I do believe that the 9 gifts of the Spirit, as given in 1 Corinthians 12, are gifts that God does use through believers today. I also believe that there are very specific rules under which they are to operate, given in 1 Cor. 14, and that the motivation for those gifts is given in 1 Cor. 13. So, I believe that messages in tongues and interpretation of that tongue is sometimes a thing that God uses a believer to do. I do not believe that on MUST speak in tongues. I don't believe that every believer will be used in either gift of tongues or interpretation of tongues. I don't believe anyone has the gift of tongues permanently so that they can use it at any time they wish. It is of God, from God, and when God desires.

I do believe that praying in tongues privately, as a part of the experience of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, is also still being experienced by believers today. It is absolutely not necessary for a person to pray in tongues. I believe it is, however, Biblical and available to believers. Some may disagree with me, but I see it clearly in scripture. Like I said, I am a pentacostal.

That would not and should not mean that a cessationist cannot pray with me. The majority of my prayer life is in English (my native language). I believe that is Biblical. My cessationist brothers and sisters and I can pray together, worship together, and fellowship together with no problems at all.

_________________
Travis

I would add something to what I just said. My wife and I have fellowshipped in a lot of different types of churches. Baptist, Baptist holiness, Methodist, and Christian. If I am in my private prayer time, I might find myself praying in tongues. If I am in a corporate time of prayer, especially among people who do not practice praying in tongues, I will be sure that I refrain from it. Praying in tongues is for the private prayer life. The gift of tongues is for the corporate body and is only going to occur when God moves on a believer to exercise that gift, and it must also be followed by an interpretation according to Paul in 1 Corinthians.

A cessationist and myself can be completely on the same page, even in a worship service or praying together, because the disagreement about cessationism and continuatinism is not something that divides between Christian and non-Christian. We both serve the same, one true God. We both believe we are saved only through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We are both TRUE believers. We actually both believe that God moves supernaturally in the Earth. We disagree as to the exact mode by which He does these things, yet we agree that He does. The only disharmony between us will be the disharmony that one or the other of us chooses to have.

_________________
Travis

To most Pentecostals the gift of tongues is the initial evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Every Spirit Baptized believer may receive the gift of tongues if they seek for it, although they might not receive this gift when they are baptized in the Holy Spirit, but may receive it sometime later. That was my experience. I have changed my belief concerning the Baptism of the Holy Spirit that power is the main sign of receiving the Baptism. “You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”

Praying in the Spirit builds up the believer and also builds up the church when there is an interpretation of the tongue, and then this is the equivalent of prophesy. Praying in the Spirit is valuable for intercession. We don’t know how to pray at times, but the Spirit makes intercession for the saints according to the Will of God . Every believer should desire the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues

_________________
Mike

To most Pentecostals the gift of tongues is the initial evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Every Spirit Baptized believer may receive the gift of tongues if they seek for it, although they might not receive this gift when they are baptized in the Holy Spirit, but may receive it sometime later. That was my experience. I have changed my belief concerning the Baptism of the Holy Spirit that power is the main sign of receiving the Baptism. “You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”

Praying in the Spirit builds up the believer and also builds up the church when there is an interpretation of the tongue, and then this is the equivalent of prophesy. Praying in the Spirit is valuable for intercession. We don’t know how to pray at times, but the Spirit makes intercession for the saints according to the Will of God . Every believer should desire the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues

_________________
Mike

I also do not have any problems praying with charismatic and Pentecostals, and the ones l have been meeting with, refrain from tongues at the meetings which are Bible studies and prayer. We have not discussed the gifts but l notice they rarely if ever, mention fruit.

I think that Paul is talking about love as the fruit of the Spirit, conferred at baptism, as the more excellent way.

Listening to an excellent biblical scholar on tongues on youtube.

_________________
Lisa

If I am in a prayer meeting with non-Pentecostals, I will not pray in tongues, I know of a Baptist Church that was having prayer meetings and many pastors from denominational churches were gathering to pray. A Pentecostal lady got involved in the prayer meeting gave ia strong message in tongues, and after that was the end to the prayer meetings. she was out of order, and that was not of the Lord.

In the late 60s and early 70s the Holy Spirit was being poured out on just about every denominational church so we would have meetings with Spirit filled believers, Spirit filled Baptists, Methodists, Catholics , Pentecostals, and we would be in perfect unity. It was glorious. That was when the Full Gospel Business men were conducting meetings, and people from many different denominations would attend. When the saints would sing in the Spirit, it was perfect unity and harmony. How can hundreds of people all be singing in a different melody, and it would blend in to perfect harmony? It was singing in the Spirit.

_________________
Mike

Lisa that verse and interpretation was for Kervin who had quoted one from the same chapter by Wesley, which seemingly supported his view.

As I was listening to a very good Greek scholar this evening, he pointed out that in every word used in 1 Cor 14 for tongues that is Gloss, everywhere else in the NT it means the tongue organ or language, as in, one that is understood by man.

I am a truth seeker Lisa and desire it for my brethren too.

I had an insight this evening, that Paul in chapter 12, is saying to the Corinthians that it is all noise without love.

Now love is the foremost fruit of the Spirit, I hope everyone agrees. Paul is saying that it is needed by them therefore they had not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Interesting.

Mike

Can you give me an example from scripture about 'singing in the Spirit'?