Bible Question: JLY: Reference: Post 114310. ..... What is the meaning of "tongues" as it is used in Acts 2:4? What is the meaning of "tongues" as you use it to describe the regular Sunday activity that takes place at the service you attend? Do they differ? If they do, how do they differ and why do they differ? You mention that every Sunday God talks to your congregation through a person's speaking in tongues. There is a passage in Scripture, Hebrews 1:2, which says this: "In these last days (God) has spoken to us in His Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom He made the world." If you will, please exegete this verse and offer us some means of comparing it with your congregation's practice of seeking God's message through a tongue-speaking member of the congregation. You speak of there being an interpretaton of these tongue-speaking episodes. Who is the interpreter, what are his credentials, and exactly how and by what (or whose) authority does he render his interpretations? These are posted as objective questions and as such seek objective, i.e., scripturally based and scripturally sound, answers. --Hank |
Bible Answer: First of all, I get the feeling that this is all new to you people speaking in tongues. Prophecy from Isaiah says this: Isa 28:11 “No, but with broken talk, and with a strange tongue, he will give his word to this people.” Tongues is just that, another language that’s given by God. Here at Pentecost tongues is given to the disciples after the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is generally a sign that someone has been baptised in the Holy Spirit when they begin to speak in tongues, but not always. You will know them by their fruit Jesus said, not by spiritual gifts. So the meaning of tongues in Acts 2:4 is simply a gift from the Holy Spirit, an other language to speak to God with, and its very helpful in every day prayer. And all of them were speaking in tongues together. How to I get that, verse 6 in Acts 2, “When they heard this sound………” One person talking doesn’t really cause that much of a noise but many talking together does and it attracted attention, and saved the lives of 3000 people that day. What’s the meaning of tongues as I have described it. The meaning is the same as in Acts 10:46: “And they were talking in tongues, and giving glory to God.” They were talking in tongues, not one person but they were all talking in tongues. It is not a command by the pastor of our church that we speak in tongues but as we are led by the Spirit. We sing praise and worship songs, sometimes for an hour or more and we get to a place where the Spirit of God just takes over and we begin to sing in tongues. Its most Sundays but there may be more people singing in tongues one week than there is the following week if you see what I mean. It is the most beautiful sound you could hear people singing praises to the Lord in tongues. It is used in giving glory to God. Hebrew’s 1:2 “Has” is the word here. God has spoken through Jesus, but do you think that is it. That God has stopped speaking to His people, what every happen to. I feel sorry for you if you have never heard the voice of God. The people in our fellowship who bring a prophetic word are either the prophets we have or one who is gifted with a prophetic word from the Lord. Not everyone has this gift. Jesus said this, Mar 16:17 “And miraculous signs will follow to those believing these things: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak new tongues;” Mat 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what you shall speak; for it shall be given you in that same hour what you shall speak. Proof of God speaking to His people. Do you think that you are left alone to walk out our salvation, is not the Holy Spirit given to help you. And here in the book of Acts: Act 19:6 And as Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Act 19:7 And all of the men were about twelve. And “they” spoke in tongues and “prophesied”. It doesn’t say, that they were twelve prophets but it does say that “they “ prophesied. It doesn’t matter what I say for you are to blind to accept the truth. So bless you. As I said to the other lad, whoever he is, out of a three hour service every Sunday tongues is sand or spoken for about ten minutes. The Corinthians were being told of by Paul for abusing tongues, we don’t. We move in all of the spiritual gifts, does your church.God bless you Hank, my namess John. |