novcncy said:
Well, yes and no.
Baptists generally believe that tongues are different human languages, which someone on the earth should be able to translate. The Bible general supports this view, although there is one part in Acts (Cornelius household) that is a little hard to understand. I know I sure don't understand it. At any rate, we do not deny that the Spirit can be manifested through tongues, but there are several criteria...first, an earthly language, secondly, as a sign to unbelievers, ie folks who know that you don't speak their language, and are thereby aware that a miracle of God is taking place. Generally, we believe that God has given us his entire word, and a knowledge of earthly language, and so since His entire word is revealed to all humanity, the gift of tongues is rarely, if ever, needed. This whole business of the nature of signs is essential. The Bible teaches in 1 Corinthians 14 that the gift of toungues is a sign not to believers, but to unbelievers. So what then is the point of manifestation of the Spirit in a room full of believers? Either someone is an unbeliever, or it's not really the Spirit of God, but it can't be both!
(Some) Pentecostals believe that tongues is a heavenly language, which only God knows, but is unknown to humanity and Satan and his demons. This position seems to require a creative interpretation of scripture, and an absurd stretch of logic. The stretch is that Satan and his demons used to live in Heaven, and Satan still goes to Heaven where he talks face to face with God....so how come he wouldn't know the "heavenly" language?
So obviously, I know more about the Baptist position on tongues than the Pentecostal one. In my opinion, this issue is one on which we can happily agree to disagree. While I disagree with my Pentecostal brethren, I do not feel that they are adding to or taking away from the gospel, so I take the position that "he who is not against us, is for us."
The gift of tongues is not always a human language:
1Cr 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
1Cr 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.
1Cr 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men [to] edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
1Cr 14:4 He that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
1Cr 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater [is] he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
1Cr 14:6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
1Cr 14:7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
1Cr 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
1Cr 14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
1Cr 14:10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them [is] without signification.
1Cr 14:11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh [shall be] a barbarian unto me.
1Cr 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
1Cr 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue pray that he may interpret.
1Cr 14:14 For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
1Cr 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
1Cr 14:16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
1Cr 14:17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
1Cr 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
1Cr 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that [by my voice] I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an [unknown] tongue.
1Cr 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
1Cr 14:21 In the law it is written, With [men of] other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
1Cr 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying [serveth] not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
1Cr 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in [those that are] unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
1Cr 14:24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or [one] unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
1Cr 14:25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on [his] face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
1Cr 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
1Cr 14:27 If any man speak in an [unknown] tongue, [let it be] by two, or at the most [by] three, and [that] by course; and let one interpret.
1Cr 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
1Cr 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
1Cr 14:30 If [any thing] be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
1Cr 14:31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
1Cr 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
1Cr 14:33 For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.