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NASB | 1 Corinthians 13:1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 13:1 ¶ If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love [for others growing out of God's love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction]. |
Bible Question: Many people in my church speak in tongues- I have read about speaking in tongues, but don't really understand why I should want to and also why some feel that you have not been baptized in the Holy Spirit if you cannot speak in tongues. I have been told to pray for this gift, but it would be disingenuous to pray for something when I don't know why I want it. I have prayed for God to help me understand it better, but still I am confused. I wonder if I am not really reborn if I can't speak in tongues and am not sure I want to. |
Bible Answer: Speaking in tongues is one of those things that churchs argue about and I dont understand why when the Bible is very clear on what speaking in tongues is. I want to make sure you understand what the Scripture says speaking in tongues is. The first instance we have of speaking in tongues is in Acts chapter 2. The word you will find in the greek in the place of tongues is glossa and it can mean the tongue, the body part that is or a dialect or language used by a people distinct from that of other languages. The most we see his word used in a way to promote a spiritual gift or miracle from God is in 1 Corinthians. However the most supporting of what tongues is, is in Acts 2. Act 2:4 And they were all filled of the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Act 2:5 And dwelling at Jerusalem there were Jews, devout men out of every nation under heaven. Act 2:6 But this sound occurring, the multitude came together and were confounded, because they each heard them speaking in his own dialect. Act 2:7 And they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, Behold, are not these who speak all Galileans? Act 2:8 And how do we each hear in our own dialect in which we were born? Act 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Act 2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya around Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Act 2:11 Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking the great things of God in our own languages. From this we know that the gift of speaking in tongues as described in the Bible is something that happen when a person is speaking to a group of people of a different language and is under the influence of the Spirit and from this influence each person that they speak to no matter their nationality will hear what they have to say in his or her own language when the speaker has no prior knowledge of the language that they are being heard in. So can you speak in tongues? What does the Bible say about people speaking in tongues today? 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; Jesus said that speaking in tongues will be a sign of his power from those people who believe and do miraculous acts in his name. So how can you be sure that if someone who is claiming to speak in tongues is speaking in a language different than what they speak in. Well look at the congregation, would there be a reason for them to need to speak in another language, is there someone of a different language there? If not then be careful of that church. Also look at the 14th chapter of 1st Corinthian. No doubt speaking in tongues would be a most astounding gift but Paul says that it is a greater gift to have the gift of prophesy. Paul says it is a greater gift to speak in a plain and clear language and to prophesy to win souls and build up the church than to speak in different languages. Dont let this thing about tongues get you hung up if you dont get the gift. There are more important and greater things and it may not be what God has in store for you and trust me if he doesnt and give you another gift you will lead more people to him than if you were speaking in tongues because whatever he gives to you it will be for you specifically. |