Tongues Then, Now & Why

[presidente]

In a gathering one should know that even though several around you are Speaking in Tongues it doesn't become necessary for interpretation until one does it and everyone in vicinity just quiets themselves because they feel the sudden presence of God.

When it becomes very hush someone will then Speak in Tongues and soon after another will interpret.

If there be no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church and let him speak to himself and to God.

 

[Blade]

"why it's not the normative pattern today. " "Paul teaches that tongues today are optional spiritual gifts of edification "

I can't find where Paul (Holy Spirit) teaches tongues is optional spiritual gifts of edification. Fact is very clear some do not believe so what do we exact the Holy Spirit to do go against our free will? I praise GOD there was none of this around me when they asked me. No internet no one to tell me it was dead gone.. or alive and well even. Just some simple bible study asked if I wanted the holy Spirit you know like the 12/120 were told to go wait for the promise? That could not happen until Christ left. They were just like me all born again.

So sat down he read only verses about the holy Spirit. No "what that verse is really saying or really means". Just ask He will give me the Holy Spirit. I said yes.. he prayed one of the shortest prayers stopped said "that's it you got it". Do you have that kind of faith? To read what GOD said and then KNOW that you know that you know He will do it? That man didn't have do add words say anything other then read what God said He would do if you asked...the rest was up to GOD.

I never doubted.. I truth had no clue .. sure I want the holy Spirit. I got up.. when to sit down bam.. tongues just came out. No one was saying one word. Just like in the bible.. have you received the holy Spirit since you believed? I like what some preacher said many years ago.. your on a Island alone and you see this book Bible. You've never seen it before. Now go read it. Surround your self with those that walk by live by faith. Luke 11:13.. read it.. you believe or you don't just like John 3:16-17. Same God said both.. odd how John 3:16-17 is duh for today ..forever but.. no not the gifts.. not everything else. Pfft

 

[FlyingDove]

I agree with this. I know some Pentecostals try to make tongues for prayer and tongues to be interpreted into a different 'type' of speaking in tongues. But the wording of I Corinthians 14 treats them as the same category of speaking in tongues, as if the tongues that are mysteries that can be spoken to God can also be interpreted.

You're right that Paul treats tongues as one category of gift. There aren't "two different kinds" of tongues - but Paul does distinguish two different uses of the same gift:

Private use - prayer to God (unintelligible without interpretation)

Paul says: the tongue‑speaker "speaks not to men but to God" (14:2), no one understands (14:2), my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful (14:14), "he speaks mysteries in the Spirit" (14:2), "he edifies himself" (14:4). This is the prayer‑tongue use - same gift, but not intelligible & not for the congregation.

Paul even says he "speaks in tongues more than you all" (14:18), showing his heavy private use.
'Public use — must be interpreted. Paul commands:
"let him pray that he may interpret" (14:13), if there is no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church" (14:28), "let all things be done unto edifying" (14:26). Same gift - but regulated so the church is edified.

Paul's point is simple:
Tongues without interpretation = private prayer.
Tongues with interpretation = intelligible message (equivalent to prophecy).

So yes, it's one category of tongues - but Paul gives 2 different instructions depending on whether interpretation is present.

That's the distinction many Pentecostals often blur & the one Paul makes repeatedly in the chapter.