Speaking in tongues.

[~candice~]

I see people praying quietly in their private prayer language, in the pews, but it's rather obvious that they are just praying between them and God, not intending to be addressing the entire congregation.

[SavedByGrace1980]

The whole issue of speaking in tongues is one that can divide Christians - but I don't believe it has to.

Personally, I do not speak in tongues, nor do I attend a church that focuses on it. (Although I'm pretty sure there are some members of my local church body who pray privately in tongues.)

To me, the preponderance of evidence supports the notion that in Scripture - where 'tongues' is mentioned - it is referring to known languages. HERE is an article that supports that viewpoint.

But others see the Scriptural evidence differently than I do. That's okay.

Although it's controversial, I do not believe this issue is critical to our Faith. In other words, I believe there will be so-called charismatics and non-charismatics in Heaven.

Blessings!

-Ed

[goldust59]

For those of you in tongue speaking congregations, if someone is speaking tongues during church, and there is no interpreter, does your church ask them to be quiet as according to scripture?

not where I have been: any time a msg came forth, God always had someone give interpretation. These msgs came through people well-grounded in their faith & walk, known by the fruit of the Spirit evident in their daily lives.

[OneLight]

For those of you in tongue speaking congregations, if someone is speaking tongues during church, and there is no interpreter, does your church ask them to be quiet as according to scripture?

The correct answer is...

1 Corinthians 14:27-28

If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

As it has been stated, only those who speak to the congregation needs to have an interpreter. Praying in tongues should be done quietly, as in a personal prayer. I have seen people pray for others in tongues, which I am never at ease with for nobody knows what they are praying about, so to me, this should be in silence.

I am going to get hammered once again for saying this, but I have heard some who claim to be praying in tongues cause my spirit to be checked by His Spirit, meaning to me that they are not real. I have also heard tongues that give me peace and encouragement, even when they are not interpreted.

I have been in churches where someone will start speaking in tongues and the pastor took the person aside and informed him to stop. There was no interpreter, but the person continued until he was told to stop. It was not that he continues to speak as in one message, but spoke, stopped, spoke again and so on.

[Fez]

Speaking in tongues is acceptable when on one's own, and in the Spirit. It has happened to me when I have been praying and worshiping on my own. I did not make a conscious decision to pray in tongues, it just happened. In this case God knew my heart, and I had literally run out of words of praise (I had been praying for over an hour). When I next looked at the bedside clock, I had been praying in tongues for about 45 minutes. It felt like I had not drawn a breath, and the words just poured out seamlessly without a break.

I was not aware of a language, except at times it sounded eastern, almost Chinese. But I was not concerned, I knew I was worshiping God, I knew the Holy Spirit was with me, and I felt very, very close to Him. I ignored the sounds because I was concentrated on worship.

However, if a person gets up and prays in church and there is no interpreter, I feel that scripture should be applied.

[Isaiah 6:8]

Do you speak in tongues Izzy?

Yes my wife does not

[nebula]

For those of you in tongue speaking congregations, if someone is speaking tongues during church, and there is no interpreter, does your church ask them to be quiet as according to scripture?

Well, one doesn't know there is not an interpreter until after the person's done. Personally,, I've never been anywhere where someone made a show out of trying to stop the person.

But the best way I've heard how this is dealt with - the pastor or a deacon or elder will talk with the person about it. Sometimes the person was taking a step of faith. That's one thing that is often considered - not wanting to discourage people from learning to discern the promptings of the Spirit and following through. It could be the Spirit did lead the person, but the one given the interpretation failed to speak out (didn't take the step of faith to proclaim what was given), or maybe someone in the congregation needed to hear that for whatever reason - I've heard in testimonies how such occurred.

The ones who were "showboating" are evidenced by their attitude over being confronted. These people get huffy and offended at being instructed not to speak in tongues to the assembly without an interpreter.

Stuff like this, though, doesn't happen that often, and since I've never been in leadership I never worried about it too much.

I hope that answered your question.

[nebula]

Do you speak in tongues Izzy?

Yes my wife does not

I do not think what you were thinking and what you wrote are the same.....

[Isaiah 6:8]

Do you speak in tongues Izzy?

Yes my wife does not

I do not think what you were thinking and what you wrote are the same.....

Oops!.... That's what you get for trying to keep it short because of using an iPod to post! Lol

Yes I do, my wife does not.

[~candice~]

LOL I understand Isaiah.