For Christians only. What are people's thoughts on the gift of tongues?

Question

Last time I said "Christians only please!" Most of my answers were from bashers instead. Have a little respect. You bashers have 10,000 other questions you can answer on this site. Don't be rude and disrespectful by answering please.

Christians - First of all, do you believe the gift of tongues practiced in the pentacostal churches today is the same gift of tongues spoken of in Acts?

Secondly - Does anyone believe it isn't real or it isn't from God?

To polomnik - Were they speaking languages or did it sound like jibberish to the people unless God opened their ears to hear it in their own languages? Remember some people hearing them thought they were drunk? Why would they say that if they were speaking other languages. I don't understand French or Spanish but I know when someone is speaking it.

Has anyone else heard what Phil_the_ is saying, that religions that aren't Christian speak in tongues, too?! I would like to hear comments on that. And Phil, I didn't mean to exclude anyone but the insulters.

To Iwant_u2_ - You make a great point about it being a language but didn't Paul also call it the language of men and "angels"?

To all who say that tongues is supposed to be a human language only meant for other people to hear, 1 Cor 14:2 says this:

"For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God, for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries."

If put in context he is talking about the spiritual gifts, specifically the gift of tongues.

Answer 1

First, I think it depends upon which instance you are referring to. Earlier in acts, when the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit, they spoke in languages that were common of the day. Later, in acts, there is talk of speaking in tongues and prophesying. There are other references in Paul's letters to speaking in tongues in conjuction with prophecy.

I have heard several different interpretations of these events. From what I've gathered, the first instance, speaking in other languages, is different than the later instances, speaking in a spiritual language, or "the spirit groaning in words we do not understand." The latter is practiced today in Penecostal churches.

Is it real? I think the answer to that is yes and no. Yes, some people have that gift. On the other hand, I think others pray in tongues simply to fit in with the rest. There is a great deal of social pressure to pray in tongues.

There is a key element missing in most areas where I have seen this practiced, and that is in the interpretation of tongues. Biblically, Paul says that one is supposed to pray, and another interpret. I have not seen this practiced widely, and it should.

This is a very interesting question, one I have wrestled with myself in looking for churches. My primary concern is the lack of historicity. Before the 1920's, I am not aware of any churches practicing speaking in tongues. Why would God wait this long to bestow this gift, if it is so essential for building up our faith?

I leave that question for others to answer.

Answer 2

I think the gift of tongues is something that is just that...a gift. BUT, it's a lie to say that you have to speak in tongues to have the Holy Spirirt. It's a phenomenon perpetuated by the Word-Faith preachers who treat it like some kind of magic. I think most of the time it's just mindliss jibberish and has nothing to do with "praying in the Spirirt" Maybe I'm wrong, but I grew up going to a church where everyone spoke in tongues and if you didn't you were somehow not letting the Spirit flow. I believe you are filed with the Spirit as soon as you accept Jesus as your Saviour and believe he Died for your sins. Also, think about it....imagine if a non-believer came into a church where everyone was doing that? do you think they'd want any part of it? I think if someone speaks in tongues it should be interpreted. Actually, I'm doing alot of searching and digging on this subject and the Word-Faith movement so you bring up a very good point. I just want to know the truth.

Answer 3

I am afraid that what we are hearing is not the biblical gift. It was always in a known language, was meant to be a sign to those that were outside of the church, was supposed to be followed up by an interpretation....the Bible gives much information, so comparing what we see against what the Bible says, it falls short.
I have, however heard of a few cases that sounded like it had been genuine, but, situation normal, these could not be verified.
And I suppose some well meaning individual will write to you about the "angel talk" which is said to explain the gibberish.

Answer 4

1 Cor 14 pretty much says it all;

4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself
22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe.
23 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret;
28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.

as to the second question;

2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.
21 In the Law it is written, "BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME," says the Lord.

I know of several people who "speak in tongues", and they say it is more like a personal "prayer language". I also know of another instance where someone was indeed speaking in a foreign tongue, and a member of the congregation stood up and commanded her to stop. She was speaking in a language from his country that he understood. He said she was letting loose with a string of obscenities and blasphemies about God. She was also know to be schizophrenic, which may explain it.

Personal opinion... there is a time and place for everything. The Spirit will indeed use tongues, gifting an individual to speak His Word and will when He determines, not when we will or want it. I think it may be a one time thing, by the love and power of the Spirit working through us, to help another person. I do not think it should be a gift we should strive for, considering the verses and the experiences I've related. There are also those who think that tongues is the only true sign of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Do not believe them. The Spirit seals us and dwelt within us at the moment we accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Answer 5

To be honest with you I don't believe everyone that truly speaks in tongues has this gift because it tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:8-11, And I'll just type part of it.He gives someonelse the ability to know whether it is really the Spirit of God or another spirit that us speaking. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages. And another is giving the ability to interpret what is being said.It is the one and only Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have

Answer 6

Speaking in tongues if you start in Acts was a language. When you go in to 1 Corinthians its the same meaning. Its a language just like English, Spanish and so on. It is not some prayer language that we pray to God with. Why would God want us to speak spanish to him or french. God understands me. Tongues was used to witness to the lost.

Answer 7

#1 - Hard to say... I'd like to think "yes," but there really is no way of knowing.

#2 - I don't know... I am a Christian, a recovering Catholic who took a short detour through the Pentacostal Church and landed in the Episcopal Church. When I am driving in my car sometimes I will start speaking in tongues... unexpectedly - out of nowhere. I would hope that they are from God, but I often wonder... I would really like to understand what it is I am saying, and until I do, I can't say whether it is from God, the devil or verbal garbage.

Answer 8

I am Pentecostal and I do speak in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. God is still pouring out His Spirit on His people. I admit that there are those reformations that attempt to teach tongues, but I only speak as the Spirit renders it. There are tongues of praise, exhortation, prayer and edification - these are given to edify and build the church. When in a service, God does provide an interpreter. The gift of tongues as given in Acts is for real.

Answer 9

It's not the same. The NT gift of tongues was people speaking real languages they had never learned (xenoglossy). The Pentecostal phenomenon is people speaking chaotic gibberish, which is exactly what Paul said was from the devil, 1 Cor 14:33.

Edit: Read Acts 2:9-11.

Answer 10

Not being of the Pentecostal persuasion, I'm not that familiar with it. The Bible speaks of the "gift of tongues." So I assume it's a language known only to God.

Since many people can imitate the sounds of the supposed tongues, I doubt it'd be the true speaking in tongues that the Bible speaks of.