Speaking in Tongues

[grannymh]

I never learned how to speak in tongues and it doesn’t have to take a long time. You don’t learn how to do it. It is a gift from God. Alot of times when I am worshipping and praising God, like today in my house before work, It just came over me and I started praying in tongues. Paul speaks of I will pray “In the Spirit” and I will pray with the understanding also. He talks about how sometimes we ourselves don’t know how to pray and the spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings and utterances that we don’t understand. I’m sorry I don’t have my bible with me where I am or I would be showing you chapter and verse for all this.

Thank you Arkguy.

This is a beautiful and accurate description of praying in tongues: “A lot of times when I am worshipping and praising God, like today in my house before work, It just came over me and I started praying in tongues.”

Blessings,
granny

All human beings should praise God, their Father.

 

[rolltidefan]

I would like to say to grannymh…you have got to be the best person ever. I have never read your posts on this board before, but I wanted to let you know that you have the sweetest spirit about you that I have ever seen on this board. You could teach us all a lesson on this board with your patience, kindness and most of all christ like spirit. I wish more were like you on here. It would be a great testimony for Christians if we could all be like you.

Also to Arkguy. I think you hit the nail on the head with what you have said. You just have to experience it to understand.

Some also asked the question about was it a requirement for Pentecostals. No it is not. I am a member of the Church of God which is pentecostal based. It is definately not a requirement.

Also, I just want to say that for the ones that are laughing, mocking and etc. I think I would be careful to what extent I did this. Even if I did not believe, I think I would watch my tone in which I delivered my message of not believing. I definately wouldn’t be one to participate in the laughing and mockery of such. Just my 2 cents, but seems to me to be treading on some serious grounds.

 

[Arkguy]

It amazes me how God uses tongues in the early church so much and throughout the book of acts, and the apostles write letters to the churches which were obviously speaking in tongues, we also find in church history the early church had alot of speaking in tongues going on. People think that God just changed and later on, tongues is evil and only seen in cults and false churches. Why resist God’s blessings. This is the same church that was established on the day of Pentecost. Has baptism ceased? God did not change. Unless someone has experienced the baptism of the holy ghost evidenced by speaking in tongues they cannot understand it. It is so wonderful. It makes me love God more, want to live holier, read the bible, witness to others. Would something from the Devil do this. No way.

 

[DLClark]

The language is refered to as Glossalalia. And scripture plainly states that some were able to speak in such angelic tongues.

Glossalaia when used in Scripture was not gibberish but a known language of the day.

 

[josie_L]

I would like to say to grannymh…you have got to be the best person ever. I have never read your posts on this board before, but I wanted to let you know that you have the sweetest spirit about you that I have ever seen on this board. You could teach us all a lesson on this board with your patience, kindness and most of all christ like spirit. I wish more were like you on here. It would be a great testimony for Christians if we could all be like you.

Also to Arkguy. I think you hit the nail on the head with what you have said. You just have to experience it to understand.

Some also asked the question about was it a requirement for Pentecostals. No it is not. I am a member of the Church of God which is pentecostal based. It is definately not a requirement.

Also, I just want to say that for the ones that are laughing, mocking and etc. I think I would be careful to what extent I did this. Even if I did not believe, I think I would watch my tone in which I delivered my message of not believing. I definately wouldn’t be one to participate in the laughing and mockery of such. Just my 2 cents, but seems to me to be treading on some serious grounds.

Rolltide, I was the one who asked the question, but I stated “some” pentecostal congregations not all, so even if your congregation, does not require it, it still leaves the question unanswered. I am glad to hear however, that in your own congregation this is not the case.

 

[josie_L]

Glossalaia when used in Scripture was not gibberish but a known language of the day.

Could you be more descriptive in your response, I don’t understand what you’re saying?

Anyways you still haven’t explained rationally why Paul states “angelic tongues” were spoken by some Christians.

 

[rolltidefan]

Rolltide, I was the one who asked the question, but I stated “some” pentecostal congregations not all, so even if your congregation, does not require it, it still leaves the question unanswered. I am glad to hear however, that in your own congregation this is not the case.

Hey Josie…sorry I couldn’t remember who asked it and I was too lazy to go back and read again!! lol Yeah, I know a pretty good bit about the pentecostal faith and I have never heard this. I am not saying that some may do it because there are still some of the pentecostal religions that believe in like the women not wearing makeup, no jewelry, no pants and the list goes on, but then mine is not like that at all. I wouldn’t make it without makeup!!! lol So, there may be some out there that is pretty strict on wanting everybody to speak in tongues. However, it is really a personal thing in some ways to have this gift from the holy spirit, so I would wonder how they actually know that all of these people have it or not. Anyway, it was a good question though from you and one that I may even check into about other pentecostal churches, as I have never heard of this happening.

 

[josie_L]

Hey Josie…sorry I couldn’t remember who asked it and I was too lazy to go back and read again!! lol Yeah, I know a pretty good bit about the pentecostal faith and I have never heard this. I am not saying that some may do it because there are still some of the pentecostal religions that believe in like the women not wearing makeup, no jewelry, no pants and the list goes on, but then mine is not like that at all. **I wouldn’t make it without makeup!!! lol **So, there may be some out there that is pretty strict on wanting everybody to speak in tongues. However, it is really a personal thing in some ways to have this gift from the holy spirit, so I would wonder how they actually know that all of these people have it or not. Anyway, it was a good question though from you and one that I may even check into about other pentecostal churches, as I have never heard of this happening.

You and half the women in the world, myself included.

 

[squishypenguin]

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 have! I became a (Protestant) believer back in 2000. In 2003, my friend tragically passed away, and I was traumatized. I couldn’t think straight, and I was in so much grief that it was difficult for me to pray. A few months later, I asked God for the gift of tongues, and He gave it to me.

It was a tremendous blessing. My mind could not formulate the words to pray and to cry out to God, but the Holy Spirit was able to speak my soul to God, and I was finally able to experience some peace and communion with Him.

Ironically, my ability to pray in tongues was one major reason I became a Catholic! While I was in Bible Study Fellowship International, I was invited to consider becoming a discussion leader. It turned out that since BSF is an ecumenical Bible Study and the issue of tongues had proven to be divisive in the past, anyone who could speak in tongues could not be in leadership. Needless to say, that led me to seriously question who has the authority to say their interpretation of the Bible is correct…and eventually convert to Catholicism!

Anyhow, as a Catholic, I don’t really pray in tongues much anymore. When I find myself at a loss for words to share with God, I turn to the rosary instead.

 

[Sunflower15]

Personally, I am not a Charismatic, but I have been a “guest” at many Charismatic [always Catholic] Masses and services during the past 20 years or so, in different states and even in South America.

The first time, in Houston, I went to a Mass in a hugh place [not a Church, more like a warehouse] where a priest said Mass…as usual, but there was a time [cannot remember exactly when in the Liturgy] when the priest called the Holy Spirit to descend and bring His gifts. Suddenly, everyone started [in a truly beautiful, almost concert-like] to speak in tongues. It was a very big place, and it was packed! I looked around, and found comfort in the familiarity of the images of Our Lady and the huge Crucifix by the Altar…otherwise, I would have thought I wasn’t at a Catholic Mass. It was solemn, and reverent. Like the Gregorian chanting almost.

I have to say, it wasn’t another language. It was more similar to a “vibration” that EVERYone seemed to be able to emit, except myself. Even if I had attempted to mimic it, I wouldn’t have been able to. It was almost impossible to make those sounds. Then, the Mass continued as usual, in a very structured, orderly manner.

Years later, I was in S. America, and met some friends who happened to be Charismatic and spoke in tongues…they sounded EXACTLY like the ones in Houston. I thought it interesting, since they were Spanish-speakers and they sound different from English-speakers when saying ANYthing.

I have been told by some that it is an angelic language, not human, that is why it sounds so different. I didn’t feel it in me. I didn’t refuse it, just wasn’t given that gift. I always stop going to Charismatic meetings when I feel almost “pressured” [not in an outspoken manner, but in a subtle way] to do something I just don’t have.

I do love the Charismatic Movement in the Catholic Church, which I understand is a gift we got from the Evangelicals who shared it with us at Duquesne University in 1977. Of course, it comes from the Holy Spirit, but this gift for some reason had not resurfaced among us in the US until that time. It may have very well have been common in other countries all along. I don’t know.

 

[Sunflower15]

“In 2000 the Charismatic Movement numbered 176 million, neocharismatics 295 million, and Pentecostals 66 million. This means that charismatics are the second largest branch of Christianity after the Roman Catholic Church. They are 27 percent of all Christians. Charismatics are growing at the rate of 9 million per year making the total adherents around 618 million by 2009.”
[en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charismatic_movement]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charismatic_movement])

I just wanted to post this info in case some think that this is a passing trend by a small fraction of Christians. On the contrary, apparently the Holy Spirit decided to use these gifts in history again. Only He knows the reasons. By the way, speaking in tongues is only one of the gifts. It gets more publicity because it is the most common.

 

[grannymh]

Hey Josie…sorry I couldn’t remember who asked it and I was too lazy to go back and read again!! lol Yeah, I know a pretty good bit about the pentecostal faith and I have never heard this. I am not saying that some may do it because there are still some of the pentecostal religions that believe in like the women not wearing makeup, no jewelry, no pants and the list goes on, but then mine is not like that at all. I wouldn’t make it without makeup!!! lol So, there may be some out there that is pretty strict on wanting everybody to speak in tongues. However, it is really a personal thing in some ways to have this gift from the holy spirit, so I would wonder how they actually know that all of these people have it or not. Anyway, it was a good question though from you and one that I may even check into about other pentecostal churches, as I have never heard of this happening.

This is a personal observation not related to any particular faith. Some people think that prayer tongues are a sign that one has received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Thus, there is a type of social pressure to pray in tongues. This is a form of individual pride not a spiritual requirement.

We need to remember that prayer tongues is part of our relationship with God. This relationship begins with our conversion to Jesus Christ in which we express sorrow for our sins and ask for mercy. This relationship needs to be maintained actively through our obedience to Jesus’ teachings. Being sinners, we are constantly trying to conform our lives to Christ through the continual conversation of our hearts. Prayer tongues is one of the many ways we speak to God.

I have been with Catholic Charismatic groups in which long-time members do not pray with prayer tongues. When we praise God together, they will praise in English and others will use their prayer tongues. It should be noted that prayer tongues is always under the control of the person.

Personally, I like to begin in English with phrases like – we praise you God, we thank You, we give You glory. It’s o.k. for you to laugh – for me, the English is like warm up exercises. As I focus on our loving Father, I let myself slip into prayer tongues. There will be times when I return to English with phrases like-- thank You Jesus, we love You Jesus, thank You for all You have done for us. Sometimes, I remain totally quiet, appreciating the presence of Jesus in our group. Where two or more are gathered…

Blessings,
granny

All human beings are worthy of profound respect from the moment of conception.

 

[DLClark]

Could you be more descriptive in your response, I don’t understand what you’re saying?

Anyways you still haven’t explained rationally why Paul states “angelic tongues” were spoken by some Christians.

The gift of tongues was the Spirit-given ability to speak in known, foreign languages (notknown to the speaker) in public worship sevices of the local church. The content of speaking consisited of magnifying God, which involved revelation of God’s character and His works.
A study of the use of tongues in the NT will reveal that tongues always refers to a foreign language. It cannot refer to both foreign languages and unknown ecstatic utterances as mondern tongues advocates claim.
the use of the word glossa to describe tongues is significant. ** This word occurs 50 times in the NT. When use the context brings out the meaning of the word. The fact that majority of the time this word is used in the NT to refer to knwon languages should be a strong factor in defining the term when used in speaking in tongues.
Since Christ condemnedvain repetitions in Matt. 6:7 biblical tongues then are not estatic speach but known laguages of the time that the speaker does not know.

 

[ckempston]

When that which is perfect is come is Jesus Christ. The bible also says Knowledge will cease when that which is perfect is come. So I wouldn’t use that argument for ending Speaking in Tongues in the church.

Knowledge is one of the miraculous gifts. The fact that it is grouped with prophecy and speaking in tongues should make this blatantly obvious. There is no necessity for miraculous gifts once the Word of God is complete.

The miraculous gifts left the church after those who were granted them by the Apostles died, because miraculous gifts were normatively given at the laying on of the Apostles’ hands. The only reason the Jews and Gentiles in Acts were given this ability was as a sign that the Kingdom of God was for them as well.

 

[grannymh]

Personally, I am not a Charismatic, but I have been a “guest” at many Charismatic [always Catholic] Masses and services during the past 20 years or so, in different states and even in South America.

The first time, in Houston, I went to a Mass in a hugh place [not a Church, more like a warehouse] where a priest said Mass…as usual, but there was a time [cannot remember exactly when in the Liturgy] when the priest called the Holy Spirit to descend and bring His gifts. Suddenly, everyone started [in a truly beautiful, almost concert-like] to speak in tongues. It was a very big place, and it was packed!
I have to say, it wasn’t another language. It was more similar to a “vibration” that EVERYone seemed to be able to emit, except myself. Even if I had attempted to mimic it, I wouldn’t have been able to. It was almost impossible to make those sounds. Then, the Mass continued as usual, in a very structured, orderly manner.​

I have been told by some that it is an angelic language, not human, that is why it sounds so different. I didn’t feel it in me. I didn’t refuse it, just wasn’t given that gift. I always stop going to Charismatic meetings when I feel almost “pressured” [not in an outspoken manner, but in a subtle way] to do something I just don’t have.
.

Dear Sunflower15,

I know what you are describing about the Catholic Mass you attended. The priest is actually giving permission for praising God with prayer tongues. It is usually at one of the places where there is normally regular music or singing. There may be a permitted exception. About being pressured, please see my post 72. The book below will give you more information.

May I make a personal observation about your experience while listening to prayer tongues because it is really common. Often those who know about the purpose of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and have attended events or have attended prayer groups, would like to be able to praise God in prayer tongues but feel that they don’t have the gift. Even when people are prayed over, the gift does not seem to appear.

Your sentence above “I didn’t refuse it.” is key to being open to the Holy Spirit.

General instructions for those who would like to pray in prayer tongues and understand the difference between the two “gifts” regarding speech go something like this. Continue in one’s current prayer life, follow the way of the Lord, and petition the Holy Spirit for the gift of praying in prayer tongues. Some people like to be prayed over for the gift. Sometimes the gift is received, sometimes it is not.

From my experience, instructions about prayer tongues needs to include the above general instructions plus what to expect. First, there is a two-fold aspect to the gift. The Holy Spirit gives the gift and we have to yield to it. Yielding is somewhat different from receiving. When we yield, we are giving our tongue, our voice box and everything else connected with speech to the Holy Spirit. This may be hard for control freaks. It may take practice before we can actually quiet ourselves and yield.

Next, it is important to know a little bit about how prayer tongues sound when they actually come out of one’s mouth. This can be scary. If one is worried about someone over hearing, pray in the shower. Often, the prayer tongues begin with a one syllable sound which is repeated over and over. One of my friends described hers as a clicking sound. Sometimes this sound is more like a feeling. Remember the Holy Spirit is in charge so go with it. Prayer tongues might sound like a phrase in some other language. Mine had a cadence to it. Remember, you are turning over your speech muscles to the Holy Spirit. Relax. Let the shower run.

Once, one gets over the initial shock of strange sounds, one should yield to the Holy Spirit as often as possible. Remember even though the Holy Spirit is using your voice box, you are definitely in control. You will be o.k. in crowded elevators. Another option is to pray with prayer tongues silently. When I do that with my mouth shut, there are times that it feels like my tongue is moving. It’s like the Holy Spirit is praying quietly. One more thing. At first one may only feel the initial sounds for a few minutes. Thank the Holy Spirit. Later, return to praying. Personally, mine felt like it was bubbling up from deep within, so much so, that I walked outside. I did test to see if I could stop it. It did stop. I let it flow again, but not very loud…

Another way to yield to the Holy Spirit takes place when one is with a group who are praying in prayer tongues. Please note: It is perfectly acceptable to imitate the sounds of the person next to you. Don’t worry about not imitating exactly.Simply offer your tongue and voice box to the Holy Spirit, focus on God, and imitate in any way you can. Often, this will help one get over any possible embarrassment. The next morning, when one is in the shower, try repeating the sounds you were imitating. Only let the mouth relax because the sounds may change. One is being introduced to one’s own personal prayer tongues.

The key to everything about praying in prayer tongues is our humility in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, those initial awkward sounds will develop into a more flowing language. Sometimes not. Sometimes, one finds that alternating English or Spanish with a prayer tongue is a better individual way of praying. I wish my prayer tongue would develop into singing on key. So far, no luck. I will soon be an expert in humility.

How does one know personally if one is really praying in a prayer tongue? I have no clue as to how to answer that question. However, if one’s intention is to yield to the Holy Spirit with a humble desire to pray with one’s total being, that would be a good sign of real prayer tongues. Sometimes, one simply needs to trust that the gift is present. One needs to get past ideas of pride and showmanship and respond to the Holy Spirit’s love for us in whatever sounds come forth, in English or in prayer tongues.

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 human life is meant for eternal life.

 

[Sunflower15]

Knowledge is one of the miraculous gifts. The fact that it is grouped with prophecy and speaking in tongues should make this blatantly obvious. There is no necessity for miraculous gifts once the Word of God is complete.

The miraculous gifts left the church after those who were granted them by the Apostles died, because miraculous gifts were normatively given at the laying on of the Apostles’ hands. The only reason the Jews and Gentiles in Acts were given this ability was as a sign that the Kingdom of God was for them as well.

Wait…Are you saying that no miracles have occurred since the Apostles died? You can’t possibly mean that! No healing miracles? NONE? Not even at Lourdes? The Holy Spirit simply is not being the Holy Spirit because the Apostles died & went to Heaven? Doesn’t it say in the Bible that Jesus’ disciples will be able to do even more things once the HS comes? Aren’t we His disciples?
I disagree with all caps!

 

[grannymh]

Knowledge is one of the miraculous gifts. The fact that it is grouped with prophecy and speaking in tongues should make this blatantly obvious. There is no necessity for miraculous gifts once the Word of God is complete.

The miraculous gifts left the church after those who were granted them by the Apostles died, because miraculous gifts were normatively given at the laying on of the Apostles’ hands. The only reason the Jews and Gentiles in Acts were given this ability was as a sign that the Kingdom of God was for them as well.

Note: the use of the word prophecy in the context of St. Paul is not to be confused with our current check-out counter tabloids. Also, St. Paul’s list of gifts were not considered miraculous because they were normal or normative to the Church. The reason the gifts appeared to leave the Church is a whole other story

May I ask you and others to view this idea of “no need for the Holy Spirit’s gifts” from another perspective? When you are at liturgy or at service, is the whole time spent in silence reading? No music. No prayers. No preaching. No talking with one’s friends.

 

[grannymh]

The gift of tongues was the Spirit-given ability to speak in known, foreign languages (notknown to the speaker) in public worship sevices of the local church. The content of speaking consisited of magnifying God, which involved revelation of God’s character and His works.
A study of the use of tongues in the NT will reveal that tongues always refers to a foreign language. It cannot refer to both foreign languages and unknown ecstatic utterances as mondern tongues advocates claim.
the use of the word glossa to describe tongues is significant. **This word occurs 50 times in the NT. When use the context brings out the meaning of the word. The fact that majority of the time this word is used in the NT to refer to knwon languages should be a strong factor in defining the term when used in speaking in tongues.
Since Christ condemnedvain repetitions in Matt. 6:7 biblical tongues then are not estatic speach but known laguages of the time that the speaker does not know.

Here’s a couple of questions to think about. Who was Jesus talking to in Matt: 6:7?
Was He talking directly to the Holy Spirit?

 

[Sir_Efram]

my mom speaks in tougues and my sister has visions

 

[ckempston]

Wait…Are you saying that no miracles have occurred since the Apostles died? You can’t possibly mean that! No healing miracles? NONE? Not even at Lourdes? The Holy Spirit simply is not being the Holy Spirit because the Apostles died & went to Heaven? Doesn’t it say in the Bible that Jesus’ disciples will be able to do even more things once the HS comes? Aren’t we His disciples?
I disagree with all caps!

I’m saying there are no more Miraculous Gifts. Jesus certainly said the Apostles would do greater things that these, but what he meant by that, I think is open to interpretation. If you think there is still a gift of prophecy, show me a meaningful prophetic fulfillment, and not some generality like, “wickedness will increase blah blah blah.”