Speaking in Tongues: The Only Way to Heaven

p_rehbein · Mar 20, 2014

As with pretty much any other ideology/belief......it depends on who you ask...........in my opinion, as I read Scripture, speaking in tongues WHICH IS A GIFT OF THE SPRIT is speaking in unknown language(s).......and by "unknown" that means unknown to the one speaking........not to the world.......this is clearly shown in Acts at Pentecost..........

I speak American English, well, ok, Southern English or Bamaeese.......

so, if suddenly I began to speak in Portuguese or Russian or such.............that would be speaking in tongues.......

What we must remember is that this "gift" is given for a "purpose." To accomplish the will of God........

Read Acts.........and 1st Corinthians to get some idea of speaking in tongues..........

john832 · Mar 20, 2014

crossnote said:

If I many add,

Neither does it mean that we are required to have it today.

crossnote · Mar 20, 2014

Personally I hold that tongues is a sign to the unbeliever...not some gibberish...but the speaking forth of a foreign language unknown by the speaker but well known by the hearer(s), just as experienced in Acts 2.

Acts 2:2-13 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

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

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

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 they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

sanglina · Mar 20, 2014

p_rehbein said:

Oh, thank you! I thought that sort of speaking in different language unknown to the speaker was done by the pagan traditional healers only when possessed.

The reason I say this is because, I have observed (when I was very small and also been told about it) in my culture (not now any longer as we have all become Christians now) that these traditional healers before the advent of Christianity when they performed propitiation rituals for the sick, they usually communicate with their 'soldiers" in tongues. I have one distant grandpa who was in his maybe seventies when I was about 7-8 years old and I have been told that he was a renowned traditional healer in the area who could expitiate spirits and heal the sick by speaking in tongues. This grandpa I have been told used to speak in Burmese when he performs his expiation rites but actually could not speak Burmese in his sane normal self.

crossnote · Mar 20, 2014

Yes it's a gift satan can duplicate but unlike in Acts 2, he won't give out the truth of the Gospel when he duplicates.

jb · Mar 20, 2014

JustBrandon said:

Like the others have said, this is complete and utter rubbish!

See Acts 2v21, Rom 10v8,9 (and so forth)

You can find studies Here and Here on the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues...

Yahweh Shalom...

JustBrandon · Mar 20, 2014

At Sanglina, from what I've seen, speaking in tongues is apparently someone who is filled with the Holy Spirit so much that they speak some other language.

From what I have also read, speaking in tongues is also to only be done in a group of 2 or three and when done, it is to be translated so that others who are non believers won't think that person is insane.

And thanks again to everyone who commented and giving me some insight on the issue. I have shown the girl the verses you all have shared with me and still she claimed that it meant nothing to be saved if one has not spoken in tongues. I guess all we can do is pray for God to open her eyes and mind to His word.

kennethcadwell · Mar 20, 2014

JustBrandon said:

Your welcome, but we must also remember that when speaking in tongues a translator must also be present in front of believers in Christ as well as non-believers. Cause there are some believers out there that believe speaking in tongues is wrong. And those that are believers that do not speak in tongues it does nothing to edify them if they don't know what is being said.

Elizabeth619 · Mar 20, 2014

Tongues and other charismatic gifts are a very controversial subject. There is also no scripture that says tongues is a sign of faith/belief. No where does it say one must speak in tongues to go to Heaven.

1 Corintians 14 says alot about the use of tongues.

It is a sign for unbelievers, and not for believers. The unbelievers were Jews that had not yet come to Christ. The gift of tongues was evidence to the Jews that the New Covenant had come into to place, and were no longer bound by Mosaic law.

Paul even stated he would rather speak 5 intelligable words than 10,000 in a tongue.

Anytime the apostles spoke in a tongue it was an intelligble language. Not some "unknown" babble.

AS a matter of fact the signs of a true apostle was signs, wonders, and miracles. This would include tongues. Paul had these gifts as confirmation he was an apostle appointed by Christ. 2 Corinthians 12:12 confirm this.

Jesus personally appointed the apostles to spread His word, and gave them signs and wonders so others would know they were given the authority by Christ.
Paul was not trained by Christ, but did come in contact with the resurrected Christ. 1 Cor 15:7-9 shows Paul called himself the LAST of the apostles.

In conclusion, there is a large misuse of tongues in the church today. They were given to the apostles to show UNBELIEVERS the authority of Christ, and to show them the apostles were TRUE teachers. Never once does scripture say that Christians must speak in tongues in order to receive salvation. Pray for your friend that she comes to the truth

jb · Mar 20, 2014

Elizabeth619 said:

The "large misuse" is simply because of the "LARGE IGNORANCE" on this most wonderful and precious gift of the Holy Spirit! 1Cor 12v1

Elizabeth619 · Mar 20, 2014

jb said:

Yet Paul tells us to desire greater gifts, and to excel in those that build up the church.

Babbling in an unknown tongue where you dont even know what your are saying nor does anyone else builds up nothing.

Timeline · Mar 20, 2014

Acts 2:4-11 and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other [SUP][e][/SUP]tongues, as the Spirit was giving them [SUP][f][/SUP]utterance.[SUP]5 [/SUP]Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. [SUP]6 [/SUP]And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own [SUP][g][/SUP]language. [SUP]7 [/SUP]They were amazed and astonished, saying, “[SUP][h][/SUP]Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? [SUP]8 [/SUP]And how is it that we each hear them in our own [SUP][i][/SUP]language [SUP][j][/SUP]to which we were born? [SUP]9 [/SUP]Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and [SUP][k][/SUP]Asia, [SUP]10 [/SUP]Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and [SUP][l][/SUP]visitors from Rome, both Jews and [SUP][m][/SUP]proselytes, [SUP]11 [/SUP]Cretans and Arabs—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.”

Paul also mentioned speaking with language that can't be understood, but says that it is useless unless there is someone to interpret.

Hashe · Mar 20, 2014

Elizabeth619 said:

Funny you quote the verse to desire greater gifts, and not the one where Paul says thanks God he speaks in tongues more than any other (14:18). Does this mean you think He thanks God because he isn't building himself up? Do you think this stopped Paul from building up the church?

jb · Mar 20, 2014

Elizabeth619 said:

And guess what, with comments like this you're simply demonstrating YOUR rather "great ignorance" on the gifts of the Holy Spirit!

Elizabeth619 · Mar 21, 2014

You can always depend on the charismatics to be the most hateful and judge mental and twist words to use against others.

Elizabeth619 · Mar 21, 2014

Hashe said:

Paul spoke in tongues to spread the message. He wasn't babbling or trying to edify himself or make a scene in public for the purpose of being seen, and he plainly states when speaking in tongues then there needs to be understanding. NOT BABBLING. 1 Cor 14 is about speaking intelligible words IN WORSHIP.

1Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2For anyone who speaks in a tongue[SUP]a[/SUP]does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[SUP]b[/SUP] but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,[SUP]c[/SUP] unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.6Now, brothers and sisters, 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 prophecy or word of instruction? 7Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. 12So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.13For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. 16Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer,[SUP]d[/SUP] say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? 17You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.20Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults...

Elizabeth619 · Mar 21, 2014

jb said:

The fact that when you disagree with anyone you are constantly condescending and calling others ignorant or saying "as usual you are always mistaken" please forgive me for not taking anything you say to heart.

If you really cared about others "ignorance" you'd teach in truth, kindness, and compassion. Not constantly condescending others.

SarahM777 · Mar 21, 2014

Elizabeth619 said:

See and therein lies a BIG problem many say they have the GIFTS of the Spirit,but often the FRUITS of the Spirit are lacking. Which then leads to the $64,000 question if one has the "Gifts" without the fruits does one really have the true gifts of the Spirit in the first place?

wwjd_kilden · Mar 21, 2014

sanglina: Speaking in tounges is to speak a language you don't know (to deliver a message from God)

There is a huge debate on wether

a) Tounges is only speaking other, known langages
b) Tounges can also be "heavenly" languages (that are not spoken on earth)

In either case, people should only be speaking "publicly" in tounges if there is an interpreter present

and as stated already, it is not needed to be saved, nor do all believers have the gift.

Angela53510 · Mar 21, 2014

sanglina said:

Oh, thank you! I thought that sort of speaking in different language unknown to the speaker was done by the pagan traditional healers only when possessed.

The reason I say this is because, I have observed (when I was very small and also been told about it) in my culture (not now any longer as we have all become Christians now) that these traditional healers before the advent of Christianity when they performed propitiation rituals for the sick, they usually communicate with their 'soldiers" in tongues. I have one distant grandpa who was in his maybe seventies when I was about 7-8 years old and I have been told that he was a renowned traditional healer in the area who could expitiate spirits and heal the sick by speaking in tongues. This grandpa I have been told used to speak in Burmese when he performs his expiation rites but actually could not speak Burmese in his sane normal self.

This is is one of the most interesting testimonies about tongues I have heard. It really confirms my suspicions! Thank you for sharing this cultural information, and praise God you are all now Christians!

Speaking in Tongues: The Only Way to Heaven

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