Is speaking in tongues required for ALL Christians?

Marilyn - posted on 11/07/2009

Yes,the Father,Son,and Holy Spirit are all one...that is called the Trinity...i believe that the tongues were used back then,but not now..but read the Spiritual gifts.1 Corinthians12;1Cor13;1Cor14.read these chapters and get a commentary.and study ..

Krystalyn - posted on 11/07/2009

The holy sprit is part of the trinity i,e The Father,Son and Holy Spirit.
All different but all one aswell. From what I have been taught and witnessed
the holy spirit is a part of God who communicates with your spirit man.
And yes the holyspirit is aka the comforter. I personally believe you do not have to have the gift of speaking in tongues, And being baptized in the Holy spirit comes in many different manifestations other than tongues. And it is a prayer language between you and God and That Satan can not understand....it confuses him and makes him angry that he doesnt know what you are praying for so he can come against your prayers.
You can pray and asked to recieve that...but God mmay just not be ready for you to recieve it. I was baptized by the holyspirit when I was 8 and began speaking in tongues.
This gift does not have to be done in private, does not have to be done only at church and you dont always have an interpiter to speak in toungues its just as the holy Spirit leads you.

Leslie-Ann - posted on 11/07/2009

If you have Christians tellingy ou that you should be able to speak in tongues they are probably some weird cult or something. I've been a Christian all my life and never heard such a thing.
God, Jesus, and The Holy Ghost are considered "The Trinity" the are all one and the same. The Holy Ghost is most mentioned in the old testament when the Bible refers to so and so hearing the voice of the Holy Ghost or speaking to The Holy Ghost..who is just God that they couldn't see. When you are saved, it means you have repented of all your sins and have asked Jesus into your heart. One you have been saved you can't be "unsaved" thats it for life. Baptism is a ritual suggested in the Bible because it signifies washing away the old you while having the "new" you emerge. I highly recommend it.

Rhonda - posted on 11/07/2009

Speaking in tongues is considered a spiritual gift and we each have different gifts! Just because you don't have this gift, it doesn't mean you're not a Christian! What's important is that personal relationship with Jesus as your Lord and Savior! I hope this helps!

Just - posted on 11/07/2009

Speaking in tongues is not a requirement...from what I understand...it is a gift...I have only been to a pentacostal church once and that is where I learned about it. I am a Baptist so really only know what I have learned. Yes, the Holy Ghost/Spirit are one in the same. I don' think you have to be baptized to be a Christian but at the same time it is a public confirmation of your decision. When I was baptized I almost fell backwards in the water in front of like almost 300 people...it was at a big church...scary and embarrasing but I did it and you can too if you want to. You may want to talk to a different preacher to get the other answers you seek or check the Bible and see if you can find anything in there...should be something I would think. Best wishes.

Christina - posted on 11/07/2009

Monica,

This is absolutely not true! I have been raised Christian. I have NEVER spoken in tongues. It is not a requirement of the faith at all. I suggest finding a new church that doesn't push it on you. Not all Christian churches make you feel you are less than worth because you can't do it. Its a gift. However, not everyone has the same gifts! God created everyone to be different. He didn't make the same "mold" for all people. I hope this helps you!

Stacy - posted on 11/07/2009

When you accept Christ as your Savior, that is when the Holy Spirit/Ghost comes to live in your heart. Baptism is not required for salvation, but it's a symbol of your new life in Christ. Not all Christians have been given or will be given the gift of speaking in tongues. In fact, I don't personally know any Christians with that gift. Only some are given that gift, just like with other gifts. We all have gifts, but not the same ones.

Andrea - posted on 11/07/2009

yes the holy ghost/spirit are the same thing as well as god and jesus. no not all chritians have to speak in tounges we are all givin differant gifts if someone has the gift of tounges someone has to be able to translate what is being said. being baptised is biblical and you should do it when God tells you to not when your pastor tells you to. if this is the way your church handles this mabey it is time to consider a new church.

Teresa - posted on 11/07/2009

Monica, the only thing that is "required" of Christians is that we believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins and that he rose again and is in Heaven waiting for us. Speaking in tongues is a gift that is given by the Holy Spirit. It is another form of worship. One of my mentors described it as praying when she didn't know what to pray... speaking in the heavenly language. God knows our hearts and our deepest desires, so he isn't, thankfully, relying on us to be able to know how to voice our prayers. Now, does it make you less of a Christian if you do not speak in tongues? Absolutely NOT! Continue to be a faithful steward of the gifts God has given you. If it is truly your desire to speak in tongues, God knows this and is faithful. Remember, it is all in His perfect timing. Years to us could be just seconds in God's time.

Maria - posted on 11/07/2009

Monica, when you were born God breath life into your form.....this life giving breath does not leave you it only goes dormant in you until such time as you acknowledge the living spirit in you and accept it as your guiding light and it is also true that we are born with all the gifts but some are more enhanced because we exercise them more often...so my prayer for your is that you'll exercise speaking to the Lord more and more and you'll see before you know it you'll speak in a tongue that the Lord will give you.



Prayer-Spirit of the Living God come now and grow my Faith, come and deepen my Hope and come and strengthen my Love and water within each me the desire to be Your faithful friend, and servant of your truth forever. Amen

Stephanie - posted on 11/07/2009

Thank you for backing up everything that you said with scripture. There are too many people giving their opinions and not telling what the Word of God says.

Stephanie - posted on 11/07/2009

I had a lot of the same questions a few years ago, but the God directed me to my Pastor and scripture to give me understanding. I also knew I had the Holy Ghost but I didn't speak in tongues. It wasn't until I submitted myself to God and allowed the Holy Ghost to move anyway he wanted that I spoke in tongues. I hope that this helps. Romans 8:9 says " But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his". The Spirit of Christ is the Holy Ghost. The evidence of the Holy Ghost is speaking in tongues: Acts 2:4 "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance". Speaking in tongues is not for charasmatic or conservative churches, it is for those who are filled with the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38 says " Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost". As stated in this scripture, the Holy Ghost is a gift, but God promises that he will give it to you. Salvation is a gift but unfortunately everyone doesn't accept it. Just like the Holy Ghost, God doesn't have any respective persons to which he gives the Holy Ghost, its just whether or not YOU choose to accept HIM. The Holy Ghost is God's Spirit in us, he gave it to us so that we would never be without HIM. In John 14:16, Jesus told the disciples that HE will leave a comforter (the Holy Ghost) when he goes back to his father.Just thank God for the Holy Ghost because by faith you have it, keep seeking him diligently until he moves. I will be praying with you on this. God Bless u!

Dana - posted on 11/07/2009

Yes, Holy Spirit and Holy Ghost are the same...No you don't have to speak in tongues. When you receive Christ as your saviour, you also receive the Holy Spirit. There are those who belive that there is a separate "baptism" of the Holy Spirit after conversion...I don't find that supported in scripture.

Elyssa - posted on 11/06/2009

Quoting Deborah:

Quoting Lauren:

Quoting Elyssa:

yu have to beilieve and recieve the girft from God. its a way to speak directly to God, yu know when yu pray Jesus goes on your behalf to ask God whatever it is that yu prayed for, but if yu speak with tounges your speaking to him yourself

Where did this idea come from?

There seems to be a little bit of the 'prosperity gospel' creeping in here. As if God is our magic Genie to grant our every wish. Part of the above , to my knowledge is true. Jesus does pray for us before the Father, we are told this in scripture. But it isn't a recipe for our our every desire. Just because we 'believe' or desire to have certain does not mean that God will give them to us. Even if God does gives a particular gift, it may only be for a season. As for if we speak in tongues we are speaking to God ourselves. This implies that those who do not speak in tongues can not speak directly to God. If that is the case, I have wasted a lot of years in prayer both for myself and for others, because I don't have the gift of tongues. I also have a lot of good friends who have been very faithful prayer warriors all of their lives, 60-70years who also don't speak in tongues. Does this mean that their prayers have gone unheard or is it just that somewhere along the way we have gotten lost with our teaching in our churches. 

THANK YU for backing me up!!!! LOL where did this idea come from LOL hilarious

April - posted on 11/06/2009

According to the Word everyone has their unique gifts from God. I am not against speaking in tongues, but that is not a confirmation of the Holy Spirit and people who do not speak tongues are not any less saved than someone who does. I have only felt the slight utterance to speak tongues during a very strong time of prayer and worship in the quiet of my home. I think that denominations who make speaking in tongues a pre-requisite or make an entire ministry out of it are possibly exploiting it in order to make themselves appear "more spiritual". I think it is a private conversation between God and His saints , if anything. We must accept the entire Word instead of picking and choosing.

Blessings!

Sandra - posted on 11/06/2009

this reply is right on....!!!

Amy - posted on 11/06/2009

Quoting Michelle:

Hi Monica-

When you repent and accept Christ in your life, you do receive the Holy Spirit. However, that baptism in the Holy Spirit is a separate encounter. In Acts 2:4 the people were already believers in Christ yet they had not yet been baptised in the Spirit. That was a separate encounter.

Regarding speaking in tongues, there is speaking in tongues (your heavenly prayer language which you have a right to and it you communicating with God - the devil doesn't understand it either). Then there's the gift of the interpretation of tongues - This is when someone gets up in public and gives a message in tongues and can interpret in English.

The spiritual gift of interpretation of tongues is as the Holy Spirit wills. However, speaking in tongues edifies you and builds you up (Jude 1:20), while receiving an interpretation of tongues in for example church, edifies the church (1 Corinthians 14:5)

Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 12, Acts 2

Also, remember God is not a respecter of persons. If you haven't been baptised in the Holy Spirit, you can ask the Lord and yes He will. You have to open to receive. When you ask the Father in Jesus' Name for the baptism in the Holy Spirit, you receive Him by faith just like you would receive anything else by faith.

Hope this helps. I used to have these questions earlier in my Christian walk and many people came with their own interpretations. Your best and only source is the Word of God. Ask the Holy Spirit to un-confuse you and to enlighten your mind and He will do it. God Bless !

Amen and amen!! Speaking in tongues is a sign that you have received the Holy Spirit! It will come as your walk with Christ and the Holy Spirit matures...some receive it as soon as they are baptized in the Holy Spirit, while others may take a few days...have faith..All things are possible to those who believe! (Mark 9:23). and  "Then Jesus came to them and said 'All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make  disciples off all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age'". Matt. 28:18-20. He said to the ," Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not wbelieve will be condemned. and these sign will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons, they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poson, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people and they will get well." Mark 16:15-18. God Bless you in your walk and stay in faith and don't worry about what those "religious people" think! Do what the word says to do. Remember the Blessings of Abraham are yours! (Deut. 28:1-68). It is written!

Rhonda - posted on 11/06/2009

Speaking in Tongues is Not a requirement at all. The common misconception is that there is a specific way of going about things. I can't speak in Tongues but I have a love language with our Father and it happens to be through song. When I am able to connect with the holy spirit on such a powerful level, I open my mouth and song is what comes out. Not a song I wrote or even a song ever heard before. I don't know where it comes from but it is beautiful to him, this I know because I can see him smile at me while I sing to him. Your walk with Christianity is yours and his alone and very personal. What ever order these thing come to you is the right order. I experienced the Holy Spirit/Ghost before I was baptized. Although I was baptized as a young girl but had no idea what it meant. As of two days ago I was baptized again and it was very emotional and meaningful. If you are wanting to ask for the Holy Spirit/ Ghost then just make sure you are asking the right Person. Only God can give you the essential gifts that you need to know more about him. Other Christians can help lead and guide you but it is only our Father God that can and will (if you allow him) show you the way. Ask him through prayer and he will hear you. He knows your heart better then you do. God is Great!

Michelle - posted on 11/06/2009

Quoting Joanne:

To be saved, you need to ask and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior, and believe in the same. It is a simple as that. Lead a Christian life. accept that you make mistakes and will fall back, but that Jesus died on the cross for your sins. As for the speaking in tongues, I do not believe it is a "requirement". ( see above) I think that if you do speak in tongues, that is between you and God. God promises to save, comfort, lead all believers that ask for his help. The key word is BELIEVERS. There have always been priests, prophits, naysayers that would cloud the issues. Believe that if you accept Jesus as your savior, you will be saved. Its really that simple.

I agree with Joanne. Speaking in tongues is not a requirement for salvation but it sure does make life easier being able to pray in your heavenly language!  Also, speaking in tongues is the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit (not baptism in water) and not the evidence of salvation.  The evidence of your salvation is seen by how you live your life as a believer.

Michelle - posted on 11/06/2009

Hi Monica-

When you repent and accept Christ in your life, you do receive the Holy Spirit. However, that baptism in the Holy Spirit is a separate encounter. In Acts 2:4 the people were already believers in Christ yet they had not yet been baptised in the Spirit. That was a separate encounter.

Regarding speaking in tongues, there is speaking in tongues (your heavenly prayer language which you have a right to and it you communicating with God - the devil doesn't understand it either). Then there's the gift of the interpretation of tongues - This is when someone gets up in public and gives a message in tongues and can interpret in English.

The spiritual gift of interpretation of tongues is as the Holy Spirit wills. However, speaking in tongues edifies you and builds you up (Jude 1:20), while receiving an interpretation of tongues in for example church, edifies the church (1 Corinthians 14:5)

Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 12, Acts 2

Also, remember God is not a respecter of persons. If you haven't been baptised in the Holy Spirit, you can ask the Lord and yes He will. You have to open to receive. When you ask the Father in Jesus' Name for the baptism in the Holy Spirit, you receive Him by faith just like you would receive anything else by faith.

Hope this helps. I used to have these questions earlier in my Christian walk and many people came with their own interpretations. Your best and only source is the Word of God. Ask the Holy Spirit to un-confuse you and to enlighten your mind and He will do it. God Bless !

Joanne - posted on 11/06/2009

To be saved, you need to ask and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior, and believe in the same. It is a simple as that. Lead a Christian life. accept that you make mistakes and will fall back, but that Jesus died on the cross for your sins. As for the speaking in tongues, I do not believe it is a "requirement". ( see above) I think that if you do speak in tongues, that is between you and God. God promises to save, comfort, lead all believers that ask for his help. The key word is BELIEVERS. There have always been priests, prophits, naysayers that would cloud the issues. Believe that if you accept Jesus as your savior, you will be saved. Its really that simple.

Sletta - posted on 11/06/2009

I grew up in a Penticostal church, later in life I went to a Friends Church that was based from Omish, and now I go to a community church that has all types of religions in attendance. No! You don't HAVE to talk in other tounges (language) to be filled with the Holy Ghost (spirit). That is just one of several gifts that you may receive from God. In fact it usually scares others around us to even know we have that gift, because so very few people talk about it and others haven't experienced it, so they are afraid of the unknown. If you want it ask for it in prayer, and don't be afraid of what comes out of your mouth, God the father knows exactly what every babble means - kind of like when babies begin to talk. Some people believe you must always have an interpitation when you speak in tounges, but I have prayed in the spirit for almost 30 yrs and when I use it most is when I feel I need to pray for someone else, but I don't know why. I find that I don't need to know why, because God knows why and he just needs me to be his vessel and do the praying. I believe both parties are blessed in that manner - the other person, because God has heard my prayer for them, and me because God chose me to be his vessel in that time of need. May God Bless you with many gifts in your life and I pray that praying in tounges will be one of them. Praise God in ALL Things. Sletta Rein from Longview,WA

Sheila - posted on 11/06/2009

this is an easy answer to me, but I go to a great bible believing church that says look to the bible for your answers. Anyway, I don't want to go against what your Pastor is teaching and you should be loyal to him or find a new church if you can't be loyal to his teaching and Preaching. All speaking in tongues is is speaking in a foreign language. If you look in the bible, you will find that the only time someone spoke in tongues was when they were witnessing to people about Christ. Also, Jesus promised that when he left us, he would leave us the Holy Ghost (or Spirit). When you accept Christ as your Saviour, the Holy Ghost enters your body. Acts 2 needs to be read in context. Keep reading through verse 11 I believe....you will see that during Pentecost, God gave them the ability to speak to all 5000 in their native tongues. So it was not some weird spooking language that only God could understand, but it was the native languages of all the people gathered so they could all get the gospel. Read through chapter 11. I use the King James because it hasn't omitted verses like so many other versions have. I hope this helps, but once again, I don't want to go against your Preacher if he's teaching different. But please look to the bible yourself and read all you can about it. God will reveal it to you. Once again, 1. everyone who accepts Christ will have the Holy Ghost dwelling in them. that was Christ's promise to us. and 2. speaking in tongues in the bible was only when they were speaking in a foreign language to lead others to Christ. In I Corinthians 12:1-12, Paul discusses the varies gifts Christians have and he also says we don't all have them all.....

Soladia - posted on 11/06/2009

Quoting Victoria:

Speaking in Tongues is available to all born again Christian who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, it's an evidence that you have received the Holy Spirit. Tongues are received by faith, as your Pastor said if you don't have them you can ask for them. Tongues are a prayer language, for instance when we don't know what to pray over a situation we can pray in tongues. Pray in the spirit. It is our spirit speaking directly to God in heavenly tongues & by-passing the understandable language.

Just because you haven't received tongues doesn't mean that you haven't been baptized in the Holy Spirit.

I have included a few scripture about speaking in tongues, I trust they are helpful.

Acts 2:3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Ro 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

Mr 16:17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

Ac 10:46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said,

Ac 19:6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

1Co 12:10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

1Co 12:28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.

Co 14:18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

1Co 14:39 Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

May God bless you & reveal Himself to you.

Agree 100%  Thanks for quoting scripture as this will help people understand 100% .

Megan - posted on 11/06/2009

Ok I know that this is a very contraversial subject but I will just tell you what I have learned from my studies. My family just recently left our home church due to an issue ver similar to this. First of all, Baptims is necesary but as an act of obediance because this is what Christ tells us to do. The theif on the cross was not taken down and babptize but we know that Christ told him he would be in heaven. Secondly, speaking in tongues, was used at Pentecost because it was NECESSARY to communicate to all the people present. The people there where not of one geographical nation so they did not all speak the same language. If the disciples had not been eble to speak in tongues on that day they would have only been speaking to a small portion of that group. I'm sure that this so far is something that has not eluded anyone who has studied this so I go on. Christ, the Holy Spirit, The Three in One, The Alpha and Omaga, Our Lord gives us what is necessary to meet the challenges tha have been set before us. So we are given the gift of speaking in tongues, or any other gift, when it is NECESSARY. I can not speak for the majority of us but I know that I have to been in a situation in which it is a necessity for me to share the word with someone who will not understand if I speak in the language that I know. There are churches out there which do believe that ever person should be speaking in tongues but who are they speaking to? And for my understanding (please if I am off on this one then I apologize) there is usually no one to translate the unknown tongue back into the original language of the person or group.
I hope that I have been able to give you some information that will help you with your questions

Melissa - posted on 11/06/2009

Speaking in Tongues is the proof that you actually recieved the Holy Ghost just as the new born baby cries to let the doctor know it is alive and well we speak with tongues to show that we have beed reborn. in the Holy Ghost.

Melissa - posted on 11/06/2009

The scripture is Acts 2:38 and it says, and Peter said unto them repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall recieve the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you and to your children and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Violet - posted on 11/06/2009

No. Speaking in tongues is one of the gifts from God; and not all of us have that gift. Is every Christian a Pastor (that's a calling) but is every Christian a teacher? no, not all of us have the gift of teaching either... so straight up; the answer to your question would be no.

Valerie - posted on 11/06/2009

Speaking in tounges is very controversial. I think it's a very valuable tool but not required for salvation. Many people I know do not have the manifestation of speaking in tongues and I know they love the Lord and are following Him. part of my calling is intercession and warfare so I use it and need it a lot of times. The Holy spirit knows things we don't and can work through us.

Mark 16:17-18 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

It is a beautiful thing to be able to communicate that way with God. You can feel His presence in it but it is not required, just available to all. Pray about it and let God lead you. Have peace about it first but there is nothing to fear from it.

Monica - posted on 11/06/2009

I sincerely want to thank everyone for their comments. I appreciate everyone's help.

Kitty - posted on 11/06/2009

Wow, there is a lot here and I don't have time to read all of it, so if I state something that has already been said, please forgive. I am sure with you all being moms, you understand time constraints!



In the Bible, when it mentions, "speaking in tongues" it is talking about other languages. The word for tongues was the same word used for language. To speak in another tongue only meant to speak another language. There were many languages spoken in each place at that time and to hear the good news in your native tongue from someone who had not learned your language and then to have someone else be able to translate it BACK into their language...who had never learned your language was a miracle indeed. The relatively "modern" occurance of emitting senseless sounds, especially when there is no one to translate is really something that has only been done in the last few hundred years and MAY even stem from pagan rituals, just as Christmas and Easter were pagan rituals. I haven't done much research into this area because I don't see much use, which is why I say MAY. In any case, if you do not speak in tonuges (in the modern sense of the term), it in no way effects your relationship with God. In the Bible, it states to one is given one gift and to another another gift. It doesn't say we all have the same exact gifts. God knows your heart and if you have any questions, you can always go to him. Do not trust man, only trust God.



One more thing about the pagan ritual. Though so many of us Christians DO celebrate pagan rituals, as long as we are doing it to glorify God we have changed what was once pagan and turned it into yet another vehicle to glorify the one true living God. If speaking in tongues makes you feel you are glorifying God (and not for your own edification) AND you do it with God in your heart (and not your own will) then I don't see that it would be a bad thing.

Pamela - posted on 11/06/2009

firstly may i say,praise god that there are so many different oppinions! if there was not we would not have anything to discuss!! you see no matter what church you attend or group you are part of fellowship will always be important.even when you are not in church on a sunday you can still have fellowship with your christian and even non christian friends and family! i have spent alot of my time with god throwing unbelievers into my path who all now have a different attitude towards god and the church,i think this is why god saved me so so many other people who to others and some churches would not give the time of day,may be saved and also given a purpose.i once attended a church with a pastor who too believed that everyone SHOULD have the gift of tounges and would tell some people that if they did not that they needed prayer for some sin or that they must pray harder,i disagreed with this notion even though i was a babe in the lord! this made so many of us feel guilty or that maybe we didnt have the holy spirit!!!wrong we all do,and jesus says the only awy to enter heaven is through him and believeing that he died for our sins,for god so loved the world he gave his only begotten son so that all could recieve the gift of the holy spirit and be forgiven for thier sins! this promise is to us and our children,correct?yes yes yes it is so! we all have different gifts and i agree that you truly know your importance to god when you have trials in your life,for the enemy wouldnt bother you if he wasnt trying to steal you from god! well this is impossible as the devil is a lier and will try to make you believe that if you sin god does not love you??no no no this is why jesus died so we can be forgiven god knew that we would always sin! like the scripture about stoning people to death...let he who has not sinned cast the first stone!! nobody could do this why?because our flesh is weak,but praise god for jesus and that we can be forgiven,only god can know truly about the gift of tounges and i believe that the bible is designed as just a guide for encouragement and a guide of how to be more like our lord! you cannot possibly translate the any of the bibles books into modern day language as it was all written in ancient language so unless you interperate each sentance and word into this language you will never have a true translation it is the only way! i personally stick to my king james bible as i think it is as close as it gets.the world is very differant to 2000 yrs ago!for this i think god needs us to adjust.therefore i just do what the spirit leads me too,and i pray for wisdom every day.thankyou jesus.

Kathy - posted on 11/06/2009

Monica,

I think your pastor is sincere in telling you NEED the Holy Ghost/Spirit but it can place a type of religious pressure that it's now your responsiblity to GET IT! I do have the Holy Ghost/Spirit and I do speak with UNKNOWN tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance so I need to also let you know that He not only is a comforter but with the Holy Spirit speaking in an unknown tongue is only one of the evidence, initial one, but only one.

This is being stressed in and around you because of the "end times" that we are now living in. Think of this way....If someone very special in your life offered you a gift would you look at them and say, gee, I already have so many gifts and I really don't need this one....Is that what we do to our Heavenly Father. It's a gift wrapped up and you don't have a clue what's on the inside of the package.

I could quote you scripture and after scripture of why you would "need" the Holy Ghost/Spirit but until you have the desire to have that gift, you will not even pursue it! Hunger for it and even do your own Biblical Research. I hope I don't sound ugly because I really am not trying to sound this way.

I was raised in very strict religious rules and then my denomination decides after I'm grown to change those rules. I'm not bitter or angry either, I just don't want this to happen to another generation and you feel like it's a rule to have the Holy Ghost??? He by the way is a 3rd God-Head person. The Holy Ghost/Spirit is referred to in the Word as a person just as Christ and God the Father.

Don't seek the tongues....that's wrong.....seek to know more of the person - Holy Spirit...He's wonderful, gently, kind, He does not lead you down the wrong path, He's faithful, caring, protective. There's so much more to Him than just the tongues.

Ashlee - posted on 11/05/2009

ok, ive grown up in the church my whole life. and what we believe is that it helps your relationship with God, it is your spirit talking to him and praying to him its a new deeper form of worship almost. you dont need to be speaking in tounges and its not a REQUIREMENT there are many Christans that dont speak in tounges.. but everybody CAN. it is such a wonderful amazing gift that God has givin us. but im sure it will happen when you are ready, the holy ghost lives inside of you.

Shelley - posted on 11/05/2009

Our Pastor teaches that speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift. He is not able to speak in tongues. I believe being baptized is a symbolic ritual representing that you have been washed cleaned, marked by the father son & holy spirit. The best prayer for me is to ask the holy spirit to fill me, lead my life and if its the Lord's will then let it be and it shall be done. Find comfort in praying for the Lord's guidance and grace and for the holy spirit to help me/us be "Jesus with Skin on" and I do not pray this speaking in tongues. There is a little song that goes He's still working on me, to make me who I need to be. Even after you become a Christ follower, there will be challenges and remember if you find yourself in a valley then it is usally when the most work will be done by the Lord if you seek him for guidance. I believe when we are broken and down and out and then fixed by the Lord you are receiving the most precious gift of all. Only after several years of attending church do I now really see and believe this. Amazing!

Sondra - posted on 11/05/2009

I believe I have a unique perspective here, first being a "PK"(preacher's kid), growing up Baptist, and having been a member of a COGIC, I think that for one thing, denominations are a man made way of serving God. They were created based on the ways some people interpreted the Bible. Some denominations believe in speaking in tongues and some don't. But I really don't think it matters to God. We are all serving the same God no matter what denomination we choose, so I would think that whether you speak in tongues or not is all about what feels right for you. When I was a member of the COGIC church, I did speak in tongues. It felt right for me. I hate that men created these denominations because they divide God's people. No one denomination is right or better than another, (at least I don't feel that way). And I don't think God's going to look at a Baptist any differently than he would a Lutheran, Apostolic or Church of God In Christ. What it all boils down to is we are all Christians.

Rhonda - posted on 11/05/2009

maybe that is not one of your spiritual gifts maybe your gifts are something else ask your pastor to help you in trying to find your gift

Jordan - posted on 11/05/2009

It's not necessary to speak in tongues to have the Holy Spirit. That was taken care of when you became saved. All denominations have different beliefs and I don't want to get too theological, but I will say that tongues is a special prayer language between you and God. It does not have to be translated if prayed aloud in church and it was not meant to be for the church. Just like when you are praying in English (or your native language) aloud in church, but it wasn't meant for the entire congregation to hear. It's still between you and God. Whether it's in church or private is up to you. That is what I believe. Hope this helps.

Anne - posted on 11/05/2009

When you recieved God as your Lord and personal saviour,automatically the Holy Ghost/Holy spirit our comforter is already in you...It doesn't based if you can speak in tounges or not. The Holy Spirit is God himself.... And as a Christian,He's always with us wherever we go.

Victoria - posted on 11/05/2009

Speaking in Tongues is available to all born again Christian who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, it's an evidence that you have received the Holy Spirit. Tongues are received by faith, as your Pastor said if you don't have them you can ask for them. Tongues are a prayer language, for instance when we don't know what to pray over a situation we can pray in tongues. Pray in the spirit. It is our spirit speaking directly to God in heavenly tongues & by-passing the understandable language.

Just because you haven't received tongues doesn't mean that you haven't been baptized in the Holy Spirit.

I have included a few scripture about speaking in tongues, I trust they are helpful.

Acts 2:3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Ro 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

Mr 16:17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

Ac 10:46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said,

Ac 19:6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

1Co 12:10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

1Co 12:28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.

Co 14:18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

1Co 14:39 Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

May God bless you & reveal Himself to you.

Deborah - posted on 11/05/2009

Quoting Lauren:

Quoting Elyssa:

yu have to beilieve and recieve the girft from God. its a way to speak directly to God, yu know when yu pray Jesus goes on your behalf to ask God whatever it is that yu prayed for, but if yu speak with tounges your speaking to him yourself

Where did this idea come from?

There seems to be a little bit of the 'prosperity gospel' creeping in here. As if God is our magic Genie to grant our every wish. Part of the above , to my knowledge is true. Jesus does pray for us before the Father, we are told this in scripture. But it isn't a recipe for our our every desire. Just because we 'believe' or desire to have certain does not mean that God will give them to us. Even if God does gives a particular gift, it may only be for a season. As for if we speak in tongues we are speaking to God ourselves. This implies that those who do not speak in tongues can not speak directly to God. If that is the case, I have wasted a lot of years in prayer both for myself and for others, because I don't have the gift of tongues. I also have a lot of good friends who have been very faithful prayer warriors all of their lives, 60-70years who also don't speak in tongues. Does this mean that their prayers have gone unheard or is it just that somewhere along the way we have gotten lost with our teaching in our churches. 

RACHAEL - posted on 11/05/2009

Remember the Lord says in the bible that "Thou shall receive power after the Holy Ghost come upon you" when you give your life to Jesus God already given you the power of Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongue is a confirmation of His word. When you pray in spirit you are welcoming the presence of God and confusing the devil. God bless

Sally - posted on 11/04/2009

not all christians speak in toungues.the lord blesses everyone with diffrent gifts and speaking in tongues is one of them.the holy spirit is a free gift from god to everyone after batisim.

Kara - posted on 11/04/2009

Lauren is dead on with the spiritual gifts...there are lots of them and not everyone has them all. Speaking in tongues and a prayer language are not a salvation issue. You will not "go to hell" if you don't speak in tongues but if you want that gift you can ask god for it. No spiritual gift is more important than other and God gives them to those who will use them for his will and his glory. Yes it will help you to grow closer to God but not if you are not ready for it. In fact I don't think that God would give that gift to you if you aren't ready. The important part is your personal relationship with God, being lead by the holy spirit to do God's will and asking Godly people for their advice....by the way the Holy Spirit will guide you, your conscience, to people who will give you Godly advice. Just remember to ask God for that guidance. So all in all it just comes down to praying and asking God where your relationship should go.

Lori - posted on 11/04/2009

I was raised to believe that speaking in tongues was the fact that another language came to you an dyou could talk to someone else. Like all of a sudden I could talk to a spanish speaking person without ever learning their language. I now know different. I started attending a full gospel church and heard others talk about speaking in tongues. If they had told me I had to do it, then I would have left. We do not have to do anything, but believe that Jesus is the son of God, he died for our sins, and rose again on the third day. That is it. When we belive, the holy spirit comes into our heart to guide us and teach us how to live a victorious life.

My mother used to tell me that if I needed to pray and didn't have words just focus on God's power and all him to commune to me with my spirit. I did not utter any noises. I did cry at times before I began to speak in tongues. Once I started going to the full gospel church, I prayed that God would show me what his will was. I prayed that if there was something to being baptistized in the holy spirit, that he would teach me as I was hungry for everything he had for me. He showed up to me through a total stranger in Arizona at a school retreat. I live in Oklahoma. My new friend told me things about myself that a stranger would not know. He then laid hands on me, and prayed for me. From that time, I have prayed in tongues. I never feel called to do it in public. I only do it in prayer. I will speak in front of my children, but always seem to get the words of the prayer after I do. The gospel is true. The relationship with Christ builds, and builds. and as it builds, he gives you victory over things in life.

If your pastor is trying to put boundaries on your relationship with Christ, then he is in need of prayer for a discerning spirit, heart of mercy, and life of victory. God breaks all boundaries, rules, and laws set forth by man.

Monica - posted on 11/04/2009

Quoting Elin:

What denomination are you? This is a controvertial topic since denominations have their own view on the matter! I would love to discuss with you!

I am non-denominational.

Keneesha - posted on 11/04/2009

Hello Monica

No, speaking in tongues is not a requirement for all Christians. In fact not everyone who speaks it can interpret it. It says in the bible the nine gifts are spread among God's children and it says that no one person has all the gifts. These gifts also come without repentence, which means they are born in us to be able to use with God's holy spirit/ghost, should we choose to become part of the body of Christ. I think God allows us to experience the gifts individually because it forces us to work together for his purpose and not act selfishly or arrogantly. I will look up the scriptures that talk about the nine gifts and send you which book the information comes from.

Lauren - posted on 11/04/2009

Quoting Elyssa:

yu have to beilieve and recieve the girft from God. its a way to speak directly to God, yu know when yu pray Jesus goes on your behalf to ask God whatever it is that yu prayed for, but if yu speak with tounges your speaking to him yourself

Where did this idea come from?

Lauren - posted on 11/04/2009

I think the question I would be asking is: Where in the Bible does it tell us that if we're going to be a Christian, then we have to speak in tongues?

I agree that 1 Corinthians 12 is important, making sure to read the whole chapter. He talks about not everyone having the same gifts and the reason for this is that we are a body, we rely on each other.

I would love to add more but I have a sick baby. Please feel free to message me!

Ruth - posted on 11/04/2009

Hi! I'll try to clarify your doubts as simple and fast as possible. what i've learned teaching theology and bible class is 1. yes what the bible talks about in acts 2 it isn't exactly yalking in tongues (the spiritual gift that Paul talks about), but rather in different languages 2. talking in toungues is a spiritual language, for a special talk with God. 3. Yes, if someone speaks it out loud there should be someone to interpret it (because spiritual gifts are to help the church grow, if there's no one to interpret only you grow, not the whole church), if not speak them softly, like to yourself. 4. Speaking in tongues is a gift, not everyone has it. 5. yes, the Spirit, the Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost all are the same. Hope this helps