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Speaking in Tongues
by Rev. Vince Finnegan

The gift of holy spirit has with it many manifestations that are available to assist every believer in his or her walk with God and service to man. The epistle of 1Corinthians mentions nine of these manifestations. The translators of the English Bibles did not acknowledge a difference of words used in the Greek manuscripts that are important to our understanding about speaking in tongues. The distinction of words draws our attention and warrants examination. Note the Greek words used in the parenthesis. 1Corinthians 12:8-11 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the spirit, and to another [allos] the word of knowledge according to the same spirit; to another [heteros] faith by the same spirit, and to another [allos] gifts of healing by the one spirit, and to another [allos] the effecting of miracles, and to another [allos] prophecy, and to another [allos] the distinguishing of spirits, to another [heteros] various kinds of tongues, and to another [allos] the interpretation of tongues.

2 Speaking in tongues and faith are set off from the other seven. Why? First, we will see what all nine have in common. The one gift of holy spirit is common to every believer; therefore, all manifestations are from the same spirit. Free will or self-determination is required to manifest each. The spirit and all of its manifestations enable disciples to engage in loving service to their fellowman. The manifestations enable us to serve under the empowerment and direction of our Lord. The two have some differences from the other seven. Proper circumstances must exist in order to manifest the seven. For example, to prophesy, there must be others present to hear; to heal, there must be a sick person; to discern spirits, a demonized person is needed. Thus, these requirements limit the utilization of these manifestations. Faith and tongues are unlimited because only God and the believer need to be involved. We can exercise tongues and faith any time we will to do so; whereas, this is not necessarily so with the other manifestations of the spirit. The most significant difference is that faith and tongues are specifically purposed to glorify God. Romans 4: 20 and 21 He [Abraham] staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform.

3 Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Abraham was not a priest or a king; he did not write any of the books in the Bible; he did not prophesy about the future; he did not build a city or lead a people; yet, of all men, he is the only one called a friend of God. He is considered to be the father of faith, the father of all those who believe. His primary accomplishment was he pleased and glorified God by his faith. Our faith always glorifies and pleases God. Speaking in tongues is very similar to faith in that it also glorifies and pleases God. When Jesus spoke to the woman at the well, she asked a very important question. She said "Our fathers worshipped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." The remarkable response Jesus gave is recorded in John 4:21. Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in

4 spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshippers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." As Jesus so often did, he foretold what would take place when the spirit of truth arrived. Once Jesus ascended into heaven and sent forth the spirit, the worship of God radically changed. The spirit within provides the ability to worship God in spirit and truth. Speaking in tongues is one means to worship God in spirit, not the only way, but a very significant way. On the day of Pentecost, recorded in Acts 2:11, when the spirit was first given, all the Apostles spoke in tongues. Those who were there listening to them stated We hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God, or as the King James says, We hear them speak the wonderful works of God. In Acts 10, when the Jews with Peter heard Cornelius and the others speak in tongues, they said the tongues were exalting God and in the KJV magnifying God. Speaking in tongues are God inspired words that glorify God! Understanding is added in Corinthians. 1Corinthians 14:2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.

5 When we speak in tongues, we do so to God and not to men. The person who speaks does not understand what he is saying, but God does understand as the utterance is inspired by the spirit of God. Speaking in tongues is prayer that blesses God. It is prayer that gives thanks well. 1 Corinthians 14: 14-17 If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified. Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified. Here is a summary of what we have just read: speaking in tongues and faith are different from the other manifestations in that both are something just between you and God. Speaking in tongues is inspired utterance

6 which speaks about the mighty deeds of God, His wonderful works. It exalts and magnifies God. Prayer that blesses God and gives thanks well is also included. Whenever someone uses their words to speak well of God, to bless Him or offer prayers of thanks, God is glorified and pleased. Many times our words fail to prolifically communicate the praise, glory, and thanks we desire to offer to our loving heavenly Father. Speaking in tongues assists us greatly in our weakness by providing another means to glorify our God. The greatest thing we can ever do, as our father Abraham did, is to glorify and please God. If there was no other reason save to glorify and please God, speaking in tongues is something every believer should desire to do.