The "Gift of Tongues" is a spiritual gift mentioned in the New Testament, primarily in the context of the early Christian church. This gift is characterized by the supernatural ability to speak in languages previously unknown to the speaker, often for the purpose of edification, evangelism, and the glorification of God.

Biblical References:

1. Acts 2:1-4 : The most notable instance of the gift of tongues is recorded during the event of Pentecost. "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw tongues like flames of a fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." This passage highlights the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit, enabling the apostles to speak in various languages, which facilitated the spread of the Gospel to diverse groups gathered in Jerusalem.

2. 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 : The Apostle Paul lists the gift of tongues among the various spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit. "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues."

3. 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 : Paul provides guidance on the use of tongues within the church. "Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit. But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified."

Theological Significance:

The gift of tongues is seen as a sign of the Holy Spirit's presence and power within the believer's life. It serves as a tool for personal edification and, when accompanied by interpretation, for the edification of the church body. The gift underscores the universality of the Gospel message, breaking down linguistic and cultural barriers to reach all nations.

Practical Considerations:

In the early church, the gift of tongues was a means of authenticating the message of the apostles and demonstrating the inclusivity of the Gospel. Paul emphasizes the importance of order and understanding in the exercise of this gift within the church assembly, advocating for interpretation to ensure that the congregation is edified (1 Corinthians 14:27-28).

Contemporary Views:

The gift of tongues continues to be a topic of discussion and varying interpretation among different Christian denominations. Some view it as a gift that ceased with the apostolic age, while others believe it remains active and relevant in the modern church. The emphasis remains on the edification of the church and the glorification of God through the proper use of spiritual gifts.Acts 2:1-18,33
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 10:46
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
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Acts 19:6
And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.
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1 Corinthians 12:10,28,30
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:
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1 Corinthians 14:1
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy.
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Whether those who Received the Gift of Tongues Spoke in Every ...
... Now those who had the gift of tongues spoke better in their own language ... namely the
Greek, idiom; whereas he wrote this in the Hebrew tongue." Therefore the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether those who received the.htm

Whether the Gift of Tongues is More Excellent than the Grace of ...
... Reply to Objection 2: By the gift of prophecy man is directed to God in his mind,
which is more excellent than being directed to Him in his tongue. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the gift of tongues.htm

The Abiding Gift and Its Transitory Accompaniments
... It prophesied of the time when 'men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and ... of
the gifts of the Spirit have passed away also, but the gift remains, and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the abiding gift and its.htm

The Gift and the Giver
... between these human needs of the Saviour and His power to give the divine gift. ... and
that tongue of his, that bade the Romans Mark him, and write his speeches ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the gift and the giver.htm

Moreover, it is a Good Thing to Use the Tongue Sparingly...
... Moreover, it is a good thing to use the tongue sparingly, and to keep a calm and ...
For it is the gift of God, that a man should be able to reap with gladness of ...
/.../a metaphrase of the book of ecclesiastes/chapter v moreover it is.htm

The Miracle of Tongues.
... proceeded not from the thinking mind, but from the tongue, the Holy Scripture calls
it very appropriately a gift of the glottai, ie, a gift of tongue or sound ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxviii the miracle of tongues.htm

That There was in Her Monastery a Brother, on whom a Gift of Song ...
... free gift of song, for which reason he never could compose any trivial or vain poem,
but only those which concern religion it behoved his religious tongue to ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xxiv that there was.htm

In the Confessing of Benefits, Computation is Made not as to the " ...
... created thee, thou living soul of so great continency, and thou tongue like flying ...
Because he himself continues, "Not because I desire a gift, but I desire ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xxvi in the confessing of.htm

How Ptolemy Philadelphus Procured the Laws of the Jews to be ...
... will cause no small pains in getting them translated into the Greek tongue; [3]
that ... ten thousand." The king made answer, "And is this a small gift that thou ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how ptolemy philadelphus.htm

Praise for the Gift of Gifts
... why the gift of God is unspeakable, because, the more you know about it, the less
you can say about it. Christ overpowers us; he makes us tongue-tied with his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/praise for the gift of.htm

What does it mean to speak life? | GotQuestions.org

What are idle words (Matthew 12:36)? | GotQuestions.org

What is pure and undefiled religion (James 1:27)? | GotQuestions.org

Tongue: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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