You Should Speak in Tongues (Part 1)

… and Do It Often!

When it comes to the spiritual graces, what I refer to as the manifestations there are many arguments and disagreements about these. So why do I speak in tongues?

On Pentecost the twelve apostles (and about 3 thousand others) received the promised holy spirit and they spoke in tongues. Speaking in tongues is not a special gift as some declare. Speaking in tongues is the proof on the outside that you are born again with holy spirit on the inside. You cannot see spirit. But you can see the evidence of it when a believer speaks in tongues. They saw it on Pentecost, the birthday of the church, as the apostles spoke in tongues:

Acts 2:1-4, 11b-12 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.  And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and [they] began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. …we [the temple goers] hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

They did not “see” the holy spirit given to these 12 apostles but they heard them “declaring the wonders of God.” Later they asked what they must do to be saved.  Peter told them about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, they believed and the promise of holy spirit [which includes the ability to speak in tongues] was theirs:

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent [change!] and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you shall [absolutely!] receive [the Greek word is lambano which means to receive outwardly in evidence or manifestation] the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

There is the gift: the holy spirit from God, with many ways to use it, tongues being one. Its main function is your private worship of God – it is perfect prayer. In Acts where a group of believers are first born again of God’s spirit the outward evidence or proof to those “witnessing the birth” is the new believer speaks in tongues.

Who is the promise of holy spirit and the ability to speak in tongues for?

Acts 2:39 For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 

Speaking in tongues as a manifestation of the holy spirit was not just for the apostles, nor just for those who heard that day. It is for you who believe today as well. It is for “all that are afar off – as many as the Lord our God shall call.” The act of speaking in tongues was not just some one time “fling” by God designed only for Pentecost.  Speaking in tongues is for you. It remains an integral part of God’s Church as demonstrated throughout Acts.

Acts 10:45 and 46a: And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God…

Acts 19:6: And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.

Do I have to speak in tongues? NO. But anyone who studies God’s Word regarding tongues should have a great desire to speak in tongues and to operate the other manifestations of the spirit once they are born again. God gives you holy spirit. It is a gift to you. It is now your spirit. You can do the works of Christ (John 14:12), you can manifest all 9 manifestations (I Co 12:7-11) The benefits of operating the spirit to an individual believer and to the body of Christ as a whole are tremendous.

What is the will of God? 
I Corinthians 14:5 I desire that you all speak with tongues ... 
I Corinthians 14:14-15 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays...What is it then? I will pray with the spirit... 
I Corinthians 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues [more than or abundantly for] you all. 
I Corinthians 14:37 If anyone thinks they are a prophet, or spiritual, let them acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. 

The apostle Paul wrote this I Corinthians 14 to correct error in use of the manifestations in public worship. When the Corinthians got together they all wanted to (because of course all can!) speak in tongues. In fact, they were all doing it together at the same time. So Paul wrote to let them know what should be the order of things in public. But he also made it clear that tongues in your private worship of God was not only good, it was God’s will, it was Paul’s practice, and it was a commandment of the Lord. Does God want you to speak in tongues? ABSOLUTELY!

You are in control of its operation. You can start it and stop it at your will, but God gives the utterance. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church about their wrong practice. He pointed out that when they all got together and all spoke in tongues at the same time that people would think they were crazy. I Corinthians 14:23.

If crazy things people add to the operation of the spirit of God occur it is not necessarily God’s will. God wants things done decently and in order. God wants you to speak in tongues. But God does not want everyone speaking at the same time because within the church, things should be done so everyone can get understanding. Tongues is primarily between you and God. It is a known language, but it is unknown to the individual who is speaking the prayer language God gave them. It is worship. With all things from God, free will of the individual is vital. You control the spirit in you.

I Corinthians 14:32-33 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 

Tongues are for “all that are afar off – even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Corinthians also deals with this question.

I Corinthians 13:8-10,12 Love never fails: but whether there are prophecies, they shall fail; whether there are tongues, they shall cease; whether there is knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part , and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come [Lord Jesus Christ], then that which is in part shall be done away... 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 I am known. 

Did knowledge vanish away?

NO. If knowledge is gone then I guess we wouldn’t be able to know if tongues ceased. The Word says these things will cease when “that which is perfect is come” and “when we see him face to face.” The return of Christ will bring us face to face and we will “know even as we are known.” 1 John 3:2 says “we will be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” Until that day, speak in your prayer language – much. God gave you the ability so you could worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.

The purpose of the nine manifestations are to help us live a life which is more abundant, for our common good.  They are to help us in our Christian walk.  We should not get puffed up about the operation of the manifestation.  It is a tool to help build the temple. A believer is not a better Christian if he speaks in tongues or not.  Simply, it is a way to have communion with God, and the manifestations are given for our benefit, profit, and help.