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Speaking in Tongues |
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4/9/2006 7:07 am |
It says it is a sign but I do not believe it is necessary. I guessw I do not like the phrase speaking in toungues because people get it so confused. One form is speaking in a known language that is foreign to you. Another aspect is praying in a language given to you by the Holy Spirit that is the Spirit praying through you. Usually this is not for interpetation or understanding. It can be used in many ways such as in discerning an evil spirit so you can command it to leave. Many times you receive a word of knowledge regarding things. Personally I have had many wonderful experiences. I do not speak about this much because the gifts are just an aspect, but Jesus Christ is the main focus. Paul mentions in the 14th chapter of corinthians where it should be done orderly. If there is no interpetation to not stop doing it but do it in private because it in that form is a self edifying gift. He never said stop. Those who dont understand it and oppose it seem to ignore what Paul says. It was for then...it is for today. It is for tommorrow. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is an empowering act. But you need to be daily renewed none the less. Its a deeper walk because of the activity and empowerment of the Holy Spirit in your life...that no one should boast because it is for everyone. Its free just like salvation. And Just like Salvation isnt about us because its about Jesus. neither is the baptism of the Holy Spirit about us either. Its about the Holy Spirit empowering us to walk in the gifts of the Spirit as well as comforting us and teaching us all thing. The word comes more alive once you are baptized in the Holy Spirit. It isnt black or white any more but much more Rhema. Much more understanding as to why.  Elizabeth
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4/9/2006 11:24 am |
RIGHT TO THE POINT AND I FULLY AGREE. JOHN
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4/9/2006 12:29 pm |
I'm with Rebekka, I think Tropical Guy has it right, speaking in a language unknown to you, before others is a miracle "glorifiing God" before unbelievers. Now as far as the "other" type of language goes, to me it's personal. It allows me to speak when I don't know what to say or how to pray about something. And then there are the times when I want to tell God how much I love Him and there are no words in my vocabulary to tell Him how I feel that do Him justice. Oh, and just a thought....I suppose there arn't any "dumb" people filled with the Holy Spirit then right?
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4/9/2006 1:09 pm |
Hi Again Jean, Just as Dennis says "Its free just like salvation. And Just like Salvation isn't about us because it's about Jesus. Neither is the baptism of the Holy Spirit about us either. It's about the Holy Spirit empowering us to walk in the gifts of the Spirit as well as comforting us and teaching us all things. The word comes more alive once you are baptized in the Holy Spirit. It isn't black or white any more but much more Rhema. Much more understanding" This is RIGHT ON! The most important thing to me is that it is a gift given to us for empowerment and for the edifing and building up of our spirit man enableing us to walk a closer walk with the Lord. God bless! Judith
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I'm in agreement with Tropical Guy. (And great question, reallysaved!) My only comment to my brother biblestudyman is that the biggest confusion I know of has to do with the difference between someone giving a messing in tongues to a body of believers (which definitely requires interpretation othewise, what's the point since no one would understand what is being said) and what Tropical Guy is pointing out...that there is such a thing as a personal prayer language, and THAT does NOT need interpretation because you are talking to God and He doesn't need anyone to interpret for Him.  I love jumping in on this particular post because I have a tremendous testimony--one that really throws a monkey-wrench in some people's theology. (I know, because I've been a part of churches who kept saying there was no way I was baptised in the Spirit since I didn't immediately have a manifestation of a prayer language. I just smile...and totally ignore them.  )I grew up in a southern baptist church where no one there believed in the baptism of the Holy Spirit or the gifts of the spirit or anything like that. But man, they sure did know how to preach the gospel and get people born-agian. I was born-again (CLEARLY, I knew what I was doing) when I was 8! Then...something happened to me when I was 12. I was in a very conservative baptist church attending a revival service one night, and long story short, at the end when they were giving the altar call, somehow...someway...I found myself praying something like, "Lord, I want everything You have." And at that moment, it was like lightening hit me from the crown of my head to the bottom of my feet. I thought Jesus and all of heaven had jumped into my little body! I burst into tears (of joy!), and quite beside myself, shoved everyone aside, made my way to the center aisle, and RAN to the front of the church. I had no idea what had just happened to me...and neither did anyone else. All I knew was I was flooded with this incredible love and joy and a REVELATION of Jesus like I had never known. It radically and dramatically changed my life from that moment on. I prayed incessantly. I devoured the Word and it opened up to me in a way like I had never known. I did NOT speak in tongues. Didn't know a THING about it. Fast forward about twelve years...finally began to hear some teaching on the Baptism of the Spirit, and, when I did, immediately I knew THAT'S what had happened to me when I was 12. I then began to be taught that along with receiving the fullness of the spirit in that way is a kind of "built in" ability to pray in a new language. And notice how I phrased that. I did NOT say a gift to speak in tongues--although, technically, you are speaking in tongues when you speak in your prayer language, but I'm trying to make a distinction here for purposes of this particular post. At that point, I had people lay hands on me and pray for a release of my prayer language. It didn't immediately manifest. However, I kept thanking the Lord for it because I believed it was a part of the package. Then, one day not long aferwards, when I was in my car just singing and worshipping Him, I got so caught up in it, I thought, "Oh, who cares if I just make up words to sing. He'll know what I'm saying." And began to sing in another language. After a few minutes of doing this, all of a sudden, I realized what I was doing and stared laughing. I stopped singing and just began to let that language flow in my normal voice. And I've hardly stopped since! I'm not bragging when I say that. Please understand. Being able to pray in my prayer language is one of my most awesome...dare I say it...gifts I have been given. So many times when I don't know what to do or how to pray about something, I just begin to pray in my prayer language. Don't want to start a war here, but I personally interpret the Apostle Paul's references to praying with your spirit/praying in the spirit to mean this very thing. I earnestly sought God back in 1985, praying in the spirit sometimes two or three hours a day. I was seeking Him concerning specifically what I was called to do in music. And the result was an explosion of revelation where He illuminated to my understanding what I am called to do. It literally changed the course of my life forever. Thank GOD for the present day ministry of the Holy Spirit and for the most precious and wonderful way He takes hold together with us (when we pray in our prayer language) and prays us into the perfect will of God for our lives. (Romans 8:26) Most humbly and respecfuly submitted, Sharon
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4/10/2006 3:44 pm |
Sharon, PRAISE THE LORD! What a wonderful testimony. I too did not receive my prayer language for several weeks after I was baptized in the Holy Spirit. At the time I received "THE GIFT" It is a gift to me because of what it has added to my life and it is all good! anyway, I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at Joyce Meyer's conference here in Atlanta August 9th 2003. I had been listening to her for months and could not wait to go see her in Atlanta. I had went to a real legalistic church for 25 years and it was very difficult for me to understand any of this in the natural however, when I stood up by faith and asked to receive this baptism It was like electric shock going through my body and I shook for 15 minutes or longer. I know something happened to me as well. My prayer language did not come forth for many many weeks later. I was asleep and this was before my husband died and he said I was just jabbering in my sleep and it was then I realized this must be my prayer language. It had to come out so I began to just say whatever and I too was in the car one day praying and it came out bubbling like a fountain! I have not stopped since either. I pray sometimes for an hour or 2 myself. I had to build my spirit man up because of what was coming with my husbands illness & death soon afterwords. God is good! He is awesome! I will never stop praying in my prayer language either! God Bless! Judith
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4/11/2006 1:17 am |
I was taught that speaking in tongues is the first ecidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit, therefore it happens afterwards not before. From personal experience, being able to speak in tongues is very dependant on the state of my walk with God, when I am distant, it is not possible, but, gloriously - when I draw close to GOd, the Holy Spirit enables me to speak in a beautiful prayer language I don't understand. When I was first filled with the Holy Spirit, I was afraid of these strange "mumb jumbo" words that came from my mouth, and I thought I was making it up - but with good teaching from my home group I quickly realised it was a gift from God, and it was nothing to be afraid of. Not everyone will speak in tongues, but there again not all of us are brain surgeons either. God gives to each what they truly need,when they ask, scripture tells us that our earthly fathers love us, care for us and give us gifts, but how much more then will our Heavenly Father give us with His everlasting love. God bless, Dawn
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Sharon, PRAISE THE LORD! What a wonderful testimony. I too did not receive my prayer language for several weeks after I was baptized in the Holy Spirit. At the time I received "THE GIFT" It is a gift to me because of what it has added to my life and it is all good! anyway, I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at Joyce Meyer's conference here in Atlanta August 9th 2003. I had been listening to her for months and could not wait to go see her in Atlanta. I had went to a real legalistic church for 25 years and it was very difficult for me to understand any of this in the natural however, when I stood up by faith and asked to receive this baptism It was like electric shock going through my body and I shook for 15 minutes or longer. I know something happened to me as well. My prayer language did not come forth for many many weeks later. I was asleep and this was before my husband died and he said I was just jabbering in my sleep and it was then I realized this must be my prayer language. It had to come out so I began to just say whatever and I too was in the car one day praying and it came out bubbling like a fountain! I have not stopped since either. I pray sometimes for an hour or 2 myself. I had to build my spirit man up because of what was coming with my husbands illness & death soon afterwords. God is good! He is awesome! I will never stop praying in my prayer language either! God Bless! Judith Thanks so much for sharing your testimony. And I know exactly what you mean when you say you needed to build up your spirit man because of what was coming with your husband's illness and death. Being able to pray in the spirit (i.e. pray in your prayer language) like the scriptures say in Jude (vs 20 I think...not sure and don't have my Bible with me) is such an asset. And, biblestudyman, I'm saying this without an attitude of haughtiness or spiritual arrogance. I don't enjoy getting into debates and arguments over how people interpet the scriptures. But if you can possibly hear me, consider the various scriptures just like this one in Jude where it talks about the benefits of praying in the spirit. He says in I Cor. 14 that he prays with his sprit and he prays with his understanding; He sings with his spirit and he sings with his understanding. If you go back to the top of this post and read both Tropical Guy's opening paragraph and mine (in our respective comments) we both say the same thing: There is a difference in praying (to God) with your prayer language (which is a "built-in" capacity, you might call it, that accompanies being Baptized in the Holy spirit...eventually, as Judith and I have testified here) and operating in the gift of giving a message in tongues to a body of believers. In the latter case, you are absolutely right: If there is no one present who also operates in interpretation of tongues, then it's rather pointless to speak to the body of believers in a language which no one can understand. My tone is not argumentative, my brother. I'm simply trying to bring some additional light to this not only for perhaps your benefit, but for others who might read this post. Consider this: Why would the Lord through Paul tell us to "pray with all manner of prayer in the spirit (see Eph. 6...again, sorry that I don't know the exact verse) if only some people were going to be able to do it? (And I'm equating praying in your prayer language to praying in the spirit because I believe they are the same thing.) Everyone who seeks the Lord Jesus to be baptized in His Sprit can fully expect Him to not only answer their prayer and be empowered to be His witness but also to be able to communicate with Him by praying with their spirit as the Holy Spirit articulates the words through them, i.e. pray in tongues in their new prayer language. All it really requires is an open and earnest heart, a little faith--probably no more than the size of a mustard seed--and maybe a little patience and determination not to let the enemy talk you out of it or discourage you before it manifests if, like with myself and Judith, it doesn't manifest immediately. Remember, God is no respector of persons. He is, however, a respector of faith.
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4/11/2006 6:31 pm |
Before we start arguing over which gift (of many) is the best one (of course it is the one YOU have)it would probably be better to first figure out what 'baptism' really is, and what the 'Holy Spirit' really is prior to taking great leaps forward to discuss which gift should be made mandatory for all (yours, I assume). Holy men and women of the church (bishops & patriarchs etc) have debated these issues of defining terms like baptism and Holy Spirit and other things for centuries, and I am quite sure none of us here has the final answer on those subjects. There is of course a certain reality to those terms, known to God, that is quite distinct from what we may believe those terms to mean, or the effects those things have on us etc. So let us then seek guidance from the great saints and martyrs of the church (who have left us writings) and try not to lean on each other too much for advice, for if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
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May I share to MR. geeman1058 what the Bible say about The Holy SPIRIT and speaking in tongues. With respect to you Sir, you stated that " you are quite sure that none of us here has the final answer on those subject." So I am humbly sharing what I have learned according to the SCRIPTURES. THAT, The Holy Spirit can be received after conversion. REPENTANCE comes first. Acts 2:38 Peter replied, Repent and be baptized everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT. (NIV). It is a promised from God. Acts 1:4b .. BUT WAIT FOR THE GIFT MY FATHER PROMISED. Acts 2:39 THE PROMISE IS FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN and FOR ALL WHO ARE FAR OFF FOR ALL WHOM THE LORD OUR GOD WILL CALL. And one of the manifestation of the Holy Spirit is SPEAKING IN TONGUES. Acts 2:4 ALL OF THEM WERE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT and BEGAN TO SPEAK IN OTHER TONGUES, as the Spirit enabled them. Sir, ALL what we wanted to know about God are all written in the BIBLE. I want the truth Sir, so I am relying in the Bible to know GOD's WORDS. With all respect to you, MAY GOD BLESS YOU! " We are fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:14a
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4/12/2006 11:35 pm |
Holy men of the church (bishops & patriarchs etc)?.....That's a good one!.......You have anymore jokes!.......I think we are all capable of reading the Bible for ourselves and don't any "scholars" interpreting Scripture for us!.......You have done enough damage with your opinions already thank you!.......You sound Catholic.......The only gift that I have is the ability to spot sanctimonious, self righteous, brainwashed nitwits like you!.......Welcome to Big Church....... Prepare yourself for battle!
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4/13/2006 1:33 am |
Somone once told me that I wasn't a proper christian as I didn't speak in tongues. I didn't agree, but it hurt me.
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4/13/2006 9:02 am |
Before we start arguing over which gift (of many) is the best one (of course it is the one YOU have)it would probably be better to first figure out what 'baptism' really is, and what the 'Holy Spirit' really is prior to taking great leaps forward to discuss which gift should be made mandatory for all (yours, I assume). Holy men and women of the church (bishops & patriarchs etc) have debated these issues of defining terms like baptism and Holy Spirit and other things for centuries, and I am quite sure none of us here has the final answer on those subjects. There is of course a certain reality to those terms, known to God, that is quite distinct from what we may believe those terms to mean, or the effects those things have on us etc. So let us then seek guidance from the great saints and martyrs of the church (who have left us writings) and try not to lean on each other too much for advice, for if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
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Somone once told me that I wasn't a proper christian as I didn't speak in tongues. I didn't agree, but it hurt me. It breaks my heart anytime I hear of anyone being put down or belittled in any way as far as where they are in their walk with the Lord. I knew when I posted my two comments above that there would be those who wouldn't agree with what I believe. But that's okay. I didn't say what I did with a know-it-all type of haughty or spiritually arrogant spirit--and God knows my heart that I'm telling the truth. My purpose in sharing everything I do here at BC is first and foremost, to present the type of person I am to, hopefully, my future mate and secondly, to be a living testimony of the awesome greatness of God's grace at work in my life...to motivate people to seek Him for His best for their lives. As my precious sister, continuinghope, said above, praying in tongues has been an edifying experience...a great blessings. THAT'S why I posted what I did here; not so I could enter into a heated debate or appear as if I'm somehow more superior than another brother or sister in Christ who either does not interpret the scriptures as I or who has not yet experienced praying in tongues for themselves. And I'm not addressing this next statement so much to you, Jewel, as I am to others who may reads this: Please remember that the enemy loves to do anything he can do to divide us and cause strife. If he can get you to be offended, then you close your heart to the things we are talking about here (specifically tongues). Sometimes people interpret other people's actions and what they say to mean they are being spiritually arrogant, when in fact they aren't at all. Love says, think and act the best toward everyone. I'm not here to put anyone down because they don't speak in tongues. And I'm not here to convince anyone that it's for them. As my sister said above, let those who can accept it, accept it, and those who cannot, ask God why. He's your teacher. He'll guide you into the whole truth...if you keep seeking Him with an open and earnest heart. That's how I got where I'm at. 
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I agree with biblestudyman. I've discovered that God reaches us each individually on different levels and in different ways. Just because one's religious experience is a certain way doesn't make it a prerequisite for mine. As long as we get the basics right about salvation, we shouldn't worry whether someone else speaks in tongues or not.
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4/13/2006 12:43 pm |
John the Baptist was baptised in the Holy Spirit in his mother's womb. He leapt, but I see no record of him speaking!
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4/13/2006 12:48 pm |
Somone once told me that I wasn't a proper christian as I didn't speak in tongues. I didn't agree, but it hurt me. Paul said that he had rather speak in an understood language than in an unknown tongue, thus early entering the possibility that there ARE people who are baptised in the Spirit who don't speak in tongues. And probably most Christians for some 20 centuries managed quite well without.
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4/14/2006 1:27 am |
Worshippingone, thank you for what you said. Your heart is a pure one and the Lord knows that too. It's funny because when this person said what he did to me, I was only a baby christian, 8 months, but I think God gave me the wisdom at that young age to know that I was His and He was mine and that was that. It was pure and simple. God gives me what He gives me and chooses to withhold what I don't need. We as christians all have the gifts that God has chosen to give us and we fit together just right in that working. Within a church every gift can be used to compliment the other, if we are willing for God to do that. I have the gift of encouragement and that's what God has given me. Maybe in the future I may get tongues God knows that, but for now I'm just happy whatever He gives me. A friend of mine speaks in tongues and she said that it's freeing, because there is no wandering of the mind onto other things, its just praise to God. Satan can do all sorts with our mind. He puts schemes in place, negative ones that if we go down that route can damage us. I wonder if tongues can help with this as its complete and utter focussing on God. Ruth
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Worshippingone, thank you for what you said. Your heart is a pure one and the Lord knows that too. It's funny because when this person said what he did to me, I was only a baby christian, 8 months, but I think God gave me the wisdom at that young age to know that I was His and He was mine and that was that. It was pure and simple. God gives me what He gives me and chooses to withhold what I don't need. We as christians all have the gifts that God has chosen to give us and we fit together just right in that working. Within a church every gift can be used to compliment the other, if we are willing for God to do that. I have the gift of encouragement and that's what God has given me. Maybe in the future I may get tongues God knows that, but for now I'm just happy whatever He gives me. A friend of mine speaks in tongues and she said that it's freeing, because there is no wandering of the mind onto other things, its just praise to God. Satan can do all sorts with our mind. He puts schemes in place, negative ones that if we go down that route can damage us. I wonder if tongues can help with this as its complete and utter focussing on God. Ruth )I also really appreciated what you said about how Satan can put all sorts of things in our minds and schemes and stuff. Yes, I definitely believe that when anyone prays in their prayer language, they are tapping into a very special "hotline to Heaven" and making intercession in behalf of not only themselves but for others. Here's an example: A few days ago while driving to my office, I was quietly praying in the spirit (in my prayer language). I pulled up to a red light and stopped behind a car. Because it was two lanes, there were also vehicles to my left and they were also stopped. The light turned green, and I noticed that the vehicle immediately to my left slightly lurched then stopped because the engine temporarily died. The person in front of my began to slowly move forward, and all of a sudden, another vehicle came barreling across the intersection going at least 30-40 miles an hour. Because the first vehicle on the far left-hand side had not yet moved forward, the car in front of me was able to see this guy who was running a red light and avoid hitting him. And if the vehicle on the far left had moved at all, they would have been broad-sided in violent fashion. Now, was all that avoided because I was sitting there praying in the spirit? Was the timing of my being there and sitting there praying as I was somehow divinely orchestrated so He could use my prayers to interceed in behalf of those other people--including the guy who was running the red light? I have no idea. I certainly have no proof. All I know is, I am always asking the Lord to do in this earth through me all He wants to do, and if He did use me as a vessel of His grace that morning, then all I can say is, thank You, Lord! And by the way, I have all kinds of testimonies of the "results" that come with praying in the spirit--not necessarily along these lines, but things that just somehow form a pattern such that it seems very clear to me, there really is something to this praying in your prayer language that not only benefits yourself, but others you are "connected" to. Keep growing in Jesus, Ruth. And it sounds like you most definitely are!
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4/14/2006 7:07 am |
Worshippingone, now you've given me tears in my eyes and it's all through Jesus. PTL for He is worthy to be praised, to receive worship and honour and glory and blessing for ever and ever Amen. Ruth
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5/20/2006 11:52 pm |
To become a Christian IS to be baptised in the Spirit: but not all Christians speak in tongues!
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9/5/2007 4:11 pm |
My Goodness! I`m new to BLOG world,but it`s "comforting" to know that the old argument`s are still alive and kicking always amazed me the controversy that the subject of tongues causes you have it ,good.If you don`t have it but would like to,ask seek and knock.If you don`t have it don`t want it,don`t believe in it,then Bless you any way.Your no less spiritual than any one who has the gift. "This is the year of the favor of our God" "Your time has come to shine. All your dreams are on their way. See how they shine."(Bridge over troubled waters)
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