Speaking in tongues and the Holy Ghost?

Question

I am new to going to church, and decided to start going to a family members church. It's an Apostolic church. They believe that you cant truly be saved until you recieve the "holy ghost", and that evidence of recieving "the holy ghost" is displayed by speaki8ng in toungues. Although I belive in Jesus, I have never spontaneously begun to speak in tounges, and I am not about to fake it "just to fit in". I think that most people DO fake it to be a part of the crowd.

Am I right or wrong? Please help me sort this issue out.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I am Apostolic myself.First of all don't let people judge you.You said you were new to going to church,thats the way they need to treat you.The Bible says in Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them,Repent,and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins,and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."So first off you need to repent and be baptized in Jesus name if you haven't done that already.It is necessary to have the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues.The Bible says we must be borned again of the water and of the spirit to enter into the kingdom of God.I know its hard to understand if you never been around it,but just because you don't understand it don't knock it ,because blaspeme against the Holy Ghost is the only sin Jesus want forgive.If you ever want to email questions concerning Apostolic your more than welcome to email me. [e-mail]

Answer 2

If they'd actually read the story in Acts 2, these ppl would KNOW that the people speaking that day were understood by everyone around them in their own native languages or tongues. Nobody was spewing out nonsense syllables. There is nothing whatsoever in the Bible to indicate that God ever wanted anyone to spew out nonsense syllables. Always, when you see someone speaking in tongues in the Bible, the people speaking and the people hearing understand one another. There is not one instance of anyone speaking in tongues where he doesn't understand what he is saying, or where his hearers don't understand what he is saying. What's up with it? It looks an awful lot as if alot of these folks are faking it, because, fevvinsakes, they just have to be as "spiritual" as the other guy... But, and this is what scares me, I do believe that at least SOME of the glossolalians ARE being moved to speak by a spirit. The only thing is, it doesn't look as if it is the Holy Spirit. Which would mean that there is some OTHER spirit behind it. As someone else said, check out the people concerned. What are they like? What are their lives like? That was enough to make me run, not walk, as far away from the charismatic movement as I could possibly get.

Answer 3

There was a specific purpose in the early days of Christianity for speaking in tongues. It was necessary for quickly spreading the word of God, not what they claim in speaking in tongues today. They speak an unknown language, often claimed to be the language of the angels. In the early days, the special abilities that came with receiving the Holy Spirit were also necessary in showing that there was something special about what most people considered to be a bothersome cult going around knocking on their door to preach.

Historically, the abilities stopped with the death of the last apostle. They were no longer needed to prove that Christianity was the true religion. The signs that someone has received the Holy Spirit falls more along the line of becoming a servant to others, teaching God word and not placing ones self on a pedestal and say, look at me!

Not as a idea to join their religion, but might I suggest that you talk to a Jehovah's Witness who has known someone he was born again. It may need to be someone whose been a witness for a while, as most of the ones who have received the Holy Spirit has died off in the last two decades. When I was young, there was 3 or more per congregation, now I think there is less than a few thousand, world wide.

They will tell you how those who have received the Holy Spirit act, starting with not being the head of an congregation, circuit, or district. They usually put in the most hours in the field work. When I was young, there was a couple by the name of the Bones in the San Marcos (CA) congregation. In their 90s and could run circles around any young person.

Answer 4

I am Pentecostal and speak in Tongues. It was a long time before I ever uttered the syllables. I believe you are saved when you ask Jesus into your life, repent of your sins.
The baptism of the holy spirit as evidence of speaking in tongues will happen to some, not all. IT is not an indication of ones "holiness".
Maybe you should find another Church that reads and understands these things.

Answer 5

Speaking in tongues is a hot topic among different denominations. Although I do believe that speaking in tongues is evidence of receing the Holy Spirit, I do not believe it is essential for salvation. You should never fake it to fit in.

There are 2 different forms of it from what I've experienced and been taught. First, the type that they are talking about at the church you are going to is a prayer language. This prayer language is used when you don't know what to pray. The Holy Spirit instead prays through you, "...For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
When you have the gift of tongues, the Holy Spirit does not just take over and start speaking. Instead, if you want to get a prayer language, you should tell God and ask for it. Then, just be willing to speak. Don't think about what sounds are coming out, just let the syllables flow through you. This type of tongues is us talking to God.

The second type of tongues mentioned in the Bible is where someone stands up in church and gives a word in tongues. When this happens, then service should not go on until someone has interpreted the message. It feels really weird when God wants you to either give a word in tongues or interpret. It almost feels like there is this urgency that you have to speak. This type of tongues is God talking TO us.

It can be really awkward when tongues is new to you. It feels very foreign. I would suggest that you not "force" a prayer language out at church, but instead, ask for it in the privacy of your home. I felt bad because I was in a service where someone laid hands on me so I could get the gift of tongues and I forced it out. They were all so proud and excited, but deep down I knew it wasn't real. The real experience took place when I was going through a very rough time in life. I started crying and praying and got to a point where I couldn't even come up with words to say. I just opened my mouth, trying to find the words, and instead my prayer language came out.

Answer 6

You are right. You know you are saved and not everyone receives that gift! That is a false and unfortunate doctrine. I agree that many people fake it - - however I do believe that it is a gift. It is to EDIFY the speaker only especially when 99% of the time there is NO translation, which goes against what Paul taught us in the Word of God!! So it is between the speaker and God and this alone just goes to show you that whether or not someone is saved is GOD'S KNOWLEDGE alone. Tell that to your new Apostolic brothers and sisters with faith and confidence. If this continues to be a question for you, be patient and keep praying to God for revelation and knowledge and HE will answer!

I doubted the gift, but was a part of a group of intercessors, many of whom prayed in tongues often.... I ended up receiving the gift when I least expected it - - -at a time of turmoil for me and it truly did and still does edify me. If they question you, brother, ask them (if only for ME!!!) about WHO among THEM has the gift of TRANSLATION. Just as important a gift in the eyes of the Holy Spirit.

Peace.

Answer 7

If they say that is all there is to it. Leave that Church in a hurry because the Holy Spirit is not there. Speaking in tongues is a charism of the Holy Spirit but, not all people receive that gift. There are several gifts of the Holy Spirit. Prophecying, understanding, fortitude, healing, charity (love). The greatest is Love though. I bet they think babies are saved and they don't speak in tongues -- what about that? Get away fast!

Answer 8

The Bible says that you are saved internally and that will show externally through your behavior. Just because a person speaks in tongues does not mean that they are saved. Demons can possess people and cause them to speak in tongues, too. It's not about a spiritual experience, because just because something is supernatural in nature, does not mean that it is from God. "Even Satan masquerades as an angel of light . . ." the Bible says. I'm not trying to scare you, but be careful.

Answer 9

If you are choosing Christianity as your religion, then you must read the Scripture for yourself on this subject. Your relationship with G-d is based on what G-d shows you through Scripture.
Don't rely on what a religious organization tells you. Search Scripture for yourself & THEN find a place that practices the same as you.
BTW; there's no Scriptural account of the theif on the cross (whom Jesus told would be in Paradise with Him) as having spoken in tongues to enter Heaven...is there? Ask this church to show you the Scripture verse they base this doctrine on. If it's not Scriptural; don't do it. If it's in there; do it.

Answer 10

I think it is a real phenonema - but I don't think you are NOT a christian if you don't speak in tongues. I once witnessed in South America a guy "fall out in the spirit" and begin speaking in tongues in perfect English - this guy was Ecuadorian (Spanish) and did not speak English - and what he said in tongues in his altered state was a beautiful and eloquent praising of God even if he spoke English fluently I don't think he could have faked what he said.....so....what can I say. I'll leave you to ponder that....I still ponder that.