Speaking in Tongues

[Serafina17]

I am just about hopelessly confused.

I’m running across many people who claim to speak in tongues (I have no reason to doubt them). It’s reffered to as a personal prayer-language between the person and God; people pray over others using it; people just are so overcome with emotion and love (the word ‘emotion’ is enough to make one skeptical, I think) that they start pouring out words in a tongue no one understands (unless of course, there’s another inspired somebody who can interpret.)

What in the world is it?? Is it of the Holy Spirit? I have been skeptical of it… I’m being shown now that it is thoroughly based in Scripture, which is greatly adding to my confusion. 1 Cor. 14. 'nuff said.

Can some knowledgeable person help me?

 

[Murphs10]

This may be a start

catholic.com/thisrock/1998/9804chap.asp

 

[Serafina17]

This may be a start

catholic.com/thisrock/1998/9804chap.asp

I’d read that page before posting my question… It doesn’t seem to make things any clearer for me. It seems that the ‘speaking in languages’ that the apostles had is different then what is happening to these people (who claim to have the gift).

1 Cor. 14: 2 “For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.”

1 Cor. 14:26 “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.”

is tongue different than tongues?

 

[Della]

There are three articles on glossolalia in the Catholic Enclyclopedia that may be useful to you.

 

[PraRFLEsEkHm]

I am just about hopelessly confused.

I’m running across many people who claim to speak in tongues (I have no reason to doubt them). It’s reffered to as a personal prayer-language between the person and God; people pray over others using it; people just are so overcome with emotion and love (the word ‘emotion’ is enough to make one skeptical, I think) that they start pouring out words in a tongue no one understands (unless of course, there’s another inspired somebody who can interpret.)

What in the world is it?? Is it of the Holy Spirit? I have been skeptical of it… I’m being shown now that it is thoroughly based in Scripture, which is greatly adding to my confusion. 1 Cor. 14. 'nuff said.

Can some knowledgeable person help me?

I started here with my questions - Speaking in Tongues and then went and read the link that was posted earlier. This one Then I had a solid foundation to ask questions from.

Everyone seeks the mystical experiences, I guess it is human nature. Personally - speaking for myself alone - I lean toward the idea that God will lead if I will just follow Him. If I am meant to speak in tongues - then I will, and more than that - God will let me know what it is for. I’m not saying that this isn’t a true gift of God…but I do think it isn’t authentic in some people.

Pax

John

 

[twopekinguys]

I am just about hopelessly confused.

I’m running across many people who claim to speak in tongues (I have no reason to doubt them). It’s reffered to as a personal prayer-language between the person and God; people pray over others using it; people just are so overcome with emotion and love (the word ‘emotion’ is enough to make one skeptical, I think) that they start pouring out words in a tongue no one understands (unless of course, there’s another inspired somebody who can interpret.)

What in the world is it?? Is it of the Holy Spirit? I have been skeptical of it… I’m being shown now that it is thoroughly based in Scripture, which is greatly adding to my confusion. 1 Cor. 14. 'nuff said.

Can some knowledgeable person help me?

Let me tell you of a personal experience I had. Actually it is multiple times, all at the same church.

Before I joined the Catholic Church, I attended a local Assembly of God church. The pastor there was a very dynamic speaker, and I really enjoyed his preaching.

The first visit, I went with some friends. One of whom was familiar with this church, and how things were done.

Well, like any good stranger/visitor, I headed for the back row of what they call the “sanctuary”. Just as the opening hymn was finishing, a gentleman up front, on the right side started speaking quite loudly in what I would call jibberish, but they called speaking in tongues. He went of for several minutes, and everyone was completely quiet. (I didn’t know if they were as freaked out as I was, or what.)

Well, after he got done doing what he was doing, it was totally silent for a minute or so. Then a lady on the left side of the church, somewhere in the middle started talking like she was preaching a sermon. (insert confused look here) After she was done, everyone was shouting Amen’s, and Praise God’s, and Alleluia’s.

When I asked my friend what the heck just happened, he told me that God spoke to the man, the man spoke in tongues, and the later interpreted it to English.

Even though it freaked me out, I went for several months, but unfortunately it was for me. I could feel the good Lord leading me out of there.