Tongues

I know how our church doesn't believe in speaking in tongues and I have been taught my entire life that they were good so my friend's church was talking about tongues and I wanted to go and see what they thought. I still don't know what to do will you please try to explain it to me!

Wow! Let me start by saying I AM NOT trying to cause denominational arguments here. I will do my best to use some scripture to answer this and to be honest will interject some of my own thought.

One of the most popular scriptures about tongues are as follows. I will add my 2 cents in blue, the scripture will be in red.

Day of Pentecost

Acts 2:1-12 (Holman Christian Standard) I know I should have used the NIV and I will from this point on. It is more widely accepted. However in this scripture reference the wording is very similar.

1 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 And tongues (from the Greek word glossa; a language, specifically one naturally unacquired. (This and all other definitions from the Greek language are from "The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible') My example... I have never studied Spanish and now all of the sudden I speak it. "This says nothing about an "unknown" or "Prayer" language.), like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech. 5 There were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 When this sound occurred, the multitude came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. (In this scripture passage the miracle is that everyone heard in their own language. Here is an example... I go to a conference and there are people from China, Russia, Mexico, Spain, France there. It is my turn to speak, I speak in English, but everyone else hears me in their own language without the use of a interpreter. That is what happened here.)7 And they were astounded and amazed, saying, "Look, aren't all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 How is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own languages the magnificent acts of God." 12 And they were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, "What could this be?"

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NIV)

4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues (this is from the same Greek word as before, "glossa"), and to still another the interpretation of tongues (still "glossa"). 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

This is a long one so I left in the footnotes. Be sure to read them!

1 Corinthians 14 (NIV)

Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues

1Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2For anyone who speaks in a tongue^[a] does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.^[b] 3But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,^[c] but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues,^[d] unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified. 6Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. 12So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. 13For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. (I found this thought on the internet about this passage, "This is interpreted by some to mean that when Paul prayed in the Spirit, he used a "heavenly tongue" and did not himself know what he was praying. First of all, this raises an important question. How would they ever know if their prayer was answered? What would be the point? Does God's own Spirit just pray to Himself as some would imply? So what is Paul really saying in this verse? The problem in understanding this verse comes largely from the issue of the awkward translation of Greek to English. Please allow me to re-articulate this verse in modern English, "If I pray in a language those around me do not know, I might be praying with the Spirit, but my thoughts would be unfruitful for those listening." Paul is constantly putting forward the same message which is, if we pray out loud, we should either pray so others around us can understand or we should remain quiet. This information is from www.speaking-in-tongues.net I have not finished reviewing this website and at this time cannot endorse it, I will say what I have skimmed through I have agreed with.)15So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand^[e] say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 17You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified. 18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21In the Law it is written:
"Through men of strange tongues
and through the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people,
but even then they will not listen to me,"^[f] says the Lord.

22Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. 23So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand^[g] or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand^[h]comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, 25and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"

Orderly Worship

26What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God. 29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
As in all the congregations of the saints, 34women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. 36Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. 38If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored.^[i] 39Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

Footnotes:

1. 1 Corinthians 14:2 Or another language; also in verses 4, 13, 14, 19, 26 and 27
2. 1 Corinthians 14:2 Or by the Spirit
3. 1 Corinthians 14:5 Or other languages; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39
4. 1 Corinthians 14:5 Or other languages; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39
5. 1 Corinthians 14:16 Or among the inquirers
6. 1 Corinthians 14:21 Isaiah 28:11,12
7. 1 Corinthians 14:23 Or some inquirers
8. 1 Corinthians 14:24 Or or some inquirer
9. 1 Corinthians 14:38 Some manuscripts If he is ignorant of this, let him be ignorant

I will stop here on this subject for now because this subject alone can go on for page after page. I know this blog will probably just bring up a lot more questions so I will do my best to answer as I have time. But let me end with this thought of mine...

If tongues is thought to be so important, why is it that we never read in the Bible where Jesus spoke in tongues? I asked a minister that question one time and the response he gave me was that because it is a private prayer language. To which I replied, "When Jesus was asked by the disciples how should we pray Jesus said, 5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.^[a]' 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matt. 6:5-15)

Jesus does not say that we need to speak in an unknown language or tongue to pray. He didn't really have a response for that one.

Anyway, that's all for now. Feel free to respond.