Hi,

I recently got saved and started out in Church of God of Prophecy who I think are of Pentecostal denomination. Anyway, I wanted to know what were the beliefs of the AME church in regards to speaking in tongues. I was told by someone in the Church of God that one has to be bapstised by the holy spirit which will enable one to speak in tongues. I really like going to the AME church and am looking to become a member of the one in my neighborhood. I am just a little confused right now.

Thank you Shani

-- Anonymous, October 07, 2002

Answers

Shania welcome to the board and I am happy to hear that you are considering being a member at an A.M.E church. We do have membership classes that will go over the beliefs and doctrine of our denomination. I would strongly suggest that you make an appointment and sit down with your pastor and talk about membership and let him/her know your former church background. It will help the pastor better assist you. I am a pastor and I have a family who will be joining our church who were raised Catholic. I will be working with them to help the family have a firm understanding of the differences between catholism and protestanism. I always ask what church members have been affiliated with so I can help them with the transition. I bet when you meet with your pastor you will find there are other questions that you have. Congratulations for finding an A.M.E church and thank you for choosing A.M.E . I will pray that God continues to bless you. Keep posting!!

-- Anonymous, October 07, 2002

Shania -

I am unaware of any AME Doctrinal Statement which stresses the importance of speaking in tongues. In fact I would venture to say that the AMEC rejects the linkage between speaking in tongues as evidence of a believer's Holy Ghost experience. I unapologetically support this position. The doctrine of tongues has caused more theological confusion among believers than any contemporary issue. The only thing that really matters in this - Micah 6:8. QED

-- Anonymous, October 08, 2002

Not so much an answer as a question that I hope can be answered. I am noticing the politically correct answer given by this web host to the question asked by the potential new member to the body of the AME home in Christ. I happen to have been raised in the AME church and have never joined another body though I have definately enjoyed all bodies open in the name of Christ Jesus and where the Holy Ghost shows up. Is it not time to start the discussion as a connection of speaking in tougues? My current Pastor has been known to do so and in the country you can bet that there will be anointings and tougues. I just wish that, like the potential new member to the AME body, I understood the need and the language. Thank God for the diversity in the body. I await a response for the web host and anyone else who can help. May God watch between Me and Thee until we speak again. Amen

-- Anonymous, October 09, 2002

First of all let me say that for two thousand years we have Him completely, ONE GOD, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Thus we need to look for Him no further. He is inseparable and try as we may to do so HE IS ONE.

Secondly we can not recreate the Pentecost experience because the Day of Pentecost has "fully come." It came 2000 years ago as the Apostles and disciples waited for the promise of Our Lord. The hearers HEARD the Good News in the language, which they spoke and understood. He also spoke in the early church to spread the News abroad.

However, Paul points outs in his Letter to the Church at Corinth the cautions and pitfalls of whcih we must be aware. He sums it all up in the 13th Chapter of I Corinthians and then says, "Make Love Your Aim."

So perhaps the language, which I hear may sound like and be, "YO Slim, What it be like blood?" Before you scoff and say this cannot possible be. The message of Pentecost is that the Gospel was preached and heard. With the aid of the Spirit it was preached and heard in the language that each hearer spoke and understood. The Spirit is fully aware of what language each will hear and understand.

Finally, On the Day of Pentecost each spoke as "the Sprit gave them utterance", not as they gave utterance to Him. Thus, even though He may at any time and place chose to speak in tongues again and He may even choose you as His vessel to speak, what He will chooses to say as well as the where, when, how and through whom He chooses to speak belongs exclusively to HIM.

-- Anonymous, October 09, 2002

Thanks my brother!

-- Anonymous, October 09, 2002

Professor Dickens is correct ( as usual) in stating that the AME Church historically has not embraced the Penecostal doctrinal teaching that stresses the importance of speaking in tounges. It has rejected the teaching (COGIC,Assembly of God, et all) that there is a "second experience" necessary or that the gift of tounges is in any way an indicator of the indwelling/filling/Baptism of the Holy Spirit or of any level of Christian maturity.

Having said that however, such a position does not make us "anti- tounges" nor anti-manifestational gifts of the Holy Spirit for that matter Many folk in our congegations have the gift of tounges and exercise that gift in their private prayer life. You and I do not know who they are (We might be surprised) because it is really not our business. That is between the individual believer and God. Since "tounges" is a spiritual gift listed in I Corinthians 12, the decision as to who receives that gift and who does not, rests solely with God himself.

Even the public exercise of the gift of tounges, which is far less common in our tradition, would not be ( maybe I should say SHOULD not be) "out of order" in our services as long as it was done in a manner consistant with the Bibical Instruction found in Corinthians and other places in the New Testament; namely that it must be accompnied by interpretation, it must be "in order" (that is to say done at a proper place in the worship service i.e. not when preaching or the ministry of the Word in Song is taking place), it must be (as all prophetic utterances ought to be) compared and measured against the Word of God, and it must be in submission to local Pastoral authority, not as a controlling device, but as a means of protection for the flock. Finally, the focus of this Gift and all Spiritual Gifts, ought to be Jesus Christ. The exercise of a Spiritual Gift should never, ever, ever, ever draw our attention from Him onto a Human Instrument.

I hope this is a help to someone.

Yours in the Joy of Jesus,

Pastor Mike Barta

-- Anonymous, October 09, 2002

For quite a period of time I have wrestled with this very subject and can only say that if the Spirit falls on you, you yourself are not able to discern what you are communicating to the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Holy Spirit when upon you is beyond human diffinition. It can only be a personal experience that no two people can experience. It is a personal interaction between you and the Lord and can not be taught, scripted or understood with the human mind. So is it with talking in tougues. It is meant to be a direct conversation with the Lord and should only be delivered publically if sanctioned by the Holy Spirit with a interpeture present. If not, it is perceived by those hearing it a bambling and nothing more. I find it difficult to believe that you can open your month and begin to speak in tougues at will. I personally have only experienced it through devine intervention and nothing else.

-- Anonymous, December 02, 2002

I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD SHOW ME SCRIPTURALLY TO SUPPORT TONGUES IN THE CHURCH?? I HAVE MANY QUESTIONS AND I WOULD LIKE SOME SCRIPTURE FROM YOUR POINT OF VIEW I HAVE READ ICOR13 AND ACT2 MANY TIMES SO I WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW WHY YOU BELIEVE IN TONGUES SCRIPTURALLY

-- Anonymous, October 20, 2003

Would like you to study the chapters below because the truth is in the word. The Chapters below talks when the speaking of tongues was first witnessed. When Jesus left the earth to be in heaven, he gave his disciples (and to everyone that believes) a great commission (Mark 16:15-18) to go into the entire world and preach the gospel baptizing in the name of Jesus. Then in Luke 24:49 he told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem till they receive the power from high. This power was a gift (the promise of the Comforter in the book of John 16:7) of the Holy Spirit and it is evident in the speaking in tongues (Baptism of the Spirit). The speaking in tongues is just the beginning and a show of the working of the Holy Spirit in us and through us. This infilling of the Holy is so that we can effectively carry out the great commission and live our lives to the fullest as God would love us to. It is very crucial that we speak in tongues at all times. The book of Acts shows how the disciples receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit when they tarred as Jesus commanded them to. The infilling was evident with them speaking in different kinds of tongues. You can see Peter who denied Jesus before stood up and defended what was going on when people thought they were just drunk. Peter sure became a different man, became bold and was able to carry out the great commission of Jesus Christ. We also will be more equipped when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, walking in the Spirit. Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. (Whole Chapter: Acts 2 In context: Acts 2:2-4) Acts 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? (Whole Chapter: Acts 2 In context: Acts 2:7-9) Acts 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. (Whole Chapter: Acts 2 In context: Acts 2:10-12) Acts 2:26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: (Whole Chapter: Acts 2 In context: Acts 2:25-27) Acts 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, (Whole Chapter: Acts 10 In context: Acts 10:45-47) Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. (Whole Chapter: Acts 19 In context: Acts 19:5-7) Acts 21:40 And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying, (Whole Chapter: Acts 21 In context: Acts 21:39-41) Acts 22:2 (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,) (Whole Chapter: Acts 22 In context: Acts 22:1-3) Acts 26:14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. (Whole Chapter: Acts 26 In context: Acts 26:13-15)

In the chapters below Paul talked about the place of tongues in the church. This was to bring order. He also spoke about the different kinds of tongues; the purpose of tongues in our Christian life, how he speak and sing in tongues more. Also you can ask God for interpretation of the tongue you have spoken. However, interpretation is not usually word for word. Paul also says that tongues edifies, improves and builds your spirit man. Then he says however, the greatest will always be love. 1 Corinthians 12:10 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: (Whole Chapter: 1 Corinthians 12 In context: 1 Corinthians 12:9-11) 1 Corinthians 12:28 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. (Whole Chapter: 1 Corinthians 12 In context: 1 Corinthians 12:27-29) 1 Corinthians 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? (Whole Chapter: 1 Corinthians 12 In context: 1 Corinthians 12:29-31) 1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (Whole Chapter: 1 Corinthians 13 In context: 1 Corinthians 13:1-2) 1 Corinthians 13:8 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. (Whole Chapter: 1 Corinthians 13 In context: 1 Corinthians 13:7-9) 1 Corinthians 14:2 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. (Whole Chapter: 1 Corinthians 14 In context: 1 Corinthians 14:1-3) 1 Corinthians 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. (Whole Chapter: 1 Corinthians 14 In context: 1 Corinthians 14:3-5) 1 Corinthians 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. (Whole Chapter: 1 Corinthians 14 In context: 1 Corinthians 14:4-6) 1 Corinthians 14:6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? (Whole Chapter: 1 Corinthians 14 In context: 1 Corinthians 14:5-7) 1 Corinthians 14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. (Whole Chapter: 1 Corinthians 14 In context: 1 Corinthians 14:8-10) 1 Corinthians 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. (Whole Chapter: 1 Corinthians 14 In context: 1 Corinthians 14:12-14) 1 Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. (Whole Chapter: 1 Corinthians 14 In context: 1 Corinthians 14:13-15) 1 Corinthians 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: (Whole Chapter: 1 Corinthians 14 In context: 1 Corinthians 14:17-19) 1 Corinthians 14:19 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. (Whole Chapter: 1 Corinthians 14 In context: 1 Corinthians 14:18-20) 1 Corinthians 14:21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. (Whole Chapter: 1 Corinthians 14 In context: 1 Corinthians 14:20-22) 1 Corinthians 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. (Whole Chapter: 1 Corinthians 14 In context: 1 Corinthians 14:21-23) 1 Corinthians 14:23 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? (Whole Chapter: 1 Corinthians 14 In context: 1 Corinthians 14:22-24) 1 Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. (Whole Chapter: 1 Corinthians 14 In context: 1 Corinthians 14:25-27) 1 Corinthians 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. (Whole Chapter: 1 Corinthians 14 In context: 1 Corinthians 14:26-28) 1 Corinthians 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. (Whole Chapter: 1 Corinthians 14 In context: 1 Corinthians 14:38-40)

The chapters below refers to tongue in the context of the physical tongue (in the mouth), how important it is, the result of wrong use of the tongue. My question is if the physical tongue is this powerful (can have a great effect), how powerful is the spiritual tongue, how much destruction can the spiritual tongues have in the plans of the enemy, how much revelation, how much power, how much glory in the tongues of the Holy Spirit. Imagine that. OOH! Thank you Jesus.

Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Whole Chapter: Philippians 2 In context: Philippians 2:10-12) James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. (Whole Chapter: James 1 In context: James 1:25-27) James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! (Whole Chapter: James 3 In context: James 3:4-6) James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. (Whole Chapter: James 3 In context: James 3:5-7) James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (Whole Chapter: James 3 In context: James 3:7-9) 1 Peter 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: (Whole Chapter: 1 Peter 3 In context: 1 Peter 3:9-11)

Thanks for reading, now just begin to speak in tongues as the Holy Spirit gives you the words, it may be one or two syllables, you would feel it in your spirit to say words you’ve never said before. Don’t resist saying the words you don’t understand, you don’t need to understand, that’s why it’s the Spirit, not one of your senses. As you grow in it God can give you understand (interpretation). Ask the Jesus for the Baptism of the Spirit and just receive it by opening your mouth, you don’t need any lighting to strike or special ordained minister or anything else to me there. However, stay where there is no distraction. Keep on desire the gift and you will receive, don’t ever feel frustrated, or not holy enough to receive, all you have to do is receive Jesus as your Lord and savor then receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Those of you who speak in tongue, just keeping speaking like crazy cos you father love it!

Love Ima.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2004

Dearest Ima,

With all due respect, the speaking in tongues as practiced in many churches, i.e. babble, is no more than a deception by the adversary to make a mockery of the Holy Writ. Now this is pure opinion on my part. A.M.E.s don't do it, Catholics don't do it, and many other denominations don't do it and surely the Holy Spirit is alive within them. It is rather a handful of Christian churches that subscribe to the practice and spend endless hours trying to justify it to their congregations and to the doubters like myself, using well worn verses that neither lends creedence to or justifies the practice. In my humble opinion, prayer and an honest read of the Scripture will correct this incidious error.

In Love,

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2004