Religon and Tongues

[Lonnie]

After a discussion with my elder brother (he's Catholic), about people speaking in 'Tongues', I spoke to my Yonger brother, (he's C of E), and I'm Jewish, they converted out, and realised that we all have a different conception of what is meant in the Gospel of St Mark, when the Disciples started speaking in Tongues.

Just wondered, have any of you ever heard anyone doing this?, or spoken them yourselves?,

What would your interpretation of it be?

[Clanad]

Actually, Lonnie, there are three different phenomena that are described as tongues, but are, in fact totally different. Luke writing in the Book of Acts describes the events of Pentecost. At that instance, all the Disciples that were gathered as directed by the risen Ha Massiach were found, after tongues of fire descended upon them, to be able to talk to each foreign person in their own native language. This served the purpose of speaking intelligibly to people to whom they couldn't have otherwise spread the Good News. The second occasion is best described by Paul in I Corinthians wherein the speaker is speaking in an unintelligible language as moved by Ruac Ha Kodesh. It's clear that this type of Tongues requires interpretation, which must be given as soon as the speaker is through. Yet another variation is a Prayer Language wherein the speaker during his time, alone with Elohim speaks in a language known only to the Ruac Ha Kodesh and is, in fact produced by that Holy Spirit. Common in Pentecostal and Charismatic (which are the fastest growing denominations) churches and seen as uplifting. In the New Covenant, signs and wonders such as miracles often accompanied the speaking... Keeping in mind that they were all Jews of the first century, the custom was known in the synagogues but curtailed by the Chief Priest and Scribes...

[Lonnie]

Fantastic, thanks Clanad, that would explain the different conceptions, i've saved your answer, and later i'll send it to my brothers, to browse over.

[Cetti]

It can a confusing topic Lonnie, and as always Clanad has given you the perfect answer. Even amongst Christians this subject can be a hot potato and has caused many an argument, although in my opinion totally unnecessarily.

Since I came to faith in a Pentecostal Church the workings of the Holy Spirit have become a normal occurrence, though still awesome. This is God working in power and leaves you open mouthed at His ways, not to mention the ordinary bods He (the Creator) works through!!

Speaking in tongues is commonplace in the Pentecostal/Charismatic churches and anyone who has been baptised in the Holy Spirit has this gif, although many don�t use it. It is after all the language of the Holy Spirit. He is a person so has a language. There is nothing weird or strange about it for it happens normally. It happened to me during a prayer at home whilst lying on the sofa! This is available for every believer that asks for it and it's used for personal edification or in times of confusion when words in English are inadequate. After praying in tongues, you then ask the Lord for the interpretation in your own language. People who do a lot of counselling within the Church are able to move back and forth at great speed from tongues to English, but for normal folk it takes a couple of minutes.

The Gift of Tongues is something quite different. This is used for the good of the whole church. One person will speak and another will interpret. This is used when the Lord has something important to say to the whole church � a word of encouragement, change of leadership � just about anything that affects everyone.

[Lonnie]

Hi Cetti, thanks for that excellent answer, in its own way, its as good as Clanads, as it explains from the aspect of someone who has actually experienced it.

My elder Brother doesn't believe it can't happen, whereas my younger brother, although C of E, is in a part of it thats closer to Pentecostals, believes that it can, I hold an open mind on it.

This all came about, because the younger brother is writing a biography of our mothers life, and he seems to remeber her (Jewish), speaking in Tongues, and consulted us, but neither the elder or myself have memories of it. Although that doesn't mean it didn't happen.

Thanks again for your answer.
Paul.

[Cetti]

To add a bit more Lonnie just in case I confused things - speaking in tongues is for a lifetime and not a once only thing. Nothing peculiar has to happen for anyone to begin speaking, it's an act of the will and not an out-of-this-world experience. In other words starting and stopping when you wish. I tend to speak in short bursts whereas some people carry on for hours.

In this country it is mainly in the Charismatic churches, although it is happening more and more in the C of E . To experience it in its fullness you would need to go to Africa, Asia or USA where it's spoken by millions!!!

What a beautiful idea of your brother to write a biography of your Mum's life - and it is also perfectly possible that she was indeed a speaker of tongues. Give me a shout if you need to know anything else :-)

[Clanad]

I certainly agree with cetti... I do feel it's important to understand that this was not uniquely a New Covenant experience, Lonnie... Paul (nee Sh'aul) says, through the inspriation of Ruac Ha Kodesh "... " And when Paul had laid [his] hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; And they spoke with tongues and prophesied'' (Acts 19:6). This especially instructive in two ways relevant to your question. First, Paul has described himself as "A Hebrew of Hebrews, faithful to the Law in every way (Phillipians 3:5) and emphasizes the adherence to the Law in everything Jewish. Further in this verse and following (Act 19:6) he asks the new converts who had been baptized by John the Baptist if they had received the gift of speaking in tongues from the Holy Spirit... to which they replied that they had not yet heard of the Holy Spirit... so he laid hands on them with the described results. As cetti states, tongues, in one example or another is a gift of the Holy Spirit and, as such is available to every believer. It's an experience that I wouldn't be without... I'd sought the gift for two years or more, with no results and had just about given up on it... one evening, out of nowhere, it just began, as cetti describes, quite unexpectedly. Now, it's part of every day life and as comfortable as an old shoe... and life with Yeshua ha Massiach has never been the same...

[Lonnie]

Cetti and Clanad, thanks very much for your very comprehensive answers, I certainly understand the phenomenon a lot better now, and I'll pass on what you both have said to my brothers, and even though, as I said previously, I hold an open mind on it, and still do, two things have come out of this.

1) I'm going to tell my younger brother, that even neither myself, or the elder have a recollection of our mother speaking in tongues, (she had a very interesting life, and her faith was unshakeable), if he seems to recall that she did, to go ahead and include it in his writings.

2), There's a Pentecostal Church a short walk from where I live, I don't want to convert, but if they'll speak about it, i'd like to find out more.

And if I need to know anything else, i'll certainly post back.
Thanks very much.

[Clanad]

Shalom!... Sha-alu, Shalom, Yirushalyim ...

[steenbrassie]

Great Answers!!! Yes, the Holy Spirit and the gifts are available to every believer in Jesus Christ! I have been baptised with the Holy Spirit at the age of 20 and can only thank the Lord for this great gift. All for the Glory of God and building up His Church of believers!