The Gift of Speaking in Tongues? (page 3)

Must obey!

Yes that is a good scripture and it does puzzle me why Jesus would allow the demons to deceive so many otherwise sincere and good Christians earnestly seeking him. It seems a pretty mean thing & totally out of character for Jesus (based on what we read of him in the gospels) to let the demons be so thoroughly deceiving, as it were, because once someone has had such an experience there is nothing in the world would convince them their religion is false. So I will backtrack a bit on my earlier comment and admit I'm not thoroughly convinced it is from the demons...just highly suspicious it might be.

dinah

I have a close friend who recently joined a Pentecostal church. They speak in tongues. He said the first time it happened to him he felt peace. I was like mmmmmkaaay. I'm just not sure.

Snoozy

We used to call them "Holy Rollers"...

My question is how do you know it is from "God?".

If you believe in "good "spirits don't you also have to also believe in "Bad" spirits?

Snoozy..not a believer...

XJW4EVR

I attend a Pentecostal church, and I speak in tongues. I was never prayed for, nor was I in an excited emotional or mental state when this event happened about six months after the Lord saw fit to save me. I have only spoken in tongues during my personal prayer time, and it usually occurs when I am in deep intercession for people.

My church allows for speaking in tongues, and for interpretation of what was said in tongues these occurances are very rare. It is more common to have some give a word of prophecy (not necessarily foretelling), or wisdom during a worship service. These occurances happen in English, though there has been one or two uttered in Spanish.

My personal view on speaking in tongues in the public worship setting is similar to Paul's. If and when they occur they must be interpreted, and what is said must never contradict the Word of God.

onacruse

So then (and correct me if I'm wrong about this):

A 'secret' language is spoken;

That 'secret' language is translated;

Then that 'secret' translation is revealed, by people with 'secret' powers of revelation.

And, as the definitive test of the validity of these 'secret' revelations and abilities, whatever is spoken and interpreted must conform with the church's pre-approved interpretation of the Bible?

XJW4EVR

Yes, the definitive test is the Bible. The reason is that the Bible is objective and the utterance of the tongue is subjective, that is why the utterance is subject to the word.

Second, the "church" does not have a "pre-approved interpretation of the Bible." The Bible is interpreted according to methods that are applied to all works of antiquity (unless you are Greek Orthodox, but that is another topic). Unless the utterances are subject to something that is objective then we Mormonism, JWs, and all the cults. That is why the utterances are subject to the Bible.

Based on your responses you hold the Bible in low esteem, and you are certainly entitled to that view, especially if you came out of the JWs. However, your response is one of the reasons why I do not post on religious issues on this forum.

choosing life

I have only known one person who spoke in tongues. He went to a Pentecostal church once to please his girlfriend. He, for some reason was chosen to speak in tongues, even though he was not really religious. He said that he felt "high" while under this "influence", much like the experiences he had while using LSD. It actually scared him and he never returned to church.

I personally have no opinions on speaking in tongues, but can't help but be a little curious.

onacruse

XJW4EVR, though you make unwarranted assumptions about my opinion regarding the Bible, nevertheless:

That is why the utterances are subject to the Bible.

So, then, would it be improper for me to anticipate that any "speaking in tongues" would be in Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic? Since you assert:

The reason is that the Bible is objective

it would stand to reason that the objective "language" of the Bible would be the mandatory "language" of inspirational tongues.

hmike

Hi Maddie,

Some churches endorse the charismatic gifts, some do not. I see no scriptural reason these gifts could not be in use today. I have been to church services where these gifts are openly used. Other churches use them in smaller worship groups that meet outside the service, or in Bible study groups. It may seem strange at first, but it's nothing to worry about. The main thing is that you don't let yourself be intimidated or led to feel deprived if you don't participate. Some churches do not sanction it because believers may feel like "second class" Christians if they don't participate.

During a service, it usually it happens as an extension of the worship music—at the end of a song. Relax, and if you feel like joining in, fine..if not, that's fine too. This can also be done as part of one's private worship.

Mike

GetOverIt

I have a friend who was Chruch of the Nazarene and she would speak in tongues, but only when she was alone would it happen. She said it was the most beautiful language she had every heard and it had an Asian dialect to it. It would happen when she was praying alone. However, what threw me was now that she's converted to Chruch of Christ, she doesn't believe in speaking in tongues. And I'm like, wow you had such a wonderful gift and now you act like it was wrong. Go figure.

The Gift of Speaking in Tongues?

Share this