Speaking in tongues

bytor2112 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 08:28 AM

I have watched TV evangelists "speak in tongues" while preaching and I have visited Pentacostal Churches where this is very common as well. Why would the Lord want someone to speak a foreign tongue while preaching? Is it of God or something else? Is it just made up to elicit excitement from the congregation?

BenRaines · #2 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 08:58 AM

I believe that if there are those who can understand the language in the congregation then speaking in tongues allows those who do not speak the language of the speaker to understand. Television evangelists and those who speak in tongues when no one understands are all for show, in my opinion.

I know that there are those who say that if someone is taken up in the spirit they are the ones who understand when no one else can't.

Scriptural references to speaking in tongues makes the comment of "How can we understand this man when he is not from our area". Speaking in tongues allows those who speak a different language to understand.

Ben Raines

WANDERER · #3 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 09:06 AM

I have heard of the gift of Interpretation of Tongues. My understanding that as it is a gift from the Holy Spirit that it may involve personal revelation for those that can interpret it or be a bit like parables or a blessing to those that hear or receive it but don't understand. Speaking in tongues is a very common thing within pentecostal churches just like singing or praying and it's just part of the meeting. I guess how the congregation responds...it is likely that they will pray in tongues or shout something back in tongues in some congregations. Is it emotionalism...well I think there might be a few who would have an emotional response to it depending on what meaning it held for them...but you are talking about a mainstream type of thing happening...as in any other church there are kids playing on the floor, people doing other things or half asleep. From my experiences...these are probably not everyone's. I know there is an understanding that they will be speaking in another authentic language...or perhaps a combination...or in a spiritual language (which is definitely more common although there have been occasions where someone has identified a language when I have been there). Does the person who is speaking in tongues understand what they are saying...in some cases not. I've no idea what to think on this one. Not all pentecostal churches are the same in their beliefs.

Rico · #4 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 10:17 PM

Often, during testimony meetings or prayers or even talks done in a language I do not understand, I walk away feeling like I have understood what is said. That's the power of the Holy Spirit. It isn't speaking some unintelligible language just so others can think you are spiritually gifted.

prisonchaplain · #5 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bytor2112

I have watched TV evangelists "speak in tongues" while preaching and I have visited Pentacostal Churches where this is very common as well. Why would the Lord want someone to speak a foreign tongue while preaching?

S/he's just feeling blessed by the Spirit, and lets it spill out. Chances are, the tongues is simply praise to God, and is not really meant for others to know or interpret. Ideally, such tongues speech is reserved for private prayer or worship.

Quote:

Is it of God or something else? Is it just made up to elicit excitement from the congregation?

The tongues are given by the Holy Spirit. But again, for a public speaker to use them while preaching is spiritual sloppiness. It serves no purpose.

Heavenguard · #6 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008, 09:37 AM

I like to think back to the Pentecost when the Holy Spirit first came upon the Apostles and they began preaching in tongues and when the people could not understand this, accused them of being drunk at 9.00 in the morning

There were people who heard them speak in their own native tongues. I think it's both for the people who do not understand the preacher's native tongue, but also a miracle that has consistently been performed by God's common people to demonstrate his power. How else could you possibly explain people suddenly speaking in a language they could never understand before? By God's power alone!

bytor2112 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008, 09:56 AM

In our faith (LDS), the gift of tongues is often given to Missionaries when going to a foreign mission. The TV evangelists seem as though it is more for entertainment value. I am not sure that what goes on in other churches that speak in "tongues" is from God.

WANDERER · #8 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008, 10:22 AM

I know. I visited the official website for references on gifts of the Spirit. The words are the same, but the understanding and application is different.

Misshalfway · #9 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008, 10:30 AM

I remember speaking to some on my mission who felt that speaking in tongues was the only measure of feeling the Spirit or not. In all of my study on this particular subject inside of biblical scripture, I don't see the manifestation described in the way these rituals were described to me. Some of these rituals had people dancing about and some involved snakes. I don't quite know what to make of all of it. It is nothing that I have experienced with the Spirit and has caused me pause.

I so agree with you, Wanderer. It seems that the scriptural term of "speaking in tongues" has various understandings and applications.

HiJolly · #10 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008, 11:35 AM

I think (IIRC) that speaking in tongues first occurred in the Church in Kirtland, OH. It was a sister, I think, but not too long afterward Brigham Young had the experience as well. Then there were some copy-cat occurances that brought us the policy that someone must interpret.

It was actually fairly common in Relief Society until the turn of the 20th Century. Then it kind of disappeared, as the elder sisters passed away, the younger ones didn't continue it.

HiJolly