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ON SPEAKING IN TONGUES? Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13  -10: "Beareth all things, believe th all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." He appeared to predict, in about the middle of the 1st century, that at some time in his future, people will no longer prophecy or speak in tongues. There appears to be no consensus on when this will or has ended. It appeared that the apostles would retain the gifts they possessed until their deaths. And those the apostles laid hands on would retain those gifts until their own deaths. History showed the charismatic gifts including prophecy, tongues, healing, and others in their own day, some 50 years or more after the death of the last apostle, but were continuing to practice the gifts until their own deaths. Pentecostals and Charismatics generally believe that speaking in tongues today is as much a gift of the Holy Spirit as it was during the time of the apostles. Some non-Pentecostals believe that the various gifts of the spirit, including the gift of tongues, ended with the death of the last apostle or shortly thereafter. I have participated in the services of both groups and I believe where it might be possible, with interpretation which was a biblical requirement (which rarely is present) for this phenomena to happen, however, I have never spoken in tongues and don't feel that I ever will. Perhaps some of each group may like to shed some reasons as to why they feel the way they do. I do find it a most interesting subject as to why we have these gifts today. LET'S HAVE A PEACEFUL DISCUSSION  (¯`•♥•´¯) ¤`•.♥.•´ ¤ (¯`•♥•´¯) |
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Sherri, are you saying that this part of scripture is where Paul is supposed to be predicting that these things will end? "but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease" If that were the case, then wouldn't this part have to be included as well? "whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away" After all, it is all in the same sentence. I believe it is obvious that he did not mean that knowledge would end, why then would he mean that prophecy and tongues would end? It is bad enough when Christians take one verse out of context and try to make it say what they wish for it to say, but when they start taking one part of a sentence within a verse and try to make it say one thing, while the rest of the sentence says something else, then it becomes completely absurd. Dear sister, I will return with more information for you but had to begin with this as it just jumps out at one as being such an obvious error. Ephesians 6:13 . . .and having done all, to stand 
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1Co 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12¶ For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27¶ Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. Sherri, here I have quoted the chapter just prior to the one which you have quoted. I apologize for it's length but I do not wish for anything to be taken out of context. Please note that I have bolded several areas where the gifts have been listed, amongst them being prophecy and tongues. There are many gifts and I guess that my question would be, why would God give gifts and then take them away or why would He take some away and not others? I ask this question especially since the Bible tells us that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. I wrote the following just yesterday in one of the magazine posts. Not everybody is given the gift of tongues, just like not everybody is called to be a minister, or a missionary. It is not confusing at all if folks will just read what the Bible has to say. If you have the gift, Praise the Lord, use it, if you don't, Praise the Lord, 'cause He's given you something different. Stop worrying about what you do or don't have, stop worrying about what your neighbor does or doesn't have and just go about doing the work that the Father has given you to do. Stop worrying about whether it's real or if it's "for" the church today. Stop quibbling about who's right and who's wrong, who's better than who. We are all parts of the same body and we are all necessary. We each have our own work to do and we each need tools that fit the job we have been given. The foot doesn't need glasses and the eyes don't need shoes so if your a foot stop worrying about how glasses work, whether they should or shouldn't be used, how they should be used, if they were meant for todays church or just for the early church. Tend to things that the foot needs to be tending to and let the eyes worry about the glasses. 1Co 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Here again, in the chapter after the one you quoted is Paul saying that speaking in tongues is not to be forbidden. This is after His discourse on orderlyness of speaking in tongues for prophecy and the interpretation thereof. Ro 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.Ro 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. This is another place where tongues comes into play, where the Holy Spirit takes over in prayer and speaks directly to God the Father on our behalf, communing with Him what is in our soul that we are unable to find the words to communicate ourselves. The groanings that cannot be uttered are "tongues" which we know not and cannot know because we are human and it is a heavenly language, one that is of God. Again, I apoligize for the length of this post, but I wanted to give you my take on this issue as fully and clearly as I could. I do believe that there are those who put too much emphasis on speaking in tongues just as there are those who deny this gift as well as others as being authentic for the church today, if that is the right word to use. Once again, I can only recommend that each person must search the scripture for themselves, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the correct interpretation that is applicable to them. God bless and keep you, sis. Your sister in Christ's love, Cecilia Ephesians 6:13 . . .and having done all, to stand
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8/11/2006 5:04 pm |
I do speak in tongues.
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8/11/2006 5:16 pm |
Sherri, are you saying that this part of scripture is where Paul is supposed to be predicting that these things will end? "but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease" If that were the case, then wouldn't this part have to be included as well? "whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away" After all, it is all in the same sentence. I believe it is obvious that he did not mean that knowledge would end, why then would he mean that prophecy and tongues would end? It is bad enough when Christians take one verse out of context and try to make it say what they wish for it to say, but when they start taking one part of a sentence within a verse and try to make it say one thing, while the rest of the sentence says something else, then it becomes completely absurd. Dear sister, I will return with more information for you but had to begin with this as it just jumps out at one as being such an obvious error.
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8/11/2006 5:17 pm |
I do speak in tongues. 
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8/11/2006 5:28 pm |
Yep, I do that too! There is not need to say more. Redbird said it all. God bless you sister.
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8/11/2006 5:45 pm |
It ends when he returns...he hasnt come back yet...thats all that means. I cor 14 26-28 talks of tounges as a prayer language and to be done between the person and God
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8/11/2006 10:57 pm |
I grew up in a church environment where there were many "revival meetings" full of speaking in tongues and healings. And nearly every Sunday evening during the worship service someone would give a word in tongues and after a short silence someone else would interpret it. It was usually something edifying to the congregation and sometimes it was an admonition. Very rarely would anyone not interpret and when it did happen it was probably because the person who received the interpretation was too timid to give it. I've also seen people get "slain in the spirit", my mother being one, and I've seen intercessory prayer in the spirit. I received the baptism in the Spirit when I was 13 at a youth group meeting, and it was a very quiet but awesome experience (my brother received his the week before and everybody knew it). I used to pray in tongues frequently, especially when I couldn't come up with words to express myself. Unfortunately, over the years I've gotten rather cold in that area and no longer use my gift. Shame on me. It can be frightening for someone who has never seen it, but believe me, it is real. None of this "untiemybowtie" junk from people who don't understand it and choose to ridicule it. It's real. Personally, I think the Spirit falls on those who are open and willing to receive Him and are not inhibited or fearful to use it, or unbelieving. And I don't think it has ceased because its usage is no longer needed. I don't attend a Charismatic church anymore, but I'd be willing to bet it is still used in them, especially in the Pentecostal Church of God denomination.
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8/12/2006 1:03 am |
Yes, I do, at home in my alone prayer time...
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I have never spoken in tongues. (¯`•♥•´¯) ¤`•.♥.•´ ¤ (¯`•♥•´¯)
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8/12/2006 4:13 am |
The Spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophets...this means we are free to choose whether or not we walk in a gift. We arent condemned if we do not. We just may miss a blessing is all Interpeting a toungue spoken in church is much different than one that is spoken that is a known dialect, yet one that you do not know. If I went to China, and spoke in Chinees to a person and told them about God, even though I did not know Chineese that would be one aspect of one of the kinds of tounges. It would take a step of faith because you would not know what you are saying and what you said probably would not make sense to you. It would be the Holy Spirit speaking through you in a known dialect Now in a Church setting the type of toungue Paul is speaking about is like when the fellowship is in worship and all becomes quiet. A person may speak out loudly in an utterance of the Holy Spirit that is not a known Language. If no one speaks a discerning interpetation then that person who spoke that is told to refrain. He also speaks of things done orderly. Why? For the purpose of not having mass confusion. The reason for worship and sharing is to build up the saints and also to open up non believers to the presense of God in a fellowship. I have heard people speak out in toungues and I knew it was of God and done in an orderly way and sure enough there was an interpetation. I have also had experiences where I knew it was not. They are not condemned for doing that, but usually a pastor will confirm what you are sensing in your spirit. Ok now, the prayer language is the Holy Spirit praying through you. It can be a rebuking thing where God is rebuking something spiritual going on that should not be going on...such as telling demonic spirits to leave. You can pray in the spirit if you are confused about something and then you get a discerning word from God because of praying in the Spirit. Ok...in a Church setting it is ok to sing in the spirit durring worship...meaning singing in your prayer language It is ok to pray over someone in the spirit in a fellowship gathering. What Paul is talking about is people misusing the gift in the sense of the whole congregation when there is a silence and the spirit is there and instead of doing so by the urging of the Spirit, they just do it anyway. Then there is no flow with the spirit. People get out of sorts because they "Know". I hope this helps These are just gifts Sheri. They are for today and its not rocket science, it is just a part of the Holy Spirit in a believers life. To be honest, he will give this to anyone. But he also does it in his way and his timing prompted by his leading. Too many people overlook the blessing and significance in this and yet also too many people make a big deal out of the gifts they do operate in. That gate swings both ways. I believe every believer has the same Holy Spirit in them. I believe as needed every believer can operate in any of the gifts as needed if they have a willing heart and are letting Jesus live through them and not them living for Jesus. Paul let Jesus live through him. Jesus let the Father live through him.....Once again the Spirit of the Prophets is subject to the prophets is at work here as it always is. All of God is natural to the Christian. It should be.We try and sensationalize the natural which is unatural to unbelievers but a part of our heiritage as believers in Jesus Chriat
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Yes, I do speak in tongues.... Praise the Lord for this gift! I speak them fairly timidly though in whispers during prayertime by myself and sometimes at our service in a non charismatic church. Always whispering.. I receiving the blessed Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the tongues during the European Conference of Women Aglow November 2005. And received this scripture with it: Ezekiel 36:26-27 the next day... Sometimes I wonder what I am saying.. sometimes i am only repeating sounds... sometimes I think that the Spirit invites me to understand; then He speaks to my heart. In moments of deep praise & worship I use tongues and also at times when i walk the street late at night to chase away fear... At times I feel the Spirit speak to us so clearly during prayertime at our Church at tuesdaynights that I start my whisperprayers and receive visions and prayerpoints that are important to Him, because He would send the same prayerpoints to many others in the room... When used in prayer and worship I can feel His Presence hovering over us and for me, I come closer His Presence and His nearness. Which is absolutely bliss!! Halleluyah \O/ Shalom, Josetta
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8/12/2006 11:16 am |
I understood the whole thing...and that happens WHEN JESUS RETURNS A little cart before the horse lesson to you. Jesus was glorified and ressurected before any of these Churches were formed. The Holy Spirit was not given until after Jesus went to be with the father.... OK...Time span.....after he went to the Father this scripture is written. And although it is important to understand a whole scripture and not part of it..... "But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." What part of he that is perfect has come is escaping YOU Go back to the pits of hell religious ignorant spirit! LOL...wow the truth has taken the color out of your face hasnt it?
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I must be in the minority. Is anyone aware that speaking in tongues actually became fashionable around 1901? (¯`•♥•´¯) ¤`•.♥.•´ ¤ (¯`•♥•´¯)
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Are you all aware that speaking in tongues as you are describing it has only been fashionable since about 1901 and it has been growing strong since? In Biblical times it was the least important gift and now it is most sought after gift. 1 Corinthians 14:5, 12:27-31 In Biblical times it was a sign to unbelievers and now it is suppose to be a sign to believers. 1 Corinthians 14:22 More later. (¯`•♥•´¯) ¤`•.♥.•´ ¤ (¯`•♥•´¯)
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8/13/2006 4:50 am |
Sheri if they are in the upper room and the Holy Spirit falls on them as toungues of fire and they are all speaking at the same time...what sense does this make? Because it was all going on at the same time. It would be confusion. Yes there was confusion as it happened because it had never happened before. What happened afterwards? They went out and preached in tounges which is totally seperate. First they were empowered Second they went out and preached. Receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is not preaching. You have no clue what you are talking about and neither does whoever you listen to. It isnt a big deal but ignorance is really annoying. Why would Paul say to go do something in private? Personal edification...so it has value.
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8/13/2006 4:52 am |
Pete.....no I wont bother...I cant deal with ignorance today
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So it is my understanding that we are to believe that the gifts of the spirit are all passed away? That would include all of these: Romans 12:6-8 I Corinthians 12:8-10 Prophecy The Word of Wisdom Ministry The Word of Knowledge Teaching Faith Exhortation Healing Giving Miracles Ruling Prophecy Showing Mercy Discerning of Spirits Speaking in Tongues Interpretation of Tongues I Cor 12:28 Apostles Prophets Teachers Miracles Healing Helps Governments Diversities of Tongues God forbid! What then is our hope if faith has passed away? Why then do we strive if teaching is gone and helps and mercy are no more? We fool only ourselves if wisdom and knowledge are forever taken from us. I ask again, how can it be that God would give and then take away? Is there then the possibility that somewhere down the road He will change His mind and take away the grace that He gave? That He will reclaim the sacrifice of His son? Let it never be!!!! God is the same, yesterday, today and forever. His word never fails. We are His and His gifts are ours, today just as yesterday, for our benefit and for His glory. It is not my wish to cause anyone to accept what they do not choose to accept for God reveals unto each according to His will. But I do wish for this condemnation of those of us who do accept, believe in and use the gifts of the Holy Spirit to cease. We must remember that we are all a part of the body of Christ and we are all different. We must accept the differences between us when it comes to things such as this, that are not unto condemnation. They are not a hindrance to salvation and this strife between us brethren takes our focus off of our obligations as Christians to witness to the unsaved not to mention the fact that it causes the unsaved to believe that we are no different than they in that we argue and fight all the time. God bless all of you. I love you all. Your sister In Christs love, Cecilia Ephesians 6:13 . . .and having done all, to stand
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i occassionally pray in tongues as the SPIRIT leads me.
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8/13/2006 5:14 pm |
Are you all aware that speaking in tongues as you are describing it has only been fashionable since about 1901 and it has been growing strong since? In Biblical times it was the least important gift and now it is most sought after gift. 1 Corinthians 14:5, 12:27-31 In Biblical times it was a sign to unbelievers and now it is suppose to be a sign to believers. 1 Corinthians 14:22 More later.
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8/13/2006 6:35 pm |
Let's all do a test. When you or if you do speak in tongues per the charasmatic type- record it. Then transcribe it phonetically onto paper or even into your 'puter. Since you don't need to translate if it is done in private- no big deal. But if you DO have the ability to translate, copy that down too. The phonetic transcriptions are then the exact "tongue" being spoken in written form. If we can do this, we can indeed prove that the tongues are real. Or NOT. "Though I speak with the tongues of men or of angels..." If it isn't a known human tongue- it must be that of angels. Or NOT. We can end this controversy in short order. It shouldn't take long to record and transcribe. End the controversy. PROVE YOUR TONGUE SPEAKING IS ABSOLUTELY REAL. Or not.  Easy eh?
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8/13/2006 8:04 pm |
Here is what I have learned after years of much study and prayer: Gift Of Tongues In Context Of History And Bible A Private Prayer Language The Gifts Of The Holy Spirit The Misunderstood Gift I hope this helps answer some of the questions out there about this particular gift of the Holy Spirit. Remember that God - not me - is the final authority on this topic and that is why we should rely upon the Bible for our information rather than the teachings of any denomination or movement. Bryan
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8/13/2006 9:37 pm |
I was a little concerned about how you mentioned that the holy spirit may take you over kind of like a possesion.. It's not like that.. God's Spirit dwells in me regardless of if I speak in tongues and the Bible says that I don't know how to pray and it's the Holy Spirit that does the prayin.. geez Bible is not upstairs..will be quiet until i have scripture.. it's amazing that God would choose to dwell in these broken vessels... that's what im thinking yes speak in tongues..only in private since i have never felt the need to speak outwardly and i have never seen a prophetic utterance as described in acts.. but i have seen a whole lot shakin goin on... I don't think it's judging when you say that a non believer might be freaked out by it so it shouldn't be done in public..anyway God bless
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8/14/2006 3:56 am |
I was a little concerned about how you mentioned that the holy spirit may take you over kind of like a possesion.. It's not like that.. God's Spirit dwells in me regardless of if I speak in tongues and the Bible says that I don't know how to pray and it's the Holy Spirit that does the prayin.. geez Bible is not upstairs..will be quiet until i have scripture.. it's amazing that God would choose to dwell in these broken vessels... that's what im thinking yes speak in tongues..only in private since i have never felt the need to speak outwardly and i have never seen a prophetic utterance as described in acts.. but i have seen a whole lot shakin goin on... I don't think it's judging when you say that a non believer might be freaked out by it so it shouldn't be done in public..anyway God bless "He must increase, but I must decrease." [John 3:30] "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." [Galatians 2:20] As you surrender more and more to the Holy Spirit, people will see Jesus living through you rather than yourself. That should be the goal of every believer.
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8/14/2006 1:58 pm |
I do speak in Tongues privately. I do not speal loud in ther churches because I have not the gift of interpretation. and I do not speak loud in tongues while using the public bus or the metro, because God doesn t lead me to do so. but I do speak in tounges .
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. The importance of the apostles and prophets is shown in Ephesians 2:20, "Having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone." Once carpenters lays foundation for a building you have laid the foundation, there is no need to do it again.
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