Re: Speaking in tongues.

Ok Hunter, I thoroughly read the article you posted from James M. Frye and wrote a lengthy evaluation. It took me hours to write this, so I hope you read it as thoroughly as I read the article. Please let me know what you think of my evaluation. Hunter, all I can say is I must love you a whole bunch to spend this much time on answering a post. Good grief, I can't believe I did this. I hope it helps somebody out there. Here goes:


Mr. Frye: "Let me begin by saying that I used to speak in what people call "tongues" today."


Miss Rainy: I get from this statement that he used to speak in what he thinks people call tongues today. This may have been babbling from within himself or even a false tongue. It may have been real from the Holy Spirit too, for all I know, and his mind is just in a very confused state.


Mr Frye: "But as I continued to study my Bible and other materials on the subject, I soon realized that what I was doing was not the biblical gift of tongues."


Miss Rainy: It sounds like he should have continued to study his Bible and sincerely seek the Holy Spirit for interpretation of the Bible. There's nothing wrong with studying other materials unless you are studying false doctrine which it sounds like what he was doing. It sounds like materials from false doctrine have highly confused Mr Frye. Remember everything in print is not necessarily truth.


Miss Rainy: Mr Frye asked a number of questions so I will address each of his questions.

Mr Frye: "What Were Biblical Tongues?"

Mr Frye quoted: "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. Acts 2:4,6


Mr Frye also said: "This passage tells us what tongues were. Tongues were languages. The following verses go on to list numerous groups whose languages were being spoken. Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues [languages] the wonderful works of God. Acts 2: 9-11 The word tongue, then, means language. This is confirmed by many other passages of scripture."


Miss Rainy: Good job Mr Frye! I agree with Mr Frye that tongues are languages.


Mr Frye summed up this section of his article by saying: "Tongues, wherever you find them in the Bible, are languages. This is important to note, for those who claim to be speaking in tongues today are not speaking in actual languages."


Miss Rainy: Some people who claim to be speaking in tongues today may not be speaking actual languages. Of course, if they are just claiming and not truly speaking in an actual language they are not really speaking in tongues as it is actually taught in the Bible. They are probably just babbling out of their own being with no utterance from the Holy Spirit.


Mr Frye's second question: "Are There Two Kinds of Tongues?"


Mr Frye: "Some people will object at this point. They will say 'But there are two kinds of tongues in the Bible. One is a language, but the other is an ‘ecstatic utterance’ (gibberish)'. It is often said that the tongues in Acts chapter 2 are different from the tongues in 1 Corinthians chapter 14. But where in the Bible does it say that there were more than one type of tongues? It doesn't. This confusion is brought about by the fact that in 1 Corinthians chapter 14 the Bible says that tongues needed to be interpreted to be understood. But in Acts chapter 2, they were understood without interpretation. Does this indicate that there were two different types of tongues?"


Miss Rainy: These questions reveal that Mr. Frye is so confused on the issue that I don't know where to even began to try to set him straight, but I will try. Let me try to break this down one piece at a time. First of all, let's address this that he said, "Some people will object at this point. They will say "But there are two kinds of tongues in the Bible. One is a language, but the other is an ‘ecstatic utterance’ (gibberish)".



I have never heard anybody who understands the subject teach that one is a language and the other is a gibberish utterance from the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit gives the utterance, He does not give an utterance of gibberish. If Mr Frye really listened to someone teaching on this, who knew what they were talking about, they did not say this. My guess is that he added or imagined this to be what was being taught. Or if the person he listened to teaching on this, really did say this, well then, of course, he was a bad teacher and really did not know what the Bible teaches after all.


Mr Frye: "It must be pointed out that a person who spoke in tongues was supernaturally gifted by God with the ability to speak in a language that he did not know. The person speaking didn't even know what he was saying - unless, of course, God also gave him the gift of interpretation."



Miss Rainy: Good job again Mr Frye! I'm really proud of you. I agree that a person who spoke in tongues was supernaturally gifted by God with the ability to speak in a language that he did not know and he did not know what he was saying unless God gave him the gift of interpretation.



Mr Frye continues on under this question: "Then why didn’t the tongues in Acts chapter 2 need to be interpreted? A careful reading of the text will reveal why.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
Acts 2:4-6
You see, on the day of Pentecost, there were people present (in Jerusalem) from "every nation under heaven". So many languages were being spoken that each person present heard his own language being spoken, so no interpretation was needed."



Miss Rainy: Good job again Mr Frye, but let me point out to you that this kind of tongue, in this example, was given as a sign for the unbelievers which needs no interpretation because the unbelievers already understood the language.



Mr Frye: "But this was not the case in Corinth (1 Corinthians 14). When the local Christians in Corinth gathered together and a person began to speak in a language that he did not know, the others in Corinth didn't understand the language either. It therefore needed to be interpreted. The tongues in 1 Corinthians 14 were the same as the tongues in Acts 2. Both were languages. The Bible knows nothing of two different types of tongues."



Mr Frye said earlier under this question: "It is often said that the tongues in Acts chapter 2 are different from the tongues in 1 Corinthians chapter 14. But where in the Bible does it say that there were more than one type of tongues? It doesn't."


Miss Rainy: Yes, Mr. Frye, it does. The Bible is very clear that there are different types of tongues. You just don't see it. You remind me of some posters here on this forum who don't see it either. Or, maybe you remind me of people who say the Trinity is not in the Bible. The word "Trinity" is not in the Bible, but God in three persons is all over the Bible. Let me explain.


First, please read this scripture:
"4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."1 Corinthians 12: 4-11 Authorized (King James) Version

Next, read this scripture:
"27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues."
1 Corinthians 12: 27-28 Authorized (King James) Version



Let me repeat, "diversities of tongues' found in verse 28. Were you able to read that word Mr Frye? I am talking about the word "DIVERSITIES" in verse 28 which clearly means there are diversities of tongues.


Let me also repeat, "to another divers kinds of tongues" found in verse ten. The word "divers" means diversities or different operations of tongues.


Confusion about tongues comes when we try to classify all diversities of tongues under one class and things just don't fit that way or make sense.


So you see, Mr Frye, the Bible definitely teaches about more than one type of tongue. Now you may refuse that teaching as many have done, but nevertheless, it is still there for those who have eyes to see it. If you refuse to teach this as the Bible does, then I hate to be the one to tell you this, Mr Frye, but you are teaching false doctrine. That is your choice, of course, if you wish to continue in your blindness and continue to lead others into this blindness. After all, God does give us all the free will to choose.


I will address the three major diversities of tongues as seen in the Bible, however, be aware that there may be others.

1. TONGUES FOR PERSONAL EDIFICATION
Services are sometimes interrupted with this kind of tongue by ignorant Christians. We do see this going on a lot in churches. God never intended this tongue to be used in this manner and the Bible does address it. However, I will not get into this as it is really getting off the subject at hand.


This is the kind of tongue spoken of in this scripture: "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 1 Corinthians 14:2 Authorized (King James) Version

There is no way you can fit this scripture into the class of tongues as a sign for the unbeliever, because no man understands him. Nor can you fit it into the class of tongues meant for the purpose of interpretation, as this tongue is speaking mysteries to God.


This is the kind of tongue spoken of in Jude 20 "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost." obviously the Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost mean the same person of the God head.


Side Note by Miss Rainy: The problem with many, if not most Christians, who have this gift is that they do not realize the value of this gift and do not use it. If they could only see what could be accomplished by it's use they would be motivated to pray in the Spirit. Many just bury the gift like the guy in Matthew 25 who was given one talent. "24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath." I believe the lesson taught in this parable refers to a lot more than just money.



This is the kind of tongue that Paul spoke of when he said he spoke in tongues more that all of them.

"18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19 yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue."
1 Corinthians 14:18-19 Authorized (King James) Version


This verse shows that this kind of tongue is meant for private prayer and not for use in church. It has no place in a public assembly as others would not benefit.

Once you are given this gift by God, the Holy Spirit will give you the utterance for this tongue anytime you choose to pray in the Spirit. This kind of tongue was called praying in the Spirit in the Bible. I Corinthians 14:15 makes this clear.


"What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also." 1 Corinthians 14:15 Authorized (King James) Version


Some people today also call this kind of tongue their prayer language, although the term prayer language is not found in the Bible. You do NOT need to be at a rock concert or in a highly emotional state to speak this tongue as some claim. If this is your case I highly question that you really have the true utterance of the Holy Spirit.


2. TONGUES GIVEN IN A PUBLIC GATHERING FOR THE PURPOSE OF INTERPRETATION. This kind of tongue is to edify and exhort the body of Christ.



3. TONGUES AS A SIGN FOR THE UNBELIEVER. This tongue empowers a Christian to speak a language that he does not know, but the unbeliever does understand the language. This kind of tongue is meant for the unbeliever to understand as a sign. This is the kind of tongue referred to in Acts 2 which Mr Frye quoted.
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language." Acts 2:4,6

I have heard many testimonies of people speaking in tongues as a sign for unbelievers happening today.

Mr Frye: This confusion is brought about by the fact that in 1 Corinthians chapter 14 the Bible says that tongues needed to be interpreted to be understood. But in Acts chapter 2, they were understood without interpretation. Does this indicate that there were two different types of tongues?"


Miss Rainy: The confusion of Mr Frye is brought about by the fact that he is not understanding the "diversity of tongues" which I have pointed out is clearly taught in scripture. Only the tongue that is given by the Holy Spirit in an assembly as a message from God to the people needs to be interpreted. Tongues that are a sign to the unbeliever do not need to be interpreted because they understand the language spoken already. Mr Frye understood that. Tongues spoken for personal edification do not need to be interpreted as they are speaking mysteries to God and building up one's faith. However, Paul said, "Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth but my understanding is unfruitful." 1 Corinthians 14:13-14 Authorized (King James) Version. I have heard testimonies where people are able to interpret some of their prayer language. I believe this is what happened to Paul. I believe we should pray to understand this so that our understanding will also be fruitful during this prayer. However, if we don't understand, we should still pray in the Spirit as the Spirit gives us the utterance, because God does understand the prayer and since it is prayer that He is helping us with it is His will and He wants to answer it.


Mr Frye's next question: "What was the Biblical Purpose of Tongues?"


Miss Rainy: He goes on to quote a lot of scripture. Basically, he is only getting the kind of tongue that is a sign to the unbeliever. The Bible does speak plenty about this kind of tongue He does not see the diversity of tongues as the scripture teaches. I really covered the Biblical Purpose of Tongues under the previous section so I will not address it again.


Mr Frye: "Is the Gift of Tongues Still in Existence Today?"


Miss Rainy: Mr Frye quotes scripture and twists up things to try to make his readers believe that the purpose of tongues was fulfilled and tongues ceased after 70 AD. He says that the Early Church writings no longer say that people were speaking in tongues. I don't know what Early Church writings not mentioning speaking in tongues would prove anyway, but let's see what the Bible really says about 1 Corinthians 13:8 which says,"Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away." So we clearly see here that tongues will cease. The question is when. Has this already happened? When we interpret scripture we must interpret it in the context it was written. Let me quote the verse in the context of that chapter:


"8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." 1 Corinthians 13:8-13


So in context we see that what happened in 70 AD has nothing to do with when tongues will cease. Mr Frye really stretched his imagination to come up with that doctrine. Of course, he could have picked up this false doctrine from some of the material he studied. I have no clue where he got the idea, but it is clear that in the context of the passage, tongues will cease when "that which is perfect is come". Just look around you. Do you see this world in a state of perfection? If your answer is "no" then you must know that tongues have not ceased. There is nothing in scripture that states that "perfect" means when the Bible is complete as some would have you to believe. Verse 12 says that we now see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face. We know that Jesus was the only perfect man that ever lived on this earth. There is no way that tongues have already ceased. It just does not fit the context.



Mr Frye's next question: "What About Today’s "Tongues"?"



Miss Rainy: Mr. Frye tried to convince his readers that today's tongues are not languages in an earlier section of the article. He reiterates this point here. Of course, we know that when the Holy Spirit gives utterance to someone to speak in tongues, it is a language. How would Mr Frye have any way of proving that it is not a language? Any language that you do not understand sounds like gibberish to the person who does not understand it. So saying that people are speaking gibberish is no argument. There are thousands of languages in the world today. Does Mr Frye know all of them? Besides that who knows? God may even be creating a language at that moment for them to speak. The Bible is not clear as to where all these languages come from, but I do know that the Holy Spirit would not give utterance to gibberish. It would be completely out of His character.



Mr Frye then goes on to let us know that he DOES believe in speaking in tongues for today, supernaturally, among false religions and the occult. He then tries to convince his readers that an explanation for Christians who speak in tongues supernaturally today, is that they are getting their utterance from devils. I am fully aware of the counterfeit supernatural tongues of the occult. I believe the occult has a counterfeit for all the gifts of the Spirit with limitations, of course. The power of the occult is pale in comparison to the power of God.


The Bible teaches us to test the spirits to see if it is done by the Holy Spirit or by an evil spirit. Some denominations teach that all tongues are of the devil without teaching them to test the spirits. The truth is that only some tongues are of the devil. We do need to seek the Holy Spirit for discernment. Satan knows that praying in the Spirit is very powerful. He is afraid of it. That is why he has come against tongues even to the extent of trying to get Christians to believe that all tongues for today are from him instead of God. Satan knows this will put great fear in Christians regarding tongues. He will do anything to get Christians to stop praying in tongues or stop them from seeking this gift. Satan has many Christians afraid of using this gift. What do false religions have in common? They all believe that Jesus is not God, therefore they do not believe that God came in the flesh through Jesus Christ.


Consider the following scripture:
"4 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error." 1 John 4: 1-6


Also, many Christians receive this gift as they are praising the Lord in song or speech. They may or may not be seeking Him for the gift. It just happens. Common sense tells me that the Lord is not going to allow a devil to come in to a true Christian's prayer time and give a child of God a false counterfeit from the devil tongue.



1 Corinthians 12:31 tells us to covet the best gifts and then goes on to explain in the next chapter that love is above the gifts. " But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way."



1 Corinthians 14:1 tells us to desire spiritual gifts. I believe the Lord wants us to seek the gifts so that we can use them for His glory and to help the kingdom. "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts" This leads many Christians to seek the gift of tongues. If a true Christian is seeking the gift of tongues from the Holy Spirit, do you really think it makes sense that the Lord would allow a devil to come in and give him a false tongue. Consider this scripture: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" Matthew 7:7-11


1 Corinthians 14:38-39
"38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues."



Mr Frye is forbiding Christians to speak in tongues. Mr Frye is very ignorant on this subject. God would not give His child a serpent when they ask for a fish.


Mr Frye then goes on to give a natural explanation as to why he thinks Christians are speaking in tongues today.



Mr Frye said: "As I stated in the introduction, I used to speak in what people call "tongues" today. At first I desired to speak with tongues and prayed to God that he would enable me to do so. But nothing happened. I read about the people in the Bible who spoke in tongues, and with them it just happened. In most cases, they had no idea that they were going to speak in tongues until after it had already happened."



Miss Rainy: Here Mr Frye correctly noticed that in the scripture when people started speaking in tongues it just happened. I agree with him that in scripture it appears that people had no idea that they were going to speak in tongues until after it had already happened.



Mr Frye then goes on to say: "I finally came across a booklet written by a popular Charismatic teacher which taught me how to speak in "tongues" (so called). That is exactly what the booklet did - these tongues were not a supernatural gift from God. It was something that could be learned. I was coached to begin speaking nonsensical syllables and let my tongue go. The booklet said that God would take over and control what I spoke. I think that I was aware all along that I was the one doing it - not God - but I had been conditioned to believe that I needed to do this in order to be "spiritual". Now looking back, I see how unscriptural all of this was. No one in the Bible was ever coached or taught how to speak in tongues. As I said before, it just happened to them. They did not expect, tarry, or do anything."



Miss Rainy: Mr Frye is correctly discerning the false teaching of this Charismatic teacher. Because of this false teaching, look at how messed up and mixed up Mr Frye is today on this subject! Look at how this experience left him. I see this false teaching today all over in pentecostal/charismatic circles and I hate it. I want to scream every time I hear it because I know it's going to mess people up.



My sister and her husband were attending a Pentecostal church for some time. Everything seemed to be going well and then one Sunday they made an announcement. They announced, "Next Sunday we are going to teach your children how to speak in tongues!" They were horrified! They were also thankful that they announced it, first, before they actually did it. They never went back to that church again to my knowledge. I know they found another church. Their children were spared. I am very sorry that this happened to Mr Frye. I am very sorry for anybody that this happens to. Nobody can teach another how to speak in tongues. You can only teach about it, but you cannot teach them how to do it. This gift cannot be taught. It is a gift that comes from God not any man.

Mr Frye now does not even believe that many Christians today do receive the true gift the way it was received in the Bible. The truth is many Christians receive the true gift and it just happens as it did in the Bible. When I received this gift, I had no idea I was speaking in tongues until it already happened. I heard myself speaking the different language as I was praying. That's when my mind realized what God had given me. I am so thankful that I did not have a false teacher trying to teach me how to speak in tongues, or I may have ended up like Mr Frye.


Mr Frye then goes on with a section called, "Biblical Restrictions on Tongues". He quotes the following verse:


If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course [one at a time]; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church ...
1 Corinthians 14:27-28



Mr Frye said about this: "This passage gives the following restrictions for the use of tongues in the church:
1. No more than three may speak.
2. Only one at a time (by course).
3. Tongues must be interpreted or not spoken at all.
Every one of these restrictions is broken on a regular basis in many Charismatic churches. In the one I used to go to, people (more than three) would stand in a circle at the front of the church building before church began. They would all speak in "tongues" (gibberish) at the same time (not one at a time) and in most cases nothing was interpreted. This was clearly a violation of all three of the above restrictions."



Miss Rainy: The passage in 1 Corinthians 14:27-28 is referring to the kind of tongues GIVEN IN A PUBLIC GATHERING FOR THE PURPOSE OF INTERPRETATION. This kind of tongue is to edify and exhort the body of Christ in that assembly and not the kind of tongue as a sign to the unbeliever or the kind of tongue to pray in the Spirit. Of course, Mr Frye does not understand this, however and nevertheless, Mr Frye did make some correct observations.



He quoted: "If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?" 1 Corinthians 14:23



Well, that's exactly what happened in this church that Mr Frye attended. People did not follow scripture and those that are unlearned (Mr Frye for one) are saying that they are mad! It's always best to follow scripture. What probably happened was that those that really had the true gift were praying the kind of tongue meant for personal edification. I doubt that they all had a tongue that needed to be interpreted. Of course, there may have been those there that were truly just babbling.



Mr Frye then goes on with a section in his article called "Misunderstood Verses". His first section under this title is called, "Praying in the Spirit".



Mr Frye quoted: "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost," Jude 1:20



Mr Frye said: "The common Charismatic interpretation of this verse says that praying in the Holy Ghost (praying in the Spirit) refers to speaking in tongues. Well the Bible also tells us to walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16). If to "pray in the Spirit" means to pray in tongues, then to "walk in the spirit" must mean, to walk in tongues?
How silly. To walk in the Spirit means to walk "according to" the Spirit’s leading. To pray in the Spirit then, means to pray "according to the Spirit’s leading". The Holy Spirit will prompt us to pray for certain things. When we follow that prompting, we are praying "in the Spirit". This verse has nothing to do with speaking (or praying) in tongues."


Miss Rainy: I only agree in part with Mr Frye. I believe the Spirit does lead us to pray with understanding at times. However, Mr Frye does not mention that the Bible does refer to "Praying in the Spirit" as praying in tongues. Mr Frye is being silly when he says, "If to "pray in the Spirit" means to pray in tongues, then to "walk in the spirit" must mean, to walk in tongues?" 1 Corinthians 14:15 makes this very clear. "What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also."


Mr Frye then goes on with a section titled "Tongues of Angels". I read and reread what he said and I could not figure out what his point was here in trying to prove that Christians do not speak in tongues today with what he wrote. So, I don't have anything to say about it, other than that I know when the Holy Spirit gives the utterance it is a real language. I don't really care where the Holy Spirit gets the language from. It may not be explained in the Bible.


Mr Frye next goes on with a section titled "No Man Understandeth".


He quotes: "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries."
1 Corinthians 14:2


"For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful."
1 Corinthians 14:14


Mr Frye says: "The common Charismatic interpretation of these verses says that speaking in tongues is a private prayer language. It is further stated that the tongues spoken of here could not be languages, for no man was able to understand them.
What a twisting of the texts. Paul is not saying that tongues is a private prayer language that cannot be understood. Paul is pointing out the futility of speaking in a language that is UNKNOWN to the hearers.
The context of this passage has to do with edification. If someone is speaking in a language that is UNKNOWN to the hearers, how is that edifying? That person is left speaking to the only one who can understand - God. This is why Paul forbade speaking in tongues without an interpreter (1 Cor. 14:28)."



Miss Rainy: Mr Frye is confused here because he does not understand the diversities or the different kinds of tongues as spoken of in the Bible. I have already explained them above. Paul is speaking about praying the tongues for personal edification, or what is referred to as prayer language today, in the scriptures he quoted
I Corinthians 14: 2, 14. Mr Frye was correct in stating that Paul is pointing out the futility of speaking in a language that is unknown to the hearers in 1 Corinthians 14:28 "But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God." The context of this verse has to do with the edification of the assembly. In other words Paul is saying don't pray in tongues using your private prayer language or any other kind of tongue unless it is the kind of tongue that is a message from God to the assembly for edification of that assembly and then make sure there is someone there to interpret it.


Mr Frye then goes on with a section called "Groanings which cannot be uttered". He quotes: "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Romans 8:26


Mr Frye states: "The common Charismatic interpretation of this verse says that since we often don't know what to pray for, we should speak in tongues and the Holy Spirit will pray through us the very thing that needs to be prayed. Is that what this verse is talking about? No it is not. This passage says that the Holy Spirit will pray FOR us not "through" us. It further states that what is prayed are "Groanings which cannot be utterered (spoken). Since tongues are uttered they cannot be what this verse is referring to.
What then is this verse saying? Exactly what it says. Since we do not always know what to pray, the Holy Spirit prays FOR us. His groanings cannot be uttered."



Miss Rainy: I tend to agree with Mr Frye on this kind of. I do believe that when we pray in tongues that the Holy Spirit helps us pray what we ought, but I also tend to think that this groaning verse is in a different category than the tongues for personal edification. I know that some people have had a supernatural groanings come upon them. I tend to think that this is what that verse is about. I have never experienced this and I do not fully understand how this verse works. I guess I will not be able to evaluate this one because I don't fully understand it myself.



Mr Frye's last point before his summary is a section called "Edifieth Himself". He quotes: "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church."
1 Corinthians 14:4



Mr Frye says: "The common Charismatic interpretation of this verse says that tongues is a private prayer language which strengthens and edifies the believer.
It is interesting to note that 1 Corinthians chapter 14 was written to rebuke the Corinthians for their misuse of the gifts, especially tongues. The Corinthians were each trying to take center stage and show themselves as the most spiritual. Paul rebukes them for this and tells them that this is not edifying for others in the church (1 Cor. 14:12, 26).
By trying to flaunt their gifts, the Corinthians were "edifying" themselves. This verse is not a commendation it is a rebuke."



Miss Rainy: You do not edify yourself by flaunting spiritual gifts so Mr Frye cannot be right. Paul is saying to not speak in tongues in an assembly unless there is an interpreter so that the whole assembly can be edified.