What is speaking in tongues?? - The Apostle (1998) Discussion

[–] darren_reck 17 years ago

It's from Acts 2 in the Bible. All the Galilean Christans were gathered at Pentecost (where the term "Pentecostal" comes from) and were filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit enabled them to speak in foreign languages. Other Jews from different countries were present and understood what they were saying.

In the Acts 2 story the different languages Christians were speaking were simply foreign (i.e. human) languages. But in recent Pentecostal traditions 'speaking in tongues' implies that the believer is speaking in a God-created language that is only understood by God. Whenever speaking in tongues takes place a 2nd believer is supposed to be able to interpret the speaking for the rest of the Christians.

If you heard someone "speaking in tongues" it would sound like gibberish.

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[–] baeksu 17 years ago

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speaking_in_tongues

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[–] sonofbeach-sheet 17 years ago

For many years, the Pentecostal and Holiness folks have defended the act of speaking in tongues basing it on Acts 2. But they tend to stop after verse 4 and not read the rest. Whereas most Baptist and Protestant denominations believe the gift died out after scripture was completed or that it has to be interpreted.

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[–] mitzibishi 13 years ago

"What is speaking in tongues??"

Schtick

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[–] Rev-Fr-Joel 12 years ago

As one that has studied this phenomena for years I have come to the conclusion that there are two cases of Glossolalia (Speaking in Tongues).

The first if Speaking in Tongues in the Assembly or among the congregation. This is when an Interpreter is required according to Acts.

The second is in private personal prayer. When you speak with God in prayer often you will find yourself unable to express the joy or pain or love in your heart. Then, you make you supplications with moans and sounds of Angels. This requires no interpretation because God already knows what is in your heart and prayer language allows you to utter it.

As far as these "Gifts" passing away with the passing of the Apostles, those who believe in Apostolic Succession not this is not the case. As Jesus passed some of His powers on to the Apostles, He directed them to further pass the blessing on to their successors and believers.

God bless and keep you all in the palm of His holy hand.

Rev. Fr. Joel Osborne+. CAC

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[–] fentress 10 years ago

Here's the question that intrigues me. I grew up as a southern Baptist and have tried a number of other things too, so I'm something of an amateur student of religion. And I love this movie. There's the scene in the movie where Robert Duvall is first appealing to Elmo (the guy who owns the radio station) to let him do some preaching on the air. Elmo says "... only the king's English; we don't allow no speaking in tongues around here."

So what is that all about? I know there are a lot of people who are Christians but who would regard speaking in tongues as a bit too "out there". Is that all that's behind Elmo's reaction, or is there something more specific involved?

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[–] ronnoco28 10 years ago

I think that does partly account for Elmo's statement, he feels speaking in tongues on the air is too "out there". He's also thinking of his station's advertisers and its financial status, he wants to appeal as much as possible to the mainstream and get the widest listenership possible. Speaking in tongues on the air would likely limit his listeners to only that segment of the population that would be responsive to that.

I don't think that Elmo himself has any prejudices against speaking in tongues on a personal level.

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[–] Timmy_Ramone 11 years ago

Speaking in tongues is the evidence that one has the Holy Spirit. One must have the Holy Spirit (the evidence being speaking in tongues), be baptized and repent to be saved. That is what the bible teaches us. There is no other way to salvation.

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[–] sonofbeach-sheet 11 years ago

So if Billy Graham has not spoken in tongues, that means he isn't saved? It's unlikely he's done it, as he is a Baptist

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[–] TheFabulousThomasJ 10 years ago

In a nutshell, if you accept Jesus as your lord & savior and you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you "speak in tongues".

Your spirit speaks in a language beyond your own understanding.

Despite what you might see on television (The "Happy" Hunters evangelists) many believers do not do it in public because it is prayer special for God alone to hear. Like sex, it is private.

The goldfish stays in the picture!

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[–] mrmathexpert4 9 years ago

watch The Exorcist, and you will understand.

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[–] SophieSlut 9 years ago

It's a Christian term for Glossolalia.

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[–] sonofbeach-sheet 9 years ago

The only reason people speak in tongues is because they have been taught to do so. It's BS that speaking in tongues is a sign you're saved or had a second blessing. They spoke other languages they didn't know! That's it!

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[–] SophieSlut 9 years ago

It's not speaking another language. It's more like pretending to speak a different language.

I was never taught. I learned to do it by myself. It's not that easy and most people just end up going "pla pla pla" instead of making it sound like their actually speaking a different language.

I think it may be linked to Tourette's. It's a little weird, and it's a lot easier to do when you are agitated. I can understand why people blame it on demons and aliens. Obviously, it's not though.

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