Who We Are?
The SALSA CHURH is a HEALING and DELIVERANCE Ministry.
CAN SALVATION BE LOST?
The question of whether one can lose their salvation after having received it is a crucial topic within Christian theology. Despite the comforting notion of eternal security, various biblical passages and theological arguments suggest that it is indeed possible for a believer to forfeit their salvation through deliberate sin and apostasy. By examining these scriptures and theological insights, we can understand how salvation, once received, can be lost.
Biblical Evidence
Several passages in the New Testament warn believers about the danger of falling away from their faith. Hebrews 6:4-6 is one of the most explicit:
“It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance.”
This passage clearly indicates that those who have experienced salvation can indeed fall away and reach a point where they cannot be brought back to repentance. The language used—“enlightened,” “tasted the heavenly gift,” “shared in the Holy Spirit”—refers to genuine believers, suggesting that their falling away results in the loss of their salvation.
Similarly, 2 Peter 2:20-21 warns:
“If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.”
This passage highlights the peril of returning to a life of sin after having known Christ, suggesting that such individuals end up in a worse state than before their conversion. The implication is that their salvation is lost.
Theological Considerations
From a theological standpoint, the possibility of losing salvation is often associated with the concept of free will. God grants humans the freedom to accept or reject Him, not only at the point of initial salvation but throughout their lives. This perspective aligns with Arminian theology, which emphasizes human responsibility in maintaining faith and obedience.
According to several scriptures, salvation is not a one-time event but an ongoing process that requires continual faithfulness. Philippians 2:12-13 underscores this by urging believers to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” This admonition suggests that salvation requires active participation (doing something) and vigilance from the believer.
Practical Implications
Understanding that salvation can be lost has profound implications for how Christians live their faith. It calls for a diligent, ongoing commitment to spiritual growth, repentance, and obedience to God’s commands. Believers must remain vigilant against the dangers of complacency, sin, and apostasy.
Hebrews 3:12-14 warns believers to be on guard:
“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.”
This passage emphasizes the need for mutual encouragement and perseverance in faith to avoid turning away from God. It implies that holding firmly to one’s faith until the end is crucial for maintaining salvation.
Conclusion
The possibility of losing salvation after receiving it is a sobering reality supported by various biblical passages and theological insights. Believers are called to maintain a vigilant and active faith, continually repenting, obeying God’s commands, and encouraging one another to remain steadfast. By recognizing the dangers of falling away and the importance of perseverance, Christians can strive to ensure that they remain faithful and secure in their salvation until the end.
Grace empowers believers to overcome sin rather than indulge in it. Titus 2:11-12 states, “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age.” Grace is a transformative force that enables us to reject sin and live in accordance with God’s will. The strength to resist sin comes from God’s grace, which guides and sustains us in our pursuit of righteousness and holiness.
Indeed, the Apostle Paul addresses this directly in Romans 6:1-2: “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? God forbids! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” This passage underscores that believers are called to live a transformed life, rejecting sin. Grace is not a license to sin but a call to righteousness, reflecting the genuine transformation that salvation brings. As followers of Christ, our lives should exhibit a break from sin and a pursuit of holiness.
Tithes and Melchizedek
The book of 2 Corinthians 4:3-7 says the word of God is hidden from those who are perishing, so
they must perish. This is frightening. People like Judas could not be restrained even after all the
prophecies and warnings of Jesus Christ. He worked with the twelve disciples of Jesus, healed
the sick, and performed miracles yet betrayed the Lord and committed suicide.
For a start, we must understand that different sins had different laws for atonement. Here are a
few examples: sin of uncleanliness (Leviticus 15:1-33), sin of ignorance (Leviticus 5:1-6),
murder (Exodus 21:14), breaking the Sabbath (Numbers 15:32-36), sexual immorality (Leviticus
18:20), etc. In the new dispensation, the blood of Jesus took care of all these sins and others.
That is why the Bible says Jesus sacrificed once and perfected all those who are being sanctified
(Hebrews 10:12-14). The sacrifice of Jesus thus ends all sin sacrifices as spelled out by the law
of Moses. In contrast, tithes were never a sin sacrifice but a gift of submission to God! Some of
the confusion about tithing today stems from the fact that in the olden days, tithing was mostly of
agricultural produce. But the world is continually evolving. Transportation, for example, was
mainly by foot, evolved to the use of animals, and today jets roam the skies. In our industrialized
world, few people practice farming as income is mostly earned from factories and industries. In
this article, we attempt, by the grace of God and His wisdom, to clarify all the nuances that have
bedeviled Christians on tithing. By the end of this article, it would be explicit if tithing has ended
or is continual.
What are Tithes?
Tithes means one out of every ten- thus ten percent. Tithing, like all forms of giving for God’s
purposes, is a form of worship and obedience. It consists of handing over a tenth of one’s
material or financial earnings to God. In ancient times, much of this was agricultural as most
people were farmers. Tithing is of God with deep origins in the Old Testament and extends to the
New Testament. Even though tithes in those days were mostly agricultural produce, it would be
limiting to think that if some people lived on the business of money changing or trading, they
would be automatically exempted from tithing. Tithes, therefore, were a portion of one’s wealth
of any kind. If you are a child of God who has been misled by others, read on with an open heart,
seeking the Spirit's guidance. This article is rooted in clear and straightforward scriptures. Know
that manipulating others in the name of serving God is a form of spiritual deception, equivalent
to witchcraft. Manipulation indicates that one is powered by a contrary altar to that of Jesus
Christ. There will be neither manipulation nor deceit but the pure word of the Spirit of God as
you read on.
The notion of tithing can be described using to the Ten Commandments which God gave Moses
in Exodus 20. The Commandments were intended for a specific people at the time—the
Israelites. The first is: “I am the Lord your God, the one who delivered you from the land of
Egypt.” How many American, English, or Belgian Christians were in captivity in Egypt at the
time of God’s deliverance? Since only Israelites were in Egypt, the commandments initially
pertained only to them. However, with the coming of Jesus, the veil of separation between Jews
and Gentiles was torn. Jesus served as a bridge linking the two, so we also became chosen
children of God. Therefore, the commandments now apply to us as well. Every word of God
spoken to the Israelites is now binding on all believers. That is why believers can now say they
are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation…
Tithes to the Levites under the law were compulsory. Tithes to Melchizedek, who is a Priest
forever, do not fall under the law because it came before the law was spelled out to Moses. It
carries the same power to attract blessings. As such, it is not compulsory but meant to distinguish
believers with a deep revelation of priesthood. Abraham gave from a revelation without
obligation several years before it got introduced into the law. Only seasoned believers have such
a revelation. Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, also freely engaged tithing before the Law of
tithing was given (Genesis 28:20-22).
When the Roman Dominant Empire took over and destroyed church culture, these powerful
revelations as well as gifts of the spirit were lost. This happened because Roman Catholicism
incorporated other gods and spirits which did not agree with the Holy Spirit and the Christianity
which Jesus left with the apostles. It took Martin Luther and his Protestant movement to restore
some of its sanity. Even then, the revelation was still limited. The Melchizedekian priesthood
was never understood or taught. As a consequence, it literally disappeared. Some of the
protestants practiced only the tithes under the Law.
Origin
The Bible records that Abraham paid the first-ever tithes to Melchizedek when Levi, the ancestor
of the Levitical priesthood, was still in Abraham's loins. This means that Levi, in a sense, paid
tithes through Abraham's action. Only priests of God have the authority to receive tithes. Levites
did not collect tithes because they were Levites; they did because they were priests! This is a key
statement to understanding tithes today. Some people think that tithes were paid to Jews who
were Levites and should end because Levites are no longer present in our day. This position is
erroneous because it considers Levites superior to the priesthood. Melchizedek was not a Levite,
but his priesthood granted him the power to collect tithes. The priesthood of Melchizedek
supersedes all other priesthoods. That is why even Levi paid tithes to him. Tithes go with
blessings, and only priests of God bless. Abraham’s tithes to Melchizedek, and blessings were
reciprocal. Levites are not capable of blessing without their priesthood. It is important to note
that the blessings can be enjoyed by the person obedient in tithing or their descendants. This
means they might not always be automatic.
So, tithing without the Law was done to Melchizedek, while under the Law Levites collected it.
This is proof of the superiority of the priesthood of Melchizedek, which is symbolic of Jesus’
priesthood. Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:6). Melchizedek, being a
priest forever and the first priest ever to collect tithes, explains why tithing is continual, for his
priesthood, like that of Jesus Christ, has no end (Hebrews 7:1-12). The Levitical priesthood and
tithes were a shadow of the Melchizedekian priesthood.
The keynote in this lesson is that only priests were empowered to collect or accept tithes. If the
word “priest” is underscored in this article, it would ease the assimilation of the lesson on tithes.The most popular tithing in the Bible is the Old Testament command under the law handed
through Levitical priests. This spreads through the entire law of Moses, and Malachi nails it
down in its four chapters! Don’t forget that prior to the establishment of the Mosaic law, a
pivotal meeting occurred between two extraordinary spiritual leaders: Abraham, the father of
Israel, and Melchizedek, the King of Salem (meaning peace). For Abraham, we know much
about from when he was called as Abram to when he got renamed as Abraham. Melchizedek, on
his part, is so obscured that many people have no idea he features in the Bible. His role in the
Bible does not warrant his obscurity. When they met, Abraham paid a tithe of his spoils to the
latter. For that reason, I will like to ventilate him here.
Who Is Mystery Melchizedek?
Melchizedek is the king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham
was returning home after winning a great battle against the kings, Melchizedek met him and
blessed him. Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had captured in battle and gave it to
Melchizedek. The name Melchizedek means “king of justice,” and king of Salem means “king of
peace.” There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors—no beginning or end
to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God (Hebrews 7:1-3, NLT). But the
Son of God has a Father—Yahweh, and a mother—Mary. Adam, who was not born and had no
ancestry, partially fits the description of Melchizedek. However, he falls short when measured by
holiness and consecration. Moreover, Adam was never a priest, never a king, but a runaway
sinner whose firstborn was the first in history to commit murder. Therefore, Adam does not fit
this mold. Who in this world has no father, no mother, no ancestry, no beginning, and no end?
God alone fulfills all these mysterious conditions! It is crucial to be very careful when discussing
Melchizedek or tithing. Only spiritual blindness can allow such laxity. People who do not operate
in the supernatural cannot comprehend things that are supernaturally discerned 1Corinth. 2:14.
How did Abraham know about tithes at a time when God had not yet given the law of Levitical
tithing? His prophetic prowess surely informed him (Genesis 20:7). In addition to his prophetic
calling, 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered
into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” This hints us
of incredible and incomprehensible things and secrets that are only revealed to those who love
God. It would not be wise to expect much from people who do not have a deep love for God.
This is a guide to choosing spiritual leaders. Their love for God must beat that for material to
enable them obtain secrets from God for the wellbeing of the church. Worth noting is the fact
that throughout history, Melchizedek and Jesus Christ stand alone as the only two figures to have
simultaneously held the sacred offices of priest and king. Melchizedek, king of Salem, was
forever a priest of the Most High God, while Jesus Christ, the King of kings, holds an everlasting
priesthood. This extraordinary merging of roles is a unique privilege shared only by these two
individuals (Hebrews 7:17). Melchizedek is named as a representative of the priestly line through
which a future king of Israel's Davidic line was ordained. He appeared only to receive tithes and
bless Abraham. David prophesied that Jesus would be a priest after the order of Melchizedek
(Psalm 110:4).
God’s Idea of Tithing is Fourfold:
1. To remind man that the center of his life is God and not material.
WAR IN MARRIAGE TODAY
There is more than enough IGNORANCE in the world especially on the subject of God and marriage. Social media platforms have provided us the avenue to ventilate the abundance of ignorance in us. It is wise to start by defining marriage as God intended it. Marriage is not what we want or do but what God wants. It is an order from above. Marriage means two becoming one in visions, dreams and goals. Before you get married, decide what happens during and after you are married. Talk about career, number of children, sex, friends, in-laws etc. Do not enter a relationship as important as marriage before deciding what happens while you are already inside. It will help you to know that, what some men want, some do not. What some women want, others do not. Find someone who is compatible with you. Someone who shares your dreams, goals and vision. Also note that as a helping hand to your God-given husband, his vision becomes your vision if the word marriage makes sense to you because marriage entails two becoming one in vision and goals not two coming together with two visions and directions. BUT if you hurried into marriage because your friends are all married or because you needed some support for your SEPARATE unmarried vision and dreams, then you are in for a tiger ride. (Dr. Bens)
” If your Christianity is about material you can get from God then, you are in danger of becoming a lost soul. Eternity through salvation is more than the world’s material wealth put together.” Apostle Dr. Bens
ABOUT US
The SALVATION EMPOWERMENT SANCTUARY (House of Testimony) is a very dedicated Church in Grand Forks ND which preaches the gospel of Jesus from an uncommon revelation the devil does not want you to have. To us, the true House of the Lord belongs to all for whom He died. We are a family. A Church of brothers and sisters – for the Bible says, “He who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, my sister, my mother” (Matt. 12:50; 7:21). We hinge on the dictum: Salvation, Faith, Prayer, and Power. We teach our brethren the word of God including how to pray (prayers of supplication, protection, warfare, deliverance, etc…). We also train our congregants in strong faith, miracle working faith (Heb. 11:1; Matt.21:22; Mk. 11:22-24; Matt.17:20). Such faith implies believing God’s promises of food, for example, as if one were about to eat it! Such a mindset results in activating the power of the Holy Spirit for healing, deliverance, revelation, and other personal needs. The House of Testimony is a family of believers walking the narrow road to Jesus (Matt. 7:13-14).Salvation Empowerment Sanctuary is our Church, it is your Church, it is the Church of Christ. it is the Church for everyone! The Salvation Empowerment Sanctuary, (House of Testimony) also known as the SALSA Church, is a stress free, depression free love-for-all community. You need to experience this phenomenon in person!
OUR BELIEFS
The Salvation Empowerment Sanctuary, as an apostolic/Pentecostal church, holds the following beliefs:
We believe in the Trinity – God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
2. Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
3. Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
4. Gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as healing, deliverance, working of miracles, and prophecy.
5. Emphasis on personal holiness and sanctification.
6. Importance of evangelism and missionary work.
7. Belief in the supernatural and miraculous.
8. Emphasis on community and fellowship within the church.
9. The Bible is the infallible word of God.
10. Jesus is returning soon, emphasizing evangelism and living a prepared life.
11. God is holy, and Christians ought to be holy as well.
12. The symbolic eating of the body of Christ, and drinking of His blood Matt. 26:26-27
Tongue Speaking and Praying in the Holy Ghost
Introduction
The foundation of the first church was firmly established in the Holy Ghost. Jesus instructed His followers in Luke 24:49 to “tarry in Jerusalem,” emphasizing the importance of waiting for the Holy Spirit. This pivotal event is recorded in Acts 2:1-14, where the church experienced a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. During this time, various gifts of the Spirit were manifested, leading to further spiritual gifts such as healing, deliverance, miracles, and prophecies in churches like those in Corinth, Thessalonica, and Philippi. However, after the apostles’ era, many of these gifts seemingly disappeared. This raises important questions: Where did these gifts go? How did they vanish?
Such mysteries often lead to skepticism regarding healing, miracles, and prophecy, especially as Christianity evolved, particularly with the rise of the Roman Empire.
Understanding Tongue Speaking
What is tongue speaking? Is it merely the articulation of human languages? Over time, outrageous claims have been made about this phenomenon. Some dismiss tongues as nonsensical utterances made by preachers who have lost their train of thought. Others regard it as meaningless babble, while some even consider it demonic. The debate surrounding tongue speaking is one of the most fiercely contested topics in Christianity. Are these practices heretical or outdated? Were they abolished at some point in scripture? Instead of relying solely on academic interpretations, I will explore these questions through biblical texts.
In essence, speaking in tongues is more profound than many realize. In Mark 16:17, Jesus declares, “These signs shall follow those who believe; they shall speak in new tongues.” Here, “new tongues” refers to speaking in the Spirit, where the Spirit speaks through the individual. This mode of expression is known as tongues and is often acquired through prayer and the laying on of hands, as demonstrated in Acts 19:6, where Paul lays his hands on believers, and they speak in tongues and prophesy. Peter also affirms this in Acts 11:15, noting how the Holy Spirit fell on them just as it did at Pentecost.
The Biblical Origin of Tongue Speaking
The first instance of tongue speaking is recorded in Acts 2:4. While the term “tongues” can denote human languages, the tongues referenced in Acts 2 and throughout the Bible extend beyond mere human languages. Acts 10:46 states, “For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God.” The emphasis here is on the act of speaking in tongues, not just human languages. If tongues solely referred to human languages, why emphasize the distinction?
The tongues spoken in Acts 2:4-12 were not merely human languages, as further biblical evidence will show. This was the first instance where tongues were used as an evangelistic tool—a sign for unbelievers. The term “unbeliever” is critical in understanding the context of evangelism. The listeners were not yet believers; thus, God provided a supernatural sign to demonstrate His power.
The Confusion Surrounding Tongue Speaking
Many misunderstand the nature of tongue speaking, particularly regarding the observation that the crowd heard the apostles speaking in their native languages. This misinterpretation has led some denominations to assert that the tongues at Pentecost were human languages. However, many of these denominations may not have been led by the Holy Spirit to grasp the full meaning of tongue speaking. Spiritual matters must be discerned spiritually; otherwise, our intellects can lead us astray.
On that day of Pentecost, the apostles spoke in tongues, but the listeners heard them in their respective languages. Some spectators even claimed that the apostles were drunk, which prompted Peter’s response in Acts 2:15: “For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.” No one would judge someone as drunk based on coherent communication in multiple languages. This suggests that the languages spoken by the apostles were not merely human languages.
Different Types of Tongues
Having established that the tongues on Pentecost were not solely human languages, it is crucial to understand that there are various types of tongues, each serving different purposes under specific rules. Many who misunderstand tongue speaking assume that it must always be accompanied by interpretation. However, this is not the case, as different tongues have distinct functions and contexts within the Christian faith.
In summary, tongue speaking and praying in the Holy Ghost are essential aspects of a vibrant Christian experience. They encompass a range of spiritual expressions, from personal edification to powerful communal worship. Understanding the biblical foundations of these practices is vital for believers seeking a deeper connection with God. As we explore these themes further, we will uncover the richness and diversity of spiritual gifts that continue to be relevant in the life of the church today.
This is false! If tongues can only be spoken where there is an interpreter, then who was interpreting on the day of Pentecost? Were the apostles not speaking in tongues? Why weren’t they being interpreted? Furthermore, if you claim, based on Paul’s teaching, that a speaker in tongues must remain silent without an interpreter, you face two problems: First, Paul himself states in 1 Corinthians 14:39 that no one should forbid speaking in tongues. Are you suggesting he wasn’t following his own rule? Second, the apostles spoke in tongues on Pentecost without any prohibition. This indicates that there are different types of tongues that operate under different rules.
The Bible offers further clarity on this matter. It’s noteworthy that Paul, the apostle, expressed, “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you” (1 Corinthians 14:18). This emphasizes the significance and value of speaking in tongues.
Types of Tongues in the Bible:
- 1. Tongues as a Sign to Unbelievers (Acts 2:4-12): This type of tongue serves as a supernatural sign from God. In this instance, a speaker communicates in spiritual tongues, but listeners hear the message in their own native languages, such as Japanese. This phenomenon is intended to reveal God’s supernatural power and instill conviction in the listeners. It differs from the tongues of men, which are purely human languages. In verse 12, the crowd is astonished and wonders about the miraculous occurrence, leading to a significant faith response—over three thousand unbelievers came to faith in Jesus, all sparked by this powerful sign through tongues.
- Prophetic Tongues: Prophetic tongues are used by God to communicate with individuals or the entire congregation. In the Corinthian church, known for its abundance of spiritual gifts, God spoke through many members. This is why Paul intervened to establish guidelines for prophesying and speaking in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:5-6). It’s important to distinguish between praying or worshiping in tongues and speaking in tongues, as they are different practices with different rules.
For instance, if there is sin, division, or heresy within the church, God may address these issues through a member or the pastor. The pastor or another congregant is expected to interpret this message, or someone with the gift of interpretation must do so, ensuring the body understands the warning. Without interpretation, the message remains unheard and the necessary caution is not taken. As Paul emphasizes in 1 Corinthians 14:13, “For this reason, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.” He further states in verse 27, “If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.” These messages are meant for the congregation and require interpretation to be fully understood. Note that Paul says “speak” not “pray” in tongues. They are not the same.
- Tongues of Prayer: Not all types of tongues require interpretation, as highlighted in 1 Corinthians 14:2: “For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.” These tongues are primarily used in prayer, allowing the Holy Spirit to intercede on behalf of the believer. In this context, the Spirit takes over, enabling the intercessor to pray in ways that go beyond human understanding. These are groanings that are beyond human understanding Romans 8:26. (Would you truly want my personal prayers interpreted for you? Or interpreted to God?)
- Tongues of Angels: The Bible distinguishes between the tongues of men and the tongues of angels. Tongues of angels are mysterious languages spoken and understood by angels, often thought to be a form of communication used in heaven or by celestial beings. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:1, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” This raises the question: can anyone truly believe that these are merely human languages? Or would anyone say angels do not speak?
- Tongues of Men: Tongues of men refer to instances where an individual suddenly and fluently speaks in a human language they have never learned. Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 14:19, stating, “Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.” This indicates that Paul preferred to communicate in human languages within the church rather than rely solely on spiritual tongues. Doesn’t this serve as strong evidence that tongues are not limited to just human languages? Those who misunderstand this concept are misguiding the body of Christ.
- Tongues for Personal Edification: Some tongues are meant for self-edification and spiritual cleansing. As stated in 1 Corinthians 14:2-4, “For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging, and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.” Similarly, Jude 1:20 encourages believers to “build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.”
To edify means to build up, and for a believer, strengthening one’s faith is essential—without faith, no one can see God! This type of tongue facilitates a direct conversation between the believer and God, where no one else can comprehend what is being said. Such tongues also play a role when an individual is making sensitive confessions to God within a congregation, as confessions should be made to God alone, who has the authority to forgive sins.
6. Tongues of Warfare, Intercession, and Worship: This form of tongue is a spiritual language that goes beyond human comprehension, commonly used for spiritual warfare, intercession, or worship. As noted in 1 Corinthians 14:14-15, it enables the Spirit to intercede for God’s people through wordless groans or cries. This represents a type of tongue that often cannot be
interpreted, as explained in Romans 8:26-27. A notable example is Pastor John Anosike’s “45 Minutes of Tongues of Fire,” which illustrates this powerful expression of prayer and worship.
Conclusion
Some theologians suggest that even worship done in tongues should be interpreted, but this overlooks the reality that some tongues may be entirely unintelligible, even to the speaker. Tongues of intercession, worship, and warfare are directed solely to God. Given the various definitions and purposes of tongues, it’s clear that they are an essential aspect of the Christian faith. As long as the Holy Spirit is active in our lives, tongues remain necessary. Nowhere in the Bible is it stated that tongues have been abolished; rather, they are often opposed by the devil due to their spiritual power.
1 Corinthians 13:8 mentions that tongues will cease, leading some to misunderstand this profound spiritual phenomenon. Many believe this means tongues will end with the completion of the New Testament, but this is a deception. The scripture indicates that tongues will cease when the “perfect” comes—referring to the time of Christ’s return and final judgment, when we will all speak the eternal language of love. In that future state, our lives will be transformed, and our needs will differ; there will be no need for warfare, intercession, or signs for unbelievers.
1 Corinthians 14:39 provides clarity, stating, “So, my brothers, do not forbid speaking in tongues.” This raises two important points: First, if tongues were merely human languages, there would be no reason to stop people from speaking them. Second, tongues have not been abolished, and believers are encouraged to express themselves in this manner. However, wisdom is advised; it’s best not to speak in tongues when first-time visitors are present, as they may misunderstand and think you’re being irrational (1 Corinthians 14:23). This echoes Acts 2:13, where the apostles were perceived as drunk for speaking in tongues, further emphasizing that tongues differ from human languages—otherwise, why would anyone think you’re crazy for speaking your native tongue?
If tongues can only be spoken where there is an interpreter, then who was interpreting on the day of Pentecost? Were the apostles not speaking in tongues? Why was there no interpretation? Additionally, if you assert, based on Paul’s teaching, that a speaker in tongues must remain silent without an interpreter, you encounter two issues: First, Paul clearly states in 1 Corinthians 14:39 that no one should forbid speaking in tongues, suggesting he wasn’t adhering to his own rule. Second, the apostles spoke in tongues at Pentecost without any restrictions. This underscores the existence of different types of tongues that function under various rules.
Any QUESTIONS? Contact: Dr. Bens. salsachurch@gmail.com
REFUGEE RELIEF
The Salvation Empowerment Sanctuary (House of Testimony) has a refugee relief scheme that plans to make life easy for new Americans who enter the country as refugees. Refugees are people who have been forced to flee from their native countries by war, violence or persecution based on religious, racial, cultural or gender basis. Most of them leave the countries without money or belongings because they mostly leave without preplans to. It is common to see a fragmented family that might never come together again as a unit any longer nor ever meet again! In an attempted to be safe, the members escape to different directions and that could be all about that family. Sometimes, people under persecution sense danger and escape without baggage so they are not arrested and tortured or killed. Refugees always look for the most humanitarian and most safe countries in the world. The greatest of them is the USA!
Since these people are displaced by circumstances they could not control, the Church attempts to meet up with their basic needs with which to settle down, feel comfortable and restart life afresh even though it is difficult to ever realize their future dreams in such conditions. They need both material, psychological and spiritual support, so we find apartments for them. Medical and educational needs are among the most important and yet difficult for refugees to attain. We equip these apartments with necessary items to get them going. Things like pots, plates, dishes, cutlery, soap, food, beds, mattresses, dresses for all ages, new born supplies, school supplies for kids, vacuum cleaners and cooking oil are among the primary needs of new arrivals without money. The last hidden item which is unparalleled in importance is transportation. We offer transportation from their arrival at the airport of bust stop to the apartments. They are also chauffeured to their different appointment be they hospital, administrative or interview appointments. This continues until they have their own means of transportation.
WIDOWS AND ORPHANS
James 1:27 states that what God, our Father, recognizes as pure and faultless love, is to look after orphans and widows in their distress”.
It is our desire in The House of Testimony, to do what is God’s desire, which constitutes looking after this class of destitutes. We are focusing on women who lost their husbands through accidents, war or any other natural calamity. This goes same with children who have lost at least a parent or both. In addition, it has been discovered that some children are orphans not because they lost a parent but because such parents cannot take care of them. The most important reason given for such cases is poverty. In Africa, India and most of the developing world, economic hardship has forced parents to take such decisions as keeping their own kids in orphanages. Without this, the children become street children and public nuisance.
The Salvation Empowerment Sanctuary (House of Testimony) seeks to help alleviate the lifestyle of such children. This goes same to abandoned women whose husbands died or are too old and have become a source of hardship to their wives.
To all privileged people who are living in affluence, we want to call you to think of these abandoned children and women. They are not different from us. We also would have been in their shoes were it not of God’s mercies.
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Thank you.
SCHEDULE:
We meet thrice every week to praise, worship, and pray to our God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exod. 3:6). This concords with the recommendations of Prov. 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron” because Jesus knew that occasionally, iron would need overhauling. In that case, it is iron sharpening iron not wood sharpening iron and otherwise. It is an error for anyone to be in a place where wood is struggling to sharpen iron or iron sharpening wood. In such a one-sided relation, iron would never get help since it is the only iron around. We cherish meeting regularly to spiritually sharpen each other.
- Sunday: Fellowship Services start at 10 am.
- Tuesday: Bible Classes hold at 5pm.
- Saturday: Intercessory prayer sessions also begin at 5pm.
- Mondays-Fridays: Lunch with Jesus 12:00-1:00 pm (An hour time in Church with the pastor to pray for protection, pray away difficult situations, and challenges)
Free marital and spiritual counseling on Wednesdays by appointment via phone calls, Facebook, or email.
The House of Testimony, it should be noted, is not just another Church in town. Such thoughts would be too misleading. Noah’s clarion call to the world to build the Ark against the flood was never taken seriously because the people considered him as just another old man. Jesus was born in the manger because the manager of the Inn saw Mary as just another pregnant woman. The flood taught us that Noah was not just another old man in the same way as the works of Christ made us to know, Mary was not just another pregnant woman in town. Wisdom is when we can make out the difference between people and things. This Church is founded after the order of the Apostles of the lamb with vision to make a difference in individuals, families, as well as the community. In effect, the Salvation Empowerment Sanctuary seeks to bring the biblical experience of Jesus who loves, provides, protects, delivers, appeases our souls, and demonstrates power. In brief, we have been called to make Jesus real! To achieve this, our foundation is built on four pillars: Salvation, Faith, Prayer, and Power.
We strongly believe that in life, the beginning is important but what matters is the end. Thus, it is not how you start or when you finish but how you finish that is impactful. We know that anyone can be successful so long as they believe and pray.
When you pray, something happens, but when you pray with prayerful brethren, miracles happen! A miracle is not a new abstraction. We were created perfect with abundance of every good thing until Satan appeared and stole everything. A miracle thus, is simply bringing us back to where we were in Eden before the satanic distraction. Restoring our health, sanctity, provision, destinies, or other to what it was in the Garden of Eden with the power of the Holy Spirit is what we call miracle. With the understanding that “nothing goes for nothing”, we ask, seek, and knock to get results for the word says men ought always to pray (Luke 18:1).
We persistently endeavor to shine the light of the truth, so the devil (master of darkness) would not continue to deceive the people. Without the light, we are fooled to invest more time, money and energy in our perishable flesh while disregarding the nonperishable soul. The love of God wants our souls so desperately that He sent His unique son, Jesus to sacrifice His life for us (Jn.3:16).
We believe God’s Kingdom and righteousness contains everything which He gives to whoever seeks it above all things (Matt.6:33).
EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP
We seek to win souls for Jesus anywhere anytime! This is a very difficult task which only Jesus can help us succeed in. We understand that this daunting task of evangelism and discipleship cannot be handled by one person or ministry alone. For that reason, we have as additional vision to financially aid other Church planters and Evangelists home and abroad. This will be determined by how much our finances allow. We intend to make yearly grants available for any willing ministers to apply. The more donations we receive, the more ministries we can help. This is crucial to the us because our main goal is SALVATION for souls wherever they may be (not necessarily in the Salvation Empowerment Sanctuary).
