Is Speaking in Tongues still available today?

[Niki7]

You cannot even prove me wrong by the Bible which is all I used. You should stop because you only use your opinion when I use the Bible for my proofs.

Kindly take your own advice. and stop

 

[FollowerofShiloh]

Kindly take your own advice. and stop

Prove me wrong by the BIBLE then like I use for my proofs?

 

[FollowerofShiloh]

I find that to be extremely strange to be on a Bible based platform and someone who has no Bible to back them expects those with Bible backing to believe them over what the Bible plainly claims.

 

[Inquisitor]

I just want your views backed by Scriptural references on the subject and what it means to you.

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Noone on Earth brings new revelation, that isn't already revealed through the Word of God, which is fullest revelation given to man. Through the moving and operation of the Holy Ghost, I Pray what we say here brings the truth of these Revelations, truth by truth, or precept upon precept, to the heart of the hearer. Lay what we say before the feet of Jesus (Word of God) and compare, the Bible is Always truth, so if they don't match, we need to reevaluate our stance. What we say or do here will have lasting impact upon the believer and sinner alike. We most certainly have freedom of speech, but any true christian will weigh what they say against the Word of God and if they don't agree God is not in error, and we need to pray for understanding. Those that have more meat of the Word can help those who are struggling, if done with humility, peace and love. I don't mind a peaceful debate, but when we start to argue amongst each other that is not the Spirit of God. God Bless and Peace to you all. (This signature is in general and not pointing fingers at anyone at anytime. God Bless.)
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I would prefer a question that would be more insightful.

Did the gifts, ministries, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit, end in the first century?

If so, which gifts, ministries, and fruit, are still active today?

That way we can all know what the truth is.

Tongues is such a small part of the overall spiritual blessing, I don't know why tongues receives
so much attention.

 

[Cameron143]

I would prefer a question that would be more insightful.

Did the gifts, ministries, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit, end in the first century?

If so, which gifts, ministries, and fruit, are still active today?

That way we can all know what the truth is.

Tongues is such a small part of the overall spiritual blessing, I don't know why tongues receives
so much attention.

Probably because tongues can talk and other gifts can't.

 

[Bob-Carabbio]

Do people know that someone who translates language is very different from a Supernatural Gift of God (Interpreter)?

1. one is human
2. one is from God

Not even close to being the same.

"Interpretation of Tongues" (and the other spoken gifts) is essentially identical to "Prophesy", in that the words in the common language are supplied directly to your mind by the Holy Spirit, and all YOU do is speak them as they come.

If the speaker is making ANY PERSONAL CONTRIBUTION to the spoken message, then it's corrupt, and not to be trusted.

 

[Inquisitor]

I don't believe there are many verses that say that speaking in tongues will disappear. Why? Because the people saw it happening, they were living it. They saw tongues save many people, which was its purpose.

But, when the last book of the Bible, Revelation, was written in either 70 or 90
AD, the Bible was finished. It contained everything a Christian needed to live and grow in the Lord. True, there weren't a lot of Bibles around at first. Sometimes they could only hear a scroll of one book in a city or town. So, there probably was a period in which tongues were still operating, while they were dying in other places. Whether that was the first or second century, they were gone, certainly by the time of the first church counsels. Theology was incredibly important, stopping people like Arius, from spreading real heresy. No one was even discussing tongues by 325 AD, the Council of Nicaea.

So it did fade away, and wasn't needed or being used in the church after the early church died out. History, rather than the Bible tells us speaking in tongues died out, until it started again in 1905 at Azusa Street in San Francisco. It spread rapidly, and is a large movement in the world today.

But is it truly a movement of God? I think we need to give each other grace with this issue. I have many charismatic friends. Interestingly, many are now in churches with excellent teaching and theology. That was the reason I left the charismatic movement. I was not being fed. I was reading through the Bible daily. I wasn't hearing what I was reading in the sermons at church. I was hearing Acts 2 over and over. I was seeing people praise God, speak in tongues, and no actual results. No one was growing spiritually, evangelical fervour had died. And there was a huge spirit of pride. About how charismatics and Pentecostals were so much better than the other churches. I heard that from the pulpit, almost ever Sunday. I heard bad hermeneutics, although it took me years before I knew the word and what it meant! I heard bad theology that wasn't in my Bible. I kept reading my Bible, but church was a burden.

I finally left and went to a non-charismatic church. I heard what I was reading in my Bible being preached in the pulpit. And love! There was so much love and caring. I didn't even realise love for one another was missing in charismatic churches. People did so much for me, as I got RA. No one ever helped me once in the large charismatic churches. In the non-charismatic church ladies were bringing me dinners, the pastor and elders were praying for me.

I began to realise that the charismatic movement was a false move of God. I never went back. After 15 years as a charismatic, I knew most of it wasn't true, not based on verses that were from nearly
2000 years ago, not for today.

But this is where the grace must come in. I still have charismatic friends I don't spend my time trying to break their beliefs. There are much more important doctrines to discuss. Same with the charismatic. They don't need to spend all their time convincing some non-charismatic they need to speak in tongues. It's not an essential doctrine. Let us try and love one another, and care for each other. Jesus doesn't want to return to a church speaking in tongues, but has no love, any more than he wants to return to a non-charismatic church that doesn't have love, either.

Different experiences in different churches.

I was saved in a charismatic church and love was the one gift that was highly emphasized.

Afterall, the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from a sincere faith.
(1 Timothy 1:5 )

Paul states the following.

1 Corinthians 14:39
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

It is an open and shut case as far as I am concerned.

I am not going to contradict an apostle's instruction.

 

[Inquisitor]

The Holy Spirit is our Divine Teacher who uses Scripture to bring all God's truth to us. At the same time (1) we are to study the Word diligently and (2) we are to rightly divide the Word of Truth.

Good advice but mankind has a terrible history when it comes to the understanding the scripture.

 

[FollowerofShiloh]

"Interpretation of Tongues" (and the other spoken gifts) is essentially identical to "Prophesy", in that the words in the common language are supplied directly to your mind by the Holy Spirit, and all YOU do is speak them as they come.

If the speaker is making ANY PERSONAL CONTRIBUTION to the spoken message, then it's corrupt, and not to be trusted.

I agree with this post 100%

I firmly believe if it is not 100% genuine that this verse can be fulfilled 2 For anyone who speaks in tongues does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.

 

[FollowerofShiloh]

If it's faked they can only speak to men and not to God.

 

[Inquisitor]

As noted, that is just wishful thinking. Each person will give account only for themselves, and what they believed, and taught. Apart from the apostolic period, historically (and broadly) there was no speaking in tongues in Christianity until the early 20th century. So that should tell you something.

Go through the ministries of the Holy Spirit and identify which ministries are no longer valid.

Then do the same for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. You have isolated tongues as redundant, are any other gifts redundant?

Here is a passage that has some of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit.

Which gift/ministries are valid today and why?

There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. ( 1 Corinthians 12:6-10 )

Also, what does "various kinds of tongues" mean?

 

[jamessb]

I would prefer a question that would be more insightful.

Did the gifts, ministries, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit, end in the first century?

If so, which gifts, ministries, and fruit, are still active today?

That way we can all know what the truth is.

Tongues is such a small part of the overall spiritual blessing, I don't know why tongues receives
so much attention.

1) No, they did not end in the first century.
2) All the gifts, ministries, and fruit, are still active today.

I was an atheist and in the hospital with an unbreakable asthma spasm. A pastor came to visit, prayed for me, and the spasm broke instantly. The next day I prayed for God to give my my prayer language, and I immediately began to speak in tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. [present tense, after Christ was crucified] There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing [see above] by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines."

Notice that this is written in the present tense, long after Jesus was sacrificed.

Wisdom is still active.
Knowledge is still active.
Faith is still active.
Healing is still active.
Miraculous powers are still active.
Prophecy is still active.
Distinguishing between spirits is still active.
Speaking in different kinds of tongues is still active.
The interpretation of tongues is still active.

Those who doubt simply haven't experienced them or witnessed them.

 

[FollowerofShiloh]

To Those who have been blessed with speaking in tongues.
Ever done it before a possessed person?
Ever watch the reactions that person makes and the foul responses when it's 100% pure and genuine?
I mean you first come at them in the Name of Jesus/Command in the Name of Jesus and you pray in your native language. I am talking about that severe moment of spiritual warfare when the Holy Spirit emboldens you and you just utter what's suddenly inside you.

 

[jamessb]

If it's faked they can only speak to men and not to God.

You and Bob Carrabio are both wrong. The gifts of the Spirit are real, alive and active today. Those who doubt simply haven't experienced them or witnessed them.

John 20:26-29, "A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

 

[FollowerofShiloh]

You and Bob Carrabio are both wrong. The gifts of the Spirit are real, alive and active today. Those who doubt simply haven't experienced them or witnessed them.

John 20:26-29, "A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Not sure what you mean. But I firmly believe demons are very active today, the Power of God is very active, and that the Gifts are all current and present.

 

[FollowerofShiloh]

To Those who have been blessed with speaking in tongues.
Ever done it before a possessed person?
Ever watch the reactions that person makes and the foul responses when it's 100% pure and genuine?
I mean you first come at them in the Name of Jesus/Command in the Name of Jesus and you pray in your native language. I am talking about that severe moment of spiritual warfare when the Holy Spirit emboldens you and you just utter what's suddenly inside you.

Just read this. If you truly are full of the Holy Spirit this will stir inside your soul. Even if you think tongues has ended.

 

[Inquisitor]

Let's just say that there are two camps on this subject and leave it at that. Neither side will change their minds. And relevant Scriptures have been misrepresented and misapplied for a long time. So let's move on rather than have unprofitable discussions.

There is not two camps in this debate. There are a number of different opinions on this topic. I think all churches have some gifts, some ministries, and some fruit of the Holy Spirit. It just depends on what your church chooses from the available list.

 

[Nehemiah6]

You have isolated tongues as redundant, are any other gifts redundant?

It is not I who has done anything. Scripture teaches you plainly that three of the many spiritual gifts would cease (1 Cor 13:8-10). Tongues, prophecy, and supernatural knowledge. By implication the gift of interpretation of tongues would also cease and there would also be no more prophets. And since there are only twelve apostles of the Lamb, there are no more apostles.

Also, what does "various kinds of tongues" mean?

It simply means various languages (a variety of languages e.g. Acts 2).

Which still leaves many spiritual gifts in place, including evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Eph 4:11). .

 

[Inquisitor]

As noted, that is just wishful thinking. Each person will give account only for themselves, and what they believed, and taught. Apart from the apostolic period, historically (and broadly) there was no speaking in tongues in Christianity until the early 20th century. So that should tell you something.

Let me also add, love was strangely missing also. Given the inquisitions, church schisms, executions. The Catholics and Protestants were both involved in blood letting.

If tongues are missing in church history, does that mean tongues were not in circulation. Or that church history was written by the dominant church movements. And their doctrine was written into church history. I do know that there were a plethora of smaller church movements from day one.

 

[FollowerofShiloh]

The Bible claims the Message of God came through the prophets until it started being preached by preachers. So how does that end prophecy? The Preacher is simply doing what the Prophet used to do.