rcj1 (02/23/83)
Let me start out by saying I am in no way a religious person. I attended a Catholic grammer and high school(Grad.'68). But after high school, about the only time I attended church was for a funeral or wedding. My kids have been attending a Pentecostal church for about 7 yrs. Within the last year or so my wife started to attend the same church. And just recently I have been attending on and off. In a recent Sunday service I was kinda just sitting back and observing a prayer segment of the service were everyone starts praying outloud when all of the sudden the Asst. Pastor started to speak in a way I have never heard or saw before!! Now I'm no expert on foreign languages, but I do know the difference between Spanish,French,Italian,Polish and a few others if I heard them but what I heard was neither. He spoke with such intensity and authority that I thought, hey, something's happening here!!! The person is a rather meek type person from talking with him so I thought this somewhat strange. He went on for about 30 sec. and stopped, after which I was kinda in awe of what I just seen and heard. (It gave me goose bumps). Did I witness Speaking in Tongues??? If so, what does it really mean? Comments,opinions anyone??? Send flames to /dev/null please.. Ray, ihuxi!rcj1
emma (02/23/83)
>From your description, it does sound as if you were indeed a witness to
speaking in tongues. As to what it means, it's hard to say.
Before I continue, let me mention that I am a Catholic (been one all my
life) and also attended a charismatic fellowship for some years while an
undergrad.
Biblically, the first instance of speaking in tongues occurred at Pentecost,
when the Spirit descended on the disciples cowering in the Upper Room. They
went outside and began preaching to a crowd of foreigners, who all understood
them in their own tongues.
In this instance, the gift of tongues appears to refer to a miracle of
speaking and being understood by all. Later, however, reference is made
to two related gifts, of speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues.
Also, mention is made that whenever there is speaking in tongues at a
meeting, there should also be an interpretation. To me, it seems most
likely that this refers to speaking in tongues as we know it today.
Tongues (in any form) died out after apostolic times. In 1904 (?), a
group praying together had a manifiestation, which sounds like what you
spoke of. (only two i's in manifestation, I know).
What is generally considered to be responsible when there are tongues in
an assembly is to ensure that the experience is edifying to the group as
a whole. This means that there should always be an interpretation after
tongues (also urged by Paul).
----------
Now a question back (and for the group) -- was this a manifestation of
the Spirit, or hysteria? Given that the Spirit is the correct answer,
what guidelines should be on speaking in tongues in an assembly (I use
that 'given', as if the answer to the first question is 'hysteria', the
answer to the second is obvious).
-Joe P.hutch (02/23/83)
Sorry to say this to the whole net, but mail don't go thru harpo, and , , , Yes, Ray, it seems you did witness an episode of speech in tongues. Tongues should be interpreted. If there was no one at that church who understood the episode, and translated it for the group, and if this is a consistent practice there, I would advise you to ask the pastor/minister/ whatever-they-call-the main-preacher about it. The speech in tongues is one of the most easily counterfeited manifestations of the Spirit, and if it is just the lay preacher (deliberately or unconsciously) doing it himself, then it leads to questions about the reliability of the leadership in that particular church. If it is not the Spirit of God speaking, (note that I am not asserting this, just advising that you be SURE) then it could be unsafe to be too deeply involved with taht church or individual. I can say with some assurance that your investigation will be backed by the collective prayers of the Christians who read this newsgroup. Good luck in your search for knowledge. Steve Hutchison