Wats your take on speaking in tongues???
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no offense CE, but I think that tongues is a highly underrated gift, many do not understand the power of tongues and just how much it can accomplish, we speak mysteries and pray for things that we do not know about, but our spirit man does... these things will only be revealed at the end... just a counter point to your short version... take care old man and God Bless!
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i concurOriginally posted by Chin Eng:My take?
The short version - it's an over-rated gift. It's a spiritual gift nonetheless, but too many churches "market" it like it's the ONLY gift. Also the Biblical context (ie in Acts) of speaking it tongues seem to be missing in many churches. -
Speaking in tongues is clearly a gift from God, we shouldnÂ’t be talking about accepting it or not, but what does God wants us to do with our gift and how does the gift benefit you, church and the ppl around you?
When the spirit first enabled the disciples to speak in tongues, the God fearing Jews from all over the world were bewildered because these disciples were speaking their native language, proclaiming the wonders of God. (Acts 2:12)
But there were some who made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine”, clearly these people did not understand what were said.
Paul makes it clear that when there is speaking in tongue, there must be interpretation.
Taking about spiritual gift, “…to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.” 1 Cor. 12:10.
“…do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?” 1 Cor. 12:30
“… he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, ...) 1 Cor. 14:5.
“So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?” 1 Cor. 14:23
It is clear that speaking in tongues must be followed with interpretation. I believe speaking in tongues is like speaking many different languages, for the Bible refers to “tongues not tongue”, “in other tongue Act 2:4”, and “different kinds of tongues 1Cor 12:10)”. I believe the tongues in themselves are legible languages, it is just that we don’t understand, just like people speaking Cantonese, Hokkien, Hainanese to the Jews. These are the strange tongues through which God speaks to the people. (1 Cor. 14: 21).
Can tongue be a spiritual language, with which the spirit in us speaks to God and only understood by God? May beÂ…. for self edification.
So how has speaking in tongues benefit us? How often do we hear of speaking in tongues in churches being interpreted? For those who have benefited from speaking in tongues, do they bring love and joy to others? Sad to say, I seldom hear about that, that is why I agree that speaking in tongue is an overrated gift. Sorry, breytonhartge.
1 Cor 12:31 NKJV, talk about “earnestly desire the best gifts”, but what are the best gifts? NIV present the verse as “earnestly desire the greater gifts”.
All gifts are desirable, but the gifts that benefits others and glorify God are the greater ones.
have a good day. -
My reason for saying that it is OVERrated is that almost every church is pushing this gift as the special one. Some churches even insist that every single member need to be equipped with it.Originally posted by breytonhartge:no offense CE, but I think that tongues is a highly underrated gift, many do not understand the power of tongues and just how much it can accomplish, we speak mysteries and pray for things that we do not know about, but our spirit man does... these things will only be revealed at the end... just a counter point to your short version... take care old man and God Bless!
I really don't see the need to "speak mysteries and pray for things that we do not know about" - what's the purpose of the need to pray for things we don't know about, seeing that we already have ENOUGH in our hands to pray for things that we already know.
I do not see the necessity to seek this gift. I have asked for another gift and I believe God had given that gift to me. -
I agree with u that it is overrated as some churches are insisting that every single member need to know tongues. I am convinced that not all will have this gift. And I dun believe that praying in tongues can help recharge the handphone battery like one church's pastor said.Originally posted by Chin Eng:My reason for saying that it is OVERrated is that almost every church is pushing this gift as the special one. Some churches even insist that every single member need to be equipped with it.
I really don't see the need to "speak mysteries and pray for things that we do not know about" - what's the purpose of the need to pray for things we don't know about, seeing that we already have ENOUGH in our hands to pray for things that we already know.
I do not see the necessity to seek this gift. I have asked for another gift and I believe God had given that gift to me. -
Which are the churches which insist every member should have the gift of tongues?Originally posted by laoda99:I agree with u that it is overrated as some churches are insisting that every single member need to know tongues. I am convinced that not all will have this gift. And I dun believe that praying in tongues can help recharge the handphone battery like one church's pastor said.
Interested to know. -
Hi, anyone got a video clip on how people speaks in tongues?
Just for non-believers to understand as it is uncommon
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...Originally posted by laoda99:And I dun believe that praying in tongues can help recharge the handphone battery like one church's pastor said.
you're kidding right?? -
Confirm Charismatic preacher.Originally posted by Chin Eng:... you're kidding right??
Good morning! -
I think I am in the wrong church. I can charge my mobile, mp3 player, gameboy all at once!Originally posted by M©+square:Confirm Charismatic preacher.
Good morning!
Morning.... MC and everyone else. -
wahahahahahaha!!!!!!Originally posted by Chin Eng:I think I am in the wrong church. I can charge my mobile, mp3 player, gameboy all at once!
Morning.... MC and everyone else.
Not only all at once. It's indispensible. You can charge at anytime you want! At no cost!
Cheers -
go to international baptist church and ask an african believer to pray in his native language.Originally posted by maggot:Hi, anyone got a video clip on how people speaks in tongues?
Just for non-believers to understand as it is uncommon -
Can put a link and show it to the world? This would be betterOriginally posted by sgdiehard:go to international baptist church and ask an african believer to pray in his native language. -
what link? a prayer in native language?Originally posted by maggot:Can put a link and show it to the world? This would be better -
My fave pic is that of CHC members in trance
Looks cultish to me -
In 1 Cor. 12:7, 10, Paul says:" Now to each one the mainifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit....to another distinguishing between spirits...."Originally posted by laurence82:My fave pic is that of CHC members in trance
Looks cultish to me
Sometimes I often wonder who are the ones who distinguish between spirits. Is there a need to distinguish spirits in a church and how?
whenever I have to spend weekends overseas, I visit churches, or worships services in the name of Jesus Christ (usually in convention halls or hotels) and often come across those lifted by the spirits, their actions can range from speaking intelligible languages, rolling on the floor, crying aloud.... If I could leave with a peaceful mind, I would recognise the spirit as the spirit of God. If not, I will go straight to find a good restaurant for lunch and never think about what had happened.
I have not been to CHC, so there is no reference to them.
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This thread had been a meaningful one so I sincerely hope that no one will use this thread to start any more flame wars. It's of no advantages to anyone here. Thanks and God Bless.
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What is distingushing spirits?Originally posted by sgdiehard:In 1 Cor. 12:7, 10, Paul says:" Now to each one the mainifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit....to another distinguishing between spirits...."
Sometimes I often wonder who are the ones who distinguish between spirits. Is there a need to distinguish spirits in a church and how?
whenever I have to spend weekends overseas, I visit churches, or worships services in the name of Jesus Christ (usually in convention halls or hotels) and often come across those lifted by the spirits, their actions can range from speaking intelligible languages, rolling on the floor, crying aloud.... If I could leave with a peaceful mind, I would recognise the spirit as the spirit of God. If not, I will go straight to find a good restaurant for lunch and never think about what had happened.
I have not been to CHC, so there is no reference to them.
By the way, my friend is from CHC. So, admittedly, he told me some are not really speaking in tongues, just doing what others are doing. -
I have no idea what is distinguishing spirits. Sometimes I wonder what is the difference between possession by a spirit and being filled by a spirit.Originally posted by laurence82:What is distingushing spirits?
So what do they feel? do they understand what they speak? at the end, do they feel closer to God? How often do they feel like that? every sunday? Not trying to be funny, but I believe that christians in their own quiet places, they can pray and be lifted by the Spirit, they cried with joy and really came out a different person, but I can't say the same about those appeared to be lifted in public. After the service, they left the worship place and went for lunch like nothing has happened.Originally posted by laurence82:By the way, my friend is from CHC. So, admittedly, he told me some are not really speaking in tongues, just doing what others are doing. -
I have no idea what is distinguishing spirits. Sometimes I wonder what is the difference between possession by a spirit and being filled by a spirit.
Distinguishing the spirits is to test whether they are from God or not, only the Holy Spirit is of/from God, all other spirits are from a Christian viewpoint considered evil.
Possession is when you have no control over your speaking in tongues...
being filled by the Holy Spirit and being filled by a spirit are two different things, please be very careful when you describe this. Being filled by a spirit is similar to being possessed, being filled by THE HOLY SPIRIT is when you are comforted and lifted up by the presence of the Holy Spirit in you and the Holy Spirit is ministering to you... possession by a spirit only seeks to destroy the person and not edify which is different with the Holy Spirit who is a gentleman and will not force you to do things you don't want to do, tongues can be started and stopped at any time. It is upto the person speaking the tongue.
My opinion. -
thank you for your explanation on possession and being filled. it appears that whether it is possession or being filled depends on whether it is The Holy Spirit or not.Originally posted by breytonhartge:Distinguishing the spirits is to test whether they are from God or not, only the Holy Spirit is of/from God, all other spirits are from a Christian viewpoint considered evil.
Possession is when you have no control over your speaking in tongues...
being filled by the Holy Spirit and being filled by a spirit are two different things, please be very careful when you describe this. Being filled by a spirit is similar to being possessed, being filled by THE HOLY SPIRIT is when you are comforted and lifted up by the presence of the Holy Spirit in you and the Holy Spirit is ministering to you... possession by a spirit only seeks to destroy the person and not edify which is different with the Holy Spirit who is a gentleman and will not force you to do things you don't want to do, tongues can be started and stopped at any time. It is upto the person speaking the tongue.
My opinion.
Agree we need to be very careful in our description, but believers on the side need to be certain that it is the Holy Spirit to describe this as "being filled by the Holy Spirit". People around, especially those non believers who have no idea what goes on, are likely to describe it as "in trance". So, how to tell if it is The Holy Spirit?
What is the gift of distinguishing the spirits? how do we know if a person has that gift and therefore what he says is the Holy Spirit, it is the Holy Spirit and what he says are the evil spirits than those are the evil spirits?
Thanks -
The one very sure thing, in my life that I have experienced is that if it is God and the Holy Spirit that is doing something, I have an inner peace that the world does not give, like what is described in the bible, if it is another spirit, there will be no inner peace. Check with your spirit within yourself, if there is peace then it will be of God. Once you have been a Christian for a while you will begin to know how to distinguish this. Pm me if you want to "talk" more about this. God Bless.Originally posted by sgdiehard:thank you for your explanation on possession and being filled. it appears that whether it is possession or being filled depends on whether it is The Holy Spirit or not.
Agree we need to be very careful in our description, but believers on the side need to be certain that it is the Holy Spirit to describe this as "being filled by the Holy Spirit". People around, especially those non believers who have no idea what goes on, are likely to describe it as "in trance". So, how to tell if it is The Holy Spirit?
What is the gift of distinguishing the spirits? how do we know if a person has that gift and therefore what he says is the Holy Spirit, it is the Holy Spirit and what he says are the evil spirits than those are the evil spirits?
Thanks -
It seems tongue-speaking christians have the belief that if a christian doesn't speak in tongues, he/she hasn't reached the higher level of spirituality that brings him/her closer to God.
Then, how come God didn't zap and make Jesus Christ speak in tongues during his life, in his prayers, etc?
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how do you know He didn't? He always went away to pray by Himself, so who's to say He did not pray in tongues?Originally posted by macjoe:It seems tongue-speaking christians have the belief that if a christian doesn't speak in tongues, he/she hasn't reached the higher level of spirituality that brings him/her closer to God.
Then, how come God didn't zap and make Jesus Christ speak in tongues during his life, in his prayers, etc?
Please also consider these verses:
John 14:12 NIV
12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
John 14: 16 NIV
16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[c] in you. -
Distinguishing spirits is something that all Chrisitans should be able to do... it is not a gift for some and not others, in fact all the gifts are for us believers, not just some. We are free to accept or reject the gift. But if it were me, I would want all the gifts of the spirit!Originally posted by sgdiehard:thank you for your explanation on possession and being filled. it appears that whether it is possession or being filled depends on whether it is The Holy Spirit or not.
Agree we need to be very careful in our description, but believers on the side need to be certain that it is the Holy Spirit to describe this as "being filled by the Holy Spirit". People around, especially those non believers who have no idea what goes on, are likely to describe it as "in trance". So, how to tell if it is The Holy Spirit?
What is the gift of distinguishing the spirits? how do we know if a person has that gift and therefore what he says is the Holy Spirit, it is the Holy Spirit and what he says are the evil spirits than those are the evil spirits?
Thanks