Locust Grove Church of Christ, Locust Grove, GA

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Speaking in Tongues

Speaking in Tongues

All Christians who study the Word of God are in agreement that the gift of tongues is present in the Scriptures. In the New Testament, 2 lists of gifts appear in which the gift of tongues is included. We call them spiritual gifts because they come from God's grace. Neither is considered a natural ability that one might develop overtime.

The Holy Spirit is sovereign in the distribution of these gifts. Following the listing of the gifts, Paul adds, "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will (I Corinthians 12:11)." No one person has all the gifts, nor are we to seek the gifts. Jesus teaches us to seek to love for each other. We must be careful that we do not confuse the Spirit as a gift to the believer with the gifts the Spirit gives to believers. Every believer has received the gift of the Spirit, but not every believer has received the gifts the Spirit bestows.

When our Lord predicted the gift of tongues He said, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues (Mark 16:17)." In other words, they were going to speak in languages they did not know.

God gave the gift of speaking in tongues for 2 reasons:

To communicate the Gospel message: "Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not (1 Corinthians 14:22)." The reason for the gift of tongues is "for a sign . . to them that believe not." To be performed when unbelievers were not present would be using the gift at a time for which God did not specify.
To confirm the Gospel message: The apostles used their gifts to prove their authority. They did not have the New Testament. After it was written, 'tongues' were no longer necessary.

"How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost according to His own will?" (Hebrews 2:3-4)

It is a mistake:

to assume that speaking in tongues comes with baptism of the Holy Spirit.
to assume that speaking in tongues means that you're filled with the Spirit.
to assume that speaking in tongues is the fruit of the Spirit.
to assume that speaking in tongues shows a level of one's faith.
to seek the gift of speaking in tongues.

If you would like to be taught deeper, visit or contact the church and we will explain further.