What do you think of someone who speaks in tongues?

Question

Do you believe it or is it bunk?

Answer 1

Both.
I've seen people just pray regularly in jibberish. Then I've seen someone stand up in church, and it a wierd eerie voice say something in a different language, sit down, then another person immediately translate.
Then I've seen someone speak in tongues, and the whole congregation just sat around looking at eachother, and praying to themselves until about 5 min later someone spoke up with a message.
So, I do think it's possible, but I think some people get a little over zealous.

Answer 2

I think it's a legit gift of the Holy Spirit. I, personally, speak in tongues. But, I also believe that this gift (and others) can be counterfeited just like Pharaoh's magicians offered counterfeit miracles to appease the hard heart of Pharaoh when Moses was displaying the power of God. So, I always stress knowledge of the Bible over the signs & wonders. If the doctrine is Scripturally correct...then, I'll be more comfortable with the signs that follow such a ministry. But, if the doctrine isn't correct...I'll be more hesitant to place my trust in that sort of atmosphere.

1 Tim. 4:16 - Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Answer 3

Yes, I have the Gift, it is not bunk and no one can tell me otherwise.

Why is the Assemblies of God so committed to the doctrine of the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues?
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a vital experience of the Christian life. It is a special work of the Spirit beyond salvation. On the Day of Pentecost, disciples who had already made a decision to follow Jesus "were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues" (Acts 2:4). Paul asked the Ephesians disciples if they had received the Holy Spirit, after which "the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues" (Acts 19:2). New Testament believers were constantly challenged to be filled with the Spirit (Acts 1:4,5; Ephesians 5:18). The Assemblies of God is committed to the baptism in the Holy Spirit because the experience is such an important focus of New Testament Christianity.

Though many non-Pentecostals teach a baptism in the Holy Spirit without speaking in tongues, the position of the Assemblies of God is clearly declared in Section 8 of its Statement of Fundamental Truths: "The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance (Acts 2:4)." The evidence always occurred (and still does today) at the time believers were baptized in the Spirit, not at some indeterminate future time.

Speaking in tongues is the only phenomenon mentioned every time Scripture supplies details concerning the Baptism experience. Of the five instances in Acts which recount the experience of believers being baptized in the Spirit, three supply details. Speaking in tongues is the only one that occurs each time (Acts 2, 10, 19). In the Acts 10 account, tongues is specifically mentioned as proof that "the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues" (Acts 10:45, 46). The relationship between the phenomenon and the experience cannot be ignored.

In the two cases where details are not supplied, circumstances strongly imply that speaking with other tongues accompanied the experience. In Acts 8 Simon saw something (most likely tongues) that prompted him to offer money for the power to impart such a gift. In Acts 9 Saul (who became Paul) is filled with the Spirit without the mention of any details. However, Paul later testified, "I speak in tongues more than all of you" (1 Corinthians 14:18). It is logical to conclude that he began speaking in tongues when he was baptized in the Holy Spirit.

We believe the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the initial physical evidence of speaking in other tongues is the promise of the Father to every Christian who desires the experience.

CONCERNS:

Pentecostals have a legitimate concern about those who oppose the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Opponents claim narrative portions of the Bible, like the Book of Acts, are not sufficient support for tongues as the initial evidence of the Baptism. But if critics can pick and choose the portions of Scripture to be given divine authenticity and authority, who then determines which portions are most meaningful? Certainly we must take to heart the words of Paul to Timothy, "All scripture is God breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16).

We also have a concern that some Pentecostals look on the Baptism and tongues as ends in themselves rather than as means to a much greater end. The Baptism is the entry experience introducing the believer to the beauty and power of the Spirit-filled life.

In the Assemblies of God we believe the Spirit is at work in all Christians, whether they have been baptized in the Spirit or not. God can also use and does use Christians who for one reason or another have not received the Baptism experience. We must never depreciate their ministry. Yet we recognize the baptism in the Holy Spirit will make one’s life and ministry even more effective.

So for every believer the command is sounded, "Be filled [Keep on being filled] with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18).

Answer 4

It's BS even according to the Bible.

In Acts 8:14-17 we see a man receiving the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands, but he does not speak in tongues. Likewise, in Acts 9:17-22, when Saul (now Paul) is given the Holy Spirit, he does not speak in tongues. And in Acts 11:11-17 we see the Holy Spirit fill another man, and yet speaking in tongues does not happen.

Answer 5

I feel God nonetheless indicates folks matters (prophesy) and I feel there are folks who talk in tongues (languages) even as below the impact of the Holy Spirit. The obstacle I have together with your mom, from what you let us know, is that she brags approximately those matters. Pride is a sin. And she sounds prideful or potentially she demands concentration, I have no idea. If she is studying your diary and looking you in church (whilst she must be concentrating on worshiping God) then she may be improper and manipulative. Speaking in tongues and prophesy/visions have been probably the most items of the Spirit Jesus promised we could have. Unfortunately, those matters had been misused by means of folks till they have got a poor connotation for such a lot folks. But there are the ones with natural explanations and hearts nearly God who nonetheless have those items!! Thank God for that....((Hugs))

Answer 6

I am a tongue talking Pentacostal and yes I do believe in this. Its just the way God speaks to us, and we to Him, in revealing new things Not every Christian has it, and its not that they arent true Christians. GOd givesmany gifts, and doesnt give the same gifts to all ppl. Tongues seem to come to those that God knows will obey Him, and not just claim to love Him. Obediene leads to blessing and disobedience leads to curse.
But, I will also say this, I see many that dont seem believeable with this . Some will do it for show, some do it cuz they want it so bad. But, there are genuinely ppl who do speak in tongues from God, and it always leads to new information tht will help the person to know God more . The best answers I have ever received from God were during this time. It is a feeling of total peace, love and joy. like I cant even explain. For a little while, its like you went to Heaven with Him and are just there you and HIm talking. Not something I would ever give up. I pray it for all who seek it. But, its ot our place to wonder if someone else is being truthful in their tongues. Thats between them and God and we arent their judge. We are to focus on ourselves and our relationship with God. But, oh yes, it is very true, and the Bible describes it. It is a gift sought by many, but not all receive it.
I received it several years ago as did my husband. and its just incredible. Its not self hypnosis as some claim, and once you truly experienced it, you know. Traveling missionaries are able to speak to ppl speaking in other languages by speaking in tongues, still today. Praise God for all the gifts He sends to us.

Answer 7

In the sense used in the bible, that speaking in tongues is not the same as speaking in a foreign language and that the speech is translatable, bunk.

I am willing to be proven wrong. Let a tongue speaker make two recordings. Send them both to two translators. Compare the four translations.

Answer 8

After apostolic times (St. Paul tells us that "tongues will cease") - in my experience, I'd have to say 99.999% bunk. I've seen probably two or three cases in my years of ministry where I would say it was probably genuine.

Answer 9

I think that many people who “speak in tongues” have actually worked themselves into an extreme psychological state, and many other people who claim to “speak in tongues” are actually just faking it all together.

Their Motives?
-Attention
-Acceptance

Answer 10

I certainly think some may be faking it, but there are plently of others who are authentic. I've had friends speak in tounges.