why do some christians speak in tongues and others don't? Is speaking in tongues real or made up?

Answer 1

This is a great resource to

readhttp://www3.calvarychapel.com/library/smith-chuck/books/cvc.htm

Here is what we belive at our church

In regards to speaking in tongues, we believe that all the gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit are in operation today, but in our public services we do not practice speaking in tongues. The apostle Paul said that it was his preference for tongues not to be used in the public worship of the church (see I Corinthians 14:18-19).

We know that not all believers will speak in tongues. In 1 Corinthians 12:29-31Paul asks; "All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? But earnestly desire the greater gifts". The answer is obviously, "No, all do not speak with tongues". The point is that Christians have different gifts and ministries. Therefore, it cannot be true that all saved Christians speak in tongues.

We do not believe that speaking in tongues is the evidence of the baptism with the Holy Spirit, rather it is evidenced by love and power (Acts 1:8).

Answer 2

Yes, tongues are real, I operate in them myself. However, not all christians speak in tongues, as an observation. Why? There could be several reasons why:

They don't believe in them, so they won't exercise the faith to ask for them; their understanding of it is not complete and for faith to be worked out you need the right promise before you can act on it; there is scripture that suggests that not everyone will speak in tongues, but that is also debatable since in some people's experience everyone does receive it (e.g. read books by Jackie Pullinger and David Wilkerson's "The Cross and the Switchblade" - they say if you don't speak right away it's not that you haven't received it, you have - it just might come out at some other time). Your belief does determine what you receive - if you believe not everyone receives it, then you may or may not receive it; if you don't believe they're for today you most likely will not receive it due to lack of faith in its reality. If you believe you will, and not doubt, then you will.

As I said, it's real, but it gets confusing. Some churches don't use it in a mature or godly way. There are people in every church that may be faking and one can't always tell unless the Holy Spirit reveals it to christians there. But it's not a problem unless someone actually begins to disrupt the service or draw more attention to themselves rather than to God - that is where it should be dealt with.

There are a number who don't believe it is for today and try to think of any number of reasons what it could be; some try to say that they're not actual known languages so they can't be real (even though the bible never says they have to sound a certain way for them to be real). But for all that, these reasons are there because they simply don't believe it's possible, just as if someone flat out doesn't believe the world is round, no matter how convincing the evidence. They don't see it in their churches so they rationalise and try to find a reason to explain it away - the real reason it doesn't happen is because they don't believe in it in the first place, so no-one asks for it and no-one receives it.

Yes, it's real, and like anything else it can be abused and used wrongly. But it is also a wonderful gift for building one's own inner life with God, a way to pray, worship and minister more effectively.

Answer 3

That depends on your view of biblical text. According to Acts 2 speaking in tongues was evidence that the Holy Spirit baptism had occurred to a group of believers who had gathered together at Jesus command. (Acts 1) As to why some speak in tongues and others don't, some believe that the acts of the apostles were done away with when the apostles died, and some believe that they will continue on until Jesus Christ Himself returns for believers. If you accept the Bible as divine then you have to accept the fact that speaking in tongues is real and not made up.

Answer 4

Speaking in tongues is real. I haven't studied a great deal about it, but I know that it is a gift from God just like singing is, or prophecy is. Some christians have it because they have been given the gift from christ, and others have not. You should pray about this question and study - God will give you the guidance you need in regards to speaking in tongues.

Answer 5

I personally have been to a church where the congregation spoke in tongues, and it was a very uncomfortable experience. From my understanding, people who speak in tongues are supposed to be overtaken by an ancient spirit and are therefore speaking that ancient language. When someone does speak in tonuges, there is supposed to be someone there who can translate what is being said, but I haven't personally seen this happen for myself. I don't know why it's more prevalent in some faiths and not others...the Bible is open to interpretation and boy, do people interpret it in VERY different ways.

Answer 6

There are certainly two forms of tongues highlighted through Paul within the NT. However Paul lays down strict instructions for utilising tongues in a public frame....there HAS to be an interpreter. The drawback is there normally is not and persons falsely babble away attempting persuade the ones round them that they're Christian and extremely holy. If no interpreter is gift then it must be performed in individual at house among you and God.

Answer 7

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul in Ch.12, verse 28, talks about God appointing varieties of tongues. In verse 30, he asks "Do all speak in tongues? In verse 31, he says "...I show you a more excellent way." Read Ch.13 verse 1 thru 8. Here Paul is talking about love. But in Ch. 13, verse 8, Paul explains that prophecies will fail, tongues will cease. Because, in verse 10, "when that which is complete has come, then that which is in part will be done away." That which is complete is the written word of God, The Bible.

In I Corinthians 14, verses 9-14, Paul explains that speaking in tongues is not beneficial to hearers, who cannot possibly understand. It is only beneficial to the speaker. Continue down to verse 16, then on to verse 19. In verse 21-22, Paul goes on to say that tongues were used in the early church as a sign to unbelievers. But he also goes on to say how it should be done in v.27-28. If a tongue speaker cannot be interpreted, then the speaker should be silent in the church.

God has now no need of tongue speakers, since we have The Bible.

Answer 8

Speaking in tongue can be made up for example have you see the movie Saved staring Mandi Moore, Its a satire on Christianity. In one of the scenes a student who just happens to be Jewish suddenly becomes over taken by the holy spirit and begins to mummer in tongue, which leads into an all out sort of over the top chant. She is chanting " i aut a aut pu sau" See the move to find out what see is saying.
I have spoken in tongue but it was not because i was over taken by the holy spirit. I was pressured, i new that if i didn't they would not continue with the sermon.
Speaking in tongues (another language) is a way of praying. Most believe that Satan can hear your thoughts and your prayers to God. So by speaking in tongue Satan can not here what you are praying for. That way he can't use your prayers against you. Check out the link below.

Answer 9

Tongues is really just speaking in a foreign language. Its real. Its a gift that God gives some people to use in missionary work. You don't have to learn the language you just start speaking in it if you have the gift of speaking in tongues.

Answer 10

tongues were one of the gifts of the spirit, HOWEVER, I don't believe they exist today since we have translators, they didn't have that back in Biblical times. the tongues that were spoken were ONLY unknown to the one speaking them, yet the person they were witnessing to, understood because it was in their own tongue.
I believe it is a made up thing now, the Bible says that someone should not do this, without someone (else) is there to interpret what is being said. and in most (IF NOT ALL ) cases I have never seen anyone there that could say what the gibberish is!
I have heard that many churches teach classes on how to speak gibberish, and to think at the ripe old age of 4 months old, most babies do it naturally! LOL!
as to WHY they do this? well, I think it is to show that they are more righteous than their fellow church members! it's a show from glory grabbers who feel the need for attention. it's sad actually, can you imagine God asking them one day what they were saying, and them saying.."um.. I dunno" and God will say.."um.. I dunno either!"