Speaking in tongues - gift from God or satan?

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I'm sure it would. It also comes as a huge shock to the vast majority of Christians the world over who do not speak in tongues that their communication lines to God are not as good as those of those who do.

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This is in fact the reason why some Christians I know, and their churches, de-emphasise the "gifts of the Holy Spirit" or debunk them altogether. But certainly the church I belonged to as a student placed a huge importance on speaking in tongues and healing. Something along the lines of: Christians who do it are more spiritual, but if you don't do it that's okay - you're still being as spiritual as you are currently capable of being.------------------
o--greyline--o

When I was in the Air Force I attended a Christian Missionary Alliance church where they didn't preach healing by anointing as prescribed in James 5:14, but it was something they would do if someone wanted it. I don't remember of any who requested it, but I had a persistent cough that had been with me for several weeks. I did quite a bit of hitch hiking as back in the 50's it was quite safe, especially when in uniform. I planned to hitch hike from NY state to Wyoming and was concerned about the cough. The night before I left for Wyo was Sunday nite and there was a service at the church. I requested that the elders pray for me and anoint me for this cough. (I had been coughing some during the service.) I went to the front and three or four of the elders met me there and anointed me and prayed for me. This was a while into the service but before the preaching began. I went back to my seat and never coughed once during the rest of the service or after I returned to the barracks. The next day I hit the road. It took me around three days or so to reach home in Wyoming. I was out in the chilly nights some and got little sleep, but not once did I cough other than possibly once or twice to clear the throat as we all do on occasion. I consider it to have been an instant healing. I have been anointed for healing on several occasions since but none instantly as this was. However, the ailments I had been anointed for eventually were healed and only one got worse. That one was a sinus infection as I often had these. After three from the church came to my home and anointed me and prayed, my infection actually got worse and it ate a small orface hole in the bone. This caused the cavity to drain and has actually cured my sinus problems. This was about 30 years or so ago and I've never had a sinus headach since. I call it my operation from God. I might add that sometime after my first healing, I began to learn about wholistic natural healing and diet, so I believe that God not only answered my prayers in the healing, but showed me how to begin to care for my body and what to eat in order to help myself keep healthy. This information has been immensly valuable over the years to keep away from the doc. I haven't been to a med doc in over 30 years.[This message has been edited by buzsaw, 08-15-2003]

I'm not sure about the speaking in tongues, but when people experience rapture its because they've gotten over excited and the carbon dioxide levels in their blood has increased (probably from singing amazing grace too loudly). The increased levels of C02 causes their blood to become acidic.[This message has been edited by xwhydoyoureyesx, 08-19-2003]

The following video is very helpful in understanding the gifts of tongues, prophecy and knowledge and why they ceased.Speaking In Tongues Part A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi6fIUpvZUIGod bless,
Mick

yes it is one of the gifts but NOT everyone gets it. 1 cor. 12 Speaking in tongues, or making prophecies IS NOT adding to God's word nor is receiving visionsm healing etc. i believe itis the last chapter of John which states, '...greater works than these shall ye do...' Jesus was speaking and telling the apostles that those who follow im will do more than He was able to do while on earth.it is not a sign from satan THOUGH satan will COPY inorder to deceive the unwary. plus the gifts do extend beyond the apostles life times or it would have been useless to give the gifts in the first place.