Last night I attended James River Assembly with my brother and mother. (Jason’s in town until Tuesday so that partly weighed in my decision to check the place out one more time last night.)
During the service, a woman gave a message in tongues, another man interpreted — and afterward pastor Curt Cook explained what the meaning of tongues and interpretations is to the church. What he said afterward is a good piece of wisdom that would benefit every single church in which the gift of tongues operates.
He basically stated that instead of immediately accepting the word given as gospel truth, everyone needs to pray about it, match it up with the Word of God and receive edification from the word as it was given. No immediate “we know for a fact God said this.” Instead everyone in the church acts as the check and balance system for such a spiritual phenomenon.
That was the first church I have ever been to that has publicly exercised that level of wisdom in discerning the Spirit, and it was refreshing especially for this skeptic of public tongues and interpretation.
Thanks for doing the right and Biblical thing, James River.
I’m glad the pastor took the time to do that. So many just assume because someone spoke “in tongues” and someone else gave an interpretation that it had to have been from God. You can see in Scripture that’s not always the case.
I have a heavy dislike for much of what happens at JRA but you can’t help but give props when they clearly are going in the direction called by Scripture.
To me JRA is going in the right direction in many areas. I am a still just a newbie but I have friends who have now returned after an extended absence. They shared they see such growth and positive changes, they are so glad the Lord directed them back.
I can’t say that I see anything blatantly wrong, nor misaligning of God’s Word. (not to say that any one church does everything correctly) And I don’t feel that I am looking through rose-colored glasses. I carefully pray and consider the Word and how it is handled. I have come through a lot in the last 4 years, so I am not looking for a feel good, “I’ve done church” experience. That being said I am blessed each time I walk through the doors. I am met by friendly, caring people who aren’t there to judge but to promote the cause and glory of God.
Chris, I am glad that you went with us Sunday and experienced the correct handling of the situation. I tried to explain to you the other day that is how they taught on that particular area; to weigh it by the Word, and carefully contemplate it in prayer. The Spirit and the Word always agree.
I liked how it was handled so much that I now look back and wonder how people can even miss those Scriptures that PLAINLY state how the issue of tongues must be handled in order.
Why and how some Pentecostals across the world continue to miss the mark in this area is beyond me. Granted I am not saying I have all the answers but for the first time ever in a church setting, I saw an extremely effective amount of wisdom used in a tongue and interpretation.