When someone speaks in tongues in church, is it mandatory for it to be translated?

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Socreta93

Senior Member
Jul 28, 2015
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#1
I've seen many people in my church take the microphone and either during a preaching, ministry or worship start speaking in tongues. No one understands what they're saying but in my church the people there just assume the holy spirit is moving in them and keep worshiping. Me I'm sort of turned off because I don't know whether it's fake or not and some seem to fit in that it looks just for show.

Is it mandatory for it to be translated like the bible says or no? I remember I went to a special service about healing and the preacher (she doesn't have the gift of healing but just prayed for God to heal them) started speaking in tongues at the end and for some just prayed for them in tongues and that was it. Unless there was some a strong spiritual connection, would the person have felt anything? Thank goodness when she got to me, she spoke to me in English so I could understand her.
 
Feb 7, 2015
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#2
I've seen many people in my church take the microphone and either during a preaching, ministry or worship start speaking in tongues. No one understands what they're saying but in my church the people there just assume the holy spirit is moving in them and keep worshiping. Me I'm sort of turned off because I don't know whether it's fake or not and some seem to fit in that it looks just for show.

Is it mandatory for it to be translated like the bible says or no? I remember I went to a special service about healing and the preacher (she doesn't have the gift of healing but just prayed for God to heal them) started speaking in tongues at the end and for some just prayed for them in tongues and that was it. Unless there was some a strong spiritual connection, would the person have felt anything? Thank goodness when she got to me, she spoke to me in English so I could understand her.
She spoke to you where you were, and she spoke to them where they were. The Spirit knew.
 
Nov 23, 2013
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#3
I've seen many people in my church take the microphone and either during a preaching, ministry or worship start speaking in tongues. No one understands what they're saying but in my church the people there just assume the holy spirit is moving in them and keep worshiping. Me I'm sort of turned off because I don't know whether it's fake or not and some seem to fit in that it looks just for show.

Is it mandatory for it to be translated like the bible says or no? I remember I went to a special service about healing and the preacher (she doesn't have the gift of healing but just prayed for God to heal them) started speaking in tongues at the end and for some just prayed for them in tongues and that was it. Unless there was some a strong spiritual connection, would the person have felt anything? Thank goodness when she got to me, she spoke to me in English so I could understand her.
It is mandatory that ONE interpret, and only one of three unknown languages can be spoken.
 
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stonesoffire

Poetic Member
Nov 24, 2013
10,665
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#4
There are two means of expression in the Spirit. Our prayer language and the gift that is a message to either the church or another.

The message in tongues should be interpreted and one can tell the difference between the gift or message from the prayer language. A person can interpret but be fearful to give it. There's all kinds of reasons why things happen the way they do. It takes a good leader to allow for these things and to be able to teach without bruising the Reed so to speak. We all have to grow in spiritual things.

correction: two means of expression of tongues.
 
Aug 16, 2016
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#5
As the scriptures says an interpreter is required. if there is none that person should remain slient in church & speak only to themselves and God.
 
B

BeyondET

Guest
#6
scripture says two or more not just a person, so the pastor should know if there is a interpreter in the building if none are present the pastor should remain silence. This is what the scripture seems to imply.


1 Cor. 14:28
But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God
 
Nov 23, 2013
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#7
scripture says two or more not just a person, so the pastor should know if there is a interpreter in the building if none are present the pastor should remain silence. This is what the scripture seems to imply.


1 Cor. 14:28
But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God
Is it at the most, two or three people can speak or at the most two or three unknown languages can spoken?

1 Corinthians 14:27 KJV
If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
 
B

BeyondET

Guest
#8
Is it at the most, two or three people can speak or at the most two or three unknown languages can spoken?

1 Corinthians 14:27 KJV
If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
Plural as in tongue, so I'd say one language spoken in a tongue each taking a turn and let one interpret.
 
H

HisHolly

Guest
#9
The things is is that we yield to the Spirit when the spirit wants to pray. Just because someone does does not mean they are out of order. If they take the Mic and do it like that was the purpose, then they are of no benefit if none get the interpretation. That is out of order. Regular prayer by the spirit is not.

It's really something one has to be able to show the difference by comparison.
 
Feb 7, 2015
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#10
I get kind of tickled at so many people ferreting out "rules" on how tongues are expressed... all the while forgetting that the Bible said one very important thing (several times) concerning this. People spoke in tongues "as the Spirit gave them utterance." And, how we DO seem to want to limit that to meaning it was done by some rules we dig up.
 
Dec 19, 2009
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#11
I've seen many people in my church take the microphone and either during a preaching, ministry or worship start speaking in tongues. No one understands what they're saying but in my church the people there just assume the holy spirit is moving in them and keep worshiping. Me I'm sort of turned off because I don't know whether it's fake or not and some seem to fit in that it looks just for show.

Is it mandatory for it to be translated like the bible says or no? I remember I went to a special service about healing and the preacher (she doesn't have the gift of healing but just prayed for God to heal them) started speaking in tongues at the end and for some just prayed for them in tongues and that was it. Unless there was some a strong spiritual connection, would the person have felt anything? Thank goodness when she got to me, she spoke to me in English so I could understand her.
Yes, if no one is there to interpret, then one is suppose to keep silence:

[27] If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret.
[28] But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silence in church and speak to himself and to God.
1 Cor 14:27-28 RSV
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
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#12
I've seen many people in my church take the microphone and either during a preaching, ministry or worship start speaking in tongues. No one understands what they're saying but in my church the people there just assume the holy spirit is moving in them and keep worshiping. Me I'm sort of turned off because I don't know whether it's fake or not and some seem to fit in that it looks just for show.

Is it mandatory for it to be translated like the bible says or no? I remember I went to a special service about healing and the preacher (she doesn't have the gift of healing but just prayed for God to heal them) started speaking in tongues at the end and for some just prayed for them in tongues and that was it. Unless there was some a strong spiritual connection, would the person have felt anything? Thank goodness when she got to me, she spoke to me in English so I could understand her.
Tongues are not after men .Never were never could be . They are after revelations coming from God We walk by the exclusive faith (not seen) that comes from hearing God and not by sight looking at the results of the work as experiences and say by that work that was performed it is evidence they have Christ. Do they not blaspheme the holy name of God by which we are called to faith, by accrediting their own work as if it came from God .
 
Mar 28, 2016
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#13
I get kind of tickled at so many people ferreting out "rules" on how tongues are expressed... all the while forgetting that the Bible said one very important thing (several times) concerning this. People spoke in tongues "as the Spirit gave them utterance." And, how we DO seem to want to limit that to meaning it was done by some rules we dig up.
Amen God is no longer bringing any new revelations .The Spirit of utterance has ceased to reveal His will as more than that we in which we already have . Do we need more and if so what could be the reason?
 

KohenMatt

Senior Member
Jun 28, 2013
4,021
219
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#14
Yes, if no one is there to interpret, then one is suppose to keep silence:

[27] If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret.
[28] But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silence in church and speak to himself and to God.
1 Cor 14:27-28 RSV
This is the defining point on the matter. Scripture is fairly silent on speaking in tongues in church. And where it is specifically mentioned, this Scripture gives the instruction. Anything that falls outside of this instruction implies an occurrence of speaking in tongues is out of order.
 
Feb 7, 2015
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#15
Amen God is no longer bringing any new revelations .The Spirit of utterance has ceased to reveal His will as more than that we in which we already have . Do we need more and if so what could be the reason?
And............... has God said that "men shall no longer utter things when the Spirit moves them?" I don't think so.
 
Mar 28, 2016
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#16
Plural as in tongue, so I'd say one language spoken in a tongue each taking a turn and let one interpret.
Its God word . He does the interpreting into other languages, not men. When Peter spoke the word of God as the words Christ's put those words on Peter's lips... men form many nations received prohecy interpreted by God into their own language . It was not a sign gift to Peter proving he had the Spirit of Christ as if there were "sign gifts" to begin with .. its what the sign to the unbelieving Jew who sought after signs intended to do, expose their unbelief. Now those who did believe to include the Jews it revealed it was shown as prophecy is for believers and again sign for the unbeliever.
 
Mar 28, 2016
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#17
And............... has God said that "men shall no longer utter things when the Spirit moves them?" I don't think so.
Is God still bringing any new revelations? Even one word or jot or tittle that we could add to the perfect will of God ,as it is written. I don't think so.
 
Feb 7, 2015
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#18
Its God word . He does the interpreting into other languages, not men. When Peter spoke the word of God as the words Christ's put those words on Peter's lips... men form many nations received prohecy interpreted by God into their own language . It was not a sign gift to Peter proving he had the Spirit of Christ as if there were "sign gifts" to begin with .. its what the sign to the unbelieving Jew who sought after signs intended to do, expose their unbelief. Now those who did believe to include the Jews it revealed it was shown as prophecy is for believers and again sign for the unbeliever.
So true. Often just single speakers , or maybe a few, that day at Pentecost..... yet the "hearers" understood the strange sounds they were making, in fifteen (15) separate and distinctly different languages. And they marveled at that.... while others in the same crowd were calling the sounds the disciples made "the babbling of drunk men"..... despite the fact that they were all accustomed to hearing all 15 dialects spoken all around Jerusalem every year at this festival time.

God had the "speakers" simply utter noises, but He allowed the "hearers" to understand that "noise" in each of their own esoteric languages.
 
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Feb 7, 2015
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#19
Is God still bringing any new revelations? Even one word or jot or tittle that we could add to the perfect will of God ,as it is written. I don't think so.
Because you or I have not "understood" what God wanted us to get from our reading, does not make the opening of our eyes, "new revelations." Truth is as old as time.... yet look at how few of us seem to understand it the same way when we read it. Westboro Baptist is a startling example.
 
B

BeyondET

Guest
#20
Its God word . He does the interpreting into other languages, not men. When Peter spoke the word of God as the words Christ's put those words on Peter's lips... men form many nations received prohecy interpreted by God into their own language . It was not a sign gift to Peter proving he had the Spirit of Christ as if there were "sign gifts" to begin with .. its what the sign to the unbelieving Jew who sought after signs intended to do, expose their unbelief. Now those who did believe to include the Jews it revealed it was shown as prophecy is for believers and again sign for the unbeliever.
Yes God is working through the vessels of men and 1 Cor 14:28 states that and speaks to himself and to God.

A lone babbler in a church biulding doesn't justify a spiritual movement going on IMO...