The Basics of Speaking in Tongues

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Status
Not open for further replies.

Adam4Eve

Active member
Nov 26, 2018
179
42
28
I truly believe that the fact tongues seems to present in pentacostal/charismatic churches almost exclusively is solid evidence of what I think we all know (whether you believe gifts present now or not)...

That is that a lot of this stuff is put on literally as a show in these kinds of churches and is not a genuine manifestation.

Disagree with me?
Well consider this: does God bless those who happen to go to pentacostal churches more than other churches?
 

Kavik

Senior Member
Mar 25, 2017
795
159
43
And since nothing ends until Yeshua (Jesus) returns, I claim it is possible that some have already spoken in today's time in our NEW LANGUAGE!!
That's a great theory, and if what people were uttering today were indeed an actual language, I would say, it's entirely possible. However, what is uttered today is just not language; it's non-cognitive non-language utterance - essentially free vocalization based on a definable source for the sounds being produced.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
I truly believe that the fact tongues seems to present in pentacostal/charismatic churches almost exclusively is solid evidence of what I think we all know (whether you believe gifts present now or not)...

That is that a lot of this stuff is put on literally as a show in these kinds of churches and is not a genuine manifestation.

Disagree with me?
Well consider this: does God bless those who happen to go to pentacostal churches more than other churches?
At the other end of the spectrum you have initiated, I have been to many church services of manty denominations, and aside from an occasional scripture mention, no mention of the Holy Spirit is made.

Now it tells me those churches are all show, for they are denying the manifestation of the Holy Spirit even in mention let along the power of God manifested among us.
 
O

obedienttogod

Guest
That's a great theory, and if what people were uttering today were indeed an actual language, I would say, it's entirely possible. However, what is uttered today is just not language; it's non-cognitive non-language utterance - essentially free vocalization based on a definable source for the sounds being produced.

One thing is for certain, we have never been able to hear a conversation between God and the heavenly body in their native (ours soon to be) language. I am not also trying to say our future language sounds like babbling and jibberish. It could sound that way, but I am not making that claim at all.

I will say the churches I am associated with, pays close attention to what is happening, even though we do believe in speaking in tongues.

We watch out for the seek a my bow tie, tie a my bow tie, wear a my bow tie, stupid crap.

I truly believe that when someone actually is speaking in tongues genuinely, they do not even know it. They are so focused on God and nothing else or what's around them. They are lost within the presence and Spirit of God. And their native language just changes for no apparent reason.

Just like when you have been praying and someone lays their hands on you (you don't notice or feel someone has done this - but this is what did take place) and when you finally feel your prayer is over, you realize you are laying on the ground. Not that you were flipping around like a fish dying, you just were overwhelmed and the power humbled you. No one genuine ever wants to be on the floor where people walk in whatever and now you are laying on it. But if it happens and you find yourself there, it's a powerful reality to understand God's power and our strength are no match at all.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
Has no one here ever heard from our Father a message that had nor sound, no words yet was understood?
I believe this is how our understanding will be come the kingdom. It is the Holy Spirit.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,844
13,558
113
Has no one here ever heard from our Father a message that had nor sound, no words yet was understood?
I believe this is how our understanding will be come the kingdom. It is the Holy Spirit.
what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them, for since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — His eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made
(Romans 1:19-20)
day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge
(Psalm 19:2)


_______________________:unsure:
 

Angela53510

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2011
11,786
2,957
113
Angela, the issue for me isn't about speaking in tongues (I don't have that gift) but rather the deeper issue is the handling of God's Word in an attempt to explain away the gift of tongues. We know it existed as revealed in Acts 2 , 10 and 19 as well as 1Cor chaps 12 thru 14, but we can't be sure Scripturally speaking it passed away. I see many exalting reason over revelation in coming to their conclusive denial of the gift and that is dangerous.
I have never denied that tongues spoken in another real language for the purpose of bringing people to Christ is real. We had a Christian friend, a converted Fijian Hindu, orginally the family was from India, and he spoke in an unknown tongue one day at an evangelistic meeting. Just 4 words. After the meeting, a man ran up to him, and asked him why he didn't say he spoke Armenian. (The language, not the doctrine!). He had a napkin in his hand, and on it was written the 4 words. Do you know what those 4 words were in Armenian? Jesus Christ is Lord. The man was saved. Then the rest of his family and extended family, 27 people.

That is the purpose of tongues - real language, for the purpose of people getting saved. I have heard stories of Southern Baptist missionaries (not exactly great supporters of speaking in tongues!) speaking to a native tribe, and they heard him in their language, and the missionaries heard the unreached tribal people speaking his language. And most of them were saved! That's is what tongues is about.

What I strongly object to is two-fold.

1. Babbling as tongues, and tongues as an ecstatic experience for the person, instead of communication with God, for the purpose of bringing people to Christ, like it was on the day of Pentecost.

2. Focusing on tongues, as some do in this forum to the exclusion of the message of the rest of the Bible. The Bible has 66 books, and many chapters. Not just Acts 2. People are stymied in their Christian spiritual growth, by never stepping away from what is a deceptive doctrine, in the form it is now presented, and they lose so much of the whole message of Jesus. And the power of the Holy Spirit to transform us, instead of the Holy Spirit just putting a few words of nonsense in the mouths of those who follow this perversion of what tongues really is.

If someone speaks in tongues, and another person hears it in his own language and gets saved, then I am 100% for that. The gospel needs to be preached, and if God works in strange and wonderful ways, that is amazing! But not a bunch of people babbling in church, and no one growing, no one getting saved. I went through 15 years of that, which is a long time to be trapped and not growing, in my opinion!
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
I truly believe that when someone actually is speaking in tongues genuinely, they do not even know it. They are so focused on God and nothing else or what's around them. They are lost within the presence and Spirit of God. And their native language just changes for no apparent reason.
If someone as you say is actually is speaking in tongues genuinely, and they do not even know it. How could they stay focused on a God not seen. God is not a man as us? Would that not be talking to one self making pictures in their mind. Whats the difference??
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,742
3,670
113
I have never denied that tongues spoken in another real language for the purpose of bringing people to Christ is real. We had a Christian friend, a converted Fijian Hindu, orginally the family was from India, and he spoke in an unknown tongue one day at an evangelistic meeting. Just 4 words. After the meeting, a man ran up to him, and asked him why he didn't say he spoke Armenian. (The language, not the doctrine!). He had a napkin in his hand, and on it was written the 4 words. Do you know what those 4 words were in Armenian? Jesus Christ is Lord. The man was saved. Then the rest of his family and extended family, 27 people.

That is the purpose of tongues - real language, for the purpose of people getting saved. I have heard stories of Southern Baptist missionaries (not exactly great supporters of speaking in tongues!) speaking to a native tribe, and they heard him in their language, and the missionaries heard the unreached tribal people speaking his language. And most of them were saved! That's is what tongues is about.

What I strongly object to is two-fold.

1. Babbling as tongues, and tongues as an ecstatic experience for the person, instead of communication with God, for the purpose of bringing people to Christ, like it was on the day of Pentecost.

2. Focusing on tongues, as some do in this forum to the exclusion of the message of the rest of the Bible. The Bible has 66 books, and many chapters. Not just Acts 2. People are stymied in their Christian spiritual growth, by never stepping away from what is a deceptive doctrine, in the form it is now presented, and they lose so much of the whole message of Jesus. And the power of the Holy Spirit to transform us, instead of the Holy Spirit just putting a few words of nonsense in the mouths of those who follow this perversion of what tongues really is.

If someone speaks in tongues, and another person hears it in his own language and gets saved, then I am 100% for that. The gospel needs to be preached, and if God works in strange and wonderful ways, that is amazing! But not a bunch of people babbling in church, and no one growing, no one getting saved. I went through 15 years of that, which is a long time to be trapped and not growing, in my opinion!
I agree with what you stated above, but I wasn't directing my comment at you, but rather only replying to your reply to me. My beef really had to do with those using sloppy exegesis to come to a conclusion that tongues have ceased, not your view per se on tongues.
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,254
1,109
113
i don't understand why you think the meaning of these two renderings is in any way different?

the words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times
(KJV)
the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times
(NIV)
also i don't see how it is 'clear' that this is any kind of reference at all to eternal preservation of His Word?
Verse 7 was the issue:
Ps 12:6-7
The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
KJV

Ps 12:6-7
And the words of the Lord are flawless,
like silver refined in a furnace of clay,
purified seven times.

7 O Lord, you will keep us safe
and protect us from such people forever
.
NIV
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,254
1,109
113
Wansvic, unfortunately, you've just given us two salient examples of "not reading carefully".

Psalm 12:6-7 does NOT say that "God will preserve a pure word" - that's a trope, and it is misleading. Scripture does indeed say the words of the Lord are pure. However, then it says "Thou shalt preserve them from this generation forever. From... as in "away from this troublesome generation" (which refers to that described in verses 2-4).
Thank you for correcting me concerning the proper meaning of verse 7. You are right, I did not read the Psalm carefully. Appreciate the help!
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,254
1,109
113
i don't understand why you think the meaning of these two renderings is in any way different?

the words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times
(KJV)
the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times
(NIV)
also i don't see how it is 'clear' that this is any kind of reference at all to eternal preservation of His Word?
The comment was about verse 7. Dino246 mentioned that I did not carefully read it. After reading the chapter it was clear he was correct. I now see verse 7 pertained to preserving the generation not the Word.
 
O

obedienttogod

Guest
If someone as you say is actually is speaking in tongues genuinely, and they do not even know it. How could they stay focused on a God not seen. God is not a man as us? Would that not be talking to one self making pictures in their mind. Whats the difference??

That is a very good question you have proposed.

In meditation, you control the mind by controlling your breathing. As your breathing slows down, your mind begins to steady itself. This is the moment where (as a martial artist) you focus on your kata. You can visibly see yourself performing every move you have knowledge of from beginning to the end. When you have finished seeing yourself perform these skills, you awaken to physically perform the skills you just envisioned yourself doing.

Obviously, this has nothing to with God or prayer. But it does provide insight to how someone can channel their thoughts, emotions, breathing into 1 rythmn to visibly see themselves. They are so focused, they are no longer aware of their surroundings.


Speaking in Tongues to me is:
It's the (They are so focused, they are no longer aware of their surroundings) to which I classify as "lost in the Holy Spirit." This is where your fervent prayer and the presence of God connect. Where you feel God and feel His love embracing you. Where the experience feels like it physically is taking place. Nothing matters, nothing is no longer a concern, and you yearn for more in your spirit because it's being fed, nurtured, touched by God. It's the place where you cry out to your Father from deep inside of you. It's the place where it's just you and God by yourself in an empty world. It's the place where you have finally crucified your flesh and have touched the spirit realm. It's the place where you have died unto yourself and become one in unity with God. It's the place where the only purpose that matters is giving all of yourself to God. It's the place where you try to speak, and what ultimately flows from your being, is literally glorifying the very presence of God. It's the place that I define as being, a literal live wire!!
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
It has been obviated by the posts that the majority of people commenting on tongues have never understood what is written about the suibject in the Word, either not understood or never read…….this subject is moot because of this.
 
O

obedienttogod

Guest
Speaking in Tongues to me is:
It's the (They are so focused, they are no longer aware of their surroundings) to which I classify as "lost in the Holy Spirit." This is where your fervent prayer and the presence of God connect. Where you feel God and feel His love embracing you. Where the experience feels like it physically is taking place. Nothing matters, nothing is no longer a concern, and you yearn for more in your spirit because it's being fed, nurtured, touched by God. It's the place where you cry out to your Father from deep inside of you. It's the place where it's just you and God by yourself in an empty world. It's the place where you have finally crucified your flesh and have touched the spirit realm. It's the place where you have died unto yourself and become one in unity with God. It's the place where the only purpose that matters is giving all of yourself to God. It's the place where you try to speak, and what ultimately flows from your being, is literally glorifying the very presence of God. It's the place that I define as being, a literal live wire!!

Being One Accord is the scripture reference for this post ^

A single individual must first Be in One Accord with God, before they can be in One Accord together with other like minded believers as the Body of God!!
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
I remember receiving a Gideons bible in high school it had the new testament and proverbs and psalms. But in the front it had John 3:16 translated in all different tongues. Many of which are unknown to me I wouldnt even know how to speak them. If I tried to learn these tongues on my own strength I can tell you my accent would be very poor and I would have limited learner vocabulary. You would be able to tell that I was a complete beginner.

Yet God has given this wonderful gift of tongues to declare His word and magnify his name to many of us who had never learned them before. praise Him and may we use this gift for His glory!
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
It has been obviated by the posts that the majority of people commenting on tongues have never understood what is written about the suibject in the Word, either not understood or never read…….this subject is moot because of this.

I would agree, I would think we would start at the foundation written almost 3000 years ago and find the reason for the sign and what it confirms before making any claims to self edifying one self.
 

Sketch

Well-known member
Nov 1, 2018
1,278
300
83
Thats cool. I remember a church member frustrated that he wasnt given the gift, but he had a great gift of expressing the gospel perfectly in English. And he reached out to a lot of people that did not have perfect english. By his actions as well as his words.
Yes, that would indicate a spiritual gift. The gift of evangelism.
In three of the listed examples in the OP, there were other manifestations of the Spirit given besides tongues.
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
Being One Accord is the scripture reference for this post ^

A single individual must first Be in One Accord with God, before they can be in One Accord together with other like minded believers as the Body of God!!
The idea that we must first be so focused or what some call focus on your kata that we are no longer aware of our surroundings I believe opens up the air way for the father of lies to bring in his signs as lying wonders gospel .What we do focus or meditate on is the word of God . It is alive and able to judge the intents of our hearts and not return void but work in us with us to give us the desires of our new hearts as a living hope that will not disappoint us.

We are informed that not only does the Spirit that lives in us and would never forsake us teach us continually as we pray without ceasing in this situation or that and do not harden our hearts. That he also brings to mind whatsoever he has taught us .

I idea of putting oneself into some sort of trance or ecstasy as a wonderment, I would suggest is not a part of the gospel. It would seem to be more of a eastern tradition of men that some have incorporated as a oral tradition into Christianity.

Believing prophecy, the gift of God demonstrated when two or thee gather together with the treasure of his authority that we have in theses bodies of death is having the mind of Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

1 Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.

.
 

Hevosmies

Well-known member
Sep 8, 2018
3,612
2,633
113
Wansvic when you were baptized in water did you get up and immediately start speaking in tongues?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.