Speaking in tongues.

[Isaiah 6:8]

Since this has been brought up recently a lot, I figured I would open a topic for it.

Since I am tired at the moment, I'll let the Word do the speaking

The bold parts are the parts I think most pertinent to this discussion.

New King James Version (NKJV)

1 Corinthians 12

Spiritual Gifts: Unity in Diversity

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that] you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

Unity and Diversity in One Body

12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.

15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be?

20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

1 Corinthians 13

The Greatest Gift

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

By the way I belive that the gift of speaking in tongues, has its place. But I do not see anywhere in the Bible where it is a requirement for salvation, or that if it occurs, that you are not saved.

[~candice~]

I'm a babbler and I think it indicates I'm filled with the Spirit (how can you have the gift without the Spirit?) but the double negative is NOT true... those who do not speak in tongues are not necessarily not filled with the Spirit. The passage you shared shows that not everyone has this gift.

[other one]

I first prayed in tongues when my wife was in danger and about to do something really stupid. It just happened at about 2 AM one morning when I was about 1500 miles away from home.

It did work for she felt a message not to do what she was about to do and all was well, and I was really happy....

Only problem is that it didn't stop, and it happens for people outside my family, some I never even know. While it is interesting and it really maked me feel useful, it's seldome a lot of fun to get awaken at all hours of the night or in the day if you're at work. I've crawled over behind our big printers and set in the floor no telling how many times to pray for people........ and occasionally for the machines themselves................ did you know that God can fix broken Xerox printers????

[nebula]

Hmmm...I like your idea Isaiah, but the choices on how important is tongues could use a little tweaking. "Somewhat important" being the only choice for placing value on the gift seems shallow to me. Maybe if you just said, "Important" without the degree of importance would fit things better. Think that would work?

[Isaiah 6:8]

My option is not available.

I beleive the diverse tongues spoken of in scripture were diverse earthly languages. Paul spoke in diverse tongues so he could preach to diverse peoples. The babbling of today has no basis in scripture.

That is what I meant by "Supernatural Communication"

I have seen some who seemed to babble, but then had someone tell them they told them their whole life story in there native language! I think that would be a good time for it.

[nebula]

The babbling of today...

Why is there an insistence to claim that what happens today is babbling?

[~Shalhevet~]

I agree with KatyAnn.

[~candice~]

The babbling of today...

Why is there an insistence to claim that what happens today is babbling?

I meant no offense. But, it sounds like babbling to me.

I dunno, who is to say that it isn't a language we just don't know of?

[mizzdy]

I also think that they are earthly languages that is the meaning in Acts 2, the apostles may not have understood what they were saying but those around them heard in their native dialect. I don't they have ceased and have they have a place just as all the gifts to, they are not for the person who has them but for those who benefit from them. I look at healing and think who was given the gift? the one who God worked through or the one who received it? both in many ways but its the one who receives it that has gotten a greater one. Thats how I look at the gifts to edify, serve as He calls upon us.

If someone is speaking in tongues but has no idea what they are saying and no one is around to hear them who are they edifying. Prayer spoken in earnest to God as Otherone suggests may not be the gift of tongues but the gift of intercession. Prayer is a most powerful weapon in the hands of those called to be 'prayer warriors'. I don't think theres an instance in scripture that shows tongues were used except for the benefit of others present, is there? What I have seen in some churches I just cannot see how that is serving or edifying anyone but that not in every church and pray that its not the rule of thumb. There is not 'test' for salvation unless it would be someones reluctance to confess openly Him?

shalom,

Mizz

[Believer112]

Yes, I speak in tongues.

The second part I answered "some what" but the clear answer to me is that it's very important for self edification. Speaking in tongues has nothing to do with being saved but it has to do with be baptized or filled with the Holy Ghost.