Can You Speak in Tongues?

[Rudimental]

Tongues are a sign.

Tongues are a sign? Tongues are a gift of the spirit brother.

Gentiles seek after wisdom not signs. Signs are for Israel. Tongues to Israel are a sign of impending judgment. They are associated with Israel being carried into captivity when Jehovah God judges them for their rebellious behavior. A little study would reveal this to you.

So speaking in tongues is acting rebelliously?

Only three sign gifts have ended. The rest of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are still in operation but those three have ended.

The obvious lack of discipleship in the church today is why believers are immature in the faith. They are overgrown by the weeds of this world and unable to mature for the Lord.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

So speaking in tongues makes you immature in your faith?

Again, not for the cause of Christ, but for your cause Roger.

Stop ending all your posts with "For the cause of Christ" as though you are doing the Lords work and you are an authority on the subject.

I speak in tongues. I can speak in tongues. And I will continue to speak in tongues for as long as God lets me.

It has nothing to do with being "immature in faith" or being overgrown with the weeds of this world.

Just because YOU think that 1 Cor 13:8 means that it is no longer required.

Of course its required. Anything that brings glory to God is required!

It is a gift of the spirit and I wont let you or any old hairy legs take that away from me.

Nee nar nee nar

 

[Rudimental]

Tongues are one of the gifts from the Holy Spirit and not just a sign, and Paul mentioned them as such and told Gentile believers how they are to be used.
Which three gifts do you think have ended ???
Prophecy has not ended as the bible clearly says even in the end days their will be prophecy, healing has not ended as I have been both the recipient of the healing of the Holy Spirit and also have by the Holy Spirit healed another through me.
Tongues have not ended as I showed previously because Paul told Gentiles how they were to use that gift properly.

Thank you Kenneth. Glad to see someone on here knows what they are talking about!

 

[mystikmind]

I have never spoken in tongues and i have never heard a genuine instance of it either. What i did hear was some wonderful beautiful people desperate to be closer to God, forcing something that was not real, I just feel sad for them, it is such a shame to be subjected to that kind of falsehood when there is so much blessing and fulfillment that God has to offer people without speaking in tongues.

 

[presidente]

It is readily counterfeited and biblically has ceased. 1 Cor 13:8 The purpose for tongues was specific and intended for a specific group of people. Never done according to the bible in the modern church.

I Corinthians 14:11 shows us that the coming of the perfect will make Paul's speech, understanding, and thoughts when he wrote I Corinthians seem like a child's in comparison to after the coming of the perfect.

[SUP]11 [/SUP]When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

if the perfect is already come and you say you have adult, speech, understanding, and thoughts according to the analogy, you are putting yourself in a far superior position to the authors of the New Testament. You are implying that your understanding of spiritual things is so much greater than Paul's that his is childish by comparison.

Ecstatic utterances are wholly out of order in the church body.

The Bible teaches 'let all things be done unto edifying.' There is no command against someone singing, teaching, prophesying, or speaking in tongues while in an ecstatic state if it is edifying. But I don't think it's accurate to classify all speaking in tongues as ecstatic or all ecstatic speech as speaking in tongues.

 

[presidente]

It is a gift of the spirit and I wont let you or any old hairy legs take that away from me.

I've never heard of 'old hairy legs'. Is that supposed to refer to Satan, or did you find out a way to activate my laptop video camera? Don't be prejudiced against folks with hairy legs.

Consider what the book of Jude says about those who 'speak evil of dignitaries' giving the counter-example of Michael not bringing a railing accusation against Satan before the Lord, it's best not to call the Devil names like that.

 

[presidente]

Yes you are correct, tongues ceased.
Incorrect, tongues are a sign and signs are for Israel. Joel tells us that Israel will see these signs when Christ returns. [/quote

The Bible absolutely does not teach this theory of yours. It does say that the Jews seek a sign. But Acts shows that the apostles did signs among Gentiles as well. Paul quoting how God spoke to Israel through men of other tongues and other lips and they wouldn't hear, and then pointing out that unbelievers say 'ye are mad' when they hear all speak with tongues doesn't prove your point.

Paul wrote that tongues are a sign for them that believe not. He did NOT say that tongues are only for a sign. That type of convoluted eisegesis contradicts the rest of the passage.

 

[SoulWeaver]

God forbid that I take it upon myself to limit the Holy Spirit in what He can do or chooses to give.
I firmly believe that if or when tongues are truly a Spiritual gift they will not need to be taught or encouraged by people; however well meaning.

I agree, they dont need to be taught by people. However, often a person can use some encouragment and instruction, on how to discern Holy Spirit tongues from the demonic impostory which definitely exists, and encouragment to ask God for the gift in the first place. Because God does not push anybody. On the Pentecost, apostles have been sitting in prayer and in expectation/openness to receive. This is not so today, especially when so many cessationist believers simply are not interested into what God has in store regarding spiritual gifts, or they operate out of fear, and many forcefully try to push this view upon others as well, as if God's gifts were unbiblical. It is Biblical to teach to test all spirits, but it is unbiblical to teach to quench the Spirit. Also I agree that God always has the last word and His will be done as He ultimately knows what gift is best to administer to whom. ***Thank you for this God-fearing post.*** We should judge spiritual manifestations very carefully, as this is what made some blaspheme against the Holy Spirit.

I was encouraged by other Christians to receive the gift and asked God to give it to me - if this was His will.
Aaaand (let me agree with you some more) the Christian encouraging me showed me a video teaching people how to speak in tongues, and there was also a long video available for money (huge red flag)... not surprising that video creeped me out as I discerned bad presence on it. Of course I would not open my mouth with them. The Spirit in me just said no! I was mainly wondering to know if the gift existed today at all or not, because a lot of the tongues I've seen was demonic. Another reason why I wondered is because prior to and during that time period, God had me speak in tongues in dream 3 times to encourage me about it, and it was praising God (I had interpretation too). I've received this gift later, as they did on the Pentecost, in prayer and waiting. Not by people teaching me. But I did benefit from people giving me encouragment and also reading what the Bible teaches about the gift, which helped me be receptive to the Holy Spirit.

A lot of people think this gift is babbling when it is actually the opposite. The gift of tongues is listening to God and speaking the words as He gives you. In that sense it is similar to prophecy, and that's the reason why it is equal to prophecy when interpreted. Also the purpose will be Biblical and prophetic, such as praise, encouragment, exhortation, comfort, intercessory prayer. Usually the people who get the demonic counterfeit are people who crave spiritual manifestation by any cost, want to put themselves on a pedestal as being more "spiritual" than others, maybe get some attention from other men, and therefore they do not want to test the spirit or wait on God. Sometimes they have just been taught wrong. A lot of people is bitter because they have been falsely taught, or they witnessed the false gift around them. I just wish people would not be bitter against the real gift, but instead teach Biblical discernment between the real and the false, it would be SO much more helpful and edifying. God will shower repetitive confirmations when a believer wants to test the spirit to make sure it's truly of God, too.

I've been baptized in the Spirit and although I'll emphasise that this experience is not any sort of salvation requirement, God will give it to you if you want to receive - or - if you need it. Weaker and less comely members get covered more, this is what the Bible says. I know I'm weak and need all the building up I can get. So although love trumps all gifts, I'd plead to not prevent, judge or despise others who are earnestly desiring spiritual gifts. These gifts have been given to help us and strengthen the weaker parts of the Body. If you yourself are strong, bless you, be strong, but dont put a stumblingblock before a weaker brother or sister so they can also be strengthened and used by God more.

 

[Rudimental]

I Corinthians 14:11 shows us that the coming of the perfect will make Paul's speech, understanding, and thoughts when he wrote I Corinthians seem like a child's in comparison to after the coming of the perfect.

[SUP]11 [/SUP]When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

if the perfect is already come and you say you have adult, speech, understanding, and thoughts according to the analogy, you are putting yourself in a far superior position to the authors of the New Testament. You are implying that your understanding of spiritual things is so much greater than Paul's that his is childish by comparison.

The Bible teaches 'let all things be done unto edifying.' There is no command against someone singing, teaching, prophesying, or speaking in tongues while in an ecstatic state if it is edifying. But I don't think it's accurate to classify all speaking in tongues as ecstatic or all ecstatic speech as speaking in tongues.

Thank you presidente. Very true! I agree with that about what Paul wrote in Corinthians and you make a very good point there. That is so true. We only use 10% of our brains atm. When we are perfect, we'll be using like 100% of our brains. We'll be on a much much higher level of consciousness! Everything that has happened will seem very silly when we are perfect and know all things even as we are known.

I feel people like to over complicate what is meant to be very simple when they cannot understand it or cannot (even though they can!) do it! So they have to do what people do and that is to pick it a part to understand it. That's fine with me. If you don't want to believe that I can or do speak in tongues and that I was blessed with this (not used enough) gift when I was 12 years old that's fine too. You don't have to believe me, it wont have any bearing on my or your salvation whether you do or not or whether I do it or not. Although I do personally believe that regular speaking in tongues does pay dividends in the long run and everything that I have said (uttered) will be explained to me one day.

I don't know about this "ecstatic state" stuff. You don't need to be in any state to S.I.T!

But thank you very much for your concise and eye opening statement brother!

Some of my twig brothers and sisters have a S.I.T sticker on the back of their bible.

It was a big red sticker on a white background something like this

S.I.T

And I suspect that if you are a regular church attendee then you will have inevitably or possibly come across bibles with this sticker on the back?

Mind you I used to attend Christian fellowships in our homes what we'd call "Twig" which was a much more happier and less strict and warmer event than you could get in a church fellowship even though we still attend our local church. It's just bible study in peoples homes you know? But I saw Gods spirit really move through us back then and I saw many people come to Christ. It was powered by something called "The Rock" in Ohio U.S by some pretty big pastors. I don't know if anyone here has ever heard of The Rock Christian fellowship in Ohio? This was back in like 1985 to 1995.. I remember I used to have some amazing books these guys write on the Holy Spirit and other stuff. I will have to ask my dear old mother about them and see if she still has them and tell you of them as I do remember they used to talk of speaking in tongues. I'll definitely get back to ya'll about that! lol

I'm so blessed that God came for me that way, way before I even knew I needed Him or would need Him. I thank God for that faith that ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS pulls me through. I thank God for my gift of tongues even if I recognize that its not something I actually do daily. I thank God for the gift and that I am able to see it as a gift when I see that some people struggle accepting it as something they can do and do to glorify God and draw the Holy Spirit close to you!

God bless.

 

[notuptome]

Tongues are a sign? Tongues are a gift of the spirit brother.

Tongues are a sign gift. They were given to show the Jews that Gentiles were filled with the same Holy Spirit as the Jews.

So speaking in tongues is acting rebelliously?

In your case that is especially true. But to the OT Jews they saw tongues as the languages they could not understand when they were carried into captivity.

So speaking in tongues makes you immature in your faith?

Again, not for the cause of Christ, but for your cause Roger.

Stop ending all your posts with "For the cause of Christ" as though you are doing the Lords work and you are an authority on the subject.

I speak in tongues. I can speak in tongues. And I will continue to speak in tongues for as long as God lets me.

It has nothing to do with being "immature in faith" or being overgrown with the weeds of this world.

Just because YOU think that 1 Cor 13:8 means that it is no longer required.

Of course its required. Anything that brings glory to God is required!

It is a gift of the spirit and I wont let you or any old hairy legs take that away from me.

Nee nar nee nar

Well you certainly have demonstrated your level of maturity in this post so there is nothing I can add. You have proven my case beyond any reasonable doubt. You are quite the testimony for the Pentecostal movement. A credit to you kind.

Do you know what a familiar spirit is?

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[Joidevivre]

How to answer - it is such an incredible thing and it is very real. I feel there are two ways the Holy Spirit uses His supernatural language. One is a gift for the church and a message comes from God to the body of Christians and must be interpreted. I have never been used in this gift although I have seen it working.

The other way is for the Christian in their prayer time as from their spirit upwards to God. One day as I was worshiping and filled with the presence of the Lord, I sensed to just worship and pray in sounds from my spirit - letting go of trying to fit everything into English. There was a definite freedom in doing just that, and I have used it all the time when I'm interceding for others and don't know their real needs. It is like the Holy Spirit takes over and just uses me to put into sounds what He wants to pray (groanings). Other times I just love to worship with the feelings in my spirit that go way beyond English.

You can't explain this to others. It is beautiful, freeing, and so very real. It only makes you want to stay in worship or intercession longer. You can be a spirit filled Christian without doing this, but it is certainly one of the ways in which the Holy Spirit enters your prayers or praises and carries you along with Him.

 

[notuptome]

The Bible absolutely does not teach this theory of yours. It does say that the Jews seek a sign. But Acts shows that the apostles did signs among Gentiles as well. Paul quoting how God spoke to Israel through men of other tongues and other lips and they wouldn't hear, and then pointing out that unbelievers say 'ye are mad' when they hear all speak with tongues doesn't prove your point.

Paul wrote that tongues are a sign for them that believe not. He did NOT say that tongues are only for a sign. That type of convoluted eisegesis contradicts the rest of the passage.

In every instance of tongues in the book of the Acts when Gentiles spoke in tongues it was to testify to the Jews present that the same Holy Spirit filled them that filled the Jews at Pentecost.

Your lack of a biblical exegesis of these passages leads to the confusion that you are engaged in. I greatly fear that the modern Pentecostal movement is operating by familiar spirits.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[Rudimental]

I've never heard of 'old hairy legs'. Is that supposed to refer to Satan, or did you find out a way to activate my laptop video camera? Don't be prejudiced against folks with hairy legs.

Consider what the book of Jude says about those who 'speak evil of dignitaries' giving the counter-example of Michael not bringing a railing accusation against Satan before the Lord, it's best not to call the Devil names like that.

I'm really liking you presidente and thats not because I activated your laptop camera! But you seem quite clued up. I hope to come across more of your posts on here and get to know you better.

Very true what you say, he never accused him of anything but simply said, "The Lord rebuke thee."

When I was growing up, we had this big book that was full of very detailed drawings of all the big things in life from the past and one part of it was on Heaven and Hell and there was a picture of the devil standing there with hairy goat like legs and horns in red holding a pitchfork with hell behind him and all the damned souls burning in the lake of fire. That image has stuck with me all my life. Then came the internet and I've seen so many since I've become desensitized? to it.

Of course, I know now that Satan doesn't have a physical form like a human being. Even though he takes on many forms and acts through people to carry out his wicked plan. One of these would be doing anything and everything he can to stop mankind from coming to know about the power of speaking in tongues.

That's why I said speak in tongues. God smiles and the devil runs for miles!

God bless.

 

[presidente]

In every instance of tongues in the book of the Acts when Gentiles spoke in tongues it was to testify to the Jews present that the same Holy Spirit filled them that filled the Jews at Pentecost.

There are three occasions of people speaking in tongues in Acts. But someone can try to 'prove' lots of things using your same line of reasoning.

Would you agree with these statements:
"Every time someone got saved in the book of Acts, Jews were present. So no one can get saved without a Jew present."
"Every time someone got baptized in the book of Acts, Jews performed the baptism. So no one can be baptized properly without a Jew doing it."

The problem with these statements is that the Bible doesn't teach that only Jews can do these things, and the theory doesn't fit the didactic, doctrinal teaching of the New Testament on the issue. The only person who would believe such things is someone who has a pre-existing belief about how Jews have to do the spiritual things in the church, and wants to read it into the New Testament.

You are doing the same thing with speaking in tongues. You want it to be a sign for the Jews only.

You'll notice that Paul said that tongues is a sign not to them that believe, but to them that believe not. Yet don't you have tongues functioning as a sign to believing Jews in your interpretations of Acts 10 and 19?

You'll also notice chapter 19 doesn't say anything about tongues serving as a sign to the Jews present that those who spoke in tongues were filled with the Holy Spirit. You are eisegeting into the passage.

I Corinthians 12 shows that the audience he is addressing were former idolators. Most likely they were pagans, but 'divers tongues' is among the gifts that these saints can receive.

Btw, there are still Jews today. I've gone to church with believing Jews before and one pastor at a church I went to had a Jewish mother.

I greatly fear that the modern Pentecostal movement is operating by familiar spirits.

I'm also concerned with some cessationists readiness to accuse since Jesus warned those who called the Holy Spirit an unclean spirit by attributing His works to unclean spirits that speaking against the Holy Spirit was a sin for which there was no forgiveness in this age or in the age to come.

 

[presidente]

Rudimental,
'Hairy legs' makes me think of a spider, not a goat.

 

[Rudimental]

Tongues are a sign gift. They were given to show the Jews that Gentiles were filled with the same Holy Spirit as the Jews. In your case that is especially true. But to the OT Jews they saw tongues as the languages they could not understand when they were carried into captivity.

Well you certainly have demonstrated your level of maturity in this post so there is nothing I can add. You have proven my case beyond any reasonable doubt. You are quite the testimony for the Pentecostal movement. A credit to you kind.

Do you know what a familiar spirit is?

For the cause of Christ
Roger

So now they are a sign gift? First of all they were just a sign. Now they are a sign gift? You're not making this up as you go along are you? Your first paragraph seems to be agreeing with me now though.

Roger what is it that you're actually trying to say about speaking in tongues today?

I don't want to get all serious with you about it. I've told you I have the gift of tongues and that I speak in tongues.

If you don't want to believe that, that is completely up to you friend.

To be honest, it seems like you are acting bitter towards me and trying to say that I shouldn't speak in tongues and that nobody else should anymore purely because you don't or can't (even though you can).

Is that fair to say? Tell me if I'm being off here in anyway, its never my intention to deliberately offend anyone. Well, not strangers anyway.

 

[Tintin]

People can absolutely fake the spiritual gift of tongues. I was very wary of it for a long time because I had seen a lot of spiritual abuse concerning its usage amongst God's people (not in my church though). But then there's the real thing. A few months ago, I was prayed over by a brother in Christ at a prayer and worship gathering/meeting, left at the end of the night and then began to speak in tongues on the way home. I practice it regularly, but it's not very developed at this stage (and that's okay). I'm a Christian first and foremost, but I belong to the Lutheran church, so there's a lot of new stuff I'm learning that I haven't been taught in the past.

 

[Rudimental]

Thank you Joidevivre for your answer. That is very beautiful and touching too. Also you have made a very good description of it and it was nice to hear about your experiences and the way that you see it. It really is an amazing thing that is so very underrated and underused and I believe that one day (after the end of time) we'll all talk that language like our native tongue. The divine language of angels.

 

[jb]

So.. I'm born again. I became born again when I was like 12 years old. (25 years ago now) I was given a very precious gift then as well. The gift of speaking in tongues. I remember the day when it was given to me. I was prayed over by my father and another twig leader. (Twig is like a fellowship). I didn't think I could do it but the Holy Spirit came upon me and I just burst out in tears of joy and started speaking in a strange language that I couldn't understand but it still made sense if that makes sense? And I was able to just, well, to just do it.

During twig fellowship we would have bible study, sing some amazing songs like Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. Then we'd have tongues and interpretation. Someone would speak in tongues and then they would interpretate it. The interpretation part would be amazing. It would just flow, giving God thanks and blessings for all things and it would really give your goose pimples you know?

Does your church have a tongues and interpretation? You NEVER see church meetings speaking in tongues. Why is that!? Speaking in tongues is a gift from the Holy Spirit. It utters words that ONLY the Holy Spirit can understand. And speaking in tongues EDIFIES you. It literally makes you smarter, stronger, better.

So why don't people speak in tongues in churches? Why don't churches have a tongues and interpretation? Are they scared of what people might think? Do they think that people wont be able to understand it? Are they scared that the world will think they are crazy for talking complete gibberish?

Has the Holy Spirit blessed YOU with this amazing gift and if so, do you use it every day?

By doing so, you are not only edifying yourself, but you'll also be bringing glory to God!

Plus, old hairy legs can't stand it and runs for mile when you do!

So, if you can speak in tongues, do it EVERY DAY or as and when you can.

If you can't speak in tongues, and want to, let me know and I'll be happy to help you attain this wonderful gift that God has given us. Although I'm not sure how I'll do it across here but by George I'll give it a go!

Cheers and God bless.

Rudimental.

I was baptised in the Holy Spirit back in 1983 with the evidence of speaking in tongues, just like the disciples on the Day of Pentecost, Cornelius (and household and friends) and Paul (and many other Christians) experienced. Acts 2v4,16-21,38,39, 10v44-46, 11v17, 1Cor 14v18

I have found this gift (of tongues) invaluable in my private prayer life, for when I use it, it is not me who prays, but God the Holy Spirit. Rom 8v26-28, 1Cor 14v2,4, Jude v20,21.

It is such a great pity that many Christians despise this most precious gift which cost the Lord Jesus so much (His death upon the cross and descent into the Abyss in Hades) to purchase and give to the Church (which is the Body of Christ)! Acts 2v23-31, Rom 10v7, Eph 4v8-10

For those interested you can find a short study Here on this subject...

Yahweh Shalom

 

[Angela53510]

Although I am totally against what passes for tongues and interpretation in many pentecostal/charismatic churches, I do not believe we should limit God, especially where salvation is concerned.

I knew a man quite well who was an evangelist. One day he was preaching at a meeting, and suddenly, he spoke 4 words in an unknown tongue. Just FOUR, mind you! At the end of the meeting, a man came up with a napkin, with the 4 words written down. He asked my friend how he knew Armenian, which of course my friend did not know.

The words on the napkin were "Jesus Christ is Lord." My friend led the man to the Lord, and I think 27 members of his household. My friend kept the napkin, and I even saw it.

BUT, that is what tongues are supposed to do! Witness to people in their own tongue, like Acts 2. And bring people to Christ. I would challenge every person here who spends more time speaking in tongues than reading the Bible, intercessory prayer and witnessing to really evaluate who you are edifying - yourself or God?

I won't say any more, but I do believe if God can use Balaam's donkey, he can use tongues. But most of what goes on today is just confusion and may even be demonic, in some cases.

 

[Tintin]

Although I am totally against what passes for tongues and interpretation in many pentecostal/charismatic churches, I do not believe we should limit God, especially where salvation is concerned.

I knew a man quite well who was an evangelist. One day he was preaching at a meeting, and suddenly, he spoke 4 words in an unknown tongue. Just FOUR, mind you! At the end of the meeting, a man came up with a napkin, with the 4 words written down. He asked my friend how he knew Armenian, which of course my friend did not know.

The words on the napkin were "Jesus Christ is Lord." My friend led the man to the Lord, and I think 27 members of his household. My friend kept the napkin, and I even saw it.

BUT, that is what tongues are supposed to do! Witness to people in their own tongue, like Acts 2. And bring people to Christ. I would challenge every person here who spends more time speaking in tongues than reading the Bible, intercessory prayer and witnessing to really evaluate who you are edifying - yourself or God?

I won't say any more, but I do believe if God can use Balaam's donkey, he can use tongues. But most of what goes on today is just confusion and may even be demonic, in some cases.

Are there really people who pray in tongues more than the other things you mentioned? Weird.
I don't see speaking in tongues as something necessary for salvation. I don't believe it's the most important spiritual gift either. I just believe it's a prayer language between me and God. I'm certainly not faking it, I wouldn't know how.