yaqq:
nothing spiritual about speaking in tongue! one pastor will just be speaking in tongue for like an hour! how ll Holy spirit be in u for a whole one Hour

pray to God for understanding. When you speak in tongues you build up your inner man which is your real you (inner man). When you die, your body dies but your spirit lives on.

BrightEye:
Speaking in tongue, and other related spirituality practices, are not good for our spiritual and mental healths.

Yes, humans are inherently spiritual, but there is a very vital reason we are embodied in physical fleshes, and live in a physical life that gives us physical experiences, which is obviously for the wellbeing of our spiritual lives.

Now, tapping into the spiritual realm which you already belong to is a useless excise, distorts the perfect harmony between your body and soul, creates some unnecessary confusions to the activities of your brain and kills the spiritual desire to have the real physical experiences that it needs for her wellbeing (that is why you see so many people in such situation isolating themselves from the outside world, which is weird and unnatural).

Honestly, churches have a very long way to go in understanding the contents of the Bible, which they wrongly take literally.

you need to back your assertion with scriptures. We move with God's wisdom not man's wisdom

UgoFly:
skenteroroboboroborbskente



Roborobo must be there

Yes oooo Roborobo na dey make the in tongues ssweet

walezy85:
how will he went he himself is God. Jesus is 100% God @ the same time 100% Man

though there was no record of Jesus speaking in tongues but we do know he prophesy about speaking in tongues Mark 16

Bishop:


I like your submission on this topic... when the apostles spoke in tongues the bible said that some people could hear them speak their language. HOW Come no one from all over the world understand the language spoken

2. Language is a gift, not to everybody HOW Come every born again must learn this new language weather gifted or not

speaking in tongues cannot be learnt. It comes from your innerman. It was recorded in act (they spoke in tongues as the spirit give utterance)

Good write-up nice one Mr Adewunmi

YOUNGSTUNNA:
What's the essence of speaking in tongues when there's no one in the congregation capable of interpreting it( what's the purpose of the message if no one understands?
Before some persons start praying they've already started speaking in tongues... na so e easy? the Pentecostal tongue speaking when the early Christians were able to speak different languages... what happened to that kinda tongue speaking?

Speaking in tongues these days is nothing but make up...

I believe God still speaks through men, but 98% of tongue speaking these days is nothing but a show up.

I remember 3 years ago some pray warriors gather ontop my head... on top sey I must speak in tongues... The prayers lasted almost an hour, and nothing happens.
Tongue is a gift, you don't force it on people.


..............................Modified............
I don't joke with bible studies... cuz that's when I have opportunity to throw questions, i don't wanna practice Christianity just because I was born into a christian home...
I'm not really the Church favorite cuz of the questions I always throw on bible studies....a man once told me "Son! you need deliverance" I was like..."Sir, I need understanding, not deliverance".

Lol! I can relate with your sincerity, but your quest for understanding cannot be taught intellectually in this kingdom, ask Jesus to teach you via His Holy Spirit,believe ther one you can agree with.trust Him for those knownedge that confused you.

HE THAT SPEAKETH IN TONGUES SPEAKETH NOT UNTO MEN, BUT UNTO GOD.

When you pray in tongues, the devil doesn't understand.
When you pray in tongues, you are praying according to the will of God, as the Spirit enables you.
And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, he heareth us. And if He hears us, we know that we will receive that which we ask of him 1 John 5:14-15.

WHEN YOU PRAY IN TONGUES, YOU PRAY RIGHT.

This thread is not for everyone,it's to those that can relate,or who is hungry to relate

Preator:

Na lie, the one in my area na only chechechecheche chechachachacha chechechecheche chechachachachacheche checheche chechachachacha
he fit do am for 30 mins. it seems na d same prayer them dey download for him every week.

lol

Utter BS!

Speaking in tongues according to the Bible meant the deciples were able to speak in Different languages other than theirs so they could preach the gospel to those people who spoke said languages. Not this rubbish the op posted here.

Nofuckgiven:
Anyone can pretend to 'speak in tongues'!

Yes, Bit can dare it for 2-4 hours if their mouth will not be bleeding, as a result of tongue biting.

You think its fun to 'speak in tongues'? dare it for hours no break. by them your teeth must have give your tongue a lot of bleep

JeffreyJamez:
Utter BS!

Speaking in tongues according to the Bible meant the deciples were able to speak in Different languages other than theirs so they could preach the gospel to those people who spoke said languages. Not this rubbish the op posted here.

Support your answer with Bible reference, not assumption

doubleportion:

Lol! I can relate with your sincerity, but your quest for understanding cannot be taught intellectually in this kingdom, ask Jesus to teach you via His Holy Spirit,believe ther one you can agree with.trust Him for those knownedge that confused you.

OK, sir... thanks

YOUNGSTUNNA:
What's the essence of speaking in tongues when there's no one in the congregation capable of interpreting it( what's the purpose of the message if no one understands?
Before some persons start praying they've already started speaking in tongues... na so e easy? the Pentecostal tongue speaking when the early Christians were able to speak different languages... what happened to that kinda tongue speaking?

Speaking in tongues these days is nothing but make up...

I believe God still speaks through men, but 98% of tongue speaking these days is nothing but a show up.

I remember 3 years ago some pray warriors gather ontop my head... on top sey I must speak in tongues... The prayers lasted almost an hour, and nothing happens.
Tongue is a gift, you don't force it on people.


..............................Modified............
I don't joke with bible studies... cuz that's when I have opportunity to throw questions, i don't wanna practice Christianity just because I was born into a christian home...
I'm not really the Church favorite cuz of the questions I always throw on bible studies....a man once told me "Son! you need deliverance" I was like..."Sir, I need understanding, not deliverance".

Please, take time to study the Bible yourself, but before you start, pray to God to explain, teach and reveal His Word to you.

Except you have the Holy Spirit of God, you may not understand what the Bible is saying, what's written in the Bible is not letters but life and Spirit (that's why Christianity is not a religion but way of life).
And you can't have the Holy Spirit of God except you are regenerated in your spirit Man by totally surrendering your life and ways to Jesus.
God bless you.

orbitame2011:


Please, take time to study the Bible yourself, but before you start, pray to God to explain, teach and reveal His Word to you.

Except you have the Holy Spirit of God, you may not understand what the Bible is saying, what's written in the Bible is not letters but life and Spirit.
And you can't have the Holy Spirit of God except you are regenerated in your spirit Man by totally surrendering your life and ways to Jesus.
God bless you.

Yeah, I understand you. thanks

I am not surprised about the misunderstanding that has risen from this topic.God is never the author of confusion but devil n man. ever since d beginning
some talk just becos they hate it n not by Revelation buy with d senses.I perceive in my spirit their wicked tone.various divergent views but the word of God is truth. I do not judge knowing that we all learn everyday. the message was informing n it was confirmed by scientist to show u its extent.

who knows the mind of God n here many attack d word. seeking argument n not truth.
hmmm ,u shame Christ if u behave in dis opposing way. y not seek d truth if u think its false. ask God n not man or ur senses. and share ur findings weda true or false.stop behaving foolishly n be wise. becos u only create strife with ur interpretations here.thanks

nairaman66:
Nowadays speaking in tongues is a mirage and should be condemned in all entirety!

How do you condemn what you have no control over??...

YOUNGSTUNNA:
Yeah, I understand you. thanks

Thank God.

ADEWUMIMichael:



Without a doubt, speaking in tongues is the most controversial spiritual gift mentioned in the New Testament. Is it from God or the devil? Should believers ignore it, oppose it, or embrace it? There are many legitimate questions regarding the gift of tongues that deserve a thoughtful, biblical response. Let's tackle five of them.




1. Is speaking in tongues from God or the devil?
The most important thing you need to know about speaking in tongues is what Jesus said about it, and He did not mince His words in Mark 16:17: "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues." Jesus declared that tongues is a supernatural sign that can and should accompany everyone who believes in Him. God does not give His children any bad gifts, so we shouldn't fear or ridicule the gift of tongues.






2. Are people making it up when they speak in tongues?

The gift of tongues is a known or heavenly language unknown to the speaker that enables him or her to communicate directly with God. Paul said in 1 Cor. 13:1, "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels..." When you receive the gift of tongues, in a split second the Holy Spirit downloads a language into your spirit without you ever having to learn it.
In 2006, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania took brain images of five people while they spoke in tongues. Their research was published in The New York Times . The leader of the study team was Dr. Andrew Newberg, who arrived at this conclusion:


"We noticed a number of changes that occurred functionally in the brain. Our finding of decreased activity in the frontal lobes during the practice of speaking in tongues is fascinating because these subjects truly believe that the spirit of God is moving through them and controlling them to speak. ...Our brain-imaging research shows us that these subjects are not in control of the usual language centers during this activity, which is consistent with their description of a lack of intentional control while speaking in tongues."


When they prayed in tongues, their frontal lobes, the willful part of the brain we use to think and control what we do, were quiet. The language center of their brains—the part we use to speak in our native language—were quiet as well. The people were not in a trance; they were fully aware of what was happening. The researchers were unable to pinpoint which part of the brain was controlling this behavior of speaking in tongues. Dr. Newberg went on to say, "The amazing thing was how the images supported people's interpretation of what was happening. ... The way they describe it, and what they believe, is that God is talking through them."


Speaking in tongues is clearly not a fabricated language, as these scientists have confirmed. It is a spiritual language given to us by God to communicate with Him.


3. Is speaking in tongues a fringe gift that only a few people receive?

The gift of tongues was the most common spiritual gift in the New Testament church. The Bible tells us in Acts 2:4 that all of the original 120 disciples at Pentecost spoke in tongues in the Upper Room: "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." We don't know if they all received the gift of faith or healing or discernment, but we know for a fact that all of them received the gift of tongues.



Today, there are more than 600 million charismatic-Pentecostal believers worldwide, the second-largest group of Christians after Catholics. Pentecostals and charismatic churches are by no means a small, fringe movement; on the contrary, they form the fastest-growing religious movement in the world. The gift of tongues is not reserved for a select few. Paul made it clear in 1 Cor. 14:5 that he wanted every believer to pray in tongues (for personal edification) and prophesy (to edify the church): "I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy."



4. Did the gift of tongues cease after the first century, or is it still active today?
The doctrine of cessationism is firmly entrenched in Reformed Christianity. This is the belief that the apostolic and charismatic gifts (including speaking in tongues) ceased after the original 12 apostles passed away. However, several notable early church fathers

—such as Justin Martyr (100-165), Irenaeus (115-202), Tertullian (160-220), and Origen (185-254)—recorded that the spiritual gifts, including speaking in tongues, were still active in the church in their days, long after John had passed away around 100 AD.



Peter proclaimed in Acts 2:39 that the gift of tongues is for everyone who is called by God: "The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 13:8-9 that when that which is perfect comes, tongues will cease. That is a reference to the Second Coming of Christ. The Bible teaches that no one is perfect except Jesus. When Christ returns, we will not need to speak in tongues to communicate with God because we will be with Him. But until then, the gift of tongues is available to any believer who desires it.




5. What are people saying when they pray in tongues?





The Bible reveals five main things that happen when believers pray in tongues:



1. They are speaking directly to God. 1 Corinthians 14:2, "For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit." Tongues is an intimate and direct line of communication with God.


2. They are declaring God's wonders. Acts 2:11, "We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" Far from being nonsense, when we pray in tongues we are actually declaring the wonders and mysteries and majesty of God. How could that possibly be a bad thing?



3. They are praising God. Acts 10:46, "For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God." Even if we don't understand what we are saying when we speak in tongues, we are praising God in the Spirit (1 Cor. 14:16).


4. They are edifying themselves. 1 Cor. 14:4, "He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church." Praying in tongues is like a spiritual workout—it builds you up and makes you stronger spiritually.



5. The Holy Spirit is praying through them, declaring God's will. Romans 8:26-27, "We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express...because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." Praying in the Spirit will bring revelation and insight into God's will for your life.




If you do not believe in the gift of tongues or have had a bad experience with the charismatic movement, I encourage you to the study the Scriptures with an open mind. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth about tongues to you.



If you desire the gift of tongues, pray for it in faith until you receive it. Jesus said in Luke 11:13, "How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" Sometimes we have to ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, and knock and keep on knocking until we receive our answer to prayer.




If you already have the gift of tongues, use it every day. In 1 Cor. 14:18, Paul boasted about how often he prayed in tongues: "I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you." Tongues is a real language, and as with any language, you have to use it in order to increase your fluency and vocabulary.




Are there excesses and abuse with the use of the gift of tongues? Yes, of course, and they need to be corrected, but don't throw out the baby with the bath water by rejecting the gift of tongues altogether. Let us take the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Cor. 14:39 to heart: "Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues " (emphasis added.)



Lalasticlala



www.charismamag.com/spirit/supernatural/21237-5-things-you-need-to-know-about-speaking-in-tongues

Good! But I want to use this opportunity to correct the impression of some churches that speaking in tongue is learned. It's a gift of Holy Spirit and everyone is not entitled to it since there're many other gifts.

Good! But I want to use this opportunity to correct the impression of some churches that speaking in tongue is learned. It's a gift of Holy Spirit and everyone is not entitled to it since there're many other gifts.

snowblaq:


How do you condemn what you have no control over??...

Really? You and I know that those accents are faked!

ADEWUMIMichael:



Without a doubt, speaking in tongues is the most controversial spiritual gift mentioned in the New Testament. Is it from God or the devil? Should believers ignore it, oppose it, or embrace it? There are many legitimate questions regarding the gift of tongues that deserve a thoughtful, biblical response. Let's tackle five of them.




1. Is speaking in tongues from God or the devil?
The most important thing you need to know about speaking in tongues is what Jesus said about it, and He did not mince His words in Mark 16:17: "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues." Jesus declared that tongues is a supernatural sign that can and should accompany everyone who believes in Him. God does not give His children any bad gifts, so we shouldn't fear or ridicule the gift of tongues.






2. Are people making it up when they speak in tongues?

The gift of tongues is a known or heavenly language unknown to the speaker that enables him or her to communicate directly with God. Paul said in 1 Cor. 13:1, "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels..." When you receive the gift of tongues, in a split second the Holy Spirit downloads a language into your spirit without you ever having to learn it.
In 2006, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania took brain images of five people while they spoke in tongues. Their research was published in The New York Times . The leader of the study team was Dr. Andrew Newberg, who arrived at this conclusion:


"We noticed a number of changes that occurred functionally in the brain. Our finding of decreased activity in the frontal lobes during the practice of speaking in tongues is fascinating because these subjects truly believe that the spirit of God is moving through them and controlling them to speak. ...Our brain-imaging research shows us that these subjects are not in control of the usual language centers during this activity, which is consistent with their description of a lack of intentional control while speaking in tongues."


When they prayed in tongues, their frontal lobes, the willful part of the brain we use to think and control what we do, were quiet. The language center of their brains—the part we use to speak in our native language—were quiet as well. The people were not in a trance; they were fully aware of what was happening. The researchers were unable to pinpoint which part of the brain was controlling this behavior of speaking in tongues. Dr. Newberg went on to say, "The amazing thing was how the images supported people's interpretation of what was happening. ... The way they describe it, and what they believe, is that God is talking through them."


Speaking in tongues is clearly not a fabricated language, as these scientists have confirmed. It is a spiritual language given to us by God to communicate with Him.


3. Is speaking in tongues a fringe gift that only a few people receive?

The gift of tongues was the most common spiritual gift in the New Testament church. The Bible tells us in Acts 2:4 that all of the original 120 disciples at Pentecost spoke in tongues in the Upper Room: "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." We don't know if they all received the gift of faith or healing or discernment, but we know for a fact that all of them received the gift of tongues.



Today, there are more than 600 million charismatic-Pentecostal believers worldwide, the second-largest group of Christians after Catholics. Pentecostals and charismatic churches are by no means a small, fringe movement; on the contrary, they form the fastest-growing religious movement in the world. The gift of tongues is not reserved for a select few. Paul made it clear in 1 Cor. 14:5 that he wanted every believer to pray in tongues (for personal edification) and prophesy (to edify the church): "I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy."



4. Did the gift of tongues cease after the first century, or is it still active today?
The doctrine of cessationism is firmly entrenched in Reformed Christianity. This is the belief that the apostolic and charismatic gifts (including speaking in tongues) ceased after the original 12 apostles passed away. However, several notable early church fathers

—such as Justin Martyr (100-165), Irenaeus (115-202), Tertullian (160-220), and Origen (185-254)—recorded that the spiritual gifts, including speaking in tongues, were still active in the church in their days, long after John had passed away around 100 AD.



Peter proclaimed in Acts 2:39 that the gift of tongues is for everyone who is called by God: "The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 13:8-9 that when that which is perfect comes, tongues will cease. That is a reference to the Second Coming of Christ. The Bible teaches that no one is perfect except Jesus. When Christ returns, we will not need to speak in tongues to communicate with God because we will be with Him. But until then, the gift of tongues is available to any believer who desires it.




5. What are people saying when they pray in tongues?





The Bible reveals five main things that happen when believers pray in tongues:



1. They are speaking directly to God. 1 Corinthians 14:2, "For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit." Tongues is an intimate and direct line of communication with God.


2. They are declaring God's wonders. Acts 2:11, "We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" Far from being nonsense, when we pray in tongues we are actually declaring the wonders and mysteries and majesty of God. How could that possibly be a bad thing?



3. They are praising God. Acts 10:46, "For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God." Even if we don't understand what we are saying when we speak in tongues, we are praising God in the Spirit (1 Cor. 14:16).


4. They are edifying themselves. 1 Cor. 14:4, "He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church." Praying in tongues is like a spiritual workout—it builds you up and makes you stronger spiritually.



5. The Holy Spirit is praying through them, declaring God's will. Romans 8:26-27, "We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express...because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." Praying in the Spirit will bring revelation and insight into God's will for your life.




If you do not believe in the gift of tongues or have had a bad experience with the charismatic movement, I encourage you to the study the Scriptures with an open mind. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth about tongues to you.



If you desire the gift of tongues, pray for it in faith until you receive it. Jesus said in Luke 11:13, "How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" Sometimes we have to ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, and knock and keep on knocking until we receive our answer to prayer.




If you already have the gift of tongues, use it every day. In 1 Cor. 14:18, Paul boasted about how often he prayed in tongues: "I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you." Tongues is a real language, and as with any language, you have to use it in order to increase your fluency and vocabulary.




Are there excesses and abuse with the use of the gift of tongues? Yes, of course, and they need to be corrected, but don't throw out the baby with the bath water by rejecting the gift of tongues altogether. Let us take the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Cor. 14:39 to heart: "Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues " (emphasis added.)



Lalasticlala



www.charismamag.com/spirit/supernatural/21237-5-things-you-need-to-know-about-speaking-in-tongues

g 1 Corinthians 14:27-28

27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.

YOUNGSTUNNA:
What's the essence of speaking in tongues when there's no one in the congregation capable of interpreting it( what's the purpose of the message if no one understands?
Before some persons start praying they've already started speaking in tongues... na so e easy? the Pentecostal tongue speaking when the early Christians were able to speak different languages... what happened to that kinda tongue speaking?

Speaking in tongues these days is nothing but make up...

I believe God still speaks through men, but 98% of tongue speaking these days is nothing but a show up.

I remember 3 years ago some pray warriors gather ontop my head... on top sey I must speak in tongues... The prayers lasted almost an hour, and nothing happens.
Tongue is a gift, you don't force it on people.


..............................Modified............
I don't joke with bible studies... cuz that's when I have opportunity to throw questions, i don't wanna practice Christianity just because I was born into a christian home...
I'm not really the Church favorite cuz of the questions I always throw on bible studies....a man once told me "Son! you need deliverance" I was like..."Sir, I need understanding, not deliverance".

Believe me dear, you don't need anyone to pray for you to speak in tongues. During your quite time with God, ask or the gift of the holy spirit, it won't happen in a day, but you will notice that when ever your praying strange words will be coming out of your mouth, just let it flow. When you start, you will find it difficult to stop but with time you will be able to control it.

ADEWUMIMichael:



Without a doubt, speaking in tongues is the most controversial spiritual gift mentioned in the New Testament. Is it from God or the devil? Should believers ignore it, oppose it, or embrace it? There are many legitimate questions regarding the gift of tongues that deserve a thoughtful, biblical response. Let's tackle five of them.



1. Is speaking in tongues from God or the devil?
The most important thing you need to know about speaking in tongues is what Jesus said about it, and He did not mince His words in Mark 16:17: "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues." Jesus declared that tongues is a supernatural sign that can and should accompany everyone who believes in Him. God does not give His children any bad gifts, so we shouldn't fear or ridicule the gift of tongues.






2. Are people making it up when they speak in tongues?

The gift of tongues is a known or heavenly language unknown to the speaker that enables him or her to communicate directly with God. Paul said in 1 Cor. 13:1, "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels..." When you receive the gift of tongues, in a split second the Holy Spirit downloads a language into your spirit without you ever having to learn it.
In 2006, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania took brain images of five people while they spoke in tongues. Their research was published in The New York Times . The leader of the study team was Dr. Andrew Newberg, who arrived at this conclusion:


"We noticed a number of changes that occurred functionally in the brain. Our finding of decreased activity in the frontal lobes during the practice of speaking in tongues is fascinating because these subjects truly believe that the spirit of God is moving through them and controlling them to speak. ...Our brain-imaging research shows us that these subjects are not in control of the usual language centers during this activity, which is consistent with their description of a lack of intentional control while speaking in tongues."


When they prayed in tongues, their frontal lobes, the willful part of the brain we use to think and control what we do, were quiet. The language center of their brains—the part we use to speak in our native language—were quiet as well. The people were not in a trance; they were fully aware of what was happening. The researchers were unable to pinpoint which part of the brain was controlling this behavior of speaking in tongues. Dr. Newberg went on to say, "The amazing thing was how the images supported people's interpretation of what was happening. ... The way they describe it, and what they believe, is that God is talking through them."


Speaking in tongues is clearly not a fabricated language, as these scientists have confirmed. It is a spiritual language given to us by God to communicate with Him.


3. Is speaking in tongues a fringe gift that only a few people receive?

The gift of tongues was the most common spiritual gift in the New Testament church. The Bible tells us in Acts 2:4 that all of the original 120 disciples at Pentecost spoke in tongues in the Upper Room: "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." We don't know if they all received the gift of faith or healing or discernment, but we know for a fact that all of them received the gift of tongues.



Today, there are more than 600 million charismatic-Pentecostal believers worldwide, the second-largest group of Christians after Catholics. Pentecostals and charismatic churches are by no means a small, fringe movement; on the contrary, they form the fastest-growing religious movement in the world. The gift of tongues is not reserved for a select few. Paul made it clear in 1 Cor. 14:5 that he wanted every believer to pray in tongues (for personal edification) and prophesy (to edify the church): "I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy."



4. Did the gift of tongues cease after the first century, or is it still active today?
The doctrine of cessationism is firmly entrenched in Reformed Christianity. This is the belief that the apostolic and charismatic gifts (including speaking in tongues) ceased after the original 12 apostles passed away. However, several notable early church fathers

—such as Justin Martyr (100-165), Irenaeus (115-202), Tertullian (160-220), and Origen (185-254)—recorded that the spiritual gifts, including speaking in tongues, were still active in the church in their days, long after John had passed away around 100 AD.



Peter proclaimed in Acts 2:39 that the gift of tongues is for everyone who is called by God: "The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 13:8-9 that when that which is perfect comes, tongues will cease. That is a reference to the Second Coming of Christ. The Bible teaches that no one is perfect except Jesus. When Christ returns, we will not need to speak in tongues to communicate with God because we will be with Him. But until then, the gift of tongues is available to any believer who desires it.




5. What are people saying when they pray in tongues?





The Bible reveals five main things that happen when believers pray in tongues:



1. They are speaking directly to God. 1 Corinthians 14:2, "For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit." Tongues is an intimate and direct line of communication with God.


2. They are declaring God's wonders. Acts 2:11, "We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" Far from being nonsense, when we pray in tongues we are actually declaring the wonders and mysteries and majesty of God. How could that possibly be a bad thing?



3. They are praising God. Acts 10:46, "For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God." Even if we don't understand what we are saying when we speak in tongues, we are praising God in the Spirit (1 Cor. 14:16).


4. They are edifying themselves. 1 Cor. 14:4, "He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church." Praying in tongues is like a spiritual workout—it builds you up and makes you stronger spiritually.



5. The Holy Spirit is praying through them, declaring God's will. Romans 8:26-27, "We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express...because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." Praying in the Spirit will bring revelation and insight into God's will for your life.




If you do not believe in the gift of tongues or have had a bad experience with the charismatic movement, I encourage you to the study the Scriptures with an open mind. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth about tongues to you.



If you desire the gift of tongues, pray for it in faith until you receive it. Jesus said in Luke 11:13, "How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" Sometimes we have to ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, and knock and keep on knocking until we receive our answer to prayer.




If you already have the gift of tongues, use it every day. In 1 Cor. 14:18, Paul boasted about how often he prayed in tongues: "I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you." Tongues is a real language, and as with any language, you have to use it in order to increase your fluency and vocabulary.




Are there excesses and abuse with the use of the gift of tongues? Yes, of course, and they need to be corrected, but don't throw out the baby with the bath water by rejecting the gift of tongues altogether. Let us take the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Cor. 14:39 to heart: "Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues " (emphasis added.)



Lalasticlala



www.charismamag.com/spirit/supernatural/21237-5-things-you-need-to-know-about-speaking-in-tongues

@ OP,
I thank God for you. God bless you for this inspiring piece.

candyx:

Believe me dear, you don't need anyone to pray for you to speak in tongues. During your quite time with God, ask or the gift of the holy spirit, it won't happen in a day, but you will notice that when ever your praying strange words will be coming out of your mouth, just let it flow. When you start, you will find it difficult to stop but with time you will be able to control it.

yeah, that's the thing. thanks

nairaman66:


Really? You and I know that those accents are faked!

Mr man... Speak for yourself... I am not in anyway associated with you.

Nice write up @ Op, i want to share my experience concerning this topic. I am not the churchy type but i luv God alot n a thrive to do is will but u know drowning in sin can be sweet. I first receive this gift when i was 15 years old at a scripture union meeting, i attended a boarding school n it was my first time there. We were worshiping God n suddenly i felt something like a language in my spirit, it started as a mumur,i was thinking.... what is wrong with me?? I could not control it again i started saying it loud, yes, i was speaking in tongues. In my university days, i went to a church service and the pastor was preaching about the gift of the holy spirit, it happened again.... i was speaking in tongues, The pastor prayed for us who have baby tongues and the gift of interpretation. I had baby tongues then because i only repeat one particular tongue till that service day i was prayed for. Nobody taught me how to speak in tongues..... it just comes on its own, i do understand what i am saying while speaking in tongues, i cant say how but i get the meaning, most times i am prasing God, sometimes praying and telling him my heart desires all in tongues. Guess i am lucky to have the gift of interpretation. I do grieve the holy spirit alot because i indulge in sin..... fornication especially. When i commit this sin, the gift becomes dormant no spirit filled worship will make me speak in tongues( it happens when i am worshiping God with an open heart) till i ask for forgiveness. Tongues can be in earthly language, i remember my friend who's aunt travelled abroad and attended a spirit filled service, she said the whites where speaking in tongues in our dialect. After the close of service she asked a lady if she has been to africa and she said No. If u want to experience it,all u do is to ask and open your heart. I had a friend who wanted to experience it. She did the above and received.

snowblaq:

Mr man... Speak for yourself... I am not in anyway associated with you.

Maybe your brain cells are dead, you were the one who quoted me at first! I bet you are among the 21st century pastors who speak in tongues to the pocket of their members! enjoy while it last

nairaman66:


Maybe your brain cells are dead, you were the one who quoted me at first! I bet you are among the 21st century pastors who speak in tongues to the pocket of their members! enjoy while it last

Lol... I won't humour you by replying you with the insults that would suit you... Hv a nice night.

you (believer in Christ) will go to heaven even if you do not speak in tongues BUT you will go quicker - andrew wommack

yaqq:
nothing spiritual about speaking in tongue! one pastor will just be speaking in tongue for like an hour! how ll Holy spirit be in u for a whole one Hour

When you are baptized (immersed) in the Holy Ghost, he will be ever present in you forever.

As long as you make yourself available to his use, he will use you