3 Uses of Tongues

Evidence · Edification · Gift

Jesus left a command to his disciples before he ascended and returned to his Father saying, “Tarry ye in Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high.” This miraculous and overcoming power began at Pentecost, where the baptism of the Holy Ghost was first experienced by those assembled with the evidence of tongues.

In today’s Church, tongues is very controversial. Some say tongues was for the Apostolic time only. However, the scripture says that “The promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” The baptism of the Holy Ghost is verified by evidence and that evidence is speaking in tongues. Secondly, tongues is used as one’s private prayer language. The third use of tongues that God has provided is in the assembly of the faithful, in which the gift of tongues followed by interpretation is manifest. “Tongues” is controversial because it is not widely understood in its three distinct forms.

Evidence

The baptism of the Holy Ghost as recorded in Acts makes clear that tongues was spoken.

Acts 2:1-4
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 10:44-46
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

Acts 19:6
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Edification

A private prayer language that edifies and builds the inner man unto perfection.

Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

I Corinthians 14:2-4
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

Gift

One of the nine gifts of the Holy Ghost that is exercised in the church, as assembled,
to be followed by interpretation of tongues.

I Corinthians 12:4-13
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

I Corinthians 14:26-27
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 unto edifying. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

Evidence · Edification · Gift

Jesus said, “…ye shall speak with new tongues.”

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