Charismatic Workshop
The Gift of Tongues
I believe that any Christian can receive this personal prayer form of tongues (see Mk 16:17), although some do not because of ignorance and misunderstanding. The Holy Spirit, unlike the evil spirit, does not seek to manipulate us. He respects our freedom. Therefore, we must yield to His promptings. He will not force us to speak in tongues, just as He will not force us to speak in our native language. But the Spirit will take the lead and prompt us. We must respond by obeying and choosing to open our mouths. We speak in tongues the same way we speak in our native language. We speak in obedience to God.
Jesus in Mark 16:17 says “They will speak in strange tongues…”
He told the disciples that believers would be able to speak in tongues. It is a supernatural utterance by the Holy Spirit. When a person is speaking in tongues their intellect and understanding are not active but their spirits are. 1 Cor 12:7-11 talks about body ministry and not individual gifting, in fact, the entire Chapter 12 says it all.
The Holy Spirit works through our spirit to bring forth the gifts. These gifts are always manifested after the baptism in the Holy Spirit, (Pentecost Act 2: 4, Act 10:42-46, Act 19:6) where everyone prayed in Tongues.
There are at least 3 kinds of Gift of Tongues:-
1)Prayer Tongues :
i) Personal ( 1 Cor 14:1-4 ),
ii) Corporate Prayer ( Act 10:42 - 46, Act 19:6 )
iii) Intercession ( Roman 8:26-27 )
2) Preaching Tongues :
i)) Pentecost ( Act 2:4-6 )
(Only meant for some believers who are in the mission field especially those in 5 Fold Office Eph 4:11)
3) Prophecy in Tongues : 1 Cor 12:10,
1 Cor 14:27-28
(Only for those who are moving in the Ministry of Tongues & Interpretation –
1 Cor 12:28-30 & 5 Fold Office Eph 4:11)
Let us see the Gift Tongues in detail:-
Prayer Tongues
(a) Personal Prayer - The purpose of this tongue is meant for spiritual edification of the individual praying ( 1 Cor 14:4-5: He who speaks in tongues edifies himself…. )
It is a devotional gift to be used in the believer's prayer life and in the praise and worship of God.
Paul said to the church at Corinth , “ I thank my God; I speak with tongues more than ye all.” (1 Cor 14:18)
The Holy Spirit strengthens a person in the inner man ( Eph 3:16)
( b) Corporate Prayer During Corporate Praise & Worship, the praying tongue help the believers to magnify God & worship Him in spirit ( Act 10:46, Act 19:6, John 4:23-24)
(c) Intercessory Tongue The Holy Spirit helps & teaches us how to pray for someone or situation when we are lost for words or do not know how to pray. Example: when people ask us to pray for them without knowing what is wrong. ( Romans 8:26-27)
Benefits of Praying Tongues :-
The Holy Spirit strengthens a person in the inner man (Eph 3 :16)
Praying in the Spirit builds faith Praying in the Holy Spirit builds up the faith of a believer (Jude 20). Faith is essentially cultivated by meditating on the Word which has become personal revelation in the heart (Rom 10:17) Praying in the Spirit enhances your faith that has been built upon the Word
For deeper spiritual communion with God
“Deep calls unto deep” (Ps 42:7). Your spirit worships God who is Spirit (Jn 4:22-23) It is magnifying God in your Spirit (Act 10.46) It is a very deep level of adoration which is far beyond your intellectual appreciation of the attributes of God.
It opens door to the supernatural. Allowing other gifts to flow in our lives and our worship
2) Preaching Tongues (Acts 2:4)
This gift is not common and only give to those who are called to the 5 Fold Office (Eph 4:11)
This tongue is mainly used for evangelising i.e. During Pentecost, 3000 people were converted that day.
We speak in another language as the Holy Spirit gives us the utterance. Such as speaking in the native language of the people who we are evangelising to, without knowing the language. These happening are a miracle to the unbelievers
3) Prophecy in Tongues ( 1 Cor 12:10 ) (1 Cor 14:27-28)
Prophecy in Tongues always must follow with the Interpretation of Tongues. These two gifts must go hand in hand. This type of tongue is a prophetic tongue. This form of tongues is given to a believer to deliver the message from God and it must be interpreted for the congregation of the worshippers ( 1 Cor 14:27-28 )
This is not a common gift, it usually will be exercised by those who are called to Ministerial Gifts ( 1 Cor 12:28-30) & 5 Fold Office ( Eph 4:11)
This gift edifies the Church like the gift of Prophecy ( 1 Cor 14:3)
It releases an anointing that can uplift the spiritual atmosphere when the people worship together. A message in tongues should not be brought unless an interpretation is sure to be forthcoming ( 1 Cor 14:28) (Exercise the gift in your private meeting first before coming into a public worship)
The number of “message in tongues” should not exceed two or three (1 Cor 14:27)
In conclusion, I pray that every member in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (the Church) will desire to pray in Tongues because this gift is given to every believer. This gift, will help us edify ourselves and edify our Corporate worship. I believe Praying Tongues will bring forth a greater anointing during our worship. By rejecting this gift, we are rejecting the Giver of this gift who is the Holy Spirit and we tell the Holy Spirit that this gift is not good. It is always encouraged that we be open to all the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Arokiadass Anthonysamy
( Penang Diocese Service Team Chairman)