I Speak Like the Angels

[lilred5]

So, I’m sure this topic has been debated plenty of times on here but it is still confusing.
Tounges.
I hear and read many different interpretations on this one thing. Different things I hear/read are:
-it’s speaking in a foreign language
-it’s speaking the language of the Angels
-you need an interpreter
-no you don’t
-you can control it
-you cannot control it
-there are two different types
-there is only one type
-anybody can have the gift if they want it
-no, the Holy Spirit chooses who can have it
-it was only for Pentecost
-it was not only for Pentecost

What is it? Everything I can find on it does nothing but contradict other things about it and needless to say I am very confused.
Help?

 

[Monica4316]

I wish I had an answer I’m wondering that too…

 

[lilred5]

Well then, I hope for both of our sakes that someone more knowledgeable on this topic than ourselves will be respond.

 

[Ferds_Guiang]

I hope this info from the Catholic Encyclopedia on Glossolalia (speaking in tongues) help. Here’s the link:

newadvent.org/cathen/14776c.htm

 

[lilred5]

So we have:

-it’s speaking in a foreign language (unknown language is a better wording?)
-]-it’s speaking the language of the Angels/-]
-you need an interpreter
-]-no you don’t/-]
-you can control it
-]-you cannot control it/-]
-there are two different types (possibly)
-]-there is only one type/-]
-anybody can have the gift if they want it
-no, the Holy Spirit chooses who can have it
-it was only for Pentecost
-it was not only for Pentecost

 

[guanophore]

So, I’m sure this topic has been debated plenty of times on here but it is still confusing.
Tounges.
I hear and read many different interpretations on this one thing. Different things I hear/read are:
-it’s speaking in a foreign language
-it’s speaking the language of the Angels

Both of these are referenced in the scriptures.

-you need an interpreter
-no you don’t

Both types are mentioned in scripture.

-you can control it
-you cannot control it

It may be that “control” is not the most accurate description here. All gifts come from the Spirit. We all choose to co-operate with the gifts of the HS, or not. To the extent that we are conformed to His moving in us, we have “control”. Perhaps “yield” is a better word. One can choose not to verbalze or manifest any of the gifts, but that does not mean they originate in us.

-there are two different types
-there is only one type

Actually, scripture says “various”, which means more than two kinds.

-anybody can have the gift if they want it
-no, the Holy Spirit chooses who can have it

The Spirit gives the gifts to everyone. How they are manifested in the individual is dependent upon that individuals obedience, as well as the good of the Body. Not everyone manifests all the gifts. It does not mean they are incapable of doing so.

-it was only for Pentecost
-it was not only for Pentecost

Pentecost will be with us until He comes again - Maranatha!

What is it? Everything I can find on it does nothing but contradict other things about it and needless to say I am very confused.
Help?

I recommend sticking with reliable sources.

 

[Holly3278]

Speaking in tongues is a very interesting thing. I am not sure if I have the gift or not. What I want to know is this: Does the Holy Spirit give you the words or sounds to speak or do you just say what comes into your mouth and then the Holy Spirit works through that or what? That has always confused me.

 

[guanophore]

Speaking in tongues is a very interesting thing. I am not sure if I have the gift or not. What I want to know is this: Does the Holy Spirit give you the words or sounds to speak or do you just say what comes into your mouth and then the Holy Spirit works through that or what? That has always confused me.

Both things are true. The HS is speaking, and it is up to the individual to choose to yield the use of ones tongue and lips for His Glory. Some people have told me that they hear them in their mind, but were afraid to give voice to them, lest they be in error. However, no one can say “Jesus is Lord!” except by the HS, so this is always a good place to start.

Most Latin Catholics are not accustomed to spontaneous verbal prayers. We were taught our standard prayers, and how to pray the Mass, but not to use conversational type prayer. This is a skill I learned from my separated brethren.

 

[Holly3278]

Both things are true. The HS is speaking, and it is up to the individual to choose to yield the use of ones tongue and lips for His Glory. Some people have told me that they hear them in their mind, but were afraid to give voice to them, lest they be in error. However, no one can say “Jesus is Lord!” except by the HS, so this is always a good place to start.

Most Latin Catholics are not accustomed to spontaneous verbal prayers. We were taught our standard prayers, and how to pray the Mass, but not to use conversational type prayer. This is a skill I learned from my separated brethren.

Ah ok thanks Guanaphore! Your answer is very helpful!

 

[lilred5]

Sorry it has taken me so long to reply, my computer has been having problems.

So, tounges can be speaking a foreign language with an interpetator in which case others should be silent and if another is speaking in tounges you should be silent?

Then they have tounges used for prayer. Which is when we yeild the Holy Spirit speaking utterance through us?

Where is it mentioned that we could speak the language of the Angels?
I thought it said that we couldn’t do such a thing.

Also, does anybody know why some people believe that this is necessary for salvation? That just doesn’t add up to me.

I’m sorry for all these questions but this is just one thing that really confuses me and the more answers I find the more I tend to get confused.

 

[guanophore]

So, tounges can be speaking a foreign language with an interpetator in which case others should be silent and if another is speaking in tounges you should be silent?

Then they have tounges used for prayer. Which is when we yeild the Holy Spirit speaking utterance through us?

Yes, and yes. And there have also been times when a person speaks in a language that one does not know, it is not interpreted, but there is someone present that uses that language.

Where is it mentioned that we could speak the language of the Angels?
I thought it said that we couldn’t do such a thing.

“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.” I Cor 13:1

Also, does anybody know why some people believe that this is necessary for salvation? That just doesn’t add up to me.

Yes. In the NT, it is clear that the release of tongues is one of the visible signs of being sealed by the HS. One cannot be saved unless one is born again “of water and spirit”… They think that this sign must be present to demonstrate that a person has been sealed by the HS. Catholics just believe that God will do what He says He will do, and when one is baptized “calling upon His name” God washes away their sins and seals them for redemption. We don’t require anything other than God’s promise to “prove” that it has happened.

I’m sorry for all these questions but this is just one thing that really confuses me and the more answers I find the more I tend to get confused.

I think that this is the case for the vast majority. You are voicing very common questions. There have been a lot of abuses of the charismatic gifts, misinformation, and people straying from sound doctrine.

 

[lilred5]

Okay, I think I get it a bit better now.
Thank you for clearing some things up for me.

 

[claudia_serene]

I know this is a very late reply… But I am new and I might want to add something that I know…

1. Speaking “tongues” doesn’t means it was angels… You speak foreign languages it is, but if you do know about being possessed, it might practically same… You don’t know what are you speaking unless you have the gift to understand it, so you might not know whether it was Angel that made you speak or other spirit… That, I learned from someone who had a gift himself…
2. You “might” need interpreter, if you do not have the gift to understand, since spiritual gifts are vary themselves. (Read 1 Corinthians 12 and 1 Corinthians 14)
3. You can control it / not, I think it might depend on you, yourself… If you pray with devoted heart and surrender to God, I think your spirit might take over and start to use your tongue to glorify God… (But this, I’m not sure myself, I’m not an expert, but again you can check 1 Corinthians 14)
4. If you are talking about spiritual gifts, then it varies as stated on 1 Corinthians 12.
5. Anyone can have the gift, if they want it and they earn it. Again, 1 Corinthians 12:7
6. It was not only for pentecost. The spirit stayed within you, then you can use your gift whenever you want; when your heart is devoted to God, and you are in your spiritual state…

I hope these information are helpful, even though are very very late…