Why do some people choose to overlook speaking in tongues in the Bible?

Question

If we are christians, shouldn't we believe the WHOLE Bible? I
know most of the arguments ,but just curious what u think?
Acts 2: 1" On the day of Pentecost[a] all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages,[b] as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability."

Answer 1

Because it's something crazy people do.

Answer 2

I have no problem with people being given a gift by God to speak in another language so that someone that speaks that language can understand.

I do have a problem though with what some suggest is the 'Holy Spirit".

I have found that many have never done any real study in the area and don't know the meaning of the words from the original Greek - which has given entry to some rather strange teachings that have gotten people away from what is really within the scriptures if they took the time to do some study. Too many just accept what someone says because they have a TV show - or have a book out that they are trying to get you to buy - maybe on a radio show. Problem is that many do not know how - or maybe just not taking the time to look into the original text and finding the meaning of certain words and phrases. If they did - many of these so called 'preachers' would have alot more books on their hands - and none of them would be in a believers library.

Many also don't know that this is within scripture which goes totally against what some practice and call the "Holy Spirit":

1Co 14:22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to the ones believing _but_ to the unbelieving ones, but prophesy [is] not for the unbelieving ones _but_ for the ones believing.

Answer 3

I don't think the issue is about overlooking the fact that some people were gifted with speaking in tongues. Acts 2:5-13 also makes it clear that these people were speaking in other languages, from other places, as a sign and for the glory of God.

The real issue is about those who claim that only those who speak with tongues have the Holy Spirit. That simply is not true, as many who live by the Spirit can testify. Those who look down on those who do not are in danger of edifying their self. It is a gift, but it is not to be sought after because of the confusion it can cause.

God can use anyone, at anytime, to speak in tongues. It is to be determined by His will and for His glory. Tongues as a prayer language should be between God and the individual. In a corporate setting, there needs to be an interrupter. I don't present this as an argument, but as a statement about what God's Word has to say about it. Most people do accept that tongues can exist, and are not overlooking it.

Answer 4

I do believe the whole bible. Including the passage you quoted. However, I do not believe speaking in tongues as it was intended then occurs now.

The gift of tongues served a PURPOSE at Pentecost. In Jesus’ day, printing and broadcasting did not exist, and written records were not common among the ordinary people. Hence, the good news of God’s will and purpose would have to be carried forth on the tongues of believers. Worshipers had come to the Festival of Pentecost in Jerusalem from over a dozen lands in Africa, Asia, and Europe, and they spoke several different languages. About 120 of Jesus’ disciples also assembled in Jerusalem. Empowered with God’s holy spirit, the disciples started to speak with different tongues. What a banquet of good news was served to a multitude of worshipers! These were able to “hear them speaking in their own tongues about the magnificent things of God.”—Acts 2:5-11. How effective was this miracle? Three thousand listeners became believers that same day! (Acts 2:41) Returning to their far-off homes, these new converts then bore witness about true worship “to the most distant part of the earth.”—Acts 1:8.

Only a little more than two decades after Pentecost, Paul served notice that the gift of tongues would eventually cease. (1 Corinthians 13:8) Why would this be reasonable? Because the miracles at Pentecost, as a confirmation of early Christianity, had served their purpose well and were no longer needed.

When Christians spoke in tongues in the first century, it edified the listeners. The inspired message was to be clear and intelligible.—1 Corinthians 14:26-28.

So what of "speaking in tongues" today? Today many feel that they are assisted by God’s holy spirit to speak in tongues.

Speaking in tongues (today) usually amounts to highly emotional outbursts of sounds that no one understands. So it cannot be from God. Jesus said that religious hypocrites would try to attach his name to such “powerful works,” but he rejected these “workers of lawlessness.” (Matthew 7:21-23) And Paul prophetically warned of a future time when there would be fraudulent miracles, or “lying signs and portents.” Thus, “every unrighteous deception” is a specialty of the archdeceiver, Satan the Devil.—2 Thessalonians 2:8-10.

Did you know that speaking in tongues was a part of certain pagan religions of Greece in Paul’s day? Their rites mixed speaking in tongues with practices such as the cutting of the flesh and frenzied nude dancing. Such historical examples clearly show that speaking in tongues can occur under influences that are most unholy.

Answer 5

Who overlooks that? I read the passage you just wrote above, and it says that there was a specific event on Pentecost when specific believers were granted the ability to speak in tongues. This is no different than any other miracle presented--water to wine, loaves of plenty, healing the sick, etc., except it wasn't performed directly by Jesus but rather by his followers through the power of the Holy Spirit.

But just because this happened once before, doesn't mean God wills it to happen again. It may, or it may not. But there's nothing in that passage that says that people HAVE to speak in tongues, or even anythying that says that everytime someone starts speaking unusual languages that they are speaking in tongues. Just like there's nothing that says that true Christians multiply loaves and fishes when there is need.

Answer 6

People mistake speaking in a language that doesn't exist with speaking in tongues. When they said speaking in tongues, it meant the spoke in languages different than their own. In other words, if I spoke French every day, I might speak in Greek or Latin. The thing is that people want to believe in some heavenly language and they speak mumbo jumbo and no one has a clue what they are saying. The Bible is very specific in saying that there should be another person who knows what that person is saying and tell everyone else what was said. That doesn't happen most of the time. If it doesn't, it's not condoned by the Bible.

Answer 7

Lacee,
At that time, the miracles were needed to prove to those around them that they were GOD's Chosen People. The tongues were also used at Pentecost (Acts 2) to allow Peter to preach to the thousands that were there who spoke different languages. They baptized 5000 if I remember correctly on that day. We have no need for those gifts today,. Have a great weekend and a wonderful Lord's Day.
Thanks,
Eds

Answer 8

I believe that Jesus Christ is the Same, yesterday, today and tomorrow. That the Holy Spirit is the same, and also that God the Father remains the same. The Word of God is the same also. All the promises and gifts remain the same also for every generation that calls on the Lord's name. The only place we won't need to pray in tongues will be in heaven, when we will become perfect and will no longer have a need to pray that way.

Answer 9

This is simply a reiteration of what allegedly happened on Mt. Sinai when the children of Israel agreed to the covenant with their god. What looked like flames of fire landed on the heads of each of them.
Speaking in other languages is not the same as what christians of today deem as "speaking in tongues" which amounts to nothing more than babbling.
The bible's reference to other languages means known languages of the world.

Answer 10

I believe the Holy Bible.

I believe in the gifts of the Spirit.

There is our special prayer language which is for edifying your spirit. It is to be done when you are alone. Then there is speaking in other languages and for that an interpreter is needed. These gifts are alive and well and the Holy Spirit gives them to those that are ready.

Jesus saves, forgives and LIVES!!!

Answer 11

Yes and there is those who overlook poisonous snake handling too. Ooh It gives me the creeps. People passing poisonous snakes around, shouting, dancing and speaking in tongues. My Mother made me hold a little green harmless guardian snake when I was six years old. I just stood there frozen, screaming while I peed my panties right there in front of God and everyone. I have never touched a snake since. I start trembling just thinking about it. When they have snake handling I leave the service. God bless Jesus loves you.