question

[faith2blv_in]

Recently a freind was telling me about a church she went to where they spoke in tounges. What does speaking in tounges mean? i did some research on it last night and basically my understanding is that all christians are supposed to do it, that it states in the bible that we are to do it as well. It also said that every christian can do it. They said it sounds like "jibberish" but its our very own language - to praise the Lord.
Can someone tell me more about it? what its meaning is? are we supposed to do it? Does anyone here do it?

 

[frost]

There are 2 differing opinions on this. One group says tongues still exists today. Some denominations even say you cannot be saved unless you speak in tongues. The other group says tongues existed only in the early chrurch (<100 AD or so,) and was a means of spreading the gospel and paving the way for the church.

 

[rogsr]

What is the point of speaking "jibberish" if all of our prayers come from the heart? I've seen people on TV speaking in tounges and there really isn't anything linguistic about it at all. Maybe it's real, and maybe it's a lot of faithful people letting their emotions control them...who knows for sure but God?

Some denominations even say you cannot be saved unless you speak in tongues.

This sounds like another, "Our way is the only way!!!" statement. In my humble opinion Jesus was very reasonable, and though we all know that there are some things that we are never going to understand until we are on the other side, nothing about Christianity is totally unreasonable. Tounges, to my understanding, is the ability to speak foriegn languages, which is very useful as well as very reasonable. Secret language of heaven? Who knows...

 

[crossrunner]

My understanding is that it is a gift of the Spirit that is best used if someone interprets it. (1Corinthians 14:27). In 1Corinthians, Paul also says that while its desired that all could speak in tounges, it is better to prophesy as it edifies everyone.

Not all Christians speak in tounges (I don't). I know dear brothers and sisters who do.

 

[JSynon]

What does speaking in tounges mean?

My understanding is that soon after Jesus resurrected, His apostles and disciples were given the gift of tongues. They had the ability to speak to people that spoke other languages even though they did not know the language themselves. This way they could spread to gospel to all nations.

all christians are supposed to do it

Not everybody will receive the gift of tongues.

 

[TheListener]

My understanding is that we are all one body and we all have different gifts. Everyone who receives the Holy Spirit receives a gift. Some speak in tongues, some prophecy, some have the gift of leadership, some have the gift of encouragement, some have the gift of... anything... If you are useful to even one Christian it is because you have been a gift to that Christian. I don't think I'm going straight to hell if I can't speak tongues, that's a bit harsh.

 

[homewardbound]

The notion that speaking in tongues is a requirement for salvation is one of the most damaging misconceptions alive in certain Christian circles today. Nowhere in the Bible are we commanded to do it. Please don't be deceived. The "requirement" to speak in tongues is nothing more than a clever hook used by some churches to psychologically bind their members....like some sort of spiritual password that proves you are worthy of being accepted. I'm not saying some Christians don't have the gift. I'm just saying it's hogwash if someone tries to tell you you have to speak in tongues as proof that you are saved.

Be careful, too, of congregations that "stage" the use of tongues during their service. One of the key criteria for the use of tongues is that there must also be interpretation. Many Christians know this, so some pastors have been known to suddenly start speaking in tongues, and "plant" an interpreter in the congregation do the translation.

Again, I'm not disparaging anyone who has the true gift. Just be wary of those who claim to have it, and flee as soon as possible from any church that claims that all Christians are supposed to do it. If all Christians were meant to do it, it would be as easy to do as getting baptized.

 

[Emma!]

You have it spot on!!

Tongues is one of the many gifts from God, it is available to every christian and it is upto the christian to accept this gift.



We are told in the Bible to 'desire' all the gifts of God, and this includes asking Him for them. He is our Father and wants to give us the desires of our hearts (also a verse from the Bible).



There are 2 types of tongues:

1st = is a prayer language between you and God (this is the type that you would be talking about) this is the Holy Spirit in you, telling God the prayers of your heart and praying in accordence with Gods will for you.

2nd = is spoken by no more than three people at one time and is done in a church setting or a group setting. This type must be interpreted, by 2 or 3 other people. God gives these other 2 or 3 the understanding of what has been said. The purpose of this second type is a message from God to the body of Christ (the church/group).

Im very encouraged that you looked into it yourself as well, its nice to see

God bless you!

 

[12volt_man]

Recently a freind was telling me about a church she went to where they spoke in tounges. What does speaking in tounges mean? i did some research on it last night and basically my understanding is that all christians are supposed to do it, that it states in the bible that we are to do it as well. It also said that every christian can do it. They said it sounds like "jibberish" but its our very own language - to praise the Lord.
Can someone tell me more about it? what its meaning is? are we supposed to do it? Does anyone here do it?

Not every Christian is meant to speak in tongues.

 

[12volt_man]

Recently a freind was telling me about a church she went to where they spoke in tounges. What does speaking in tounges mean? i did some research on it last night and basically my understanding is that all christians are supposed to do it, that it states in the bible that we are to do it as well. It also said that every christian can do it. They said it sounds like "jibberish" but its our very own language - to praise the Lord.
Can someone tell me more about it? what its meaning is? are we supposed to do it? Does anyone here do it?

Not every Christian is meant to speak in tongues.

 

[Emma!]

I just relised i didnt answer some of your Q.

Yes, i have the gift of tongues. My husband and i didnt used to believe it was for everyone but God pulled us up and showed us that it was for ALL thoses who desire it.

Most of my family and christain friends have accepted this gift. It is for every christian who desires it, i am yet to find someone who has been desiring it and praying for it that has not recieved it (sometimes they recieve it after a time of praying for it) but God is our father and He wants to give us good gifts from Him.

 

[TheListener]

So, exactly what tongues can you speak in? Can you give me a description what what happens?

 

[12volt_man]

So, exactly what tongues can you speak in? Can you give me a description what what happens?

I speak in tongues. By an amazing coincidence, my "Heavenly language" happens to be English.

 

[frost]

I believe the gift of tongues was a temporary gift given in the first century to spread truth of the Gospel. Some amazing things were happening at that time in history; apostles raising people from the dead, for example. The biblical references to tongues seems to indicate they were not speaking a non-understandable language, but rather real languages that the person did not know. That being said, I cannot condemn anyone for doing it today, for who can limit God's power? What matters is our heart toward the Father.

blessings...

 

[homewardbound]

I speak in tongues. By an amazing coincidence, my "Heavenly language" happens to be English.

Bless you for adding a some levity to the discussion. I'm still chuckling.