I dont think I have ever heard anyone speak in tongues and since I wouldn't say I am very religious and haven't ever been to church I have no idea what it is or how I would know if I heard it. Can anyone explain?
2006-09-27 07:21:04 · 20 answers · asked by Me 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Speaking in "tongues" was a special ability given through the holy spirit to some disciples in the early Christian congregation that enabled them to preach or otherwise glorify God in a language other than their own.
The gift of speaking in tongues ended with the death of the apostles.
"Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away."--1 Corinthians 13:8-10 All these gifts were temporary. When the ability to speak in other languages was used, it was done either by the apostles or in their presence.
Christians today do not need the gift of speaking in tongues for with the help of God's spirit, thay are able to learn many languages in order to preach the Word of God effectively in over 235 lands.
2006-09-27 07:52:02 · answer #1 · answered by Micah 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some of the first century Christians were given the ability by God to speak different languages so that they could fulfill the command to go into the different nations and preach to people of different languages.
According to Hebrews, (2:2-4), the purpose of doing this was to show to all that God's favor had moved away from the Jews and their way of worship, to the new Christian congregation and their way of worship.
Alot of people today say they can speak in tongues, but that doesn't make much sense.
When people "speak in tongues" today, it's not really any language, it's just a bunch of jibberish. How in the heck would that help people of different languages understand what the bible says?
2006-09-27 14:32:47 · answer #2 · answered by CE S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Definition from About.Com
Definition: "Speaking in tongues" is one of the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit referred to in 1 Corinthians 12:4-10.
"Glossolalia" is the most commonly accepted term for "speaking in tongues." It comes from the Greek words meaning "tongues" or "languages," and "to speak." Although not exclusively, "speaking in tongues" is primarily practiced by Pentecostal Christians. Glossolalia is the "prayer language" of Pentecostal churches. Some Christians who speak in tongues believe they are speaking in an existing language. Most believe they are uttering a heavenly tongue. Some Pentecostal denominations teach that speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Although confusing even for some believers who practice speaking in tongues, many Pentecostal denominations teach three distinctions or types of "speaking in tongue
Tongues as a supernatural outpouring and sign to unbelievers (Acts 2:11). Tongues for the strengthening of the church - requires an interpretation (1 Corinthians 14:27)
Tongues as a private prayer language (Romans 8:26).
The following verses in the Bible reference "speaking in tongues" - Mark 16:17; Acts 2:4; Acts 2:11; Acts 10:46; Acts 19:6; 1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Corinthians 12:30; 1 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Corinthians 13:8; 1 Corinthians 14:5-29.
Also Known As: Tongues; Prayer Language; Praying in Tongues.
Examples: In the Book of Acts, Peter witnessed both Jews and Gentiles being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues.
Comment from me:
It doesn't really sound like anything except babbling. I've heard it, I don't do it myself. Those who speak in tongues also don't know what they've said and they don't plan on saying it.
2006-09-27 14:28:52 · answer #3 · answered by Malia B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my Bible it has a footnote at the bottom that says tongues means languages.
Say for instance, I am in Mexico and I need to witness to a person who speaks Spanish. Well, I don't know Spanish so the Holy Spirit could allow me to speak Spanish. This would be me speaking in tongues.
Some churches have a pastor or someone who is up there speaking in no language at all and no one knows what is going on. Paul says that this is wrong. If you aren't speaking so that people can understand you, then you are just showing off and not doing anyone any good. And if you are speaking in a different language than those around you and there is no translator, then you aren't doing anyone anygood.
2006-09-27 14:23:00 · answer #4 · answered by april_hwth 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When a person become a Christian, or is "saved" or "born again" -- by accepting Jesus as their Savior, knowing in their heart he died for them, repenting for their sins and asking Jesus to be a part of their life and in live in them. They can also acquire the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues is one of these.
I was about 7 the first time I heard someone speak in tongues. I thought she was speaking Spanish and I asked my mom about it. I told her I wanted to and we prayed and I have had this gift since childhood. The attached article will tell you a lot about it.
Many view it as weird, and from what I have heard it can be odd in some churches. In my church, usually someone would speak in tongues and someone else would be given a word of knowledge, giving them the meaning. It was always amazing. Once, a Harvard professor was there, he knew many dead languages, someone spoke in tongues in the language he knew and he interpreted it. Again -- amazing. As for churches where people are in trance like stated just babbling away, I don't know about that and think even I would find that disconcerting. The other time I would hear tongues would be in prayers for healing, or when the congreagation as a whole was praying and some people would pray, almost sing in tongues. Lovely.
I have attached some further information for you to read.
2006-09-27 14:31:11 · answer #5 · answered by Beth M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is much disagreement about this issue but generally when you hear people discussing "speaking in tongues" they are referring to a form of prayer in which an audible utterance is made by the person praying. That utterance is a means of communicating with God. Folks have been debating the validity of this practice since the new testament was originally written in about 90 AD and it will not be settled until Christ returns at which point it will not make any difference.
2006-09-27 14:30:52 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is when a person, believing they are recieveing divine inspiration, speak a languae that does not exitst. There are all kinds of different forms of beleive "speaking in tongues" such as gibberish or even clicking noised. The person appears to be in a trance, being guided by some spiritual entity. It is believed to be caused by good powers or demons, depending on the situation. It is believed to occur in numberous religions and during exorcisms. Hope this helps.
"Glossolalia: This is the most commonly meaning of "speaking in tongues." This term is derived from two Greek words: glõssai, which means "tongues" or "languages," and lalien which means "to speak." It is observed in some tribal religions and within some Christian denominations, notably Charismatics, Mormons in past times, 1 and Pentecostals. One source claims that Atheists and Agnostics have also spoken in tongues. 2 Another source defines it as "a phenomenon of intense religious experience expressing itself in ecstatic speech." 3 Still another source comments: "To the outsider, hearing someone speaking in 'tongues' is like hearing so much gibberish. ..Glossolalia is the common prayer speech heard at Pentecostal churches." 4 The Interpreter's One-Volume Commentary on the Bible defines glossolalia as: "the ecstatic utterance of emotionally agitated religious persons, consisting of a jumble of disjointed and largely unintelligible sounds. Those who speak in this way believe that they are moved directly by a divine spirit and their utterance is therefore quite spontaneous and unpremeditated." 5 A person speaking in tongues is typically in a state of religious ecstasy and is often unable to understand the words that she/he is saying."
2006-09-27 14:26:13 · answer #7 · answered by LunaLou 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means speaking in a different language so others can understand the gospel message. I think the Pentecost in the Bible is a good example. There were people there that spoke different languages, and they all heard it in their native tongue.
I think being able to learn another language very fast and well, through divine help counts too.
best wishes
2006-09-27 14:24:21 · answer #8 · answered by daisyk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When someone is filled with the Holy Ghost (as on the Day of Pentecost - Acts chap 2), it is the Holy Ghost (or the Spirit of God) praying to the Father for you. (Jesus said we don't know how to pray as we ought.)
(Some people do it themselves and call it speaking in tongues, but you can't make yourself. It's not something you learn)
I think divers tongues is when the Spirit lets you speak in another language... or something alone those lines. I maye have it backwards
2006-09-27 14:27:32 · answer #9 · answered by iLLy W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Acts 2 we are told that the apostles spake in tongues and evryone heard them in their own language. Today people speak gibberish and call it tongues, when actually tongues was something everyone could comprehend and not just the person speaking. So there is really no such thing as speaking in tongues today.
2006-09-27 14:25:27 · answer #10 · answered by MattA 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋