Speaking in Tongues

[MorpheusJS]

I have recently joined the military so the nature of my job has taken me away from my home church. I was raised a Baptist, but later became a member of a non-denominational church. Now that I am on my own I have been looking for a new church to consider my own. One of my friends has invited me to a Pentacostal Church and I have been going there for a few months now. In general I don't really have a problem with the church, I mean they are all pretty much the same. However, one thing that I was introduced to in attending this church is speaking in tongues. This is something that I didn't even know anything about growing up, so it is a very new concept to me. There have been a few occasions when I have not felt completely comfortable in the church. In fact I would go as far as to say that I have felt uncomfortable. I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on this topic, and perhaps quote some relevent scripture. A lot of times when we are confused about something in our religion it is hard to find someone to turn to. Any views would be greatly appreciated.

Jon

[Guest LadyC]

speaking in toungues is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. it is not the only gift, and not everyone recieves this gift. anyone can, however, regardless of denomination. i was raised baptist and have always known people who did speak in tongues. during my life, i have attended some pentacostal churches which, i have to admit, left me very turned off to pentacostal demoninations for many years, because the gift was abused... scripture indicates that when one speaks in tongues at church, there will also be one given to interpret what was spoken. unfortunately, i've been in some churches where there was no interpreter, and it sounded like a bunch of cackling hens with everyone speaking in tongues at once. it was very uncomfortable to me, not because i didn't know about it, but because i DID know about it and recognized that scripture was not being followed. (most times when people speak in tongues it is in private.. it is the Holy Spirit interceding through us when we don't know how, what, or who to pray for.

that doesn't mean all pentacostal churches are going to make you feel uncomfortable though. my husband and i never would have imagined joining a pentacostal church because we'd both had similar experiences. but we officially became members of a pentacostal church just last week... it is more like the churches we grew up in (we were both raised baptist) than any church we've visited in years... it's also a church that believes firmly in prayer, whether it's in tongues or not... the preacher seems pretty determined to train us all how to be prayer warriors, ministering to one another in prayer. but i rarely hear anyone speaking in tongues, although i have heard one or two praying in tongues quietly... but none of the standing up in the middle of a service and publically, loudly, doing so for all the congregation to hear, and yet no interpretation forthcoming.

if you're not comfortable in that church, try and see if there is another church you can attend, or if there are small bible study groups you can go to. you need to be where you feel spiritually fed, not where you feel like you're an outsider watching a side show.

(please dont' anyone take offense to what i just said... but when you're not accustomed to it, it does indeed feel like a sideshow.)

[kittylover0991]

Hey Morpheus, for scripture, your best bet is in Acts where they talk about the Pentacost and in 1 Cor 13 and 14. This subject is also a very controversial one. Many claim to speak in tonuges and there are many who claim that tongues is no longer practiced. In present day, tongues is just a "babbling" of a strange language. Many claim that when they are "baptised with the Holy Spirit". This is said to be done through prayer, in the church by many(sometimes even at one time), and is claimed as a gift from God.

Scriptural tongues is defintily God speaking through someone however, it is a known language. It was meant as edification of the church, and as a miracle to show the lost about how great God is. At the time of the Pentacost, many recieved this "gift of the Spirit" and spoke in a tongue they didn't know. These men who spoke in these langauges were uneducated fisherman of Galilee. Hence the reason it was so miraculous. I think the bible says that thousands got saved that day. The bible also says that with tongues, there should only be two or three in a church with this gift and there has to be an interpreter. Not to mention, people don't just get up and randomly speak in tonuges because God is not the author of confusion.

There is also the other side of the coin for those who do not believe that tongues is still in practice today. The bible says in 1 Cor:

1Cr 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away.

1Cr 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

1Cr 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

Many believe that when the bible says "when that which is perfect is come", it is refering to the Jesus. However, many who do not believe that tongues is still in practice, believe that the passage is refering to the bible. The bible was written over many hundreds of years by about fourty different authors. Now, if one goes back to the Greek, the term "perfect" means "complete". Many believe that that passage is talking abotu when the bible was complete that tonuges and prophesy woudl be done away with because they would no longer be required. Therefore the question is then able to be asked, "If it is not God, then who is speaking through them?". There is also the question as to why after the bible was completely put together, why tongues was not used until the 1900s. As for those few times man claimed to speak in tongues between the completion of the bible and the 1900s, those men were looked down upon.

This has become a very controversial issue, and I for one stand that the gift of tongues is no longer in practice today as the bible says that it would cease. My hint to you would be to pray about it and see what the Lord says. Not man.

With sisterly love in Christ Jesus,

Crystal

[godrulz]

Acts is historical narrative about the giving and receiving of the Holy Spirit with the initial, physical evidence of speaking in tongues as the normative pattern. The experience is intended for all believers and is for personal prayer and edification.

I Cor. 12-14 is about the use and misuse of spiritual gifts. The 'perfect' refers to the coming of Christ, not the closing of the canon of Scripture. This passage is not about the cessation of the gifts.

This experience is subsequent to salvation and is not essential in order to be saved. It is an empowerment and overflow of the Spirit to be effective servants of Christ. Hundreds of millions of believers today have had this experience. Charismatic-Pentecostals are the largest, fastest growing segment of Christianity. Not all charismatic groups have sound teaching or practice. Assemblies of God are classical Pentecostals who seek to put the Word above experience without denying the person and work of the Spirit for believers today.

A key to I Cor. 12-14 is to know when it is talking about the personal, private, devotional use of tongues (prayer language...talking to God, but mind unfruitful...this is for all believers) and the public use of the gift that must be interpreted for corporate edification. Walk through these verses and you will see that Paul says that he who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, he spoke in tongues more than all of them, and he wishes that they all would do this. He also brings correction to those who babbled on disturbing worship and the Word without edifying due to lack of interpretation (public vs private expression of gift).

Seek the Gift-giver, not the gift. Use the gift in love, not pride and division. He will give good gifts, not a stone if you seek Him. There are counterfeits (flesh or demonic), but this does not negate the genuine. Above all, our experiences should line up with the Word (e.g. tongues is not known languages used for preaching...it is a supernatural gift, unlearned, and may or may not be known to the hearers...it is not understood by the speaker).

[Rania]

I believe that all the gifts are still available but I also believe the gift of tongues is strictly for evangelism and requires an interpreter as stated above. It will also be a known language, unknown to the person speaking it.

You will often hear charismatics call tongues their personal prayer languge. If there is indeed such a thing, it should be for your own personal prayer closet and not for 300 people in a congregation to be using at the same time. It causes confusion.....................especially to a visitor who may be there to hear the gospel.

All gifts are given to help the church (body of Christ) work together in unity with the sole purpose being to glorify God. Always.

Tap

[abbershay]

Praying and singing in tongues edifies me greatly...

[MK202002]

I felt a little uncomforatable at first when I saw the Holy Spirit working so visibly. Tounges, healings, words of knowlege for specific people; But the only thing I really saw was people praising Jesus Christ more. If this was not of God, and it was some twisted instrument of the devil (as some people had told me) his plan at turning Christians away from Christ had failed. And nothing has convinced me otherwise. I don't know how I got along before I was filled with God's Spirit, honestly.

I'm a junior member! I'm a junior member! Cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha!

[elkieDannsa' Air An Drochaid]

MOST important to read the sscriptures and ask of GOd about what is from HIm,ask for what is if Him in your life and more of it and to have nothing that is not from or of Him. This is a gift from God.

It needs said here that the gifts are still here and are of the Holy SPirit. It is important for people NOT to blaspheme the Holy Spirit by calling HIs works names and as not HIS. To avoid that , look at someones ways to know if they are of God and not blaspheme the Holy SPirit at work.. ALso looking at the teachings of the church you are at.

All things in order as God is GOd of order and peace.

Most churches I know of where the Holy Spirit gives the speaking in tongues is done in order and with interpeertation and scrripture spoken also.

This is a gift we can ask of the Father.

It is known who and the person is that is being prayer for. And what the needs are also in most cases. FOr the Holy SPirit will reveal teh true need in prayer.

Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit for us and many gifts to use to further His kingdom and strengthen us until HE comes back.

Those who quote ther are not gifts forget the rest of the passage that all knowledge will alos cease and ther is certainly no cease of knowledge either , it is all listed together.

I know this to be of GOd.

I am not going to say that all peopl who say theyare doing this are , because I don't know everyone nor their sincerity. That is why we look at the scriptures and also look at the fruit to understand what and who is from GOd and what and who is not from GOd.

IF you ask GOd of this He will show you . But, with all sincereity and for HIS use only.

This is a HOLY thing andwe must all use Holiness when we approach the Works of the Holy SPirit.

elkie

[Kabowd]

If everyone is doing it out loud at once, if there is no interpretation given, if they teach it is a gift that all should receive, or that it is "evidence" of being saved, then they are operating outside the biblical guidelines and not following the order of worship set forth in Scritpure.

[elkieDannsa' Air An Drochaid]

IT is for BOTH home prayer and church.

In church the BIBLE says that the (visitor) will think ye mad BUT for GOd interpet that htey may see it is known about themand only God can d othat. So when it is used in church for the entire church it is said out poud ,then an interpertation or scripture of it.

When in church it is used in prayer , it is the Holy Spirit working to pray for the persons true needs ,which they may not be truoly aware of when they asked to be prayed for what they really NEED GOD KNOWS and the Holy SPirit utters and prays for.

WHen we pray quietly it is for others or oursleves and ca nbe at home or church or anytime the Holy SPirit says so. HOwever, if for personel private prayers, which may be utered in church, should be soft quiet to ones self as that is orderly and not for ht eentire church.

the church wil be HOly Peacable and in order.

nothing chaotic about that .

Since this is new to you and many people do not believe GOds word, but only the words of their own religous groups leader against GOD gifts, it is better to GO T OGOD on this truely HE will show you.

elkie