From: utzoo!decvax!microsof!uw-beave!uw-june!emma
Newsgroups: net.religion
Title: Re: Speaking in TONGUES witness??
Article-I.D.: uw-june.311
Posted: Wed Feb 23 13:39:28 1983
Received: Fri Feb 25 01:48:16 1983
References: ihuxi.292

>From your description, it does sound as if you were indeed a witness to
speaking in tongues.  As to what it means, it's hard to say.

Before I continue, let me mention that I am a Catholic (been one all my
life) and also attended a charismatic fellowship for some years while an
undergrad.

Biblically, the first instance of speaking in tongues occurred at Pentecost,
when the Spirit descended on the disciples cowering in the Upper Room.  They
went outside and began preaching to a crowd of foreigners, who all understood
them in their own tongues.

In this instance, the gift of tongues appears to refer to a miracle of
speaking and being understood by all.  Later, however, reference is made
to two related gifts, of speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues.
Also, mention is made that whenever there is speaking in tongues at a
meeting, there should also be an interpretation.  To me, it seems most
likely that this refers to speaking in tongues as we know it today.

Tongues (in any form) died out after apostolic times.  In 1904 (?), a
group praying together had a manifiestation, which sounds like what you
spoke of.  (only two i's in manifestation, I know).

What is generally considered to be responsible when there are tongues in
an assembly is to ensure that the experience is edifying to the group as
a whole.  This means that there should always be an interpretation after
tongues (also urged by Paul).
----------
Now a question back (and for the group) -- was this a manifestation of
the Spirit, or hysteria?  Given that the Spirit is the correct answer,
what guidelines should be on speaking in tongues in an assembly (I use
that 'given', as if the answer to the first question is 'hysteria', the
answer to the second is obvious).
-Joe P.