To be 'Frank,' here are my true beliefs on this subject as you requested.
The notion that speaking in another language (tongue) for the benefit of another or others is prevalent today is false, as far as scripture. All present at Pentecost were heard speaking in other foreign languages for the benefit of performing God’s work.
If one were to gain a gift of God for speaking in another foreign coherent tongue, it had definitely nothing to do with the initial gaining of salvation for the first time. This gift would come afterwards.
Salvation is ONE spiritual experience only; whether dramatically felt or in a mellow intensity, or completely undetected, as the spirit of God takes up residence within that new believer. This is the baptism of the spirit of God. It is the seal of God and makes a person a true believer.
Now if one speaks ‘babble’ because it is determined that it is not a language at all that edifies someone, I would say it is not by the work of God at all. It is from one’s own works and desires. Some then will say that it is just a language communicated in the spirit and only to God and no one else. I’m not so convinced even that this is truth.
Finally, if one says I’m not a true believer because I do not speak in another language (tongue) for the work of God, then I would like them to reveal this truth in the word of God.
The spirit within me says this idea of speaking in tongues for validation of salvation is false, and a dangerous one. I believe I have ‘used’ at least two gifts of God at times, of discernment and understanding, although never those of tongues.
Bless you,
APAK
The beliefs you stated for yourself to me have the ring of denominational indoctrination. As the Holy Spirit made plain to me, men cling to, worship as it were, the teachings, traditions of their denomination rather than to God's word. Re
alize that when you refer to God's gift as BABBLE you slight God's gift. Tongues of men and of angels God's word states.
The primary purpose of speaking in tongues is for the building up of the believer as is reiterated by brother Jude, vs 20. I have practiced this for more than 40 years.
You can be saved and not speak in tongues but I blame the denominations that teach against the gifts for instilling actual fear in those that would otherwise readily accept the clearly stated word of God.
The gift of tongues is as all gifts of the Holy Spirit highly adaptable. The gift of tongues can be used to;
1. Deliver messages in a congregation of believers which will then be interpreted by another.
2. Giving thanks and praise unto God.... Giveth thanks well...
3. As on the original Pentecost being used to speak to those whose language you do not know. In the book "Before we kill and eat you" (H. B. Garlic. This book is available from several sources and can I believe be downloaded for free as a pdf) my brother worked with the daughter of this African missionary couple, Garlock and his wife. In the book Garlic was captured by viscious cannibals and death was immanent. Garlic according to his own account, began to speak to the Tribe in another language, apparently theirs. They fell silent and when he ceased speaking they fell down and made obeisance to him. Garlic and his group was released and helped on their way. Tjis took place in the 1920s or 30's.
4. The wonderful gift of tongues is the only way you can pray without ceasing. Your spirit prays and your understanding is bypassed.
5. Intercessory prayer in the spirit, tongues that is, is a call to prayer by the Holy Spirit and is referenced in the book of Job.
Job 32:18-20 KJVS
For I am full of matter, (matter = speaking, words, talking) the spirit within me constraineth ( moves, compels, urges strongly) me.
[19] Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles. [20] I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
Having experienced this from time to time I discerned the meaning of these scriptures immediately as I read them decades ago.
An internal pressing of the Spirit within and an uncomfortable urge to begin to pray in the spirit, tongues, prayer in the Holy Ghost, arises and only by prayer at length will the pressure diminish. Sometimes this call to intercession is only for ten or fifteen minutes but other times may last for an hour or more. Relief (refer to vs 20) comes as the call to intercessory prayer from the Holy Spirit is answered. The internal pressure is relieved and you know that you have accomplished in prayer what God wanted from you.
This has to be experienced to be understood and I appreciate the Lord placing these explanatory scriptures in Job.
As I've written elsewhere on this site God gave me the interpretation of the tongues I was speaking in to tell me my wife was with child. After 14 childless years God had promised to send us a son. On October 9th,1979 He told me by tongues and interpretation that He had done what he had promised. I have the interpretation written on a plaque that hangs in our living room. Our son is now 38, born 9 months after the word.
Whether a believer speaks in tongues or not is pretty much up to them. It's a gift available to whosoever will. As is usual with men they complicate the simple things of God and make them impossibly hard. This is the work of the natural mind.
The blame for the fear of this gift must lie at the feet of those individuals and denominations that vehemently teach against the gift of God. They don't enter in themselves and hinder all who would.
This hindrance, this denial originates with Satan who wants to dissuade every believer from receiving the power, the dunamis, that comes with the in filling of the, Holy Spirit and thence receiving the multi-faceted gift of tongues.
I have nothing to sell. I push no denomination but only relate the things I've seen and heard from the Lord God as they agree with the written words of God.
For those that fear the gifts of God I pray you cleave to God and cast aside the denominational traditions and doctrines that have implanted unbelief and distrust of the plainly stated scriptures on these subjects.
