Speaking in Tongues (Privately, Outside of Church)

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UnderGrace

Guest
Well I tried, do the research.

God bless,

You are certainly free to have your opinion.


Not to be trite, but I prefer to trust what the Bible has to say about it.


Tongues is always unintelligible to the person speaking (1 Cor 14:2), and almost always unintelligible to others who hear it, which is why when tongues is spoken in public, it must always be interpreted.


Tongues can be a language of angels (1 Cor 13:1).


Exactly! (except tongues is not a gift, it is a manifestation.)

In 1 Cor 2-14, Paul is writing about the identical manifestation that's written about in Acts 2, 10 and 19.

On the day of Pentecost, to underscore the significance that something wonderful had just taken place, the languages given to the 12 apostles were the languages of other people who were at Jerusalem for the feast. The apostles were speaking in tongues, and did not know what they were saying. But other people present did. They heard the 12 speaking in their own languages (proof that tongues are not gibberish) the wonderful works of God.

That is not guaranteed, and indeed, it almost never happens (but occasionally it does..), which is why we are instructed in 1 Cor 14 that when a person speaks in tongues in public, it must be interpreted.
 
Mar 28, 2016
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Alternatively we understand edify to mean build up, how does this happen if one does not understand the words that one speaks?
Someone offered the word unknown was added correctly ; it was not unknown to the speaker. He spoke words that were easy for his self to understand, the words God put in his mouth called prophecy. He was not speaking into the air. The gospel , God's word contains more than air.

It meant to build up Him who builds up the church . The idea of self edification is not a biblical idea. At the most it builds up pride as if what a person has was not freely given to Him . It is God who makes men differ from one another
1Co 14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
 
U

UnderGrace

Guest
Good point, Paul is focused on the hearer, that is why he gives direction that if there is no translator pray quietly to yourself.

The language was not unknown to the speaker, because we know glossa means real language, it was unknown to some of the hearers.



Someone offered the word unknown was added correctly ; it was not unknown to the speaker. He spoke words that were easy for his self to understand, the words God put in his mouth called prophecy. He was not speaking into the air. The gospel , God's word contains more than air.

It meant to build up Him who builds up the church . The idea of self edification is not a biblical idea. At the most it builds up pride as if what a person has was not freely given to Him . It is God who makes men differ from one another
1Co 14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
 

shrume

Senior Member
Jun 26, 2017
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Brings me back to my question, language at its very basic level is about communication, how does an unknown language prayed privately edify, it cannot.

The word properly translated is not, interpretered but translated. The unknown language is to be translated for the benefit of those who do not know the language

Very simply glossa always means real language Paul was writing about foreign languages that were present in the congregation and he was giving instruction on how to make it so everyone could understand what was being said. There is also much evidence that ecstatic speech from the temple prostitutes who had been converted was also present.

Paul was calling for intelligibility. He is appealing for clarity. When we say something in public worship, the people in the congregation need to understand the message. If I speak/pray out loud in Italian and know one is there to translate than pray quietly to myself, that is all he is saying.

It really is that simple

If you were raised speaking other languages you would understand this very crucial point.
As I stated earlier, you simply do not understand what speaking in tongues is, and what it is for.
 
U

UnderGrace

Guest
Sadly, I understand only too well.




As I stated earlier, you simply do not understand what speaking in tongues is, and what it is for.
 

shrume

Senior Member
Jun 26, 2017
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Someone offered the word unknown was added correctly ; it was not unknown to the speaker. He spoke words that were easy for his self to understand, the words God put in his mouth called prophecy. He was not speaking into the air. The gospel , God's word contains more than air.
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.

14) For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.


It meant to build up Him who builds up the church .
That sorta works. When a person speaks in tongues, he builds himself up. And when he speaks in tongues and interprets, he builds up the church.

The idea of self edification is not a biblical idea.
1 Cor 14:
4) He that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

Jude
20) But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

At the most it builds up pride as if what a person has was not freely given to Him .
The ability to speak in tongues is freely given to every Christian.

It is God who makes men differ from one another
Ok.

1Co 14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
That's why when tongues is spoken in public, it must be interpreted.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
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The idea of self edification is not a biblical idea.
Please explain your understanding of 1 Corinthians 14:4 "One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself", and how, in your view, that is "not a biblical idea".
 
Mar 23, 2016
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I absolutely believe scripture, :)

Remember "tongue" correctly translated and understood means language

so then we have....
He that speaketh in a language edifieth himself.

(the word foreign was inserted by the translators to mean a foreign language), because very simply there were many different languages being spoken in Corinth at that time because there we foreigners there who also had been converted and were attending the meetings.
In 1 Cor 14, Paul gives instruction concerning the manifestation of the Spirit. The manifestation of the Spirit specifically dealt with in 1 Cor 14 is prophecy, kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues (1 Cor 12:10).

That you prefer read "languages" does not mean Paul was not speaking of the manifestation of speaking in tongues.

The manifestation of speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy is simply an uttering by the person in whom the Spirit is working. The Spirit gives the utterance ... the person speaks the words as they are given to him / her by the Spirit.
 
Mar 23, 2016
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Brings me back to my question, language at its very basic level is about communication, how does an unknown language prayed privately edify, it cannot.
I bolded the part of your statement which completely contradicts 1 Cor 14:4. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself.

That is what God's Word says ... that is what God's Word means.

We are free to disagree, but that does not negate the truth of God's Word. Speaking in tongues edifies the person speaking.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
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Speaking in tongues edifies the person speaking
True enough (provided they are genuine tongues). However, the whole tenor of 1 Corinthians 14 is that none of the spiritual gifts were given for self-edification, and that is why Paul would rather speak 5 intelligible words in the church meeting than 10,000 words in tongues. To use any spiritual gift selfishly and for self-edification violates 1 Corinthians 13, in which chapter Paul also said that tongues would cease. They ceased with the Apostolic Age and were revived very recently.
 

BenFTW

Senior Member
Oct 7, 2012
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Good point, Paul is focused on the hearer, that is why he gives direction that if there is no translator pray quietly to yourself.

The language was not unknown to the speaker, because we know glossa means real language, it was unknown to some of the hearers.
That is absolutely false. You're acting as if at Pentecost the disciples were given a download, if you will, of the languages they were speaking, magnifying God. So after that encounter they now spoke fluently these foreign languages and could converse with people. That is what you're saying. However, you have no basis for this. Even less so if we go into 1 Corinthians 14 and define tongues, and its multi-faceted operations. The fact that scripture encourages the tongue speaker to pray for an interpretation, "that he may interpret" so what he has said edifies everyone, also contradicts this notion of a download of a foreign language (to speak and understand it fluently).

I am not saying God cannot do this, He can and I believe has (testimonies out there). People doing missionary work and God blessed them with fluency in a foreign language, one day they just knew it. Awesome, good for them and glory to God. However, this is not the tongues being spoke of in 1 Corinthians 14.

There are people who have spoken in tongues with others and they had no clue what they were saying but somehow, praise God, the person ends up giving their life to Christ. Tongue speaker had no clue they were speaking to the person the Gospel, but a conversation went down. This is just another facet of a multifaceted gift (or for shrume, "manifestation"). So many things can happen through tongues, so many blessings. Evangelistic purposes, ministry purposes, messages to people, worship to God, and even prophecy, as the Lord can speak through tongues with interpretation (which can cover all three revelatory gifts).
 

BenFTW

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Oct 7, 2012
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True enough (provided they are genuine tongues). However, the whole tenor of 1 Corinthians 14 is that none of the spiritual gifts were given for self-edification, and that is why Paul would rather speak 5 intelligible words in the church meeting than 10,000 words in tongues. To use any spiritual gift selfishly and for self-edification violates 1 Corinthians 13, in which chapter Paul also said that tongues would cease. They ceased with the Apostolic Age and were revived very recently.
You surprise me. I've never seen someone actually admit the gift of tongues ceased and then reemerged (or revived). That's a first. So you ceased from Cessationism? lol :p
 

BenFTW

Senior Member
Oct 7, 2012
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Brings me back to my question, language at its very basic level is about communication, how does an unknown language prayed privately edify, it cannot.

The word properly translated is not, interpretered but translated. The unknown language is to be translated for the benefit of those who do not know the language

Very simply glossa always means real language Paul was writing about foreign languages that were present in the congregation and he was giving instruction on how to make it so everyone could understand what was being said. There is also much evidence that ecstatic speech from the temple prostitutes who had been converted was also present.

Paul was calling for intelligibility. He is appealing for clarity. When we say something in public worship, the people in the congregation need to understand the message. If I speak/pray out loud in Italian and know one is there to translate than pray quietly to myself, that is all he is saying.

It really is that simple

If you were raised speaking other languages you would understand this very crucial point.
How does it? How does the gift of tongues edify the tongue speaker without understanding (no interpretation)? First, and foremost because scripture declares that it does (1 Corinthians 14:4). Let that be our foundation to this discussion. Whether we understand how is irrelevant in terms of understanding that it does. Scripture says that it does. However, let us move on to understanding how it could possibly edify us.

How do tongues come forth? How are they spoken? Well, the Holy Spirit gives the utterance, right? So it is the Holy Spirit giving our spirit the words to speak. So, ultimately, it is our spirit praying to the Father through the Holy Spirit's guidance and, well, wisdom, foreknowledge, and power. Who better to lead your prayer than the Lord, who knows all things? Who better to lead your praise of God, than the Holy Spirit who knows the mind of God? Who knows all of His wonderful attributes? You see, understanding that tongues is edifying because it is led by the Holy Spirit, third person in the Trinity, is not a hard thing to fathom.

God can much better pray, sing, and minister to people than we can in our own understanding. This is why tongues is edifying, both in terms of self-edification and in the edification of others. He can lead our spirit to pray of things we need to pray about. Areas that need sanctification or blessings. Even for others. The Holy Spirit can lead our spirit to pray to the Father, His perfect will. Regardless of my understanding of this prayer, while my understanding is unfruitful (in knowing the specifics), I can be confident that I am being edified knowing that it is the Holy Spirit guiding my prayers, and scripture itself tells me I am being edified.
 

Waggles

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I do not see any emphasis of laying on of hands for that promise of the Holy Spirit to come; it was trusting the Lord in believing in Him is how we are saved in how we had received the promise of the sanctification of the Spirit.

What you teach is not the tradition nor the gospel taught to the churches. What you teach was derived from assumptions on events that happened in the Book of Acts, and that is why it opposes the scripture in the epistles, brother. So repent.
1Ti 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy,
with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
1Timothy 4:14
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins:
keep thyself pure.
1 Timothy 5:22
6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God,
which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love,
and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on
unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works,
and of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection
of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
Hebrews 6:

[SUB][SUP]
[/SUP][/SUB]
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
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The Bible does not say that they are "improved or instructed either morally or intellectually." It says they are edified. It says they are magnifying God, it says they are giving thanks well, it says they are praying in the spirit.
That was when actual languages were being spoken supernaturally and could also be interpreted. Glossolalia are not actual languages and cannot be interpreted. Whether spoken privately or publicly makes no difference to this underlying fact. The word "unknown" is misleading and was inserted by the translators when they thought it might help. Now it just confuses the issue.
 

shrume

Senior Member
Jun 26, 2017
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That was when actual languages were being spoken supernaturally and could also be interpreted. Glossolalia are not actual languages and cannot be interpreted. Whether spoken privately or publicly makes no difference to this underlying fact. The word "unknown" is misleading and was inserted by the translators when they thought it might help. Now it just confuses the issue.
Tongues (languages) being spoken in the church today are actual languages and can be interpreted.

Your not believing it has no bearing on the issue.
 

Kavik

Senior Member
Mar 25, 2017
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The word properly translated is not, interpretered but translated. The unknown language is to be translated for the benefit of those who do not know the language

Very simply glossa always means real language Paul was writing about foreign languages that were present in the congregation and he was giving instruction on how to make it so everyone could understand what was being said.


Paul was calling for intelligibility. He is appealing for clarity. When we say something in public worship, the people in the congregation need to understand the message. If I speak/pray out loud in Italian and know one is there to translate than pray quietly to myself, that is all he is saying.

It really is that simple

The language was not unknown to the speaker, because we know glossa means real language, it was unknown to some of the hearers.


Precisely - “interpretation” is the translation of what is typically the spoken word (as opposed to the written) from language X to language Y.

Exactly – Corinth was a multi-cultural and very linguistically diverse city. Greek was the ‘native’ language to Corinth, but despite its status as the “English of its day”, not everyone spoke it well enough to be marginally fluent. Again, to my example – if I came from Briton, showed up and start speaking my native language, ain’t no one there gonna understand a word I’m saying; to them, I’m speaking mysteries even though I am earnestly praying from deep within my being (i.e. praying in the Spirit). No one understands me; thus it seems, I am speaking only to God (who understands all languages) and not to those there ("not to man"). Nowhere does it even remotely suggest that the speaker does not understand what he is saying.

I would argue that for tongue-speakers, it can ONLY ever mean that the speaker does not understand himself; else the premise of a “prayer/heavenly/angelic” language fails.

As one internet writer put it, rather bluntly I might add, “You want this to be real. You’ve convinced yourself it’s real. You’re improvising the sounds, but there is nothing about what you’re doing that cannot be explained in natural terms. The only reason it sounds like a language is that you want it to sound like a language. But it’s not. It’s meaningless. You’re not producing a language.”

The above is admittedly a somewhat harsh statement from a former tongues speaker, but the bolded section is 100% true. Tongues are something concrete that can be tested and analyzed. Again, record yourself for about a minute the next time you speak in tongues. Play it back several times and really listen to what is being produced.
 

Lighthearted

Senior Member
Oct 17, 2016
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I received the gift of tongues when I was 14. God has used me to speak a message in tongues to the congregation which was interpreted by the pastor. I pray quietly with God in tongues all the time. I don't know what the words mean...but He does. I know there is skeptasism with Christians today and plenty of arguments that tongues have/ have not ceased...I know they have not, so to me there is no question, no matter what anyone says...I've know the scripture that everyone argues over, but I have faith and understanding that they have not ceased...supporting that they will continue until Jesus comes back.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
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...
Precisely - “interpretation” is the translation of what is typically the spoken word (as opposed to the written) from language X to language Y.

Exactly – Corinth was a multi-cultural and very linguistically diverse city. Greek was the ‘native’ language to Corinth, but despite its status as the “English of its day”, not everyone spoke it well enough to be marginally fluent. Again, to my example – if I came from Briton, showed up and start speaking my native language, ain’t no one there gonna understand a word I’m saying; to them, I’m speaking mysteries even though I am earnestly praying from deep within my being (i.e. praying in the Spirit). No one understands me; thus it seems, I am speaking only to God (who understands all languages) and not to those there ("not to man"). Nowhere does it even remotely suggest that the speaker does not understand what he is saying.

I would argue that for tongue-speakers, it can ONLY ever mean that the speaker does not understand himself; else the premise of a “prayer/heavenly/angelic” language fails.

As one internet writer put it, rather bluntly I might add, “You want this to be real. You’ve convinced yourself it’s real. You’re improvising the sounds, but there is nothing about what you’re doing that cannot be explained in natural terms. The only reason it sounds like a language is that you want it to sound like a language. But it’s not. It’s meaningless. You’re not producing a language.”
This may be a compelling argument to some, but it fails because both the interpretation and the initial language are manifestations of the Holy Spirit. If only the "interpretation of tongues" were listed in chapter 12, then I might accept your argument. That "speaking in tongues" is also listed, and discussed together with interpretation in chapter 14, indicates clearly that there is more going on that merely the ability to translate to the language of the local people. If the initial "speaking in tongues" were only a known language to the speaker, it would not be a manifestation of the Holy Spirit.