4 Speaking in tongues

"And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:4 KJ21)

On that day of Pentecost the prophecy of Jesus Christ was fulfilled:
"And these signs shall follow them that believe: In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues" (Mark 16:17 KJ21)

The disciples began to speak in other tongues. The people present wondered what was happening:
"And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, "Behold, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how then do we each hear them speaking in our own tongue wherein we were born? Parthians, Medes, Elamites and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them speak in our own tongues the wonderful works of God." (Acts 2:7-11 KJ21)

Then Peter lifted up his voice, preached the gospel and about three thousand souls were touched and became children of God.

Speaking in tongues is a gift Christians interpret in different ways. Some think it doesn't occur anymore, others just don't know. There are congregations which find this gift most important: "if you don't speak in tongues....."

What is this "speaking in tongues"?
It is speaking a foreign language without having mastered it, or it is speaking in an unknown language, perhaps the language of angels:
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels..." (1 Corinthians 13:1 KJ21)

This unknown language cannot be comprehended unless God provides the interpretation.

Let's have a look at 1 Corinthians chapter 14 where apostle Paul teaches us about the matter:
"For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God, for no man understandeth him, however it may be that in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth, speaketh unto men for edification and exhortation and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself, but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spoke with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied; for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, unless he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I shall speak to you either by revelation or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?" (1 Corinthians 14:2-6 KJ21)

Paul explains that when someone speaks in tongues, he does not edify the church, only himself. The apostle wishes that all can speak in tongues, but prefers that they prophesy, which is of more use for the church.

"Even so ye, inasmuch as ye are zealous to possess spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. Therefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also; I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Else, when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say "Amen" at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank my God that I speak with tongues more than ye all. Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue." (1 Corinthians 14:12-19 KJ21)

Every Christian should be zealous to possess spiritual gifts, but most of all the gift to edify the church. Speaking or praying in tongues is of no use unless there is an interpreter. Paul most clearly states that he prefers to speak five words, which can be understood, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

"Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to those who believe not; but prophesying serveth not those who believe not, but those who believe. If therefore the whole church come together into one place and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are unlearned or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not or is unlearned, he is convinced by all and is judged by all, and thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God and report that God is in you in truth. How is it then, brethren? When ye come together every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two or at the most by three, and then in turn, and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church, and let him speak to himself and to God." (1 Corinthians 14:22-28 KJ21)

During services of the earlier mentioned congregations it does happen that many pray in tongues, all at the same time. This can be very confusing to those who aren't familiar with this gift. At a service I once attended almost all present prayed in tongues while the minister prayed. It was very distracting.
The minister also prayed in tongues without interpretation which is in conflict with the Word of God:
"If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two or at the most by three, and then in turn, and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church"

This cannot be misunderstood: two or at the most three may speak in tongues, in turn, and there has to be an interpreter.

No interpreter, no speaking in tongues in church. It's that simple.

Perhaps some may think that verse 28 does allow praying in tongues because of the phrase "let him speak to himself and to God" but the verse also speaks of "silence". Therefore it seems best that praying in tongues is without any sound.

Speaking in tongues in church apparently is manageable, otherwise Paul couldn't forbid to do it without interpreter. Personally I agree with Paul and rather speak five words with my understanding than thousands of words no-one comprehends. I pray that those who possess this gift make use of it according the Word of God.

Finally I would like to share an example of how Christians can act confusing to non-believers:
A few days ago I watched a Dutch TV show, called "Searching for God". It was about a Dutch singer Gordon who visited several places in order to find God. One day he was guest at the New York church called "King of Kings". During the service people sang, prayed, danced, waved with flags, fell on the floor, all at the same time. This made Gordon utter: "Where am I, in an insane asylum?"
This immediately reminded me of:
"If therefore the whole church come together into one place and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are unlearned or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?" (1 Corinthians 14:23 KJ21)

I pray that we always keep in mind that:
"...God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as it is in all churches of the saints." (1 Corinthians 14:33 KJ21)

A most interesting and important book about guidance by the Holy Spirit and misguidance by evil spirits is:
"War on the saints - a textbook for believers on the work of deceiving spirits among the children of God" by Jessie Penn-Lewis (in cooperation with Evan Roberts, one of the leaders of the Welsh Revival in 1904-1905).
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