Speaking in tongues

One of the questions we are asked most frequently is “What is speaking in tongues? Do I have to speak in tongues to go to this church? I’ve heard confusing things about this.”

The Bible says speaking in tongues is the evidence that a person is baptized with the Holy Spirit. The Bible also calls this being Spirit-filled. It is not a requirement but a promise for Christians who seek it. Jesus said:

In this first baptism of the Holy Spirit, there was a sound like wind and something that looked like fire. But the sign that the Holy Spirit was given was speaking in tongues. This sign is also written about in other places in the New Testament (see Acts 10:44-47; 19:6; 1 Cor. 14:14-15) . Speaking in tongues is still the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Christians who continue to speak in tongues as part of their regular worship build themselves up:

Speaking in tongues is not just the initial sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or just a way of praying. Speaking in tongues is also a gift of the Holy Spirit that is used in the congregation. In the Bible, certain restrictions are placed on the operation of all of these gifts in church gatherings (including small group meetings). For instance, messages in tongues spoken to a group are always to be accompanied by the gift of interpretation of tongues. Also we are told that we should know those who speak to us by the Holy Spirit. In our main services, therefore, persons who are unknown to the leaders are asked to wait before bringing gifts of the Holy Spirit to the congregation.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ...

Acts 1:4-5,8
Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit … You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Acts 2:1-4
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

1 Cor. 14:2
Anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.

1 Cor. 14: 4-5
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself … I would like every one of you to speak in tongues.