Speaking Tongues

Speaking tongues is one of the greatest and most misunderstood biblical supernatural events of all times in Christianity today.

Pray in the Spirit

What is meant by the term “speaking in tongues?” It is known as “praying in the spirit.” Others refer to it as “singing in the spirit.” Some call it the “heavenly language or the prayer language.”

It is a secret language spoken by Christians to God

As a matter of fact, speaking tongues is referred to as “glossolalia.” “Glossa” means tongue or language.” “Lalia” means talking. Glossolalia is strange. It’s unexplainable, free-flowing, and made up of small syllabic word parts. It is a secret language spoken by Christians to God.

Praying in the Holy Spirit

• Praying in the Holy Spirit is found in the Old and New Testaments. Mark chapter 16 verse 17, tongues were in the Great Commission.
• In the Book of Acts, Chapter 2, tongues occurred at Pentecost.
• Acts 10:46, Cornelius and other Gentiles spoke in tongues. In Acts 19 verse 6, new converts under Paul used tongues.
• And, in First Corinthians Chapters 12, 13, 14, Paul taught about tongues.

Speaking tongues occurred in Romans 8:26, Jude 20, and Isaiah 28:11. Later, some thought the gift was obsolete. It resurfaced in the 20th century. Again, Tongues showed up in Charles Parham’s Bible class in 1901. Tongue speaking happened at the Azusa Street Revival in 1906 under William Seymour.

Purposes of Speaking in Tongues

What are the benefits or purposes of speaking in tongues? Personal edification and your prayer life are enhanced. Satan does not understand the language. On the other hand, tongues unite people groups from all backgrounds spiritually(Acts 1:8). These are just some of the spiritual highlights.

As has been noted, Neuroscientists find that it has effects on the brain and body. And, neuroimaging shows a decrease in the language center of the brain. As a result, hormones are activated during glossolalia, (speaking in an unknown language). And, healing power is released. Furthermore, stress reduction occurs. All of which should be preceded by Spirit-led worship.

Generally speaking, skeptics describe it as a bunch of gibberish. Some call it “Babel tongues” or nonsense. Furthermore, others think it’s a bunch of fast words. According to First Corinthians fourteen and two, “For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God”, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit, he speaks mysteries.”

Given these points, watch Christian sermon videos about praying in the spirit.  Or, listen to Christian audio tapes on the prayer language. They are available on KNCB.org’s Christian channels.