Some sincere Christians think they have the gift of speaking in tongues

There ARE people who claim to have this marvelous gift when they really don't.

I went to a church service because I was told speaking in tongues was part of the service. Someone got up and spoke in a strange tongue. Someone else got up and interpreted it saying it was "the death of the children". I never went back to that church.

I have prayed to receive it and haven't been given the gift, although twice I have encountered angels and could communicate with them without sound. Perhaps that is like the gift of tongues.

This tells me they were speaking purely in the language of the Holy Spirit...

From where you know that they was angels?

Matt. 25:14 speaks of the devil and his angels. But in Eze. 28:12-18 it explains that he was a beautiful cherub who are the highest type of angel.

Speaking in tongues "other languages" is surely a gift of the Holy Spirit, and He dispenses it as needed to accomplish the work of the Kingdom IMO. It isn't as rare as some think, and it isn't what most today practice either. Reason there needs to be one to translate is that when one speaks in an "other language" from the one he/she are versed in and the congregation is versed in, to avoid confusion and problems, a translator can enlighten all to what is being said.

Look to Acts to see this in practice........

Acts, Chapter 2:

1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

6Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

7And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

8And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

Some since Christians think they have the gift of speaking in tongues, just for their own benefit, as seems to have been the case with the apostle Paul. They don't expect all Christians to have that gift, and so do well in that way. I don't know if God still gives out that gift or not. But in any case, it seems to be quite rare.

Well, it's hard to know, since most sincere Christians, like myself, don't personally know anyone who claims to speak in tongues in private prayer times. So they have little way to examine their lives too. I listen a lot to an online preacher who happens to claim he speaks in tongues in private prayer. Though I respect him, and think he does very well in his teaching on other bible subjects - I can probably have no way to know whether his assumption that he speaks in tongue is as true as he thinks it is, or not. He grew up in charismatic churches. But does not accept some of their teachings. Like he realizes that not all true Christians were said to be given the gift of tongues, whether for private prayer or for preaching to a gathering if an interpreter is present. I feel he does well by seeing that even if God still gives out the gift of tongues in some form, that God doesn't choose to give it to all Christians. He also sees that all Christians have the Spirit of God if they are true Christians, and I agree with that, too.

I have been exposed to charistmatic churches some in my past. But I don't think it is wise of Christians to pray for the gift of tongues, and then just automatically assume God will give that gift to him or her. That is not letting God decide, I feel. And also is in danger of giving into one's lively powers of imagination, if one isn't careful to not go ahead with it, unless they clearly feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit to do so.

I certainly know that there was a lot of speaking in tongues on the day of Pentecost, following soon after Jesus' ascension. But that may have been largely because there were lots of Jews from foreign lands, who needed to hear the gospel message in their own languages, in order to understand the preaching of the gospel, and to make the decision to accept and live by it in their lives.

Do not be put out by any subject of the Word being repeated for there will always be new seekers in the forum, and they do not ordinarily read all of the back posts in the forum. You know.

Well, it's hard to know, since most sincere Christians, like myself, don't personally know anyone who claims to speak in tongues in private prayer times. So they have little way to examine their lives too. I listen a lot to an online preacher who happens to claim he speaks in tongues in private prayer. Though I respect him, and think he does very well in his teaching on other bible subjects - I can probably have no way to know whether his assumption that he speaks in tongue is as true as he thinks it is, or not. He grew up in charismatic churches. But does not accept some of their teachings. Like he realizes that not all true Christians were said to be given the gift of tongues, whether for private prayer or for preaching to a gathering if an interpreter is present. I feel he does well by seeing that even if God still gives out the gift of tongues in some form, that God doesn't choose to give it to all Christians. He also sees that all Christians have the Spirit of God if they are true Christians, and I agree with that, too.

I have been exposed to charistmatic churches some in my past. But I don't think it is wise of Christians to pray for the gift of tongues, and then just automatically assume God will give that gift to him or her. That is not letting God decide, I feel. And also is in danger of giving into one's lively powers of imagination, if one isn't careful to not go ahead with it, unless they clearly feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit to do so.

I certainly know that there was a lot of speaking in tongues on the day of Pentecost, following soon after Jesus' ascension. But that may have been largely because there were lots of Jews from foreign lands, who needed to hear the gospel message in their own languages, in order to understand the preaching of the gospel, and to make the decision to accept and live by it in their lives.