Speaking In Tongues Is Not An Answer

[RJ]

I have had several discussions with individuals here on TJ that totally disagree with me on "Speaking In Tongues".

Please, allow me to set the record straight, I believe in tongues, tongues is scriptual, a spiritual gift from God and can be a wonderful experience. I believe in what I just said and, I believe this as much, many have its application and need totally wrong.

Here is a premise for using tongues which 2 different individuals espouse and I disagree with:

1. If you do not speak in tongues, it is an indication that you are not a true Chrsitian and possible not saved.

2. It is perfectly alright for my church to have a prayer time for openly speaking in tongues during a church service; even a time that is not for edifying the church and with out an interpreter; even if someone is in their worship service who does not understand tongues.

The first stance is an absolute possible assualt on ones faith and can put them into bondage of doubting their own salvation. Coming from a group or a church, if one is taught that you must speak in tongues or that all you have to do is ask God for the gift, is wrong. What do you do if you have a person that, as hard as they try, just cant speak in tounges. A possible outcome is that for some reason God just doesnt think you worthy or, worse yet, you start to doubt your own salvation.

The second stance is all about a church religion that changes the Bibles meaning to suit their own needs or glorification.

Below is St. Pauls stance on tongues.....you decide.

1 Corinthians 14

Intelligibility in Worship
1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[b] but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,[c] unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

6 Now, brothers and sisters, 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? 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 So 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. 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 the speaker is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church. 13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. 16 Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer,[d] say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? 17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.

 

[Bob Carabbio]

1. If you do not speak in tongues, it is an indication that you are not a true Chrsitian and possible not saved.

Not taught by ANY MAJOR Pentecostal/CHarismatic group - with the exception of the "United Pentecostal" Oneness folks.

2. It is perfectly alright for my church to have a prayer time for openly speaking in tongues during a church service; even a time that is not for edifying the church and with out an interpreter; even if someone is in their worship service who does not understand tongues.

Below is St. Pauls stance on tongues.....you decide.

You need to bear in mind that 1 Cor 14 is dealing with the undisciplined, and flesh-driven Corinthian church, where obviously folks are "Showing off their Gifts" and the whole situation is out of control. Bottom line The Holy Spirit, who gives and controls the gifts, IS NOT going to burden somebody to give a MESSAGE IN A TONGUE, and NOT have somebody burdened ti INTERPRET for the benefit of the congregation. A "Tongues speaker" (like myself) can ALWAYS RIP OFF A TONGUE at will, and sound real spiritual. But it it wasn't BURDENED as a ministry utterance, IT MEANS NOTHING, and there'll likely be no interpretation given, because there never was a "message" to be shared.

In Pentecostal/Charismatic gatherings during open prayer and worship times, MANY different forms of expression are heard. Here in texas it's likely that folks (Who are worshipping together) will speak in their "mother tongue" (spanish, CHinese, French, etc) AND some will speak in a "Tongue", and generally it'll just be a "Great noise" - with instrumental backup. so no big deal, and not related to ANYTHING Paul is teaching in 1 Cor 14.

We had a unique problem in Western Ohio because of a group called "The WAY" (Dr. Victor Weirwille). for $400, he'd TEACH YOU to "Speak in Tongues", "Interpret" what you spoke, and "Prophesy" AT WILL. They created much confusion when they'd visit legitimate pentecostal/chraismatic churches, and "practice their art".

 

[Reba1]

A Bethel church is down the road a piece ... The push tongues along with laying prostrate on graves gold dust and holy feathers and a few more gimmicks ... Yet i have not heard one bit about this Scripture ..

Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

When the fakers learn how to make tongues of fire happen they will fake that too. In my 74 years i have seen and heard the real and the fake. Stories of so called Holy Ghost filled tongue talking preachers having affairs when caught the AofG just moved them along . Preachers who cheated the towns of monies buy not paying the building improvement bills ... Stories of 'lets be quiet about this he is Brother so n so's son. Bakker, Swaggart, Hinn ,Not to forget Dr. Gene Scott.. are not the only ones .. I also know stories of Godly men who stood for TRUTH lost friends .. Men who took on the challenge to make 'things' good, over coming the mocking.. Where ever there are people there will be a percentage of them that are not just in any way ..they can call themselves saved or Christian but are simply wolfs. I speak of the AofG because i lived it.

 

[B-A-C]

A Bethel church is down the road a piece ... The push tongues along with laying prostrate on graves gold dust and holy feathers and a few more gimmicks ... Yet i have not heard one bit about this Scripture ..

Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Not a fan of Bethel churches, they get far out there.

The mighty rushing wind, and cloves of fire appears to be an Acts 2 upper room thing only. This was the very first time the Holy Spirit fell upon the church.

In the other 4 "baptism of the Holy Spirit" instances, there is no mention of the cloves of fire and rushing wind.

 

[Reba1]

Our Scriptures were not written in Chapter and verse .