Glossolalia

[Audiomechanic]

Ok, to set up my question, I am Baptist and Southern Baptist at that. I went to a friend's church a couple of weeks ago and felt pretty good about the worship (the music rocked!) but then the pastor instructed everyone to speak in their "prayer language." The entire worship center erupted in simultanious babble and it really freaked me out! It felt deeper than just being creeped out by everyone speaking a different language in monotone, it felt like the Holy Spirit was telling me that what was occurring was really wrong!

I did some research in the Word and on the internet and I cannot find any supporting evidence that speaking in tongues, or glossolalia, is supported by the Bible unless it's used with no more than two people (with a translator) for the benefit of non believers and the tongue being spoken is not an unknown babble but a known world language (or a not so well known one).

NOTICE: This is NOT a argument! DO NOT pick on religions or insult people from other religions. This is simply a discussion.

 

[SolitarySoul]

Wow, that sounds kind of odd lol, I've never heard of that. What do mean by babble? Not even words? I can't recall exact verses off the top of my head but I do remember David speaking of how our cries and groanings can sometimes be a form of prayer because they can express our emotion, which is our true feeling from the heart, rather than just words. But that was regarding a time when David was so devestated that he was speechless, and he was asking the Holy Spirit to help him in communicating his emotions and cries to God in prayer because he didn't know how to say it in words. He was also alone as well, even outcasted. So yea I don't know of anything to support that either.

 

[Audiomechanic]

The only places in the Bible that I know of that specifically deal with speaking in tongues are Genesis 11, and 1 Corinthians 14. Neither of which speak of an unknown dialect.

 

[MidnightCandel777]

I didn't know speaking in toungs had an actual term!

 

[Periann]

Ok, to set up my question, I am Baptist and Southern Baptist at that. I went to a friend's church a couple of weeks ago and felt pretty good about the worship (the music rocked!) but then the pastor instructed everyone to speak in their "prayer language." The entire worship center erupted in simultanious babble and it really freaked me out! It felt deeper than just being creeped out by everyone speaking a different language in monotone, it felt like the Holy Spirit was telling me that what was occurring was really wrong!

I did some research in the Word and on the internet and I cannot find any supporting evidence that speaking in tongues, or glossolalia, is supported by the Bible unless it's used with no more than two people (with a translator) for the benefit of non believers and the tongue being spoken is not an unknown babble but a known world language (or a not so well known one).

NOTICE: This is NOT a argument! DO NOT pick on religions or insult people from other religions. This is simply a discussion.

Is that your first experience with speaking in tongues? I know my first experience led me to feel the same way as you did when I'd visited a Pentecostal church a long time ago. I was shocked.

Glossolalia is I think what people mean as speaking in other known languages. Speaking in tongues is speaking in your heavenly prayer language, where only God knows what you're saying, or if someone has the gift of interpretation they can interpret even that language also.

I attend a non-denominational church with amazing worship sessions. Sometimes the worship leaders instruct the congregation to use their voices and worship God, and everyone does. Sometimes people use their prayer language (even the worship leaders). The music still plays and it's not overpowering or that strange to hear. No one 'yells' if you get what Im trying to say...more like a murmur. When worship is over and the rest of the service begins it stops. I like this format a lot better.

I attended a church once where a member was worshipping and I think had started speaking in tongues. The pastor stopped the entire service to tell this lady to stop (with his mike on) or to leave. I thought that was a little extreme and it really made me uncomfortable throughout the rest of the service.

I think that in prayer meetings speaking in tongues without restraint is nothing to be frowned upon. In a church setting or corporate worship, it should occur during appointed times in the service such as 'worship/singing session'. But it shouldn't look 'crazy' to other people or unrestrained and there should be someone in the service who can interpret the tongues if there is a need for it. That's just my opinion based on what I've had experience with and learned.

If the people are believers then I dont see a huge problem with having it in corporate worship.

 

[The Princess Bride]

Is that your first experience with speaking in tongues? I know my first experience led me to feel the same way as you did when I'd visited a Pentecostal church a long time ago. I was shocked.

Glossolalia is I think what people mean as speaking in other known languages. Speaking in tongues is speaking in your heavenly prayer language, where only God knows what you're saying, or if someone has the gift of interpretation they can interpret even that language also.


If the people are believers then I dont see a huge problem with having it in corporate worship.

 

[MarkEvan]

My own view is that this is disorderly at the least as you said tongues should be given by two or three people and each one at a time.

26What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.
29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.

Mark

 

[mcart909]

"Xenoglossy is the putative phenomenon in which a person is able to speak a language that he or she could not have acquired by natural means."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenoglossy

 

[Sketcher]

The only places in the Bible that I know of that specifically deal with speaking in tongues are Genesis 11, and 1 Corinthians 14. Neither of which speak of an unknown dialect.

Not Acts 2?

 

[The Princess Bride]

Not Acts 2?

Yup, dont forget:
Mark 16:15-17 He [Jesus] said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues.

 

[connectadot18]

I go to a church where we believe that a person can speak in tongues...but personally I don't believe that it can be spoken upon command. From what you said this pastor told them to do it and they did it. I Guess in a way I also believe that not everyone has the gift of Tongues...Hmm I don't know...it does seem a bit odd...

EDIT: I do believe that every tongue has a interpretation in order for it to be of God. I Think that Tongues is not a known Language in human perspective and that it is only from God and that He gives the interpretation.

 

[Sketcher]

If there was no interpreter, what they did wasn't right.

 

[Someguyouknow]

At my old church, people would often speak in tongues. It often came off as fake to me. I never believe they were actually doing it rather than just speaking jibberish. Especially this one person who would speak in tongues and then interpert it themself.

 

[Audiomechanic]

Is that your first experience with speaking in tongues? I know my first experience led me to feel the same way as you did when I'd visited a Pentecostal church a long time ago. I was shocked.

Glossolalia is I think what people mean as speaking in other known languages. Speaking in tongues is speaking in your heavenly prayer language, where only God knows what you're saying, or if someone has the gift of interpretation they can interpret even that language also.

I attend a non-denominational church with amazing worship sessions. Sometimes the worship leaders instruct the congregation to use their voices and worship God, and everyone does. Sometimes people use their prayer language (even the worship leaders). The music still plays and it's not overpowering or that strange to hear. No one 'yells' if you get what Im trying to say...more like a murmur. When worship is over and the rest of the service begins it stops. I like this format a lot better.

I attended a church once where a member was worshipping and I think had started speaking in tongues. The pastor stopped the entire service to tell this lady to stop (with his mike on) or to leave. I thought that was a little extreme and it really made me uncomfortable throughout the rest of the service.

I think that in prayer meetings speaking in tongues without restraint is nothing to be frowned upon. In a church setting or corporate worship, it should occur during appointed times in the service such as 'worship/singing session'. But it shouldn't look 'crazy' to other people or unrestrained and there should be someone in the service who can interpret the tongues if there is a need for it. That's just my opinion based on what I've had experience with and learned.

If the people are believers then I dont see a huge problem with having it in corporate worship.

Thank you for the reply!

There are two problems with this that I see. 1 Corinthians 14 is the only chapter in the Bible that goes into detail about this topic. In this chapter, Paul is speaking to the church of Corinth about what an ideal church service should be...orderly and inviting. As was stated above, he specifically states to the Corinthians that speaking in tongues should NOT be done by more than two people at the same time and they must have an interpreter. Also, an interesting thing to note about 1 Corinthians 14 is that Paul never speaks of an unknown language (glossolalia) but a known language (Xenoglossy as stated above). The KJV is accurately translated but is pretty hard to understand so it's easy to take out of context. The ESV version is a very accurate translation of the original text but it's much easier to understand what Paul is saying:

http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=1+Corinthians+14

The second note that I have is not based upon research, but observation and opinion. When everyone was doing their "prayer language" thing, I felt very uncomfortable and creeped out. If I were an unbeliever, this would turn me off pretty quick. Church is supposed inviting...especially for non believers! Also, it felt deeper than just uncomfortable. I could feel the Holy Spirit warning me! That feeling you get when you know in your gut that something is very very wrong...I got that. I began to pray to myself (in English) for protection and guidance in my thoughts. I left that place absolutely drained. Even physically. Something's wrong when you leave church more tired than when you got there. Church is supposed to be uplifting, convicting, and instructional...but I found many inconsistencies in this preacher's message that did not follow the Biblical line. One of which was his explanation of why the church speaks in tongues, which was based upon 1 Corinthians 14.

Here's a pretty good source of info I found when researching this topic: http://www.speaking-in-tongues.net/

Not Acts 2?

You are correct. Forgot about Acts 2! Even in acts 2 though, the languages spoken were known languages from around that region.

 

[The Princess Bride]

I agree Acts 2 and 1 Cor 14 speak of two different types of tongues.

Acts speaks of tongues people from other regions knew.

1 Cor 13 speaks of "tongues of angels" or a "heavenly prayer language" as I have been taught.

 

[shaslove]

IMO--->Praying in tougues is praying in the Holy Spirit:
"But you, beloved, build up yourselves on your most holy faith praying in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." Jude 20,21

Sometimes God does not tell us everything, and sometimes we do not understand it all.

I know that when I speak in my prayer language, I feel the presence of God. Someone once told me it is as if praying the heart of God.

Just my two cents!

 

[Audiomechanic]

Interesting. But doesn't Paul say In 1 Cor 14:

14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.

Perhaps only some are lead to speak in this "prayer language" to God. I do not believe that I am one of them for I have never had the urge or have been lead in anyway in my heart to do so. I guess God thinks English is just fine from me. In my mind, I want to know what I'm praying. If I pray in a tongue that is not of this earth, how will I know what I'm praying for? I may feel the presence of God, but I might be praying for ways to deceive him right to His face!

I do not mean to insult. Please do not take what I am say that way (not to say that you are...I'm just trying to avoid conflict). I am simply offering another view.

 

[Audiomechanic]

Yup, dont forget:
Mark 16:15-17 He [Jesus] said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues.

Yup, I missed this one too!

You are correct. From the context by following grammatical consistancy, the word "new" in verse 17 states of a new tongue to them, not in general though.

Good memory The Princess Bride! Thank you for your input!

 

[shaslove]

Interesting. But doesn't Paul say In 1 Cor 14:



Perhaps only some are lead to speak in this "prayer language" to God. I do not believe that I am one of them for I have never had the urge or have been lead in anyway in my heart to do so. I guess God thinks English is just fine from me. In my mind, I want to know what I'm praying. If I pray in a tongue that is not of this earth, how will I know what I'm praying for? I may feel the presence of God, but I might be praying for ways to deceive him right to His face!

I do not mean to insult. Please do not take what I am say that way (not to say that you are...I'm just trying to avoid conflict). I am simply offering another view.

mmm...doesn't paul say he does both? just a thought.

 

[Periann]

Thank you for the reply!

There are two problems with this that I see. 1 Corinthians 14 is the only chapter in the Bible that goes into detail about this topic. In this chapter, Paul is speaking to the church of Corinth about what an ideal church service should be...orderly and inviting. As was stated above, he specifically states to the Corinthians that speaking in tongues should NOT be done by more than two people at the same time and they must have an interpreter. Also, an interesting thing to note about 1 Corinthians 14 is that Paul never speaks of an unknown language (glossolalia) but a known language (Xenoglossy as stated above). The KJV is accurately translated but is pretty hard to understand so it's easy to take out of context. The ESV version is a very accurate translation of the original text but it's much easier to understand what Paul is saying:

http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=1+Corinthians+14

The second note that I have is not based upon research, but observation and opinion. When everyone was doing their "prayer language" thing, I felt very uncomfortable and creeped out. If I were an unbeliever, this would turn me off pretty quick. Church is supposed inviting...especially for non believers! Also, it felt deeper than just uncomfortable. I could feel the Holy Spirit warning me! That feeling you get when you know in your gut that something is very very wrong...I got that. I began to pray to myself (in English) for protection and guidance in my thoughts. I left that place absolutely drained. Even physically. Something's wrong when you leave church more tired than when you got there. Church is supposed to be uplifting, convicting, and instructional...but I found many inconsistencies in this preacher's message that did not follow the Biblical line. One of which was his explanation of why the church speaks in tongues, which was based upon 1 Corinthians 14.

Here's a pretty good source of info I found when researching this topic: http://www.speaking-in-tongues.net/



You are correct. Forgot about Acts 2! Even in acts 2 though, the languages spoken were known languages from around that region.

Ok on your first point that would imply that Paul was speaking about those who are speaking in different earthly languages requiring an interpreter...which leaves out those who are speaking in 'heavenly tongues'. So in that case are we also supposed to carry across the notion of there being an interpretation every time for those speaking in heavenly tongues too?

I'm not advocating that every church should have a 15 minute speaking in tongues session or anything, but I've seen it done in a right manner and it didn't freak me out. I've also seen it done in a completely disorganized and 'fake' way (as if all the people were suddenly just making it up) and it's easy to see why other people especially unbelievers would be turned off from attending that kind of church. It sounds like you ventured into one of those Audiomechanic. I hope you get to see it happen in an uplifting and inviting church service next time.

I believe that Paul also encouraged us to pray for all spiritual gifts, especially the gift of interpretation and prophecy. I have heard that speaking in tongues gets you into another level in terms of prayer life (I am not sure if that is true or not as I don't have that gift). Perhaps it's just because the Holy Spirit Himself is interceding...which I think praying in tongues is. I don't believe everyone will get the gift, or that you need it to get to heaven or have the Holy Spirit inside of you, but I do believe that it is a sign of the Holy Spirit and that if you continue praying for it you will get it.