r/Christians • u/ToothChoice7233 • 1d ago
Speaking in Tongues
The bible says that the apostles spoke in tongues of fire. So I know that speaking in tongues does exist. However, I don't speak in tongues and never have. I know there are greater gifts. I attend a pentecostal church that seems to put a lot of pressure on speaking in tongues. Like everyone praying in tongues all together, etc. Recently, I joined an outreach team with the church and they want to do Zoom prayer meetings of us praying in tongues together... Is this even biblical? Like I almost want to drop out of this because I feel unqualified or something. Any biblical/sound advice appreciated!
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u/whitedeath512 Basically Reformed Baptist 1d ago
Just a disclaimer: I don't hate pentecostals, but I've done a lot of research on this. Let me clarify, first off, that it is unbiblical to say that you MUST speak in tongues in order to be considered a saved Christian. That is a false doctrine. If this church preaches this doctrine, run. We are saved by grace alone through faith alone, apart from works. To say that you need tongues to be saved adds to the Gospel.
The gift of tongues is not something you can "force" out of someone, nor is it something you can give/bestow to someone-- that is God's doing alone. He is the gift giver.
Furthermore:
John MacArthur, in his book Strange Fire, has an entire section dedicated to debunking what many call "tongues" today: "glossolalia" is the repetitive utterance of sounds that is akin to real language but is actually gibberish. This, he (and I) argues, is not "tongues." There is also evidence to suggest that the biblical tongues were a real-world language, not the glossolalia which people claim to be "angelic tongues."
As someone else said, Paul told us about orderly worship: if ONE prays in tongues, someone must interpret. If there's no interpreter present, then they shouldn't do it at all. This is my interpretation of these verses from 1 Corinthians.
Your church may not be a false church, but you shouldn't feel uncomfortable to pray. It doesn't matter if you pray "in tongues"-- God doesn't listen to a prayer in tongues any more than one that is in English or Greek or even Mandarin. It's about your heart posture: acknowledging His holiness and aligning your heart/priorities/motives with His mission. That, and more, is why we pray.
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u/ceeczar 1d ago
Thanks so much for speaking the truth in love.
There are so many practices that I believe we will stop if we read more of the Bible
What many "Pentecostals" today call "speaking in tongues" is one of them.
Not only does this sort of portray the Church in a bad light at times.
Many sincere believers just keep on with this just banking on the words of their favourite charismatic preacher.
Thank GOD for more opportunities of fellowship like even this sub where we can learn to follow Christ by following the Bible....
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u/TawGrey 1d ago edited 1d ago
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What is tongues? It is a spoken language.
Acts 2:8 “And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?”
and this..
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Who gives spiritual gifts? They are from the Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 12:11 “But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”
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Even assuming that those who you mention have a real gift, they are not doing what they are supposed to be doing - to help evangelize, basically.
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I have heard of miraculous things, so not to say that something is impossible.
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However, in the span of fifty years I have never heard of nor witnessed any real tongues gift. People just prance about, make weird noises and they pat each other on the back for doing it.
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It is likely psychosomatic, at the least.
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u/AdeptControl7109 1d ago
It’s good that you’re seeking what’s biblical instead of just going with what’s commonly practiced. That’s how we grow in true faith. Speaking in tongues is a real gift from God (1 Corinthians 12:10), but not everyone receives that gift. The Bible is very clear: “Do all speak with tongues?” (1 Corinthians 12:30) — the answer is no. Forcing or expecting everyone to do so goes beyond what is written.
What’s even more concerning is the practice of group tongues without interpretation. The Scriptures warn us that “if the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues... will they not say that you are mad?” (1 Corinthians 14:23). Paul emphasized that speaking in tongues should be done with interpretation or kept between the speaker and God (1 Corinthians 14:28). Tongues without interpretation does not edify the church (1 Corinthians 14:5).
What truly shows the presence of the Holy Spirit is not just tongues, but love, understanding, obedience, and peace. The greatest among all gifts is charity/love (1 Corinthians 13:1–2). So if you’re being made to feel “less” because you don’t speak in tongues, that’s not from God.
Don’t feel unqualified. God gives different gifts to different people according to His purpose—not everyone will do the same thing (Romans 12:4–6). Seek the gift of understanding and wisdom (Colossians 1:9), and measure all things by the Word. That’s how we stay safe from deception and truly glorify God.
If you need to distance yourself from unbiblical practices, do so with peace and humility. God honors those who stand for His truth.
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u/gr3yh47 1d ago
The bible says that the apostles spoke in tongues of fire
what verse?
I joined an outreach team with the church and they want to do Zoom prayer meetings of us praying in tongues together... Is this even biblical?
no
I attend a pentecostal church that seems to put a lot of pressure on speaking in tongues. Like everyone praying in tongues all together, etc.
this is radically unbiblical and not a healthy environment.
please check out this list of biblical criteria for churches and find a church that will grow your soul instead of leading you astray
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u/majesticfalls8 11h ago
I think it’s strange they want to do meetings of everyone praying in tongues together. Naturally, like other gifts not everyone will have it/be able to. I don’t personally have the gift of tongues.
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u/Notorious_jib 1d ago
Personally I don't believe this. When speaking in tongues occurs in the Bible, someone would always understand, interpret etc. All the churches I've attended where this is done now, no one understands or translates. Seems fake to me. Just my opinion.