Various Spiritual Tongues

Paul teaches on Tongues which he prayed more than others.

Paul Prays for the Baptism in the Holy Spirit in Ephesus.

  (Unknown Artist, ChristiansUnite.com)

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4 NKJV). The initial manifestation of the Holy Spirit is a clear expression of the Spirit’s indwelling presence so promised by Jesus in the Gospels. Yet, seen in addition to tongues are prophecy, praise, bold proclamation of the Gospel, and healing.

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:16-17 NKJV). Jesus said.

Speaking to God.

However, a major understanding of tongues must come through the realization that there are, as Paul said, “different kinds of tongues” (1 Cor 12:10). Tongues can be used privately in personal prayer. “For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God” (1 Cor 14:2 NKJV). As such, tongues edifies the individual. “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself” (14:4).

Tongues can be prayed jointly in common prayer in body worship by all assembled as we see at Pentecost in Caesarea and in Ephesus. “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4 NKJV).

Tongues can be spoken prophetically in public address to the church when there is a person present with the gift of interpretation. “For he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification” (1Cor 14:5 NKJV). The implication here is the one interpreting may or may not be the same one speaking the tongues.

Revelation, Knowledge,

Prophecy, Teaching.

In fact, Paul indicates this public tongues may be used to bring a word of revelation, or knowledge, or prophecy, or a word of teaching. “But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?” (1 Cor 14:6 NKJV). Tongues is emphasized by Paul as an important function of the assembled church.

“How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification” (1 Cor 14:26 NKJV). Much of the misunderstanding or misdirection in tongues comes when people do not differentiate between the varieties or kinds of tongues.

“Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue” (1 Cor 14:19 NKJV), said Paul.

Worship in Spirit and in Truth.

Tongues spoken jointly in common prayer or in common singing as body worship gives glory to God. Indeed, the assembled church body should follow the leading of the Spirit in their worship songs and adoration. Jesus said--

“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24 NKJV).

In the light of this, what a shame it is when modern, well-meaning churches substitute blasting power by electronic loudspeakers and overcome the power of the Spirit in congregational worship and adoration. When the believer can’t hear his/her own voice, or the voice of the Spirit within, something is wrong! The joyful noise of the instrumentation should complement and harmonize the body worship in the singing of songs or tongues, not exchange it.

Tongues spoken or sung in private, personal prayer can be prayed by the individual to seek God’s guidance. As Paul says, “I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all” (1 Cor 14:18 NKJV). Yet, even with these scriptural guidelines, Paul cautions, “Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor 14:39-40 NKJV).

--Bill Hunt

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