Known Tongues
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Tongues in known languages
Q: I heard that the Gift of tongues is when the Holy Spirit allows people to speak in real languages that exist, (one they don't normally speak), for the purpose of preaching the Gospel to people of a different language. For example: You speak only English. The person you are witnessing to speaks only French, so the Holy Spirit leads you to speak French, and the person understands what you are saying. Is this true or false? Sheila
A: It certainly happened something like that on the Day of Pentecost (Ac. 2:8), and I know of several more recent examples.
Incidentally, notice Acts 2:8 and 11, in the KJV and NIV; it reads like each of the hearers heard all the tongues speakers in the hearer's native tongue. Each hearer didn't hear a babel of different tongues, he heard the whole group speak in his particular native tongue. In other words, it was a miracle of hearing. But I wouldn't argue about this. Just let the Holy Spirit be in charge, like those first Spirit-filled believers did at Pentecost.
The Apostolic evangelist John G. Lake wrote an amazing account. He came across a group of Italian immigrants waiting for a train, and was filled with compassion for their lost state.
John Lake couldn't speak Italian, and they had no English. He prayed in frustration, telling God how he longed to share the Gospel with them. The Spirit told him, "You can!"
So, in faith he spoke to one of them, in a language he noticed was foreign. The man replied, Napoli, (Naples). Lake had asked him in perfect Italian where he was from. So he continued speaking to them in this new tongue, sharing the Gospel in fluent Italian.
Interestingly, Lake prophesied that this was going to become a commonplace method of evangelising in the last days.
It is, of course, an error to insist that tongues must be a known earthly language, because the Bible tells us that tongues is the language used by angels, and distinct from the languages of men. 1 Co. 13:1.
Additionally, 1 Co. 14:2 states clearly that speaking in tongues is talking to God, and no one (or no man) understands him. So that excludes all known languages on Earth. The KJV even uses the term, unknown tongue, repeatedly in describing tongues; again that rules out all known tongues.
I'm feeling lonely
Q: I know that God should be my sole source of comfort, but where can I turn when I am alone and feeling lonely. I am currently living with people I don't know, in a town I don't know and without a church home. Everyone I know and love are in two different cities praying for me, but I still feel alone and not at ease. It always helps when I get into the Word, but sometimes we all need a little human contact. Ashley
A: It's called weaning. He has put you in that situation so that you will learn to press into the Only Person you can depend upon, and discover that He will never fail to thrill you. These articles on growing in Christ will help you understand.
Ceremonies and rituals
Q: Is there a ceremony that a person goes through to become born again?
A: No, here's how to be born again.
A Christian without the power baptism is like a car with an empty petrol tank
