Shlog Section-f

I saw the issue of speaking in tongues come up in another post, but wanted to get others’ opinions on this specifically.

I was initially taught that speaking in tongues was a gift of the holy spirit—a gift that anyone today can receive.  But, in a Bible study recently I was taught that this was actually a gift given by God to the early teachers of Christianity for the sole purpose of spreading the word of Jesus.  The early Christians faced the hurdle of teaching many different people in different languages and dialects.  God gave them the ability to “speak in tongues” or to speak the language of whomever they encountered.  This was a gift given during a specific time in history for a specific reason. 

According to that line of thought, speaking in tongues is not a reality or a necessity for today’s Christian.  They made the point that you could sit down and imitate someone’s private prayer language in today’s church—but you could not imitate the gift that was given to the early prophets, that of speaking in languages and dialects that you had never studied.

Any thoughts???  I have to admit that the second explanation sounds a lot more plausible to me.  I don’t want to discount anyone’s experiences with private prayer languages—but could these modern day private prayer languages really be a construct of man rather than God?  And if not, what is the purpose of them in today’s world?

I agree that actual speaking in tongues was a gift from the Holy Spirit for the early Christians, but it’s not one we really get today.
I think (and this is just my opinion) that one of the biggest reasons that people try to speak in tongues now is because it probably gives the speaker a certain rush that feels spiritual, so they do it when they want to feel close to God.  It’s not something I’ve studied very deeply, but I don’t believe this particular form of speaking in tongues goes with Scripture.  In 1 Corinthians 14 there’s a bunch of instructions and stuff regarding speaking in tongues.  So that’s what I would direct someone to if they don’t understand what real speaking in tongues is supposed to be like.
(I sincerely hope no one’s feelings are being hurt by any of this, I just want to help them understand the truth).

I think specifically in America and the west that we struggle with spiritual gifts that present themselves in a spiritual way.  Our lives are very concrete.  What we often call spiritual gifts could also be defined as natural talents and abilities.  I think that’s the main reason why this is an issue.

I absolutely believe that speaking in tongues is a gift for the now as well as for the early Christians.  I personally don’t speak in tongues myself, and I don’t think it’s necessary for salvation or proof of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but I don’t think it’s a gift that’s gone away. 

I do agree that it’s very important when speaking tongues in a group to have an intepretation.  But in the present age, I have mostly known of those who speak in tongues as part of their personal prayer life.  I see no reason to believe, based on the character of these people, that speaking in tongues is anything but a gift from God.

"Prayer language” and “speaking in tongues” - to some people - are two very different things.  I go to a charismatic church down in Florida almost every year to do a concert.  There, speaking in tongues was explained to me as God speaking through a person in a heavenly language that then needs, and must have, interpretation into human language by someone with that gift.  I’ve witnessed this.  Someone interrupts a service speaking in tongues.  The pastor stops speaking, steps back, looks down and lets the tongue speaker finish.  Then, he asks if anyone present has an interpretation.  Someone stands up and says they do.  The pastor steps back again.  The interpreter begins to interpret.  My wife saw this happen three times in one service at the Brooklyn Tabernacle - the message spoken in tongues was translated as all scripture that pertained to the sermon beautifully and there was no distraction for those used to tongue speaking in the services, the speaker wasn’t exalted above everyone else as a superior Christian, and it seemed to serve a purpose.

Prayer language has been explained to me as spontaneous speaking to God in a “soul language.” The verse about the Spirit knowing every groan in the human heart is used to back this sometimes.  Our heart, presumably, groans in an unknown language to God on our behalf and God understands it.  It’s not used to speak to others but is a private communication tool for speaking to God what we cannot find words to say.

Then there’s Pentecost.  At Pentecost the ability to speak in human languages previously unlearned was given (me speaking French for example).  OR the ability for the people from many nations to hear one man’s speech in their own language (me speaking English but a French guy hearing French and a German guy hearing German etc.) was given.  There’s a little debate on what exactly happened at Pentecost.  The point of the gift though, whatever it was, at Pentecost, does seem to be communicating a message about God to many people from many earthly language groups all at once.

I do believe speaking in tongues happened at Pentecost.  I think that COULD happen today only because the bible doesn’t say explicitly that it couldn’t - not that I’ve seen.

I think it’s also possible for God to speak through humans today if He chooses but Paul is clear that there must be an interpreter present when that happens and if there is none the tongue speaker must stay silent, which means he/she has control over the gift.  It’s not possession.  I question the authenticity of tongues when order isn’t kept and when the interpretation is “new revelation” or contradicts what God has already revealed of Himself through scripture. 

I don’t know about prayer language but I don’t believe the verses I’ve been shown to support it are legitimate backing.  It might exist.  I’m not telling God what He can’t do.  It certainly doesn’t contradict anything I know of Him but I don’t see it mentioned in scripture either so I just don’t know.

This topic intrigues me, because at a local church, they do regular “baptisms of the Holy Spirit” where people “receive” their “prayer language.” I realize all of the quotation marks may sound skeptical--probably because I kind of am.

In the case of this particular church, they do seem to equate prayer language with speaking in tongues--and I disagree with that. My understanding of tongues has always been similar to yours, Shaun--that there must be an interpreter present--and if there isn’t, then, I believe, the speaking in tongues is not fulfilling what God intends.

I think my issue with the baptism of the Holy Spirit/prayer language is, I can’t find any scripture to support it. And it’s very likely that I’ve missed something--there’s a lot of the Bible that I don’t feel like I have a great grasp on.

So, not really anything new...just my two cents.

Brandy