Questions about speaking in tongues?

[Mediakira]

I want to know more about it. Because read a book about the Holy Spirit. And it talks about the ways of the tongues. The first word I remember was avulnee. When I was learning on how to listen to the tongues. I hear that word most often. The e carries strongly. The other word was akwaylu. But it's a name if it's spelled Akwalu. It's a name in Thailand. lol

Does you mouth every speak names out of no where without your control. Just minutes ago it was akata. Which means fox in africa. Does the Holy Spirit teach you these things?

 

[Leviman]

I don't think i have had the privilege of speaking in tongues. But i have found the privilege to Know and Love God and Jesus and do my good deeds to please God and Jesus.

When people speak in tongues who is meant to understand what they say, is it a personal understanding?

 

[Mediakira]

I don't know. I'm still new with tongues. I heard not to many people not really mess with the issue. I don't either. I was just checking it out. I'm still learning in tongues. Some writers say that the Holy Spirit will teach you. And it's a way to pray to God. But I favor English anyway. I have no problems praying to God in English. I really like His comments when He speaks to me. He uses a certain gesture to help me understand that is truly Him I'm speaking too.

I don't think tongues is really too much important. But it was suppose to help you learn the language of the Heavens. But I keep getting other words instead. Uh, well. I"m not beat up about it. I don't have time to spend time with it anyway.

 

[athenken]

First, you really need to study, in the Bible, the purpose of speaking in tongues. Some people will say that you only truly know you are saved if you are able to speak in tongues, which is false. Speaking in tongues is certainly one of the gifts of the Spirit but there are only certain cases in which it is used.

If someone is speaking in tongues in a group then there must be someone else there that is able to translate, otherwise there is no point to it.

Sure, there are people who are able to speak in tongues when praying, but that is only done in private.

Speaking in tongues is never done for show.

 

[Mediakira]

I did not post the questions on here of tongues for showing off. I was just asking questions. I have no intentions of asking for any type of attention. Just learning. But all though I don't really have time to stick with learn how to speak with tongues.

Once person wrote on a site. That tongues is a part of witchcraft, and it's not legal in Christianity. And Paul wrote to study of what you have said, just in case a evil spirit spoke out of you and not God or the Holy Spirit. You much take control on every thing.

Which I tend to do so. I want to learn control. So, I post here, just in case someone can translate.

 

[athenken]

I did not post the questions on here of tongues for showing off. I was just asking questions. I have no intentions of asking for any type of attention. Just learning. But all though I don't really have time to stick with learn how to speak with tongues.

Once person wrote on a site. That tongues is a part of witchcraft, and it's not legal in Christianity. And Paul wrote to study of what you have said, just in case a evil spirit spoke out of you and not God or the Holy Spirit. You much take control on every thing.

Which I tend to do so. I want to learn control. So, I post here, just in case someone can translate.

What that person wrote is misleading at the very least. You only need to read Acts to know that there are those who the Holy Spirit caused to speak in tongues. Sure, there are plenty of cases where a demon spoke out of person, there is a major distinction between these to things. When some demonic spirit is speaking it generally is not very nice. When you are speaking in tongues there is nothing negative or derogatory that will be spoken.

 

[Leviman]

God bless you and yours

 

[Bible2]

Leviman said in post 2:

When people speak in tongues who is meant to understand what they say, is it a personal understanding?

Different believers receive different kinds of tongues (1 Cor. 12:10). Some tongues are languages which people can understand (Acts 2:4,8) while other tongues are languages which people can't understand (1 Cor. 14:2), not even the speakers (1 Cor. 14:14). Unintelligible tongues could include ancient human languages which are unknown to history, ancient human languages which are known to history but aren't understood, and angelic languages (1 Cor. 13:1). Unintelligible tongues aren't useless, however, for when they're prayed or sung privately to God without interpretation (1 Cor. 14:2,28) they edify the spirits of those who speak or sing them (1 Cor. 14:4,14-15, Jude 1:20), to bless God and thank God (1 Cor. 14:16). And when unintelligible tongues are prayed or sung out loud in a congregation, and then Spiritually interpreted (1 Cor. 12:10b-11), their interpretation edifies the whole congregation (1 Cor. 14:5b,12-13,26). When Christians sing in tongues to God they're singing the "spiritual songs" which Paul distinguishes from psalms and hymns (Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16).

Paul sets no restrictions on how much believers can pray and sing to God in tongues out loud at home, or silently in church (1 Cor. 14:28) (just as regular praying can be done silently: 1 Sam. 1:13,17). Indeed, Paul prayed and sung to God in tongues in private more than anyone (1 Cor. 14:18-19). But regarding church meetings, Paul sets strict rules on speaking tongues out loud: they aren't to be spoken out loud in church meetings unless there's someone present who can Spiritually interpret them to the whole congregation (1 Cor. 14:28). And even when a tongues-interpreter is present, at the most only three people should in turn speak out loud in unknown tongues, which should then be interpreted to the whole congregation (1 Cor. 14:27). Everyone who has received the gift of tongues should be praying for the separate gift of the interpretation of tongues, so he can edify others (1 Cor. 14:12-13, 12:10b).

The Holy Spirit's gifts (1 Cor. 12:8-10), which operate in believers who have received Holy Spirit baptism (Acts 19:6, 11:15-16, 10:44-46), won't cease operating until Jesus' 2nd coming. For 1 Cor. 13:8-12 means that just as only when children become adults do they put away childish things, so only when believers will become perfect when they see Jesus face to face at his 2nd coming (1 Jn. 3:2) will they no longer need the Spiritual gifts of prophecy, tongues, and the word of knowledge (1 Cor. 12:8,10). During the future tribulation (which will just precede Jesus' 2nd coming: Mt. 24:29-31), are some in the church going to reject the ministry of the two witnesses simply because it will involve them prophesying and performing miracles (Rev. 11:3,6)?

Because Jesus' 2nd coming (like the preceding tribulation) hasn't happened yet, all the Spirit's gifts are still operating in the church today (within Pentecostal-type and charismatic-type congregations, which can be found in different denominations). God's Word commands believers to operate in the Spiritual gifts when believers come together (1 Cor. 14:26-31). So congregations today should be careful never to quench the Spirit (1 Thes. 5:19), such as by despising prophesyings (1 Thes. 5:20) or forbidding all speaking in tongues (1 Cor. 14:39). Tongues are one of the Spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:8-10) through which believers can be regularly edified (1 Cor. 14:4-5,12,26). Not all Holy Spirit-baptized believers will speak in tongues (1 Cor. 12:30), but almost all will (cf. Acts 19:6, 10:45-46), for tongues are one of the Spirit's lesser gifts (1 Cor. 12:28, 14:5).

Believers usually have to ask to receive the Holy Spirit (Lk. 11:13b) baptism, for it isn't usually automatically given to them the moment they become believers; that's why Paul asked some believers: "Have ye received the Holy Spirit since ye believed?" (Acts 19:2). Believers usually receive Holy Spirit baptism through prayer accompanied by the laying on of hands, subsequent to water baptism (Acts 8:15-17, 19:5-6). Many believers haven't yet experienced Holy Spirit baptism simply because they haven't yet asked for it, under the principle of "ye have not, because ye ask not" (Jas. 4:2b). Many believers haven't yet asked for it because they've come under the influence of mistaken teachings which say it's no longer in effect. Believers can get hands laid on them to receive Holy Spirit baptism at, e.g., a Pentecostal-type or charismatic-type congregation.

 

[Leviman]

Thanks Bible2 for your answer, i was reading Corinthians today and i came across the versus you mentioned.

So correct me if i am wrong but should all Christians desire to speak in tongues or understand tongues or according to Paul, above speaking tongues is prophesying. And it most be done to strengthen the church of Jesus?

God Bless You and Yours

 

[thesunisout]

I want to know more about it. Because read a book about the Holy Spirit. And it talks about the ways of the tongues. The first word I remember was avulnee. When I was learning on how to listen to the tongues. I hear that word most often. The e carries strongly. The other word was akwaylu. But it's a name if it's spelled Akwalu. It's a name in Thailand. lol

Does you mouth every speak names out of no where without your control. Just minutes ago it was akata. Which means fox in africa. Does the Holy Spirit teach you these things?

The problem with speaking in "tongues" as it is understood today is that pagans, voodoo witch doctors, buddhists etc all speak in tongues too. It's not exclusive to Christianity. The second problem is that the early church fathers said nothing about it. It has only come about in the last 200 years that people have started speaking these gibberish languages and called it tongues. I don't believe that this gift is necessarily of God at all.

 

[Sketcher]

The Biblical gift of tongues is where you are preaching the Gospel in what seems to you to be your own language, but the Holy Spirit is translating it perfectly into one or more languages that the hearers know (Acts 2:4-12).

 

[PROPHECYKID]

I want to know more about it. Because read a book about the Holy Spirit. And it talks about the ways of the tongues. The first word I remember was avulnee. When I was learning on how to listen to the tongues. I hear that word most often. The e carries strongly. The other word was akwaylu. But it's a name if it's spelled Akwalu. It's a name in Thailand. lol

Does you mouth every speak names out of no where without your control. Just minutes ago it was akata. Which means fox in africa. Does the Holy Spirit teach you these things?

Tongues are simply languages. The gift of speaking in tongues is for the furtherance of the gospel. The gift of tongues is necessary to overcome language barriers. Someone can speak in tongues without having the gift of tongues. The person could be multilingual. However on the day of pentecost the disciples were not. The holy spirit came over them and gave them the ability to speak in various languages so the people who spoke those languages can understand.

Now lets look at the scenario Paul speaks of in 1 Cor 14. Everyone is in a church worshiping, all speaking the same language. But there is one person who speaks in an unknown tongue (unknown to everyone else). Notice this person does not have the gift of tongues, they just speak with an unknown tongue. If that person ought to speak, there must be an interpreter so that everyone else understands what is being said so they can be edified. If not it is better to keep silent.

There are misconceptions about what speaking on tongues is about. The idea that tongues is a secret prayer language is not biblically supported and not true. Everytime we pray, the Holy spirit takes out prayers to Jesus with groanings that cannot be uttered. Therefore, we do not need any special language to be able to pray to God.

Now lets look at the gifts of the holy spirit besides tongues. What other gift do you know that the holy spirit gives you where you have no control of your actions? None of them! Tongues is the same thing. If you are speaking in "tongues" and you have no idea what you are saying, then it is not of God, because if you don't understand it, how would the hearers understand and be edified. If there is no edification, it is not from God.

 

[PROPHECYKID]

The Biblical gift of tongues is where you are preaching the Gospel in what seems to you to be your own language, but the Holy Spirit is translating it perfectly into one or more languages that the hearers know (Acts 2:4-12).

This is also a plausible explanation.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

The Biblical gift of tongues is where you are preaching the Gospel in what seems to you to be your own language, but the Holy Spirit is translating it perfectly into one or more languages that the hearers know (Acts 2:4-12).

The problem with this view ^ of tongues is if that was what the Apostles did on the day of Pentecost, then Peter would not have had to stand up and give his sermon that follows immediately afterward. If the tongues they spoke were in fact the Apostles preaching the gospel, then that sermon would have not needed be spoken. Another post says that tongues today are jibberish languages because other false religions practice it too. But if there is a false something, then there must be a true something. You can't have one extreme without the other. Hot/cold, Rough/smooth, truth/lie, tall/short.... Usually those who hold this view are either ignorant of what scriptures teach on the subject or they are fearful of those things that are different than what they believe. I grew up in a Baptist church that still to this day teaches those who claim to be Spirit-filled may in fact be demon possessed because the Holy Spirit no longer fills individuals as He did in the book of Acts. No where in the Bible, not one verse says this though...

Speaking in tongues is just an outward manifestation of a miracle that has occured within each of us. But before you can understand tongues you need to understand different ministries of the Holy Spirit, look at this...

In John 20:21, Jesus says receive the Holy Spirit to the disciples and breathes on them. Look back in Genesis when God created man, He breathed life into man and man became a living creature. This is symbolism that Jesus breathes new life into the believer and they are thus "born again" (John 3:3; 2 Cor 5:17) There is no mention in this passage of speaking in tongues or fire from Heaven or Wind from Heaven as there is in Acts 2:1-4, so the accounts must be different. Why would John, a man present on that day of Pentecost, the man closest to Jesus, have omitted such a powerful testimony from his record there in John 20 if that was what he was talking about. John's account is of the church entering the new covenant that Jesus enacted with His blood (Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:11-28) A different thing from the Pentecost experience with the Holy Spirit that does not result in tongues but instead eternal life.

In Acts 2, we see that the Holy Spirit falls upon the early church and all present there are filled. During his great Pentecost sermon, Peter says that the things the crowd saw and heard was in fulfillment of Joel's prophecy that in the LAST DAYS God would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. Peter makes that connection and says it was fulfilled by Jesus receiving the Holy Spirit from the Father then POURING Him out upon those who believe resulting in those outward manifestations (see and hear, 2:33) In Romans 5:5, we see Paul saying that when God pours out the Holy Spirit on a person, it's into their heart. Once again when God pours out the Holy Spirit, it is to fill, not to indwell. Jesus told the disciples repeated to wait in Jerusalem until they received the Promise of the Father (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4) which He explained as being the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5) That is one of the reasons Jesus came to Earth and died for us was so that we could have this dynamic new relationship with God. God doesn't just want us to have a love letter from Him (as some call the Bible and rightfully so because it is) He wants us all to experience Him and know Him personally and intimately. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the first step in that walk. God promises He'll pour out His Spirit upon us, we have to receive it in faith, just as we received salvation. Just as salvation is of God's grace, so too is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Peter at the end of his Pentecost sermon said that we must repent and be baptized (in water) to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) which in the very next phrase (2:39) Peters says in the Promise of the Father. Once again Jesus Himself said the Promise of the Father is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5) Notice something else about what Peter says in Acts 2:39. That the Promise is for all who the Lord calls. If the Lord has called you for salvation then you can have the Promise of the Father, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit as well, receive it in faith (John 7:37-39; Acts 2:38-39)

So back to the point at hand, we've established that when God breathes the Holy Spirit on us, it's at conversion and gives us new life (Eph 1:13-14; John 20:21; 2 Cor 5:17) and when He pours out the Holy Spirit on us it's to fulfill His promise in Joel 2:28-32 (Acts 1:4-5; 2:33; Romans 5:5; Titus 3:6)

When God pours out the Holy Spirit into your heart to fulfill His promise He does so into your heart (Romans 5:5) Jesus said in Matthew 12:34 that the mouth speaks from what comes out of the heart. In John 7:38 Jesus says that those who believe will have streams of living water flowing from within them. If you read the very next verse, John explains this to be Baptism of the Holy Spirit because the Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus was not yet glorified. Jesus was not glorified until He ascended in Acts 1 and as we have seen there are two instances of Jesus with the Holy Spirit and giving the Holy Spirit to believers, one in John 20 and the other in Acts 2. In John 20, He breathes the Holy Spirit while physically present with the believers on Earth, whereas in Acts 2 Jesus pours out the Holy Spirit while seated in Heaven. So to meet the criteria of John 7:37-39, we must accept that this is talking about the Promise of the Father, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. So God pours out the Spirit into your heart (Romans 5:5) and the Spirit overflows from your heart (John 7:38) and you speak as a result (Matthew 12:34).

So very literally, speaking in tongues is the Holy Spirit overflowing from your heart through your mouth. It is the most beautiful thing. That is also why many, including myself, believe that when you are Baptized in the Holy Spirit you will speak in tongues, but as with everything else in our walk with God it must be accompanied with faith (Hebrews 11:6)

Tongues seem like nonsensical jibberish because we don't understand them, that doesn't mean they are not real. Having that approach is the same as the Jews in Jesus day that continued to demand He produce a sign for them to believe He was real, one that they could physically see Him do, because they could not believe what someone else said about His works, they lacked faith. In 1 Corinthians 14, one of the most detailed passages on the subject, Paul says in verse 2 that no one understands a person speaking in tongues, they are speaking to God in mysteries. When you hear a person speaking Chinese or Greek or whatever language you don't understand, does that mean they are not speaking a real language just because you don't understand it? No, that just means you don't know what they are saying. Sometimes the Holy Spirit gives an interpretation, if He does then that is a gift of tongues as laid out in 1 Corinthians 12:10, but every Spirit-filled believer will speak in new languages (Mark 16:17-18; Rom 5:5 -> John 7:38 -> Matthew 12:34) Some say that if God wants me to speak in tongues then why doesn't He just make me do it? Well God will never force Himself upon you or any of us. He gave us a free will and we are free to choose what to do with ourselves. He will never force Himself upon anyone, if we want more of Him, we must ask, seek and knock to receive (Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 11:9-13) Even the first time tongues are spoken in the NT (Acts 2:4) notice God says that THEY SPOKE as the SPIRIT GUIDED THEM.... So they opened their mouths to speak and the Holy Spirit gave them the words...

When I spoke in tongues for the first time it was the same way... I was praying in my room and as I drew closer to God in prayer I just began speaking new language I'd never heard before. Satan will try to convince you that it is not real, that you are making it up, that you are doing it all yourself. Don't let him fool you. He tries to keep us from praying in the Spirit (Speaking in tongues) because it's such a powerful weapon for believers to have. Satan can no more understand what you pray in the Spirit than what you can, he is not omniscient as God is. So if you can't understand what's spoken, neither can he. The Spirit is speaking directly to God from your heart, bypassing your mind, your understanding, your will (Romans 8:26-27; 1 Corinthians 14:2, 14) Don't be discouraged because you can't understand.... Have faith that you are speaking directly to God with your words and remind the devil he is a liar and father of lies (John 8:44) God is the Truth and has promised that when you ask for something good, you'll never receive anything bad! (Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 11:9-13) Be strong have faith!

Lastly, all this and all the Spiritual Gifts are great and wonderful to possess but without love, genuine love for God and others, then you can have the highest anointing to ever exist and yet it would do you no good in the sight of the Lord (1 Corinthians 12:31-14:1) So once you receive, and you will, do not look at that as you have arrived and need to further to love or obey, spiritual gifts are a grace of God (the word gift is itself charisma which means a specific act of grace) God gives them to us to use for others (1 Peter 4:10) not to keep to ourselves or puff ourselves up with pride and brag that we can move mountains with our faith or speak the languages of angels.

I hope this was helpful to you PM me if you have any questions.

 

[chrissy0711]

Being filled with the spirit is a free Gift from the Lord that anyone can receive. Speaking in tongues is evidence so if you are filled with the holy spirit yes you will speak in tongues

 

[chilehed]

...So correct me if i am wrong but should all Christians desire to speak in tongues or understand tongues...

We should desire what God wishes for us, and for most of us that DOESN'T include the gift of tongues.

 

[KimberlyAA]

All Bible-believing Christians who study the Word of God are in agreement that the gift of tongues is present in the inspired Scriptures. In the New Testament two lists of gifts appear in which the gift of tongues is included. In 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 “kinds of tongues” and “the interpretation of tongues” are said to be sovereignly bestowed gifts of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 12:28-30 “tongues” appears in the list of gifts. We call them “spiritual gifts” from the Greek word charisma, suggesting that the gift is a bestowment of God’s grace. It is not a natural ability that one might develop, but rather a special gift as those appearing in the above mentioned passages in First Corinthians.

The Holy Spirit is sovereign in the distribution of these gifts. Following the listing of the gifts, Paul adds, “But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will” (1 Corinthians 12:11). No one person has all the gifts, nor are we to seek the gifts. We must be careful that we do not confuse the Spirit as a gift to the believer with the gifts the Spirit gives to believers. Every believer has received the gift of the Spirit, but not every believer has received the gifts which the Spirit bestows.

The term that is used to identify the tongues movement is “glossolalia,” made up of two Greek words, glossa (language or tongue) and lalia (speech). It therefore means speaking in languages or tongues. Glossology is that department of anthropology which has to do with the study and classification of languages and dialects.

The word glossa appears in the Greek New Testament not less than fifty times. It is used to refer to the physical organ of the tongue as in James 3:5; once in reference to the flames of fire shaped like tongues (Acts 2:3); at least once in a metaphorical sense when referring to speech as in the statement, “my tongue (speech) was glad (joyous)” (Acts 2:26). As far as I understand the remaining usages of the word it always means a language.

When our Lord predicted the gift of tongues (the only mention of tongues in the four Gospel records) He said, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues” (Mark 16:17). The adjective “new” (Gr. kainos) can only mean they were going to speak in languages new to them, that is, languages they had not learned or used until that time.

In Acts 2:4 Luke uses a different adjective when he says, “they began to speak with other tongues.” The word “other” (Gr. heteros) simply means that they spoke in languages different from the normal language they were used to. The context substantiates this. Notice the surprised reaction on the part of the hearers—“And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” (Acts 2:7,8). Every man heard them speak in his own language (Acts 2:6). Here the word “language” is the translation of dialekto from which our word “dialect” comes. The two words glossa (tongue) and dialektos (language) are used synonymously, making it obvious that the disciples were speaking in known languages other than the language native to them. In verses 9-11 the languages are then identified. It was a miraculous phenomenon which enabled the disciples to speak in languages which they had never learned. Here in this Acts passage we have tongues-speaking in its pure and unperverted form as God gave it.

The following verses in the Book of the Revelation should be examined carefully (Revelation 5:9; 7:9; 10:11; 11:9; 13:7; 14:6; 17:15). In each passage where the word “tongue” is mentioned it means one of the languages associated with the various nationalities and races.

But the more serious problems arise in the interpretation of the twenty-one references to tongues in 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14. There are those who tell us that the tongues in First Corinthians are ecstatic utterances not known in any country on earth. They base their conclusion on the term “unknown” which appears in 1 Corinthians 14:2, 4, 13, 14, 19, and 27. But the reader of this chapter in God’s Word must not fail to observe that the word “unknown” in every place where it appears is in italicized letters, which means that it does not occur in any Greek manuscript but was inserted by translators. The Holy Spirit did not direct Paul to write that the tongue is unknown.

In every other place where the word is used it means languages. Why then should the meaning be changed in First Corinthians? I know of no textual license that will warrant changing the meaning of the word. All the usages of tongues in Paul’s treatment of the subject refer to foreign languages. “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 air” (1 Corinthians 14:9).

There is no reason for anyone to speak except to converse intelligibly. The Greek word laleo means “I speak.” The word is never used for mere sound or noise. Nor is it used for a mere mumbling or muttering of unintelligible gibberish. The tongues-speaking in the New Testament was in the native languages of hearing people. The supernatural phenomenon which took place at Pentecost was the exercise of a gift whereby many people from many countries, gathered at Jerusalem, heard God’s message in their own language. This was indeed a miracle of God.

It would be an arbitrary and strange interpretation of Scripture that would make tongues-speaking in the New Testament anything other than known languages. There is no trace of Scriptural evidence that tongues were ever heard by anyone as incoherent, incomprehensible babbling.

With unmistakable clarity Paul says, “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not . . . ” (1 Corinthians 14:22). The word “sign” (Gr. semeion) in the New Testament is often associated with the conveying of a Divinely-given message to unbelievers. This is the emphasis in John 20:30, 31 where we read, “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.” The signs (miracles) were never performed without purpose, but because of the message they communicated.

The true function of the gift of tongues is “for a sign . . . to them that believe not.” To exercise the gift when unbelievers were not present would be exercising the gift above the purpose for which it was given. The gifts were never given for the self-satisfaction or self-glory of the recipients. The one upon whom the gift was bestowed was merely an instrument through whom God wanted to communicate His message.

Because of the abuse and misuse of tongues in the Corinthian Assembly Paul states its purpose. The spiritual immaturity of the saints in Corinth called for instruction, so in the middle of his discourse on tongues he writes, “Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men” (1 Corinthians 14:20). The Greek word for “men” (teleios) means mature. In their misuse of speaking in tongues they were showing their immaturity, a behaviour pattern which characterized the believers at Corinth. The Apostle reminded them that they remained “babes in Christ” (3:1).

Their failure to grow up spiritually resulted from their neglected study of the Scriptures. The Epistle to the Hebrews stresses this point. “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:12-14). Peter wrote, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby” (I Peter 2:2). One will find confusion and license where the study of God’s Word is neglected.

Now let us return to 1 Corinthians 14:20. Immediately upon rebuking them with the words, “Brethren, be not children in understanding,” Paul adds, “In the law it is written . . . ” (Vs. 21), thereby pointing out their weakness, namely, their failure to acquaint themselves with that which was written in the Old Testament Scriptures. They had failed to study God’s Word, therefore they had become victims of arrested development.

Speaking in tongues was a gift bestowed by the Holy Spirit, but it, or any other gift, can be misused. Speaking in tongues was no mark of spirituality, because the Corinthian church was unspiritual, having manifested carnality (3:1-3) and even gross sin (5:1). And so Paul points them to a Scripture they should have known, saying, “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” (12:21).

 

[tturt]

The groups listed in Scripture who received, it states that they all received:
1[FONT=&quot]--[/FONT]-On the day of Pentecost in the upper room: Acts 2:4 "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance"
2- ---At Cornelius’ house filled with friends and family who were baptized. Acts 10:44 ”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."
3- ---The Disciples of Ephesus Acts 19:2 "He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.” 6”And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7 And all the men were about twelve."

(The group that doesn't say all received is on the day of Pentecost, not in the Upper Room, where there were mockers of tongues. Acts 2:13).

 

[razeontherock]

Where's the OP, still here?

 

[parsley]

Nice to have such a deep discussion, even with varied viewpoints.

As people have shown, tongues are clearly in scriptures. Whether churches agree with it or not should not deter you from exploring something in God's Word.

Speaking in tongues is not a goal -- it is a means to other ends, a communication tool, an audible expression. No biggee. Whether other religions practice it or not should not matter, because it is simply language. Symbolic utterance.

It is not a mark of spirituality or achievement of our own. It is just a method of prayer.

When you hear a person speaking Chinese or Greek or whatever language you don't understand, does that mean they are not speaking a real language just because you don't understand it? No, that just means you don't know what they are saying. Sometimes the Holy Spirit gives an interpretation

(-:

I found it interesting that you (OP) started analyzing the words right away. I do this now when a word stands out, just out of curiosity. People have told me in the past not to do this, as if rational thought would explode something God is doing. Lol. The words you mentioned sound like Swahili to me-- not just the African one.

As said above, sometimes there are ancient languages, remote tribal languages, or unknown ones. It's fascinating -- especially when realizing how many languages God knows, and more.

When I set myself to pray for others, or pray in tongues, I often get a lingual switch. I will start praying in a different accent, as though there is someone specific in another country or neighborhood who needs something. I love this adventure, because I could never have come up with it myself.

Once I kept repeating a word, and all the possible definitions I found were mundane. Then I checked another translation, and found the phrase meant house of witchcraft in a certain country. After knowing, I was able to pray with more direction about a situation I suspected someone was in.

I also like to sing in the spirit. That is where most of the accent changes come out, and drastic music genre differences. One of the first times I noticed, I found myself singing Italian arias, and then realized I was driving through a primarily Italian neighborhood. When I realized the connection, I imagined there was an elderly man who needed prayer, maybe over the loss of a loved one.

Praying in tongues makes me think of all the people who cry out, "Lord help!" and have no one to share prayer concerns with. I think the Holy Spirit takes those desperate pleas, and passes them out to anyone who is willing to spend more time praying over them. It's quite beautiful when you think about it.

In some ways, praying in tongues is like the arts. Like music, dance, painting, dramatic signing, and literature. Expression can be more than utilitarian -- it can be a craft that you enjoy, explore, and pursue. We reword poetry to enrich meaning, and use different colors to depict a scene. God created the Universe and all animals -- He is a creative God. Our creative expression should not need to be seen as demonic.