Speaking in tongues

[Smoky]

Please help me understand what Pentecostals believe about "speaking in tongues". I hear it advocated by ministers on t.v. but rarely ever see it practiced. I believe that on Pentecost it was a supernatural ability to speak in different languages but what did Paul mean by it in his letters to the Corinthians? Is it a language only understood by the one using it and do you believe it is sincerely practiced? Just trying to learn !

 

[Bob Carabbio]

Please help me understand what Pentecostals believe about "speaking in tongues". I hear it advocated by ministers on t.v. but rarely ever see it practiced.

The Following is my PERSONAL OPINION - as a Long time (50 years) Pentecostal/Charismatic, presently a member, and an elected Deacon in an Assembly of God CHurch in DeSoto, TX.

I've "spoken in tongues" since 1973, and still do. It's something that's THERE, but not the MOST important aspect of the "Baptism in the Holy Spirit" (to use AoG terminology) which is "Power in Ministry" - in my case a "Teaching Ministry" that wasn't possible for me - before.

I believe that on Pentecost it was a supernatural ability to speak in different languages but what did Paul mean by it in his letters to the Corinthians?

The Same thing, of course. "Tongues" is a language that is just "Resident" in your mind, and when you begin to speak it it "just flows through" for as long as you want to speak it. It's supplied by the Holy SPirit, and you just speak it as it comes.

There are two basic "modes" - the "Private" (normally called "Prayer language"), and the "Public" (normally called "MESSAGE IN TONGUES") aspects of it.

In the Acts 2:4 case the "Tongues" WERE understood by the listeners, whereas in the 1 Corinthians context, they were NOT.

Is it a language only understood by the one using it

NO - if you "Understood" what you were saying it would be "Prophesy" for you - 1 Cor suggests that the person speaking in a tongue should pray to "Interpret". I PERSONALLY have never understood ANYTHING that I say in tongues", and while I've been burdened to Interpret" OTHER peoples tongues, I've never interpreted my own.

I would be "Classified" as (when Paul asks: "do all Speak in tongues?") one who DOES NOT speak in tongues in a "Message in tongues" Mode. I speak only in a private setting.

"Interpretation" is a gifting where you speak words in the COMMON language that flow through from the Holy SPirit. The same GOes for "Prophetic utterance, which is just LIKE "Interpretation - but no "Tongues" first.

and do you believe it is sincerely practiced?

Sometimes it IS and sometimes it isn't. ANYBODY, with a little practice, could probably rip off a "tongue", or an "Interpretation" that would fool other folks, unless the GIft of "Discernation of Spirits" is manifested. - in FACT - ANY of the "Vocal Gifts" can be, and ARE Faked.

AT "Crossroads AoG" in Cedar HIll, TX last Sunday there was A "Message in a Tongue" from the Congregation & an "Interpretation" by the Pastor, followed by a "Prophetic Utterance" from the Congregation. In the LARGER churches, you don't hear all that many "Messages in Tongues" any more.

 

[Smoky]

Thanks for the honest effort and answer. I've just never understood exactly what people meant when they referred to "speaking in tongues". Some of the ministers talk about it being something that still should be practiced in the churches today but never get around to actually doing it themselves or explaining what they mean by it. Do you think it's something that's good for the church? What are some of values of doing it?

 

[dentonz]

A lot of people that I've spoke to in this subject have never actually studied Acts 2:5-8; which is where this gift first makes its appearance in the Bible. It says in the ESV " 5. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.
6. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.
7. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?8. And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?"

The ones that were in the upper room were the ones that began to speak, about 120 people, and the ones that heard were the multitude of devout men from all nations.
Verse 6 says that each one of them (the multitude) heard them (the 120) speak in his own language. For instance a man from Persia heard all of them speaking in Persian, and a man from Egypt heard them all speaking in Egyptian.
God did not give Peter or the others the ability to speak in foreign languages, the miracle was in what was being heard. No matter how gifted the speaker, one can not speak in multiple languages at the same time; however, when the gift of tongues is truly present, God will use it and interpret it to those who need it in whatever language he sees fit. The speaker might be literally saying la,la,la but if the Spirit is in it, that could be heard as an eloquent exhortation in any language.

For example: I was preaching on a mission trip in Caracus, and when I began to speak, I could only speak in tongues. I was not speaking in Spanish (I've had four years of formal Spanish and also grew up in South Florida, so I understand and can speak Spanish fairly well); however, the people there as well as the interpreter heard me speaking in Spanish and even began to interpret back to me in English, what I was saying in Spanish.

Another example: I was preaching a sermon in a church in South Florida on this very subject, and not once during the sermon did I speak in tongues. The entire sermon was spoken in English. At the end of the sermon I had an elderly Spanish lady come up to the Pastor and asked him to thank me for preaching to her in Spanish.

When we are given the gift of tongues, and it is in full operation. We give ourselves, our word, our very tongues over to God, whether we understand what we are saying or not. He will use that as He sees fit in whatever language is needed.

 

[Beniamin]

My name is Beni and I'm 26 years old , I live in Austria , Europe , I was baptized in water at the age of 18 and 6 months later I have got the baptism of the Holy Spirit , although I'm a baptized Pentecostal I'm not born again ..... I believe in The Bible , but I continue my life , how can I escape this type of life ? I had the speak of the Tongs .... I'm very sorry about my language but I don't speak so good English I hope u will understand what I'm saying

 

[ByTheSpirit]

My name is Beni and I'm 26 years old , I live in Austria , Europe , I was baptized in water at the age of 18 and 6 months later I have got the baptism of the Holy Spirit , although I'm a baptized Pentecostal I'm not born again ..... I believe in The Bible , but I continue my life , how can I escape this type of life ? I had the speak of the Tongs .... I'm very sorry about my language but I don't speak so good English I hope u will understand what I'm saying

Well just to let you know, can't have the Holy Spirit and not be born again. The Holy Spirit is the gift of the new birth. The sealing of our adoption into God's family. What makes you think you are not born again?

 

[Beniamin]

Because I make the same sins just like before , I believe that what are u saying can't be true , I was my entire life a part of the Pentecostal church , and in Romania it is normal to have the same religion like your parents , I'm the fourth generation of Pentecostals in Romania , I'm sure that the Holly Ghost was a normal part , and the Bible says that we are saved by the fact that we accept Jesus as our personal Saviour .

 

[ByTheSpirit]

Because I make the same sins just like before , I believe that what are u saying can't be true , I was my entire life a part of the Pentecostal church , and in Romania it is normal to have the same religion like your parents , I'm the fourth generation of Pentecostals in Romania , I'm sure that the Holly Ghost was a normal part , and the Bible says that we are saved by the fact that we accept Jesus as our personal Saviour .

Ah bro, those who are born again are still prone to sinning. Being born again doesn't make you sinless, but it should help you to sin less. Do you understand?

Because you still have sin is not a mark you are not born again, because again, you can't have the Holy Spirit if you are not born again. We are saved by our faith in Jesus I agree. But that is what the new birth is and where the new birth starts.

It's awesome you have a background in the Pentecostal church. I hope and pray that you experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit in your life starting right now.

 

[Biblicist]

Please help me understand what Pentecostals believe about "speaking in tongues". I hear it advocated by ministers on t.v. but rarely ever see it practiced. I believe that on Pentecost it was a supernatural ability to speak in different languages but what did Paul mean by it in his letters to the Corinthians? Is it a language only understood by the one using it and do you believe it is sincerely practiced? Just trying to learn !

When we pray or sing in tongues (1Co 14:15), the Spirit is the one who is praying through us where he will always direct his words to the Father; so a simple way of understanding tongues is to realise that when we pray/sing in tongues that we are praying in the Spirit, as per 1Cor 13:1; 14:16 (NIV2 “Spirit”), Rom 8:26, Eph 6:18 & Jude 1:20.

The following superb definition was provided by the Pentecostal scholar Peter Althouse:

“The Pentecost narrative of Acts 2 is an eschatological event, in which the coming of the resurrection Spirit renews the covenantal community in anticipation of the parousia, and tongues is a theophanic sign of divine self-disclosure like that of the burning bush in the calling of Moses and the giving of the Law. As an eschatological foretaste, speaking in tongues is a cry for liberation, a "cry of abandonment;' which symbolizes the liberating force of the Spirit in breaking down racial, gender and class barriers. Glossolalia embodies an equalizing impulse in leveling all languages and human strivings, pointing to the inauguration of divine justice and mercy in its "groaning" for the suffering of creation yearning for liberation”.​

For the Pentecostal, our ability to be able to pray in the Spirit is bound to our reception of the Holy Spirit which we understand is an eschatological experience, being a down payment of the future of Kingdom of God which is to come but is which is now here among us through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

As for anyone being able to understand what is being said through the Spirit, Paul tells us in 1 Cor 14:1-4;

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.​

With the Day of Pentecost where the 120 were praising God, the nearby Jews were able to understand what was being said as the Spirit enabled the 120 (or at least most of them) to speak in the native tongues of the Jews who were visiting or residing in Jerusalem at the time. This type of tongues is the same as that in 1Cor 12, 13 & 14 but as this event saw the Holy Spirit being given to the new Believers, we simply see the Holy Spirit choosing to enable the Disciples to speak in a manner that the Jews could understand; though they could not make any sense of what was happening until Peter spoke up and provided them with an evangelistic message.

 

[Smoky]

But what's puzzling is this. If "speaking in tongues" is where everyone hearing the message hears it in his own language, why does Paul say not to do it unless you have an interpreter? People of different languages understood on the day of Pentecost. Then why does Paul say that people speaking in tongues do so for their own edification and that you must "prophesy" in order for others to understand? To my understanding it would seem kind of vain for someone to attempt to speak only in a language he himself understands. What would be the purpose of even doing it at all?

 

[ByTheSpirit]

the person speaking in tongues doesn't know what he is saying. That is why the scriptures state he speaks mysteries and his mind is unfruitful (1 Cor 14).

You can't take the example from Acts 2 then subsequently apply it the same way in every instance tongues is mentioned. That's like saying healing only comes one way and it can't any other.

Is the Holy Spirit limited in how he works? Well, yes if we limit him, but the word of God is not boxed in but thriving and vibrant. No where does scripture state tongues is only spoken as in Acts 2. In fact, the scriptures give great importance to the practice. "Praying in the Spirit" as it is called. That is not just tongues, I admit, but speaking in tongues is one aspect of that.

 

[Smoky]

"the person speaking in tongues doesn't know what he is saying. That is why the scriptures state he speaks mysteries and his mind is unfruitful "

But how can he not know what he is saying if the Bible requires him to interprit, or better yet to prophesy? 1 Corinthians 14:5 (NKJV)
5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. Verse 4 says people speak in tongues to edify themselves. How can this be if he is speaking mysteries to himself?

 

[Biblicist]

To my understanding it would seem kind of vain for someone to attempt to speak only in a language he himself understands. What would be the purpose of even doing it at all?

I’ve reversed the order of your question as I think that this could make it a bit easier for a reply.

I should point out that no one will ever be able to understand what they are praying in tongues (1Co 13:2) as the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf to the Father in an Angelic/heavenly tongue (1Co 13:1). In 1 Co 14 Paul goes to some length to chastise the Corinthians who are praying/singing in tongues all at once during their congregational meetings; when we go to 1 Co 14:6-28 where Paul says that unintelligible speech, even if it is directed to the Father in prayer/praise, that this does not serve to edify anyone but the person who is praying to the Father in the Spirit – so it must stop.

In spite of Paul’s strict admonition that this practice must cease and that he has given good reasons why this is so, if you were to visit many Pentecostal congregations you will see many carelessly disregarding Scripture – as to why, I wish I had a good reason to explain our carelessness in this matter, who knows, maybe it’s symptomatic of our “needs based culture” where we simply want to do what makes us “feel good”; but this is only a guess.

People of different languages understood on the day of Pentecost. Then why does Paul say that people speaking in tongues do so for their own edification and that you must "prophesy" in order for others to understand?

As the Day of Pentecost was a unique and unrepeatable event, we can understand why the tongues of fire and sounds of a rushing wind occurred; as this day was the inauguration of the Holy Spirit being given to the Believers, we can also understand why the Spirit chose to allow many of the Disciples to speak in known human languages. If the Spirit had decided to speak through them in an Angelic/heavenly tongue then this remarkable eschatological event would have been completely missed by the nearby Jews; the entire audience would have walked away deriding the Galileans as being drunk or probably even crazy (as per 1Co 14:23).

But what's puzzling is this. If "speaking in tongues" is where everyone hearing the message hears it in his own language, why does Paul say not to do it unless you have an interpreter?

The ability of either the unregenerate or even Believers to understand a word given in a tongue is rare and a very unusual event where I never expect to be in a situation where this will occur. Other than with the Day of Pentecost we have no examples of where tongues has ever been used to evangelise an unreached people group and Paul explains that whereas tongues is always directed to the Father in an Angelic/heavenly tongue, on the other hand prophecy is always spoken through the Spirit to an individual or group of people in their own language.

For that matter, it is worth pointing out that with the Day of Pentecost that the Holy Spirit did not speak to the Jews with an evangelistic style message but that they were words of praise about the Father which essentially were still being directed to him as well.

As Peter had to provide an evangelistic message where he could explain to the Jews what was happening, when we add to this the complete silence from the Scriptures with regard to the possible evangelistic use of tongues, then we can safely presume that we would only rarely, very rarely, ever encounter tongues being given in a known human tongue; but this does not mean that it cannot ever happen but only that it would be a very rare thing.

To summarise:

When we pray in the Spirit, the Spirit will always speak to the Father in an Angelic/heavenly tongue which no one will ever be able to understand; this applies to both our personal times of prayer and to its application within the congregational setting (3 tongues + 3 interpretations). When the Spirit speaks to an individual or a group this will always be through prophecy which is always given in the local language.

Does the Spirit ever reach out to an unreached people group through tongues; even though we have no Scriptural evidence for this, we it does happen we can at best say that it will be a rare (and problematic) occurrence.

You will often come across the formual tongues + interpretation = prophecy, but this is one of those oddities that have developed within the Pentecostal movement but it can be discarded as the Scriptures do not provide any evidence of this - yes, even we Pentecostals have our odd moments and beliefs.

 

[Biblicist]

"the person speaking in tongues doesn't know what he is saying. That is why the scriptures state he speaks mysteries and his mind is unfruitful "

But how can he not know what he is saying if the Bible requires him to interprit, or better yet to prophesy?

That's a very good question, but even when we offer a translation of the tongue that we have given, we cannot be 100 percent sure that it will be correct which is why every interpretation of a tongue is to be taken on its merit. As a tongue will NEVER contain a word of instruction from the Spirit, this means that the accuracy of a given translation is almost irrelevant. This is why Paul wants to encourage Prophecy within the congregational setting as it has the ability to edify individuals and/or the entire congregation and not just the one who is giving the tongue/interpretation.

In my opinion, as to the purpose of tongues within the congregational setting, as we are an Eschatological people who are both waiting for the Kingdom of God and who are now experiencing a foretaste of his coming Kingdom, tongues has the ability for us to recognise that the Spirit of God is indeed among us.

 

[Smoky]

"In my opinion, as to the purpose of tongues within the congregational setting, as we are an Eschatological people who are both waiting for the Kingdom of God and who are now experiencing a foretaste of his coming Kingdom, tongues has the ability for us to recognise that the Spirit of God is indeed among us."

That would be good but I think we can recognize the Spirit of God among us when we prophesy best. Seems like the better part of wisdom since tongues are so controversial and we don't know whether our interpretation is even the right one or not.

 

[Receiver]

Please help me understand what Pentecostals believe about "speaking in tongues". ..

You don't need to know what "pentecostals" believe, you only need to know what the bible teaches.

It is miraculous unlearened prayer language, the Holy Spirit leads people that have received Him according to God's perfect will for them. It ministers his love. That's the main purpose and use of speaking/praying in tongues/praying in the Holy Spirit.

The speaker does not understand what they say, that's the whole point, to get beying our understanding, into the love and peace iof God that passes undetrstanding. It's peculiar to the new testament where people have a Father-son/daughter relatonship with God.

"The gift" of tonguers, like other "gifts" refers specifically to the meetings-use of the attributes that ALL Christians have for private use, it is *giving* to the people present what God wants them to receive. In this context 2 or 3 messages should each be followed by a gift of interpretation, also from God's Spirit, not man's mind.

Very few churches observe these truths, yet the bible details them (see 1 Corinthians 14 particularly).

 

[Beniamin]

ByTheSpirit u are right , but the speaking in tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit , but it's not the only gift , as a true living body we haft to do more , our relation has to be more than speaking In tongues , I believe in speaking in tongues but look at this paragraph 13 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

 

[Biblicist]

"In my opinion, as to the purpose of tongues within the congregational setting, as we are an Eschatological people who are both waiting for the Kingdom of God and who are now experiencing a foretaste of his coming Kingdom, tongues has the ability for us to recognise that the Spirit of God is indeed among us."

That would be good but I think we can recognize the Spirit of God among us when we prophesy best. Seems like the better part of wisdom since tongues are so controversial and we don't know whether our interpretation is even the right one or not.

As for your concern with controversy, as the only ones who would deem this to be controversial would be with the atheists and cessationists, then we can only leave them with their inner struggles with the things of the Spirit. I think that it should not be a problem for those who are walking in the Spirit and why should the community of the Saints be overly bothered with the limited understanding of the world?

As for the question regarding the accuracy of our interpretations of what the Spirit is saying to the Father, we can also apply this to prophecy, the Office of the teacher and with those who preach on a Sunday as they can all get it wrong; in fact, there would not be a teacher or evangelist who gets it right all the time; even our best teachers have their limitations and blinkers so should we abolish the Office of the teacher and forbid people from teaching in the church? Even with prophecy, Paul tells us to weigh up every prophecy carefully as not all prophecies will be correct.

When we pray in the Spirit during our congregational meetings, as I mentioned previously, as the words that the Spirit speaks are always directed to the Father (never to man) then there can be little issue if someone incorrectly provides an interpretation of the words of praise that the Spirit has generated. In a healthy congregation we would expect the saints to place a check on an individual who they sense may be regularly offering interpretations that seem to be a incorrect but this is a positive thing as it will help any congregation to discern what is of the Spirit and what is not.

So I think that we can trust the good judgement of the Father and as he has seen that this Office or function will benefit each local community of the Saints, then we can safely allow ourselves to operate in this activity of the Spirit.

 

[Smoky]

"You don't need to know what "pentecostals" believe, you only need to know what the bible teaches"

I think all of us want to know what the bible teaches. I'm just a seeker trying to understand your interpretations. Do you think pentecostals believe what the bible teaches about it?

"The speaker does not understand what they say, that's the whole point, to get beying our understanding, into the love and peace iof God that passes undetrstanding. It's peculiar to the new testament where people have a Father-son/daughter relatonship with God."

Is there any bible that teaches that the speaker is not supposed to understand. I thought that Paul taught the Corenthiens to have an interpreter so people could understand. I thought the purpose at Pentecost was so people could hear and understand in their own language.

 

[Smoky]

"As for your concern with controversy, as the only ones who would deem this to be controversial would be with the atheists and cessationists, then we can only leave them with their inner struggles with the things of the Spirit."

My goodness, just because people believe different things about tongues doesn't make them out to be atheists does it?


"As for the question regarding the accuracy of our interpretations of what the Spirit is saying to the Father, we can also apply this to prophecy, the Office of the teacher and with those who preach on a Sunday as they can all get it wrong; in fact, there would not be a teacher or evangelist who gets it right all the time"

But shoudn't it be the goal for everyone to get it right and for everyone to understand? I thought that was the purpose of tongues at Pentecost. I don't think we should do anything that causes confusion. I thought the purpose of tongues was to avoid confusion.