Speaking in Tongues

[ceedaisy]

I do not know where to post this, but I will start here.

What is the purpose of God letting some speak in tongues? We do not understand what is being said. Also why is it a particular denomination or denominations that seem to only do this? My Church has not experienced this, but it doesn't mean aren't worshipping Him. I would love to hear some insight about this.

 

[elanor]

It certainly doesn't mean you aren't worshipping God! I hope no one makes you feel that way.

Why is it more common in some denominations? I don't know. I rather think it's because people who place an emphasis on such gifts gravitate to the same churches and denominations. That and the attitude toward the gifts in charismatic and pentacostal churches makes it somehow easier to open to such experiences.

What is the purpose of tongues? Well, we know the gifts are given to build up the Body of Christ. It seems to me that tongues used in a service, along with interpretation, is much like the gift of prophesy. It is a message to the listeners. Paul said in I Cor. 14: 4-5,

A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally in the Lord, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church. I wish you all had the gift of speaking in tongues, but even more I wish you were all able to prophesy. For prophecy is a greater and more useful gift than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church can get some good out of it.

A prayer language does edify the person who uses it. I can only speak from personal experience on this, but I also think it serves another purpose. I know that I have a gift of intercessory prayer. I often use my prayer language when I am praying for others. I posted this elsewhere, but I think it fits here, too:

Sometimes I am praying in English, and stop speaking, but still have whatever I'm holding in prayer wordlessly in my mind--perhaps just the sense of love for the person I'm praying for, or sorrow over a situation--and begin to pray in tongues. My mind is still on holding the need before God, but I'm not putting thought into forming words. I do want to say that even before I began praying in tongues, my prayer life was very rich. I was very much aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit when I prayed. Praying in tongues was an extension of an already rich ongoing prayer life. For me, it didn't transform my prayer life. It was more of a natural growing process--like taking the next logical step. I suspect it's as individual as each believer. I do know that if I never received a prayer language, my prayer life would still be wonderful. It is not the words themselves that are significant, but the presence of the Spirit of God who inhabits our prayers that matters. He hears our hearts, communicates with our spirits, and gives meaning to our words--whatever language they are spoken in.

 

[ceedaisy]

That is awesome. Sometimes I feel like I'm not praying good enough. Like sometimes in my Church when we are praying over someone, everyone is crying, but I'm not. It isn't that I don't care because I really do, I'm just not crying. Does that mean I'm not in touch with my spirit?

 

[Ananel]

I am also inclined to note that the first major usage of the gift of tongues was to speak to 3,000 people in a way such that everyone heard what was said in their own language. While sometimes it may be used for special communication with God, translated in prophetic fashion by an interpreter, I think we shouldn't forget the usage in Acts. It certainly was a build up of the church of God.

 

[wonder111]

Sometimes I am praying in English, and stop speaking, but still have whatever I'm holding in prayer wordlessly in my mind--perhaps just the sense of love for the person I'm praying for, or sorrow over a situation--and begin to pray in tongues. My mind is still on holding the need before God, but I'm not putting thought into forming words.

that is a great explanation! that happens to me sometimes

 

[wonder111]

That is awesome. Sometimes I feel like I'm not praying good enough. Like sometimes in my Church when we are praying over someone, everyone is crying, but I'm not. It isn't that I don't care because I really do, I'm just not crying. Does that mean I'm not in touch with my spirit?

no way! Remember God knows what we are in need of before we even ask. That's why trying to form certain sentences are not always as effective as tongues because it's coming from our limited understanding. When we pray in tongues, it's the spirit that prays and knows more than our mind

 

[audramray]

And it is unfruitful to the mind....

 

[TMasc]

I am also inclined to note that the first major usage of the gift of tongues was to speak to 3,000 people in a way such that everyone heard what was said in their own language. While sometimes it may be used for special communication with God, translated in prophetic fashion by an interpreter, I think we shouldn't forget the usage in Acts. It certainly was a build up of the church of God.

I agree that we must take these accounts into view. Out of all the people in Acts who were folded into the church there are only 3 instances where speaking in tongues is linked to the believer. And these three instances have purposes, in Acts 2 it was, as stated above, for the people who hear the message in their language. In fact, that is more amazing that that the apostles were speaking a language. 3,000 people and they all heard their language, that was a gift of hearing on top of the languages spoken.

To step to the side I think it is important to remember this "tongue" was a REAL language spoken, what unknown meant was that it was "unlearned" by the apostles.

The second instance, Acts 10, was for the purpose of spreading the gospel to the gentiles. Peter had a group of Jews with him when the gentiles began speaking in tongues, then Acts 11 Peter tells the Jewish council that, "the Spirit came upon them as it did on us in the beginning." Hence a distinct purpose to that outpouring of the Spirit.

The final instance was with Paul in Acts 19 and was for the purpose of showing that the God they were praching was powerful. They were doing unusual miracles because the people their were into "witch craft", similar to what Moses dealt with in Egypt.

I think balancing this with the usage in Corinthians is important because it takes the emphasis off the gift and on the one who is behind it. God acts for his Glory and His name's sake, we see these gifts and should be in turn looking to the one who can give us far more joy and peace.

 

[zeontes]

I do not know where to post this, but I will start here.

What is the purpose of God letting some speak in tongues? We do not understand what is being said. Also why is it a particular denomination or denominations that seem to only do this? My Church has not experienced this, but it doesn't mean aren't worshipping Him. I would love to hear some insight about this.

Speaking in Tongues and interpretation of Tongues are two of the nine manifestations of the Spirit that have only been available since the day of Pentecost following the accomplishment of Christ redeeming mankind. What we know about these manifestations is limited to the New Testament although there are lots of ideas about these manifestations from people. I would rather trust the scripture than people's experiences.

Speaking in Tongues is a manifestation of the spirit not a "gift". The holy spirit is the gift, the manifestations are the evidences of that gift. All nine manifestations are available to each and every person who has received the holy spirit. Why some people speak in tongues, while others do not is not the result of God prohibitting some while allowing others. His will is written in the Bible:

1COR 14:5a I would that ye all spake with tongues,...

The primary reason that people do not speak in tongues once they are born again is because they have not been taught how it is done. Secondly it is fear, fear of appearing foolish, fear of receiving something not of God.

Why speak in tongues? Some very good points have been shown in these other posts and I am pleasantly surprised at the level of the answers. It is perfect prayer, Romans 8:26, 1Cor 14:14a. It is giving thanks well, 1Cor 14:17. It builds you up spiritually, 1Cor 14:4. It is carrying out the will of God, 1Cor 14:5a. It is speaking unto God mysteries, 1Cor 14:2. It is speaking the wonderful works of God, Acts 2:11. It magnifies and praises God, Acts 10:46. It serves as a sign, Mark 16:17, 1Cor 14:22. It gives rest to the soul, 1Cor 14:21; IS 28:11,12.

The gift of holy spirit is the witness within that you have all that God says you have.

1JN 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

When you speak in tongues for the first time you know that it is not your minds ability to put these words together, it is supernatural. As it is supernatural it proves to you that you have the power from on high as promised so long ago to the Apostles by Christ and to those who would believe...
ACTS 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Once you have the witness within, you make an even better witness to others:

ACTS 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.



Hope that helps.

 

[ceedaisy]

Everyone had great things to say. So is it bad to not speak in tongues? Does God get irritated with those who do not? As I wrote to someone else, I read that Paul said that not everyone has this talent. I do think it is important to not just look at one book or passage in the Bible for answers. I think you have to take everything about the subject found throughout the whole Bible.

So I'm also taking from what has been posted that only certain Denominations do this because they are teaching each other. And that speaking in tongues is a prayer and not something God is trying to tell the whole congregation?

 

[Ananel]

I agree that we must take these accounts into view. Out of all the people in Acts who were folded into the church there are only 3 instances where speaking in tongues is linked to the believer. And these three instances have purposes, in Acts 2 it was, as stated above, for the people who hear the message in their language. In fact, that is more amazing that that the apostles were speaking a language. 3,000 people and they all heard their language, that was a gift of hearing on top of the languages spoken.

To step to the side I think it is important to remember this "tongue" was a REAL language spoken, what unknown meant was that it was "unlearned" by the apostles.

The second instance, Acts 10, was for the purpose of spreading the gospel to the gentiles. Peter had a group of Jews with him when the gentiles began speaking in tongues, then Acts 11 Peter tells the Jewish council that, "the Spirit came upon them as it did on us in the beginning." Hence a distinct purpose to that outpouring of the Spirit.

The final instance was with Paul in Acts 19 and was for the purpose of showing that the God they were praching was powerful. They were doing unusual miracles because the people their were into "witch craft", similar to what Moses dealt with in Egypt.

I think balancing this with the usage in Corinthians is important because it takes the emphasis off the gift and on the one who is behind it. God acts for his Glory and His name's sake, we see these gifts and should be in turn looking to the one who can give us far more joy and peace.

Or, another way to phrase what you said in that last paragraph is to say that the purpose of the gifts of god is to bring about His greater glory and to strengthen His church. Thus, these purposes also apply to speaking in tongues.

 

[audramray]

No, it is for self-edification - read 1 Corinthians 14:4

 

[zeontes]

No, it is for self-edification - read 1 Corinthians 14:4

True, but as members of the church of the Body of Christ, if we all were personally edified then the church would be better off. Though the primary purpose of speaking in tougues in your private life is to build you up spiritually.

The use of the interpretation of tongues is to edify the members that are present to hear the interpretation. There are many different teachings on the subject of interpretation of tongues and perhaps we could lovingly debate those differences in a separate thread.

 

[Dark_Lite]

Personally I'd rather have stigmata instead of tongues, but that's just me

 

[Ananel]

No, it is for self-edification - read 1 Corinthians 14:4

...what were the apostles doing with it? Edifying themselves while they proclaimed to 3,000 people? Jimminey, read more than one verse please.

 

[PastorFreud]

I can duplicate the phenomenon of tongues using psychological manipulation. After setting the expecatation and social pressure, I can "make" people speak in tongues. It is cleary due to my manipulation.

How can we discern the gift of God from my fakery? People report the same experience that claim the gift as do the ones I have manipulated. Or is God working through my manipulation?