Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor may not reflect the views or opinions of the Witness. Letters may be mailed, faxed or submitted using our online form. Only letters marked clearly for publication, signed with address will be considered for use. Letters are subject to editing. Please limit letters to 250 words.

IMB

Gift of tongues

Has speaking in tongues become an issue of acceptance or non-acceptance for Christian service? I believe Baptists have for too long been silent on this issue. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, did say that the Holy Spirit would be in charge of His work (John 16: 8-11). The power of the Holy Spirit came alive (with fire) at Pentecost exactly seven weeks after Christ’s resurrection. One of the first things the Spirit did was to give the gift of tongues to the disciples. Three thousand saved souls was the result of Peter’s preaching because the Jews in Jerusalem for the required meeting heard the Gospel in their own tongues (Acts 2). The Holy Spirit is in charge of giving gifts to each person. Some Christians have long said that the gift of tongues comes only by baptism with the Holy Spirit. This is simply not true, for everyone would be speaking in tongues! Paul describes the gifts given by the Holy Spirit in I Cor. 12:7-11. They are given for the profit of all. I dare say that the Spirit gives gifts not mentioned if they will glorify God and increase His kingdom. Why should anyone who wants to serve Christ be judged by whether or not he/she has the gift of tongues? We are too close to the coming of Christ to quibble over the gift of tongues. I do not speak in tongues

Barbara Helvenston Live Oak

IMB

An alternate path

I would like to suggest a course of action to Wade Burleson that perhaps he has not considered to this point: When you can no longer accept the policies and procedures of the group or organization of which you are a part, why not simply resign your position and give that organization the opportunity to replace you with someone who will work with the others in the organization, instead of going on the Internet and publicly proclaiming your disagreement with those policies and telling everyone far and wide that you are right and they are wrong. You are putting your wisdom above a number of men and women who are just as committed to the Lord Jesus as you are, who love His church and the cause of missions just as much as you do. We have always depended upon democratic procedures to give us guidance in the conduct of the affairs of our conventions and boards. It is a tried and tested way that has stood us in good stead. If you cannot bring yourself to accept the policies and procedures of the trustees of the International Missions Board, then why don’t you simply resign and let them get on with the work they have been assigned to do? You will be admired for your convictions, but also appreciated for your wisdom.

Harry Varnadoe Hollister

MISSIONARY MEETING

Childcare provided

God is so good. As you know, Western Europe has had an urgent need for volunteers to provide childcare during our April 2006 regional meeting. (Florida Baptist Witness published this need in a letter to the editor titled “Childcare in Germany” Dec. 1). Southern Baptists have rallied to meet this need. We are grateful to God to be able to tell you that we have enlisted the volunteers needed for the childcare program. We ask for your continued prayer support for the volunteers as they plan, travel, and serve.

Janey Barton, Childcare Coordinator SBC International Mission Board

RECORD GIVING

Not forgotten

Thanks for the story about record giving to the IMB. As missionaries, we sometimes wonder if people have forgotten us, but the generous offerings of Florida Baptists show us that they have not. We are confident that along with the offerings prayers are also being offered up for the missionaries Florida Baptists are supporting. Thanks to all who support us with both offerings and prayers.

Ed and Sharon Smith Kyoto, Japan