Speaking in tongues

[alliWantisGod]

yeah, some of the stuff is fishy to me. I knew a guy from my hometown who would try to get me to join his pentacostal church, and he tried to tell me that my soul was in jeopardy because I am a catholic, and the pope “has an upside down cross in the Vatican and worships the devil”, and that I need to join the pentacostal movement where they “speak in tongues” and have “holy visions”, and that he follows the true word of Christ through the King James Version of the bible". I told him he lost his mind, because he was proclaiming all this in my face like an announcer. He also said he was catholic once too but “found the truth”, although he never did attend a catholic church before. I used to attend another non denominational church two years ago, but left because they were very “pushy”. the one member also claimed that he used to be a catholic as well, but then I could tell he lied because later he asked me, “why do catholics make the sign of the cross? Ive never been catholic before”.

 

[Abba]

yeah, some of the stuff is fishy to me. I knew a guy from my hometown who would try to get me to join his pentacostal church, and he tried to tell me that my soul was in jeopardy because I am a catholic, and the pope “has an upside down cross in the Vatican and worships the devil”, and that I need to join the pentacostal movement where they “speak in tongues” and have “holy visions”, and that he follows the true word of Christ through the King James Version of the bible". I told him he lost his mind, because he was proclaiming all this in my face like an announcer. He also said he was catholic once too but “found the truth”, although he never did attend a catholic church before. I used to attend another non denominational church two years ago, but left because they were very “pushy”. the one member also claimed that he used to be a catholic as well, but then I could tell he lied because later he asked me, “why do catholics make the sign of the cross? Ive never been catholic before”.

Yeah, people say a lot of things. This is the reason why it is self-evident to me that Jesus left us a Church. It stands to reason, look at all the churches that have sprung up, how could He leave us in such a sea of confusion? And, if He did leave us the Catholic Church, how could it only be temporary, just until the Orthodox split up and the Protestants establish their own branch? That simply does not stand to reason. What does stand to reason is what Jesus said to Peter: Matthew 16:18 “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Same goes for the bible, people have twisted sacred scripture in such ways as to somehow in their minds use it to prove the contrary of what it is expressing. So, it is evident to me that Jesus left the Church and it has the authority to interpret scripture when it does. I was recently listening to a speech by an Iman in Dubai, and a young man asked him why Islam claims Jesus did not die on the cross. The Iman very certain of himself and with arrogance went about doing marvelous acrobatic with scripture to demonstrate how Jesus did not die and could not have died on the cross. So, yeah, Jesus left us an authority guided by the Holy Spirit and Himself here on earth - to show us the way to salvation. That’s what I follow.

I met a man, about a year or so ago, at the laundry matt. I was reading the bible while I waited for my laundry to be done. He approached me and started to tell me how he was once a Catholic and switched to the evangelical church and even became a pastor. We talked for a little bit, and as if secretly confessing to me, he admitted he had come to not believe the teachings of the evangelical church and has recognized the teachings of the Catholic Church as the true teachings. People join churches for reasons other than truly seeking God, people join for status, for a partner, to socialize, to rebel, etc… Some people, such as the man I mention above, join to appear a pious holy person surrounded with women who carry a bible under their arms and wear midi skirts. The man told me that he left the evangelical church because he was surrounded by sinners pretending to be saints wanting to socialize. I say this to you, just so you can keep in mind, that people leave the Church for a variety of reasons foreign to her teachings and/or seeking God.

So I am confused. I know there are charismatic Catholics, so is speaking in tongues from God? I thought the apostles spoke in tongues such as other languages, not random words?

Yes, to speak in tongue is a gift of the Holy Spirit and Paul had that gift. But, people can also pretend to have the gift and even groups in a mass lunacy somewhat delirious stage come to even believe their behavior is caused by having received the gift. The same for the other gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as prophecy. And, with this one as the other, one needs to be careful as Satan maybe be the one making certain things possible and not the Holy Spirit.

 

[Abba]

Here is a video of Padre Fortea leading a prayer in tongues. I just can’t tell where the voices on earth stop and where the ones in heaven begin. I think the ones in heaven are joining in from the back of the church - like the choir… Truly beautiful. Just whaoh!

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
youtube.com/watch?v=_aSwPID5AZA

 

[grannymh]

Grannymh, thank you for pointing the light on this distinction. Between you and me here, and this light post, I just read chapter 12 thru 14, and I appreciate what Paul is saying, but I think he may be taking it a little bit to the extreme when he says not to speak in tongues in public unless it will be interpreted. I understand his point, that being that it should be done for edification, but given the second distinction which you noted - going up to God; I think it is very edifying when done with the guidance of a priest. The experience serves to edify as people witness those who have been given the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues pray to God. It is a magnificent thing to witness, it’s like the voices go up to heaven but are mixed with voices of saints in heaven that join in the prayer in tongues. Truly extraordinary.

It reminds me of an experience I had in church when I smelled flowers, although there were none in sight. It was a spiritual experience. Father Corapi once said that he had that experience and so he knew exactly what people meant when they said they smelled lilac in church; but I would describe it more as smelling a billion flowers and roses and this aroma is enjoyed by the soul. Similarly, when the Holy Spirit is present when people are speaking in tongues; I see it as a billion voices, a billion languages etc… its beautiful.

Now, I am not one to easily disagree with Paul, this would be a first, so allow me to ask you; am I missing something in what he is saying?

It is I who is missing something in regard to your comment.
“and I appreciate what Paul is saying, but I think he may be taking it a little bit to the extreme when he says not to speak in tongues in public unless it will be interpreted.”

There are sections where Paul goes back and forth between praying to God and meeting in an assembly which would be considered public. I am not sure which section you have chosen for your comment. Would you mind giving me chapter and verses?