What role do "various kinds of tongues" play in the modern church? The Gift Identified • Paul lists “speaking in various tongues” among the Spirit-given gifts (1 Corinthians 12:10), placing it beside prophecy, miracles, and discernment—clearly a God-ordained ministry, not an optional add-on. • Because Scripture is accurate and literal, the same Holy Spirit who distributed tongues in Corinth still distributes them “as He determines” (v. 11). Two Main Expressions of Tongues 1. Public, message-oriented tongues – Seen at Pentecost (Acts 2:4-11) where listeners heard “the wonders of God” in their own languages. – Requires interpretation so the gathered body benefits (1 Corinthians 14:27-28). 2. Private, prayerful tongues – Paul speaks of praying “in a tongue” that edifies the speaker’s spirit (1 Corinthians 14:4,14). – Builds personal intimacy with the Lord when used in private or in ordered corporate prayer. Why God Gives Tongues Today • Sign of the Spirit’s universal reach—different languages point to the gospel’s global scope (Acts 10:44-46). • Tool for edification—either personal (private prayer) or corporate (interpreted message). • Reminder of dependence—believers yield their most unruly member, the tongue (James 3:8), to the Spirit’s control. Scriptural Safeguards for Modern Use • Order, not chaos: “God is not a God of disorder but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). • Two or three at most should speak publicly, one at a time, with interpretation; otherwise, remain silent in the assembly (14:27-28). • Love is the governing motive; without it, tongues become “clanging cymbals” (13:1). • Tongues never override Scripture; any message must align with the written Word (Galatians 1:8). Practical Application for Local Churches • Teach sound doctrine on spiritual gifts so members understand purpose and boundaries. • Create space in prayer gatherings for believers to exercise gifts responsibly. • Encourage those who speak in tongues to seek the companion gift of interpretation (1 Corinthians 14:13). • Provide pastoral oversight, ensuring manifestations lead to worship, unity, and missionary zeal, mirroring Acts 2. When practiced according to the Word, “various kinds of tongues” remain a vibrant channel through which the Spirit glorifies Christ, strengthens believers, and signals God’s heart for every nation and language. |
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