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I was born again into a Pentecostal Church, I have been working my way back to a main stream Church. I was wondering about speaking in tongues, I read somewhere on this site someone said that was when I spoke in tongues now I know better.
I have never spoken in tongues as the Pentecostal Church members told me to practice tongues, I thought it was a gift?

If you want to end up like Larry Lee, Robert Tilton, BENNY HINN, Jimmy Swaggert, you need to practice for the show ;D



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I will guarantee you this. Speaking in tongues will not save you. Nor is it a requirement in order to be born again. Those who say that one must show evidence of speaking in tongues in order to be saved are completely erring on exactly what Salvation is. It is false because it is saying that one must speak in tongues in order to be a Child of God. I must say this is not Scriptural...any serious student of the Word will know that not everyone is given the same gifts. Some are given the gift of teaching, some the gift of preaching, and so on. So to say that in order to be saved one has to speak in tongues...this is erroneous and dangerous. Also, they may contend that you've not be baptised with the Holy Spirit. This is false because it completely disregards Ephesians 1:13 where it says wherein when you first believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. This Holy Spirit of promise was the great Comforter that Jesus promised that He would send. So no, you do not have to practice speaking in tongues. What use is it to try to practice something that could very well not be your gift? I don't try to practice tongues because it simply is not my gift. and Why should I have to practice learning something if God has enabled me to use it for His glory. David didn't have to learn how to sling a stone to kill Goliath...He just did what God told Him to do and God showed him how to do it. See our strength and our wisdom comes from God, this even includes our gifts. For they are just that. GIFTS from God. When you were born again you were given gifts. Now they may or may not be tongues, that you have to find out on your own and ask God's guidance on it. If He is silent...then I wouldn't go trying to use a gift that God's not given me. I say all this because i've come under 'attack' by pentacostals who think that one must speak in tongues in order to be 'baptised' with the Holy Spirit. This is not a requirement for having the Holy Spirit within you. When you are born again, you are sealed with the Holy Spirit, that is He is within your heart. You don't have to do a thing in order to be baptised with the Holy Spirit, other than accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. that's just my two cents worth. Take it as you wish...but I hope that God will show you what He says in His Word on this subject. And I hope i don't sound condescending or anything, but this is one subject that could be very dangerous if one does not know what the Word says about it. I hope this post finds you in God's Will and His grace. God Bless.

In His Service,
Joshua

 Speaking in tongues is a gift. When i first accepted Christ as my saviour at the age of 12 i could speak in tongues when the holy spirit came into me (Christ). It's a prayer language between you and God. Chapter 12 in 1 Corinthians talks about different gifts and tongues and Chapter 14 in
1 Corinthians. Dont let anyone tell you any different, If you desire to speak in tongues keep praying and anoint yourself with oil or possibly fasting and God will hear your prayers and grant them for you.

Michael

Sure ;D


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Chapter 13 also discusses it. Chapter 13 is one of the most important one to read on this.

In your last statement.... Are you saying that if you don't do this that he won't hear me and/or won't answer my prayers?

 on my last statement i am not implying that if you dont do those things that God wont hear your prayers. God hears our prayers regardless.

Michael

I think if you do some research on what tongues is today in the Word of Faith/Full Gospel/Pentecostal/Charismatic movement - you will discover that it is not of God.  

There is no scripture to support a personal prayer language.

Tongues was given so that the disciples could preach the gospel message to nations and be understood by speaking the language of that particular nationality - it was a gift, not a right.

Each instance of tongues coming to believers in the book of Acts is within context of preaching the gospel.  Even the initial utterances were to praise God, thereby confirming the Gospel message.

I would urge those who believe they are speaking a godly language do some real research on the roots of this thing - the leaders who started it in this country were deniers of the Deity of Jesus.  It is another gospel.

Shalom, Nana

I agree that God does bestow us all with different gifts. I Corinthians chapters 12 through 14 tells us that speaking in tongues is a lesser gift as it does not benefit God that frequently. Three whole chapters was devoted to this subject because the church it was written to put to great an emphasis on the speaking in tongues instead of what is really important. It is more important to be able to prophesy or to be able to understand the Word of God. It is most important to have charity.


1Co 14:14  For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
1Co 14:15  What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

The three most important things:

1Co 13:13  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Charity here is not the present day meaning of it, the giving of material things to a needy organisation. The meaning of Charity here is LOVE. God's love for us, our love for God, our love for our brothers and our enemies.

The other gifts will pass away and be of no importance when Jesus returns. But charity will never pass.

1Co 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.
1Co 13:9  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1Co 13:10  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.


I will stick with charity and the seeking of understanding.

Scriptures dont really say it's a lesser gift but it's an equal gift with others such as verse 8-11 in 1 Corinthians. For to one is given the word and of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits to another different kinds of tongues to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things distributing to each one individually as He wills.

Speaking in tongues benefits us in the spiritual realm but will benefit us even more if we pray for interpertation of the tongue.

Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows twhat the mind of the Spirit is because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

"For he that speaks in a tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God: for no man understands him; however in the Spirit he speaks mysteries." I Cor. 14:2


"I want for you all to speak with tongues..." I Cor. 14:5

and verse 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself but he who prophesies edifies the church.

"Praying in the Spirit at all times with every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints." Eph. 6:18
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.  So what shall I do? I will pray with the spirit, but I will also pray with the mind; I will sing with the spirit, but I will also sing with the mind.  Else if you bless in the spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say 'Amein' to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?  For indeed you give thanks excellently, but the other is not built up.   I thank my God I speak in tongues more than all of you." I Cor. 14:14-18

What is awesome is that Christ said speaking in tongues will continue all the way into the future of our generation in Acts chapter 2:18-20

Even after the the pouring of the Holy Spirit, of the apostles in Acts it did not stop there but went on to other peoples.
Acts 2:39--"For the promise is to YOU AND to YOUR CHILDREN, AND to ALL who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." The HOLY SPIRIT is promised to ALL.

Acts 2:39--"For the promise is to YOU AND to YOUR CHILDREN, AND to ALL who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." The HOLY SPIRIT is promised to ALL.


Acts 10:44--"While Peter was still speaking these words, the HOLY SPIRIT fell upon ALL those who heard the word." This was the Roman centurion Cornelius (a Believer). He and everyone who heard Peter were FILLED with the HOLY SPIRIT and SPOKE IN TONGUES.

1Co 14:14  For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
1Co 14:15  What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.


The greatest gift is Salvation through Jesus Christ (charity).

I will stick with charity and the seeking of understanding.

Brother, speaking in tongues is a lesser gift in the church. You even quoted the scripture that indicate why. It edifies you but not other people. You quoted scripture but you left it out of context..."For anyone who speaks in tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. BUT everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. He who speaks in tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies teh church." (1 cor 14)

also..."If I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or phophecy or word of instruction?" 1 cor 14:6

I believe that speaking in tongues will only benefit you and believers because it makes the presence of the holy spirit very apparent. It will do nothing for a non-believer because they will not understand it- as the apostle Paul explains. It would be more useful if one could interpret it.

I've spoken in tongues before...all that happened was my mouth was moving and when I breathed out it would make noises that I didnt understand. You know the presence of the holy spirit is there. Before this I had never spoken in tongues. This only occured when I visited this one church. After each song a lot of the people in the room were speaking in tongues. After a few songs the speaking in tongues seemed to 'bounce' off people and onto me. I was excited at the time. However, I found a problem with this church. The church was filled with the spirit but there was a great lack of knowledge. It felt as if the people came to church only to participate in the experience, but learned nothing from the word of truth; so these people were in fact, not growing as Christians. I believe this was a problem that a church in Paul's time was facing and Paul addressed the church on this problem (1 cor).

Speaking in tongues is a great manifestation of the Holy Spirit however it does not greatly affect us. What is ironic is that the Holy Spirit most greatly moves us in times we least suspect it, in the most subtle ways. It is while we are driving and contemplating a recent problem we have had; a verse from the bible might pop up into our minds and we feel the peace of resolution. It is here where we overlook the work of the Holy Spirit but of whose work most greatly affects our spiritual life. It is not speaking in tongues where we are awed by the presence of the Holy Sprit; during this time, the Holy Spirit does not do much for others or us.


For No Gray Areas,
Your thinking is right. You should introduce that thought to the Church. You are not suppose to "practice" speaking in tongues; it is something given to you by God. Thus, if you practice it then it is not real. I do not know the church but it should be known that speaking in tongues will not make you grow as a christian, it is the study of the word. Bible studies and the pastor's sermons are more important. You should not practice some gift of God, you should seek what God has given you as part of your ministry. The church should know that this is more important.


Oh yes...and the very most important thing is Love. Nothing is more important. Practicing love is the easiet thing to do yet I find more people aiming to speak in tongues, share wisdom, perform miraculous healings, prophesize, and perform other gifts than practice something that is easier and still conquers all: Love. The reason we need gifts is because Love has not been perfected yet.

felix102

AMEN!

Sulphurdolphin,

You quote a partial scripture, I Cor 14:5 as reading "I want for you all to speak with tongues..."

Which version of the "bible" did you get that from?

Thanks for all the comments, I do believe I had better do more study as I'm still somewhat confused, but you all have given somethings to chew over.

God Bless

 Hi Pastor Rogers I got it from a website

http://members.nuvox.net/~on.roz/God/prayer/tongues.html

At the end it says the Author used the King James Version.

The link is not working to look at the online version for King James.

I do know that most versions say ( I WISH) instead of
( I WANT)

Michael :)

The KJV says, in full:

1Co 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.


It has nothing to do with want, And as the rest of the sentence tells us Paul would rather that we were able to prophesy. For isn't it better to do what is of benefit to all and not just one?

"If you do nto understand it, please do not attack it but instead educate yourself."
                                    -My message to every conservative   Christian I have ever met

If you want to do something that's not of God, quit now, because you'll be miserable"

If you want to try to learn a gift of God quit now, because different gifts are given to different people so they can minister effectively in His kingdom, not to waste time trying to learn a gift one does not have

-my message to every liberal Christian who may not take the time to do the in-depth study of doctrine

 ;D
Joshua

Doctrine: The cause of insiquition, the crusades, the witch trials, Christ's death, and even the modern church refusing healings.
Take note: I am a liberal Christian, not a Liberal Demorcrat (just in case I confused you)
Oh and yes, you are right you can not learn any gift.  Nor can any but the Holy Spirit give any gift.
But once given you can learn how to use it and follow it with faith.

BUT to refuse any gift is to refuse God's presence and/or the accuracy of  his word.
(Because his word plainly says it)

How refreshing it has been to read these posts on tongues. I have had many disagreements with Christians over the years on this gift, Christians who believe that once we are born again, speaking in Tongues is evidence of this.
As so many of you have already mentioned, it is One of many gifts. If we all had the same gifts where would the body be? We all have different gifts which when placed together makes up the body of Christ. As Paul said himself in 1 Corinthians 12, all Christians with there individual gifts make up the body.
I feel that many in today's church are believing and teaching others that if you do not speak in Tongues then something is missing in your walk with the Lord.

Do i speak in tongues? No i don't

Does it worry me? Not in the slightest. If God was going to bless me with this particular gift, he would have done so.

Do i feel any less saved? I'll let you guess the answer to that one  :)

God Bless
Joey

Well said. I do not speak in tongues either. This does not mean that in some future situation that we won't do so. It is up to Him and what suits His needs at the time.

It is when a person seeks and tries to practice a gift that was not truly given to them (mostly as a show to other people that "Look at me, I'm saved because I speak in tongues" attitude) that it becomes against scriptural teachings. If  it doesn't suit the purpose of God then it isn't of God. That is the reason God through the Holy Spirit gives us special gifts, that we may serve Him better, not to better serve ourselves.

Amen!  To you too Joshua!   :)

As for many things of the SPIRIT of vGOD .I have went though long periods of noy understanding .Now ?I was always carful not to judge these things .But none of them have anything to do with salvation ?Except being bORN AGAIN . WE MUST HAVE ! But I would say ,seek all the TRUTH you can ?ASK the HOLY SPIRIT to reveal all too YOU .AS this is part of HIS MAIN JOB ON EARTH .AND HE GLADLY WILL SHOW YOU THIS .AND ANYTHING ELSE ON EARTH THAT IS GOOD .HE WILL WITH HOLD ?NOTHING GOOD FROM YOU .HE IS SO VALUABLE .beyond what YOU MAY understand .Can teach you anything or show you anything !I know this to be TRUE .

amen

gary, can you share with us how you know this to be true? I would like to hear if it is not too much trouble for you.

Tongues are real .There are different kinds .Very dangerous to judge the HOLY SPIRIT and the WORK ,HE does .We judge quickly and in some cases very foolishly .It is better to say nothing as to judge ,Wrong .For sure of the things of the HOLY SPIRIT

My friend shared a testimony with me about the gift of tounges. She was street witnessing and was met with a woman who spoke spanish, all of a sudden my friend was sharing the gospel with her in Spanish, a language she had never spoken, or has since.

well felix .I have taken jobs ,I knew nothing about .HE TAUGHT me so good .Others thought I went to coolege .I have had things taken .HE has led me to it and given it back and revealed who took it .HE has healed me many times .HE has revealed the TRUTH TO ME .And tells me things I need to know .SO many things .HIS JOB ON EARTH IS TO TEACH US EVERYTHING WE WILL LET HIM AND TO LIFT OF JESUS CHRIST .ALSO WE RECIEVE ALL THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS FROM HIM .
AND I WOULD SAY ?GOD HAS NO BAD GIFTS !SEEK ALL YOU CAN RECIEVE .BECAUSE this is the problem ?WE DO NOT SEEK and tell the HOLY SPIRIT we desire all HE HAS FOR US .BECAUSE we must open my mouth and tell HIM ?WE WILL RECIEVE .THEN BELIEVE .HE WILL FORCE NOTHING ON YOU .YOU MUST BE WILLING TO ACCEPT .HE SPEAKS TO US IN OUR MIND .BECAUSE being a spirit ?and us being a spirit .THIS IS THE WAY .WE RECIEVE AND UNDERSTAND .WE ARE CONFUSED ?THINKING THE FLESH is more than it is .JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SPIRIT !NOT OUR FLESH .OUR FLESH IS NOT EVEN A FRIEND TO JESUS CHRIST .IT IS A TOOL FOR US TO CONTROL OUR SOUL IS OUR MIND .IT MUST BE TAUGHT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TO RECIEVE THE THINGS OF GODS SPIRIT .BUT YOU JUST ASK AND BELIEVE .YOU WILL RECIEVE ?ANYTHING GOOD .HE KNOWS EVERYTHING ON THIS EARTH AND HEAVEN .THESE ARE YOURS TO KNOW .WHEN YOU CAN RECIEVE THEM .YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE TAUGHT OF ANY MAN .YOUR FATHER WILL GLADLY TEACH YOU .BECAUSE THE JUST LIVE BY FAITH .WE ARE MUCH MORE THAN WE KNOW ?BUT WE ARE BABYS AT 1ST ?THEN GROW IN THE LORD as when we were babys in the flesh .HE CAN NOT REVEAL EVERYTHING AT ONCE .YOU COULD NOT HANDLE IT .THERE IS MUCH TO SAY ?BUT THIS IS A GOOD START ?

THE CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT – THEN AND NOW

http://forums.christiansunite.com/index.php?board=3;action=display;threadid=1377

Amen Gary.

There is no doubt the Holy Spirit is at work in you.


Brother Love,
I went to that link. I disagree with it. I implore you to not find MANs' work absolute. Just because something is written in a well established article does not make it absolutely true. The author was a man so why do you regard it differently to any other man's comment? Humans can make mistakes. This is when we lean on our own understandings.

In that article the author is trying to compromise things of today with the things in the past using references to the bible -ALL THE WHILE IGNORING CONTEXTS FROM THE VERSES HE QUOTES (such as Cor 13:8). This is the prime example of someone leaning on their own understanding...trying to reconcile the word with what they believe. I cannot judge the entire work, but from this alone I think this is right to say.

I know you are concerned with truth in the word; that is a very good intent. But brother, even the KJV and every single bible version out there is translated by MAN. There is debate over which manuscripts were translated and how smart the men that translated them were (KJV has arguably been translated by the best competant men and best manuscripts), but it is and ONLY is the Holy Spirit who teaches us the things from God. Jesus did not leave us as orphans, He gave us the Holy Spirit! Rightly dividing the word is accomplished when the word is rightly divided by the Holy Spirit. God bless.

Immanuel! God is with us. I pray that God will reveal his will to us.

I don"t want to brag you up .But you are wise to see this .I fear reading many things ,because it is so easy to get ,messed up with a great deal of things .as one site ,I go too ?THEY have a book of greek meanings that changes the words to mean something really different .like sick is devil .as they do not believe in demons .they believe they go in the ground and stay there .no spirits .Just lots of funny thoughts .They were hard to reach as the words of the BIBLE had different meaning .NO way to talk with people like that .But one guy did listen and went bacvk in telling the TRUTH .I loved that .HE e mailed me and said HE danced before the LORD for hours and was old too .We are ONE .We aLl have a plasce in the body if we are born again .WE need each other .SOON OUR SAVIOR will return .Then our work will be done .BLESS YOU BROTHER MAY YOU GROW MIGHTY IN OUR LORD

Click on the link below to read the best article on “tongues” I have ever read. It’s title is "I Speak in Tongues More Than You All"

http://users.bigpond.net.au/joeflorence/tongues.html

Here is a quote from the article:
 
“If the reading of this treatise precisely dealing with the gift of tongues has left so much as 1% of doubt in your mind, let me approach you on your favorite ground, that of experience itself. But as I do so, I tremble for fear that you will not be honest with yourself and with God. Try this experience for yourself and by yourself. Do it without cheating. Sometime when you are alone and in prayer, tape what you say in tongues before God. You believe that this gift has not been removed and that you genuinely possess it. That is your right, but you must also accept that your brother's gift of interpretation is as authentic as your gift. Choose several of the most spiritual Christians whom you know and in whom you have complete confidence. Ask each one separately to interpret your speaking in tongues. After taping all of them, listen and compare them for yourself, if you have the courage to do so. Within a few words or shades of meaning, each interpretation should say the same thing. Then you can tell me if I exaggerate when I use the word counterfeit. I can imagine what you are feeling as you read these lines. You are disturbed. You may be afraid; afraid to discover the truth. And already you are backing off. You know that you will probably never try this "test". Your heart has already found a good excuse to talk you out of it, but your excuse will convince no one but yourself " It would be sacreligious to put a gift of the Spirit to such an electronic test. I will not stoop to it." Are you sure that this is a good excuse? Under other circumstances you would not hesitate to tape a message, to listen to it yourself and even pass it along to someone else. Or is it the fear of discovering the truth about yourself that makes you hesitate? Here is a way to test the spirits and it is available to you. Besides, electronics is an exact science, and quite neutral. It could never trick you or trick itself. But maybe you would rather be tricked and stay that way. You might be angry with me. I can understand that. You are angry with me for proposing a means of verification that is infallible. The pat answer that "no one understands" is of no help now. Your game of hide-and-seek is over and you have been found out. It took me a long time, but at last I saw the light.”

Pilgrim

http://users.bigpond.net.au/joeflorence/tongues.html

Here is another good quote from the article:
 
“Pharaoh also

    Experiences! Pharaoh had all he could want of them. His magicians changed water to blood, multiplied frogs, and changed staffs into snakes (Exodus 7). It was true. It was genuine. True also were the experience and testimony of the women in Jeremiah 44:17,18 who claimed, "When we burned incense to the Queen of Heaven, we had plenty of food and were well off and suffered no harm. But ever since we stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have had nothing and have been perishing by sword and famine..." Who can beat that? But what determines if something is true or false, our personal testimony or the Word of God? When God declares that he who speaks in tongues does not address men, must we renounce this part of God's Word or the testimony contradicting this Word? I was forced to make a choice between "experience" and the Bible. It was not easy, but I finally chose to side with the Scriptures and against these pseudo-testimonies. It is up to you who are reading these lines to make your own choice.

Not to Men but to God (I Cor 14:2)

    From there it was relatively easy to pass from doctrine to verification. With my mania to check out everything with the Scriptures, the opportunity was soon to be found. The guinea pig turned out to be one of my best friends, an enthusiastic pastor who invited me to preach several messages in his church. He told me about a woman in the church who, in a private conversation with him, had spoken in tongues. "In what she said," he explained, "I discerned a message for myself." The opportunity was ideal. I simply asked him, "How do you reconcile the idea of a message addressed to you personally with the biblical statement that 'For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God'? (I Cor 14:2) You are not God." It was like hitting him over the head. He was without a reply. He had just discovered a text that he had never seen before, or that he had never taken time to examine. I was embarrassed and felt sorry for him. I didn't tell him that these tongues addressed to men smelled of sulfur. I didn't tell him either that it was a trick or a hoax. I let him find out for himself that he was up against an obvious counterfeit. Everyone knows that, counterfeiting in other areas is liable to punishment. Is it less serious in spiritual things?

    What should we think of all these experiences of tongues which express a prophecy or an exhortation or a revelation-that is to say, a message to men, and which are, therefore, in open contradiction to the teaching of the Holy Spirit? How can we fail to recognize that they are counterfeits? Another friend, also pastor of an Assembly of God church, understood this truth and asked his church to apply it. He and his church were expelled from the denomination to which they belonged. When I mentioned this to another pastor friend, he did not seem very surprised. He was aware of the problem. He told me, "When this teaching of Paul began to circulate in our assemblies it was a veritable bomb. We could not accept it because we would have had to admit that all that happened in our Assemblies was FALSE." In other words, in order to make error seem as true as possible it should not be stopped! Tradition often takes priority over the Word of God. The history of the Church through the centuries demonstrates this in a humiliating and painful way.”

Pilgrim

I must have! Every time I speak I use my tongue.

Pilgrim

Hello Brother Love,

Did you read the quotes from the article below? If yes, what did you think?

http://users.bigpond.net.au/joeflorence/tongues.html

Pilgrim

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