Apostle Paul On Tongues In 1 Corinthians
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There really is no argument to be made for there are verses that clearly state that a person is speaking in a tongue "no one understands" and that they are speaking "mysteries in the spirit." Even so, that they are speaking not to man but to God. This, right here, speaks to a language no one can interpret unless by revelation of the Holy Spirit. This language is not French, Spanish, Dutch, or Portuguese, etc; it is a language not for our understanding or anyone present unless the Lord so wills it to be interpreted.
Analogy time, this means that if you were in a room with a person present for every language of the earth not one person would understand what you are saying. It isn't for them, its for the Father. Its your spirit speaking to the Father by the Holy Spirit giving you the utterance. It isn't meant to be used for them, it is for your own edification clearly laid out in Corinthians.
It can be used for their edification which is the purpose of the gift of interpretation but it also can be used simply for your own personal prayer life (praying in the spirit), or even worship (singing in the spirit). Things the apostle Paul said he did, but he also did these with understanding (meaning his own language).
The gift of tongues is multifaceted and serves multiple purposes. This is clearly seen in scripture.
Analogy time, this means that if you were in a room with a person present for every language of the earth not one person would understand what you are saying. It isn't for them, its for the Father. Its your spirit speaking to the Father by the Holy Spirit giving you the utterance. It isn't meant to be used for them, it is for your own edification clearly laid out in Corinthians.
It can be used for their edification which is the purpose of the gift of interpretation but it also can be used simply for your own personal prayer life (praying in the spirit), or even worship (singing in the spirit). Things the apostle Paul said he did, but he also did these with understanding (meaning his own language).
The gift of tongues is multifaceted and serves multiple purposes. This is clearly seen in scripture.
U
Well exactly no one understands therefore it is not language, Paul was saying what is the point in speaking in such a way that no body understands.
Paul lays out what is happening in the initial part of the chapter and then he teaches them in verse 9 if the words are not easy to be known then it would be like speaking into the air, he then says I pray with the spirit and with understanding verse 15.
Paul lays out what is happening in the initial part of the chapter and then he teaches them in verse 9 if the words are not easy to be known then it would be like speaking into the air, he then says I pray with the spirit and with understanding verse 15.
Just because we don't understand a language doesn't mean it isn't a language. It simply is not understood by us. Someone can come speaking Tagalog (language of the Philippines) to me and I wouldn't have a clue what they were saying. Its still a language regardless of my understanding of it.
The apostle Paul said that you would be praising God in tongues but no one else would be edified and they couldn't "amen" what you were saying during your praise (if there is no interpretation). So no, you aren't just speaking/singing into the air. You are speaking to the Lord, the Father.
The apostle Paul said that you would be praising God in tongues but no one else would be edified and they couldn't "amen" what you were saying during your praise (if there is no interpretation). So no, you aren't just speaking/singing into the air. You are speaking to the Lord, the Father.
Paul gives an illustration saying, if the church is speaking ONLY in tongues, with NO interpreter, and unbelievers enter won't they think you are crazy???
From this illustration it's clear:
1. Tongues is not for interpretation
2. Tongues need an interpreter
3. We are not to speak in tongues only since no one understands
4. Prophesy is the way to go when you're around believers AND unbelievers
5. But Paul concludes, even though I've said all that, forbid no one to speak in tongues, but do it in order. Because building up others out of love is what is truly important.
From this illustration it's clear:
1. Tongues is not for interpretation
2. Tongues need an interpreter
3. We are not to speak in tongues only since no one understands
4. Prophesy is the way to go when you're around believers AND unbelievers
5. But Paul concludes, even though I've said all that, forbid no one to speak in tongues, but do it in order. Because building up others out of love is what is truly important.
U
Okay Okay Ben, let me tell you something my friend, and I think we have been here before, but just for the sake of refreshing our memory, language has a science to it all its own.
When modern day researchers (and there have been many studies conducted) have taken samples of people speaking in tongues it has been found to not be language based on the some fairly simple science of linguistics.
When researches discover a new language from where ever on this planet, you know what they can still determine just the basic patterns of phonemes and morphemes.
Some Christians also believe the world is flat based on scripture but we have pretty good evidence it is not.
Perhaps we have to close off our minds and leave science out of the equation but do not forget the God is after all the creator and the creator of language and He does not contradict himself.
When modern day researchers (and there have been many studies conducted) have taken samples of people speaking in tongues it has been found to not be language based on the some fairly simple science of linguistics.
When researches discover a new language from where ever on this planet, you know what they can still determine just the basic patterns of phonemes and morphemes.
Some Christians also believe the world is flat based on scripture but we have pretty good evidence it is not.
Perhaps we have to close off our minds and leave science out of the equation but do not forget the God is after all the creator and the creator of language and He does not contradict himself.
I've seen studies that actually show that when people pray in tongues, it is very similar to praying in normal language. And millions of people attest to feeling the peace of God, power of God, and love of God while praying in tongues. I can as well. But of course it appears to be "craziness" to people who don't understand it. That's why Paul said to have interpreters around people who are unbelievers. And to seek prophesy to build up the church. Nothing surprising there. Exactly what the Bible confirms.
Let's for a minute imagine that tongues "is a known language" and "for preaching the gospel".
Paul would tell people to pray in tongues all the time! Who needs prophesy! They have no problem understanding you. That's why you pray in tongues right? So people can understand you! Well then hey let's all pray in tongues when we are with believers and unbelievers! Let's all pray in tongues all the time! Let's share the gospel with nations that we don't know the languages of! Everybody hit the streets, you get one corner and I'll get the other corner! Let the tongues flow in the middle of the cities!
Except Paul doesn't say that. He doesn't say ANY of that. He says NO ONE understands you. And because NO ONE understands you. Get an interpreter so people CAN understand you. Oh you don't have ANY interpretation? Then keep silent. Pray between you and God. He says, edify yourself when you're alone, but edify others when you're with others. This is the more excellent way.
Paul would tell people to pray in tongues all the time! Who needs prophesy! They have no problem understanding you. That's why you pray in tongues right? So people can understand you! Well then hey let's all pray in tongues when we are with believers and unbelievers! Let's all pray in tongues all the time! Let's share the gospel with nations that we don't know the languages of! Everybody hit the streets, you get one corner and I'll get the other corner! Let the tongues flow in the middle of the cities!
Except Paul doesn't say that. He doesn't say ANY of that. He says NO ONE understands you. And because NO ONE understands you. Get an interpreter so people CAN understand you. Oh you don't have ANY interpretation? Then keep silent. Pray between you and God. He says, edify yourself when you're alone, but edify others when you're with others. This is the more excellent way.
U
Well what is also interesting ( I would have to pull up the study since I have it somewhere) that when there has been interpretation with two or more people of this modern day manifestation that is so prevalent today, the interpreters had different interpretations of the same sounds that were uttered.
Hmmm..... so then what are we to assume from this certainly, it cannot be God since He is perfect?
Hmmm..... so then what are we to assume from this certainly, it cannot be God since He is perfect?
R
Our Congregation beleive in Speaking in tongues. It is a Sign from God he is among us
We have had people come in, and after 1 or two services where you can see and feel God's presense, and they spoke in tongues. I have witnessed this many times over the years. It is real and can't deny it...It's beautiful..
We have had people come in, and after 1 or two services where you can see and feel God's presense, and they spoke in tongues. I have witnessed this many times over the years. It is real and can't deny it...It's beautiful..
Yes, God is perfect. And He confounds the wise with "foolish things". Nature was deemed "good". But when we look at nature, how often do we see "imperfections?". Scientists love to believe they are smarter than the body. They have all these little drugs, but the truth of the matter is that science can't heal. It can't heal a cut, a wound, or get rid of a cold. The ONLY thing science CAN do is facilitate the body. It is the body who heals and fights off colds. You can't improve on God no matter how smart we might think we are.
I can go on and on with the different cosmological factors of planet Earth. And the different perfect variations of the body between the ph levels, gravity measurements, etc that has to be perfect for us to exist. But it sure doesn't seem perfect! Not to us, bu that's because we don't have that understanding that God does.
Scripture many times APPEARS to contradict itself. But isn't it the perfect word of God? Yes it is. But what appear to be contradictions in His Scripture are actually contradictions in our understanding.
I can go on and on with the different cosmological factors of planet Earth. And the different perfect variations of the body between the ph levels, gravity measurements, etc that has to be perfect for us to exist. But it sure doesn't seem perfect! Not to us, bu that's because we don't have that understanding that God does.
Scripture many times APPEARS to contradict itself. But isn't it the perfect word of God? Yes it is. But what appear to be contradictions in His Scripture are actually contradictions in our understanding.
How are scientists going to measure spiritual matter? There is no instrument which can measure the energizing by the Holy Spirit. All science can study is the outward manifestation in the physical realm of that which has been energized by God.
John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Everyone born of the Spirit is affected by God working within (and God does work within each and every one of His children).
You believe in the fruit of the Spirit, right? How do your scientific instruments measure love, or joy, or peace, or longsuffering, or gentleness, or goodness, or faith, or meekness, or temperance?
All we can see is the outward evidence of this fruit. We do not see, nor can we quantify, the Spirit from which this fruit is derived.
John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Everyone born of the Spirit is affected by God working within (and God does work within each and every one of His children).
You believe in the fruit of the Spirit, right? How do your scientific instruments measure love, or joy, or peace, or longsuffering, or gentleness, or goodness, or faith, or meekness, or temperance?
All we can see is the outward evidence of this fruit. We do not see, nor can we quantify, the Spirit from which this fruit is derived.
U
So language, in this case tongues, the unintelligible sounds that are created by a person, are only spiritual, there is no energy component, as in, the vocal chords that vibrate and create sound waves that travel to the ear?
The description of being born again by the Holy Spirit is not talking about tongues.
By this logic, when there has been a healing by God it cannot be confirmed to be a healing, the body would not be changed it would be the same, since it was done by God who is spirit. Yet if someone is in fact healed what was once a health problem is gone and this is confirmed by our senses not apart form it.
The manifestation of this supposed unintelligible prayer language is not only spiritual, invisible to the human senses, it is fact audible and relates to the senses and the mind that man is given. In this way it becomes something that can be either shown to be true language or not just like healing is or it is not.
The description of being born again by the Holy Spirit is not talking about tongues.
By this logic, when there has been a healing by God it cannot be confirmed to be a healing, the body would not be changed it would be the same, since it was done by God who is spirit. Yet if someone is in fact healed what was once a health problem is gone and this is confirmed by our senses not apart form it.
The manifestation of this supposed unintelligible prayer language is not only spiritual, invisible to the human senses, it is fact audible and relates to the senses and the mind that man is given. In this way it becomes something that can be either shown to be true language or not just like healing is or it is not.
Paul says no one understands tongues, but God.
Opponents say people understand tongues or it's not Biblical tongues.
Paul says unbelievers will think you're crazy if you speak in tongues only.
Opponents say tongues is for speaking to unbelievers so they can understand.
Paul says desire spiritual gifts and pursue love.
Opponents say don't desire spiritual gifts because they aren't for today.
Jesus says pray for the sick.
James says pray for the sick.
Opponents say don't pray for the sick, that's not for today.
Jesus says if you ask for the Spirit you'll get the Spirit.
Opponents say, be careful with that Spirit stuff! It might be of the enemy!
Have I missed anything?
Opponents say people understand tongues or it's not Biblical tongues.
Paul says unbelievers will think you're crazy if you speak in tongues only.
Opponents say tongues is for speaking to unbelievers so they can understand.
Paul says desire spiritual gifts and pursue love.
Opponents say don't desire spiritual gifts because they aren't for today.
Jesus says pray for the sick.
James says pray for the sick.
Opponents say don't pray for the sick, that's not for today.
Jesus says if you ask for the Spirit you'll get the Spirit.
Opponents say, be careful with that Spirit stuff! It might be of the enemy!
Have I missed anything?
Paul says the Gifts are for our edification until Christ returns
Opponents say the Gifts were for the verification of a book and it's author.
Paul says do not forbid the speaking of tongues
Opponents say they are forbidden because they are not for today.
Jesus says blaspheme of the Holy Spirit is unforgiveable
Opponents say today's tongues are of the devil
Paul said he wished we all would speak in tongues
Opponents say no, nuh-uh, not gonna happen with me
It's that last one I object to the most.
Opponents say the Gifts were for the verification of a book and it's author.
Paul says do not forbid the speaking of tongues
Opponents say they are forbidden because they are not for today.
Jesus says blaspheme of the Holy Spirit is unforgiveable
Opponents say today's tongues are of the devil
Paul said he wished we all would speak in tongues
Opponents say no, nuh-uh, not gonna happen with me
It's that last one I object to the most.