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Spiritual Gifts (Speaking in Tongues)

I begged God for tongues as a newer Christian and got them…while praying alone, in my house. Years later, I happened upon some Baptist internet sites that brutally denounced tongues. I struggled with major doubts. After I did a study on my own where I did not see tongues ever stopping, I felt better about my experience. But to this day I struggle with using the gift. Going to a Calvary Chapel that properly believes tongues are not for the congregational setting is good. But in my alone time I rarely use it. I have found it very effective for those times where bad thoughts are running around in my head and trying to take over. A few sentences of tongues puts that out immediately. Other than that I’m not sure when or if I should, so I don’t.
 
Back in the mid-seventies, my first wife was once praying with a mixed group of teens to whom she had been witnessing, most of whom were not saved; and in the middle of her prayer she burst into tongues, something obviously unfamiliar to the kids. When she finished, one girl looked at her in amazement and asked, "Where did you learn my language?" Charlotte responded with, "What?" The girl replied, "You were just glorifying God in my language: Arabic."
That is amazing. I often wonder if we all have a real current language (as in Acts) or a heavenly (“tongues of angels” 1 Cor 13) language.
 
And this is the first time I have ever “come out” online on this subject to y’all. Because I think I have been guarded against being brutalized again. It’s unbelievable how this divides the church. I see it like how I’ve been told to: we are all different parts of the body. We all have different functions. We all have gifts and no one is better than anyone else.
 
And this is the first time I have ever “come out” online on this subject to y’all. Because I think I have been guarded against being brutalized again. It’s unbelievable how this divides the church. I see it like how I’ve been told to: we are all different parts of the body. We all have different functions. We all have gifts and no one is better than anyone else.
I seldom have talked about this subject on line, and in my daily life, never even think about it. Its not a gift I have, nor am I called to interpret for anyone.
 
And this is the first time I have ever “come out” online on this subject to y’all. Because I think I have been guarded against being brutalized again. It’s unbelievable how this divides the church. I see it like how I’ve been told to: we are all different parts of the body. We all have different functions. We all have gifts and no one is better than anyone else.
I forgot to add, I have personally never witnessed tongues being used in any manner, wether in the proper use, or simply babbling. However, as I said earlier, I do believe it is still a gift, but a gift that is probably the most abused one with people claiming what they did not recieve.
 
A very long time ago i went to a church called "Living way" and the pastor there did the works, tongues, laying of hands and trying as hard as he could to push you over if you managed to resist trying to fallover earthquake predictions etc.

I think a majority of these people who try to speak "tongues" are speaking gibberish as a lot of people have already mentioned
 
When I got the gift, I wanted it so bad that I started up a few times, but I knew it was myself doing it. It was difficult to do And it did sound fake and like gibberish. Then I gave up trying and that’s when it happened. Suddenly I could bypass my brain and it was effortless. Not automatic. Hard to explain. My husband grew up in an old Pentecostal church where as soon as you go up to the altar to get saved, they start praying over you to receive tongues. Things like that make me mad and that is why we have so many counterfeit “gifts” in the body.
 
When I got the gift, I wanted it so bad that I started up a few times, but I knew it was myself doing it. It was difficult to do And it did sound fake and like gibberish. Then I gave up trying and that’s when it happened. Suddenly I could bypass my brain and it was effortless. Not automatic. Hard to explain. My husband grew up in an old Pentecostal church where as soon as you go up to the altar to get saved, they start praying over you to receive tongues. Things like that make me mad and that is why we have so many counterfeit “gifts” in the body.
Yeah i think the pentecostal churches are notorious for doing that sort of stuff
 
1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

The Holy Spirit just showed me something regarding the idea of the gifts of tongues ceasing. I used 1 Corinthians 13:8 to say that maybe the gift of tongues did cease. However I did not read down to 1 Corinthians 13:10.

1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
1 Corinthians 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1 Corinthians 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.


So I was reading 1 Corinthians 13:8 out of context. Paul actually tells us when the gift of tongues will cease. It is when that which is perfect comes as stated in 1 Corinthians 13:10. When does the perfect come? I would submit when Jesus returns. So before I was not really on one side or the other, but was leaning to tongues having ceased. Now I believe that tongues have not ceased and will be around until Jesus returns.

God Bless!
:)
 
The Holy Spirit just showed me something regarding the idea of the gifts of tongues ceasing. I used 1 Corinthians 13:8 to say that maybe the gift of tongues did cease. However I did not read down to 1 Corinthians 13:10.

1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
1 Corinthians 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1 Corinthians 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.


So I was reading 1 Corinthians 13:8 out of context. Paul actually tells us when the gift of tongues will cease. It is when that which is perfect comes as stated in 1 Corinthians 13:10. When does the perfect come? I would submit when Jesus returns. So before I was not really on one side or the other, but was leaning to tongues having ceased. Now I believe that tongues have not ceased and will be around until Jesus returns.

God Bless!
:)
I think you hit the nail on the head.

This study by Don Stewart for Blue Letter Bible points out the understanding you received........


What Are the Arguments That the Gift of Tongues Has Not Ceased but Is Still to Be Used in the Church Today?​


Some people believe the gift of speaking in tongues was limited to first century Christianity. However, not everyone is convinced that the gift of tongues no longer exists in the church. Those who believe the gift of tongues is still to be used in the church today respond in the following way to the arguments against its usage.

There Is No Specific Statement as to When Tongues Will Cease​

To begin with, the Bible does not give any specific statement with respect to the time the gift of tongues will cease to exist. This is crucial. While it does indeed say that the gift of tongues will cease it does not specifically say when this will occur. Therefore, the burden of proof is solely upon those who claim the gift no longer operates in the church. Indeed, they have to establish that the gift ceased after the apostolic era.

The Nature of the Gift Does Not Indicate It Has Ceased​

Furthermore, not everyone sees speaking in tongues merely as a sign to unbelieving Israel. In fact, Paul also says tongues can be beneficial to believers. We read his words to the church at Corinth about this usage of the gift.

Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up (1 Corinthians 14:5 ESV).
Therefore, the gift was not limited as a sign to the nation Israel. It was of benefit to the local congregations.

The Gift of Apostle Has Not Necessarily Ceased​

Those who argue that the gift of tongues has ceased because at least one of the gifts, apostle, is no longer with us make a couple of conclusions that do not necessarily follow.

First, it is not certain that the gift of apostle has ceased. While it is true that the qualifications to be one of the “twelve apostles” cannot be met by anyone today, the gift of an apostle was certainly not limited to the twelve. Indeed, it is never said, or inferred, that all of the people whom the New Testament called “apostles” had actually seen the risen Christ.

Even if the gift of apostle has ceased this says nothing, one way or the other, about the gift of speaking in tongues. Everyone admits that some of the spiritual gifts still exist – teacher, ruling, serving, etc. The issue revolves around whether it can be demonstrated that speaking in tongues no longer exists – not whether any other gift may or may not exist today.

The Perfect Is Still in the Future​

Tongues will indeed “cease of themselves,” but only when the “perfect” has come. “Perfect,” most likely, refers to the perfect age when Jesus Christ returns. John wrote.

Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him as He is (1 John 3:2 HSCB).
The perfect seems to be a reference to the Second Coming of Christ, not the completed canon. Thus, the idea that Paul had in his mind a completed Scripture when referring to “perfect” is highly unlikely.

In fact, many of those who reject the sign gifts as still existing realize that this argument does not carry much weight.

Paul’s Illustrations Show That All the Gifts Are Still Necessary​

The illustrations that the Apostle Paul used in 1 Corinthians 13 also demonstrates the need for all the gifts until Jesus Christ returns. He explained it this way to the Corinthians.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known (1 Corinthians 13:11, 12 NKJV).
In the first illustration, he speaks of the difference between childhood and maturity. The church, the body of Christ, will not reach maturity until Jesus Christ returns. This is clear from another passage from the writings of Paul.

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes (Ephesians 4:11-14 ESV).
The practice of spiritual gifts is one of the ways in which the church is brought to this maturity. When the church has reached this point, then the gifts will be of no further use. Until that time the gifts are necessary.

He also used the illustration of a mirror.

Today we see only vague or imperfectly. It is only when we see Jesus Christ face to face that we will fully know all things. Again, there is the need for spiritual gifts until this state is attained.

It Is When Christ Returns That the Gift Will Cease​

Paul’s reference to the cessation of prophecies, knowledge, and miracles is not meant to indicate the temporary nature of these gifts during the early period of the church age.

There will be no need for them only when Jesus Christ returns to the earth. Before He comes back, the gifts are absolutely necessary.

It Is Nowhere Stated That the Gift of Tongues Was Temporary​


It must be mentioned that whatever the correct answer is to this question, nowhere in the New Testament do we find a statement that the gift of tongues was only temporary. To the contrary Paul told the Corinthians not to forbid people to speak in tongues. If the gift was only temporary then why don’t we find a direct statement in the Bible that says this? This omission has to be explained by those who argue that the gift of tongues has ceased.

We Are to Seek Not, Forbid Not​

Although the gift of tongues is not a sign of receiving the Holy Spirit or the baptism with the Holy Spirit, there seems to be no biblical basis for rejecting this spiritual gift. The New Testament appears to be saying that speaking in tongues should neither be sought nor should it be forbidden. Nowhere are believers told to seek the gift of tongues. On the other hand, Scripture says tongue speaking should not be forbidden.

So, dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:39 NLT).
Therefore, to many people, the biblical arguments are not convincing that the gift of tongues has ceased. There is every reason to assume that the gift is still operating in the church today. Thus, when it is exercised it should follow the rules set down in the New Testament.

This sums up the response to the biblical arguments against the continuation of the gift of tongues in the church. Those who hold this position, that the gift is still valid, believe that the stronger biblical arguments are on their side.

Of course, those who hold the other position, that the gift has ceased, believe they have the most convincing arguments from Scripture.

The Non-Biblical Arguments Are Not Convincing​

Those who believe the gift of tongues is still active in the church today are not convinced by the non-biblical arguments for its cessation. They give the following responses to those who give arguments apart from the Bible that the gift has ceased.

Church History Is Not a Reliable Guide​

While it is important to see what has happened in the history of the church, it is not an infallible guide to truth. There may have been good reasons as to why the gift of tongues was not used for long periods of time in the church. The fact that the gift fell into lack of use does not necessarily mean that it was withdrawn. Other factors may have been involved.

Speaking with Tongue Has Not Been Limited to Heretics​

It is wrong to assume that all instances of speaking in tongues have been limited to those who are heretics or cultists. Clearly there have been godly men and women in the history of the church who have attempted to exercise the gift in a biblical way. This is certainly still true today. Therefore, it is wrong to conclude that only cultists, heretics, or biblical illiterates are the ones exercising the gift of speaking in tongues.

Satan Counterfeits the True Gift​

The fact that we find counterfeit tongues in non-Christian religions and cults does not speak against the genuineness of the gift. In fact, it can be used to prove just the opposite. A counterfeit is only made of something that is real. The fact that the gift is counterfeited only proves there is a genuine gift of tongues that is functioning today. Why would Satan counterfeit a gift that no longer exists? Indeed, he would not. He would only counterfeit something which was genuine.

Spiritual Men and Women Have Spoken in Tongues​

While many of the great names of the faith may not have spoken in tongues this does not mean that only spiritually immature people have attempted to exercise this gift. There are many godly men and women who sincerely believe that God has given them the gift of speaking in tongues. Whether or not they are correct in their assumption, it is clear that nobody should doubt their spiritual maturity.

Excesses Do Not Prove the Cessation of the Gift​

All will admit that there are excesses among those who claim to have the gift of tongues. Indeed, this is beyond any doubt. However, this only proves immaturity on the part of some Christians. It has nothing to do with the main issue – does the Bible say that tongues have ceased? One can find examples of every spiritual gift abused – teaching, pastor, giving, faith, etc. The fact that the gift of speaking in tongues has been abused is not at all relevant to the discussion. The issue is what does the Bible have to say about the permanence or lack of permanence of the gift?

Division Is Caused by Sin, Not by Speaking in Tongues​

The fact that speaking in tongues has resulted in division in some churches cannot be blamed on the gift. There were divisions in the Corinthian church over the proper use of tongues. Yet Paul nowhere blamed the gift of tongues for these divisions. The problem was with the people. The same holds true today. If a congregation is divided over speaking in tongues it is because there is sin in the lives of people who allow this gift to divide.

In sum, there are a number of responses which are given by Bible-believers who hold that the gift of tongues is still a valid spiritual gift today and should be exercised by the early church.

(@Goodboy I'm only highlighting the point you made below in the Summery)


The word perfect, or perfection, in First Corinthians speaks of the return of Jesus Christ. Tongues will continue until that time. In fact, Paul illustrated how all the gifts are still necessary in the church. There is nothing stated about the gifts being only temporary.


 
1& For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
Isaiah 28:11-12

Tongues is a gift of God to the church. You’ve never heard me speak of it and it is much maligned and very controversial.

It is not a badge of one’s spirituality, but the gift is Holy.

I was introduced to it the first time that I attended my cousin and her husband’s home prayer meeting. My cousin’s husband was praying for me in English and suddenly switched to tongues and I immediately thought he learned it to help him pray, but he never learned it.

Shortly thereafter, I read the booklet, “THEY SPEAK IN OTHER TONGUES” an investigatory book.

It is blasphemy to boast it that which the Lord has done in respect to you meriting it or in his gift. It is also wrong to make a single doctrine your whole camp, tongues is one of my tent peg’s, but is not my whole camp.

I dislike talking about my own experiences, but I guess the Lord is calling me to do so.

I speak in tongues daily and I can attest to the rest that it produces (Is.28:12), getting off from work at Woolco Department Store I was bone-tired and I would speak in tongues under my breath if in company of another.

As soon as I began speaking I would experience an immediate rest in my soul and body. Jude
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.

More later.
 
Not as though I have had many experiences, I would be hard pressed to think of one.

My experiences has been hard knocks, trials and tribulations and walking in the flesh and walking in the wilderness. It took 49 years of that for God to get me where I am today. The flesh dies hard, but I am on the best ground of my life right now, PTL.
 
I forgot to add, I have personally never witnessed tongues being used in any manner, wether in the proper use, or simply babbling. However, as I said earlier, I do believe it is still a gift, but a gift that is probably the most abused one with people claiming what they did not recieve.
I’ve never seen it either. It’s always been a group of women babbling with no rhyme or order and no interpreter.
 
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