God's Gift of Tongues Not for Private Use

  • Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.

    You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Christ4Me

Well-Known Member
Jan 6, 2022
1,344
263
83
60
Pennsylvania / Hermitage
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
When believers defend tongues for private use, they are ignoring Paul's teaching on gifts are not for private use & more importantly, none of those gifts are gained by having another drink of the One Spirit that we are all supposed to share in that same testimony as baptized into one body by.

1 Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal:

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many.

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Then Paul began using hyperboles in explaining why love is better than anything else for why tongues are not of angels since he is not like sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal

1 Corinthians 13:1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Paul has certainly not sold everything and given to the poor and gave his body up for burning either les he has become a ghost writer. Hyperbole. Just as referring to tongues of angels is a hyperbole, an exaggerated sense of tongues which is not being done in reality.

Then those who speak in tongues try to claim that tongues are for private use by inserting their meaning in complete disregard for why Paul is exhorting the gift of prophesy over all spiritual gifts in verse 1 ad then explained why by comparing tongues against prophesy for why prophesy is the better gift to seek after in the whole message of that chapter because tongues is not a stand alone gift for it needs interpretation for the tongue speaker to truly benefit when he understood what that tongue is saying as manifested by the Holy Ghost.

1 Corinthians 14:1Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Discern with Him now.

2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

Paul cannot claim he speak more in tongues than them all unless he had witnesses to that truth therefore not for private use as this was done in the assembly as witnessed before all.

Paul is not saying the tongue speaker is speaking to God because he is in the assembly where no man understands him but God does, as the tongue speaker speaks in mysteries to those around him but God understands that tongue. That does not mean he is speaking TO God because there are no mysteries to God for why he is not speaking TO God. Paul is meaning God understands what us being said as manifested by the Holy Ghost. God's gift of tongues can be self edifying but only when interpreted for Paul to benefit from that tongue.

12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. 13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

Tongue speakers ignore verse 13 and point to verse 14 as if Paul is praying in tongues when he is really praying someone will interpret that tongue. everything Paul has said about tongues is being done in the assembly and not for private use. tongue speakers for private use are inserting their tongues in there when Paul is explaining why prophesy is better than tongues because it is not for private use.

17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

The only way Paul can say that if tongues were done in the assembly where there are more than 3 witnesses to that truth. He cannot testify of tongues for private use when there are no witnesses.

20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

Verses 20-21 is Paul giving the bottom line on what God's gift of tongues are for, being of other men's lips to speak unto the people.

22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.


And yet believers are using tongues as a sign or proof of salvation or proof f Gd calling them into the ministries or as the early Catholic Church claimed, proof that they are keeping the doctrines within. I cannot find that latter info again, but it is so. I would not be surprise that believers that fornicate use tongues as a sign that everything is still okay between Him & them. Is everything okay between Him & the catholic Charismatic Church? I think not. Therefore tongues are not supposed to serve as a sign nor proof to the believers about anything but to the believers.

And yet they preach another baptism with the Holy Ghost with evidence of tongues ( used to be heralded as "by that sign of tongues" ). Red flag. That is why that tongue is not coming with interpretation as it is a voice of stranger's they follow for climbing up another way John 10:1-5

Then getting back to Paul on tongues; I remind you abut verse 2 in how a tongue speaker speaks unto God but not to God but He understands what is being said as we read this below.

26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

How can Paul instruct someone to be silent IF that tongue was manifested by the Holy Ghost just because there was no interpretation? And yet at the end of the chapter he has written not to forbid speaking in tongues in the assembly but order and decency must be maintained?

Reread the 3 verses of 26-28. When you have 2 or 3 speak in tongues, one by one, and another interpret, when you have a practice like that in the assembly, a foreign visitor could very well stand up and speak out of turn. That is why he is to keep silence because he speaks to himself, meaning he understands what he is saying as God does too, not that he is a crazy person speaking to himself and to God.

There can be no speaking in tongues quietly to oneself when even whispering bothers people around them trying to listen to the sermon or in this case, when 2 or 3 speak in tongues for that one to interpret it.

Just another example of how tongue speakers for private use today try to insert that tongue for private use into scripture when that is not what Paul is saying. Indeed, they make Paul look like an idiot for exhorting prophesy over tongues as they are today hyping believers to seek another baptism with the Holy Ghost with evidence of tongues and not prophesy when there is no other baptism with the Holy Ghost to seek after salvation.

That is why I do not believe God's gift of tongues were ever meant for private use.
 
  • Like
Reactions: michaelvpardo

Robert Gwin

Well-Known Member
Mar 19, 2021
6,888
1,587
113
69
Central Il
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
When believers defend tongues for private use, they are ignoring Paul's teaching on gifts are not for private use & more importantly, none of those gifts are gained by having another drink of the One Spirit that we are all supposed to share in that same testimony as baptized into one body by.

1 Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal:

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many.

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Then Paul began using hyperboles in explaining why love is better than anything else for why tongues are not of angels since he is not like sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal

1 Corinthians 13:1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Paul has certainly not sold everything and given to the poor and gave his body up for burning either les he has become a ghost writer. Hyperbole. Just as referring to tongues of angels is a hyperbole, an exaggerated sense of tongues which is not being done in reality.

Then those who speak in tongues try to claim that tongues are for private use by inserting their meaning in complete disregard for why Paul is exhorting the gift of prophesy over all spiritual gifts in verse 1 ad then explained why by comparing tongues against prophesy for why prophesy is the better gift to seek after in the whole message of that chapter because tongues is not a stand alone gift for it needs interpretation for the tongue speaker to truly benefit when he understood what that tongue is saying as manifested by the Holy Ghost.

1 Corinthians 14:1Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Discern with Him now.

2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

Paul cannot claim he speak more in tongues than them all unless he had witnesses to that truth therefore not for private use as this was done in the assembly as witnessed before all.

Paul is not saying the tongue speaker is speaking to God because he is in the assembly where no man understands him but God does, as the tongue speaker speaks in mysteries to those around him but God understands that tongue. That does not mean he is speaking TO God because there are no mysteries to God for why he is not speaking TO God. Paul is meaning God understands what us being said as manifested by the Holy Ghost. God's gift of tongues can be self edifying but only when interpreted for Paul to benefit from that tongue.

12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. 13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

Tongue speakers ignore verse 13 and point to verse 14 as if Paul is praying in tongues when he is really praying someone will interpret that tongue. everything Paul has said about tongues is being done in the assembly and not for private use. tongue speakers for private use are inserting their tongues in there when Paul is explaining why prophesy is better than tongues because it is not for private use.

17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

The only way Paul can say that if tongues were done in the assembly where there are more than 3 witnesses to that truth. He cannot testify of tongues for private use when there are no witnesses.

20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

Verses 20-21 is Paul giving the bottom line on what God's gift of tongues are for, being of other men's lips to speak unto the people.

22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.


And yet believers are using tongues as a sign or proof of salvation or proof f Gd calling them into the ministries or as the early Catholic Church claimed, proof that they are keeping the doctrines within. I cannot find that latter info again, but it is so. I would not be surprise that believers that fornicate use tongues as a sign that everything is still okay between Him & them. Is everything okay between Him & the catholic Charismatic Church? I think not. Therefore tongues are not supposed to serve as a sign nor proof to the believers about anything but to the believers.

And yet they preach another baptism with the Holy Ghost with evidence of tongues ( used to be heralded as "by that sign of tongues" ). Red flag. That is why that tongue is not coming with interpretation as it is a voice of stranger's they follow for climbing up another way John 10:1-5

Then getting back to Paul on tongues; I remind you abut verse 2 in how a tongue speaker speaks unto God but not to God but He understands what is being said as we read this below.

26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

How can Paul instruct someone to be silent IF that tongue was manifested by the Holy Ghost just because there was no interpretation? And yet at the end of the chapter he has written not to forbid speaking in tongues in the assembly but order and decency must be maintained?

Reread the 3 verses of 26-28. When you have 2 or 3 speak in tongues, one by one, and another interpret, when you have a practice like that in the assembly, a foreign visitor could very well stand up and speak out of turn. That is why he is to keep silence because he speaks to himself, meaning he understands what he is saying as God does too, not that he is a crazy person speaking to himself and to God.

There can be no speaking in tongues quietly to oneself when even whispering bothers people around them trying to listen to the sermon or in this case, when 2 or 3 speak in tongues for that one to interpret it.

Just another example of how tongue speakers for private use today try to insert that tongue for private use into scripture when that is not what Paul is saying. Indeed, they make Paul look like an idiot for exhorting prophesy over tongues as they are today hyping believers to seek another baptism with the Holy Ghost with evidence of tongues and not prophesy when there is no other baptism with the Holy Ghost to seek after salvation.

That is why I do not believe God's gift of tongues were ever meant for private use.

We believe the gifts of the spirit ended with the death of the apostles and the completing of the Bible.
 

Christ4Me

Well-Known Member
Jan 6, 2022
1,344
263
83
60
Pennsylvania / Hermitage
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
We believe the gifts of the spirit ended with the death of the apostles and the completing of the Bible.

All the other gifts has not ceased yet, like prophesying which is edifying one another by the scriptures. I do not see the need for tongues with interpretation when a believer is in an assembly where they all speak the same language with the written scripture available for us, but God could still use that gift of tongues in outward ministry and in assemblies in remote places where foreigners are among them where there is no Bible available yet. His ministry has not ceased but God is not vain to manifest tongues with interpretation in an assembly where every one speaks the same language when the whole purpose is to edify the body of believers as a whole. 1 Corinthians 12:7

Anyway, there is cause for reservation, but yes, I agree that in America, when we all speak the same language in the assembly and has the written scripture available to us, I see no need for tongues with interpretation, but whenever a scripture pops into our heads to edify one another, that to me is the gift of prophesy as the Holy spirit is bringing into remembrance of all He has said to us through His written word.

1 Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

The Holy Spirit will hear the words of Christ and share them with us and since His words are found in scripture, He will be relaying His words from scripture too.

So the gift of prophesy is active but I can still give pause that He may be using the gift of tongues with interpretation in remote assemblies where the written scripture is not available nor every one is speaking the same language in that assembly since the Lord wants to edify the whole assembly.

The Lord may still be using some missionaries in doing outreach ministry in remote places.

But when Pentecostals / Charismatics testify of any tongue in those incidences as being gained by the Holy Spirit coming over those believers "again" apart from salvation, I discount those testimonies as either fake or another example of how bad the signs of the times are when believers in remote places are also being led astray to seek after the Holy Spirit by a sign of that tongue for private use too.

Matthew 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

John 7:7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

2 Corinthians 11:1Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. 2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

1 Timothy 4:1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Isaiah 8:19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
 

Christ4Me

Well-Known Member
Jan 6, 2022
1,344
263
83
60
Pennsylvania / Hermitage
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Historical evidence of pagan's supernatural tongues as gibberish nonsense.

Pagan Practices | History of Tongues | Ecstatic Language!

Quoting from link "Ecstatic language was a common form of worship in pagan temples.i It was well established in Ancient Byblos (1100 BC). Plato (429-347 BC) mentions it as a phenomenon in his time. He tells us that a person under divine possession received utterances and visions that the receiver did not understand.

These utterances were sometimes accompanied by physical healing of people present. Virgil (70-19 BC) tells us that the Sibylline priestess, when in prayer, united her spirit with the god Apollo and spoke in strange tongues.ii End of quote

charismatic delusion: PAGAN TONGUES

Quoting from a second link as another source:
"The oldest account of tongues goes back as far as 1100 B.C. to the Byblos Osiris cult. Tongues have been used by the Tibetan monks, certain north American Indians, the halide Indians of the pacific northwest, the aborigines of Australia, the aboriginal peoples of the sub arctic regions of north America and Asia, the corianders of the ands, the dyads of Borneo, the Chaco Indians of south America, shamans in the Sudan, Siberia and Greenland, and in various cults (voodoo in Haiti, zoo in Ethiopia, tango on the west coast of Africa, sago in Trinidad; many of these with rituals centered around spirit possessions. The Gnostics, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Quakers, Shakers, Seventh-day Adventists, Christian Scientist, and the W. Church of God all employ tongues.

John P. Kildahl’s concluded in his 1972 study “The Psychology of Speaking in Tongues” that "from a linguistic point of view, religiously inspired glossolalic utterances have the same general characteristics as those that are not religiously inspired." Glossolalia then is a purely "human phenomenon” and is “not limited to Christianity nor even to religious behavior." (Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements by Spittler, P. 340)

Felicitas D. Goodman, the psychological anthropologist and linguist, compared tape recordings of non-Christian rituals from Africa, Borneo, Indonesia and Japan. Goodman came to the same conclusion: "when all features of glossolalia were taken into consideration--that is, the segmental structure (such as sounds, syllables, phrases) and its suprasegmental elements (namely, rhythm, accent, and especially overall intonation)-- there was no distinction in glossolalia between Christian and pagan religions and that glossolalia "is, actually, a learned behavior, learned either unawarely or, sometimes consciously.”

(From "Speaking in Tongues: A Cross-Cultural Study in Glossolalia" by Felecitas D. Goodman, University of Chicago Press, 1972)

Indeed, people are carefully instructed on tongue speaking during the LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINAR. " end of quote
 

michaelvpardo

Well-Known Member
Feb 26, 2011
4,204
1,734
113
67
East Stroudsburg, PA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
When believers defend tongues for private use, they are ignoring Paul's teaching on gifts are not for private use & more importantly, none of those gifts are gained by having another drink of the One Spirit that we are all supposed to share in that same testimony as baptized into one body by.

1 Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal:

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many.

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Then Paul began using hyperboles in explaining why love is better than anything else for why tongues are not of angels since he is not like sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal

1 Corinthians 13:1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Paul has certainly not sold everything and given to the poor and gave his body up for burning either les he has become a ghost writer. Hyperbole. Just as referring to tongues of angels is a hyperbole, an exaggerated sense of tongues which is not being done in reality.

Then those who speak in tongues try to claim that tongues are for private use by inserting their meaning in complete disregard for why Paul is exhorting the gift of prophesy over all spiritual gifts in verse 1 ad then explained why by comparing tongues against prophesy for why prophesy is the better gift to seek after in the whole message of that chapter because tongues is not a stand alone gift for it needs interpretation for the tongue speaker to truly benefit when he understood what that tongue is saying as manifested by the Holy Ghost.

1 Corinthians 14:1Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Discern with Him now.

2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

Paul cannot claim he speak more in tongues than them all unless he had witnesses to that truth therefore not for private use as this was done in the assembly as witnessed before all.

Paul is not saying the tongue speaker is speaking to God because he is in the assembly where no man understands him but God does, as the tongue speaker speaks in mysteries to those around him but God understands that tongue. That does not mean he is speaking TO God because there are no mysteries to God for why he is not speaking TO God. Paul is meaning God understands what us being said as manifested by the Holy Ghost. God's gift of tongues can be self edifying but only when interpreted for Paul to benefit from that tongue.

12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. 13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

Tongue speakers ignore verse 13 and point to verse 14 as if Paul is praying in tongues when he is really praying someone will interpret that tongue. everything Paul has said about tongues is being done in the assembly and not for private use. tongue speakers for private use are inserting their tongues in there when Paul is explaining why prophesy is better than tongues because it is not for private use.

17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

The only way Paul can say that if tongues were done in the assembly where there are more than 3 witnesses to that truth. He cannot testify of tongues for private use when there are no witnesses.

20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

Verses 20-21 is Paul giving the bottom line on what God's gift of tongues are for, being of other men's lips to speak unto the people.

22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.


And yet believers are using tongues as a sign or proof of salvation or proof f Gd calling them into the ministries or as the early Catholic Church claimed, proof that they are keeping the doctrines within. I cannot find that latter info again, but it is so. I would not be surprise that believers that fornicate use tongues as a sign that everything is still okay between Him & them. Is everything okay between Him & the catholic Charismatic Church? I think not. Therefore tongues are not supposed to serve as a sign nor proof to the believers about anything but to the believers.

And yet they preach another baptism with the Holy Ghost with evidence of tongues ( used to be heralded as "by that sign of tongues" ). Red flag. That is why that tongue is not coming with interpretation as it is a voice of stranger's they follow for climbing up another way John 10:1-5

Then getting back to Paul on tongues; I remind you abut verse 2 in how a tongue speaker speaks unto God but not to God but He understands what is being said as we read this below.

26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

How can Paul instruct someone to be silent IF that tongue was manifested by the Holy Ghost just because there was no interpretation? And yet at the end of the chapter he has written not to forbid speaking in tongues in the assembly but order and decency must be maintained?

Reread the 3 verses of 26-28. When you have 2 or 3 speak in tongues, one by one, and another interpret, when you have a practice like that in the assembly, a foreign visitor could very well stand up and speak out of turn. That is why he is to keep silence because he speaks to himself, meaning he understands what he is saying as God does too, not that he is a crazy person speaking to himself and to God.

There can be no speaking in tongues quietly to oneself when even whispering bothers people around them trying to listen to the sermon or in this case, when 2 or 3 speak in tongues for that one to interpret it.

Just another example of how tongue speakers for private use today try to insert that tongue for private use into scripture when that is not what Paul is saying. Indeed, they make Paul look like an idiot for exhorting prophesy over tongues as they are today hyping believers to seek another baptism with the Holy Ghost with evidence of tongues and not prophesy when there is no other baptism with the Holy Ghost to seek after salvation.

That is why I do not believe God's gift of tongues were ever meant for private use.
I don't believe that any of the spiritual gifts are for private use (or by our election) but remain the work of God through us under the unction and power of the Holy Spirit. However, certain gifts can manifest in our vocation and remain as expressions of His work through us. Our testimony follows us wherever we go, not just within a church assembly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Christ4Me

Christ4Me

Well-Known Member
Jan 6, 2022
1,344
263
83
60
Pennsylvania / Hermitage
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
I don't believe that any of the spiritual gifts are for private use (or by our election) but remain the work of God through us under the unction and power of the Holy Spirit. However, certain gifts can manifest in our vocation and remain as expressions of His work through us. Our testimony follows us wherever we go, not just within a church assembly.

Just so that modern day tongue speakers do not apply your words in the wrong way to go speak or pray in tongues at work as if to that effect, they should know that unless that tongue was interpreted, it does not benefit the hearer at all when it is not understood and cannot see it as His work in them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: michaelvpardo

Jim B

Well-Known Member
Jun 5, 2020
5,793
1,797
113
Santa Fe NM
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Just so that modern day tongue speakers do not apply your words in the wrong way to go speak or pray in tongues at work as if to that effect, they should know that unless that tongue was interpreted, it does not benefit the hearer at all when it is not understood and cannot see it as His work in them.

God understands me (or more properly the Holy Spirit within me) whenever I pray in tongues. It's between me and God; I'm not a believer in showing off.
 

Jim B

Well-Known Member
Jun 5, 2020
5,793
1,797
113
Santa Fe NM
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
We believe the gifts of the spirit ended with the death of the apostles and the completing of the Bible.

I don't know who "we" is, but if you believe the gifts of the spirit ended with the death of the apostles and the completing of the Bible, you're wrong. I was healed by a female pastor praying to Jesus for that purpose and received my personal prayer language -- "tongues" -- immediately thereafter. If you disagree, that's okay, but I know and experienced what actually happened to me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: amadeus and Pearl

Jim B

Well-Known Member
Jun 5, 2020
5,793
1,797
113
Santa Fe NM
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Historical evidence of pagan's supernatural tongues as gibberish nonsense.

Pagan Practices | History of Tongues | Ecstatic Language!

Quoting from link "Ecstatic language was a common form of worship in pagan temples.i It was well established in Ancient Byblos (1100 BC). Plato (429-347 BC) mentions it as a phenomenon in his time. He tells us that a person under divine possession received utterances and visions that the receiver did not understand.

These utterances were sometimes accompanied by physical healing of people present. Virgil (70-19 BC) tells us that the Sibylline priestess, when in prayer, united her spirit with the god Apollo and spoke in strange tongues.ii End of quote

charismatic delusion: PAGAN TONGUES

Quoting from a second link as another source:
"The oldest account of tongues goes back as far as 1100 B.C. to the Byblos Osiris cult. Tongues have been used by the Tibetan monks, certain north American Indians, the halide Indians of the pacific northwest, the aborigines of Australia, the aboriginal peoples of the sub arctic regions of north America and Asia, the corianders of the ands, the dyads of Borneo, the Chaco Indians of south America, shamans in the Sudan, Siberia and Greenland, and in various cults (voodoo in Haiti, zoo in Ethiopia, tango on the west coast of Africa, sago in Trinidad; many of these with rituals centered around spirit possessions. The Gnostics, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Quakers, Shakers, Seventh-day Adventists, Christian Scientist, and the W. Church of God all employ tongues.

John P. Kildahl’s concluded in his 1972 study “The Psychology of Speaking in Tongues” that "from a linguistic point of view, religiously inspired glossolalic utterances have the same general characteristics as those that are not religiously inspired." Glossolalia then is a purely "human phenomenon” and is “not limited to Christianity nor even to religious behavior." (Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements by Spittler, P. 340)

Felicitas D. Goodman, the psychological anthropologist and linguist, compared tape recordings of non-Christian rituals from Africa, Borneo, Indonesia and Japan. Goodman came to the same conclusion: "when all features of glossolalia were taken into consideration--that is, the segmental structure (such as sounds, syllables, phrases) and its suprasegmental elements (namely, rhythm, accent, and especially overall intonation)-- there was no distinction in glossolalia between Christian and pagan religions and that glossolalia "is, actually, a learned behavior, learned either unawarely or, sometimes consciously.”

(From "Speaking in Tongues: A Cross-Cultural Study in Glossolalia" by Felecitas D. Goodman, University of Chicago Press, 1972)

Indeed, people are carefully instructed on tongue speaking during the LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINAR. " end of quote

I have prayed in tongues for your spiritual eyes to be opened regarding the gifts of the Spirit, including speaking in tongues.
 

Christ4Me

Well-Known Member
Jan 6, 2022
1,344
263
83
60
Pennsylvania / Hermitage
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
God understands me (or more properly the Holy Spirit within me) whenever I pray in tongues. It's between me and God; I'm not a believer in showing off.

So what happens when you see believers praying in tongues in the assembly then? Do you tell them to quit showing off because that is for private use? Just wondering. Not sure how you would be compelled to stop them if you believe that was being manifested by the Holy Spirit.

Plus their comeback would be that you are not to forbid speaking in tongues, quoting that scripture out of context by glossing over how everything was to be done in decency and order.

People hush people besides them today when they are whispering so that they can hear the sermon or the main event, and they have a speaker system and so there is no quietly praying or speaking in tongues in the assembly back then. When there is no interpretation, silence means silence as this was a foreigner speaking out of turn when this practice is going on in 1 Corinthians 14:27-28. That is indicative that God's gift of tongues was never for private use as it is supposed to come with interpretation or else how can the tongue speaker benefit when he or she does not understand it?

Thank you for sharing but I believe those are honest and just contentions for me to have still.
 

Cassandra

Well-Known Member
Sep 24, 2021
2,669
3,025
113
Midwest
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
. The Gnostics, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Quakers, Shakers, Seventh-day Adventists, Christian Scientist, and the W. Church of God all employ tongues.

No, Seventh Day Adventist do not employ tongues!!!!!!!! Our church teaches that tongues are a real language, not what is expressed today. It was given to the apostles to preach the Word, so people could hear the Good News in their own language. Not really needed today.

From google: " Seventh-day Adventists believe that the spiritual gifts such as "speaking in tongues" are used to communicate the truth to other people from differing languages, and are skeptical of tongues as practiced by charismatic and Pentecostal Christians today."

I'd bet Jehovah's witnesses don't speak in tongues either, and maybe not Mormons @Robert Gwin , and @Jane_Doe22 , what do you say?
 
  • Like
Reactions: michaelvpardo

Christ4Me

Well-Known Member
Jan 6, 2022
1,344
263
83
60
Pennsylvania / Hermitage
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
I have prayed in tongues for your spiritual eyes to be opened regarding the gifts of the Spirit, including speaking in tongues.

No doubt. You should also pray normally that Jesus Christ will open your eyes in case you are wrong about this issue. Trust Him as your Good Shepherd & Friend to reveal that for you just in case you are missing something about this tongue for why He would prefer you to pray normally.
 
  • Like
Reactions: michaelvpardo

michaelvpardo

Well-Known Member
Feb 26, 2011
4,204
1,734
113
67
East Stroudsburg, PA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Just so that modern day tongue speakers do not apply your words in the wrong way to go speak or pray in tongues at work as if to that effect, they should know that unless that tongue was interpreted, it does not benefit the hearer at all when it is not understood and cannot see it as His work in them.
Yes, but it could give them some medical leave and a few paid visits to a mental health professional.
An acquaintance from the Gambino family advised me to keep the elements of my faith to myself if placed under psychiatric evaluation. He claimed that a close associate of his was permanently institutionalized under the premise of irrational ( and charismatic ) beliefs in a personal relationship with God.

If Christians are to be incarcerated in the United States, it could only be lawfully accomplished as prosecution for criminal behavior or for "mental instability " and the perceived threat of harm to other people. This perception is propagated by events like the February 6th "insurrection ", abortion clinic attacks, and widely promoted through media fiction portraying Christians as hateful, villainous, and intolerant.
 

Christ4Me

Well-Known Member
Jan 6, 2022
1,344
263
83
60
Pennsylvania / Hermitage
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
No, Seventh Day Adventist do not employ tongues!!!!!!!! Our church teaches that tongues are a real language, not what is expressed today. It was given to the apostles to preach the Word, so people could hear the Good News in their own language. Not really needed today.

From google: " Seventh-day Adventists believe that the spiritual gifts such as "speaking in tongues" are used to communicate the truth to other people from differing languages, and are skeptical of tongues as practiced by charismatic and Pentecostal Christians today."

I'd bet Jehovah's witnesses don't speak in tongues either, and maybe not Mormons @Robert Gwin , and @Jane_Doe22 , what do you say?

I understand that they do teach and warn members not to do this, but it has been known to happen in that denomination in certain churches, not all, for why they warned them all not to do that.

Though I am sure you will find some 7th Day Adventist churches boldly going publicly saying they can.

Is it acceptable for an Adventist to speak in tongues? – Pastor Ted Wilson.

Quoting from link ~~~ "A: Mung San, yes, speaking in tongues is one of the spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12, and yes, it is possible for a Seventh-day Adventist to speak in tongues — as long as it is the true gift of tongues described in the Bible, given to him or her by the Holy Spirit." end of quote.

Signs of the times.
 

Christ4Me

Well-Known Member
Jan 6, 2022
1,344
263
83
60
Pennsylvania / Hermitage
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Yes, but it could give them some medical leave and a few paid visits to a mental health professional.

You do seem to make a case for it below, brother.

An acquaintance from the Gambino family advised me to keep the elements of my faith to myself if placed under psychiatric evaluation. He claimed that a close associate of his was permanently institutionalized under the premise of irrational ( and charismatic ) beliefs in a personal relationship with God.

If Christians are to be incarcerated in the United States, it could only be lawfully accomplished as prosecution for criminal behavior or for "mental instability " and the perceived threat of harm to other people. This perception is propagated by events like the February 6th "insurrection ", abortion clinic attacks, and widely promoted through media fiction portraying Christians as hateful, villainous, and intolerant.

Makes you wonder if any Pentecostals/Charismatics would ever come to their rescue legal wise in the USA?
 
  • Like
Reactions: michaelvpardo

Cassandra

Well-Known Member
Sep 24, 2021
2,669
3,025
113
Midwest
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
I understand that they do teach and warn members not to do this, but it has been known to happen in that denomination in certain churches, not all, for why they warned them all not to do that.

Though I am sure you will find some 7th Day Adventist churches boldly going publicly saying they can.

Is it acceptable for an Adventist to speak in tongues? – Pastor Ted Wilson.

Quoting from link ~~~ "A: Mung San, yes, speaking in tongues is one of the spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12, and yes, it is possible for a Seventh-day Adventist to speak in tongues — as long as it is the true gift of tongues described in the Bible, given to him or her by the Holy Spirit." end of quote.

Signs of the times.
Officially, the church does not believe that tongues is any more that a foreign language given to someone to preach the Gospel.

So it has been known to happen. That does not mean that the church is charismatic. I'll bet every protestant religion has a few with in it that do. That is a blanket statement. what you quoted makes it appear as if Adventist are charismatic, and it is not true. That is pretty crappy sourcing, IMO. One or two do not speak for the church. You are rational enough to know that. And what proves to me, since you had to add some asides, that you don't do your homework.
 

Jim B

Well-Known Member
Jun 5, 2020
5,793
1,797
113
Santa Fe NM
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
So what happens when you see believers praying in tongues in the assembly then? Do you tell them to quit showing off because that is for private use? Just wondering. Not sure how you would be compelled to stop them if you believe that was being manifested by the Holy Spirit.

Plus their comeback would be that you are not to forbid speaking in tongues, quoting that scripture out of context by glossing over how everything was to be done in decency and order.

People hush people besides them today when they are whispering so that they can hear the sermon or the main event, and they have a speaker system and so there is no quietly praying or speaking in tongues in the assembly back then. When there is no interpretation, silence means silence as this was a foreigner speaking out of turn when this practice is going on in 1 Corinthians 14:27-28. That is indicative that God's gift of tongues was never for private use as it is supposed to come with interpretation or else how can the tongue speaker benefit when he or she does not understand it?

Thank you for sharing but I believe those are honest and just contentions for me to have still.

I have no objection to people praying in tongues "in the assembly" or anywhere else for that matter. I am a fairly private person. When I pray in tongues I consider that to be between me and God. If others want to pray in tongues publicly that is their decision.
 

Jim B

Well-Known Member
Jun 5, 2020
5,793
1,797
113
Santa Fe NM
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Officially, the church does not believe that tongues is any more that a foreign language given to someone to preach the Gospel.

So it has been known to happen. That does not mean that the church is charismatic. I'll bet every protestant religion has a few with in it that do. That is a blanket statement. what you quoted makes it appear as if Adventist are charismatic, and it is not true. That is pretty crappy sourcing, IMO. One or two do not speak for the church. You are rational enough to know that. And what proves to me, since you had to add some asides, that you don't do your homework.

Oh, that's what "the church" officially believes (whatever that means). To me, that's irrelevant. One or two do not speak for the church. You are rational enough to know that. (your words)
 

Cassandra

Well-Known Member
Sep 24, 2021
2,669
3,025
113
Midwest
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
From Pastor Ted Wilson:

What does the church teach on speaking in tongues? – Pastor Ted Wilson

'Adventists don’t speak in tongues because modern glossolalia (ecstatic “speaking in tongues”) practiced in Pentecostal churches is not the gift of tongues mentioned in the New Testament. The New Testament gift of tongues refers to real languages that God gave the new Christian Church for the purpose of evangelizing the nations."
 
  • Like
Reactions: Christ4Me