Praying in tongues

[Guest Sportster]

I speak in tongues. I don't do it much,though. But when I do,I feel a 'uplifting' in my spirit....weird,why I don't do it more.....

Anyway,back in the 80's,I had a incident where I went to bed very high on God and just praising him and I fell asleep doing this. I awoke the next morning speaking in what I thought was spanish or something similar. I was just going on and on and I felt this incredible peace! It lasted about 15 minutes after I got up and then faded away. I tried to recreate it but couldn't. So I evidently was praising God in tongues while I slept and awoke doing so......never had it before or since...but I definately remember it as being something wonderful from God. :t:

[godrulz]

We cannot argue from silence. Not every truth is taught in every book of the Bible. The Acts pattern gives us precedent, whether it is 3 (actually 5 if you look closer) or 30 examples. Paul dealt with the issue in Corinth since it was a divisive issue there (the Corinthian letters are issue oriented and deal with many problems...'now concerning...". The Spirit inspired this and it is profitable for teaching). It is possible He does not mention it elsewhere, since it was a common practice and not misused in other churches. If the fruit of the Spirit is mentioned in Galatians, but not other books, it does not negate their validity or emphasis.

[Leonard]

Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

I had the peculiar experience of overhearing some Russian generals talking, and being able to understand what they were saying (I don't speak Russian). Whenever the translator would begin translating, I was already far ahead of him.

I was already translating it--or interpreting it, to be more precise--to my wife, who said: "You never told me you spoke Russian!" I realized at the time, it was the Scriptural 'gift of interpretation,' but this is my only experience with that particular gift.

With a blessing,

Leonard, a sinner

[Guest mcm42]

We cannot argue from silence. Not every truth is taught in every book of the Bible. The Acts pattern gives us precedent, whether it is 3 (actually 5 if you look closer) or 30 examples

True not every truth is taught in every book of the Bible, but the truths we ground ourselves in are taught in more than 3 chapters.

The point was, that if it was as important as some are making it to be, it would have occupied more space. Also, if it had been 30 examples we could say "hey they were doing this in the early church all the time" but they were not. They were 3 separate instances, not a "precedent" to be followed. All the Apostles evangelized, and preaching the message of Christ is taught throughout the new testament. Hence it is essential. Prayer is practiced and Taught throughout the new testament, hence it is essential... (etc.)

Oh... How come when the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, why didn't he teach them how to pray in tongues?

Seems that the current language was good enough for Christ.

If it was so widely practiced, even if it was accuratly practiced, the apostles would have definatly said something about that. They are constantly praising the churches for their Love for one another, for they're faith, for the perseverance, but never their speaking in tongues. Rather than it being a normal occurance, chances are it wasn't occuring at all.

[godrulz]

Tongues was part of the gifts of the Spirit, post-resurrection, for the Church Age and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. It was not part of the Old Covenant or the transition period in the Gospels. It is a different dispensation, so it is not relevant that the disciples did not speak in tongues while the Master was on earth.

This gift must be kept in perspective. Hundreds of millions of believers have experienced it. Counterfeits or fleshly excess does not negate its validity. You only counterfeit something that is worthwhile. It is only one aspect of the Christian faith. It is a Pentecostal distinctive/emphasis, but not at the exclusion of other areas of teaching and discipleship. Thus, I would not expect it to occupy countless pages of the NT. It can be shown to be Scriptural (one has to argue that the gifts have ceased for the modern church, not that they had/have validity) as well as the experience of many godly people today. It is a anti-charismatic preconceived theology that does away with this experience that has biblical basis and modern evidence in the lives of genuine Christians. It crosses denominational and geographical barriers. If you ask for the Spirit, He will not give you a stone.

[Guest mcm42]

(one has to argue that the gifts have ceased for the modern church, not that they had/have validity)

I'm not arguing if it "had" validity, but if it has "validity"! Whether or not, today, it is good for anything.

My point is that without tongues, the believer is just as well off today, not to say that they didn't need them back then, for it is clear that they had a purpose. I believe they have served that purpose, and they are of no use for today.

Praying "in tongues" seems like a pointless act that has the exact same effect of simply praying in a normal "tongue".

Speaking in tongues, we do not see today, in the way it was done in the Acts 2 example.

Speaking in Tongues in the Church... why? Just say what you have to say, in the known language. If someone is there who doesn't speak the language, then get a translator, if he wants to speak get a translator.

But if everyone speaks in the same tongue at a gathering what good is it to speak in a different tongue? To prove it's from God? Paul even said that if they walked in and saw it they would think you are mad, it doesn't prove anything but that your crazy.

I see no reason for tongues today, they are of no benefit. I just don't see why anyone would want to speak in tongues, nor why God would have them do so!

This I do not understand.

[other one]

I see no reason for tongues today, they are of no benefit. I just don't see why anyone would want to speak in tongues, nor why God would have them do so!

This I do not understand.

I was not raised in any place that used toungs growing up, but to answer your question they are still useful for intercessory prayer. The spirit can speak through you on bahalf of someone else for things that may not be any of your business.

Of course this would be only between you and God, not in front of other people. I know of people who have and do use toungs this way. It is the only thing I have seen that was not disruptive to me personally.

Sam

[godrulz]

Is it possible there is a good reason for God's gift? There must be if it flows from His wisdom. The rational mind will not understand it. It is a supernatural revelation.

I might not know to pray for a missionary in Africa or how to pray if I am aware. The Spirit can inspire perfect prayers that bypass our intellects, but are understood by God. The flesh and devil cannot mess them up.

He who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies Himself. There is a subjective experience as we yield our unruly member to God where our spirit soars as the Spirit expresses His heart through us in groans that the intellect does not understand.

We can be believers moving in our own strength and wisdom (using business principles for church growth, etc.); or we can experience the gifts of the Spirit to wage spiritual warfare...weapons that are mighty for the pulling down of strongholds, not carnal weapons.

When the Spirit of God moves in our lives, church, outreach services, etc. more is accomplished in transformed lives than all the hours of human effort.

It warns us to not grieve or quench the Spirit of God. This includes being open to the gifts and ministry of the Spirit.

I would take a closer look at Scripture (public tongues also has benefit when interpreted...your understanding, not the gift is deficient) and then seek the Giver of the gifts, not the gifts themselves.

[Guest mcm42]

intercessory prayer. The spirit can speak through you on bahalf of someone else for things that may not be any of your business.

Still, why tongues? Why not just pray in your own language "Lord I know this is none of my business, and I don't know much about what's going on, but Lord you have put this on my heart, and I pray for this situation." Etc.

Why tongues? Is praying in a tongue going to get closer to God than the above prayer? Is it going to give you "better" results? I don't think so, hence I do not see the point.

I hope this isn't too harsh sounding, it just boggle my mind, that's all.

[Guest shadow2b]

LadyC

-speaking in tongues is when the Holy Spirit overwhelms you with words of a foriegn language... if i'm not mistaken, specifically a foriegn language which was used in the times of Jesus's earthly ministry...

-First part YUPP--Correct-- --Second part Nyett{red}INcorrect--NO scripture--

-

-mcm42

-Why tongues? Is praying in a tongue going to get closer to God than the above prayer? Is it going to give you "better" results? I don't think so, hence I do not see the point.

-Mayhap--yuse should READ GOD'S WORD??--

-1 CORINTHIANS

CHAPTER 14

FOLLOW after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

-Speaking mysteries--Man nor devil can understand WHAT the HOLY-SPIRIT is

-speaking or praying THRU you--"THAT"IS ONE POINT---Perhaps{sometimes--on

-some subjects}One should keep mouth closed- :x: :x: & let folks just"THINK"one

-DON'T know what one is talking about --than to open it & REMOVE ALL DOUBT

-{book of Gary-chpt.9-vs.17--}

-

-mcm42

-My point is that without tongues, the believer is just as well off today, not to say that they didn't need them back then, for it is clear that they had a purpose. I believe they have served that purpose, and they are of no use for today.

-Reference above reply- & SCRIPTURES---NO SCRIPTURE reference for your

-erroneous ILL-concieved conclusions{they"tongues" are of no use today}

-

salt & light

-That is the true biblical speaking in tongues. This other tongue stuff is of the devil I believe. It's funny,because some people who claim to be full of the Holy Spirit,and are babbling some gibberish,have treated me wrong,and they don't believe in witnessing,are one that I know in particular,is quite worldly,not to sound judgmental,but I've never spoken in tongues,and I witness every day,and try not to be like the rest of the world. If they really were filled with the Holy Spirit,you'd think that they wouldn't be able to help but going out and telling people about Jesus and they wouldn't be so worldly. I've actually had some pentecostals tell me that I wasn't saved because I've never spoken in tongues,but yet,their lifestyle makes me wonder if they're saved. Understand,I'm not trying to sound judgmental,because I'm not judging their hearts

--shhhhhheeeeessssshhhhhhshudd I??--shuddn-I??Shud I??shuden I??