Speaking in Tongues

Speaking in toungues is one of the spiritual gifts listed in the Bible. What are your views on speaking in tongues? What does it mean to speak in tongues? This is a very popular subject that is often misunderstood.


Jesaiah

2. Speaking in a humanly un-understandable language, in prayer to God mammasan777

Click to expand...

What scripture are you refering to?

Thanks for the reply.

Jesaiah

Originally posted by mammasan777
I am refereing to... 1 Corinthians 13:1, and there is a verse where Paul describes groaning in prayer. I would have to do some more study to find where they are, but they ae there. You want me too? I could post them later.

Click to expand...

Hi mammasan

1) 1 Corinthians 13:1
Many scholars believe that in this passage, Paul was making the point of a believer to have love. And in doing so he began to make hypothetical statements. One of them being " I speak with the tongues of men and angels..."

Now the word tongues used in this text is the greek word for languages. So Paul says that even if he speaks the language of men or the language of angels, if he has not love it means nothing. But from scripture we do not find any source of "angel talk" that we know of or that one can learn, so one can infer that this was a hypethetical statement. This idea about hypothetical statements seems to fit that portion of scripture. For Paul makes such statements as: "I understand all mysteries, and all knowledge..." "I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains..." Did Paul understand every mystery of God? No. Did Paul know everything? No. So we see that Paul was bringing forth hypothetical statements to show that no matter how many gifts he had or how wise he was or how giving he was that it was worth nothing without love.

2)I believe like Dave and yourself, that the gift of tongues is the gift to speak in another earthly language. For that is what took place on the day of Pentecost. In Acts 2:1-13 the hearers of those who spoke in tongues heard them in their own earthly language such as: Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egyptian, Libya, Cyrene, Cretes, Arabs.

3) Yes I would like for you to post some more info. I tried to find the scripture about the groanings but I had no luck. I believe I know what you are refering to but right now it slips my mind.


Thanks for your reply.


Jesaiah

Originally posted by kathleen7
I am charismatic and so of course believe in speaking in tongues... 1 corinthians 13:1 says though i speak with the tongues of men and angels, and have not charity (love) I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal... my personal belief (and some may denounce this) is that there are two different kinds of tongues spoken. One is the tongues of men (languages known to man.. hebrew, english, spanish, ect...) and one is the tongues of angels (or prayer language) ... I believe speaking in tongues has been abused greatly though. It is a spiritual gift.. but if you speak in tongues, it should be interpreted. 1Cor 14:13 wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret... 1Corinthians 14:2 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... (prayer language) sometimes, when you pray alone or for someone else and you don't know the problem they have the Lord has you "speak in tongues of angels"... have i completely confused you? this is a "meat" subject not "milk"... well, maybe someone else can explain it a little more simply? hope i helped a little...

Click to expand...

Hi kathleen

1) 1 Corinthians 14:2

Although it is not indicated consistently in some translations, the distinction between the singular tonge and the plural tongues is foundational to the proper interpretation of this chapter. Paul seems to use the singular to distinguish the counterfeit gift of pagan "babble" and the plural to indicate the genuine gift of a foreign language. It was most likely in recognition of that, that the KJV translators added consistently the word "unknown" before every singular form. The implications of that distinction will be noted as appropriate. Against the backdrop of carnality and counterfeit estatic speech learned from the experience of the pagans. Paul covers three basic issues with regard to speaking in languages by the gift of the Holy Spirit: 1) its position, inferior to prophecy (2) its purpose, a sign to unbelievers not believers (3) its procedure, systematic, limited, and in an orderly fashion

2) "...does not speak to men but to God."

This is better translated,"to a god." The Greek text has no definite article. Their "babble" was worship of pagan dieties. The Bible gives no record of any believer ever speaking to God in any other language than normal human language.


Thanks for your reply

Jesaiah

Originally posted by kathleen7
jesaiah,
you are looking for Romans8:26 Likewise,the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

prayer language....

Click to expand...

Hi kathleen

If you would notice in this verse the action (groanings) is made by the spirit (Holy Spirit). Thus the "prayer language" is not one between man and God, but divine articulations within the Trinity that cannot be expressed in words. Yet these groanings carry profound appeals for the welfare of every believer. This intercession of the Holy Spirit to God for us parallels the high priestly work of intercession by the Lord Jesus on behalf of believers.


Thanks for your reply


Jesaiah

Originally posted by kathleen7
you say: *The Bible gives no record of any believer ever speaking to God in any other language than normal human language. *
really?
what about Acts10:44-46 while Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 and they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

How about Acts 19:1-3,6?
or 1 Corinthians 14:18
Mark 16:17
1Corinthians 14:2 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...

what do you think praying in the Spirit is?
Jude20:20But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
this is fun... i would go on but i am needing some beauty sleep here lol.... have a blessed night!

Click to expand...

Hi kathleen

1) Acts 10:44-46; Acts 19:1-3,6; 1 Corinthians 14:18

Please refer to my earlier post about the usages of the word tonge and tongues

2) 1 Corinthians 14:2

I have already addressed this in my earlier post.

3) " no one understands him...in the spirit he speaks mysteries ( 1 Cor. 14:2)"

The carnal Corinthians using the counterfeit ecstatic speech of paganism were not interested in being understood, but in making a dramatic display. The spirit by which they spoke was not the Holy Spirit, but their own human spirit or possibly demons; and the mysteries they declared were the type associated with the pagen mystery religions, which was espoused to be the depths that only the initiated few were priveleged to know and understand. Those mysteries were totally unlike the ones mentioned in Scripture, which are divine revelations of truths previously hidden.

4) "what do you think praying in the Spirit is? " Jude 20

Jude 20 is not a call to some ecstatic form of prayer, but simply a call to pray consistently in the will and power of the Spirit, as one would pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Refer to Ephesians 6:18


Thanks for your reply


Jesaiah

I would like to say that I am not out to start an argument but I just want to debate Biblical principles. I appreciate every persons response.


Jesaiah