Comments on: What’s the Point of Public Tongues? http://www.wordandspirit.co.uk/blog/2005/12/04/whats-the-point-of-public-tongues/ pursuing faithfulness to the Word of God and fullness of the Spirit of God Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:08:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Happy Christmas http://www.wordandspirit.co.uk/blog/2005/12/04/whats-the-point-of-public-tongues/comment-page-1/#comment-23191 Happy Christmas Thu, 16 Dec 2010 19:35:50 +0000 http://markandsteph.plushost.co.uk/blog/?p=140#comment-23191 [...] book lover, and I’m not sure I would know what book he wants. But after his comments on my recent posts on the charismatic gifts, perhaps he could be given The gift of tongues (“for [...] [...] book lover, and I’m not sure I would know what book he wants. But after his comments on my recent posts on the charismatic gifts, perhaps he could be given The gift of tongues (“for [...]

]]> By: Mark Heath http://www.wordandspirit.co.uk/blog/2005/12/04/whats-the-point-of-public-tongues/comment-page-1/#comment-355 Mark Heath Fri, 24 Aug 2007 07:10:59 +0000 http://markandsteph.plushost.co.uk/blog/?p=140#comment-355 Hi Steve, Its a good question. Praying privately in tongues isn't mentioned explicitly in the Bible, but I believe it is implied. In 1 Cor 14:18,19 Paul says, "I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue." In other words, "I speak in tongues loads, but not often in church". The implication is that he is praying in toungues privately. Also, in 1 Cor 14:14, Paul calls speaking in tongues "praying with my spirit". There is therefore a possibility that other passages refering to "pray in the Spirit" refer to, or include, speaking in tongues. See Jude 1:20, Eph 6:18 As for your final question, "why not just pray in English". The answer may come in Romans 8:26 - "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." Many Christians struggle with praying - we find the words do not "flow" very easily. Tongues can help us to express the worship in our spirits to God without having the vocabulary to do so. When I pray privately in tongues, I often find that afterwards I experience a greater liberty to pray in English. Maybe that is the "interpretation" coming, or maybe speaking in tongues is helpful for me to come into an attitude of prayer and worship and be filled with the Spirit so that I am more able to pray in English. Hi Steve,
Its a good question. Praying privately in tongues isn’t mentioned explicitly in the Bible, but I believe it is implied. In 1 Cor 14:18,19 Paul says, “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.”

In other words, “I speak in tongues loads, but not often in church”. The implication is that he is praying in toungues privately.

Also, in 1 Cor 14:14, Paul calls speaking in tongues “praying with my spirit”. There is therefore a possibility that other passages refering to “pray in the Spirit” refer to, or include, speaking in tongues. See Jude 1:20, Eph 6:18

As for your final question, “why not just pray in English”. The answer may come in Romans 8:26 – “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.”

Many Christians struggle with praying – we find the words do not “flow” very easily. Tongues can help us to express the worship in our spirits to God without having the vocabulary to do so. When I pray privately in tongues, I often find that afterwards I experience a greater liberty to pray in English. Maybe that is the “interpretation” coming, or maybe speaking in tongues is helpful for me to come into an attitude of prayer and worship and be filled with the Spirit so that I am more able to pray in English.

]]> By: Steve Bayird http://www.wordandspirit.co.uk/blog/2005/12/04/whats-the-point-of-public-tongues/comment-page-1/#comment-354 Steve Bayird Fri, 24 Aug 2007 02:40:44 +0000 http://markandsteph.plushost.co.uk/blog/?p=140#comment-354 Hello, new here. I personally received the Holy Spirit about a month or so ago with evidence of speaking in tongues. Now, I have not ever done so in a public setting where there would be interpretation. But I do so just in praying. Edifying myself as 1 cor. 14:4 says. Now... my problem is there is nowhere in the Bible, at least I can't find where this is done. Whenever tongues is spoken , it is always in a group setting. Is there anywhere in the Bible, where one person is praying in tongues without an interpretation? If so, where? and I do this, pray in tongues.. only a few words/sylables. But, Im trying to give a good reson as to why i do it to someone. and What is the benefit, and how do I know it is from God? Why pray in tongues instead of praying in English?? What's the point, if you can just pray in English? Thanks!! Hello, new here.

I personally received the Holy Spirit about a month or so ago with evidence of speaking in tongues. Now, I have not ever done so in a public setting where there would be interpretation. But I do so just in praying. Edifying myself as 1 cor. 14:4 says. Now… my problem is there is nowhere in the Bible, at least I can’t find where this is done. Whenever tongues is spoken , it is always in a group setting. Is there anywhere in the Bible, where one person is praying in tongues without an interpretation? If so, where? and I do this, pray in tongues.. only a few words/sylables. But, Im trying to give a good reson as to why i do it to someone. and What is the benefit, and how do I know it is from God? Why pray in tongues instead of praying in English?? What’s the point, if you can just pray in English? Thanks!!

]]> By: Bible Student http://www.wordandspirit.co.uk/blog/2005/12/04/whats-the-point-of-public-tongues/comment-page-1/#comment-578 Bible Student Sun, 10 Dec 2006 23:56:41 +0000 http://markandsteph.plushost.co.uk/blog/?p=140#comment-578 Just one thing I would like to comment out on this is for someone to read 1 cor 15:26 and on and explains the whole toungues in a public meeting thing, so the answer is in the bible people just over look it. Even before in 1 cor 13 is when Paul adresses the Corinths speaking in toungues as gibberish because of the fact they did not have the knowledge to lets say wield it. But for this question of public tonques please read further on 1cor. expecially 15 vs. 26-28.. Just one thing I would like to comment out on this is for someone to read 1 cor 15:26 and on and explains the whole toungues in a public meeting thing, so the answer is in the bible people just over look it. Even before in 1 cor 13 is when Paul adresses the Corinths speaking in toungues as gibberish because of the fact they did not have the knowledge to lets say wield it. But for this question of public tonques please read further on 1cor. expecially 15 vs. 26-28..

]]> By: Frank Emanuel http://www.wordandspirit.co.uk/blog/2005/12/04/whats-the-point-of-public-tongues/comment-page-1/#comment-413 Frank Emanuel Wed, 14 Dec 2005 22:30:42 +0000 http://markandsteph.plushost.co.uk/blog/?p=140#comment-413 I have to disagree. While there are surface elements to baptism and eucharist that are quite easily understood, there is something mysterious in them as well. It is at the level of interacting with symbols that this occurs. The best scriptural example of this is the Lukan Emmaus Road experience. Something about the recognition of Jesus was so profoundly moving that these fed up disciples who had travelled all day already, packed up everything and were heading back to Jerusalem within an hour. I have to disagree. While there are surface elements to baptism and eucharist that are quite easily understood, there is something mysterious in them as well. It is at the level of interacting with symbols that this occurs. The best scriptural example of this is the Lukan Emmaus Road experience. Something about the recognition of Jesus was so profoundly moving that these fed up disciples who had travelled all day already, packed up everything and were heading back to Jerusalem within an hour.

]]> By: Mark Heath http://www.wordandspirit.co.uk/blog/2005/12/04/whats-the-point-of-public-tongues/comment-page-1/#comment-453 Mark Heath Thu, 08 Dec 2005 08:28:33 +0000 http://markandsteph.plushost.co.uk/blog/?p=140#comment-453 As I have been discussing with Sven on his blog, I believe that both the tongues in 1 Cor and Acts 2 are addressed primarily to God (Acts 2:4,11 - they started speaking in tongues before there was an audience to hear them, and were heard to be declaring the works of God; 1 Cor 14:2 explicitly says that tongues are not addressed to men but to God, 1 Cor 14:14 sugests again that tongues are for prayer). Most charismatic churches I have been in teach this, and expect interpretations of tongues to be in the form of prayer, not prophecy. If Paul does see tongues and prophecy as "parallel", it is because when tongues are interpreted, they too can build up the body. As I have been discussing with Sven on his blog, I believe that both the tongues in 1 Cor and Acts 2 are addressed primarily to God (Acts 2:4,11 – they started speaking in tongues before there was an audience to hear them, and were heard to be declaring the works of God; 1 Cor 14:2 explicitly says that tongues are not addressed to men but to God, 1 Cor 14:14 sugests again that tongues are for prayer).

Most charismatic churches I have been in teach this, and expect interpretations of tongues to be in the form of prayer, not prophecy.

If Paul does see tongues and prophecy as “parallel”, it is because when tongues are interpreted, they too can build up the body.

]]> By: Jeremy Pierce http://www.wordandspirit.co.uk/blog/2005/12/04/whats-the-point-of-public-tongues/comment-page-1/#comment-452 Jeremy Pierce Wed, 07 Dec 2005 16:29:54 +0000 http://markandsteph.plushost.co.uk/blog/?p=140#comment-452 A tongue for public use to be interpreted would seem to be equivalent to a prophecy in its import. Paul seems to treat them as parallel. A tongue for public use to be interpreted would seem to be equivalent to a prophecy in its import. Paul seems to treat them as parallel.

]]> By: Dan http://www.wordandspirit.co.uk/blog/2005/12/04/whats-the-point-of-public-tongues/comment-page-1/#comment-451 Dan Wed, 07 Dec 2005 14:03:48 +0000 http://markandsteph.plushost.co.uk/blog/?p=140#comment-451 Got a great quote by Gordon Fee from his commentary on 1 Corinthians that I thought I might throw into the whole fascinating discussion; "Contrary to the opinion of many, spiritual edification can take place in ways other than through the cortex of the brain". I did pop it on my latest post, but thought I'd post it here for those who stay well away from a heretic like me!! It's a useful comment I think especially for those of us who like to use our minds a lot in the true Greek fashion. Let's not forget we have spirit's (and maybe souls too - if you're a tri-person). D x Got a great quote by Gordon Fee from his commentary on 1 Corinthians that I thought I might throw into the whole fascinating discussion;

“Contrary to the opinion of many, spiritual edification can take place in ways other than through the cortex of the brain”.

I did pop it on my latest post, but thought I’d post it here for those who stay well away from a heretic like me!! It’s a useful comment I think especially for those of us who like to use our minds a lot in the true Greek fashion. Let’s not forget we have spirit’s (and maybe souls too – if you’re a tri-person).

D x

]]> By: Mark Heath http://www.wordandspirit.co.uk/blog/2005/12/04/whats-the-point-of-public-tongues/comment-page-1/#comment-449 Mark Heath Wed, 07 Dec 2005 08:25:53 +0000 http://markandsteph.plushost.co.uk/blog/?p=140#comment-449 Ben, I think that you do often get a sense of broadly what you are praying about, but 1 Cor 14:14 suggests that this won't necessarily be the case. I do know of some people who interpret tongues who go up to the person who spoke in tongues after the meeting to ask whether they felt it was a genuine interpretation. I think this is probably a good practise, but I'm not sure it needs to be done publicly - the tongues speaker would feel under pressure to confirm the interpretation to save embarrassment for the interpreter. I'm not sure why you think an interpretation would be a "prophetic utterance". I think that it would be a prayer. Ben, I think that you do often get a sense of broadly what you are praying about, but 1 Cor 14:14 suggests that this won’t necessarily be the case.

I do know of some people who interpret tongues who go up to the person who spoke in tongues after the meeting to ask whether they felt it was a genuine interpretation. I think this is probably a good practise, but I’m not sure it needs to be done publicly – the tongues speaker would feel under pressure to confirm the interpretation to save embarrassment for the interpreter.

I’m not sure why you think an interpretation would be a “prophetic utterance”. I think that it would be a prayer.

]]> By: Mark Heath http://www.wordandspirit.co.uk/blog/2005/12/04/whats-the-point-of-public-tongues/comment-page-1/#comment-448 Mark Heath Wed, 07 Dec 2005 08:03:53 +0000 http://markandsteph.plushost.co.uk/blog/?p=140#comment-448 OK thanks Sven, I'll read and respond later. Unfortunately I have had to turn off trackback support on my blog thanks to getting over 100 spam trackbacks a day that were getting too time consuming to manage. OK thanks Sven, I’ll read and respond later.
Unfortunately I have had to turn off trackback support on my blog thanks to getting over 100 spam trackbacks a day that were getting too time consuming to manage.

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