Post from a pentecostal on speaking in tongues...what are your thoughts?

Question

"Jesus calls people to the 5 fold ministry, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors & Teachers. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues, interpretations, discernment of spirits, prophesying, healing & faith, faith, as recorded in Corinthians. The Holy Spirit is the same spirit and the gifts are different."

I was raised a Southern Baptist and was taught that speaking in tongues was not of God....of course, I was also taught that Mormons, Catholics, JW's, Jews and many other religious denominations are all going to hell.

Speaking in tongues is somewhat Biblical...but, it seems odd to me...If God were to speak to people...wouldn't he do so in a way that everyone could understand...rather than have someone say gibberish, and then need someone else to interpret? Isn't the person speaking in tongues, somewhat drawing attention to themselves, by being a spectacle... rather than drawing attention to God? Your thoughts.

Also, with so many "fringe" movements of questionable nature as speaking in tongues...isn't this turning people away from God because of the oddity of the spectacle?

Answer 1

We have developed a language understood by most with little opportunity for misinterpretation, therefore I personally feel speaking in tongues does very little other than maybe emotionally or spiritually charge up a religious assembly. Nobody or few actually understand what the "gifted" speaker is saying unlike during Pentecost when the disciples actually spoke known foreign languages which could be understood by such foreigners present.

Answer 2

When the bible mentions speaking in tongues, it specifically states that the disciples were speaking in the native languages of surrounding lands, even though they had not learned these languages naturally:
Acts 2:2-10 (New International Version)

2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.
5Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?"

The bible also says:
1 Corinthians 14:27-29 (New International Version)

27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.
29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said."

But the pentacostal tongues makes no sense to me. The only time I've ever heard it is when I've attended a Joyce Meyer conference, and NOBODY interpreted it, so I don't believe it was biblical.

Also, I don't mean any offense, but it seems to me that many denominations pick & choose what to believe from the bible as it suits them. Just because I don't speak in tongues doesn't mean that it's not biblical. The bible says the Holy Spirit gives different spiritual gifts to believers. Many denominations also believe it's a sin to dance, yet scripture specifically tells us to praise the Lord in dance! (Psalm 149:3, Psalm 150:4, 2 Samuel 6:13-15, etc)

Answer 3

Tongues was/is used for a purpose, manily the purpose of speaking to foreigners at the time of Babel, and the penticost. Nowadays the "guidelines" are not followed, and all too often lack an interpreter. If you're praying in a "heavenly language" that is to be done quietly, between you and God, so that everyone around you isn't confused. I have seen all too much emphesis on tongues and "spiritual leaders" even attempting to TEACH it or rouse it, and then a perspective being placed on someone that doesn't speak it, as somehow being LESS "spiritual." I personally seek after the "greater" gifts, LOVE being the greatest, although I don't rule out the use of tongues in select situations, with an interpeter. : 1 Cor. 12:7-11,28-31, "But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills...28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? 31 But earnestly desire the greater gifts.

Answer 4

Speaking in Tongues was always taught to me as the "Prayer Language." It's a language that is spoken that speaks to your inner spirit that only it can understand. Although it can be spoken and interpreted for larger groups, there's always the possibility of some misguided person who thinks they have the correct interpretation. I think it's a tool to our benefit for those times when something is bothering us and we just can't quite put our finger on what it is. Or something has hurt us so horribly, that we just can't quite put it into words. I've found that those times, it gave me peace to utter my feelings straight from my Spirit and kind of bypass my mind wanting to assign words to it. I haven't felt the need or had the urge to do that in years, but I know that it's always there for me if I choose to do that.

Answer 5

Jehovah's Witnesses understand "speaking in tongues" to refer to actual preaching in an actual literal foreign language, allowing foreigners to learn God's Word and Jesus' teachings.

The Scriptures indicate that when the bible writing was complete, such miraculous gifts would cease:

(1 Corinthians 13:8-10) But whether there are gifts of prophesying, they will be done away with; whether there are tongues, they will cease... For we have partial knowledge and we prophesy partially; but when that which is complete arrives, that which is partial will be done away with.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/languages.htm

Answer 6

My sister and mother-in-law were Pentacostals. This is just my opinion, but I believe that speaking in tongues is a form of hysteria. Someone works themselves into a froth and goes into a state that is next to seizure. They know what they are supposed to do, because they see others do it and mimic it. I agree with you, that if speaking in tongues was a gift from God, then it would be in a language that we can understand because it would be telling us something useful. The way it is now, it is simply a show to show others how spiritual and righteous you are. Even the ones speaking in tongues have no idea what they are saying. I know, because I asked my mother-in-law. The behavior is aped.

Answer 7

There is more than one type of "tongue". One is your private prayer language to be used when deep in prayer; just between you and God. Then there is Prophetic tongues, which are to be delivered as a word from God (but they are invalid if not interpreted). The stuff you see on TV is just "babbling of fools".

Go to biblegateway.com and type in "speaking in tongues".

Answer 8

Scripture clearly states that the pentecostal experience involved EXISTING languages, not gibberish. Like so much else of Holy Writ, this experience and other experiences have been contaminated in their particulars and meaning by successive generations. Often to the point of blatant heresy.

+sergius
Archbishop
Holy Transfiguration Skete

Answer 9

Don't accuse other denominations. 1 Cor. 14 praises talking in tongues but 1 Cor. 15 sets down the rules for such behavior which I have never found applied by Pentecostals.

They avoid discussing that point with vehemance.

Answer 10

I would suggest the book "Final Word" by O. Palmer Robertson on this subject (speaks as to cessastion). It a excellent book on Biblical "tounges" and on a discussion on the modern day take on the subject.

(I am not Pentacostal, and am a Cessationist, yet grew up in Pentacostal Churches).