also called glossolalia.
Do you believe this gift is still alive and well, or do you believe that it died with the last Apostle?
if so, do you consider yourself a pentecostal (usual the only denomination that supports this gift in current days)?
http://www.religioustolerance.org/tongues3.htm
2007-10-16 06:55:43 · 29 answers · asked by yvicks 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Absolutely!!!
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:4).
Beside the fact that those who oppose this biblical promise cannot argue with literally MILLIONS who have experienced it, here is a few biblical facts to consider...
Speaking with (or in) tongues is "the supernatural gift of speaking in another language without its having been learnt." The Greek word underlying this phrase is glossa, which means a tongue, either as the organ of the body or as a language. Hence, a modern theological term for speaking in tongues is glossolalia. Some modern translations render the KJV phrase "speak with other tongues" as "speak in foreign tongues" (Moffat), "speak in foreign languages" (Goodspeed), and "speak in different languages" (Phillips).
The New Testament contains four passages that indisputably describe speaking in tongues: Acts 2, Acts 10:44-47, Acts 19:6, and I Corinthians 12-14. In each case, those who spoke in tongues did so by the power of God's Spirit, "as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:4).
Speaking in tongues is not gibberish or merely an unintelligible, ecstatic utterance without objective meaning Those who speak in tongues speak in genuine languages, even though the speakers themselves do not understand what they say. Many times observers recognize these languages (Acts 2). The languages can be either human or angelic in nature (I Corinthians 13:1). Speaking in tongues is not an accidental, irrelevant, unimportant, or rare phenomenon; it is a gift from God and a significant part of God's plan for the New Testament church
Speaking in tongues is the initial sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6). This is to be distinguished in purpose from "the gift of tongues," which God grants to Spirit-filled believers subsequent to conversion.
If we understand what speaking in tongues is and the purposes for which it is given, we can correctly understand and harmonize all scriptural teaching on the subject. Speaking in tongues is a normal part of the believer's experience with God, the personal devotion of the believer, and the public meetings of the church. Most of all, we can expect a person to speak in tongues when he first receives the Holy Spirit into his life.
2007-10-16 07:07:00 · answer #1 · answered by splashdesign238 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
God most definitely can give a person the gift of speaking in tongues to enable him/her to communicate with a person who speaks another language. The Holy Spirit is sovereign in the dispersion of the spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11). Just imagine how much more productive missionaries could be if they didn’t have to go to language school, and were instantly able to speak to people in their own language. However, God does not seem to be doing this. Tongues does not seem to occur today in the form it did in the New Testament despite the fact that it would be immensely useful. These facts lead to the conclusion that the gift of tongues has ceased, or is at least a rarity in God's plan for the church today.
Recommended Resource: New Testament Teaching on Tongues by Merrill Unger.
2007-10-16 07:54:48 · answer #2 · answered by Freedom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All gifts of the Holy Spirit are alive and well. I am not sure why so many denominations diminish these gifts and the role that they play in spiritual life. They are even more relevant today than in past times as so many are losing their faith, hope and peace.
Speaking in tongues is a way for God to speak directly to that person's spirit without the mind coming in to override the true message because so many block the truth from coming out due to fear, judgement and the idea of "who am I to really be hearing or speaking this stuff?"
2007-10-16 07:12:03 · answer #3 · answered by Unity 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am non-denomination and do speak in tongues. It is a gift that God gives for communication with Him. When someone is in true worship and speaking in tongues, it doesn't mean that we should know what is being said to God. If someone is speaking over the Church or an individual then there should be an interpretation. Usually an interpretation is given from the person speaking.
2007-10-16 07:10:50 · answer #4 · answered by Putta Rat 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I believe in it. No, I do not do it though I pray to. I do not in any way consider myself Pentecostal though they are my brothers and sisters in the Lord. I consider myself charismatic/reformed (but premillenial! I do *not* believe in covenant theology, just STRONGLY in the sovereignty of God). Which I know is a weird combination, and pretty much puts me on the outs, in some fashion, with any group.
Many of the most godly believers I know speak in tongues, and hey, where in scripture does it say that God was going to stop acting the way He has always acted? Does that mean He doesn't heal anymore, too? Seriously. Paul said "If I speak in the tongues of men and angels..." which to me implies that a person CAN speak in the tongues of angels, and clearly.
What I do NOT agree with is that tongues are the only evidence of baptism by the Holy Spirit, and I don't agree with the idea that if you pray for tongues and just open your mouth up and start making weird noises, that is tongues. While I realize that tongues often *sound* weird, and that doesn't make it less true, my making meowing sounds isn't tongues, ya know?
2007-10-16 07:07:29 · answer #5 · answered by KL 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A disclaimer: I'm an agnostic.
In Acts when the apostles spoke in tongues, they were able to be understood by everyone despite each person's native linguistic differences. I've often heard modern Christians talk about speaking in tongues as though they're speaking gibberish while seized by the Holy Spirit. I don't know if Pentecostals see it this way, but I've always thought that it was a gross misinterpretation of the Bible, which makes it a bit suspect in my mind.
2007-10-16 07:07:10 · answer #6 · answered by average person Violated 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's not real... at least not in a spiritual sense.
I was born into a church where speaking in tongues was the norm. I grew up around it and became quite used to it. It often puzzled me why people would be so opposed to it. When I grew up I researched and learned about what it really is. Some people fake it, while others actually feel something. The something they feel is nothing more than brain activity brought on by the desire for it to happen.
Christians who believe in speaking in tongues should also research glossolalia and find out for themselves. Christians who think speaking in tongues is demonic should also research.
Learning is good!!
2007-10-16 07:04:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Only if there is an interpreter, but I do not see much of it anymore- I remember being at church camp when I was younger and our church was the only church that did not get up and speak in tongues with everyone else at the same time. It was so confusing and did not "seem" right-- so I now know it must be used by GOD! One cannot just speak in tongues without being led by the Holy Spirit-- and the Bible says there must be an interpreter.
2007-10-16 07:19:06 · answer #8 · answered by Mandolyn Monkey Munch 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it still exists.
I've seen it in missionaries who have to learn a difficult language like Russian in just a few weeks - and when they return in 2 years, they speak it fluently. That is the gift of tongues.
Have you ever been to a worship service in a foreign land in a language that you don't speak. But you are able to understand what is being said. That is the gift of tongues.
No, I am not Pentecostal. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We believe in all the gifts of the spirit that Paul set forth in the Bible.
2007-10-16 07:12:12 · answer #9 · answered by kdollmusic 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes of course I believe, its one of the many gifts given by the Holy Spirit. Follow Christ with all your heart and ask God to give you the Holy Spirit Baptism. And no you dont have to be pentecostal either....I'm non-denominational and many in our church speak in tongues.
2007-10-16 07:03:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋