The Purpose of Speaking in Tongues

[KelbyofGod]

What were the reason or benefits of speaking in tongues in the 1st Century church. I am going to jot down what comes to mind as I examine each text. This is unrehearsed. This should be fun. Thanks KelbyofGod for the challenge.

1) It was a direct result of being Filled or Baptized in the Holy Ghost, or receiving power to become a witness. So a sign to the unbeliever that had happened but since they also prophesied a sign to the believer also ( I don't think that second sentence made much sense so I am going to put a question mark on the last part about signs)
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

2) They were speaking about the wonderful works of God so... it is beneficial to speak about the wonderful works of God and the Spirit of God is involved in such an activity as this, and it must be pleasing to God for us to be speaking about the wonderful works of God
Acts 2:11we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 12And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
(possible that those who mocked did not hear them speaking in their own language and thought they were babbling drunks speaking incoherently)

3) Peter explains that it is a fulfilling of prophesy and God's intention that both men and women would be filled with the ministerial Spirit of prophesy
16But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

17And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

18And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

So another benefit is that women can speak in tongues as well as men and prophesy demonstrating to the unbelievers and patriarchal religious people who had gathered that God was removing the barrier of men and women when it comes to prophesying, preaching and ministry of the Gospel and proclaiming in the power of the Holy Ghost with power to be a witness of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Wonderful Works of God. This was most definitely a declared benefit in this context of their time and on that day.
WOW this study is getting good and there are so many more scriptures to look at....

I really like the way the outpouring of the Holy Ghost (because of the observable attribute of speaking in tongues) took the power to claim "You're only good enough if WE say you're good enough" out of the hands of the church leaders of the day...even the believing church leaders like Peter who originally thought the Gentiles were excluded from the promise of the comforter (as we'll see once we get to Acts 10) and put that power solely in the hands of Jesus (who is the only one who can baptize anyone in the Holy Ghost).

Speaking in tongues is the sign that said "Hey, you can't claim that these people aren't good enough to receive the Holy Ghost, because Guess what...they just got it." <--paraphased Acts 10:44-46

Love in Jesus,
Kelby

 

[Reformyourself]

Acts 2:5-13 NKJV

[at least 17 languages——not mahumbo jumbo]

And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from ‘every nation’ under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them ‘speak in his own language’ Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our “own language in which we were born?” Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our “own tongues” the wonderful works of God.” So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”

Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

‘Emphasis’ mine

 

[Guojing]

I wasn't going to answer more posts until I got to read all the way through but I REALLY like this one.

Read carefully the first part of Acts 2. Which happened first.... speaking in other tongues by the Holy Ghost, or speaking to the crowd in various earthly languages?

Please remember that the speaking to the crowd in various earthly languages could only happen once the crowd gathered together...which happened after and because of the original outpouring.

• And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. - Acts 2:4
• Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. - Acts 2:6

The initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit was such a new and amazing event that it was noised abroad...which brought the multitude together... at which time God showed yet another gift of the spirit, diversities of tongues. <--which is the miraculous speaking of miscellaneous earthly languages.

Love in Jesus,
Kelby

As I have stated to him, one principle to interpret scripture is, let the earlier clear usage of the term guide you on how to understand later vague use of the term.

In Acts 2, tongues were clearly foreign languages.

When it comes to 1 Cor, when Paul gave instructions to the Body of Christ then, which was still a transitional period, when Paul discussed the usage of tongues, do we have a good reason to change the meaning of tongues from foreign language to a heavenly one?

 

[KelbyofGod]

I don't know any Americans who speak in tongues, only foreigners (I know plenty of Ethiopians and Koreans who speak in tongues).

In regards to "speaking in tongues" the babbly kind, in American churches today, you can find it practiced and taught (as good) in "Pentecostal" churches, "Assembly of God" churches, a few others, and in the Catholic church under the moniker "Charismatic Catholics", and practiced by some in almost any type of Christian assembly but often secretly because of the resistance against it.

Love in Jesus,
Kelby

 

[KelbyofGod]

As I have stated to him, one principle to interpret scripture is, let the earlier clear usage of the term guide you on how to understand later vague use of the term.

In Acts 2, tongues were clearly foreign languages.

When it comes to 1 Cor, when Paul gave instructions to the Body of Christ then, which was still a transitional period, when Paul discussed the usage of tongues, do we have a good reason to change the meaning of tongues from foreign language to a heavenly one?

In honest answer, Yes because of verse one. He instructs them continue to desire spiritual.<-- he was referring to spiritual speech/manifestation. Let me explain.

The word "gifts" is italicized because it was added. If he were truly talking about spiritual gifts he wouldn't say to keep seeking until you reach the level of prophecy....because prophecy IS a spiritual gift.

1 Corinthians 12:27-31 New International Version (NIV)
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

I believe this passage also shows that all will not have the gift. Just as all will not be an apostle, pastor, prophet, etc.

I understand why you'd think that because at first it appears to say that not all will have the unknown/babbly kind of tongues (if that's what they, or some had). I don't think I can immediately prove that verses 28 and 29 are talking about "diversities of tongues" but not "unknown tongues", but I'll share what stood out as I was writing that.

One clue is that the operation of all of those gifts and offices are for the benefit of the group as a whole, including diversities of tongues, EXCEPT speaking in the kind of spirit-given tongues that is referred to as "unknown tongues' <--where the word unknown is actually italicized because it was added...perhaps because the translators didn't know what kind of tongues Paul was talking about that would NOT be talking to man, or perhaps because they felt they should call it that to try to designate it as a foreign language that nobody in the crowd actually knows/speaks/is familiar with. (wow, that was a long sentence)

If you know how to seek God until he answers, I would advise doing that because otherwise you won't know for yourself what the correct interpretation is. I'll probably pray about it as well, to find a clear way to express and/or clearly show the point.

Basically I'm saying hold that thought. It's a fair question regarding the availability of speaking in tongues, but it is also actually off the topic of what the benefits are to those who actually have been able to receive "speaking in tongues".

Love in Jesus,
Kelby

 

[Guojing]

In honest answer, Yes because of verse one. He instructs them continue to desire spiritual.<-- he was referring to spiritual speech/manifestation. Let me explain.

The word "gifts" is italicized because it was added. If he were truly talking about spiritual gifts he wouldn't say to keep seeking until you reach the level of prophecy....because prophecy IS a spiritual gift.

I understand why you'd think that because at first it appears to say that not all will have the unknown/babbly kind of tongues (if that's what they, or some had). I don't think I can immediately prove that verses 28 and 29 are talking about "diversities of tongues" but not "unknown tongues", but I'll share what stood out as I was writing that.

One clue is that the operation of all of those gifts and offices are for the benefit of the group as a whole, including diversities of tongues, EXCEPT speaking in the kind of spirit-given tongues that is referred to as "unknown tongues' <--where the word unknown is actually italicized because it was added...perhaps because the translators didn't know what kind of tongues Paul was talking about that would NOT be talking to man, or perhaps because they felt they should call it that to try to designate it as a foreign language that nobody in the crowd actually knows/speaks/is familiar with. (wow, that was a long sentence)

If you know how to seek God until he answers, I would advise doing that because otherwise you won't know for yourself what the correct interpretation is. I'll probably pray about it as well, to find a clear way to express and/or clearly show the point.

Basically I'm saying hold that thought. It's a fair question regarding the availability of speaking in tongues, but it is also actually off the topic of what the benefits are to those who actually have been able to receive "speaking in tongues".

Love in Jesus,
Kelby

Paul was linking both tongues and prophecies in 1 Cor.

So far, charismatic Christians will claim that the gift of prophecy in 1 Cor is the same category as the prophecies uttered in by prophets during the OT, such as Ezekiel, Isaiah, Jeremiah etc. There is no change there.

Yet somehow, when it comes to tongues, they have to admit that the tongues that we hear now, none of them are foreign languages, it has changed into "heavenly languages", that no one can understand.

Its all too convenient don't you think?

 

[KelbyofGod]

More Reasons, purposes, benefits of speaking in tongues in the context of the 1st century church.

1Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 2For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

1) To desire spiritual gifts is encouraged Verse 1
2) Speaking in Tongues edifies (builds up - greek) ones self Verse 2
3) Speaking in tongues speaks directly to God and speaks mysteries. (that is a benefit) Verse 2
3) Paul said he wanted all to speak in tongues (it must be a good thing) Verse 5
4) Speaking in tongues with an interpreter is equal to prophesy Verse 5

.
18I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: (Paul spoke more than the Corinthians, but not in church Verse 19, so it must be a benefit to Paul to speak in tongues to himself and to God (vs 28)
Paul said it was a benefit for him to pray in the spirit (tongues) even though his understanding was unfruitful and he would do keep doing it even if he did not understand what he was praying. He also added that he would sing in tongues as well.
14For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

So Paul is describing a benefit of praying mysteries about the wonderful works of God directly to God but not understanding what he was saying that resulted in building himself up / edifying himself. In the church he describes the benefit of speaking in tongues with an interpreter as equivalent to prophesy and a gift that will edify others. His description of how it edifies is simply... edification, and exhortation, and comfort. Also he describes prophesy resulting in exposing the secrets of a mans heart and him falling down and declaring that God is in you of a truth. Those are the "edification" details given and we must fill in the gaps using common sense.
"edification, and exhortation, and comfort." are general terms. We should be able to know it when we see it.

I like your explanations in common language. And I'm glad you realize that interpretation of tongues converts something only God understands, into language man understands...which is interpreting what the spirit is praying, into what the spirit is SAYING...which is equal to the effect of prophecy.

I do have to add that once you bring prophecy into the mix...or even interpretation of tongues... it moves the conversation away from the purpose of the thread which is to explore what 'speaking in tongues' itself does.

Love in Jesus,
Kelby

 

[KelbyofGod]

Paul was linking both tongues and prophecies in 1 Cor.

So far, charismatic Christians will claim that the gift of prophecy in 1 Cor is the same category as the prophecies uttered in by prophets during the OT, such as Ezekiel, Isaiah, Jeremiah etc. There is no change there.

Yet somehow, when it comes to tongues, they have to admit that the tongues that we hear now, none of them are foreign languages, it has changed into "heavenly languages", that no one can understand.

Its all too convenient don't you think?

I'll say two things before addressing your points.
1. Thank you for overlooking my mistake in posting that linked my reply to you with my reply to RoughSoul1991
2. Some of your posts seem to come from honest curiosity, and others seem to come in defense of an internally held belief. This one and the last one I answered felt a little more the defensive kind. Nevertheless I'll answer as openly as I can.

Paul is the one who said "If I pray in an tongue..." (I left out the added "unknown". Feel free to re-add it) "my spirit prayeth but my understanding is unfruitful." Basically he's saying "When I'm praying in tongues, my spirit is praying but my brain doesn't don't know what my spirit is saying" <--which is consistent with how he describes speaking in unknown tongue earlier in the chapter "no man understandeth"

When he said "my spirit prayeth" he's explaining that this is a SPIRITUAL prayer, not a natural prayer. He's saying it doesn't come out of his natural/fleshly learning or thinking, it's coming directly from the Spirit that God put in him.

Perhaps that is why some call it 'heavenly language'... because the words and language are chosen by God, not man..and are understood by God, not man.

Personally I don't use the term 'heavenly language' because that sounds kinda sissy to me... but I get why they'd use it.

Love in Jesus,
Kelby

 

[KelbyofGod]

Paul was linking both tongues and prophecies in 1 Cor.

So far, charismatic Christians will claim that the gift of prophecy in 1 Cor is the same category as the prophecies uttered in by prophets during the OT, such as Ezekiel, Isaiah, Jeremiah etc. There is no change there.

Yet somehow, when it comes to tongues, they have to admit that the tongues that we hear now, none of them are foreign languages, it has changed into "heavenly languages", that no one can understand.

Its all too convenient don't you think?

I forgot to address the prophecy aspects (even though they're off topic as you pointed out earlier...and thank-you for doing that).

True prophecy is what it always has been...God speaking by His Spirit (the spirit of prophecy) through a man's mouth. The man is yielding his mouth to the use of God's spirit, real-time. It's either real or it's not. According to the bible, that can and should be tested, because a SPIRIT speaking through a man's mouth is either a good (sent by God, truth speaking) spirit, or an evil (lying, satanic) spirit. There's no in-between.

That's why God provided tests to find out conclusively which kind of spirit is speaking.

• "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. [2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: [3] And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. - 1 John 4:1-3 KJV --AND--
• Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. - 1 Corinthians 12:3 KJV

He clarified the topic of 1 Corinthians 12:3 two verses earlier when he said "Now concerning spiritual gifts". He was NOT talking about when some guy was talking on the street or from a pulpit. He's specifically talking about messages that come directly from SPIRIT sources.

IF it's a SPIRIT speaking through the man, (a prophecy), scripture instructs a test to be applied to the SPIRIT that is speaking. If it is proven to be a satanic spirit, the hearers are to cast out the message. If it is proven to be the Spirit of God that is speaking, the hearers do well to heed the message. ...BUT... (And remember, we can be only speaking about 2000 years ago if people don't think this applies to today)...

What if the guy/girl was not speaking by a spirit at all, but was declaring some prophecy he made up himself ? (perhaps to convince his followers to send money, or that he's something special) Or what if the hearers just didn't know what was really happening? Or got scared?

The answer to that is the same as the answer to any truly important question in life: The person was to go to the Father in prayer until He reveals the answer. It may be the person made a mistake. It may be that the hearer missed where the test was passed/failed. It may be that the person thought it was a spirit of God because Satan presents himself as an angel of light.

2000 years ago it wasn't safe for a person to lean on their own understanding. They needed God to help them sort it all out. The people to whom the bible was written needed to draw near to God if they wanted to navigate the reality of prophecy safely.

I understand I may be making myself vulnerable by being that open on such a topic. But God's people need to be taught.

Love in Jesus,
Kelby

 

[Guojing]

I forgot to address the prophecy aspects (even though they're off topic as you pointed out earlier...and thank-you for doing that).

True prophecy is what it always has been...God speaking by His Spirit (the spirit of prophecy) through a man's mouth. The man is yielding his mouth to the use of God's spirit, real-time. It's either real or it's not. According to the bible, that can and should be tested, because a SPIRIT speaking through a man's mouth is either a good (sent by God, truth speaking) spirit, or an evil (lying, satanic) spirit. There's no in-between.

That's why God provided tests to find out conclusively which kind of spirit is speaking.

• "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. [2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: [3] And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. - 1 John 4:1-3 KJV --AND--
• Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. - 1 Corinthians 12:3 KJV

He clarified the topic of 1 Corinthians 12:3 two verses earlier when he said "Now concerning spiritual gifts". He was NOT talking about when some guy was talking on the street or from a pulpit. He's specifically talking about messages that come directly from SPIRIT sources.

IF it's a SPIRIT speaking through the man, (a prophecy), scripture instructs a test to be applied to the SPIRIT that is speaking. If it is proven to be a satanic spirit, the hearers are to cast out the message. If it is proven to be the Spirit of God that is speaking, the hearers do well to heed the message. ...BUT... (And remember, we can be only speaking about 2000 years ago if people don't think this applies to today)...

What if the guy/girl was not speaking by a spirit at all, but was declaring some prophecy he made up himself ? (perhaps to convince his followers to send money, or that he's something special) Or what if the hearers just didn't know what was really happening? Or got scared?

The answer to that is the same as the answer to any truly important question in life: The person was to go to the Father in prayer until He reveals the answer. It may be the person made a mistake. It may be that the hearer missed where the test was passed/failed. It may be that the person thought it was a spirit of God because Satan presents himself as an angel of light.

2000 years ago it wasn't safe for a person to lean on their own understanding. They needed God to help them sort it all out. The people to whom the bible was written needed to draw near to God if they wanted to navigate the reality of prophecy safely.

I understand I may be making myself vulnerable by being that open on such a topic. But God's people need to be taught.

Love in Jesus,
Kelby

What about the key method taught to the Jews by Moses in Deut 18?

21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken?

22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

Plainly said, anyone with the gift of prophecy can never make a wrong prediction?

 

[KelbyofGod]

What about the key method taught to the Jews by Moses in Deut 18?

21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken?

22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

Plainly said, anyone with the gift of prophecy can never make a wrong prediction?

There are some limitations to that Deut 18 method that highlight the fact that a person needs to go to God if they want to be safe.

For example: Have you considered Jonah's prediction that "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown." ? Using only the Deut 18 method would have caused Ninevah to be destroyed before the people of Ninevah would discover whether or not to "be afraid of him".

There is also a problem in thinking you can apply a final blanket of trust (or disregard) to someone who has the gift of prophecy. Both before the outpouring of the Holy Ghost and after. (No change). The tests I mentioned are not tests of the PERSON...they are tests of the SPIRITs. We are to leave the judging of the person to God himself. Also, spirits come and go, but can only be good or evil. The person on the other hand is capable of both good and evil even if they have the Holy Ghost in them. (Isn't that an amazing thought?)

Read 1 Kings 1-32 to see if you can apply blanket trust or disregard to a PERSON who has the ability to prophesy. That chapter declares one individual to be an old PROPHET...who then LIES blatantly saying "God said" ... then prophesies a true prophecy... then speaks a trustable truth which surely comes to pass. Can you trust this guy? Can you disregard him? or should they "Prove ALL things (that guy says, and) Hold fast that which is good"? I"m going with the prove all things commandment.

People want an easy road so badly (and I think that to be accurate wording)...so badly that they throw out 1 Thes. 5:21 about testing everything...as well as 1 Thes 5:20 which told them "Despise not PROPHESYINGS" <--that's the action, by the way, not the words.

And I probably better insist that we return to and remain on 'speaking in tongues' in this particular thread. (even though I appreciate the diversion because that, too, is a bible topic. Hmmm... do you think Roger would appreciated it if I also started a thread on "the Purpose of Prophesying"? lol)

Love in Jesus,
Kelby

 

[KelbyofGod]

There are some limitations to that Deut 18 method that highlight the fact that a person needs to go to God if they want to be safe.

For example: Have you considered Jonah's prediction that "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown." ? Using only the Deut 18 method would have caused Ninevah to be destroyed before the people of Ninevah would discover whether or not to "be afraid of him".

There is also a problem in thinking you can apply a final blanket of trust (or disregard) to someone who has the gift of prophecy. Both before the outpouring of the Holy Ghost and after. (No change). The tests I mentioned are not tests of the PERSON...they are tests of the SPIRITs. We are to leave the judging of the person to God himself. Also, spirits come and go, but can only be good or evil. The person on the other hand is capable of both good and evil even if they have the Holy Ghost in them. (Isn't that an amazing thought?)

Read 1 Kings 1-32 to see if you can apply blanket trust or disregard to a PERSON who has the ability to prophesy. That chapter declares one individual to be an old PROPHET...who then LIES blatantly saying "God said" ... then prophesies a true prophecy... then speaks a trustable truth which surely comes to pass. Can you trust this guy? Can you disregard him? or should they "Prove ALL things (that guy says, and) Hold fast that which is good"? I"m going with the prove all things commandment.

People want an easy road so badly (and I think that to be accurate wording)...so badly that they throw out 1 Thes. 5:21 about testing everything...as well as 1 Thes 5:20 which told them "Despise not PROPHESYINGS" <--that's the action, by the way, not the words.

And I probably better insist that we return to and remain on 'speaking in tongues' in this particular thread. (even though I appreciate the diversion because that, too, is a bible topic. Hmmm... do you think Roger would appreciated it if I also started a thread on "the Purpose of Prophesying"? lol)

Love in Jesus,
Kelby

Sorry, @Guojing. That should have said Read 1 Kings 13: 1-32

Love in Jesus,
Kelby

 

[wolfwint]

I'm not sure why you'd think that scripture was an answer I wouldn't want. It appears that one of the benefits is that speaking in tongues is an evidence that a person has received the Holy Ghost. "The spirit itself bearing witness" is how it's said in another place.

That's a good thing.

Love in Jesus,
Kelby

If speaking in tongues would be a Sign for all believers that they received the Holy Spirit, why then Paul says at least 2 Times that not all speaking in tongues.
So if you are right, then all Christians must be given the ability to speak in tongues.
But this we cant find in the scripture.

That it was a Sign in the event in acts 2, 10 and 19 is to explain in this way: That it could recognized from the Apostles and the Jews that is was from God. Special to read in acts 10. Peter needed a special preparation from God, for to believe that also gentiles can get the Holy Spirit and are partacers of Gods salvationplan.

 

[Dave-L]

Some say that "speaking in tongues" did exist at one time (because it's written in the bible) but is not for today. ( ... ) But OK, let's give them the benefit of the doubt on that one.

Let's NOT argue whether or not speaking in tongues is for today. We can limit the discussion to the benefits of speaking in tongues DURING the times that the bible DOES allow speaking in tongues, since this is a Bible Discussion Forum and speaking in tongues was given by God to at least some according to the word of God, in the bible.

In other words, since the bible says that speaking in tongues was a gift of the Holy Ghost in the bible)...WHY was it given? WHAT does the bible say it accomplishes (while it is in operation)?

And to be clear about this...whether or not tongues ceased (or will cease) HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ITS PURPOSE DURING THE TIME OF ITS EXISTENCE. So please pay attention to when people are trying to get off topic. We're only looking at what "speaking in tongues" does accomplish, while it is functioning, as described in the BIBLE. What are the benefits? And let's be patient and thorough about it.

Love in Jesus,
Kelby

Speaking in tongues was God speaking scripture through people as they wrote it down turning it into written scripture. It was equal to prophesy, the same gift Moses had when interpreted. People do not speak in tongues today. Tongues spoke today are of voodoo origins. https://www.amazon.com/Pagan-Pentecostalism-Its-Roots-Slavery/dp/1500858080
https://www.dana.org/article/speaking-in-tongues-glossolalia-and-stress-reduction/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8088740/

 

[notuptome]

So throw out what anyone says about tongues today and simply acknowledge what a wonderful benefit it was in the Bible.

That would be honoring the word of God.

Love in Jesus,
Kelby

Yeah a real wonderful benefit to Nimrod at the tower of Babel. A real wonderful benefit to Israel when they were carried away into captivity by people they could not understand because of the language difference.

You want what you want and do not care if it's not biblically sound doctrine.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[Scribe]

I like your explanations in common language. And I'm glad you realize that interpretation of tongues converts something only God understands, into language man understands...which is interpreting what the spirit is praying, into what the spirit is SAYING...which is equal to the effect of prophecy.

I do have to add that once you bring prophecy into the mix...or even interpretation of tongues... it moves the conversation away from the purpose of the thread which is to explore what 'speaking in tongues' itself does.

Love in Jesus,
Kelby

There does seem to be a connection between prophesy and speaking in tongues as Peter appears to be calling their speaking in tongues the fulfillment of Joel that they they would prophesy.

 

[mailmandan]

In regards to speaking in tongues, I will never forget when my friend (who previously attended an Assemblies of God church) went to a Bible study at his Pastor's house once a week and sometimes the Pastor would speak in tongues during their Bible study. My friend worked with a woman who was a Baptist that was terrified of being around people who spoke in tongues, yet my friend convinced her to come to the Bible study to see for herself that she has nothing to fear. When his lady friend showed up at the Bible study, as soon as she walked in the door, the Pastor began speaking in tongues very loudly with his hands high in the air, then he fell backwards to the floor! My friend said that even he was freaked out by the incident and when he turned around, his lady friend was running for the hills!

 

[Roughsoul1991]

In regards to speaking in tongues, I will never forget when my friend (who previously attended an Assemblies of God church) went to a Bible study at his Pastor's house once a week and sometimes the Pastor would speak in tongues during their Bible study. My friend worked with a woman who was a Baptist that was terrified of being around people who spoke in tongues, yet my friend convinced her to come to the Bible study to see for herself that she has nothing to fear. When his lady friend showed up at the Bible study, as soon as she walked in the door, the Pastor began speaking in tongues very loudly with his hands high in the air, then he fell backward to the floor! My friend said that even he was freaked out by the incident and when he turned around, his lady friend was running for the hills!

See I wouldn't even call that Biblical, to begin with. I personally believe all gifts are still active but not all have every gift.

I am often skeptical of many things claimed to be spiritual. But I have had events I couldn't explain. And people I trust who have had personal experiences with the gifts.

I personally feel like the gifts are only to strengthen faith because technically everything you need to hear has already been written down. Sometimes God may use someone to bring a message of encouragement but nothing will contradict the scriptures or else it is from an evil spirit.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

If you agree that tongues are a sign gift, what were signs for in the first place?

Do you understand what Exodus 4 says regarding signs?

No. Scripture says they are for the edification of self in less interpreted.

 

[garee]

In regards to "speaking in tongues" the babbly kind, in American churches today, you can find it practiced and taught (as good) in "Pentecostal" churches, "Assembly of God" churches, a few others, and in the Catholic church under the moniker "Charismatic Catholics", and practiced by some in almost any type of Christian assembly but often secretly because of the resistance against it.

Love in Jesus,
Kelby

The false doctrine of "self edification". 15 seconds of pride. Look what I did or like the faithless that turned Jesus into a circus seal...do a miracle then we will believe by walking by sight.

Yes it is actually as sign of unbelief that points to those who have no faith by which they could believe God not seen .Making the faith of sola scriptura to no effect with their oral tradition of corruptible men.

God warned the faithless over and over not to make baby sounds with meaning and the fall make to mock the spirit judgment . all things written in the law and the prophets.

Many today dismiss the foundation of them that even today mack god in that way. They call the bible thumpers babies that do not know how to talk .

Destroy the foundation of the doctrine of tongues God mocking unbelief in the heart of mankind (Isiah 28 ) Then we can make it into anything we desire as a oral tradition.

And fulfill the tradition. Just fall backward and mock the spirit of judgment and call it a wonderment that causes a person not to believe prophecy . Jesus said its a evil generation natural unconverted mankind that look's to mock God

They seek after signs that keep the lying wondering topped off . Fall back "fill her up".


The people say, “Who does he think he is trying to teach and explain his message to? Does he think we are babies who were at their mother’s breast only a very short time ago? He speaks to us as though we were babies:“

Saw lasaw saw lasawQaw laqaw qaw laqawZe’er sham ze’er sham.”

So God will use this strange way of talking, and he will use other languages to speak to these people.In the past he spoke to them and said, “Here is a resting place. Let those who are tired come and rest. This is the place of peace.”But they would not listen to him. So the Lord’s words will be senseless sounds to them:“

Saw lasaw saw lasaw.Qaw laqaw qaw laqaw.Ze’er sham ze’er sham.”

When the people try to walk, they will fall backwards. They will be defeated, trapped, and captured. Isaiah 28:9-13

And yet for all that even today they still make baby noises and fall backward mocking the spirit of Judgment the letter of the law. .