Should a believer talk in tongues?
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Asked April 14 2014
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lester Nelson
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For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
George Adams
As far as I am aware, this gift is still around, but due to the nature of this gift, many people are not aware of how common it is. It tends to be a more private gift.
brad heath
I attend an Assembly of God Church & it is very common there along with the Pentacostal Churches. I agree it isn't learned & the first time I spoke in tongues it was like a rushing river that flowed out of my diaphram area. I have no idea what was said & I continue to pray for interpretation. Ever since I can pray in tongues but can only control when & the volume. The content is between God & my soul. Paul's instructions make it clear that the worshipper can control when by his laying out of orderly conduct.
George Adams
This is really fascinating. Is it some kind of ecstatic utterance (glossolalia), or rather some kind of language foreign to human tongues which you can speak, but not understand (xenoglossia)?
Larry Truelove
I do not believe that what is called "tongues" represents the biblical model. In Acts 2, people spoke in human languages that were foreign to their native language, but they did so without the normal learning process.
I have never observed anyone doing that in modern times. Typically it cannot be distinguished from gibberish and linguists tend to confirm that. If it were genuine it seems to me that at least sometimes we would see the foreign language model being used.
brad heath
I use to be very skeptical of tongues even when I saw my Grandmother speak in it. She was the most honest Holy Spirit filled person I ever met. I was Baptized in 1984 but this occurence I spoke about started Feb 2014. It is more like xenoglassia not random repetitions. I believe it is the filling of the Holy Spirit & all I can do during & immediately after is praise Jesus. Larry I can understand your skepticism but I have tested this Spirit & it passes all Biblical tests.
brad heath
Also, how do you know the Apostles spoke in an actual human language verses the hearers just hearing it as their own language? Act 2:4 says they 'began to speak with other tongues" & Acts 2:8 says the Jews asked "And how is it we hear, each in our own language".
Esther Griffin
One thing is for true, one cannot negate a persons experience, and until you experience the power initiated in Acts 2:4, I can understand the skeptism. Before expressing 'opinions', read the WHOLE book of Acts (actions of the church) and see how the experience coincides with Corinthians, Joel, etc...Acts 1:8 is clear on receiving 'the Power' and speaking in tongues as an initial sign. Those of us who have had the experience also get the understanding, but it does take much prayer and faith. And may God bless each according to his faith...(Heb 11)
daniel akinola
i think Mark 16;17, stated that speaking in tongues is one of the evidences, that would identify a believer. This particular subject matter is controversial and needs to be examined objectively
Larry Truelove
Two things. Mark 16:17 doesn't tell us much about the nature of "languages." Does it tell us whether there would be false imitations of tongues? Second, it is not certain that the last several verses were original.
Larry Truelove
Brad,
You sound like you're saying you spoke in foreign language tongues but the apostles of Acts 2 didn't. You need to be consistent.
But to answer your question, I think the context is clear. The audience of Peter's sermon heard the apostles in their own languages because the apostles spoke in genuine human languages. The miracle was upon the Spirit filled 120, not the audience. Otherwise, how would the audience know who had the miracle?
Usually, the phenomenon of modern tongues is subjective. There is the "feeling" of the Holy Spirit, but no objective evidence. And this gibberish glossolalia happens in pagan religions and not only in Charismatic groups. That suggests that either the pagans have the HS or this is a clever imitation within Charismatic circles.
brad heath
Larry my distiction is I believe it is a heavenly language just not a known human language 1 Corinthians 13:1 & 1 Corinthians 14:2.
Larry Truelove
Esther, "Power" in the book of Acts was more than just felt, it was observable by the by the bystanders. I, as an observer, cannot tell the difference between this experience and gibberish. When someone actually speaks in a a human foreign language that they did not learn, then I will know it is a miracle. Your "feeling" of power is subjective. And I am extremely familiar with the Book of Acts.
George Adams
I just think that it is important to note: If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1
Tongues of men AND OF ANGELS
Larry Truelove
Brad,
I'm not aware of any "heavenly tongue." What you call a heavenly tongue is not mentioned in the bible. It's not distinguishable from gibberish. If you want to suggest, as some do, that it's an angelic language: How would you know an angelic language? Where do we find an angel speaking something that might sound like gibberish to a man? Paul's use of "tongues of angels" is hyperbole, intentional exaggeration. He's not talking about what would otherwise be "Angelish." In short, there is no such thing.
brad heath
Larry, I love you as a brother in Christ but I am praying on these same scriptures & getting a different conclusion. Like I said I believed the same thing until the Holy Spirit descended on me in my living room with no hypnotic music or pastor. Praise Jesus in your human & angelic tongue.
Larry Truelove
Brad, I will just say that your experience has dictated your conclusion and not scripture. Get back to me when you find someone speaking a foreign language they have not learned. That is something which cannot be faked or improvised by self deception. As long as it is not distinguishable from gibberish I will remain unconvinced.
brad heath
Larry, the volume of scriptures posted by everyone else points at tongues being valid. You offer your opinion on Acts 2 & offer nothing but opinion without scriptural citations. I contend your lack of experience & bias has influenced your opinion.
Larry Truelove
Don't think so. If truth was determined by human opinion, we would all be Roman Catholic.
Google "argumentum ad populum" for information about THAT logical fallacy. It is called by other names, including "consensus fallacy."
Krystina Herrera
Hi, I was saved in Nov of 2007, I was one that never read the Bible in my 40 years of existence here on earth. I have never heard of Christian radio stations, ministries, etc except for the church. I have never heard of speaking in tongues, and so on. Technically the only thing I knew about God was that there is Father, Son and Holy Spirit although I believed in God, and knew He created the heaven and the earth, in between was something I had no idea. I knew about Jesus dying on the cross but had no idea about sin and repentance. Yes, it was like I was a completely baby who was just born and as I grew I started learning. Anyway, the first time I was prayed for in the church, I had no idea that my life was about to change. The Pastor had told me that day that God made me a promise, and that promise was that I would receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I said, ok.. I had no idea what she meant. I, figured I would ask my friend who was kind enough to set up the prayer due to some things in my life. I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior because the Holy Spirit was guiding me, even when I didn't know it. I just heard, Don't Be afraid and when the Pastor spoke in tongue, I was startled. God made sure I was not afraid. Finally, in 2010, the promise that God made me has come to pass, and I am blessed as all are, and I speak in utterance when God allows, not when someone tells me too. It works, I know... It is not I, but the Lord that allows this.. I am praising Him.