Friday 9 November 2018

Speaking in Tongues


In yesterday's post about The Holy Trinity, Sandi, a regular and welcome visitor to this Blog, asked a question about "Speaking in Tongues".

What is Speaking in Tongues?

After Christ's Resurrection, the early Christians were in a house when "suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw tongues like flames of a fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language" (Acts 2 1-6 onwards). 

You know the rest of the story ... 

Let us now fast forward to today. When we speak about God, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit we talk about what we have read, what we have been taught, and what has been passed down to us from the Bible or from our parents. Few amongst us have "experienced" the presence and love of God in person, and actually "met" Jesus and His Holy Spirit.

When you meet a new person, you get talking, asking questions perhaps, and forming opinions as you get to know that person better. It takes time and eventually you get to know that person better as you get to "experience" various life situations with that person.

This is what happened to the early Christians. They met Jesus and got to know Him personally over a period of three years or so. They witnessed His way of living, His teachings, and His miracles. They saw Him die and Resurrected again; and met Him in person again many times after the Resurrection. 

At Pentecost they experienced the Holy Spirit filling them with new found courage and determination to go out and preach the Good News in many languages (tongues).

To them, these events were real. Not something they had read about in a book.

So, the question is: Do/can these events happen today? Does the Holy Spirit descend upon people today? Do/can people today "speak in tongues"?

In my view - the answer to these questions is YES.

The Holy Spirit does fill peoples' souls today, and does guide us and teach us what to do and say. But this only happens when we earnestly and honestly pray and ask the Holy Spirit to come to us. It does not happen without our willingness and "permission".

When this happens, the individual often feels a sense of peace like they have not experienced before. A sense of knowing that all will be well and that God is indeed in control of every situation. A sense of "enlightenment" guiding them on what they should do, or say, and how to do it.

This sense of being filled with the Holy Spirit can last a matter of days or longer; depending on the situation and person. I have known people who have always been calm and serene and somehow at peace with themselves and the world all the time. Being with them was like being with a living Saint, a holy person ... someone totally different from everyone else.

I have also witnessed "speaking in tongues". I used to attend regular weekly prayer meetings. We were a group of 20 or so. At quiet times, as we were praying silently, one or two individuals would start babbling incomprehensibly in a low voice for a minute or so. At first I did not know what was happening. It was explained to me that they were speaking in tongues - the Holy Spirit was praying through them. It was never explained in what language the Holy Spirit was praying. This happened several times over several weeks and was accepted by the rest of the group.

One of these individuals was our priest at the time. He has since moved to another town and I have kept in touch with him through the years. That particular priest was different from most people I met. He was always calm and serene, and never ever raised his voice. Always talking, and preaching, calmly with some confidence that other priests I knew seemed to lack.

So ... personally, I believe that the Holy Spirit of God does fill us with His presence and guides us today should we ask Him earnestly to do so.

Also, I believe that people can speak in tongues. Although I have personally never done so or understood what they were saying/praying at the time.

I guess people will have their different point of views on this. But that should not matter. What is important is that we are united in what we believe in - God, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit - and not dis-united in our differences.

25 comments:

  1. I'm a little skeptical about the tongues thing. Actually I'm a lot skeptical about the tongues thing. I mean REALLY skeptical. I also don't think it is particularly important, just think some people will find a way to do what they think is expected of them. Now if I suddenly spoke in Russian while in a trance and someone could translate for me I might change my mind...gibberish that no one can translate strikes me as ...well...gibberish.

    I do enjoy your posts and having something to think about.

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    1. I'll admit, JoeH, that I don't personally understand speaking in tongues. When I first saw it at the prayer meetings I felt somewhat skeptical too. But in time, I felt that it is something some people do and I just ignored it as something that I do not understand.

      I am grateful that you enjoy my serious posts and would always welcome your contributions to the discussion. It is one way of learning from each other.

      God bless you always.

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    2. "Now if I suddenly spoke in Russian while in a trance..."

      I used to think that, but you don't go into a trance while speaking in tongues.

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    3. That is true Sandi. When I witnessed speaking in tongues the people involved were not in a trance. They sat there with eyes closed speaking in some unknown words. It was for about a minute or so and then they stopped.

      God bless.

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  2. Speaking in tongues...I just am not sure. It doesn't mean that I disbelieve but neither do I believe. It must be that the concept of it just leaves me with doubt.
    I so believe in the presence of God. No qualms have I here.
    How can I question one and believe with all my heart in the other? God is very real to me. I always feel that he is near~

    Blessings and Thank You for All of Your Prayers for My Family~

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    1. Hi Jan,

      The important thing is that we believe in God, His Son and the Holy Spirit. I also believe that the Holy Spirit can fill our souls with His presence, but only if we ask Him.

      I just don't know what to believe about speaking in tongues. I have seen it practiced but I never did it.

      Prayers always. God bless you and your family.

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  3. I've heard people talk about tongues but never witnessed it. It's something I don't actually think a lot about.
    Enjoy you day!

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    1. I guess it is the same with me, Bill. Speaking in tongues is not something I think about. I think it is a mystery I do not understand.

      God bless you.

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  4. This concept is honestly, so foreign, I've difficulty wrapping my mind around it. Your last paragraph just nailed it!

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    1. I understand what you say, Mevely. I don't fully understand speaking in tongues. Maybe I should have asked that priest directly. I didn't because I did not see it as very important. Am I wrong?

      God bless you, Mevely.

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  5. I'm with you, Victor, that persons who have received the Holy Spirit do exude an aura of peace and calm, as they know Who is in control. I've also heard someone speaking in tongues one time. I found it to be quite a moving experience because her emotions were so vibrant, as if her soul was reverberating through the room. Gave me the good kind of goosebumps, I'll tell you that! Thanks so much for this post, my friend!
    Blessings!

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    1. Martha, I think you have expressed my feelings better than I have expressed them. The people I met who received the Holy Spirit, especially that priest whom I got to know well, always had an aura of peace and calmness, especially in very difficult and trying circumstances.

      As for speaking in tongues, when I witnessed it the first time at the prayer meeting I did not know what was going on. I was confused, yet I felt that somehow it was genuine. It was not fake or put on just for effect or to draw attention to oneself. Especially since one of those praying in tongues was that priest. He did it several times over the weeks of prayer meetings. I deeply regret I never had the courage to ask him what was going on, and what he was doing. And whether he was aware of what he was doing. He was not in a trance. Fully conscious, sitting on his chair with arms on his side; palms of his hands up as if in prayer. Eyes closed. Then he started talking in an incomprehensible language - more like mumbling for a minute or so.

      At the time, our church had more than one priest. Other priests did not seem to believe or partake in speaking in tongues. They were more "traditional" in their approach.

      Thank you, Martha. God bless.

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  6. Each to his own interpretation and belief!

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  7. Victor, I hesitate to share my experience with 'speaking in tongues' because it happened in a prayer meeting that I attended in another church (not Catholic) when I was on my journey back to God ... 30 years AFTER leaving the Catholic Church! It was indeed, a startling and strange experience! At this prayer meeting a young man spoke to our small group about "The Toronto Blessing" and a "new outpouring of The Holy Spirit". After his talk, he asked if people were willing to be "prayed over". Initially, I had thought 'No thanks!'; but then, found myself moving forward to receive prayer! I'm disabled, and was TIGHTLY holding onto my walker (so that I COULDN'T fall down like others had). As I approached the young man, he put his hand about 3 inches ABOVE my head and prayed a simple prayer: "Lord, heal her nervous system." -- and I fell flat on my back on the floor! Nobody 'caught me'; but, I was NOT hurt! My walker was still on its wheels! Somebody dragged me to the back of the room -- where I lay there sobbing -- out loud! I was 'conscious' and aware of what was going on; but, I could NOT stop those loud, embarrassing 'sobs'! There was someone beside me (I guess, to make sure I was O.K.). I don't know how long I cried; but the next thing I knew I was 'laughing' out loud -- almost hysterically. When that finally subsided; I lay there -- on the floor, at the back of the room -- strangely composed, and 'at peace'! The pastor from the small protestant church I had attended, was beside me and I asked him what he thought had happened to me -- why had I cried so hard only to be followed by hysterical laughter. His response was: 'I think that God has healed some very deep wounds that NO amount of'psychotherapy' could have ever reached during your lifetime.' Not long after that evening, I began to have thoughts about returning to "the Church of my childhood". This terrified me -- because that would mean returning to the Catholic Church that had so wounded me! I resisted this 'call' for 3 years ... until, I saw a Catholic Priest on T.V. who spoke about having had a similar experience of being "slain in-The-Spirit". My response to God was: "O.K., God, if you want me to go back, I will only go to where that Priest is; so, I guess YOU will just have to move me to Toronto." The following Sunday, I happened to meet a fellow tenant in my building (also a disabled person) heading out to church. I noticed he wore a 'crucifix' (NOT a 'cross') and asked him which 'Catholic church he attended nearby'. His reply was: "Oh, I don't go to a Church around here. Then he said: "Do you ever watch 'Food for Life'?" My heart seemed to stop beating; and I feebly replied "yes". And he happily told me that he went to a Church farther away -- "where Fr. Bob Bedard is"! Needless to say, I was VERY 'rattled'! I almost yelled: "You mean, Fr. Bob is here in Ottawa -- NOT in Toronto?!" I could almost hear God, and all of Heaven having a good belly-laugh at me that Sunday! Still, it took me 3 more weeks before I could get up the nerve to try to go back to the "Church of (my) childhood"! That was 18 years ago! Now, I'm too old and ill to actually go out to Mass; so ... I do my Daily Readings online ... and read the articles posted here. God Bless all who share with each other on this website.

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    1. 'I think that God has healed some very deep wounds that NO amount of'psychotherapy' could have ever reached during your lifetime.'

      Amen...amen...wow!

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    2. Thank you Suzanne for sharing your moving story here. We are glad that you visited us and would like to see you visit here again and often, as well as comment.

      I have heard about being slain in the Spirit, but never witnessed it. I am so glad that this episode ion your life led to you returning back to God.

      Your are in our prayers.

      Thank you Sandi for visiting us again and for your comment above. It is much appreciated.

      God bless you Suzanne and Sandi.

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  8. I don't know, Victor, I understand the Biblical incident but I can't understand the speaking in tongues - as I see it now. I can accept people, by the power of the Spirit, speaking in languages they have never used / do not understand BUT someone else hears it and understands it. I also accept that speaking in tongues may mean that we use our clumsy words to explain something to glorify God, it's a mess to us but somehow people hearing us understand and are enlightened.

    So I'm not put off by speaking in tongues - when it sounds like an actual language. However, when it comes out like a string of sounds running together and merging with one another....

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    1. I understand what you are saying, Caitlynne. We were told at prayer meetings that sometimes people can interpret what others are saying in tongues.

      It's great to see you visiting us here. Thanx. please call again and often.

      God bless.

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