Speaking in Tongues

[nufcgoh]

Dear Sir,
My name is Joseph. I am a teenage Christian who is sincerely interested to know more about the truth of God. I firmly believe that when helping others, one should always go by the God’s word, the Bible. I did a little research on the topic of speaking in tongues and found it quite interesting. Please allow me to share it with you and hopefully you may aid me to a better understanding according and in line with the bible. Thanks for your help. Would really appreciate it. Enjoy reading.


Speaking in Tongues

It is the special ability given through holy spirit to some disciples in the early Christian Congregation that enables them to preach or glorify God in a language other than their own.

What is the PURPOSE?

Acts 2:1-4
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Joseph: Holy spirit poured out.

Acts 2:7-11
“And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.”

Joseph: since the COMMON FOLKS of other races or languages could recognized that their language was spoken, clearly they could understand those who were speaking in tongues.

Matthew 28:19
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”

Joseph: Commission to preach.

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.”

Joseph: they used the ability to speak in tongues to be witnesses of God in all lands.

Joseph: During Paul’s time, bible truths were only limited or available to the Jews in the Greek language. So God gave the ability to speak in tongues to certain ones so that they were able to proclaim or preach the gospels to people of different language groups. The word “tongues” in the Chinese Bibles is written as “fang yan”, meaning Dialects.

Application Today

Today the bible is the most widely distributed book in the world. Besides that, it is available in hundreds of languages. So is it still necessary to speak in tongues today? Furthermore, the common folks understood those speaking in tongues in Paul’s day.

Does not Mark 16:17, 18 show that ability to speak in tongues would be a sign identifying believers?

Mark 16:17,18
“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

Joseph: These verses appear in certain Bible manuscripts and versions of the fifth and sixth centuries C.E. But they do not appear in the older Greek manuscripts, the Sinaiticus and Vatican MS. 1209 of the fourth century. Dr. B. F. Westcott, an authority on Bible manuscripts, said that “the verses . . . are no part of the original narrative but an appendage.” (An Introduction to the Study of the Gospels, London, 1881, p. 338) Bible translator Jerome, in the fifth century, said that “almost all the Greek codices [are] without this passage.” (The Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel According to S. Mark, London, 1871, J. W. Burgon, p. 53) The New Catholic Encyclopedia (1967) says: “Its vocabulary and style differ so radically from the rest of the Gospel that it hardly seems possible Mark himself composed it [that is, verses 9-20].” (Vol. IX, p. 240) There is no record that early Christians either drank poison or handled serpents to prove they were believers.

1 Corinthians 13:8
“Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away.”

Joseph: When they had accomplished their purpose, those miraculous gifts would cease. But priceless qualities that are the fruitage of God’s spirit would still be manifest in the lives of true Christians.

So the ability to speak in tongues is no longer possible or needed today as the bible is available in so many languages. There isn't a need to speak in tongues for others to hear the kingdom message today. Anyway non-Christians understood those speaking in tongues in the 1st century since these common folks were able to identify that the apostles were speaking in their language. Today those speaking in tongues are actually blasphemers who give a sudden outburst of ecstatic noises with no one understanding it. They do not speak in tongues for the sake of the good news.


Matthew 7:22,23
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Can the ability to “speak in tongues” come from a source other than the true God?

1 John 4:1
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”

John 16:13
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

Joseph: Among those ‘speaking in tongues’ today are Pentecostals and Baptists, also Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, Methodists, Lutherans, and Presbyterians. Jesus said that the holy spirit would ‘guide his disciples into all the truth.’ (John 16:13) Do the members of each of these religions believe that the others who also “speak in tongues” have been guided into “all the truth”? How could that be, since they are not all in agreement? What spirit is making it possible for them to “speak in tongues”?

2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10.
“[Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

Joseph: So evidently since God no longer provides us with the ability to speak in tongues, definitely SATAN is behind this.

A joint statement by the Fountain Trust and the Church of England Evangelical Council admitted: “We are also aware that a similar phenomenon can occur under occult/demonic influence.” (Gospel and Spirit, April 1977, published by the Fountain Trust and the Church of England Evangelical Council, p. 12) The book Religious Movements in Contemporary America (edited by Irving I. Zaretsky and Mark P. Leone, quoting L. P. Gerlach) reports that in Haiti ‘speaking in tongues’ is characteristic of both Pentecostal and Voodoo religions.—(Princeton, N.J.; 1974), p. 693

Might the holy spirit be directing charismatics into practices that reach beyond what is found in the Scriptures?

Galatians 1:8
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

2 Timothy 3:16,17
“All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Joseph: If someone claims to have an inspired message that conflicts with revelations made by God’s spirit through Jesus and his apostles, could it possibly be from the same source?

The End

PS: The scriptures quoted are taken from the King James Version. I try my best to use the bible when possible to ensure that what I researched on is based on the bible and not my own ideas. I also typed in the references of books other than the bible to show that it came from a reliable source. Please enlighten me on this matter. Hope to hear from you soon.

Joseph

 

[christianactor]

Joseph you have misinterpreted the bible. please tell me where it says god no longer provides us with the abilty to speak in tougues. Joseph, in the charismatic movement there is nothing new. if someone proclaims ''something new'' then it is wrong. everything today yesterday and tomorrow is in the Bible. We as christians can still do the miracles that are mentioned in the bible. Speaking in toungues is part of the personal prayer life that we can have for ourselves according to paul. when Jesus was on his way back to heaven he gave the holy spirit as a gift to all who ask! The bible mentions people who proclaim to have messages from god. The bible teaches us to decern between different spirits. I belive if someone proclaims to have a message from god: that someone else will have the same message to confirm. I hoped these words have helped you. im gonna post some bible verses later... peace

 

[nufcgoh]

Joseph you have misinterpreted the bible. please tell me where it says god no longer provides us with the abilty to speak in tougues. Joseph, in the charismatic movement there is nothing new. if someone proclaims ''something new'' then it is wrong. everything today yesterday and tomorrow is in the Bible. We as christians can still do the miracles that are mentioned in the bible. Speaking in toungues is part of the personal prayer life that we can have for ourselves according to paul. when Jesus was on his way back to heaven he gave the holy spirit as a gift to all who ask! The bible mentions people who proclaim to have messages from god. The bible teaches us to decern between different spirits. I belive if someone proclaims to have a message from god: that someone else will have the same message to confirm. I hoped these words have helped you. im gonna post some bible verses later... peace

1 Corinthians 13:8
“Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away.”

Joseph: When they had accomplished their purpose, those miraculous gifts would cease. But priceless qualities that are the fruitage of God’s spirit would still be manifest in the lives of true Christians.

So the ability to speak in tongues is no longer possible or needed today as the bible is available in so many languages. There isn't a need to speak in tongues for others to hear the kingdom message today. Anyway non-Christians understood those speaking in tongues in the 1st century since these common folks were able to identify that the apostles were speaking in their language. Today those speaking in tongues are actually blasphemers who give a sudden outburst of ecstatic noises with no one understanding it. They do not speak in tongues for the sake of the good news.

Joseph: Among those ‘speaking in tongues’ today are Pentecostals and Baptists, also Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, Methodists, Lutherans, and Presbyterians. Jesus said that the holy spirit would ‘guide his disciples into all the truth.’ (John 16:13) Do the members of each of these religions believe that the others who also “speak in tongues” have been guided into “all the truth”? How could that be, since they are not all in agreement? What spirit is making it possible for them to “speak in tongues”?

2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10.
“[Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

Joseph: So evidently since God no longer provides us with the ability to speak in tongues, definitely SATAN is behind this.

A joint statement by the Fountain Trust and the Church of England Evangelical Council admitted: “We are also aware that a similar phenomenon can occur under occult/demonic influence.” (Gospel and Spirit, April 1977, published by the Fountain Trust and the Church of England Evangelical Council, p. 12) The book Religious Movements in Contemporary America (edited by Irving I. Zaretsky and Mark P. Leone, quoting L. P. Gerlach) reports that in Haiti ‘speaking in tongues’ is characteristic of both Pentecostal and Voodoo religions.—(Princeton, N.J.; 1974), p. 693

 

[Henhouse]

Acts 2:38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
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.

The Lord our God has called me, and I have recieved the gift as promised.

The verse you quoted from 1 Cor 13 has been taken out of context. The chapter goes on to say "when that which is perfect is come." Jesus (perfection) has not yet returned. If tongues have ceased, why has not knowledge also ceased? But we see that knowledge increases, in accordance with "Dan:12:4: But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."

Also see 1 cor. 12 and 14. "14:5: I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying."

"1 Cor 14:22: Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe." So tongues will not be needed when everyone is saved, not when the Bible is translated one more time.

Keep looking. Trust God more than man.

 

[robl]

The gifts of the spirit are alive and well within the body of Christ. Paul dealt very well with this and made it very clear that these are gifts from the Holy Spirit. The greatest gift of all is love. If you only seek one gift, this is the one to seek. Don't, however, attempt to claim that the other gifts are dead because they are still alive and well, especially on the mission field. Great miracles of healings, prophecies, tongues and interpretation (they should go together) are occuring frequently and many are being saved. You should really be careful in attributing these things to satan because this is what the pharisees did when Jesus healed others. If you cannot see the hearts of men, how can you judge from what spirit these gifts are? If they are of God, do you really want to be guilty of calling the things of God things of satan?
In His love,
Rob

 

[Sketcher]

1 Corinthians 13:8
“Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away.”

Joseph: When they had accomplished their purpose, those miraculous gifts would cease. But priceless qualities that are the fruitage of God’s spirit would still be manifest in the lives of true Christians.

So the ability to speak in tongues is no longer possible or needed today as the bible is available in so many languages. There isn't a need to speak in tongues for others to hear the kingdom message today.

Excellent job of doing research on the many verses, Joseph. However, here's the whole passage in the NIV (which I read) as well as the King James:

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

-NIV


8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

- KJV

So what is "that which is perfect"? Some have interpreted it to mean the canonizing of Scripture. But there is nothing in this context to suggest that. I read that passage, and see that it probably is talking about when everything is accomplished and we all are in Heaven. This is suggested by verses 11 and 12: Seeing things more clearly, growing up, etc. Certainly the understanding of God's truth is not perfect here. There are many mysteries that we as humans will never fully understand this side of Heaven. True, we have Scripture, but there are many times when I wish Jesus would quickly come back to explain to me what He really meant when He inspired certain passages. There are also so many splits within the Church over such issues as communion, baptism, etc that have sprung up due to ignorance or lack of knowledge; certainly Paul, Peter, John and James knew what they were writing about!

In Heaven, all of this will be done away with. God will give us all the answers and once the war is over, we will no longer need any weapons. Heaven would certainly make prophecy and tounges obsolete.


About tounges not being possible or needed:

Many of the world's languages do not have the Gospels in them. Many of these are tribal languages. Yes, there are still being tribes discovered in South/Central America that have never seen civilization. There are schools that train and send missionaries to these tribes. However, one must live among the tribe, learn the language and ure, and translate Scripture over to the people. Problem is, this can take upwards of 20 years, with many people dying without knowing Jesus Christ.

This is a situation which calls for the Biblical use of tounges. May the gift be distributed as God wills.

Satan's forces can fake tounges; that's why we need interpreters. It dissapoints me that some churches emphasize tounges over all other gifts and worse yet, teaching that only those that speak tounges are saved. Teachings like that are definitely not of God.

 

[Bonhoffer]

I CAN SPEAK IN TONGUES

 

[ShetlandRose]

Dear nufcogh: I am familiar with the scripture references that you have used to establish that the Gift of Tongues is not for today. Some Christians and a few denominations do not believe in speaking in tongues. I think that is a wrongful determination.

I believe this way...

The deeds of the flesh are all evident today (Gal. 5:19-21)
All of the Fruits of the Spirit are our goal as Christians (Gal. 5:22,23)
All of the Armor of God is to be used in spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:10-18)
All of the Gifts of the Spirit are beneficial for Christ's Church (I Cor. 12:1-11)

For God to have plucked away one gift is not consistent with God's benevolent nature.