When Pentecostals "pray in tongues "what the heck is that all about?

Question

Is it just a self induced trance like tribes in Africa get when they dance themselves into a self induced whatever its called thingymabob.

Can I get a Decoder ring from my cereal box and decipher this "tongue" thing?

Answer 1

Well the word tongues means languages and I've always thought it sounded like an african language too and it very well may be.... i haven't spoken in tongues but it's talking to God so that no one else understands.

Answer 2

It is emotional gibberish (sorry, folks, I can't think of another way to describe it) that is supposed to represent the infilling of the Holy Ghost, based on the book of Acts in the New Testament. It is based on sounds and syllables that nobody understands. Nobody in a Pentecostal service can tell you what the others are saying. People sometimes have great trouble speaking in tongues because they feel inhibited. A friend was Pentecostal and she said that the way to do it is just to more or less mimic somebody else and then God takes over. Some of them seem to go into a trance, or some will faint (they call it being "slain under the power of the Lord"), and most of them cry during this experience.

Many of them believe that when this happens, that they are given special strength, and "gifts", from God. Some feel that they are stronger at resisting Satan, and then they sometimes seek gifts such as being used by God to heal people.

It is interesting to note that many other evangelical churches do not believe in this experience, and some of them will dismiss it altogether as being NOT of God. I know Baptist people who have nothing good to say about it. They feel that Pentecostals are just overly-emotional, highly-strung and gullible, and that the experience in the Bible's book of Acts was for the Christians then, not now.

Answer 3

this is not a usage by only Pentecostals. Any full gospel church will most likely have someone who uses tongues.
Tongues is considered by many to be the gift of the Holy Spirit.
It is a language that often is not known and for some to be considered the evidence of being baptize in the spirit. More times than not this gift is abused and used outside of the intent. It is clearly instructed in the bible that there will be an interpretation to follow the speaking of this in church. However, often this is not the case and when this happens no one benefits. It is a gift that many use while in prayers to God in the privacy of their own home.

Answer 4

Yes to a point it is similar to a state of being beside onesself due to spiritual communion.

Literally God only know what it is about. The first Biblical reference to speaking in toungs implies speaking in languages not familiar to the speaker but native to the listeners. Most Pentacostals see it as speaking God's language. A Christian rule of thumb is God/The Spirit will never move a person to speak in tongues unles the people present can understand or ther eis an intrepreter present.

I personally question sects that require this gift a proof of salvation or worthiness because I suspect that there are many fackers. I have experienced others speaking in tongues that I do believe because as they spoke I some how understood what was being said even though I could never put it into english.

Answer 5

In Scripture there is glossalia (speaking/praying in tongues). It is when people speak or pray in a language or languages which they have never learned.

There seem to be legitimate instances in which someone else who is fluent in the language being spoken can understand what is being said and even can attest to it being perfectly spoken.

When it is a "prayer language" it might be no earthly language, but sometimes it might be that the Spirit enables a person to pray for something even though they don't know the needs, etc. It could be a "heavenly" language.

And, of course, it could be that some people so try for "tongues" that it might be that their minds can create or imitate genuine "tongues".

Answer 6

you won,t undersstand that unless you become a born again christian, speaking in tongues is a language which is only spoken when praying to God. infact its not an african language, as not even the person praying knows that he or she was talking in tongues. satan does not understand that language either,as he hinders most prayers being answered if spoken in a normal language. Speaking in tongues is in the bible, and only the blessed speak that and not every one. if you become a born again christian today, will start speaking in tongues every time you pray.

Answer 7

Why don't you go to church and ask a pastor. If you are not a Christian you will remain clueless to all things of God.

1Co 1:18-29
(18) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness; but to us who are saved, it is the power of God.
(19) For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
(20) Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
(21) For when in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
(22) For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek wisdom:
(23) But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness;
(24) But to them who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
(25) Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
(26) For ye see your calling, brethren, that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called:
(27) But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
(28) And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are:
(29) That no flesh should glory in his presence.

If you become a Christian and honestly want to know ask a pastor to explain it to you. If you are not a Christian, don't try to understand Christian things. All you will get is frustrated and a headache.

Answer 8

Let me put it to you this way...Mecca Lecca High Mecca Highny Ho, Shamanama Ding Dong, Schwing, and, of course, Scooby Dooby Doo.

Answer 9

I thought the gift of tongues was being able to speak to people of different cultures so they all understood.

I can't make anything out of the babblig they do.

Answer 10

(supresses laughter)
oh man...sorry. thats just the oddest way Ive heard that described, and why just say penticostals, i dont consiter myself a penticostal but I pray/speak in toungs. You should just say christians, beacuse all bible beleving christians should.
And no, your perfectly consous and aware of your suroundings (if your eyes are open)
Speaking in toungs is basicly leting your spirit pray for you. our minds get in our ways alot and when you speak in toungs, you pray for things you wouldnt have probobly known to pray for, pray for them better, that way. Its just a more powerfull way of praying pretty much.
But theres more to being baptized in the spirt then speaking in toungs, thats just one part of it, The holy spirit can tell you more things, show you people to pray for, tell you what people are going through so you can confront/pray for them about/over and many more things too, but yeah, its awsome and it just takes you to the next level with God.