When should we use tongues as a sign to unbelievers?

[TruthSeek3r]

1 Corinthians 14:22:

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. [KJV]

22 so that the tongues are for a sign, not to the believing, but to the unbelieving; and the prophesy [is] not for the unbelieving, but for the believing, [YLT]

22 So then, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is not for unbelievers, but for those who believe. [NASB]
​

Tongues seem to serve multiple functions:

• For private prayer.
• For worship (singing in tongues).
• For prophecy (when interpreted by someone with the gift of interpretation).
• As a sign to unbelievers (the topic of this thread).

Question: In what circumstances is it appropriate to speak in an unlearned tongue in front of an unbeliever as a sign to them? And a "sign" of what? Why would an unbeliever be impressed if one speaks in tongues in front of them?

 

[Tolworth John]

1 Corinthians 14:22:

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. [KJV]

22 so that the tongues are for a sign, not to the believing, but to the unbelieving; and the prophesy [is] not for the unbelieving, but for the believing, [YLT]

22 So then, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is not for unbelievers, but for those who believe. [NASB]
​

Tongues seem to serve multiple functions:

• For private prayer.
• For worship (singing in tongues).
• For prophecy (when interpreted by someone with the gift of interpretation).
• As a sign to unbelievers (the topic of this thread).

Question: In what circumstances is it appropriate to speak in an unlearned tongue in front of an unbeliever as a sign to them? And a "sign" of what? Why would an unbeliever be impressed if one speaks in tongues in front of them?

The condition for using 'tongues' in public is always the same.

Only when there is someone who can interpret.

 

[topher694]

1 Corinthians 14:22:

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. [KJV]

22 so that the tongues are for a sign, not to the believing, but to the unbelieving; and the prophesy [is] not for the unbelieving, but for the believing, [YLT]

22 So then, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is not for unbelievers, but for those who believe. [NASB]
​

Tongues seem to serve multiple functions:

• For private prayer.
• For worship (singing in tongues).
• For prophecy (when interpreted by someone with the gift of interpretation).
• As a sign to unbelievers (the topic of this thread).

Question: In what circumstances is it appropriate to speak in an unlearned tongue in front of an unbeliever as a sign to them? And a "sign" of what? Why would an unbeliever be impressed if one speaks in tongues in front of them?

When the Spirit wills

 

[TruthSeek3r]

The condition for using 'tongues' in public is always the same.

Only when there is someone who can interpret.

And why would that work as "sign" to an unbeliever?

How is that a "sign"?

 

[TruthSeek3r]

When the Spirit wills

For example?

 

[Trusting in Him]

Why is it anything to do with the choice of a believe who has been gifted to speak in tongues to withold whatever God wants to bring forth. Not only that, but when an interpretation for that tongue is given is that not going to be a word from God to someone in the meeting? How God will use that tongue and it's interpretation is surely up to Him. Not us!

 

[topher694]

For example?

For example, when He gives you the unction to pray, you pray. Some things don't need to be over complicated.

 

[TruthSeek3r]

For example, when He gives you the unction to pray, you pray. Some things don't need to be over complicated.

I mean, do you know any examples of the Holy Spirit prompting someone to speak in tongues with the specific purpose of being a sign to an unbeliever?

 

[ARBITER01]

Tongues are not understood without interpretation, as per scripture.

I know there are a lot of stories about people supposedly talking in tongues to people in their language, but we don't talk to people in tongues we talk to GOD.

 

[topher694]

I mean, do you know any examples of the Holy Spirit prompting someone to speak in tongues with the specific purpose of being a sign to an unbeliever?

Yes, and the situation can vary greatly, that's why we need to follow the Holy Spirit and not make it a formula of some kind.

 

[TruthSeek3r]

Tongues are not understood without interpretation, as per scripture.

I know there are a lot of stories about people supposedly talking in tongues to people in their language, but we don't talk to people in tongues we talk to GOD.

Then I ask you the same question I asked @topher694, do you know any examples of the Holy Spirit prompting someone to speak in tongues with the specific purpose of being a sign to an unbeliever?

 

[TruthSeek3r]

Yes, and the situation can vary greatly, that's why we need to follow the Holy Spirit and not make it a formula of some kind.

And what effect did those tongues have on the unbeliever? Did they convert? Were they impressed?

 

[topher694]

And what effect did those tongues have on the unbeliever? Did they convert? Were they impressed?

Mixed results, although many times you just don't know or can't know the impact it leaves.

 

[Trusting in Him]

How is that a sign? God knows how to speak things, which others won't understand in secret to to who he wishes. so that they will be challenged by what it means to them. God does what He will and has no need to explain Himself to anyone!

 

[ARBITER01]

Then I ask you the same question I asked @topher694, do you know any examples of the Holy Spirit prompting someone to speak in tongues with the specific purpose of being a sign to an unbeliever?

I don't think we ever use our gift for that "specific" purpose.

GOD doesn't have me march out in battle speaking in tongues to people in Kroger's just to demonstrate something.

If we would happen to have some unbelievers in our audience when the gifts started operating, then yea, that might be a sign to unbelievers, but otherwise no.

 

[TruthSeek3r]

Mixed results, although many times you just don't know or can't know the impact it leaves.

Do you think interpretation is always required as @ARBITER01 asserts? I've heard stories of situations similar to Acts 2 where people would hear a Christian speak their native tongue and would be impressed, but in those situations there is no intermediate interpreter involved.

 

[TruthSeek3r]

I don't think we ever use our gift for that "specific" purpose.

So you simply ignore 1 Corinthians 14:22?

[...] tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers [...]

 

[TruthSeek3r]

Tongues are not understood without interpretation, as per scripture.

Where is the interpretation in Acts 2 and Acts 10?

 

[Trusting in Him]

Are we not to be in awe of our God. Why do we think that we are to understand and explain the ways of our God? Are not His ways beyond our understanding, or finding out!

 

[ARBITER01]

Machine gunning questions at us are we?