lots of questions from ME!! ^-^

[RoyalWing]

Alright! I've gathered quite some questions in the past two weeks from reading some of your posts, and also from school! And I would like to know about it! Because I don't understand them, but I feel they're really important to know! ^-^ I would like anyone who is willing to help, please~ ^v^

- What is "speaking in tonges"? (<< this one is REALLY bothering me)

- There was this post that someone went to church, and while a certain song was playing, he said he quietly started to cry. Then the person said something like "I was completely opened up... It was like if I was awakened. I know some people here are already speaking in tongues, but this was great..." or something like that. I really didn't understand how just crying because of a song could make him feel so well... I thought there must be something more to it.

- I want to be honest. I am a bit confused about the "Trinity" idea. Especially because at school, it is stressed that Jesus is God's Son--not exactly that He is God also, just God's son. Then my friend asks me "This doesn't make sense. Why do they like Jesus so much. God is much more powerful, right? Because He is immortal." Then I said that Jesus is God. Then she says "Right. I'm confused now. One person told me He wasn't God, and now you tell me He is. Even with the Trinity, it doesn't work. How can God be his own son? They'd have to be different people." And I didn't know what to answer. (_ _);;

- How do I receive the Holy Spirit? I REALLY want to. In the Bible I read somewhere something like: "Those who believe in Christ will receive the Holy Spirit." -OR- (sorry I don't really remember it) "Those who are saved have the Spirit." then it goes and talks about "you will know them by their works/fruit..." I just really don't understand that. i saw people talking on here about the Holy Spirit... And I really do want to learn more.

p.s. I'm sorry if someone has to lock this thread. I've heard that some topics lauch debate here. But please, I really don't want to start an argument, I just want answers.

[Aijou]

- I want to be honest. I am a bit confused about the "Trinity" idea.

I like to think of the Trinity as the same God with three different personalities. Like, your mom, for example, is your mother, but she is also a daughter and a friend. She is the same person, but ultimately 3 different people in one. God is ... well, God, but he was also a human (but still God) and the holy spirit.

Speaking in tongues is considered a spiritual gift. I don't know a whole lot about it, except that I think it's when God speaks through you in some divine language. I've never really experienced this, so I cannot say a whole lot about it. But I'm pretty sure you are supposed to pray for it and receive it.

How do I receive the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the "comforter" that Jesus promised would stay with believers when he departed for heaven and could not be with us in the flesh. The Holy Spirit lives in all people who believe in and accept Jesus. So if you have accepted Jesus, the Holy Spirit already lives in you. The HS directs you. Like if God wants you to do a certain thing or something. The HS is also there to encourage you. Sometimes it's like having a really strong feeling about something, except you have to be able to determine whether it really is God speaking to you or if it's just you. :/

Anyways, I hope that answers your questions. If anyone feels as if I need to be corrected please do so.

[shooraijin]

I'm not an authority on any of those topics, RoyalWing, but one point to those who follow is that speaking in tongues is sometimes considered controversial in some denominations, so I expect civility from those who do not regard it as important as others.

I think you ask some good questions -- sort of boiling down to, "I don't feel saved, so how do I know that I am saved?"

I liken this to what a lot of my married couple friends have told me (I'm not married myself) -- there are days when you will feel in love, and days when you won't. A lot of marriages dissolve, I suspect, because people fell in love with *falling in love with* someone, not actually loving *them*, the person. One day the feeling may eventually fade and be replaced with normalcy and it won't seem as special. Do you love that person any less?

The married couples that work out tell me about this, and they tell me also that the commitment they made to each other on their wedding day means they're together regardless. The fact that one day they might wake up, and the feeling isn't there anymore, doesn't mean that they are freed from a commitment. They continue to live their lives as they did when they were deeply in love with each other, and one day the feeling will return.

I put my relationship with God in the same category (and I point out, too, how often God likens Christ's relationship with the church like a marriage as well -- coincidence?). Yes, I love the feeling at a revival where I'm so close to God I could almost touch Him, but then other times, like early in my intern year where I was so tired out from call I couldn't see straight, I don't feel that way anymore. Does that make me any less saved? I don't think so -- I made a commitment to Him, and while I don't really feel very close to Him sometimes, I keep the promise I made and one day I'll be drawn back. What's more, His commitment to me means that He wants me back no matter how rotten I get or how bad things are. So, I'll do my best to keep up, looking forward to the day when I'll be together with Him, wrapped in that feeling of agape forever.

Some people respond to that feeling more intensely than others, and that might have been the case for the guy you saw in church. But God's relationship with you is specifically with you, and no one else. The fact that you might not react the same to His effects in your life is in no way any suggestion that you love Him any less, or for that matter, that you've blown it. Your response to him is personal and wholly unique. Don't judge your salvation and your relationship with God by how you perceive His relationship with others -- you may be very wrong on both counts. God will tell you where you need to be.

I'm no expert on the Trinity or on speaking in tongues, so I can't answer those, but I hope this made a little sense. Remember, civility, please, to those who offer differing theological viewpoints.

[Ashley]

Hey RoyalWing. Well, I've given this thread much thought. You've asked some tough questions on some possibly controversial areas of the Christian faith. Normally I would send you trekking to Theology Web, but something about that just doesn't sit right with me. I know some of the people there can be quite vicious to you, and I'd hate to send someone as earnest and, forgive any offense here, young in the faith as you to the lion's den for answers. So instead, I'm going to ask this conversation be taken to PM. If you feel lead to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter, you are welcome to do so privately. This way, God may direct those answers to you without causing offense to anyone else. Also, may I suggest you take it up with your pastor or Christian mentor. They will surely be able to guide you on this as well.