According to the bible, The gift of speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift. It means speaking in words or in a language that you do not know yourself, to edify both yourself and others.
Compiled on this post are things you should know about speaking in tongues with 30 powerful Bible verses about Speaking in Tongues.
Jesus said beforehand that they would speak in tongues: “And these signs will follow those who believe:… they will speak in new tongues” Mark 16:17. The first time it was spoken in tongues was on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit filled the apostles, as recorded in Acts 2: 1-12. The apostles preached the gospel to the crowds in Jerusalem, and what they said was understood by people who spoke many other languages: “We heard them speak in our tongues the wonders of God.” Acts 2:11.
Later Paul also writes about the gift of speaking in tongues, in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14. However, he writes that the person who speaks in tongues speaks in a language that no one understands: “For no one understands him, even though by the Spirit speak mysteries. ” 1 Corinthians 14: 2. However, this gift has been given to believers and can be of benefit to those who listen and can be used to edify others when we come together as Christians.
What does the Bible say about speaking in tongues?
Much of what is written in the Bible about this gift is written by Paul to the Corinthian church. Many of them had received this gift, but they did not understand how to use it properly when they met.
Paul tried to help them understand their purpose: “Now, there are different gifts, but the Spirit is the same. And there are different ministries, but the Lord is the same. And there are different operations, but God, who does all the things in all, is the same. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for profit. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another, the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; the same Spirit; and to another, gifts of healings by the same Spirit. To another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, discernment of spirits; to another, different kinds of tongues; and to another, interpretation of tongues. ” 1 Corinthians 12: 4-10.
The gift of tongues is one of the many gifts that have been given to believers to build up the body of Christ, which is the church.
Speaking in tongues for edification
Speaking in tongues can in itself benefit a person. Paul declares: “He who speaks in a strange tongue edifies himself.” Speaking in tongues can help express what is in your spirit that you cannot put into words. But it also makes clear that the best way to build the church is by speaking prophetically, with “simple” words that strengthen the faith and understanding of all who hear the message. “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you; but in church I prefer to speak five words with my understanding, to also teach others, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.” 1 Corinthians 14: 18-19.
Speaking in tongues can also be of benefit “to all” in a Christian assembly if it is interpreted into a common language that everyone understands in that place: “What then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, it has a doctrine, it has a language, it has a revelation, it has an interpretation. Let everything be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a foreign language, be it for two, or at most three, and in turn; and one interprets. ” 1 Corinthians 14: 26-27.
When used in this way, the gift of tongues should be used to emphasize the spiritual message, and not just because you feel strongly moved in your emotions. In this way, others besides the one who speaks in tongues will be edified.
Speaking in tongues is a sign to unbelievers
There is another reason why the gift of tongues is given: “In the law, it is written: In other tongues and with other lips I will speak to this people, and even then they will not hear me, says the Lord. a sign, not to believers, but unbelievers. ” 1 Corinthians 14: 21-22. In this way, it could benefit those who attend the meeting but have not yet committed their lives to Christ.
There are some occasions when the book of Acts tells of people who were baptized with the Holy Spirit and at the same time also spoke in tongues. This occurred most notably on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was first given to them, although it also occurred on other occasions. (Read Acts 1 and 19: 5-7). However, there is nothing written that these 2 will occur together.
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Who receives this spiritual gift?
The Bible expresses that not all believers will receive this gift: “And God has placed some in the church, first apostles, then prophets, thirdly teachers, then those who perform miracles, then those who heal, those who help, who administer, those who have the gift of tongues. Are they all apostles? Are they all prophets? All teachers? Do all perform miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak tongues? Do all interpretations? ” 1 Corinthians 12: 28-30. Here we see that only some will receive the gift of speaking in tongues, just as only some will be called to be apostles.
30 Bible Verses About Speaking in Tongues
Below comes the 30 important Bible verses about speaking in tongues.
Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Mark 16:17
“And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues.”
1 Corinthians 14:2
For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:23
If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?
Acts 19:6
And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
1 Corinthians 12:10
To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:11
All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
1 Corinthians 12:28
And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:30
Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
1 Corinthians 13:1
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:8
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.
1 Corinthians 14:1
Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
1 Corinthians 14:13
Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret.
1 Corinthians 14:14
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful.
1 Corinthians 14:18
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
1 Corinthians 14:19
Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
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1 Corinthians 14:22
Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.
1 Corinthians 14:27
If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret.
1 Corinthians 14:39
So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:4
The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
Acts 10:46
For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared.
Acts 11:15
As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.
Acts 2:11
Both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.
Acts 2:3
And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.
Acts 2:6
And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.
Acts 2:8
And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?
Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.
Isaiah 28:11
For by people of strange lips and with a foreign tongue the Lord will speak to this people.
Jude 1:20
But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
CONCLUSION:
Like all gifts of the Spirit, speaking in tongues is not necessarily a sign of spiritual maturity. Many of the Corinthians spoke in tongues but Paul told them they were “little children in Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3: 1) However, when the gift is used properly, it can be used to edify oneself and the other members of the body of Christ.
