Speaking in Tongues

[Soutane]

Has anyone here spoken in Tongues?I am particularly interested in hearing from those who have done so prior to converting to Catholicism.All others are welcome too.

 

[MissionMikeWAMM]

I have not personally spoken in tongues, but I served as a Missionary in Ghana for awhile. Pentecostal views are rampant there and most Christians will speak in tongues. I inquired about why people partake in tongues. I was told that they liked the idea that a person can speak in an angelic language that someone from a different culture and speaks a different language can understand him. He also said that if he gets too tired to pray with words, that he can speak in tongues and God will understand him.

 

[josie_L]

Has anyone here spoken in Tongues?I am particularly interested in hearing from those who have done so prior to converting to Catholicism.All others are welcome too.

I am curious but do they know what they are saying when they speak in such a manner, and for that fact do others? if no one can understand what’s being said, what would be the point of such a gift? How do you know if a person is faking it?

I myself have witnessed someone speaking in tongues, I’m not sure what to make of it. I’m somewhat suspicious however.I know people can receive this gift according to the Bible, but not sure as to what the whole purpose of such a gift would be.

 

[NDfan]

I am curious but do they know what they are saying when they speak in such a manner, and for that fact do others? if no one can understand what’s being said, what would be the point of such a gift? How do you know if a person is faking it?

I myself have witnessed someone speaking in tongues, I’m not sure what to make of it. I’m somewhat suspicious however.I know people can receive this gift according to the Bible, but not sure as to what the whole purpose of such a gift would be.

Josie right on point. Scripture tells us we need to be discerning. It seems Pentecostals can speak in tongues in droves. But there’s a big difference between speaking in tongues and someone just saying blip blip blip blub blub blub for the sake of saying they speak in tongues. Most don’t even understand what speaking in tongues really is

 

[josie_L]

Josie right on point. Scripture tells us we need to be discerning. It seems Pentecostals can speak in tongues in droves. But there’s a big difference between speaking in tongues and someone just saying blip blip blip blub blub blub for the sake of saying they speak in tongues. Most don’t even understand what speaking in tongues really is

I have heard with some Pentecostals it is a requirement to speak in tongues. I wonder how one must feel if they don’t have the gift?

 

[grannymh]

Josie right on point. Scripture tells us we need to be discerning. It seems Pentecostals can speak in tongues in droves. But there’s a big difference between speaking in tongues and someone just saying blip blip blip blub blub blub for the sake of saying they speak in tongues. Most don’t even understand what speaking in tongues really is

And there is a huge difference between the gift of speaking in tongues and the common gift of praying in tongues, also called prayer tongues.

 

[grannymh]

I have heard with some Pentecostals it is a requirement to speak in tongues. I wonder how one must feel if they don’t have the gift?

The gift of prayer tongues is not a requirement for Catholic charismatics.

 

[grannymh]

I am curious but do they know what they are saying when they speak in such a manner, and for that fact do others? if no one can understand what’s being said, what would be the point of such a gift? How do you know if a person is faking it?

I myself have witnessed someone speaking in tongues, I’m not sure what to make of it. I’m somewhat suspicious however.I know people can receive this gift according to the Bible, but not sure as to what the whole purpose of such a gift would be.

The true gift of speaking in tongues normally takes place is a quiet reverend atmosphere where all are praying to hear the gift. The true gift of speaking in tongues requires someone else to have the gift of interpreting tongues. Many times, there is also a person or a small group who are responsible for discernment. The purpose of the gift of speaking in tongues is to present God’s words to the group.

When everyone seems to be speaking with foreign sounds all at the same time, most likely one is witnessing the common gift of praying in tongues or prayer tongues. These strange sounds are actually prayers directed to God Himself. Their purpose is to praise God, ask God for mercy, petition God and so on.

 

[josie_L]

The true gift of speaking in tongues normally takes place is a quiet reverend atmosphere where all are praying to hear the gift. The true gift of speaking in tongues requires someone else to have the gift of interpreting tongues. Many times, there is also a person or a small group who are responsible for discernment. The purpose of the gift of speaking in tongues is to present God’s words to the group.

When everyone seems to be speaking with foreign sounds all at the same time, most likely one is witnessing the common gift of praying in tongues or prayer tongues. These strange sounds are actually prayers directed to God Himself. Their purpose is to praise God, ask God for mercy, petition God and so on.

Thank you, for your response. But if there are such people who can interpret it should there not be some kind of “dictionary” wherein such and such a sound or word means this or that. It makes it hard for one to discern whether or not one is really speaking in tongues without some reference point.

 

[Jerusha]

That is often used as a criticism of Charismatics. And there are Catholic Charismatics who became so while solidly in the Church. I am a revert, but I still occasionally use tongues as a private prayer language. Just one more way to meditate on the Lord.

 

[DLClark]

My question to you is, why do we need to speak in tongues today since we have the Bible?
2 Peter 1:16-21

For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased” — 18 and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
NASU

 

[Jerusha]

We don’t NEED to. It is just OK to do so.

1 Corinthians
Chapter 131 1 If I speak in human and angelic tongues 2 but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. 2 And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 3 Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated, 5 it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, 6 it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 4 Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing. 9 For we know partially and we prophesy partially, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things. 12 At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. 13 5 So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

I believe that this is a pretty authoritative source, don’t you?nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/1corinthians/1corinthians13.htm

 

[grannymh]

Thank you, for your response. But if there are such people who can interpret it should there not be some kind of “dictionary” wherein such and such a sound or word means this or that. It makes it hard for one to discern whether or not one is really speaking in tongues without some reference point.

Your questions make sense. I replied but lost the whole thing when a crazy message box from CAF popped up on my screen when I tried to preview what I wrote. I apologize but I don’t have time to rethink it. I will get back to you when I return.

The following book is an excellent resource. It has the Nihil Obstat and Imprimature.
A Key to Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic Church ISBN: 0-87029-033-9
by Msgr. Vincent M. Walsh

Blessings,
granny

All humanity belongs at the foot of Christ on the cross.

 

[grannymh]

That is often used as a criticism of Charismatics. And there are Catholic Charismatics who became so while solidly in the Church. I am a revert, but I still occasionally use tongues as a private prayer language. Just one more way to meditate on the Lord.

Good to hear your comment. Its been years since I’ve been in a Catholic charismatic group. I’ve continued to use my private prayer language silently, especially while driving.

When I ministered in the hospital, I often prayed silently in tongues as I was entering a room so that the Holy Spirit would guide me. Now, when one of my kids is pouring out his soul to me and expecting an answer…you bet I am praying silently in tongues.

Blessings,
granny

All human life is sacred from the moment of conception.

 

[grannymh]

My question to you is, why do we need to speak in tongues today since we have the Bible?
2 Peter 1:16-21

For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased” — 18 and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
NASU

Unfortunately my reply to a previous post was totally lost when a crazy message box from CAF popped up on my screen when I tried to preview what I wrote. I apologize but I don’t have time to rethink it. I will get back to it when I return.

 

[ckempston]

The only Biblical way to speak in a tongue is one at a time, and there must be an interpretation. Period. Otherwise, Paul says to keep your trap shut.

1 Cor 14:26-27 What 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. 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. **

This nonsense that you see with people falling out in the aisles and everybody screaming at the top of their lungs over one another is UNBiblical.

 

[grannymh]

We don’t NEED to. It is just OK to do so. I believe that this is a pretty authoritative source, don’t you?nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/1corinthians/1corinthians13.htm

Thank you for bringing St. Paul to our attention.

This source (1 Corinthians, Chapter 13) needs to be accompanied by St. Paul’s teachings found in 1 Corinthians, Chapters 12 & 14. Together, these three chapters are an excellent authoritative source.

Blessings,
granny
All human life is sacred.

 

[DLClark]

What verse says that it is ok to speak in tongues? What is the purpose of tongues? Why do you want to speak in tongues in the first place?

 

[Jerusha]

Clark—Have you read our posts? We have shown you the scriptures.

This nonsense that you see with people falling out in the aisles and everybody screaming at the top of their lungs over one another is UNBiblical.

I am reminded here of a section in the BOM which I believe is Solomon Spalding’s mockery of revival hysteria. It is downright funny!!

 

[DLClark]

I am sory but I jumped into this conversation in mid stream. So for my benefit could you fill me in or show me the comments to read. I am not mocking speaking in tongues. My questions are biblically based. If we make a statment and say it is biblical then we must have Bible support for it. I am not say that tongues are or are not for today. I want to know where in the bible that it says tongues are needed for today. So don’t take offense. By the way I have not read the book you are referring to.