Speaking in Tongues
By acevivx
@acevivx (1566)
Philippines
August 12, 2008 7:35am CST
I've been to several services of born again christians and one thing I really don't understand is how they interpret the story in the bible where the apostles were speaking in several tongues or languages/dialects but were understood by everyone who were listening to them. while in the course of praying there would be several who would suddenly break out praying loudly in gibberish or purportedly foreign tongues or languages and who allegedly have the power to speak in tongues. Well i thought that when you can speak in tongues as told in the bible anyone hearing you whatever his language or dialect will understand what you are saying. But it appears that no one else understands what the "speaker in tongues " is saying. Some say there is a need for an interpreter but in the bible there is no interpreter so can anyone explain if thei practice of born again christians of "speaking in tongues" but which no one else understands is indeed true or is a power from the Holy Spirit? i can't understand why in the first place they are suppose to need to speak in tongues when they can speak in the dialect or language whicheveryone understands. In the bible, the apostles who were speaking in tongues had l;isteners who had different lanhguages but who could understand what the apostles were saying so why speak in tongues when you can speak in english or the local language or dialect spoken by the mebers of the group?
2 people like this
4 responses
@EvanHunter (4026)
• United States
14 Aug 08
I used to be in the same boat as you, I thought speaking in tongues was not for modern times and it wasn't for me. Than I had a change of mind one day when I went to a pentecostal church someone stood up and gave a testimony completely in tongues and I knew every word was for me and understood it. As for if it has a place in todays churches it says Mark16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
It also says that if you have not his spirit than you are none of his, I and my father will come and dwell in you, Tongues is not a sign for those who believe but for those who don't, the spirit praying for you when you don't know what to pray for and though Paul said he rather speak words with understanding he also talked about tongues and its importance over and over again. So I guess it depends on you and how much of God you want in your life.
@acevivx (1566)
• Philippines
14 Aug 08
I have God in my life but I don't think its just a matter of how much you want God in your life for you to be able to understand why people profess to speak in tongues. Let's not depart from the original purpose of speaking in tongues and taking it from there, anyone who profess to have the power to speak in tongues should really be doing so in furtherance of such purpose. Otherwise I believe it is proper for me to maintain my reservations on the matter.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
13 Aug 08
Hi acevivx, The Acts of The Apostles Chapter 2 tells the story of speaking in Tongues. This is not what happens in churches today, but later in the new testament there is a description that is similar. I have witnesses people speaking in tongues and in most cases was not impressed, it appeared to have been brought on by emotions. There always seems to be more speaking in tongues when there a lot of noise, and I am reminded of the still small voice. I know two people who are sincere and who claim to pray in tongues sometimes, and of course I don't judge them though I see no reason for it. There was a reason for it in the second chapter of Acts, but there is no reason for what is happening in many churches today. Blessings.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
13 Aug 08
Speaking in tongues or rather speaking in a language other than your own that you do not know, was a temporary gift given to the beginning church in the age of the Apostles. Now when Peter preached to the Jews from all over Asia and the prostelytes he spoke in Aramaic, but the crowd understood in the language of their country. So if you came from Rome, you heard the sermon in Latin, and if you came from around Persia you heard it in Persian, or if you were a recent convert from Germany, you heard it in Old German.
Now when the churches were formed most of the members were either Greek or Jewish, but supposing a stranger came in wanting to hear the gospel, and he came from Arabia. Then one of the speakers was given the gift of speaking Arabian, but the other members of the congregation could not understand it, so they needed an interpreter because that Arabian would ask Arabian and the speaker might not be able to understand him though he could speak it.
And later on some talked in goobeygook and said it was the language of angels.
And when the age of the Apostles was gone, the Gentiles now had the Bible or the first beginnings of the Bible and were able to read the word of God so they did not need to speak in tongues or do other miraculous works. It was a recruiting tool.
@acevivx (1566)
• Philippines
13 Aug 08
Yes, I fully understand that from the Bible. What I cannot understand is whysome people claiming to speak in tongues need to do so when there is no around who speaks another language or who cant understand the language being used in a group. Also, it is alright if the speaking in tongues is done using a language recognizable o be a language of another countryif there is someone from that country who cannot understand the local dialect or language used by the group but to speak in gibberish and claim it is a power from the Holy Spirit, that is quite something hard to understand and accept and really puts your belief in their teachings under a lot of pressure and doubts.I wonder what they want to achieve?
@vonkristoffer (833)
• Philippines
13 Aug 08
^_^
on that day that the Apostles are speaking in tongues, it is to identify that the message is really from God.. its a Temporal and Affirmative message from God..
and at the later time.. Paul said.. Id rather speak 5 words than Speaking in tongues..
