What Is the Gift of Speaking in Tongues? Is It for Today? What About Praying in Tongues?
1) Direct answer
- The gift of tongues is a real work of the Holy Spirit where a believer speaks a language unknown to them as the Spirit gives utterance.
- Yes, it is for today.
- Praying in tongues is the Spirit praying through a believer; it edifies the individual and should be kept in order when in a public service.
2) Scriptural explanation
- The Bible says, “These signs shall follow them that believe… they shall speak with new tongues” (Mark 16:17). In Acts 2:4-11 they spoke languages they did not know as the Spirit gave utterance.
- Tongues are one of the gifts God set in the Body (1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28). The same chapter asks, “Do all speak with tongues?” (12:30). The obvious answer is no—so tongues are not the evidence of having the Holy Ghost; they are a gift given as God wills.
- In the church, tongues must follow order: “If any speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God” (1 Corinthians 14:27-28). God is not the author of confusion (14:33).
- Tongues with interpretation equals edification for the church; tongues without interpretation edifies the speaker (1 Corinthians 14:4-5). That’s why Paul said he would rather speak five words with understanding in the church than ten thousand in an unknown tongue (14:19).
- Praying in tongues: “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue… in the spirit he speaketh mysteries” (1 Corinthians 14:2). “If I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful… I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also” (14:14-15). This shows private devotion in the Spirit is right, and in public we seek understanding for the sake of others.
- Do tongues cease? The Bible says tongues “shall cease… when that which is perfect is come” and then we shall see “face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:8-12). We have not yet come to that face-to-face, so the gifts remain. The same chapter commands, “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts” (14:1) and “forbid not to speak with tongues” (14:39).
3) Simple clarifying logic
- It’s not three Gods; it’s one God who sent His Spirit into the Church, and that same Spirit divides gifts as He wills. Not every member does the same thing (1 Corinthians 12:14-21).
- If tongues were the proof of the Holy Ghost, Paul would not ask, “Do all speak with tongues?” Nor would he limit public messages to “two or three.” The new birth is evidenced by the life of Christ and obedience to the Word; gifts are tools for service, not badges of salvation.
- If tongues had ceased, the clear New Testament instructions for their use would be meaningless. But the Bible says, “forbid not,” and “let all things be done decently and in order.” So we receive it, but we keep it Scriptural.
- Praying in tongues is right when the Spirit leads. In a gathering, if there’s no interpreter, keep it between you and God so the Body is not confused. The Spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophets (1 Corinthians 14:32); the Holy Spirit does not force disorder.
4) Reinforcing statement
Now notice, the Bible sets the balance: love first, the Word as the absolute, desire spiritual gifts, and keep the operation of tongues under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and in harmony with Scripture.
Ask a Follow-up Question
What did the Laodicean Church Age (our age) Angel (- messenger) Say about this?
Ranked passages from the local William Branham sermon and Church Age Book database. Relevance is relative, not a statement of doctrinal certainty.
The Spoken Word is the original seed
62-0318 §155
And you say, "Well, Brother Branham, wait a minute. Bless God, I've seen them go out there and heal the sick." Oh sure; so have I. "Oh, I've seen them speak in tongues." Yes, sir. So have I. And I've never believed, and there's no one can prove it by God's Word, that the initial evidence of the Holy Ghost is speaking in tongues. I want the man to come do it. I've challenged that all along. I believe in speaking in tongues. Yes, sir; but I've seen devils speak in tongues, witches and wizards speak in tongues and int...
What hearest thou, Elijah?
59-0412E §38
Thank the Lord. Now, radio audience, you might not have heard that. It was a speaking with tongues, and an interpretation of tongues. That's a gift that belongs in the church. God placed it in the church Himself. It was after the message; it came just in order, not while the message is going on. The spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophet. Now, it came just in order, and it called the church to repent and to come forward with God. May the Lord God bless.
Questions and Answers (God being misunderstood)
61-0723E §59
Now, this person here, I know in speaking in tongues, it's supposed to be by courses---two, or not more than three. That is correct, but if you'll notice here, if it was... Just like someone give ... up, up there, like Brother Sothmann raised up and give a message in prophecy or speaking in tongues. Interpretation of tongues is prophecy, see, spirit of prophecy. Now, if you just speak in an unknown tongues, there be no interpreter, that person's blessed of the Spirit; but he doesn't hurt the church. Now, what Paul...
Questions and Answers, Part 3
64-0830M §123
Now, in the church says, "...has the gifts operating." Now, we do not have too many of the gifts operating here, but we have some of them. We have the gift of tongues, and the gift of prophecy (two or three of them). I think our Brother Higginbotham here, ever where he's at, he's got a gift of speaking in tongues. And we got our Brother Junior Jackson with us, and he speaks with tongues. And then we got two or three of them interprets. Brother Neville here also, our pastor, speaks with tongues and sometimes prophes...
Questions and Answers
61-0112 §117
"... except it be for interpretation." See, then he gives edification. Then they'll say... Then that guy will go out, say, "Let me tell you something. Don't tell me God's not with them people up there. Certainly! Them people knowed me not at all." So we want the gifts of prophecy, plus the gifts of speaking in tongues. But, in speaking with tongues, see, must have interpretation. And then, when it's interpreted, it is prophecy, see. It is prophecy. Now, I've got that question here in a minute, so I'll get to it jus...