The International Mission Board policy on “private prayer language” exposes the fundamentalism of the Baptist doctrine/creed. An eminently qualified missionary candidate receives the gift of tongues and is no longer qualified for appointment.
I hope I have a “private prayer language,” though I do not have the gift of tongues. As the Holy Spirit groans for us, some pause, pray scriptures, receive revelations, and even speech that attends such groanings. What mortal can make judgments on this mystery? If candidates cause the emphasis to be on themselves, and not on Christ, then tongues becomes an issue.
In times like these, Satan gains footholds while we hinder the main theme – salvation – from being the main theme. A prayer/praying lifestyle is to be applauded and promoted in discipling believers in Christ.
A reversal of the approved policy will avert a split resulting from a needless argument internally provoked over tradition and religiosity. The options for peace and unity cannot be exercised without a total yielding of the trustees to the Holy Spirit’s control.
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