Is it absolutely necessary..?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Charlene on November 25, 2008 at 11:15pm

goood question!!! I wish i could answer it but i kno i cant wait to see some answers!!!

Peace and Blessings Charlene

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Permalink Reply by Karen Maurer on November 26, 2008 at 4:13am

Dear Littlesheep88 and Charlene,

My belief is "no" you don't have to speak in tongues to prove the HOLY SPIRIT lives in you. JESUS said, if we receive HIM and Believe in HIM, HE will send a Comforter, a Helper. Paul says that speaking in tongues is to be in a private place because it edifies self and not the church.

We do pray in the Spirit though. We start out, speaking for myself, a lot of times in my head, sometimes I write out my prayers through journaling, and the HOLY SPIRIT takes my pen and begins to answer and clear all confusion in my head and speaks to my heart! When we pray long enough and in the SPIRIT, HE does take over with groaning and noises we can't understand, but, I myself have never spoken in tongues, although it is a gift I would love to have as well as the gift of interpretation of that Heavenly Language.

Not to put out a critical attitude or spirit, listen to some of the people who speak in tongues...they say the same thing over and over and when I've heard a true speaking in tongues, it sounds like a Heavenly Language, different in tones and sounds and there is always an interpreter to reveal what is being said.

I don't believe you have to have the gift to have the HOLY SPIRIT, but, I believe if you pray for it, HE will give it to you, in HIS TIME!

I have been in churches where they try to tell and teach you how to start speaking in tongues by making sounds come out of your mouth and little by little you will get your own dialogue to repeat and repeat. I believe that is not of GOD, and could it be satan given you words to speak against the church? Just a thought of my own because it is coming from the flesh and not the SPIRIT!

There is nothing good in the flesh...so if it isn't coming from your spirit and GOD'S SPIRIT mingling together, don't go for it, don't believe it.

When you hear a real Speaker of Tongues, your spirit will bear witness with GOD'S SPIRIT and you will know.

Those who speak in tongues, saying the same thing over and over are consciencously or unconscienciously try to appear more spiritual. Pray for a 'Revelation' for them.

That's my belief in this topic.

In fact, I was praying so long and so hard about something one night, that the SPIRIT OF GOD took over in my spirit, and I believe if I would have opened my mouth, I would have spoken in tongues, but, I was praying in the SPIRIT quietly and HE took over my prayer when I ran out of words to pray. HE also does that with my pen when I am journaling.

I know the HOLY SPIRIT is in me and if you are Saved, HE is in you, speaking to you, guiding you, leading you, giving you words to say...just listen to HIM and forget all of these religious fanatics who want to seem to be more spiritual...do they get interpretations, have they ever gotten one? It makes me wonder who's words they are saying and who and what they are praying to.

Please remember, this is my experience with tongues, and not necessarily the truth, but, I've been a CHRISTIAN for sixteen years and have not spoken in tongues yet, but, I know THE HOLY SPIRIT has and does work through me.

Peace and have a GLORIOUS DAY IN OUR FATHER, LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THE HOLY GHOST!

LOVE IN JESUS,
Karen...><>...

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Permalink Reply by littlesheep88 on November 26, 2008 at 5:42pm

Thank you! What you wrote is similar to most of the things that Ive heard so far about this topic, through you It has been realized. Ive never heard of people who take classes to speak in tongues that is crazy. I know that only through the spirit can that be achieved. Thank you for your time and effort writing this!..I have another quick question...How do you pray in the spirit or how do you know your are praying in the spirit? Im full of questions but I won't bother you after this lol

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Permalink Reply by AAG Netguy on November 26, 2008 at 9:22am

Littlesheep,

Thanks for this good question. There are many differing viewpoints and much debate about the gift of tongues in the church. I include this article from www.gotquestions.org because it presents a biblical viewpoint and THAT is where we must get our information and not on the mere opinions of people:

Question: "Is speaking in tongues evidence for having the Holy Spirit?"

Answer: There are three occasions in the book of Acts where speaking in tongues accompanied the receiving of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:6). However, these three occasions are the only places in the Bible where speaking in tongues is an evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit. Throughout the book of Acts thousands of people believe in Jesus and nothing is said about them speaking in tongues (Acts 2:41; 8:5-25; 16:31-34; 21:20). Nowhere in the New Testament is it taught that speaking in tongues is the only evidence a person has received the Holy Spirit. In fact, the New Testament teaches the opposite. We are told that every believer in Christ has the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14), but not every believer speaks in tongues (1 Corinthians 12:29-31).

So, why was speaking in tongues the evidence of the Holy Spirit in those three passages in Acts? Acts chapter 2 records the apostles being baptized in the Holy Spirit and empowered by Him to proclaim the Gospel. The Apostles were enabled to speak in other languages (tongues) so they could share the truth with people in their own languages. Acts chapter 10 records the Apostle Peter being sent to share the Gospel with non-Jewish people. Peter and the other early Christians, being Jews, would have a hard time accepting Gentiles (non-Jewish people) into the church. God enabled the Gentiles to speak in tongues to demonstrate that they had received the same Holy Spirit that the apostles had received (Acts 10:47; 11:17).

Acts 10:44-47 describes this, “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 'Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.'” Peter later points back to this occasion as proof that God was indeed saving the Gentiles (Acts 15:7-11).

Speaking in tongues is not presented anywhere in the Bible as something Christians should expect when they receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and are therefore baptized in the Holy Spirit.. In fact, out of all the conversion accounts in the New Testament, only two record speaking in tongues in that context. Tongues was a miraculous gift that had a specific purpose for a specific time. It was not, and never has been, the evidence of the reception of the Holy Spirit.

Taken from http://www.gotquestions.org/tongues-Holy-Spirit.html

So, to answer your question... No, it is not absolutely necessary and it is no proof that the Holy Spirit is indwelling you. On the other hand, many believers do speak in tongues. The Bible gives us specific instructions on how tongues are to be used in 1 Corinthians 14. It also tells us we are not to forbid speaking in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:39).

Be wary of anyone who pressures you to speak in tongues or insists that you have some other kind of spiritual gift or "experience". They may infer you are somehow missing out, not really saved or are otherwise immature. This is the worst kind of spiritual elitism. It is unbiblical and manipulative.

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Permalink Reply by Leonard T on November 26, 2008 at 9:35am

Amen to what Greg has said.

I add only the following. Christians will be found in one of three basic camps on this issue.

Camp #1) The gift no longer exists.
Camp #2) The gift "is not the evidence" of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Camp #3) The gift "is the evidence " of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Christians, true believers in Christ, can be found in all three camps. The issue divides the body of Christ often and should not do so. Organizations have split, including the one I am a part of in the early 1900s (I wasn't there at the time, though:-). There has to be an understanding of acceptance of each towards the other regardless of which camp you find yourself in. For we are united in Jesus, not the gift of tongues.

The 1st and 3rd camp have the most to overcome in their differences on the subject, but even in that difference they must not look down on or reject the other because of their stance on the issue, for there is only one body and many parts.

I find myself in the second camp.

Lord Bless,
LT

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Permalink Reply by littlesheep88 on November 26, 2008 at 5:59pm

After reading the responses, I guess I find myself in the second camp aswell. Thank your for your reply!

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Permalink Reply by littlesheep88 on November 26, 2008 at 5:58pm

Thank you Greg for your reply and applying Biblical scriptures to explain! That way I can look and see for myself and understand it better (lucky for me I just started 1 Corinthians yesterday!). You have greatly helped me along with Charlene. Thank you for your time in responding!! God Bless!

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Permalink Reply by AAG Netguy on December 1, 2008 at 2:04pm

You are welcome, Littlesheep. I'm glad you found it helpful. I'm in Camp #2 myself.

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Permalink Reply by Carla on November 27, 2008 at 5:36am

Thank you Greg. This is something that had been on my mind as well.

1Cr 13:1 If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth [fn] but didn't love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal. The Bible says that Love is the greatest gift.

The evidence of a the Holy Spirit is the fruit:

Gal 5:22 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Gal 5:23 gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.

I Praise God for all of you...It is so great to be part of such a Christ honoring community.

Love in Christ, Carla

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Permalink Reply by Charlene on November 26, 2008 at 11:18pm

yess i was just thinking abou this disscussion earlier when 1 corinthinans came to mind and i was thinking there are different gifts of the sprirt but the same spirit works all the gifts in man, i am in the second camp also, and pray for the holy spirit to bless me with the gift of tounges to speak and inteerrput so i can fully edify the church and myself. Great answers here and i def also can testify to knowing the holy spirit is with me for he has blessed me with the spirit of discerment if i am in a situation or a doing or about to say something i kno i shouldnt the holy spirit puts me in check quick with conviction!! He truly is our helper!! Praise God and thank you

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Permalink Reply by Charlene on November 26, 2008 at 11:22pm

Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and [that] no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.


1Cr 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.


1Cr 12:5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.


1Cr 12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.


1Cr 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.


1Cr 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;


1Cr 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;


1Cr 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:


1Cr 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.


1Cr 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also [is] Christ.

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Permalink Reply by Rob on November 28, 2008 at 7:51pm

Littlesheep88 asked the question of what is 'Praying in the Spirit' and how does this differ from normal prayer? Or words very similar?
I have to admit that being very immature and new in my walk with Jesus I too have often heard about Praying in the Spirit but never quite understood what it actually meant. I have to confess I thought, and it might be something to do with the church I attend (it is a Pentecostal Church - who fall into Category 3 on the Speaking in Tongues scale), that praying in the spirit was praying in tongues.
I have also been told that if you want to speak in tongues you just have to pray for it. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you will find, knock and I will answer. Another big thing with speaking in tongues (again just what I have been told) is that it is an act of faith and that you have to take that step and just start speaking, making sounds, noises etc and that through persistence and the display of faith the Holy Spirit will take over and the speaking in tongues will start. It is also only through constant use of the gift that it will develop, like most things I guess - practice makes perfect. Some people have told me that they can even notice a change in dialect when they speak in tongues.
I would really appreciate some feedback. Feel free to take me apart, biblically, morally, ethically, common sensically. I am very seldom right on anything when it comes to my naivety in all things relating to my interpretation of the Bible and its message. I am desperate to learn though.
Thanks an blessings in advance.
Rob

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