an interesting session as Doug leads us to a conclusion that will continue the long existing unity of our group regarding the essentials.