Speaking in toungues?

Question

I am wondering what people's views on this were? In any religion. I am Christian and someone once told me that when you are really close to God you will do this, but I have Done some searching and when the the Bible talks about speaking in tongues. a
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs--we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"

Now to me it sounds like when you have the gift of speaking in tongues, it means you can speak the word of God in different languages,
anyone?

I will have to do some more looking!

are we not to edify God?
1 Corinthians 14:1-5
1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

Bonnie, thankyou! :)

Answer 1

While doing research on "tongues" in the bible you need to look at all the verses, not just one. In the one your quoting, Acts 2, this was a one time gift that was given to the disciples to show an out pouring of God in that place and time. Because Jerusalem at this time has a huge gathering place, this is the miracle that God used to get every ones attention. I have heard stories in Mexico of missionaries having similar experiences happen. Some one that doesn't speak Spanish, suddenly can, and they speak to the church.
I believe that is verse is misused by the Charismatic church to say that all Christians should speak in tongues. They say you have to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and this is something that is seperate from being saved? I would challange this, in every case (but one) in the book of acts, when someone or a group of people are saved it says they were saved, filled with the spirit, and baptized.
1. Jesus also say he will send "the comforter" (Luke 24:49) the Holy Spirit. To say that you only get the holy spirit and the evidence is speaking in tongues. Is like saying, unless you speak in tongues, God is with holding the comforter for us? This make no sense, why would a loving God.
2. Tongues is listed along with all the gifts of the spirit ( 1Cor 12:28-31), we don't as Christians say we have to have all the gifts, why is it that part of the church has to say that everyone mush have this one gift?
3. It would seem to me, there becomes a two tier Christianity, those who have this gift and those how don't? Again how can this make sense of God?

I could go on and on about this, because I grew up in a church that believed this, no tongues "you need to seek God harder..." But I think it boils down to you and God, you want this gift, ask for it. God knows the gifts you need to serve Him. and I believe he gives us those gifts. I can ask to heal, but why? is it to show Gods glory, or is it so I look Holier?

Answer 2

I will do my best to answer your ?. I will use the (KJV) for my reference. In the book of Isaiah, cha.28:9-13. Please notice vs.11: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. vs.12: To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. Then as the apostle Paul was teaching the church at Corinth, cha.14:vs.20, he said: Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be ye men. Look at what he said in the next verse, 21: In the law (Isa.28:12) it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. In the book of Joel, cha.2:27-32; then going over to the book of Acts. cha.2:1-4, something took place that bewildered those devout men out of every nation,(vs.5). Then they began to question, what was happening. Then Peter told them in vs.16-20, that Joel prophesied of what should take place in the (last days). People today will confess that we are in the last days, but they do not want to accept this phenomena, "meaning an observable fact." Even Ezekiel spoke about it, cha.36:24-28. But he was clarifying the change of heart, or a new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you (vs.26-27). I also need to include the other half of this phenomena, giving more of an understanding of the purpose of the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. (This is also known as the Comforter.) Read and study, the book of John, chapters 14; 15;16. They will give you more insight about the need for the gift of the Holy Ghost. I would like to conclude this topic tonight with this thought. Most so-called ministers, of the gospel have come to this conclusion, that it happened to get the church started. I will agree to that, but I cannot find when it ceased. Because it is still going on today. Are we still in the last days, or maybe the last part of the last days? I believe so. I hope that I have answered your question. Have a good evening. Acts238.

Answer 3

There are 2 different "gifts" of tongues.

1) When you are baptised in the Holy Spirit you speak in tongues as the initial evidence from God. After that you can speak in tongues "at will." When you are speaking in tongues this way your spirit is speaking directily to God with the help of the Holy Spirit.

2) There is a ministring "gift" of tongues. That is God inspires you to speak in tongues to the congregation. That is God speaking through you to deliver some message to the congregation. When this happens someone (it can be the same person) will have a gift of intrepretation and interpret the message to the congregation.

You may want to visit these sites for more details:
http://www.isaiah58.com/tracts/speakingintongues.html
http://southafricaupc.org/why_did_god_choose_tongues.htm
http://www.pentecostalsofadelaide.com/index.php?display=resources&restype=tracts&number=3
http://theriveroflifeupc.com/holyghost.aspx

Answer 4

Speaking in tongues means speaking in a language Acts 2:6-8 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. and they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? and how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

1 Cor. 15:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not:

please read 1 Cor. chapter 13,14 and 15.

Answer 5

I believe in speaking in tongues it is a gift from the Holy Spirit. I suggest picking up a book on the subject from the Christian book store. Some people are annointed to teach on this very subject.

Answer 6

Speaking in tounges is mostly just for building you up in my opinion. Sometimes others know what you are saying in that Heavenly lang. though.

The Apostle Paul writes, He who speaks in tongues edifies himself 1 Corinthians 14:4,5

He who speaks in tongues edifies himself." The word "edify" means to "build up" or "charge up"--much like charging up a battery. We all need a spiritual charge. All of us at times feel spiritually drained. One of God's ways to charge your spirit is through speaking in tongues.

Speaking in tongues is the most intelligent, perfect language in the universe. It is God's language.

Tongues is the heavenly language. It is what is spoken in heaven; the only difference is that the people in heaven understand what they are saying. Here on earth Paul says, "For anyone who speaks in tongues does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understand him; he utters mysteries with his spirit" (v. 2).

(Acts 2:1-4) The people came together in agreement speaking in tounges.

Answer 7

The apostle mentions speaking the tongues of angels too. So I don't think it is always about speaking a natural language. There are even beliefs in Judaism about speaking in unknown tongues.