Is Speaking in Tongues still available today?

[CS1]

It says they heard them speaking in their own tongue. It doesn't say they heard the disciples speaking something that they were NOT speaking in their own tongue.

Consider this verse.
Acts 2:22: “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know”

Who reads that an concludes that the people heard the words, but that Peter did not speak them?

LOL, you are surprised by what I see in this thread's explanation of the holy Spirit.

 

[jamessb]

OK so the disciples in Acts who were speaking knew what they were speaking? OR did it say those men Heard them speaking in their own tongue?

You should change your "byline": an't to ain't! LOL!!!

 

[wattie]

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Context

• Spoken by Jesus: This verse records Jesus' words to His disciples just before His ascension into heaven.
• Promise and Mission: Jesus is outlining both a promise and a mission for His followers.

The Promise: "But you shall receive power..."

• The Power: This refers to the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. The disciples were about to experience a profound transformation, not based on their own strength, but through the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
• Why Power is Needed: This power would enable them to be effective witnesses for Christ.

The Mission: "...and you shall be witnesses to Me..."

• Witnesses, Not Judges: The disciples' primary responsibility was to share the message of Jesus with the world. They were to tell others about His life, death, and resurrection.
• The Scope of Witnessing: The mission begins locally ("Jerusalem ") then expands outwards ("Judea ", "Samaria ", and finally "to the uttermost end of the earth"). This highlights that the gospel message is intended for everyone, regardless of location or background.

Key Takeaways

• Empowerment: Christians are not left to their own devices. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to be effective witnesses for Christ.
• Focus on the Gospel: Our mission is to share the good news of Jesus with the world.
• Outward Movement: The gospel message is meant for everyone. Christianity is intended to be inclusive and expansive.

If being filled with the Spirit and Speaking in Tongues empowers me to be a powerful witness for Christ, Any Christian should desire that.

Well.. the disciples were empowered at Pentecost.. but was this indwelling?

The passage has the Holy Spirit as a rushing wind that came 'upon' them.

This is quite different to 'believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall receive everlasting life .. all through the book of John. John 3:16, 3:36, 5:24, 6:40, 10:28 etc..

The disciples had already walked with Jesus for years before this. Jesus talked to the disciples about church discipline to them in Matthew 18. As believers.

So.. this is a different way of the work of the Holy Spirit, rather than salvation itself.

The Holy Spirit works in the individuals soul..but also empowers groups of believers as a corporate gathering. A local NT church.

 

[tylerbones1313]

Why else do you think Paul insisted that there always be an interpreter? Interpretation of languages (not commonly spoken) was also a spiritual gift. ...to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:... (1 Cor 12:10). So Paul had every right and every reason to demand interpretation. But as I already posted on research done on glosslalia (modern tongues) the people speaking modern tongues said that no one can interpret glossolalia. So that should tell you something.

the people speaking modern tongues said that no one can interpret glossolalia. Well that depends

 

[tylerbones1313]

Well.. the disciples were empowered at Pentecost.. but was this indwelling?

The passage has the Holy Spirit as a rushing wind that came 'upon' them.

This is quite different to 'believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall receive everlasting life .. all through the book of John. John 3:16, 3:36, 5:24, 6:40, 10:28 etc..

The disciples had already walked with Jesus for years before this. Jesus talked to the disciples about church discipline to them in Matthew 18. As believers.

So.. this is a different way of the work of the Holy Spirit, rather than salvation itself.

The Holy Spirit works in the individuals soul..but also empowers groups of believers as a corporate gathering. A local NT church.

Well.. the disciples were empowered at Pentecost.. but was this indwelling?

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.

 

[wattie]

Well.. the disciples were empowered at Pentecost.. but was this indwelling?

Acts 2:4 And they were allfilledwith the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Filling.. is different to indwelling. This is again being empowered. When the believers spirit is more yielded to the Holy Spirit.. they are more filled.

Put these Acts verses alongside Romans 10 and John chapter 3.

 

[Bethlehem57]

Oh no! Not the enemy!

Just because you don't understand the gift of speaking in tongues is no reason to ascribe it to Satan.

BTW, ...

Acts 2:5-13, "Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven residing in Jerusalem. When this sound occurred, a crowd gathered and was in confusion, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Completely baffled, they said, “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that each one of us hears them in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and the province of Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own languages about the great deeds God has done!” All were astounded and greatly confused, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others jeered at the speakers, saying, “They are drunk on new wine!”

1 Corinthians 12:4-11, "Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different results, but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of all. For one person is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, and another the message of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another performance of miracles, to another prophecy, and to another discernment of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as he decides to each person, who produces all these things."

Notice that a) speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift and b) another person interprets. That is altogether different from what occurred in Acts. Then, people heard their own languages. Here, interpretation is required, which is different than translation.

1 Corinthians 14:2, "For the one speaking in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, for no one understands; he is speaking mysteries by the Spirit."

1 Corinthians 14:14, "If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive." If you think about this verse for a while perhaps you will understand God's gift of speaking in tongues, i.e., a spiritual language.

This is further explained in 1 Corinthians 14:18-19, "I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you, but in the church I want to speak five words with my mind to instruct others, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue." (which doesn't instruct others).

I hope that you now understand the difference between a language that is understood by others, such as was spoken about in Acts, and the gift of speaking in an unknown tongue (a spiritual language given as a gift from God).

**********


First of all, I didn’t ascribe any of your comments to Satan.

Secondly , what I did say that is that Satan is the author of confusion.

I believe that I am saved by Jesus ‘ sacrifice on the cross, I’ve confessed this publicly and have been immersed in baptism. I really don’t need to understand what you describe as “the unknown tongue,” you're trying to school me on. I just happen to believe that this gift was part of the early church - see below.

Speaking in tongues was more of helping the Apostles prove to the unbelievers that God's salvation was real. This was proven in the verse 1 Corinthians 14:22:

Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.”​

Acts 2:4-6 says (some of what you quoted…”All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.”

I do know that my daughter and husband we’re going to join a church years ago and they ran into a pastor who had to meet with them about membership. He explained to them that the church believed in speaking in tongues and in the instance that this happened, they would have an interpreter. And, guess what….? They did! So whatever they were trying to communicate was unknown to them and others there at worship. He also told them that if they wanted to become members, it was to be understood that their giving was part of membership and if their tithing stopped, so would their membership.

I also have a memory of this same daughter, Katie, visiting a friend that, it being a Wednesday night, they would be going to the friend’s church, I think she was about 10. I picked her up that evening and she was scared! 😱 “She said momma, momma, their church was speaking’ Spanish, and I was sooo scared!” 😳 Of course I had no idea that this was going to happen, but I do remember holding her and comforting her. And she never went back over to that friend ‘s house!

So yeah, not a lot of good experience with churches that believe in this gift, but I still agree with Paul‘s explanation in 1 Corinthians 14:13-14, that when someone speaks in tongues, it should be interpreted. This is because speaking in tongues can only benefit one man, it won't help others know God better. The interpretation will also help prove that the tongues are used to praise God and not just a show of prophetic statements to impress other people.

There are two views on speaking in tongues:

• The “cessationist” view sees tongues as a gift appropriate only for the early church, a gift that the Spirit ceased giving long ago.
• The “continuationist” or Pentecostal perspective sees tongues (and other gifts, such as healing or prophecy) as ongoing gifts for the body of Christ.

Peter’s explanation doesn’t give any impression that he is trying to explain the language they are speaking. Instead, he’s concerned to point out that they aren’t drunk. It seems that what has occurred here is that the Spirit has enabled those involved to speak languages unknown to the speakers but known to the audience. Thus, this seems to be a miracle of speaking. Historically, both Augustine and John Chrysostom seem to believe that tongues ceased.

Pentecostals affirm what is often called a “private prayer language,” explained in your post. This type of prayer is a miracle of speaking without a miracle of hearing. Pentecostals will often pray in tongues publicly during corporate services, which seems to contradict much of what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14.

I understand what you have said, I’m just not in agreement. But also remember, we are to speak to each other in love, one of the very commandments that Jesus left for us to fulfill until He calls us home. So lovingly, I‘ll agree to disagree with your view.

 

[jamessb]

**********


First of all, I didn’t ascribe any of your comments to Satan.

Secondly , what I did say that is that Satan is the author of confusion.

I believe that I am saved by Jesus ‘ sacrifice on the cross, I’ve confessed this publicly and have been immersed in baptism. I really don’t need to understand what you describe as “the unknown tongue,” you're trying to school me on. I just happen to believe that this gift was part of the early church - see below.

Speaking in tongues was more of helping the Apostles prove to the unbelievers that God's salvation was real. This was proven in the verse 1 Corinthians 14:22:

Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.”​

Acts 2:4-6 says (some of what you quoted…”All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.”

I do know that my daughter and husband we’re going to join a church years ago and they ran into a pastor who had to meet with them about membership. He explained to them that the church believed in speaking in tongues and in the instance that this happened, they would have an interpreter. And, guess what….? They did! So whatever they were trying to communicate was unknown to them and others there at worship. He also told them that if they wanted to become members, it was to be understood that their giving was part of membership and if their tithing stopped, so would their membership.

I also have a memory of this same daughter, Katie, visiting a friend that, it being a Wednesday night, they would be going to the friend’s church, I think she was about 10. I picked her up that evening and she was scared! 😱 “She said momma, momma, their church was speaking’ Spanish, and I was sooo scared!” 😳 Of course I had no idea that this was going to happen, but I do remember holding her and comforting her. And she never went back over to that friend ‘s house!

So yeah, not a lot of good experience with churches that believe in this gift, but I still agree with Paul‘s explanation in 1 Corinthians 14:13-14, that when someone speaks in tongues, it should be interpreted. This is because speaking in tongues can only benefit one man, it won't help others know God better. The interpretation will also help prove that the tongues are used to praise God and not just a show of prophetic statements to impress other people.

There are two views on speaking in tongues:

• The “cessationist” view sees tongues as a gift appropriate only for the early church, a gift that the Spirit ceased giving long ago.
• The “continuationist” or Pentecostal perspective sees tongues (and other gifts, such as healing or prophecy) as ongoing gifts for the body of Christ.

Peter’s explanation doesn’t give any impression that he is trying to explain the language they are speaking. Instead, he’s concerned to point out that they aren’t drunk. It seems that what has occurred here is that the Spirit has enabled those involved to speak languages unknown to the speakers but known to the audience. Thus, this seems to be a miracle of speaking. Historically, both Augustine and John Chrysostom seem to believe that tongues ceased.

Pentecostals affirm what is often called a “private prayer language,” explained in your post. This type of prayer is a miracle of speaking without a miracle of hearing. Pentecostals will often pray in tongues publicly during corporate services, which seems to contradict much of what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14.

I understand what you have said, I’m just not in agreement. But also remember, we are to speak to each other in love, one of the very commandments that Jesus left for us to fulfill until He calls us home. So lovingly, I‘ll agree to disagree with your view.

I speak in tongues regularly, most of the time when praying. I really don't care what you or others think about it. If you or they don't understand, that's okay.

 

[FollowerofShiloh]

I don't find any scripture that says in bold: "Sign gifts will end when the Apostolic age ends." However, I believe ecstatic utterances like we see today aren't the true gift of tongues. In my opinion it's all fake. But I wouldn't insult or denigrate anyone who wants to believe it; it's between them and God.

Do you have any scripture that when Paul spoke in tongues it was another language? Of all the scripture that pertains towards speaking in tongues all differ from the one single example in the Book of Acts. In fact, most other scripture describing speaking in tongues indicates "utterings and groanings." That for certain cannot be considered a form of language. But it's still considered speaking in tongues in the Bible.

Examples of no one claiming speaking in tongues was other languages someone could understand:
1. Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

2. Mark 16:17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

3. 1 Corinthians 14:2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, ""no one understands them;"" they utter mysteries by the Spirit.

...there's many more but "none of them" say someone can understand them because it's a human language.


So basically, "one verse" has the example of (human language) and the rest of the verses claim it's speaking to God and no one can understand it.

Since every verse "but one" shows us no human is able to understand it, wouldn't most of the Biblical examples sound gibberish then?
Yes it would.

 

[FollowerofShiloh]

Even in Acts 10 it shows "NO ONE" understood it was a language but it was "ONLY" speaking tongues.

45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

My bet is it sounded "gibberish" to the circumcised. Not as a human language since the Bible ""is clear to not include"" it was a human language being spoken.

 

[FollowerofShiloh]

So "One single example of human language" and the other 10+ examples of speaking in tongues are gibberish examples all found in the Bible.

Maybe this is why it "REQUIRES THE HOLY SPIRIT GIFT of INTERPRETATION to interpret the Gibberish Utterings and Groanings" from the Holy Spirit?

My Bible claims Interpretation is a GIFT, not being able to speak many human languages which can be learned.

 

[FollowerofShiloh]

8 For to one ""is given"" through the Spirit

10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

To interpret is a GIFT of the Holy Spirit. If you don't have the Gift it sounds gibberish.

But I can speak 5 human languages and that is learned.

To "interpret" speaking in tongues ""requires"" the GIFT of Interpretation from the Holy Spirit.

 

[FollowerofShiloh]

ok, done teaching.

Hope and pray you got educated <3

 

[FollowerofShiloh]

God alerted me about something.
All of us can learn other human languages.
Only those "who have the Holy Spirit Gift of Interpretation" can understand speaking in Tongues.
So, you can know 50 human languages and speaking in tongues won't make any sense to you.
And it's not because you haven't educated yourself in that language, it's because only the Holy Spirit GIFT of Interpretation can understand it.

See how cool God is.
He completely "removed" this idea speaking in tongues is a human language because you need the Holy Spirit Gift of Interpretation to understand it.

 

[ResidentAlien]

Do you have any scripture that when Paul spoke in tongues it was another language? Of all the scripture that pertains towards speaking in tongues all differ from the one single example in the Book of Acts. In fact, most other scripture describing speaking in tongues indicates "utterings and groanings." That for certain cannot be considered a form of language. But it's still considered speaking in tongues in the Bible.

I have zero interest in debating this. If that what you believe, great. Have a blessed day.

 

[tylerbones1313]

I'm at the point I don't care anymore; if someone wants to practice ecstatic utterances that's their business. You can't force anyone to believe like you do; it's foolish to try. I know what I believe though. I don't find any scripture that says in bold: "Sign gifts will end when the Apostolic age ends." However, I believe ecstatic utterances like we see today aren't the true gift of tongues. In my opinion it's all fake. But I wouldn't insult or denigrate anyone who wants to believe it; it's between them and God.

Tell me if you think this is fake. Both speakers are operating in Speaking in Tongues.

 

[ResidentAlien]

Tell me if you think this is fake. Both speakers are operating in Speaking in Tongues.

I don't know what to tell ya.

 

[Jimbone]

OK so the disciples in Acts who were speaking knew what they were speaking? OR did it say those men Heard them speaking in their own tongue?

Very interesting question, the text says in Acts 2:5-8,

5Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?

I honestly feel like this miracle seem more likely to be taking place in the people ears more than the believers mouths. It says they were "devout men from every nation under heaven", so they spoke many different languages yet they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?"

So we are clearly told that they each heard them speaking in their own native tongue. This to me sounds more like the men would speak and each one of them understood what was being said in their own language.

One of the Key factors in my mind is they "understood", they all understood this day. Very much not what I see practiced in churches today. Where is my misunderstanding here?

 

[tylerbones1313]

Very interesting question, the text says in Acts 2:5-8,

5Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?

I honestly feel like this miracle seem more likely to be taking place in the people ears more than the believers mouths. It says they were "devout men from every nation under heaven", so they spoke many different languages yet they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?"

So we are clearly told that they each heard them speaking in their own native tongue. This to me sounds more like the men would speak and each one of them understood what was being said in their own language.

One of the Key factors in my mind is they "understood", they all understood this day. Very much not what I see practiced in churches today. Where is my misunderstanding here?

Some things to understand there were 120+ speaking in Tongues, now it could have been:
1. Each one was speaking a different language
2. Each one was speaking multiple languages one at a time
3. Some could have been speaking in tongues and some could have been interpreting.
no matter which scenario is being used, whether tongue or common spoken language, both are speaking in tongues. 15 different dialects or regions present in the crowd would have obviously understood what was being said with so many languages being spoken.

It is not like that today because 1. In most church setting today there won't be 15 or more different kinds of language with the congregation. 2. Nor would there be 120+ people speaking in Tongues --aloud for entirety of congregation to hear on purpose-- because that would be out of order. This was a one time event to mark the birth of the Church and display the Universality of the Gospel message.

It is not like that today because 1. In most church setting today there won't be 15 or more different kinds of language with the congregation. 2. Nor would there be 120+ people speaking in Tongues --aloud for entirety of congregation to hear on purpose-- because that would be out of order. Repeating this I have more to say and I hope it helps someone to understand.

The only exception to #2 is during worship service, healing service, pray meetings, and altar calls. Now I admit at times some new converts get a little overzealous with the Gifts and speak a little to loud or dance in the Spirit a little to wildly, but what do you expect from newborn babes. In time they will come to understand more and more. Carefully keep an eye on the leadership of the Church, if at times someone get out of control with the Gifts during regular service, and they don't take them aside, be leary of that Church or at least help them understand that everything needs to be decent and in order according to scripture. We are here on earth to help each other to better understand.

If someone is speaking aloud in the congregation during regular service and there is no interpreter they should be quiet. During regular service there should never be more that one speaking in tongues at a time. And there should never be more than 3 without an interpretation. Let me explain further what I mean:
1. Tongues, Tongues, Tongues, Interpretation
2. Tongues, Interpretation, Tongues, Interpretation, Tongues, Interpretation
3. Tongues, Interpretation, Tongues, Tongues, Interpretation, Tongues, Interpretation
4. etc...... In course by three at most anymore and the Pastor should immediately shut them down for being out of order of the Holy Ghost. I have seen this done before. Plus in a True NT following Church there will be The Gift of Discernment (the ability to know if the Spirit in someone is True to God or not) I hope this helps.

 

[presidente]

Even in Acts 10 it shows "NO ONE" understood it was a language but it was "ONLY" speaking tongues.

45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

My bet is it sounded "gibberish" to the circumcised. Not as a human language since the Bible ""is clear to not include"" it was a human language being spoken.

I did not see how the information you have presented supports the conclusion you draw in that last sentence.


Speaking in tongues means speaking in languages. It's in the meaning of the words used in the Bible.

now if those in cordelia's house spoken some foreign language that Peter or his friends knew about would this passage be worded incorrectly or would it be any less true or Peter stood up and interpreted their tongues and the gift of interpretation of tongues with this passage be any less true?
I am not saying that happened but not every detail that happened as recorded in the Bible and if there was an interpretation of tongues or that someone understood the language that was spoken in tongues the passage would still be true and accurate even if it doesn't include that detail.