Tongues are a Sign for Unbelievers, I Corinthians 14:22

Blade said:

I was in a bible study about 15 or so. And they would ask if I wanted the Holy Spirit. I had no clue it had anything to do with tongues. No one ever told me that would happen. The people that ran the bible study were grand parents that made sure "if we say anything that is not in the bible do not listen to us".

So I said yes one night. I sat in this chair and he read some verses about the holy Spirit and then asked again.. I said yes. He prayed.. then stopped. Said "thats it you got it". See they did exactly as the word says. You ask the Father He will give the holy Spirit to them that ask. I didnt feel anything and no one said a word. I got up went to sit down and BAM! It just came out! Years later I never put it together that what happen to me happen in the word! I can not even wonder what this walk would be like with out it.

It is exactly as Jesus said "you shall receive power after ...." And you really think our bother Paul that prayed in tongues more then you all.. was praying in English or the like? It edifies ...I cant explain it.. the more I pray in tongues the more I think want HIM! So strange..

When I was young.. lol.. I did somethings I should not have.. and after that at work i over heard my mom talk about people falling back words. So I asked if I can come too. So the place was packed (Church) people praising and worshiping the lord. The man up front..asked if anyone that wanted to experience the power of the lord. I thought SURE ..so I went up. So on the stage the man was infront of me...took one finger so softly touched my forehead and said "in the name of JESUS"

Well the next thing I know.. I am on my back laying down. I started to get up.. something hit my feet shot into my chest.. HOLY JESUS! Praise GOD GLORY TO JESUS! Man I tried to go up many times after that but.. na. As we were going home the youth pastor said.. not many get blessed like that.. I never asked.. I didnt see it haha.

Jesus asked.. whom do you seek? Jesus ..as soon as He said I am He they feel backwards to the ground. Tongues.. it just apart of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said.. in my name you will cast out demons and speak with new tongues. Its MAN not God that says "its ONLY worldly language". I had never thought about it heard about it.. just was asked.. almost the same as "have you received the holy Spirit since you believed. And everything here I talked about is written.

As for slain in the spirit from what I have seen.. and I have never asked.. would seem MOST fall freely.. they do it. For me.. haha. I read ask the Father for the holy Spirit.. I read about tongues in the word.. and you shall receive power.. and hello..did not Jesus pray the Father for this promise? Not talking tongues but the holy Spirit.. that was NOT there yet. Jesus had to be gone.. so all were saved before Jesus left.. so where was the Holy Spirit? I thought people said..you already have it when you get born again/ Yet did not Jesus say.. He HAD to be gone before the Holy Spirit would come? Just something I think about.. if you doubt.. let not that man think he will get anything from God.

I want EVERYTHING that word says,... to give away to all everything He has given me.. if one does not believe any of this its ok You believe John 3 16..why not do what He said.. HE A GOD said in Luke?

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Dale said:

The following passage is often cited by Pentecostals as support for their notion of speaking in unknown languages as evidence for the presence of the Holy Spirit.


4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues[b] and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
Acts 19: 4-7 NIV b:Or other languages


Matthew Henry (1662-1714) had a view of this passage very different from the Pentecostals. Henry doesn't take the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on twelve men to mean that whole groups of Christians are becoming spirit-filled. He says that God used the event to "introduce the gospel at Ephesus." He believes that the twelve men were not exactly representative of the general population. Instead, they were being "qualified" for the ministry to become Elders of Ephesus. They were given the gift of tongues to preach the Gospel to diverse communities that lived in Ephesus, or passed through there. Tongues meant speaking in languages known in the community. The gift of tongues was a miracle of God but it was given not so much as evidence of the supernatural as to further the preaching of Jesus Christ and the spread of Christianity.


"God granted the thing he prayed for: The Holy Ghost came upon them in a surprising overpowering manner, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied,as the apostles did and the first Gentile converts, ch. 10:44 . This was intended to introduce the gospel at Ephesus, and to awaken in the minds of men an expectation of some great things from it; and some think that it was further designed to qualify these twelve men for the work of the ministry, and that these twelve were the elders of Ephesus, to whom Paul committed the care and government of that church. They had the Spirit of prophesy, that they might understand the mysteries of the kingdom of God themselves, and the gift of tongues, that they might preach them to every nation and language."


Link to Matthew Henry commentary.
Acts 19 Commentary - Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete)

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Major1 said:

My experience on speaking in tongues is that no matter what is said or quoted from the Scriptures, those who WANT TO DO IT WILL.

If there was a new Dead Sea Scroll found in which Jesus Himself said...……
"You shall not speak in unitelligellibe utterances".....Those who want to will still do it.

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Gracia Singh said:

I do back the interpretation of Scripture which argues that the only thing being described in the New Testament is speaking known, intelligible, actual languages, unknown to the speaker, miraculously.

It is meaningful that the main Reformers seemed to hold this view. Catholic and Orthodox Christians would generally agree, though charismatic, Pentecostal tongues are practiced by some Catholics. This is not a practice that I am comfortable with, however, and it is very new to Catholics.

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Major1 said:

No matter who says it or twists it or explain it to you my sister the Greek word translated tongues literally means “languages.”

Therefore, the gift of tongues is speaking in a language a person does not know in order to minister to someone who does speak that language.

In 1 Corinthians chapters 12–14, Paul discusses miraculous gifts, saying in verse #6...…….
“Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?”.

Having been raised in the Pentecostal church, I can testify to you that I never saw "tongues" spoken in church as there are described in the Bible.

What is seen in churches today is NOT the tongues that were spoken in the New Test.

There is always a question that I ask which can never be answered by those who want to speak in tongues.

Here it is...………in 1 Corth. 11:5 Paul mentions situations where women are allowed to pray and teach in the assembled congregation.

However we see in 1 Corth. 14:34..……..
"Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says."

First Paul says women can speak, pray and teach in church then 2 chapters later he says..........
"Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak".

We all know and understand that there are NO contradictions in Scriptures as that would make God a liar. So then why is there such an obvious contradiction.

Well, when you are a Bible student one of the 1st things you learn is that CONTEXT dictates correct exegesis and proper understanding.

Now, please, please....all of you who want to speak in tongues and argue this point, open your Bibles and read 1 Corinthians 12-14......the WHOLE Chapter.

Having done that it is clear that the CONTEXT of those chapters is "ORDER and TONGUES".

1 Corinthians 14:34 - The women... - Verse-by-Verse Commentary
Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

Context demand that "Do not let the women speak in tongues under any circumstances." This command comes right in the middle of an extensive treatise on tongue-speaking; and to blow this up to a universal law that no woman might open her mouth in a church service is simply contrary to all reason.

It is not permitted unto them to speak ... That is, it was not permitted for them to speak in tongues, that having been the subject Paul was discussing.

Significantly, even in these times of the alleged reappearance of this gift, it is almost invariably the women who catch on to it first, and later their husbands. Thus Pat gets it from Shirley, Tom gets it from Mabel, etc., just like Adam took the forbidden fruit from the hands of Eve.

Remove women from speaking in tongues in church and there is no tongues spoken at all....IMO!

Now enjoy the explinations to follow!!!!!!

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Lost4words said:

Tongues we hear today. Holy Spirit or 'other', i have to ask?

I am extremely wary of 'tongues'. The only need i see for real tongues, is to preach, in a 'language'. I dont see why God would want His children to pray to him in an unintelligible 'tongue'?

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Oscarr said:

My view is that you can go to 1 Corinthians 13, read it very carefully, put Charismatic church aside from your thinking, and ask the Lord whether He wants you to have this gift, to show you the purpose of it for you, and then ask Him to give you the real thing. He is faithful, and will give you what you ask for and not something else; but you need to wait on Him for it, and it you do receive it, then you really need to manifest it strictly according to the guidelines that Paul set out.

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Lost4words said:

Problem i see, and of which i am REALLY afraid of is that the evil one can make 'things' happen. He can make things seem 'right and holy' just to get people to follow his way instead.

Why would God want one of His creation, babbling in an unintelligible 'tongue'? I don't see the benefit at all.

For me, i would much rather know what i am saying to God. Who knows what people who babble are saying to God, if anything?

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Major1 said:

No matter who says it or twists it or explain it to you my sister the Greek word translated tongues literally means “languages.”

Therefore, the gift of tongues is speaking in a language a person does not know in order to minister to someone who does speak that language.

In 1 Corinthians chapters 12–14, Paul discusses miraculous gifts, saying in verse #6...…….
“Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?”.

Having been raised in the Pentecostal church, I can testify to you that I never saw "tongues" spoken in church as there are described in the Bible.

What is seen in churches today is NOT the tongues that were spoken in the New Test.

There is always a question that I ask which can never be answered by those who want to speak in tongues.

Here it is...………in 1 Corth. 11:5 Paul mentions situations where women are allowed to pray and teach in the assembled congregation.

However we see in 1 Corth. 14:34..……..
"Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says."

First Paul says women can speak, pray and teach in church then 2 chapters later he says..........
"Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak".

We all know and understand that there are NO contradictions in Scriptures as that would make God a liar. So then why is there such an obvious contradiction.

Well, when you are a Bible student one of the 1st things you learn is that CONTEXT dictates correct exegesis and proper understanding.

Now, please, please....all of you who want to speak in tongues and argue this point, open your Bibles and read 1 Corinthians 12-14......the WHOLE Chapter.

Having done that it is clear that the CONTEXT of those chapters is "ORDER and TONGUES".

1 Corinthians 14:34 - The women... - Verse-by-Verse Commentary
Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

Context demand that "Do not let the women speak in tongues under any circumstances." This command comes right in the middle of an extensive treatise on tongue-speaking; and to blow this up to a universal law that no woman might open her mouth in a church service is simply contrary to all reason.

It is not permitted unto them to speak ... That is, it was not permitted for them to speak in tongues, that having been the subject Paul was discussing.

Significantly, even in these times of the alleged reappearance of this gift, it is almost invariably the women who catch on to it first, and later their husbands. Thus Pat gets it from Shirley, Tom gets it from Mabel, etc., just like Adam took the forbidden fruit from the hands of Eve.

Remove women from speaking in tongues in church and there is no tongues spoken at all....IMO!

Now enjoy the explinations to follow!!!!!!

Click to expand...

Oscarr said:

This is what the Scripture says:
"What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:11-13).

Did you do what I asked you to do - actually READ 1 Corinthians 14?

Was Paul talking about an unintelligible tongue? No! So what was Paul teaching when he was teaching the Corinthians about tongues?

Instead of believing those who are biased against tongues, why not just read what Paul actually says in 1 Corinthians?

There is another Scripture that I need to give you in relation to your fear:

"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8).
This is not a positive Scripture for someone who is afraid of trusting God's promises, but it is a valid warning for those who allow fear to dominated them. The antidote to fear is:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

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Lost4words said:

I have digested the scripture you wanted me to read.

It is clear to me that tongues are for teaching / preaching to unbelievers. In a 'Language' they will understand, not just babbling. Paul calls for interpreters. Even this should show you that he is talking about a 'language' not babbling.

Sorry, but i dont see what you see in that scripture.

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'Tongues', as i see it these days, which is practised in churches with hundreds of people, wailing, screaming, writhing on the floor, etc etc, could very well be coming from a source other than God. It looks VERY scary indeed.

I always remember that when Jesus came across anyone like that, He ordered the spirits to get get out of that person!

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Gracia Singh said:

Hey, brother. I agree with you on tongues.

I would still say that Scripture is clear that women should be silent, insofar as they should not teach or lead men. But when they worship, in prayer or in public liturgy, they should have a veil on their heads.

Women may still join in prayers and participate in the Liturgy, vocally. But when it comes down to teaching, leading, preaching, and shepherding, that is left to ordained men, not to women, however bright or devout they may be.

God be with you, friend.

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Lost4words said:

Tongues we hear today. Holy Spirit or 'other', i have to ask?

I am extremely wary of 'tongues'. The only need i see for real tongues, is to preach, in a 'language'. I dont see why God would want His children to pray to him in an unintelligible 'tongue'?

Click to expand...

Oscarr said:

The problem is that the gift of tongues has been so misused in the Charismatic church that it is difficult to distinguish the genuine from the false.

I have been reading Dave Hunt's books about the seduction of Christianity and occult invasion into the church, and it has turned a lot of the things I have believed over the years on their heads! Reading his work has caused me to see that there are many things going on in Charismatic churches that are not found in Scripture, and this makes it very difficult to see the wood for the trees.

So, I can see why many see the modern practice of speaking in tongues as being false, because if they are not following Paul's guidelines concerning it in the public church meetings, then it is of the flesh and not of the Spirit, because the Holy Spirit never contradicts God's Word.

Over the years, you and I have debated the genuineness of tongues to the Nth degree and have always ended up in a stalemate. We have agree that it did cease in the mainline established church after the Fourth Century, and we have debated the reasons why; so I don't want to go there again.

But I will agree that much of the tongues in Charismatic churches that we see that are being manifested (if tongues according to 1 Corinthians is genuine if manifested according to Paul's strict guidelines), is actually of the flesh because Paul's guidelines are being ignored.

I have discovered, through Dave Hun't writing, that there is such an emphasis on signs, wonders, healing, tongues, words of faith, etc., that the foundation of our faith is being left out in many Charismatic churches and conferences. There is an emphasis that there is some type of power that believers have to achieve what they want. Faith and words are used as power in themselves, when Paul said, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ because it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes."

It seems that there is another gospel being preached and taught - that there must be signs and wonders, guaranteed healing, for there to be the "full gospel". But Paul told the Corinthians that he determined not to know anything among them save Christ and Him crucified when he had arrived to plant their church in the first place, and that is why many pagan Corinthians had turned to Christ and that strong church was established. So, it wasn't the signs and wonders that was primarily responsible (although they were present), but it was the gospel of Christ powerfully preached and taught that planted that church.

The Word of Faith movement has twisted the Scripture, "Have faith in God, for if you say to that mountain, Be thou removed, you will have what you say." This has caused them to believe that our words and positive confession has power in itself, when the truth is that we are to have faith in God, who Himself will move the mountain, not our faith or our positive confession. Faith is not a power in itself. It is trust in God's promises and His power to do what He wills to do, and not what we want and when we want it.

But many Charismatics won't accept that they are twisting Scripture and misusing the gifts of the Spirit. Dave Hunt has been accused of being of Satan and causing division in the church. I have watched his ministry on Youtube and I found his teaching very sound and Scriptural and he brings everything right back to the foundation of Christ crucified and risen again.

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Lost4words said:

I have digested the scripture you wanted me to read.

It is clear to me that tongues are for teaching / preaching to unbelievers. In a 'Language' they will understand, not just babbling. Paul calls for interpreters. Even this should show you that he is talking about a 'language' not babbling.

Sorry, but i dont see what you see in that scripture.

'Tongues', as i see it these days, which is practised in churches with hundreds of people, wailing, screaming, writhing on the floor, etc etc, could very well be coming from a source other than God. It looks VERY scary indeed.

I always remember that when Jesus came across anyone like that, He ordered the spirits to get get out of that person!

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topher694 said:

One of the things often overlooked about the gifts of the Spirit today, including tongues, is how it strengthens our relationship with God. Most of the gifts are about helping others, which is clearly good, but at the same time flowing in them requires trust. We must learn to trust God, and we must show ourselves trustworthy to Him. When we genuinely flow in them we genuinely grow closer to Him... it is a win/win.

On the flip side, what I often see from cessationists, is an irresistible desire for confrontation rooted in anger, resentment, bitterness and pride. In other words, very ungodly characteristics. The drive to prove themselves right, no matter the cost, is so strong that they ultimately get themselves into trouble because of it, getting banned from internet sites, or destroying personal relationships in the process.

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Major1 said:

Oscar......I actually read Mr. Hunts books about 25 years ago. He has written several and I have all of them. His information is actually the reason I got into the study of "false Religions" and the study of the New Age philosophy.

His documented reports opened my eyes and cause me to see things in a very different light and it seems that it also what has happened to you.

I agree 100% with your assessment of the Word of Faith and I am glad to see that you have called it for what it is.

God bless you my friend.

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Oscarr said:

He impressed me as a man who loves the Lord and His Word. Also, he is very respectful of Charismatics, even though he pulls a lot of the manifestations and false teaching apart and blows it up. But he doesn't tar and feather all Charismatics. Not like John MacArthur who put out a video implying that all Charismatics are of the devil, and tried to twist the Scripture around to say that the Corinthian church was full of demons, when Paul said exactly the opposite in 1 Corinthians 1.

Yes, there are significant sections of the Charismatic church that are going into false teaching, putting signs and wonders above the foundations of the gospel, and occult manifestations. But there are also large sections of the church that have nothing like that, sticking to the foundations of the gospel, and conducting their services decently and in order, and seeking to win souls for Christ by preaching the gospel with is the real power of God unto salvation to those who believe. In those services you won't hear uncontrolled babbling, falling down, violent shaking and jerking. The two very godly Pentecostal pastors who discipled me, would not have had a bar of those things. One of them had two small children instantly healed (a club foot, and crossed eyes) in front of a whole church full of witnesses, and he was just as surprised as everyone else present!

I was interested in seeing what Dave Hunt said about healing and tongues, and his comment was that God does heal, but on His own terms, which I believe. And that tongues should be spoken in strict observance to the Scripture to be genuine. I accept that he does not believe that most of the public speaking in tongues is genuine, and I respect that, and it didn't diminish the helpfulness and insight of his writing.

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