"Speaking in tongues is a major distinctive of New Testament Christianity. Jesus Himself says that speaking with new tongues is one of the signs that will mark His followers (Mk 16:17). As a Classical Pentecostal church, we have strong biblical basis to believe that the gift of tongues is for today; it has not ceased (1 Cor 13:8-12).
What’s more, tongues is often used for the spontaneous praise and worship of God at a public Christian gathering (Acts 2:11; 10:44-46; 19:6-7). When tongues is spoken to an audience of one – God Himself in heaven – it is appropriate for all to freely and spontaneously speak to Him in their Spirit-given utterances (Acts 2:4). We see this very clearly in the Book of Acts.
When the words, however, must be understood by others (for the instruction and spiritual strengthening of the congregation), then every tongue must be interpreted (1 Cor 14:26-28). This is because the words are no longer directed to God but to the people.
As such, the consideration must always be – What is appropriate at a given moment of a church meeting? Tongues meant for God or for the people? It cannot simply be a blanket ban of all utterances of tongues at a corporate worship.
The public use of tongues at a prayer meeting or worship service is beautiful. Most of all, it is biblical. Let us freely and boldly do the same in moments of spontaneous prayer and worship of God!
"Speaking in tongues is a major distinctive of New Testament Christianity. Jesus Himself says that speaking with new tongues is one of the signs that will mark His followers (Mk 16:17). As a Classical Pentecostal church, we have strong biblical basis to believe that the gift of tongues is for today; it has not ceased (1 Cor 13:8-12).
What’s more, tongues is often used for the spontaneous praise and worship of God at a public Christian gathering (Acts 2:11; 10:44-46; 19:6-7). When tongues is spoken to an audience of one – God Himself in heaven – it is appropriate for all to freely and spontaneously speak to Him in their Spirit-given utterances (Acts 2:4). We see this very clearly in the Book of Acts.
When the words, however, must be understood by others (for the instruction and spiritual strengthening of the congregation), then every tongue must be interpreted (1 Cor 14:26-28). This is because the words are no longer directed to God but to the people.
As such, the consideration must always be – What is appropriate at a given moment of a church meeting? Tongues meant for God or for the people? It cannot simply be a blanket ban of all utterances of tongues at a corporate worship.
The public use of tongues at a prayer meeting or worship service is beautiful. Most of all, it is biblical. Let us freely and boldly do the same in moments of spontaneous prayer and worship of God!