Help with tongues..

[kt3915]

I kinda believe in tongues and i think that i was once baptized in the holy ghost, but i sometimes am a skeptic, how come other churches who believe in jesus dont have the gift of tongues, it just dont get it. I wish that i could understand this fully.

 

[misdeavious]

my personal opinion is that generally if you dont believe in it, it won't happen...like churches who don't believe in prophesy won't prophesy, churches who don't believe God can heal won't see healings...like if you aren't expecting God to move then most times he won't...i dont know, just a thought...a lot of people don't believe that it still happens today and so they're kinda putting God's power in a box. essentially it's personal preference...

 

[SavedByGrace3]

I kinda believe in tongues and i think that i was once baptized in the holy ghost, but i sometimes am a skeptic, how come other churches who believe in jesus dont have the gift of tongues, it just dont get it. I wish that i could understand this fully.

They do. All believers have spoken in tongues..... and prophesied too! They just did not know what they were doing when they did it.

 

[misdeavious]

All believers have spoken in tongues

I dont know if i agree with that...do you have any biblical ref. 2 back it up?
Like, what do you mean by that?

 

[Reazzurro90]

I kinda believe in tongues and i think that i was once baptized in the holy ghost, but i sometimes am a skeptic, how come other churches who believe in jesus dont have the gift of tongues, it just dont get it. I wish that i could understand this fully.

Some churches refuse to do tongues because either they don't understand it, or are simply afraid of the changes that will erupt do to it. Tongues is perfectly biblical, and all Christians should try to do it. But some churches dispute it, and that's fine for them. But you need to have total confidence that God is going to have you speak in tongues in order to do it - the Holy Spirit doesn't force Himself on anyone.

 

[LifeInReturn]

A lot of times, in churches, tongues are done out of order. You are not supposed to speak / prophesy in tongues out loud in the congregation if there is no interpreter... I have seen this happen SO MANY TIMES... during praise and worship, when people are praising God, they will be speaking in tongues out loud, and there is never an interpreter... never ever in all my life have I seen one...

I wish all of you to speak in languages, but rather that you may prophesy; for greater is he prophesying than he speaking in tongues, unless he interpret so that the church may receive building up.

1 Corinthians 14:5 MKJV

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

A lot of times, in churches, tongues are done out of order. You are not supposed to speak / prophesy in tongues out loud in the congregation if there is no interpreter... I have seen this happen SO MANY TIMES... during praise and worship, when people are praising God, they will be speaking in tongues out loud, and there is never an interpreter... never ever in all my life have I seen one...

I wish all of you to speak in languages, but rather that you may prophesy; for greater is he prophesying than he speaking in tongues, unless he interpret so that the church may receive building up.

1 Corinthians 14:5 MKJV

This happens a lot when people do not pray enough in their own private times, and tend to use the worship time for private prayer. I agree that Paul was quite definite about the use of tongues where there were unlearned or uninitiated people present.

But what about services and prayer meetings where all the people present are well taught in the use of tongues and there are no unlearned people present? Should there be limits placed on people when everyone is of one heart and mind about it, and agree together that it would be appropriate for them to speak out and sing in tongues during worship times - especially if everyone is doing it at the same time?

Of course, if you do not speak in tongues, and have not the level of teaching that is required, every meeting you go into would have an unlearned person present (this is not a put down of you in any way). This means then that the leadership should exercise a control over the speaking in tongues without interpreters whenever there are strangers and visitors present because you never know who is familiar with tongues and who is not.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

I kinda believe in tongues and i think that i was once baptized in the holy ghost, but i sometimes am a skeptic, how come other churches who believe in jesus dont have the gift of tongues, it just dont get it. I wish that i could understand this fully.

There is quite a range of belief about tongues, ranging from some groups being totally opposed to it, and other groups being totally dogmatic for it to the degree that they believe it is essential for the Christian life.

Most evangelical and charismatic believers are in the middle somewhere between these two extremes.

If you have a basic belief in it, and are seeking the gift for yourself, I suggest that you get with a group of people who practice it in a way that you can get along with, and progress from there.

I have an article that may help you along the way, when you feel ready to receive it.
http://personal-communication.net.nz/baptism.htm

Don't hesitate to PM me if you want to know more about it. Don't worry. I won't force you into anything. Also, I wouldn't be pushing any particular charismatic group because I am a Presbyterian elder of a fairly traditional church with a background in Pentecostalism as a younger person. Therefore, I have a non-partisan view of it, and only offer my counselling services to help people have a closer walk with God, allowing you to go to any church you choose for yourself.

 

[DeaconDean]

I don't know if I can post in here being a Baptist but...I believe in the gift of tongues. Paul said it was a gift of the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:11) Now in the Baptist church we don't practice this particular gift, but does that mean it doesn't happen? Certainly not. Some argue that since the canon is complete, and all things that God wants us to know is known in the Bible, the gift of tongues is cut off. I have not seen any evidence of this! While one may be speaking of speaking in tongues while in prayer, or in the worship service may be another matter. It may be that the gift of tongues may be such that a person whom is chosen to be a missionary is given this gift so that they may be able to pick up the native countries language quicker. Perhaps. I have a friend who could not speak any foriegn language period. But when he went to Romania, he picked up this language rather easily. So it may be one thing to say the Church of God, while it may be another to the Baptists. Who's to say which is the correct one, for both are guided by the Holy Spirit, right?

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

I don't know if I can post in here being a Baptist but...I believe in the gift of tongues. Paul said it was a gift of the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:11) Now in the Baptist church we don't practice this particular gift, but does that mean it doesn't happen? Certainly not. Some argue that since the canon is complete, and all things that God wants us to know is known in the Bible, the gift of tongues is cut off. I have not seen any evidence of this! While one may be speaking of speaking in tongues while in prayer, or in the worship service may be another matter. It may be that the gift of tongues may be such that a person whom is chosen to be a missionary is given this gift so that they may be able to pick up the native countries language quicker. Perhaps. I have a friend who could not speak any foriegn language period. But when he went to Romania, he picked up this language rather easily. So it may be one thing to say the Church of God, while it may be another to the Baptists. Who's to say which is the correct one, for both are guided by the Holy Spirit, right?

You are more than welcome on this forum. The only limitation is that only Pentecostals are permitted to debate any issues. Your post is not a debate, but a series of very interesting and valid points coming from a person from a non-charismatic background. Posts like yours are welcomed because we need to see what people are thinking about - especially those who are open to the possibility that receiving the baptism of the Spirit and the gift of tongues may be appropriate for them.

I have posted on the other tongues threads on this forum, and have included a link that you can explore when you feel that you are ready to receive the gift for yourself.

My advice to you is to get with a group of people, preferably charismatic baptists (yes, they do exist!), who can show you the baptism of the Spirit from a baptist perspective. This will help ease your mind considerably. I am sure that on the general Pentecostal/Charismatic forum there will be charismatic baptists who will respond positively to you.

Good luck on your seeking.

 

[allieisme]

my personal opinion is that generally if you dont believe in it, it won't happen...like churches who don't believe in prophesy won't prophesy, churches who don't believe God can heal won't see healings...like if you aren't expecting God to move then most times he won't...i dont know, just a thought...a lot of people don't believe that it still happens today and so they're kinda putting God's power in a box. essentially it's personal preference...

I agree with you..

They do. All believers have spoken in tongues..... and prophesied too! They just did not know what they were doing when they did it.

I do not agree with this. I do not believe that ALL believers have spoken in tounges and prophesied but just do not know it.
Why wouldnt they remember it, do they block it out?

 

[SavedByGrace3]

I agree with you..


I do not agree with this. I do not believe that ALL believers have spoken in tounges and prophesied but just do not know it.
Why wouldnt they remember it, do they block it out?

Hi allieisme...
I didn't say they would not remember. They are just unaware of what tongues and prophesying is. They have expectations that are different from what actually happens.
Bottom line is that most people do not know who and what they are. They are unaware of who it is that speaks out of their heart when they speak from compassion.
It is no longer I that lives, it is Christ that live and speaks out of me.... and you!

 

[misdeavious]

Well i dont know, depends on how you define the gift of tongues:
if you refer to 1 corinthians 12:7, it's a manifestation of the Spirit given for the common good. I honestly believe there are 2 types of 'tongues' displayed in 1 Corinthians. Earthly language or dialect, not a gift that all can receive, but one that is meant for use in the church - but only if there is an interpreter; and heavenly language, which forms conversation between us and God - which is where Romans 8:26,27 comes in, where the Spirit intercedes for us with groans - which is for our own edification unless it is interpreted (1 cor 14:4,5).
I think that we shouldnt have or use these gifts in public until we understand and acknowledge the proper way we're supposed to do it, and the reason for it (1 cor 14:37-39)...that was something that i really had to do before i started seeking God for the gifts of heavenly tongues, and prophecy.

They are just unaware of what tongues and prophesying is

what would your definition of tongues be?

 

[SavedByGrace3]

what would your definition of tongues be?

Speaking forth from an utterance with words that cannot be spoken in an articulate language.

The source of the utterance could be one of many.

 

[TruthSetsYouFree]

my personal opinion is that generally if you dont believe in it, it won't happen...like churches who don't believe in prophesy won't prophesy, churches who don't believe God can heal won't see healings...like if you aren't expecting God to move then most times he won't...i dont know, just a thought...a lot of people don't believe that it still happens today and so they're kinda putting God's power in a box. essentially it's personal preference...

Right on and nicely put!

 

[misdeavious]

so can i have an example of this - i'm sorry, i'm still not understanding. so you don't believe tongues is a language, heavenly or earthly...you believe its something that can't be spoken

 

[TruthSetsYouFree]

I kinda believe in tongues and i think that i was once baptized in the holy ghost, but i sometimes am a skeptic, how come other churches who believe in jesus dont have the gift of tongues, it just dont get it. I wish that i could understand this fully.

I believe that many churches have fallen into the enemy's deception on things like tongues, prophecy, etc. The theology that tongues or prophecy have seized is an extra-Biblical teaching and CANNOT be proven Biblically. It actually contradicts what the Bible has to say. Denominational doctrines are man-made and thereby prone to error.

 

[Shakon]

What interesting opinions you all have... I, personally, AM Petecostal, and speaking in tongues is a gift given to anyone who wants it. It's not hard, but it just takes work to have the faith needed to just let the Holy Spirit just help you with the words.

If anyone wants to really see it, or get it explained, I suggest going to my Church's site, christianlifeassembly . com, go to "media", and click on Pastor Sunday Adelijah's 3rd service... He explains what it is really and you get an example of what it looks like before it (seriously, the whole church pretty much was doing it.).

A lot of times, in churches, tongues are done out of order. You are not supposed to speak / prophesy in tongues out loud in the congregation if there is no interpreter... I have seen this happen SO MANY TIMES... during praise and worship, when people are praising God, they will be speaking in tongues out loud, and there is never an interpreter... never ever in all my life have I seen one...

Generally, interpreters are rare in the world... never mind in churches, just in the world they're rare... And you know, why do you need an interpreter for someone who's speaking to God and only God? When we worship, it's for God and not for anyone else, so if he's the only one to understand, and that's what's meant, then why worry about an interpreter? And generally, well, in my church at least, we prophesy in English....

 

[Jillymac]

I speak in tongues after searching and praying for about a year previous to that. I love it - a whole language flows out your mouth and its amazing - i never did pick up languages well at school.

Like others have said, tongues shouldn't be used for public unless there is an interpretor, i think it was Paul that said that what is the use of speaking in a language that no one can understand - so he also highlights the need for an interpretor as well.

I've never understood why so many churches avoid the gifts of the spirit...tongues, healing, prophesying, deliverance...they are all so blatent in the bible, yet some churches feel they should be able to pick and choose - God wants to give us these gifts and who are we to refuse a present from our Creator? Plus each gift has so much representation in the bible, i dont understand how people can just ignore it.

That's an issue that has always stuck in my head.

Never give up searching to be filled by the spirit - it takes different times for different people - but when you get it...your communication with God totally gets onto a new level!

Jilly

 

[misdeavious]

I think when Paul talks about the correct way we are to speak in tongues in the church, there are a few ways you can take it (aswell as when he talks about women in the church...but i wont get started on that). My personal opinion is that in worship when you're praying to God and its only you and him that need to hear, then its fine to speak in tongues. But when you're praying out loud in front of the church and noone can understand, how can they say 'amen' if they dont know what you said. Thats when you need an interpreter...but like at my church, we'll all be praying out loud for one thing, and the person praying into the mic will start off in english, then start praying in tongues...i think thats alright coz we're all praying our own prayers in our own way, and in one accord.