Speaking In Tongues

[VociMike]

I always find it interesting that those who not have this gift seem to have a superior or suspicious attitude to those of us who do and question our authenticity. I have the gift of administration and teaching and yet no one without those gifts ever questions my authenticity with these gifts. Why do you suppose this is?.

Maybe it’s because they don’t see the point in uttering prayer sounds that neither you nor anybody else can understand. Maybe they don’t see how that is a better form of prayer than praying in a human language, or than simply uniting in silence with God.

How would you answer them?

 

[vern_humphrey]

I was more struck by verse 19: “but in the church I would rather speak five words with my mind, so as to instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.”

Of course. His point (and mine) is not that the gift of speaking tongues is a superior one, but merely that it is a valid gift.

 

[VociMike]

Of course. His point (and mine) is not that the gift of speaking tongues is a superior one, but merely that it is a valid gift.

OK. According to 1 Cor 14, however, it seems that the gift of tongues (in public, at least) is only a gift if it edifies others. If one cannot interpret the sounds, then they would seem to serve no purpose (again, according to 1 Cor 14). Thoughts?

 

[vern_humphrey]

OK. According to 1 Cor 14, however, it seems that the gift of tongues (in public, at least) is only a gift if it edifies others. If one cannot interpret the sounds, then they would seem to serve no purpose (again, according to 1 Cor 14). Thoughts?

That would seem to be the case, yes.

 

[Ani_Ibi]

Speaking in tongues is a gift of the Spirit. It is meant to edify others. It is also necessary to have someone with the gift of interpreting tongues.

Praying in tongues is not for the edification of others. It is the Holy Spirit praying for you. No one else need understand what is being said.

Similar to praying in tongues is singing in tongues, shouting in tongues, dancing in the Spirit, being slain in the Spirit, and other more esoteric things.

 

[DebChris]

When I first heard people pray in tongues, it did sound like gibberish to me. It was at a Pentecostal Holiness Church. While I accepted the invitation to visit her church, she refused any invitation to attend Mass with me.
I had no idea that I was about to enter a crisis point in my life or the changes that would happen in the next year. In the midst of crisis, I made an Easter retreat. This was to be a life changing experience for me. Every Thursday, an ecumenical prayer meeting was held. I knew without a doubt that I would experience a miracle by Pentecost. In fact, it was Ascension Thursday when I received Deliverance and began singing in tongues. This is how God himself brought me into the Charismatic Renewal of the Catholic Church.
Praying in tongues is a very powerful experience. The Holy Spirit prays through me when I do not know how to pray. This prayer language has been helpful at specific times when discernment is needed. At prayer groups, what I sing has been interpreted by others. Not everybody has the same gifts.
I am astounded daily by the many ways that God works in my life.
At the above mentioned retreat house, I heard the story of a nun who did not know why she should open herself to the gift of tongues. Afterall she spent many hours in meditation and contemplation. She already had a close relationship with her saviour. Her response was simply, “if it is from God why should I refuse?”

 

[jabelltulsa]

I have the gift of administration and teaching and yet no one without those gifts ever questions my authenticity with these gifts. Why do you suppose this is?.

I don’t know. How do you reconcile the yourself to the rest of Corinthians 14? Paul says that it is disgraceful for a women to speak in church. I don’t understand how one would not question the authenticity given what Paul says.

I am anxious to hear your answer on this, because I don’t understand how so many women lead others in worship when it is clearly stated that it shouldn’t be done. (it, in fact, is disgraceful)

Understand this: I have received much from women in my life in regards to my beliefs. Men and women have played a strong role in my life to help me understand Christ better.

However, the laws of the Church state that women should remain silent in church. These are not my laws, but the Laws of God and His Church. We HAVE to obey them.

 

[Jerry-Jet]

It is not impossible for there to be Genuine speaking in tongues.

99.9% of speaking in tongues is just a learned behavior that involves Emotionalism.

There have been very few saints who have spoken in tongues which just goes to show you that indeed it is a gift but it is also rare!

 

[rlg94086]

This has always been a conundrum for me. The first church I attended was Pentecostal. Everyone went up to the altar and prayed in tongues. I prayed for the gift from the Holy Spirit, but it didn’t come. They told me that was because I wasn’t earnest in my prayer.

They basically taught that: speaking in tongues = filled with the Holy Spirit; No tongues = no Spirit. So, it is not surprising that everyone spoke in tongues. If you don’t, then you aren’t an authentic Christian in their eyes. That sort of viewpoint will obviously lead to a lot of faking…who wants to be unauthentic?

I’ve read about the gifts in the Bible, so I do believe they occur or at least occurred. What never made logical sense to me is if it’s a gift, why does the Holy Spirit only give it to Pentecostal churches that popped up in the 1870s and/or Charismatic groups in the 1970s? Now, the description by an evangelical protestant that they pray in tongues, but most people at their Church don’t and it’s no big deal makes more sense - doesn’t prove authenticity, but at least it’s consistent with the idea of it being a gift.

Because of my experience in the Pentecostal church (tongues, people jumping up and down, running around in circles, etc.), I have no (zero, zilch, nada) interest in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal; however, I don’t have a problem with their existence or their prayer groups. Just don’t tell me that I will be enriched once I am “baptized in the spirit.” I was baptized, and I received the Holy Spirit at Confirmation. I think I have gifts, but they aren’t of the “speaking in tongues” variety. If I do start spontaneously praying something in tongues during adoration, then I will let you know.

Pax,
Robert

 

[cmancone]

I think there is a slight mis-understanding of the “speaking in tongues” that is practiced by pentecostal and related churches. For starters, it isn’t necessarily limited to “angelic” languages that can’t be understood. I’ve heard stories (although I haven’t seen it personally) of people who have spoken or prayed in languages they themselves didn’t understand, although people in the same room did. This is clearly the sort of speaking in tongues that occurred at pentacost. So, I would say that both types of speaking in tongues happen - the earthly type and the angelic type.

Finally, someone said:

It seems, to me, to be based on suggestion, rather than holiness. Also, I hear the same noises coming out of their mouths over and over. Angelic tongues would seem to be a more complex language, rather than just mumbo jumbo.

This fact actually has nothing to do with whether something is a legitimate language or not, and has only to do with how we “hear” spoken language. The first time I heard people speaking Vietnamese, I actually had the exact same impression (really, no joke). I thought they were just repeating the same two sounds over and over again. This is why learning asian languages is so difficult for us native english speakers (and vice-versa). The two languages come from completely different roots and have, essentially, different sets of sounds that are used, requiring you to first train your ears to distinguish words and sounds before you can hope to understand the language.

 

[cmancone]

They basically taught that: speaking in tongues = filled with the Holy Spirit; No tongues = no Spirit. So, it is not surprising that everyone spoke in tongues. If you don’t, then you aren’t an authentic Christian in their eyes. That sort of viewpoint will obviously lead to a lot of faking…who wants to be unauthentic?

rlg94086, I’m truly sorry that you were taught that. I’ve heard of pentacostal church’s that teach things along those lines, but I’ve never met one. It’s a foolish thing to say and it is utterly wrong. Please though, don’t let this give you the impression that everyone who speaks in tongues is faking. I know many people who speak in tongues and believe that it is a gift from the Holy Spirit. These are people I’ve known for many years and whom I trust implicitly - they certainly aren’t faking.

 

[rlg94086]

rlg94086, I’m truly sorry that you were taught that. I’ve heard of pentacostal church’s that teach things along those lines, but I’ve never met one. It’s a foolish thing to say and it is utterly wrong. Please though, don’t let this give you the impression that everyone who speaks in tongues is faking. I know many people who speak in tongues and believe that it is a gift from the Holy Spirit. These are people I’ve known for many years and whom I trust implicitly - they certainly aren’t faking.

Hi cmancone,

I do believe these gifts exists. Since there is no way to really authenticate whether someone is speaking in tongues (gift of the Holy Spirit) or faking it, I just don’t spend much time wondering if an individual is authentically experience those gifts or not. Their gift or non-gift is of no difference or consequence to me. If they are faking it, it may be of great consequence to them. If they are not, they are blessed with a wonderful gift…I guess. I’m not clear how it adds anything to someone’s salvation.

Pax,
Robert

 

[vern_humphrey]

I don’t know. How do you reconcile the yourself to the rest of Corinthians 14? Paul says that it is disgraceful for a women to speak in church. I don’t understand how one would not question the authenticity given what Paul says.
.

I would say that Paul has the authority, not me. If I don’t understand what Paul says, or don’t like it – that’s my problem, not Paul’s.

In other words, I would take the Catholic position – recognize what the Apostle says and pray for the grace to accept it. Any other course of action would lead to rejection of the Apostolic Succession and heresy.

 

[DebChris]

Recommended reading:
Kevin and Dorothy Ranaghan Catholic Pentecostals.
I realize this is an old book but it does relate their experience as well as the experience of others.
To the question of whether or not receipt of this gift is recognized by Rome, the answer is yes. For some young men, it is this gift that leads them to answering the call to the priesthood.
Many priests and bishops have the gift. It was amazing that the last time I attended a FIRE Rally, the Charismatic Mass was concelebrated by two bishops. FIRE stands for Faith, Intercessory Prayer, Repentance, and Evangelization.
There is an annual retreat given at the Franciscan University in Steubenville for priests. Many are already charismatic and others receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit while there. Note that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is not a new Sacrament. It is a release of the gifts given each of us at Baptism and Confirmation. One of the manifestations is praying in tongues. Many of these priests experience an increased zeal in their preaching since it also has a way of making the gifts given in ordaination come more alive.
I was present when Father (now Archbishop) Raymond Burke received the gift.
It is also important to note that all is gift. Receipt of the gift, while it does lead to greater faith in Jesus Christ, is not necessarily an indication of the amount of faith an individual starts with.

 

[Jesusstreet]

The Apostles were gifted in many ways. First being “trained” by THE LORD HIMSELF, and also in receiving THE HOLY SPIRIT to “empower” them with charisms to preach, to teach, to eat anything set before them without fear, to heal, to lay hands on to impart the HOLY SPIRIT, to give grace to priests and bishops, among their gifts.

There are many today who have Charisms to allow them to fulfill their mission in CHRIST JESUS. Typically we see that if a dream is given to a man, the interpretation of that dream may be given to another. Sometimes also to the dreamer. Also with tongues, when a person is gifted with tongues it is often that the interpretation of tongues is given to another. GOD does this so that people must work together.

It should be forewarned that GOD blesses all who asks without discrimination. GOD has clearly blessed the protestant churches. We must also see that even a “sola scriptura” protestant must see the need for the HOLY EUCHARIST. It is not sufficient to simply be BAPTIZED. Even if annointed in the HOLY SPIRIT and gifted with tongues, it is not sufficient to keep all the law. And not one jot nor tittle of the law shall fall away until all has been accomplished.

If a person keeps the commandments and teaches others to do the same they shall be called great in the KINGDOM OF GOD. But if they change the least of the commandments, and teach others to do the same they shall be called least in the KINGDOM OF GOD.

The teaching that the HOLY EUCHARIST is “just symbolic” is a false doctrine. It constitutes changing a clear teaching of our LORD AND SAVIOR and teaching others to do the same. For this cause many of JESUS’ followers did leave him. The Apostles only remained. This is not optional teaching. This is a requirement given in commandment by our LORD. If you would be of the covenant of JESUS’ BLOOD you must eat of HIM in the HOLY EUCHARIST. If you do this you will have LIFE in you.

This should worry those who have broken with tradition to go it alone armed only with a Bible. Being annointed in the HOLY SPIRIT then only fulfills part of what must be, as it is written “worship in SPIRIT and in TRUTH” . … Being blessed and BAPTIZED fulfills the worship in SPIRIT, where one may pray. But does not fulfill the commandment to worship in TRUTH . … JESUS CHRIST IS THE TRUTH, and HIS HOLY FLESH must be eaten. If you do not eat of JESUS CHRIST’s HOLY FLESH you do not have LIFE in you.

I stress this because the idea that pentecostal services “frequently” have people speaking in tongues does not diminish the commandments of OUR LORD one iota, not a jot nor tittle of the law shall fall away. Therefore this blessing does not fulfill the covenant commandments. but it is a blessing unto the protestants, by which they do deceive, because they change the letters of the law, and reduce that which they don’t like to a mere “symbol” of TRUTH rather than to admit with humility this is the FULLNESS OF THE TRUTH to eat of CHRIST’s BODY AND BLOOD.

There can be only one choice then to choose CHRIST in HIS FULLNESS, BODY, BLOOD, SOUL, AND DIVINITY . … and through acceptance of the teachings of HOLY MOTHER CHURCH, though the admission of MOTHER MARY THE ARK OF THE COVENANT, be part of the covenant by eating and drinking of OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.

A half-truth is a whole lie. And this is the error to in part deny the commandments. In admission of the TRUTH of the sacrements, a person must fully conform to the will of GOD and be Roman Catholic.

Speaking in tongues then is a gift that if asked for can be received. All who ask receive, but we do understand that GOD answers, as it pleases GOD, in GOD’s time, and sometimes those prayers are not answered in our lifetime on Earth, but are answered in the KINGDOM which is to come. Perhaps on our death bed, our prayers for others will be answered. It was so that Saint Monica’s prayers were answered on her death bed, and Saint Augustine was converted. It may be that our prayers will be heard in HEAVEN and the people of the Earth blessed for our intercession.

We do the will of GOD, that we may serve THE LORD. And all that we ask for in the GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT will be given, as GOD determines. Yes, or no, or wait a while, are the respective answers to every prayer. It being the will of GOD that all souls be saved, pray for others, make penances, for other people.

If we have faith to move mountains, but have not LOVE, we have nothing at all. Therefore it is our virtue that matters most, that by our prayers and sacrifices for others, by our LOVE and virtue, we will receive abundant graces through OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, through the HOLY SPIRIT which is given unto us that we may serve the LORD. GOD has given us HIMSELF and made us HIS TEMPLE . …

Therefore be thankful if you should receive this gift, but also be aware of what we are to do in fulfillment of the covenant.

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

Actually, it comes from Saint Paul, who discusses it at some length.

1 Corinthians 14, 1-19

Note verse 18, “I give thanks to God that I speak in tongues more than any of you.”

cut to the chase and read verse 28, no interpretator, be quiet.

What is happening is in pentecostal churches today is man made. I even had some churches try to teach me to pray in tongues with “repeat after me”, they call it priming the pump. Bottom line, experts in languages have studied the pentecostal tongue speaking and have concluded that they are NOT speaking in any form of language — there is no languge forms, formats, grammars, patterns, none whatsoever. Experts in language have played tapes of known messages in languages that subjects do not know and asked them for their interpretations. Not one interpretator has ever gotten the interpretation right, not even close.

 

[KathleenElsie]

Actually, it comes from Saint Paul, who discusses it at some length.

1 Corinthians 14, 1-19

Note verse 18, “I give thanks to God that I speak in tongues more than any of you.”

But if combined with 19 then it seems to be more desirable to speak in a language you know. I was informed that is protects the speaker from being used by false spirits. I also believe there was an admonition about “not all comes from God”.

 

[JoeyWarren]

Growing up, I was taught that the when the Apostles recieved the gift of speaking in tongues, it empowered them to speak and be understood in other languages. This made sense to me as it enabled them to “go forth therefore and teach all nations”. The implication was, wherever they went, they could be understood even if they did not speak the local language

The Apostles spoke in their own native language. The event at Pentecost is more of the “Instanteous Translation”.

A careful of the text indicates this, but many tongue speaking protestants will claim otherwise.

Give it a modern day reading?

All of the Apostles began to speak in their native language. Germans were standing by with the complete understanding that the Apostles were speakin their native language but the Germans were hearing the message in German.

Ditto for Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, English, etc etc etc…get the point?

The Corinthians totally missed the boat concerning the speaking in tongues. IMHO Paul did not want to throw cold water on their faith in tongues so he provided some guide lines in the usage of tongues.

 

[jabelltulsa]

I would say that Paul has the authority, not me. If I don’t understand what Paul says, or don’t like it – that’s my problem, not Paul’s.

In other words, I would take the Catholic position – recognize what the Apostle says and pray for the grace to accept it. Any other course of action would lead to rejection of the Apostolic Succession and heresy.

Agreed.

 

[longwayhome]

My experience of tongues is there are two types: speaking in tongues and praying in tongues. The first type is more rare and should be accompanied by interpretation. The second type, praying in tongues, is more common and is useful as an experience of “yielding” to the activity of the Spirit. That is why it is considered the “gateway to the charisms”.

The best Scriptural explanation for praying in tongues is the following:

(Rom 8:26-27) Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. [27] Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

For those of you contend that praying in tongues is phony or mere imitation, there is an interesting episode in the new biography of Mother Angelica where a priest prays for her to receive the “release of the Spirit” and she experiences nothing. However, later she is praying privately and she spontaneously starts praying in tongues. From that point onward, she experienced a tremendous intimacy with the Scriptures. The release or “baptism” in the Spirit was really foundational to her subsequent ministry.