SPEAKING IN TONGUES

[rapha777]

Tongues and interpretation of tongues from a Christian perspective.
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The main purpose the Holy Spirit came down at Pentecost was to find, equip and adorn the bride of Christ - the Church and to escort her safely through this world and present her to Jesus - a pure and spotless bride (1).

In Genesis chapter 24 there is a beautiful illustration of how Abraham went about obtaining a bride for his son Isaac. The types in this account are as follows:-

Abraham ... a type of God the Father

Isaac ... a type of Son

Servant ... a type of Holy Spirit

Rebecca ... a type of Church

When the servant went to seek a bride for Isaac, he loaded ten camels to take with him. Included in these loads were precious gifts of jewellery.

In the New Testament, nine beautiful gifts of the Holy Spirit are listed in 1 Cor. 12: 8- 10.

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

Two words are used commonly in speaking of the gifts (2). One is charisma (or plural, charismata), gift of God' s love; the other is phanerosis, manifestation.

The word gift serves to remind us that these blessings cannot be earned but that they are freely given by God to His children.

In my own experience shortly after being born again I started to speak in tongues but they sounded repetitive.

Several months later a lady told me there were two people in my life that I should forgive. I did this right away and about one week later felt led to drive from my abode out into the country side to a small town - about one hour drive away.

I spoke in tongues all the way there. Once in the country area I began to get a sudden release in my heavenly language in that I started to have more variety in tongues and also sing in tongues. I remember the tremendous joy associated with this experience.

It is significant to note that a friend of mine was consistently able to interpret my tongues after the "country trip".

In 1 Cor. 14 Apostle Paul teaches on tongues and interpretation of tongues. Points that are pertinent here include:-

1. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself ( v.4a ).

According to The Hebrew - Greek Key Study Bible (3) the word edify here means to build, build up, rebuild, strengthen and benefit.

2. Tongues and interpretation of tongues together have the same benefit as prophesy (v.5).

3.Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. ( v.13)

It is obvious that there is a private side of speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues as well as a public side.

On one occasion I was walking down a road by myself speaking in tongues and at a certain point the language suddenly changed. With the change in utterance the interpretation became manifest. To this day I can remember the approximate location of this phenomena and also the gist of the interpretation.

In public have also received interpretation of tongues spoken by others. One early example involved an invitation to a person's apartment for dinner together with others. After the meal one of the men present spoke in tongues and suddenly without warning I realised I had the interpretation of the tongues uttered.

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1. Prince, Derek, Teaching Letter No. 21

2. Bennett, Dennis and Rita, " The Holy Spirit and You ", Logos (1971).

3. Zodhiates, Spiros," The Hebrew - Greek Key Study Bible", AMG Publishers (1996)

[Petro]

Bro rapha,

Not all are given, the gift of tongues, but all gifts are given out as it pleases the Holy Spirit, some receive one gift, others another. (1 Cor m12:11)

Any Christian can edify himself in speaking to God in prayer, not necessarily in any tongue, he is unable to understand but in ones own native tongue.

Chuck Smith from calvary churches said once;

"If you have never spoken in tongues, you don't know what your missing."

I doubt that, tongues is just one gift, and any Christian excersizing his gift or gifts will be a happy person, whether he speaks tongues or not.

One thing I know is is horribly abused by those who want to lord over others.

Unfortunatyl, because of mans nature, this (the least of the gifts) has been made to be something it was never intended by God.

And it is still used outside of the Lords commandment for observance while assembled for worship services.

Tongues is not men speaking to men, at best it is a man praying to God, whose prayer unless interpreted by another, will not edify other men, so there is never a message from God to man in it, and unless observed in an orderly fashion such as commanded by the Lord, it should not be allowed in the congregatrion.

Blessings,

Petro

[asaph]

Rapha777,
Thanks for that encouragement. I believe there is the genuine, though I have not experienced it. As Petro said, the gift of speaking in tongues has not been given to all and there are other gifts to build up the body of Christ. I believe it is the least of all gifts; it is also the most abused and the most imitated by charismatics. I am not opposed to the use of tongues and interpretation in the congregation. I also encourage those with the gift to pray often in private. In private prayer, it is my understanding, you do not need an interpretation. I pray that God would bless me and others with this gift. The bottom line is, if it edifies, we should allow it.

asaph

[Ambassador4Christ]

Tongues and interpretation of tongues from a Christian perspective.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The main purpose the Holy Spirit came down at Pentecost was to find, equip and adorn the bride of Christ - the Church and to escort her safely through this world and present her to Jesus - a pure and spotless bride (1).

In Genesis chapter 24 there is a beautiful illustration of how Abraham went about obtaining a bride for his son Isaac. The types in this account are as follows:-

Abraham ... a type of God the Father

Isaac ... a type of Son

Servant ... a type of Holy Spirit

Rebecca ... a type of Church

When the servant went to seek a bride for Isaac, he loaded ten camels to take with him. Included in these loads were precious gifts of jewellery.

In the New Testament, nine beautiful gifts of the Holy Spirit are listed in 1 Cor. 12: 8- 10.

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

Two words are used commonly in speaking of the gifts (2). One is charisma (or plural, charismata), gift of God' s love; the other is phanerosis, manifestation.

The word gift serves to remind us that these blessings cannot be earned but that they are freely given by God to His children.

In my own experience shortly after being born again I started to speak in tongues but they sounded repetitive.

Several months later a lady told me there were two people in my life that I should forgive. I did this right away and about one week later felt led to drive from my abode out into the country side to a small town - about one hour drive away.

I spoke in tongues all the way there. Once in the country area I began to get a sudden release in my heavenly language in that I started to have more variety in tongues and also sing in tongues. I remember the tremendous joy associated with this experience.

It is significant to note that a friend of mine was consistently able to interpret my tongues after the "country trip".

In 1 Cor. 14 Apostle Paul teaches on tongues and interpretation of tongues. Points that are pertinent here include:-

1. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself ( v.4a ).

According to The Hebrew - Greek Key Study Bible (3) the word edify here means to build, build up, rebuild, strengthen and benefit.

2. Tongues and interpretation of tongues together have the same benefit as prophesy (v.5).

3.Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. ( v.13)

It is obvious that there is a private side of speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues as well as a public side.

On one occasion I was walking down a road by myself speaking in tongues and at a certain point the language suddenly changed. With the change in utterance the interpretation became manifest. To this day I can remember the approximate location of this phenomena and also the gist of the interpretation.

In public have also received interpretation of tongues spoken by others. One early example involved an invitation to a person's apartment for dinner together with others. After the meal one of the men present spoke in tongues and suddenly without warning I realised I had the interpretation of the tongues uttered.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Prince, Derek, Teaching Letter No. 21

2. Bennett, Dennis and Rita, " The Holy Spirit and You ", Logos (1971).

3. Zodhiates, Spiros," The Hebrew - Greek Key Study Bible", AMG Publishers (1996)

Tongues and interpretation of tongues from a Christian perspective

In my own experience shortly after being born again I started to speak in tongues but they sounded repetitive.

Several months later a lady told me there were two people in my life that I should forgive. I did this right away and about one week later felt led to drive from my abode out into the country side to a small town - about one hour drive away.

I spoke in tongues all the way there. Once in the country area I began to get a sudden release in my heavenly language in that I started to have more variety in tongues and also sing in tongues. I remember the tremendous joy associated with this experience.

It is significant to note that a friend of mine was consistently able to interpret my tongues after the "country trip".

Derek Prince

[Ambassador4Christ]

"...whether there be tongues, they shall cease..." (1Cor.13:

[asaph]

"...whether there be tongues, they shall cease..." (1Cor.13:

"whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away." Has knowledge vanished away yet or do we await an appointed time?

asaph

[Petro]

I have asked many who have spoken in chueches I have visited, exactly what were you saying, the hones ones replied they did not know.

Those who were imposters, replied that God had given them a message to preach, or to tell someone, these I did not engage in conversation further.

However, it is clear that interpretation of tongues, is a separate gift, and it is doubtful one person receives both, but not impossible.

Either way, I would rather pray to God, in my own language so, I can be sure I am not swearing at Him....

There is enough problems trying to pronounce words in foreign languages properly so as not to insult innocent people.

Petro

[Ambassador4Christ]

"...whether there be tongues, they shall cease..." (1Cor.13:

"whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away." Has knowledge vanished away yet or do we await an appointed time?

asaph

 

[LoggedintoJesus]

One of the things about speaking in tongues is how do you know what is being said with out an interpreter? You dont.
Ive heard many people speak in tongues at churches,and the only interpretations Ive heard came from women, and I must wonder? Women are not permitted to speak in churches.These days in most churches that truth is  unheld to.
So will God go against His order in the Churches, and use women to interpret tongues ,and preach for that matter? NO.

There are churches were  women remain in silence today, but that is not the way of modern Churches, because the world is influencing the churches more than the Bible.

Ive learned to except that most churches allow women to speak and I except it as the days that we live in , I dont condemn it, but neither do I like it.

I believe that God does use women, if no men are available, even If  men are present it does not mean that they are available for God. Men often have given over their responcibity to women , therefore God can use them, but its not the Divine order given for the churches.And the way God uses them is not particularly the way the women think they are being used.
God's word is still being spoken and can be used even if its out of context. Ive heard people that are not even Christian speak the word of God and God used it, but they knew nothing of it.

[Petro]

God's word is still being spoken and can be used even if its out of context. Ive heard people that are not even Christian speak the word of God and God used it, but they knew nothing of it.

Logged into Christ,

Amen, I agree with you, God's word whether used by the elect or not, will accomplish His purpose, however,  if used by one which is subject by the Spirit and living for God, can be used to better advantage for the kingdoms sake.

In either case, it is a testimony to the power of God's Word which He has spoken and will not return to Him, void but will accomplish  that which pleases Him, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto HE sent it.  (Isa 55:11)

Excellent point...

Thanks for bring it out.

Blessings,

Petro

[rapha777]

There is good book called  " Nine O'Clock in the Morning " by Dennis Bennett ( full refer. given in my next posting). I know one person who recieved the gift of speaking in tongues thru' reading this book.

I know others who were very scepitcal but when they received the gift changed their " doctrine." I heard of one man had 6 tape series why tongues is not for today. ... but after he received had a 6 tape series why it is!

Rapha

[rapha777]

For your information more on speaking in tongues.
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Acts 2 : 1 - 5

1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

It is significant to mention what happened to Smith Wigglesworth when he first received the ability to speak in tongues in Sunderland in 1907.

He described this experience as follows: "She [Mrs Boddy, a minister?s wife] laid her hands on me and then had to go out of the room. The fire fell. It was a wonderful time as I was there with God alone. He bathed me in power. I was conscience of the cleansing of the precious blood, and I cried out: ?Clean! Clean! Clean!? I was filled with the joy of the consciousness of the cleansing. I was given a vision in which I saw the Lord Jesus Christ. I beheld the empty cross, and I saw Him exalted at the right hand of God the Father. I could speak no longer in English, but I began to praise Him in other tongues as the Spirit of God gave me utterance. I knew then, although I might have received anointings previously, that now, at last, I had received the real Baptism in the Holy Spirit as they received on the day of Pentecost." (1).

According to Bagster (2 ) the symbol of fire means judgment or purification.

In Acts 2: 4 the Bible says that they were ALL filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues. Let us now look at two very similar events in the Book of Acts.

A. Acts 10: 44 - 48
The Bible says the gift of the Holy Ghost was poured on Cornelius and his Gentile household. How did Peter and the other Jews present know? ? because

? they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God ( v.46 )

In Acts 11 Peter had to defend his preaching to the Gentiles. In his defence he makes a very interesting comment. He says ? the Holy Ghost fell on them as on us at the beginning ( v.15 ) . In other words the same thing happened to the Gentiles in Acts 10 as happened to the Jews a few years previously in Acts 2: 4.

B. Acts 19: 1 - 7

The Ephesians were baptized ? unto John ?s baptism ?; later through Paul the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied (v.6 ).

There are two other events in the Book of Acts which are worth considering in this study.

1. Acts 8: 12 - 19

People in Samaria received the Holy Ghost through Peter and John. How do we know they received the Holy Spirit? Because Simon saw something that he was prepared to pay for!

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles? hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

2. Acts 9: 17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

We know from the next verse that Saul ( Paul ) received his sight and we have no reason to doubt that Paul was filled with the Holy Ghost. Also we know that Paul spoke in tongues (1 Cor. 14: 18) so we see again the connection between being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues.

I suggest again  reading the ? classic ? book by Dennis Bennett, ? Nine O? Clock In The Morning ? (3). This Christian book is a fascinating account of what happened to the pastor of an Episcopal church in the Los Angeles area when he got involved with the ? baptism in the Holy Spirit ? and speaking in tongues.

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1. Frodsham, Stanley, ? Apostle Of Faith ?, P. 44

2. Bagster, S., Notes from the Teachers? Bible.

3. Bennett, Dennis ? Nine O? Clock In The Morning ?, Kingsway ( 1970 ).

[Reba]

Not all are given, the gift of tongues, but all gifts are given out as it pleases the Holy Spirit, some receive one gift, others another. (1 Cor m12:11)

Any Christian can edify himself in speaking to God in prayer, not necessarily in any tongue, he is unable to understand but in ones own native tongue.

Chuck Smith from calvary churches said once;

"If you have never spoken in tongues, you don't know what your missing."

I doubt that, tongues is just one gift, and any Christian excersizing his gift or gifts will be a happy person, whether he speaks tongues or not.

One thing I know is is horribly abused by those who want to lord over others.

Unfortunatyl, because of mans nature, this (the least of the gifts) has been made to be something it was never intended by God.

And it is still used outside of the Lords commandment for observance while assembled for worship services.

Tongues is not men speaking to men, at best it is a man praying to God, whose prayer unless interpreted by another, will not edify other men, so there is never a message from God to man in it, and unless observed in an orderly fashion such as commanded by the Lord, it should not be allowed in the congregatrion.

Tongues is not men speaking to men, at best it is a man praying to God, whose prayer unless interpreted by another, will not edify other men, so there is never a message from God to man in it,  

Can some one please reconcile this quote to the scripture.

Acts 2:4-16
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;


1 Cor 14:22-23
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.

23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
KJV

[Petro]

Unknown tongues, and other tongues are the same; and it means "languages", known or unknown only to the hearers, and possibly the speaskers,...also..

1 Cor 14
2  For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not:

Can some one please reconcile this quote to the scripture.

Acts 2:4  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Only if one assumes they were speaking to the unbelievers of Acts 2, would one confuse this matter.

Just because unbelievers heard does not mean they who spoke in tongues spoke to the unbelievers, but it matters very little what one may believe or think, the fact is, tongues is only a sign to unbelievers, this is made clear at verse 22 of 1 Cor 14.

6  Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

And finally those who were saved that day were not saved becuase someone spoke to them in tongues, but because Peter prophecied (preached) to them the word of God.

There is a scripture that was prophecied, and fulfilled in Acts 2:4; and this is the passage which clears the fact up that tongues is a language, spoken by the nations and used as a sign to this people, here it is;

Isa 28

9  Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
10  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
11  For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.


Petro

[Reba]

1 Cor 12:30-13:1
0 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.


1 Corinthians 13

13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
KJV


What of the phrase 'tongues of men and of angels'? I have heard said many times   "heavenly language"  this is not a bibical term.