I have a wonderful pastor and I enjoy my church and his sermons very much. About 2 years ago I invited a friend of mine to a service to my church. After the service she said that she would never return back to my church again because during service my pastor started speaking in tongues. I read in 1 Corthians 14 where Paul speaks of speaking in tonuges and having an interperprter there explain what is being said, which is not done at my church. Is my pastor in error when he speaks in tongues during service or is he just filled with the spirt and unable to control what is being said. I'm seeking real advice on this question please.
2007-01-09 03:09:18 · 26 answers · asked by Cheryl J 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
These are the small things that cause separation in religions.Does it really matter what the pastor does as long as the message is received? If you find out one day that your pastor was involved in some thing illegal or unholy would that stop you from seeking God?probably not.The scripture does say that Paul had an interpreter and I have wondered about that,but I figure that's between the speaker of the tongues and God,I have no place in the judgment of his actions being right or wrong so don't let that bother you,if you are receiving the needed spiritual teachings for your heart and spirit,then don't sweat the small stuff.
2007-01-09 03:17:32 · answer #1 · answered by punkin 5 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Speaking in tongues is used to describe the gift of someone being able to speak in a language they don't know in order to spread the word of God to people who speak a different language.
It is useless to speak a language different from the people you are speaking to unless it is translated.
It is good that you enjoy church and it inspires you to read Scripture and ask questions, and you should probably not let this one thing be the determinant as to whether you continue attending this church if it is the only thing you are unsure of. Just continue reading Scripture and studying the Bible to make sure other parts of the church are also done Biblically. You might also ask your pastor for his side of this story as to why he speaks in tongues when no one can understand him.
"So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air." 1 Corinthians 14:9
"If anyone speaks in a tongue, let it be two or at most three, and each in turn, and one should interpret. But if there is no interpreter, the person should keep silent in the church and speak to himself and to God." 1 Corinthians 14:27-28
I think those are pretty clear about speaking in a language the people you are ministering to can understand you, but I would strongly urge you to simply ask your pastor about this. I didn't attend your service, so I don't know why he did it, only he can tell you why. Then you can ask why an interpreter isn't present, or if he can tell you what those parts of the sermon mean afterwards. I'm unsure if it is even a reasonable explanation if he personally says he was filled with the Holy Spirit and was unable to control what he was saying. I don't have any "proof" from Scripture, but it doesn't make sense to me that the Holy Spirit would cause him to speak in a tongue that the congregation didn't understand when the Bible is fairly clear that an interpreter should be present.
2007-01-09 03:34:33 · answer #2 · answered by antheia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Speaking in tongues by yourself is awesome. It is perfect prayer and a perfect way to thank God. It edifies your spirit. When you don't know what to pray for, you speak in tongues. However, it does not benefit the church (you... or your friend... or anyone else in the congregation). If someone just starts speaking to you in another language when you've asked them for help, how does that help you? It doesn't. At all. However, we were given 9 gifts when we believed that Jesus Christ was your Lord & Savior and one of them is the interpretation of tongues. So, if your pastor were to speak in tongues and then interpret (which can totally be done), it would edify the church and therefore not be wrong. Your pastor has complete control of what's going on. God does not possess someone. If your pastor wants your church to be edified he would interpret. OR, he would just prophesy which is another gift, which would mean that he would speak words directly from God to you without the Speaking in tongues part.
2007-01-09 03:17:34 · answer #3 · answered by keithsushi 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i have never been part of a religious ceremony where the pastor spoke in tongues... but i have seen my fair share of movies that touch on the subject so i wasn't in pure shock when i saw it happen at my cousin's church. however, i do remember feeling uncertain about the whole ordeal. i was told that after a time, god left the world to the devil. he made an agreement that the devil could claim the souls of the earth without direct influence. but if the devil and god cannot directly influence things, then where is your pastor getting the power to speak in powerful tongues? there's a small church group in the south land of america that does this by drinking arsenic and getting bitten by poisonous snakes. i know that Buddhist seers used to achieve prophetic visions by partaking in opiates and acids. but i really am skeptical if your pastor is hearing the words of god and translating them into intelligent words of praise. not to say that the message is wrong, but the messenger might.
if you wanna have a clear conscience about your faith, read the bible diligently and make the conclusions you find as honorable and well adjusted. it's more work on your end, but it's also way more rewarding. and no more doubt...
2007-01-09 03:26:28 · answer #4 · answered by eveningdin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Holy Spirit does not interrupt himself, first of all, if the pastor is giving a message, he wouldn't break out in tongues (the teacher is in control of the spirit) secondly there should be an interpreter, so your pastor is wrong and you should find a pastor who knows God's word/doctrine better and find another church that knows it's word/doctrine better that holds a pastor accountable for what He teaches and how he acts.
2007-01-09 03:17:28 · answer #5 · answered by ἡ ἐκλογὴ 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely he is in error. No one should ever be allowed to speak in tongues unless there are those in the congregation who would benefit from the tongue (language). Maybe, unless that was the only language that you pastor spoke in-and then of course you would need an interpreter.
I am afraid that your pastor is "in the flesh" and not "in the spirit".
32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
1 Cor 14:32-33 (NIV)
If someone in your church can not "control the spirit" within them- it is not of God.
2007-01-09 03:23:36 · answer #6 · answered by Desperado 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i understand your point because new people can freak out when they hear someone speaking in tongues, however your Pastor is not wrong cuz that comes from the Spirit - and you cannot tell him NO, but yes there must be someone in your church that must have the gift of interpret ion. talk to your Pastor about what happened with your friend. Blessings
2007-01-09 03:16:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Gift of Tongues is for the edification of the Church. If new believers are vanquished by this behavior, then it isn't really a matter of error, but who and what is being edified.
The Church has forgotten her mission; it is to Seek and Save that which is lost. That means reaching out to those not "IN" the culture of the Church.
Remember He came to destroy the Law......
2007-01-09 03:16:49 · answer #8 · answered by Wood Smoke ~ Free2Bme! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The responsibility for the interpretation rests on the Holy Spirit. If, say, someone in the congregation delivered a word from G-d, then you would in all likelihood have the interpretation. If that didn't happen, I suggest you discuss with the pastor and use some of the above references from other answers in your discussion. If he gets all uppity about it and saying that these people are all filled with a demon spirit, get out of that congregation, because G-d does not go against His word, and His word is the basis for all of our faith and practice as Christians.
2007-01-09 04:57:44 · answer #9 · answered by Peace W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is what I have been taught..
There is a difference between praying in tongues and giving a word, or sermon in tongues.
If a person ( including your pastor) prays in tongues, there is no need to interpret. This is your spirit speaking to God, and it is between God and that person.
If a person or pastor is giving a message in tongues, then someone is supposed to interpret, so that all can be edified.
If you would like to talk more, you can email me.
2007-01-09 03:18:51 · answer #10 · answered by PennyPickles17 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋