Speaking in tongues is not an ecstatic experience – you are still in control. Despite being used by a number of English translations of the Bible, the term ‘ecstasy’ is not used in the New Testament to describe speaking in tongues. This term, ‘ecstasy’ has a mystical connotation which is defined in the dictionary as ‘an overpowering emotion sometimes involving temporary loss of consciousness often associated with mysticism’. There is no indication in the New Testament that people who speak in tongues lose control of themselves or become unaware of their surroundings (Acts 2; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 19:1-7). When speaking in tongues you can start and stop at will. “If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church.” 1 Cor 14:27+28 Therefore my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.” 1 Cor 14:39+40 Paul in fact warns that “If the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?” 1 Cor 14:23 The act of speaking in tongues has been shown that it does not require a state of ecstatic or trance nature in order to be spoken. An experiment was conducted in which 12 experienced tongue speakers performed with eyes open and without accompanying kinetic activity (such as trembling or shaking) or any residual disorientation. (Spanos + Hewitt 1979) The fear of some people when faced with speaking with tongues is that they will feel out of control, be led astray and appear drunk like in Acts! “And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. They were amazed and astonished, saying, ‘Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? … we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.’ And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ But others were mocking and saying, ‘they are full of sweet wine’ But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judah and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day.”” Acts 2:6-15 1 Cor 14:32+33 says “The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets; for God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” When you speak in a tongue, your mouth is in control of the verbalisation and by an act of your will, you can stop at any time you like. You can also go with the flow of the Holy Spirit if you choose to do so. You can get as “drunk in the Spirit” as you choose to be. This appears to be the choice the believers Acts 2 made! christianprophecy.org.uk/sg/sit01_.html
Posted on: Wed, 05 Jun 2013 19:16:17 +0000
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