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    Metallic's Avatar
    Metallic Posts: 9, Reputation: 0
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    #1

    Jun 19, 2007, 01:19 PM
    Speaking in tongues?
    I'm just new to this topic and I actually believe that I know how to speak in tongues in the personal sense but not in a corpral way. I asked a friend of mind about how you can tell the difference and what the purposes are, she said that one is for personal and another is for someone else. Although I have found many times when she is praying in tongues either way she is doing it for both purposes and I don't get it.

    1. Speaking in tongues ~ A personal prayer language made for the soul purpose of praying to God when you don't know what to say or in praise and worship. Though I don't doubt my friend she seems to be very close to God, I have never seen any scripture to back this definition up.

    2. Speaking in tongues ~ A gift of the spirit given to a chosen few which makes no care to personal need but is rather for someone else. This sense of the clich requires another vessel who has the gift of interpretation. This is for the sole purpose of showing who we are it is to be used in public and never by women in the church. I have seen scripture to back up this teaching and I believe in this very much too.

    The problem is these two defintions can not be talking about the same thing they don't align with each other. Where is the scriputure to back up either of these? I need some real Bible experts here! Please and thanks.
    shygrneyzs's Avatar
    shygrneyzs Posts: 5,017, Reputation: 936
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    #2

    Jun 19, 2007, 02:18 PM
    Did you know that speaking in tongues is mentioned 35 times in the New Testament?

    The Apostle Paul writes, "He who speaks in tongues edifies himself...I would like every one of you to speak in tongues" (1 Corinthians 14:4,5). 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.

    So tell me why there is not the personal use of speaking in tongues? When someone uses their Gift, that person is speaking to God, glorifying God. Speaking in tongues can be a private, devotional, prayer language.

    Now there is the public manifestation of speaking in tongues. Read 1 Cor. 12, which details the diversity of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Verse 10 states, "...divers kinds of tongues..." and verse 28 also states, "...diversities of tongues."

    Paul counsels the Church concerning speaking in tongues. In this chapter he calls speaking in tongues "different kinds of tongues". "Different kinds" means "not the usual." The usual kind of speaking in tongues is a language no man understands or interprets. However, speaking in "different kinds" of tongues enables the speaker or someone else to recognize the meaning of the tongue and thereby interpreting it.

    So when Paul ask the question, "Do all speak in tongues?", he is referring to the public manifestation of tongues which enables a person gifted in interpretation to speak out the meaning of the tongue. Not all have been given this gift of "different kinds" of tongues.

    In the fourteenth chapter of 1 Cor. Paul corrects the misuse of tongues in the church. He told them to stop the practice gathering "the whole church [so] everyone [can] speak in tongues" (v. 23). Notice carefully that the "whole church" was gathered and that "everyone" was speaking in tongues. This clearly shows us that everyone in the Corinthian church was speaking in tongues. Most of them should have allowed those gifted in the " was speaking in tongues. This clearly shows us that everyone in the Corinthian church was speaking in tongues. Most of them should have allowed those gifted in the " of tongues to exercise their gift, and the rest should simply "keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God" (v. 28).

    So there is both the private and the public manifestation of the Holy spirit in regards to speaking in tongues. Both are used to edify the glory of God, not man. For someone to believe they are more holy because they have that particular Gift is not reading the Bible correctly. One of my religion instructors when I was a freshman in college always said that one was to remain a humble servant, especially in regards to Gifts the Holy Spirit.
    Retrotia's Avatar
    Retrotia Posts: 163, Reputation: 19
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    #3

    Jun 19, 2007, 02:52 PM
    I speak one little sentence in tongues! Over & over it is part of my prayer life. However, my Pastor had the gift plus interpretation of tongues (which would be his own of course)
    So, imo, the language is edifying one's own spirit personally,but if you don't have the gift of interpretation of tongues, then you don't know what your saying actually yourself. The interpretation gives some revelation meaning to the language, & thus edifies others.

    1 Corinthians 14:1-25
    Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues
    1Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.[b] 3But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[c] but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues,[d] unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

    6Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. 12So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.

    13For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand[e] say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 17You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.

    18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

    20Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21In the Law it is written:
    "Through men of strange tongues
    and through the lips of foreigners
    I will speak to this people,
    but even then they will not listen to me,"[f] says the Lord.

    22Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. 23So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand[g] or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand[h]comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, 25and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
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    #4

    Jun 19, 2007, 05:06 PM
    I will question you on "I beleive I know how"

    No, you don't then, you either do and don't know how you are doing it, it is not something you can make yourself do, or learn to do, it either just comes or it does not come.

    And if you "beleive" again you don't, if you do there would be no doubt in your mind what wo ever that you do.

    And private and public are the same, except one is in public and when you do it, normally there will be someone there to tell what you are saying.
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    Retrotia Posts: 163, Reputation: 19
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    #5

    Jun 19, 2007, 05:20 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck
    I will question you on "I beleive I know how"

    No, you don't then, you either do and don't know how you are doing it, it is not something you can make your self do, or learn to do, it either just comes or it does not come.

    And if you "beleive" again you don't, if you do there would be no doubt in your mind what wo ever that you do.

    And private and public are the same, except one is in public and when you do it, normally there will be someone there to tell what you are saying.
    So, are you saying someone with interpretation of tongues can interpret someone else's language? That is , he is not limited to his own?
    Hope12's Avatar
    Hope12 Posts: 159, Reputation: 25
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    #6

    Jun 21, 2007, 09:44 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Metallic
    I'm just new to this topic and I actually believe that I know how to speak in tongues in the personal sense but not in a corpral way. I asked a friend of mind about how you can tell the difference and what the purposes are, she said that one is for personal and another is for someone else. Although I have found many times when she is praying in tongues either way she is doing it for both purposes and I don't get it.

    1. Speaking in tongues ~ A personal prayer language made for the soul purpose of praying to God when you don't know what to say or in praise and worship. Though I don't doubt my friend she seems to be very close to God, I have never seen any scripture to back this definition up.

    2. Speaking in tongues ~ A gift of the spirit given to a chosen few which makes no care to personal need but is rather for someone else. This sense of the clich requires another vessel who has the gift of interpretation. This is for the sole purpose of showing who we are it is to be used in public and never by women in the church. I have seen scripture to back up this teaching and I believe in this very much too.

    The problem is these two defintions can not be talking about the exact same thing they don't align with eachother. Where is the scriputure to back up either of these? I need some real Bible experts here! Please and thanx.

    Let's take a look at the Bible and see what it says about speaking in tongues.

    Various kinds of miracles are mentioned in the Bible.
    Exodus 7:19-21; 1 Kings 17:1-7; 18:22-38; 2 Kings 5:1-14; Matthew 8:24-27; Luke 17:11-19; John 2:1-11; 9:1-7

    Many of these miracles served to identify Jesus as the Messiah, and they proved that he had God’s backing. Jesus’ early followers displayed miraculous gifts, such as speaking in tongues and discernment of inspired utterances.

    Acts 2:5-12 (New King James Version)


    5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”


    1 Corinthians 12:28-31 (New King James Version)

    28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best[a] gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.


    Such miraculous gifts were useful for the Christian congregation during its infancy. How so?

    Well, copies of the Scriptures were few. Usually, only the rich possessed scrolls or books of any sort. In pagan lands, there was no knowledge of the Bible or of its Author, God. Christian teaching had to be conveyed by word of mouth. The miraculous gifts were useful in showing that God was using the Christian congregation.

    But Paul explained that these gifts would pass away once they were no longer needed.

    1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (New King James Version)

    8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

    Today, people have access to Bibles, as well as concordances and encyclopedias. Many dear Christians are assisting others to gain divine knowledge based on the Bible. Thus, miracles are no longer necessary to attest to Jesus Christ as God’s appointed Deliverer or to provide proof that God is backing his servants.

    Does ecstatic speech in a language that a person never learned prove that he has holy spirit?
    Can the ability to “speak in tongues” come from a source other than the true God?
    1 John 4:1 (New King James Version)
    1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

    Matthew 7:21-23 (New King James Version)
    21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

    2 Corinthians 11:14-15 (New King James Version)
    14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works
    Is the ‘speaking in tongues’ that is done today the same as that done by first-century Christians?

    In the first century, the miraculous gifts of the spirit, including the ability to “speak in tongues,” verified that God’s favor had shifted from the Jewish system of worship to the newly established Christian congregation.

    Hebrews 2:2-4 (New King James Version)
    2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
    Since that objective was accomplished in the first century, is it necessary to prove the same thing again and again in our day?
    In the first century, the ability to “speak in tongues” gave impetus to the international work of witnessing that Jesus had commissioned his followers to do.

    Acts 1:8 (New King James Version)
    8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

    Matthew 28:19 (New King James Version)
    19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
    Is that how those who “speak in tongues” use that ability today?
    In the first century, when Christians ‘spoke in tongues,’ what they said had meaning to people who knew those languages.

    New King James Version (NKJV) Acts 2:4, 8
    4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
    8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?
    Today, is it not true that ‘speaking in tongues’ usually involves an ecstatic outburst of unintelligible sounds? Many will also tell those who do not comprehend the outbursts, “You just do not have the spirit.” Or “You will learn and you continue to listen.”

    In the first century, the Bible shows, congregations were to limit the ‘speaking in tongues’ to two or three persons who might do that at any given meeting; they were to do it “each in turn,” and if there was no interpreter present they were to keep silent.

    1 Corinthians 14:27-28 (New King James Version)
    27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

    Is that what is being done today?
    2 Tim. 3:16, 17: “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.”

    (If someone claims to have an inspired message that conflicts with revelations made by God’s spirit through Jesus and his apostles, could it possibly be from the same source?)

    Gal. 1:8: “Even if we or an angel out of heaven were to declare to you as good news something beyond what we declared to you as good news, let him be accursed.”
    Now let’s get serious, Can true Christians today, be identified by their speaking in tongues? You can decide for yourselves but please read these scriptures first.

    John 13:35 (New King James Version)
    35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
    New King James Version (NKJV) 1 Corinthians 13:1,8

    1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
    8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

    My opinion according to my understanding of Scriptures.
    Take care,
    Hope12

    :)
    josio's Avatar
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    #7

    Jun 27, 2007, 05:31 AM
    In our church, when we have prayer as a body. We pray in tongues. One person may be praying for needs of the church, families, community and the world while the church is praying in tongues.and,of course, is in agreement with the prayer. Sometimes we just all pray in tongues together. Is that the same as edifing the body as Paul wrote. Thank you josi
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    speechlesstx Posts: 1,111, Reputation: 284
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    #8

    Jun 27, 2007, 06:59 AM
    Metallic, this is another one of those still controversial issues - and one which I'm not entirely comfortable addressing. Let me just give the synopsis from the Holman Bible Dictionary:

    TONGUES, GIFT OF Spiritual gift involving ability to speak in foreign language(s) not previously studied or to respond to experience of the Holy Spirit by uttering sounds which those without the gift of interpretation could not understand. At Pentecost the church received the gift to communicate the gospel in foreign languages (Acts 2; compare 10:44-46; 19:6). God gave His Spirit to all His people to witness and prophesy. In Corinth some members of the church uttered sounds the rest of the congregation did not understand (1 Cor. 12-14). This led to controversy and division. Paul tried to unite the church, assuring the church that there are different gifts but only one Spirit (1 Cor. 12:4-11). Each gift should serve to unite the church.
    "Each gift should serve to unite the church." That about sums it up for me. My personal view questions the need for tongues today in most cases. We have the written word of God I believe, which reveals what God wants us to know. I believe there's little need for suddenly being able to speak in a foreign language to another, and in our prayer life the Spirit speaks for us in our weakness. "But the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

    With that said, I'm not one to judge whether one has the gift of tongues, but I know I don't... I have a hard time saying "beef broth" without it coming out "beef broff." :D

    Thinking about tongues though, always reminds me of that fraud Robert Tilton uttering his mumbo jumbo and selling "prayer cloths." But he is good for a laugh (warning, may be offensive to some viewers). ;)
    josio's Avatar
    josio Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #9

    Jun 27, 2007, 07:52 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck
    I will question you on "I beleive I know how"

    No, you don't then, you either do and don't know how you are doing it, it is not something you can make your self do, or learn to do, it either just comes or it does not come.

    And if you "beleive" again you don't, if you do there would be no doubt in your mind what wo ever that you do.

    And private and public are the same, except one is in public and when you do it, normally there will be someone there to tell what you are saying.

    Thank you for your comments and beliefs. I know what we do at our church is right. We pray with utterance and know because we prayed together, there was such unity. Miracles happen, visions, Even storms have turned away. The only scripture I know of is going into your prayer closet and praying in the spirit. However, the rivers of living water that spring up and flow out of our being does happen. When strangers come into the church anf we are asked to pray, many people pray their own type of prayer. Such as, Lord heal them if you will. And we know that it is Gods will to heal. The Word says that. So when we all pray in the jspirit, it goes from our spirit to God The Fathers spirit. Thank you josio
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    SameOldSituation Posts: 66, Reputation: 32
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    #10

    Jun 28, 2007, 11:46 AM
    Hey, if Benny Hinn says I can speak in tongues, then I can do it.



    He made me walk again.



    "Miracles happen, visions, Even storms have turned away."

    Storms have turned away? Are you freaking kidding me? What is that? Do you really need proof in some form of this nature to believe? Faith is faith. How often did Jesus get angry at folks of little faith---those that asked him to "prove" that he was Son of the Father at their request? Even Satan tempted Jesus to perform miraculous acts, and Jesus refused, saying, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test."

    I don't really think it's God's style to get people to believe through petty acts. Rather, his style is MUCH greater---sending His only Son to show us how to live and then die for us! Then it's up to us to follow that.

    I need no "storm to turn away."
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    Marily Posts: 457, Reputation: 51
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    #11

    Jun 28, 2007, 11:54 PM
    Speaking in tongues is a divine gift of God, although some people might pretent that they do. ' Though I speak with tongue of men and Angels, and have not love it profit me nothing'
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    Starman Posts: 1,308, Reputation: 135
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    #12

    Jul 9, 2007, 11:19 PM
    The tongues spoken and described in the book of Acts of the Apostles were actual languages employed for the purpose of conveying the gospel message to persons from different countries.



    Acts 2:5-12:

    "And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men out of every nation under heaven. Now when this sound occurred, the multitude came together and were confused, because every man heard them speak in his own language (vernacular).

    "And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own language (or dialect) wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia and in Judea and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and visitors of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues (languages), the wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, What meaneth this?"

    Speaking in Tongues

    There is not one scripture in the NT where a person is described as making the garbled sounds which are produced by those claiming to speak in tongues today. Neither is there a single description in the NT of anyone losing self-control, shaking uncontrollably, falling to the floor and rolling the length of the isle while making such garbled sounds.

    Also, the scripture is clear, the tongues spoken were languages for the express purpose of conveying the gospel. To say that Peter was being understood by everyone present and isn't scripturally supported but is simply an idea tossed in nonchalantly without giving any thought to context. Actually, such a claim makes the giving of tongues on that occasion pureposeless and nonsensical.

    Tongues were a gift given to the early Christain Church in its infancy and once the Church passed that initial infancy phase the gift of understandable languages for the purpose of spreading the gospel far and wide would cease.

    If a person from another country with limited vocabulary in the regional language arrived at the local Church, then the gift would be given a memnber so that that member could speak for that person's edification. Then, another member would receive the gift of interpretation so that all other church members could bewnefit from what was being said as well.

    This is a far cry from the bedlam of senseless shouts, grunts, and shrieks which are emanating from people who claim to be possessed of holy spirit despite the fact that the holy spirit is never shown to produce that kind of behavior.


    Excerpt

    Speaking in tongues, when practiced according to the Bible, is a sign from God given to warn unbelievers of impending judgment. Because of this point, Scripture provides limiting conditions for its use within the Church, including the requirement that an interpretation should be given (also in the case of a visitor speaking a foreign language).

    Furthermore, tongues were a characteristic of apostolic ministry, to confirm the Word of God in a time when the Church was not yet established in all its diversity and when the revealed Word of God was not yet completed.


    Speaking In Tongues
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    kentuckywoman Posts: 2, Reputation: 2
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    #13

    Jul 10, 2007, 03:29 PM
    Isaiah had prophetically described this experience: "For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. 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" (Isaiah 28:11-12).

    Speaking with tongues as the initial evidence of receiving the Holy Ghost (as described in Acts 2,10,19) and speaking with tongues... a gift to be exercised in church meetings (as spoken about in I Corinthians 14) are distinguishable in function.

    There need be no interpretation of the tongues that people speak when they are filled with the Spirit. This experience is a personal thing between them and God and is not designed to convey a message to the church. On the other hand, someone may use the gift of tongues to speak a specific message of comfort and edification, and the church is blessed when the speak or someone else interprets the message (read about it in I Corinthians 14:13).

    On the Day of Pentecost, ALL those who were filled with the Holy Ghost spoke with tongues as the Spirit gave utterance. Why should we be any different?. there was one gospel message preached that day-by Peter, who spoke in a language everyone could understand.
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    paraclete Posts: 2,706, Reputation: 173
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    #14

    Jul 10, 2007, 04:52 PM
    Mettalic I think you have to come to grips with the reality that you are in your head and if you have to ask then you just don't have it.

    Speaking in tongues is a gift from God. As such, you can use the gift anytime, you just need Faith, another gift. Prophesy, that is giving a word in tongues, or in your own language, is a separate gift as is intrepreting a word spoken in tongues.

    Tongues can be used in prayer, particularly as the word says when you don't know what to pray, it can be used in worship as in singing in tongues and it can be used in warfare but I will leave you to research that for yourself for the moment. Speaking in tongues should be natural just like turning on the tap. Tongues is a spiritual gift and therefore it is spiritually discerned. What I suggest you do is use tongues in your personal prayer time to builtd yourself up in spiritual things and don't worry about what anyoneelse is doing
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    KevinH777 Posts: 9, Reputation: 7
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    #15

    Jul 11, 2007, 01:25 AM
    Paul addressed the "problem" of the gift of tongues in the church of Corinth (1 Corinthians 13-14) because the way in which it was being expressed was harming the unity of the church and was not being handled in love.

    1 Corinthians 13:1

    "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal."

    Many people view the gift of tongues as the language of angels that enables one to communicate directly with God at a higher level of speech. Many of those who hold this view think of tongues as being a form of angelic speech based on 1 Corinthians 13:1.

    The goal of this view, no doubt for many, is to have a more intimate relationship with God - I applaud that goal. But this view of tongues does not accurately reflect the text. Paul was clearly and obviously speaking hypothetically. He was not giving a definition of the gift of tongues in verse 1 saying that they are some form of angelic languages available to us anymore than he was saying that we have the ability or possibility of understanding all mysteries and all knowledge. He is speaking hypothetically to demonstrate how incredibly important love is. If I possessed powers and abilities that no one has ever had or will have in this present era, but I did not have love, all of those abilities would be a complete waste.

    "The gift of tongues is a known human language previously unknown to the speaker. Evidence rests first of all upon the meaning of the actual word, Glossa (Greek for tongues, or languages) specifically means languages. The very concept of language is not a series of random sounds that have no cognitive content. A language is a structure of expression that communicates intelligible thoughts and ideas. Whenever tongues is mentioned in Scripture, the context assumes that it is a specific language, although it is not necessarily known to the speaker." (Bob Johnson)

    The gift of tongues spoken about in Acts 2 is clearly a known human language. This is obvious from verses 6 and 8:

    6 "When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language."

    8 "Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?"

    Luke uses the same word for tongues in Acts 19, Acts 10 and 11 as he does in Acts 2. When we come to 1 Corinthians, we find that Paul uses the same word that Luke does and that Paul does not provide a new definition for it.

    It is clear from 1 Corinthians 14 that Paul sees the gift of tongues as the gift of languages because Paul will not permit the gift of tongues to function in a public gathering of the church without the gift of interpretation. Paul's statement in 14:10-11 and his quotation from Isaiah 28 in 14:21 are absolutely clear that Paul views tongues as a known foreign language.

    10 "Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me."

    21 "In the Law it is written: "Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me," says the Lord."
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    km2830 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    Mar 25, 2011, 10:06 AM
    Check out this blog: getunderstandingnow.blogspot.com has A lot about the subject! Also check out this book that's all about speaking in Tongues http://daveroberson.org/books.aspx# download the FREE book.

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