Bible Question:
Is speaking in tongues ok in church, even if there may be non believers present? Is the Apostle Paul correcting an overuse and an unballanced behavior in the Corrinthian church 1 Cor 14? Is he saying that tongues in church is not a good thing. 1CO 14:18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. He latter says in 1CO 14:22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. Why do people then get upset when they hear tongues in Church? |
Bible Answer: "Speaking in tongues" and "speaking in an unknown tongue" are 2 different things. Read Acts. 2:7-12 for an example of "speaking in tongues". The Holy Spirit would interpret what the apostles said in a language the listener would be able to understand. However to "speak in an unknown tongue" is forbidden in puplic places of worship in the Bible unless there is an interpreter present to interpret what is being said - I Cor. 14:27-29. |