Speaaking with tongues , does your church?

Question

Why doesn't more churches speak in tongues I wonder?

1 Corinthians 14:22
Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not; but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

1 Corinthians 14:23
If therefore the whole church be come together into one place and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are UNLEARNED, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

Where in the bible does it say speaking in tongues was just for the Apostles, or was done away with?

Answer 1

The bible also states that when you speak in tongues, you are not speaking to men, but to God and Angels (1 Cor 14:2). It could not be demonic as Paul boasted that he spoke in tongues more than anybody. Was Paul filled with a demon?

The belief that tongues are a foriegn language does not stand up to scripture (see 1 Cor 14:2). So, how were the foreigners in Jerusalem able to understand (as mentioned above)? It was a divine act of God that allowed the hearers to hear in their language, not the tongues themselves.

The reference to tongues going away (from those that do not speak in tongues is in 1Cor 13:8), is where the bible states that love never fails but that tongues, knowledge, and prophecies will cease. Notice how 2 of the 3 are still going? Why then, have tongues only gone away?

Critics will also say that tongues were only for the apostles as a means of kicking off the church. But there is not a scriptural basis for this belief. Most of the people that scoff about tongues do not practice tongues.

So what is the purpose of tongues? Paul answers that: To edify himself (1 Cor 14:4). Jude wrote that you build up your faith by praying in the Spirit (tongues) Jude 20.

Answer 2

TRUE STORY!

SPEAKING IN TONGUES = IN A CHURCH SERVICE?

A Pastor friend of mine = had a "Praising Jesus" singing group = at their Church. I was asked to attend the Prayer Group – of the ministry group – that prayed before every service!

After 5 minutes, the PJ Group leader said, “I Cannot Understand – why we cannot pray in Tongues as we always do = before the Praise Service?

Little did he know, that 'someone' in the Group = was praying Revelation 12:11 = during the time of Prayer!

Late I shared with the Pastor that I believe that some of that Hocus-Pocus = supposed HS Tongues = was in fact = Satanic Deception =or= just the Plain Prideful FLESH!

I suggested that = = 1Corinthians 14:4-to-33 = = Was not being OBEYED! = = Especially V26-to-29.= = This caused some confusion, for no one had suggested that before?

Simply I suggested, “Take A Tape Recorder = Record individual Tongues Proclamations = AND THEN = have those WHO HAVE THE GIFT OF INTERPRETATION = ONE BY ONE = IN A CLOSED ROOM = INTERPRET THE TONGUE?

I ALSO ASKED HOW COME THE GIFT OF INTERPRETATION = WAS MOSTLY IN THE KING JAMES VERSION OF THE BIBLE? He could not Answer!

This was done, and to the Pastors Amazement = Many who had the Supposed Gift of TONGUES = AND = THOSE THAT had the Supposed Gift of INTERPRETATION = left that church body = or = just kept their Mouths =QUIET!

The Pastor Left that Church for Another!

Thanks, RR

Answer 3

We do. It's called Latin.

Most scholars agree that the tongues spoken at Pentecost in Acts 2 refer to human languages which were unknown to the speaker. The evidence is indeed overwhelming for this view:

1) The meaning of "other tongues" in Acts 2:4. The expression in Acts 2:4, "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues ", is best understood as a reference to human languages.

a) The word "other" (heterais ) refers to another of a different kind, meaning that these tongues were different than their native tongue. Note also that when heteros ("other") is combined with glossa ("tongues") into the compound word heteroglossos , it is used only once in the NT (1 Cor. 14:21) where it occurs in a quotation from Isa. 28:11 and refers clearly to a human language, Assyrian, which was unknown to Israel.

b) The word "tongues" best refers to foreign languages for the following reason:

1) Acts 2:6 states that the multitude who heard the tongues being spoken were bewildered, "because they were each one hearing them speak in his own language ." Thus, this verse clearly states that the disciples were speaking the various languages of those who were gathered. This was not a miracle of hearing but of speaking.

Also, consider that these men who were listening were from many different countries (15 countries are listed in vv. 9-11) and yet they clearly heard the disciples "speaking of the mighty deeds of God" (v. 11). Here again we find a clear reference that the miracle at Pentecost was that the disciples were speaking in the people's native "tongues" and telling of the mighty deeds of God. Again, the evidence argues strongly that what occurred was a miracle of speaking and not of hearing.

Answer 4

I listen to a few Evangelicals speak in tongues while in the crescendo of preaching and they ALL speak the same tongue - self made up gibberish.

Today's preachers make a mockery of 'speaking in tongues' because they control when they do it, they are aware of doing it and unlike the verses in the bible, it is not a legitimate language at all.

It is trickery, used only to impress the vulnerable.

My advice is - anyone who speaks in tongues is a scammer and their religion or ministry should be taken with a grain of salt (actually a pound of salt is better).

Answer 5

I don't go to church. I'm an atheist. However, if anybody whips themselves up into enough of an emotionally charged state, they can babble, too, especially if they have the expectation that they will babble.

So, it's not surprising that when a congregation is told by their pastor that they will "speak in tongues" then whips them up to an emotional state, they babble. Even if they only partially feel like babbling, they'll try to babble. And when some people start babbling, others will follow suit. The brain is very accommodating when it comes to performing when asked.

Answer 6

I think that some don't do it because they don't understand it and others deny that it's from God, which totally amazes me, seeing how the Bible clearly states in many passages, like acts 2:1-5, 10:44-48, and 19:1-7, that tongues are a gift from the Holy Spirit.

The gifts of God are without repentance, which means, He doesn't change His mind and take them back, just like He doesn't take free will back.

Answer 7

The term "speaking with tongues" is not well understood.
Webster's Dictionary gives several meanings for the word tongue. Most folks see it only as a given language of a Nation such as English or Spanish and the like.
Suppose it might be used here as a particular slant or persuasion as, she has a sharp tongue.
Perhaps this is a reference to Scripture, as the poet's tongue. God is not the author of confusion.. has given his word written in the form of poetic Parallelism. This is the poet's tongue.
...even as your own poets have said...

Answer 8

I remember one time I took my wife who is a native Israeli to a sevice in the midwest and there was a person speaking in tongues during the pause in the praise and worship.

Her eyes got really big and then she told me that the person was delivering the tongues in Hebrew.

Another time when I was in Hawaii, I was grieved in the spirit that the people had such a lack of knowledge of the Word of God.

During the service a person spake in tongues, and part of the interpretation given after that was "Read My Word, get into My Word, and know My Word."

That evening we went to another service in another city, and during that service the same message was repeated in tongues and interpretation.

Yes it is for today as well, though satan has his counterfits as well.

Answer 9

It still exists, as well as other gifts that people have. Speaking in tongues is usually when the Holy Spirit takes over praising God, when we cannot or run out of words. Many people are confused on this issue.

Answer 10

It doesnt say it is just fore the apostles or done away with... but it DOES say it is not for all believers and not as benificial as prophecy.

1 Cor 14:2For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.[b] 3But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[c] but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues,[d] unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

And you would understand this just by reading the verses FOLLOWING vs 23 like you posted

24But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand[h]comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, 25and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"

Makes it more clear when you read the whole passage and not just 1 verse doesnt it?