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What Does the Bible Say About … MODERN-DAY SPEAKING in TONGUES?

Is speaking in tongues a biblical concept for today?

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First of all let us read the following texts:

Gen 11:9

“That is why it was called Babel–because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth.”

It is interesting to note that the Bible indicates that the division of different languages in our world originated in Babel, due to man’s sin.

The first mention of the speaking in tongues in the New Testament can be found in Acts 2:4: “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

This happened at Pentecost, when Jesus’ disciples were baptized by the Holy Spirit.

Now, were they babbling in unknown languages?

Acts 2:6: “When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.”

No, people from around the globe were at Jerusalem, and understood those Hebrew men in their own language. The apostles were speaking in known foreign languages, languages they had never spoken before.

What was the result of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples?

Acts 2:41: “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”

3000 people became Christian. Wow! What a powerful God we serve!

Was that gift of speaking in tongues only reserved to the disciples?

Acts 10:44-46: “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.”

No. Some gentiles received that outpouring of The Holy Spirit also, in the same manner that the disciples did.

What was the consequence of this?

Acts 10:46-48: “Then Peter said, “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.”

They were baptized, and this convinced Peter, a Jew, that salvation had reached the non-Jewish world also.

Are there other examples of this in the book of Acts?

Acts 19:6-7: “When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.”

Note that here the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is also manifested by prophesying, and not only reserved to speaking in tongues.

Is the speaking of tongues always in a known foreign language?

1 Cor 14:2-3: “For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.”

No. Sometimes it is a way to communicate with God.

Should the speaking in tongues of 1 Cor. 14 (special means of communicating with God) be used in church?

1 Cor 14:18-19: “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.”

1 Cor 14:23: “So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?”

It seems that the apostle Paul discourages us to do so.

Are there exceptions to this rule?

1 Cor 14:27-28: “If anyone speaks in a tongue, two-or at the most three-should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.”

Yes, if someone has the gift of interpretation, in other words can translate that unknown language into the local language, it can be done.

In what fashion should it be done in church?

1 Cor 14:12: “So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.”

As long as it is done to edify the church, and not oneself, it is done to the glory of God.

Is the speaking of tongues the only way to know that we have been baptized by the Holy Spirit?

1 Cor 12:28-30: “And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?”

No, there is a variety of gifts from the Holy Spirit, that is a manifestation of your baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Is the speaking of tongues a gift that is more important than the other gifts provided by the Holy Spirit?

1 Cor 14:1-3: “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.”

No. according to the apostle Paul, the gift of prophecy is a more excellent gift.

In all this, what is the most important gift of all to have?

1 Cor 13:1: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”

It is not speaking in tongues, even as a communication with our creator.

1 Cor 13:13: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Love is the greatest gift of all. In all that we do, in all that we think, in all that we speak, we should do it in love. This is one of the most important aspects of the true fruit of the Holy Spirit, indicating that we have been baptized by the Holy Spirit.

Gal 5:22-24: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Have you been baptized by the Holy Spirit? Would you like to experience true love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? Give your heart to Jesus and let Him transform you in an unbelievable manner. He cares for you and can give you this unique fruit in your life. You cannot obtain this by your own merit, but only through Jesus is this available. You can be more than victorious with him in your life. Will you accept Him now?

Rob Chaffart  

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The Bible does not say much about today’s tongues, nor does it make it clear that tongues were just for then.

Tongues are sadly misunderstood, and many miss out on gifts from the Lord because of spiritual blindness towards the subject. All through Paul’s writings he talks of Baptism of the Holy Spirit, even before Paul, John told how he could baptize with water but that Jesus, would baptize with fire and power. 

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is evidently different from water baptism, it is from laying on of hands, but I do not believe all receive the gift of tongues, which Paul describes as the least of the gifts. Because of close-mindedness to tongues many miss out on the baptism of the Holy Spirit which is to equip us with extra power. 

I believe we are saved without the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, but I also believe we are less effective in our ministry for Him. I have the gift of tongues, as a prayer language. I pray often in the Spirit and I also pray with understanding which is biblical. All I say is do not judge until you know, and ask God for His extra power, and if He chooses to give you tongues, accept it and use it but with wisdom. There is a time and a place for each gift, all are to be in a proper order. We often need to learn this. I know tongues are real today!!!! My pastor does not believe this but I know it. refer to all the scriptures, about the end days!!!

Gail MacKenzie

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I think speaking in tongues is a gift and comforter that Jesus gives us. I also think its not the tongues that gets us to heaven. Speaking in tongues is the utterance given to us . Sometimes when you can’t pray and the Holy Spirit is really inside you there is a time when the Lord sends the comforter to you and speaks for you. Here is a scripture I want to share with you. It’s found in 1 Corinthians 12:4, 7, 28, 30, 31.

There are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit, but the manifestation of the spirit is given to each for the profit of all. And *GOD has appointed these in church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues, do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire that best gifts and yet I show you a more excellent way. Being holiness I believe in tongues, yet I believe its not the issue for today. Not everybody is gifted with tongues, not everybody is the same denomination and not everybody will experience the tongues. I know the bible speaks of having interpreter if someone speaks in tongues. 

*GOD is not going to put anything unclean in your mouth to say, but now the devil is a different issue on this. The spirit in you will let you know if its real or not. I also believe that the gift of tongues was a legitimate sign gift and a genuine work of the holy spirit. If you notice in this scriptures I gave you, the gift of tongue is mentioned last. The first mentioned is the gift of being an apostle. The next gift mentioned is the gift of prophecy. I think mostly we should pray and ask the Lord to give us the answers to this question. 

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, they all come from the same spirit. In 1 Corinthians chapters 13 and 14 explains a lot about the tongues.

Jeane

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Paul said that he spoke in tongues of both men and angels, I certainly don’t suggest that my interpretation of this is the only one or even possibly a correct one, but I too feel I speak in tongues of both men and angels, but in either case I make every effort to speak clearly and distinctly desiring to communicate clearly, I am a muffler man, and often times, the customers ask me questions concerning their muffler system, which has nothing to do with heavenly things, but strictly dealing with worldly things which will pass away. 

Whether the question be for function or pricing, the better I communicate the greater opportunity to establish trust and understanding between them, myself and the place of business that I represent. I feel it fair to point out all that they need but never things they do not need. And I also attempt to answer any questions to the best of my ability. 

But this is not my heavenly language, my heavenly language concerns the things that will never pass away, such as are you born again?, Do you love the Lord Jesus?, Do you know that he put me here to serve you, to be fair with you and honest with you so that you might know his love through me, and that I might receive a blessing because you have chosen to come to our place of business.? I feel that there are two distinct languages here, maybe you don’t see it, one concerning the things of the world and one concerning heavenly things, but do you see in either case that God is both the author and finisher.

Bro. Marcus 

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I have witnessed Catholic mass where they speak in a language that I cannot understand. I have witnessed Pentecostal type church and they too spoke in a language that I could not understand, neither has profited me anything. 

I believe they’re both anointed with exactly the same spirit. The apostle Paul said if any man speak in a tongue let there be an interpreter, then two, no more than three, if there be no int., then don’t do it. In both cases mentioned above it appears neither has any basis in scripture. If you are a Catholic and have been trained in understanding that language then I suppose you might get a clear interpretation of what is being said. But I can’t say the same for the other. In either case it would seem more fitting to speak in a language that all could understand and thus all be edified.

There is a place however in scripture where all spoke but no one understood, this was at the tower of Babel.

Bro. Marcus 

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I know for a fact that speaking in tongues is a biblical concept for today.

Dave 

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Yes, it most certainly is. Jesus said,” I am the same, yesterday, today am forevermore. I change not.” If it was good enough for the disciples and apostles of old, it’s good enough for me. Now is the time we need the holy ghost power more than ever. Praise God, it’s weapon that everyone should have as we fight this spiritual warfare that we’re in. If you don’t have the baptism of the Holy Ghost, you don’t know what you’re missing out on. You may not understand it, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there. It is a gift from God meant for all his children.

Carlyn