This is a poll on speaking in tongues. If you read this please answer. I don't want to see only tongue-talkers answer. Thanks for your participation. Please contact Sister Denise Rogers for your complimentary gift - ha ha!

Question 1. Are you an AME?

Question 2. Have you ever spoken in tongues? We'll define tongues as a language you've never learned, spoken under the influence of the Holy Spirit?

Question 3. Do you speak in tongues regularly?

Question 4. Do you know other AME's who speak in tongues?

Question 5. If tongues has been part of your life was it:

a. Part of your initial experience of being baptized in the Holy Spirit?

b. Prayer directed to God?

c. Praise directed to God?

d. A message to the Body of Christ, followed by interpretation?

Question 6. If you have spoken in tongues, was anyone able to identify the language?

Thanks again for your participation. Sister Denise, have you got those gift certificates to Wal-Mart purchased yet?

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2002

Answers

I guess I should go first.

1. No 2. Yes 3. Yes 4. I don't know, that's why I'm posting this poll. I will soon. 5. a. No, I spoke in tongues after Spirit baptism. b. Yes c. Yes d. Yes 6. No

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2002

Now I'll post my better half's results.

1. No 2. Yes 3. Yes 4. She knows no AMEs. 5. a. Yes b. Yes c. Yes d. She has interpreted, but never given a message in tongues 6. No

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2002

1. Yes 2. No 3. Yes

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2002

I am not affiliated with Rob's poll. Rob is a member of the Assembly of God Church. And as an A.M.E minister I do not participate in polls regarding speaking in tongue. Thank you Rev. Denise Rogers St. Paul Community A.M.E Church Bozeman, Montana.

-- Anonymous, June 22, 2002

This isn't an Assemblies of God poll. It's for my own curiosity, and it's also an attempt to bring an interesting subject to the board. Just for fun in other words.

-- Anonymous, June 22, 2002

Rob, all poll participants can log onto www.angel.freestores.biz for a "free gift" if they want one.

Ta Ta,

-- Anonymous, June 24, 2002

Why is there an obsession with speaking in tongues in the church? In I Corinthians 12, there are nine gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned. They are as follows: 1. Wisdom 2. Word of knowledge 3. Extraordinary faith 4. The power to heal 5. The power to perform miracles 6. Prophecy 7. The power to distinguish between spirits 8. Speaking in Tongues 9. Interpreting Tongues

How come there is not an obsession with the other gifts of the Holy Spirit in the church?

" It is the same Holy Spirit who gives all of these wonderful gifts. He decides which gifts each of us should have." I Corinthians 12:11.

Jazzman

-- Anonymous, June 24, 2002

I don't know if I'd call it an obsession. Maybe more of a special interest item. If I had to guess I'd say it's because tongues and interpretation of tongues is so other worldly, and for years was not commonly seen outside the Full Gospel movement (Pentecostals and Charismatics).

I remember during my years in non-Pentecostal churches we'd study the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and people we knew could lay claim to each one. We could even take aptitude tests and "learn" our gifts. Prophesy, the word of knowlege, and the word of wisdom was equated with preaching and teaching. Discernment and faith were commonly seen among God's people, and many could point to times where miracles and healing had manifested. But we didn't know anyone who had spoken in tongues, and so we figured it must have died out with the apostles. And by the way, if there's no tongues, then there's no interpretation.

The problem was they assumed that the absence of a thing in their midst meant that it no longer existed. They never considered the possibility that they had lost something. What I found out later was that not only had they lost tongues, they'd lost the other gifts as well.

Full Gospel people believe in a second work of grace subsequent to salvation called the baptism in the Holy Spirit. And you're correct Jazzman, tongues is just a small part of what goes with that.

I found that among the Christians I grew up with the true meanings of the gifts of the Holy Spirit had been replaced with something else. I found that ALL of the gifts are quite other-worldly. They make you jump back and give you goose bumps because they come straight from the Other Side. When you witness, or better yet participate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit you KNOW that God was powerfully operating through you. You were in control, but somehow you weren't. The Holy Spirit had taken over.

There isn't space to go into a teaching of the gifts of the Spirit here, but suffice it to say that prophesy, and words of wisdom and knowlege are MUCH MUCH more than preaching. Healing and miracles are a whole lot more than praying and answered prayers, and gifts of discernment and faith are more than Godly qualities. The gifts of the Holy Spirit come upon us in specific incidents. They occur, and they leave until next time, and they can only come through this second work of grace.

When certain segments of the church lost the experience of Baptism in the Holy Spirit they lost a true understanding of the gifts as well. Tongues was the one gift that couldn't be equated with earthly abilities or qualities, so it was written off by some, and became a controversy.

-- Anonymous, June 24, 2002

My answer to all your questions is no

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2002

Jesus IS Lord!

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2002

Answers: 1, No, 2, Yes, 3, Yes, 4, No, 5a, no, 5b, yes, 5c, yes, 5d no, 6 - if they were able, they haven't ever told me about it.

-- Anonymous, May 29, 2003