Question for Christians about speaking in tongues?

Question

I was wondering about speaking in tongues. Did speaking in tongues die out with the apostles? Someone told me that however I disagree. Any opinions Thanks

Answer 1

This is a very controversial topic, mainly because people are confused by what it really means. Speaking in tongues is one of many spiritual gifts. It is not dead, it just isn't really needed. Speaking in tongues did not mean that you suddenly could speak gibberish but back then, there were a lot of languages and someone with that particular spiritual gift could communicate to a group of people about the message of Christ in a language they had never spoken before. In this day and age, we are able to get around more, and have more people that are multilingual that this particular spiritual gift isn't as needed as it was back in the day.

How did Jesus promise to help His disciples preach the gospel to all the world?

Mark 16:17 They shall speak in tongues.

Note: In the Bible, the word "tongue" simply means "language". Jesus' disciples were bright men, but most were uneducated. In order to help them take the gospel to the world, Jesus promised to give them a supernatural gift to speak foreign languages they had not formerly studied or known.

What did the foreign Jews experience when the Holy Spirit was poured out?

Acts 2:11 We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

What does the Bible say about speaking in a tongue that is not understood?

1Corinthians 14:9 Except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken?

1Corinthians 14:19 I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

Note: Paul repeatedly explains that the purpose for a tongue (language) is to communicate or to teach truth. A Greek word for "unknown" is not found in any original Bible manuscripts, but was supplied by translators to indicate that the language was foreign to the majority present. The church at Corinth was a melting pot of many different nationalities, and sometimes the services became confusing when members would pray, testify, or preach in languages unknown to the others present. This is why Paul commanded them to keep silent, if speaking in a tongue unknown to the majority, unless someone was there to interpret (1 Corinthians 14:28). The lesson for us is that we should not speak or pray in a tongue that others present cannot understand.

Answer 2

The tongues of the apostolic age were genuine miracles, since they were the ability to speak previously unlearned foreign languages, rather than the "charismatic tongues" of today, which can easily be duplicated. The only passage describing the nature of tongues speaking is Acts 2:4-11, where they are definitely languages. Peter stated that the tongues-speaking in Cornelius's house (10:46) was the same as on the day of Pentecost (11:17). And there is no reason to assume the instance in Acts 19:6 was different. Since 1 Corinthians 14 repeatedly states that the tongues-speaking in Corinth was in an assembly of believers, why then was it mysterious and why was there lack of understanding? It was because the believers did not understand the foreign languages of the tongues-speakers. The mystery was not because the tongues in 1 Corinthians differed in nature from the tongues in Acts.

New Testament tongues were verifiable foreign languages. The term glw'ssa means "language" and is never used for ecstatic speech. By contrast, today's "tongues" have never been verified as actual languages. All objective studies by impartial linguists indicate that they do not have the characteristics common to languages.

The New Testament gift of tongues is specifically said to be a sign for unbelievers (1 Cor. 14:22). This is how it functioned at Pentecost. All instances were public, not private. The people who spoke in tongues in Acts (2:4; 10:46; 19:6) were not previously aware that the ability or gift existed, and in Acts 10:46 and 19:6 the people were not previously aware of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They could not have been seeking or in any way exercising belief in such a gift, and yet they received it. There is no indication that the New Testament speakers spoke in a trance; they were in control of the phenomenon. Perhaps the most outstanding contrast is usage. The gift of tongues in the New Testament functioned, as did all the other gifts, for ministry to others (1 Cor. 12:1-30; 1 Pet. 4:10), rather than primarily for the benefit of the speaker as in the modern charismatic movement.

There is no similarity between today's tongues and the New Testament gift. Today's charismatic proponents are wrong regarding the nature, purpose, use, and every other aspect of tongues. There is no reason to assume merely on the basis of their claim that they are correct in identifying their tongues-speaking—which can easily be duplicated and is common to man—as the New Testament gift of tongues.

Answer 3

No, speaking in tongues did not die out with the apostles. This is a hotly debated topic. There are basically two major schools of thought on it. Some people believe that tongues are the evidence of the Holy Spirit within someone's life. They believe that without this evidence, one does NOT have the Holy Spirit. This is referred to as the charismatic movement. Holiness, Oneness, Pentecostal, Assembly of God, and others teach some piece of this doctrine.

The other major doctrine centered around tongues is that they are to be used a spiritual gift, but they are not to be abused in the Church without the aid of someone around to interpret the tongues. Tongues are not languages that are known to people. It is a prayer language that is meant to be spoken only to God. (1 Corinthians 14:2). These say that it is abused in churches and should be not used as a way to prove salvation.

The spiritual gifts are indeed still here. Tongues is not one that is given to everyone (look at 1 Corinthians 12). In fact, Paul gives us evidence that there are three gifts that are greater than any of the spiritual gifts (faith, hope, and love) in 1 Corinthians 13. However, there is no scriptural basis for the ceasing of spiritual gifts.

Answer 4

Its alive and well in some churches. It used to be just in Pentecostal churches, but now many others have joined the ranks. Tongues are a gift from God and should be desired. The Holy Spirit will not force it on anyone.

Answer 5

I am of the opinion that most of those who "speak in tongues" are just either faking it or are in a sate of self induced hystaria... from personal observation.... while I do not discount the fact that some may indeed be genuinly speaking from inspiration from The Holy Spirit... the fact remains that if there is no one present who can interpret what the speaker is saying... then he should shut up... and most do not... and that is against God's Word... proof for me that they are not genuine in their speaking.

Answer 6

I don't believe that it did..... However I also don't believe that it is as prevelent as some groups make it out to be AND it is certainly "not THE" indication of being born again. No scripture to back that up.
I had some try and show me how to speak in tongues, others how to prophecies..... later the Holy Spirit told me that if I had to take it then it wasn't a gift.......

Answer 7

I have learned through study that most times in the Bible when it speaks of unknown tongues , it is speaking literally of other languages, of know origin, but NOT spoken by those who are hearing........ in some places it is speaking of *the utterance* that can not be written or spoken...... I have heard a few people speak in what they call tongues, but it was a known language, not spoken by me, but I did recognize the language......... HOWEVER, I myself have a few times (twice) over the years, not known how to pray for certain things, and in privacy and in silent prayer, uttered as in the Holy Spirit speaking for me unto the Father........ so, as for dying out, depends on who you talk to....... God bless

Answer 8

Don't you think it odd to use such an old word for language?
A bit of common sense would tell any intelligent person that speaking in a language that no one could mistake for gibberish or babble is senseless. And meaning-less.

However when the Devil is the cause, the action proves his presence. Would you continue going to a church where he makes his presence known?

The ability to converse with someone in their native language is done every day. To be able to do it without a period of learning would be a gift. But, in today's world there is no need with so many around who are native to the need.

However, now-a-days, they call these people, interpreters, and they are paid for their services.........Congress and Parliament are places where these people are properly employed.

Another place is where "sign language " is used for the deaf.

Answer 9

No it did not, if you read Mark 16: 15 - 18, you'll see this is still current today, if you:

DO THE WILL OF GOD
You need to find a home church, be obedient, follow his word, be baptized with the holy spirit, show your self approved and do the will of God (Mark 16: 15 - 18).

Our church follows this and holy spirit reveals things to us. We laid hands and spoke in tongues on some one new in our church and he received the holy spirit, which was so power full that it came through his body and over whelmed him with its energy. If you have faith and our obedient to his word, you will see these things happen, because God does not lie.

Answer 10

"For the promise is unto you and to those that are afar off" Acts.

Why would God reveal something after thousands of years only to take it away. He didn't. However the devil would steal any good thing he possible could.

Tongues is one of the least of the gifts. Healing for eg is alive and well, the prophetic gifts are working every day in the Living Church. There are so many documented healings in the world today that no one can deny the obvious-yet they do. Believing wrong doctrine won't damn you, only rob you of much of what God has for His people.