Why can’t i speak in tongues as a Christian

I am not going to keep up, skipping ahead.

@CS1 I didn't see a response to my question from post 167. Any thoughts?

Could you please explain why Paul's comment that not all speak in tongues is not reflected in what was experienced on the Day of Pentecost? The record specifically states that all spoke in tongues upon being filled with the Holy Ghost. The same holds true in the case of the Gentiles conversion experience. And speaking in tongues is certainly implied concerning the Samaritans. If Paul's statement that not all speak in tongues pertained to receiving the Holy Ghost why do these records state otherwise?

Incorrect.

"Prophesy" in all of its forms is the same. I.e. - The individual SPEAKS WORDS that are sourced to their mind by the Holy Spirit. They (hopefully) add nothing to it, and subtract nothing from it. Baalam is an example (Num 22) - he wasn't on God's side AT ALL, and wanted Balak's MONEY, but COULD ONLY say what God gave him to say prophetically. (Paranthetically, is Hebrew "tongues" for a donkey??)

Observation: I was in a church for many years and a certain brother in the church would spout off in tongues with regularity at the same point in the service almost every service. And his "utterance in tongues" was always the SAME - same words, same order of words, same length of utterance. SO - obviously I "wrote him off" as a flake somebody "religious" who was scratching his itch.

UNTIL - after I had been "baptized in the Holy Spirit" (to use Assembly of God terminology), and in an evening service (remember them??) He ripped off his "Tongue" - and I was FOR THE FIRST TIME burdened to Interpret, when he got through. I learned two things: that I shouldn't be so judgmental about somebody's gift even if it seemed stupid to me,

And The interpretation of a "tongue" isn't necessarily a "Translation" of the tongue - since his tongues were always interpreted, and the interpretations were all over Robin Hood's barn - EVEN THOUGH his utterance in tongues was always the same.

I formed the PERSONAL OPINION, that often "Tongues" in a church meeting context, are primarily a "Trumpet sound", as it were, to get our attention for the interpretation to follow (arguably a prophetic word).

I've been in the "FUll Gospel" genre for about 59 years, and can still count on the fingers of both hands the number of times a tongue was spoken in service, and there was NO Interpretation given probably in about 30% of the instances by another member of the congregation.

And YES!!! I know of cases (unless all our AG pastors and Missionaries are bald faced LIARS) where a tongue was spoken AND understood by somebody present accompanied by an interpretation that matched what the tongue had said when understood. Also there are reports, of a message in the "Common tongue" being delivered, and HEARD in one or more other languages. and quite a few accounts of tongues being spoken in a more private setting, which were a message is to an individual hearing them in their own language, even with the proper regional accent.

God, after all isn't a "One trick pony".

"If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord." 1 Corinthians 14:7

no it is not sir,

in context to 1cor chapter, 12 Prophesying = proclaiming and speaking under the inspiration Prophecy = foretelling forth telling.

the authorial intent we see in 1cor chapter 12 through 14 Prophesying and tongues and interpretation = proclaiming which

1. edify
2. comforts
3. exhorts
4. lines up with the word of God


Prophesying contextually in 1cor chapter 12 through 14 is not done in the office of a prophet but a gift distributed by the Holy Spirit to those who are not even prophets.

1cor 14:1

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

prof-ate-yoo'-o=

1. under like prompting, to teach, refute, reprove, admonish, comfort others

Just as 1cor chapter 14 states in verse 3

"But he that prophesieth" "speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort."

Prophesying produces the following because it says so.

"to edification, and exhortation, and comfort."

mocking and scoffing will be in the last days

what Bible does this come from ^ ?

the earliest Greek text reads like this:
1 Corinthians 14:7 Even things without life, giving sound, whether pipe or harp, yet, if they give not a distinction in tones, how shall that be known which is piped or harped?

My bad, it should be 14:37.

I cor 14
18 I thank God that my gift of speaking in different kinds of languages is greater than any of yours. 19 But in the church meetings I would rather speak five words that I understand than thousands of words in a different language. I would rather speak with my understanding, so that I can teach others.
26 So, brothers and sisters, what should you do? When you meet together, one person has a song, another has a teaching, and another has a new truth from God. One person speaks in a different language, and another interprets that language. The purpose of whatever you do should be to help everyone grow stronger in faith. 27 When you meet together, if anyone speaks to the group in a different language, it should be only two or no more than three people who do this. And they should speak one after the other. And someone else should interpret what they say. 28 But if there is no interpreter, then anyone who speaks in a different language should be quiet in the church meeting. They should speak only to themselves and to God.
39 So my brothers and sisters, continue to give your attention to prophesying. And don’t stop anyone from using the gift of speaking in different languages. 40 But everything should be done in a way that is right and orderly.

My relatives often told my Dad that he should have taught me Italian.
He didn't, so for the most part for me it's an unknown tongue.
That's how the translators of the KJ Bible understood that term.

Opinion noted. Rejected.

I don't know if the Holy Spirit added the hand gestures, but it was just latin back then. The only Latin I've heard was from some old priest and monks chanting. Hand gestures wouldn't do any good without an interpreter. Lol.

the translators understood unknown

Word of God provided. Not an opinion you are not rejecting me I did not say the below Paul did as the Holy Spirit led him to do so.

1cor 14:1

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

prof-ate-yoo'-o=

1. under like prompting, to teach, refute, reprove, admonish, comfort others

Just as 1cor chapter 14 states in verse 3

"But he that prophesieth" "speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort."

Prophesying produces the following because it says so.

"to edification, and exhortation, and comfort."


your argument is with the word of God not me

I'm just glad they understand Greek fluently.

Correction: your (your denominational group's) interpretation of the "Word of God" provided.

Whether you like it or not, "Prophesy" is all the same gifting, Old and NEW Testaments. The subject matter of the the Prophesy may vary, but the process is the same. Your "Proof texts" don't indicate anything different.

Simple as that.

just like Adam named all of the animals but the KJ translators wrote about a mythical animal called Unicorn.

Job 39:9 | View whole chapter | See verse in contextWill the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?

Numbers 23:22 | View whole chapter | See verse in contextGod brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.

Psalms 29:6 | View whole chapter | See verse in contextHe maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.

Psalms 92:10 | View whole chapter | See verse in contextBut my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.

Job 39:10 | View whole chapter | See verse in contextCanst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?

Numbers 24:8 | View whole chapter | See verse in contextGod brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.


the Stupid is real with the KJ Translators especially using the TR Version.

You don't know my Denomination, and whether you know it or not, the context is said in verse 3


"But he that prophesieth" "speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort."




1cor 14:1-3

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

prof-ate-yoo'-o=

1. under like prompting, to teach, refute, reprove, admonish, comfort others

Just as 1cor chapter 14 states in verse 3

"But he that prophesieth" "speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort."

Prophesying produces the following because it says so.

"to edification, and exhortation, and comfort."

let's compare using the original Hebrew:

the KJV is listed so here is from the Tanakh:

Psalms 29:
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox.

Psalms 92:
10 But You exalted my horn like that of a wild ox. I am anointed with fresh oil.

Job 39:
9 “Is the wild ox willing to serve you? Will it spend the night at your manger?

10 Will you bind a wild ox to a furrow with his rope? Will it plow valleys behind you?

Numbers 23:
22 God is bringing them from Egypt with the strong horns of the wild ox!

Numbers 24:
8 God is bringing him out of Egypt. like the strong horns of a wild ox. He devours nations hostile to him. He will crush their bones.
His arrows will pierce them.


the Hebrew Tanakh calls it Wild Ox but the idiots who translated the KJ call it Unicorn

the Stupid is Real!

I don't know why you insist on yelling and yelling in red. Emphasis is one thing and most of us will do it from time to time but you do it almost every time and that does not make what you say true.

In fact, this business of yours that this gift or that gift is more important than another with tongues at the bottom of the pile is nonsense.

you cannot demonstrate the truth of this belief you have and you may do harm to those who perhaps have just begun to study the gifts

This is what scripture actually states:

I would that you all spoke with tongues but rather that you prophesied: for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. (I Cor 12 and 14 are addressed to worship as believers together)

That, would actually put tongues on the same level as prophesying, as edification of the body was/is the goal and not using gifts, when in public, for your own benefit.

The emphasis is on understanding so that all are edified or built up.

Paul also said Forbid not to speak in tongues I Cor 14:39

Again, Paul puts tongues on the same level as prophecy when tongues is interpreted

Why you insist this to be untrue, when scripture says you are wrong, is between you and God.

The emphasis is actually on being understood and not value or which is gift is better than another.

I'm not going to debate the point with you. I am simply putting what scripture states for anyone who cares to know. When people put emphasis on the wrong thing, as you are doing, true understanding, which leads to further understanding, is undermined and folks go off in various different directions to the harm of all.