“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utter (Acts 2:4, NKJ)
There is much confusion regarding the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues. The Pentecostal movement has placed this long-misunderstood gift at the forefront of their theology and they maintain that it is a clear manifestation of baptism with the Holy Spirit. Well-known figures such as Kenneth Hagin and Kenneth Copeland are adamant about this: if someone cannot speak in tongues then they are not baptised with the Holy Spirit. This view is actually not Scriptural. As with all the other spiritual gifts, this gift is not owned – it is given “to each one individually as He wills” (1 Cor 12:11). For this reason Paul also states in verse 30: “Do all have the gift of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?” The answer clearly is no. Thus if people say “I pray in my tongue”, it is an unbiblical expression – it is not yours.
In 1 Cor 14:2 Paul explains how this gift works: “For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no-one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.” This is what David calls: “deep calls to deep” in Ps 42: 7 (WEB). Paul also explains it in Rom 8:26-27: “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” To speak in tongues is thus an incredibly great help for believers when praying for the perfect will of God (Rom 12:2) in a situation!
To pray in tongues is more of a private aspect in the practice of one’s faith than a public action. 1 Cor 14:4-5 spells it out: “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.”
- Sela: Explain to someone the relationship between the gifts of tongues, interpretation of tongues and prophecy.
- Read: Ex 7; Ps 57; Matt 27
- Memorise: Matt 27:46
- Going deeper: Read K.E Hagin’s Concerning spiritual gifts and test what he says against the Word.
