1 Corinthians 12:7-11: ^“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” (Please take time to read 1 Corinthians 14:1-40)

Tongue twisters are those words that we find very difficult to articulate. Here are some samples:

I wish to wish the wish you wish to wish, but if you wish the wish the witch wishes, I won’t wish the wish you wish to wish.

One-one was a race horse. Two-two was one too. One-one won one race. Two-two won one too.

How much pot, could a pot roast roast, if a pot roast could roast pot.

While these fleas flew, freezy breeze blew. Freezy breeze made these three trees freeze.Freezy trees made these trees’ cheese freeze.

That’s what made these three free fleas sneeze. Through three cheese trees three free fleas flew. While these fleas flew, freezy breeze blew. Freezy breeze made these three trees freeze. Freezy trees made these trees’ cheese freeze. That’s what made these three free fleas sneeze.

Literally, these are real tongue twisters. But theologically and spiritually, the real tongue twister is when we come to the teaching of scripture concerning spiritual gifts, in particular the gift of Tongues and the Interpretation of Tongues -- then you can hear some real tongue twisters. It not only twists many believers totally out of shape, but it seems to have an even greater twisting affect on their tongues. In many Christian circles the mere mention of the gift of tongues causes the sudden twisting of believer’s tongues into the grotesque shape of flaming swords of criticism, condemnation, and castigation that is thrust violently toward those who claim to operate in the gift of tongues.

Pastor and author George Mallone calls tongues the biggest friendship and oneness buster of the century. Perhaps no doctrine, creed, or practice has divided so many who have so much in common and united so many who have so little in common, as has the matter of tongues.

Yet whatever our approach in this discussion of the issue of tongues, we should write at the head of all our reasoning, debating and disagreeing, two things:

(1) We must always begin our discussions of tongues, not at 1 Cor. 12:10, but at 1 Cor. 13:1-3, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.”

(2) Whatever our feelings may be toward tongues, we must obey what scripture commands and it very clearly declares in 1 Cor. 14:39, "Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues."

Any examination of the Bible’s teaching on tongues must begin with these four truths in mind:

One, Jesus prophesied it -- Mark 16:17, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues

Two, the Father intended it – James 1:17 – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

Three, the Holy Spirit enabled it -- Acts 2:4, "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." 1 Cor 12:10-11, "to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."

Four, the New Testament Church received it -- Acts 2:4, "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

There are four basic views concerning the gift of tongues:

1. There is no spiritual gift of tongues in operation today, (based on 1 Cor 13:8,… where there are tongues, they will cease…) therefore all tongue-speaking is either psychological or demonic.

Many of the main-line denominations today believe that the gift of tongues was an apostolic gift which meant that it was only necessary in the church during the time of the apostles to kick-start the church.

They then state that 1 Cors. 13:8-10 teaches that tongues would cease when the perfect is come in, and then proceed to identify the perfect as the completion of the Bible. Thus with the completion of the Bible and the death of the apostles, tongues and most of the gifts in 1 Cors. 12:7-10 were no longer needed. As a result, many of these denominations do not promote this gift because they deny its existence for today.

2. Tongues is the evidence of being baptized in the Holy Spirit – no tongues speaking – no baptism in the Spirit.

This is the classic Pentecostal position. However, even many Pentecostals are changing there adamant insistence on tongues as the only evidence of the baptism of the Holy Sprit. Pastor Jack Hayford is a case in point: He says, "God hasn’t called me to tell people whether or not the Lord Jesus Christ has baptized them with the Holy Spirit!

What a relief! That one concept—and the decision to live within its manifest wisdom — completely removed the need ever to debate again, ever to ar­gue any doctrinal position on the subject. May I affirm that here—to you, dear reader—just as I affirm it everywhere today.

I do urge believers in Christ to welcome the Holy Spirit’s fullness to follow Jesus in His life and power! And I do hope and pray they will be receptive to and become functional in the spiritual language available to them. But I have no disposition whatever to propose a doctrinal position on anyone, or to require a “tongues” experience of them—you, me, anyone—to validate anything of our place in Christ or our walk with Him. Please see and believe that! For the beauty of spiritual language can only clearly be seen and received for all its precious worth when our eyes are unfogged by vision-blurring debate or demands. I believe the simple evidence in God’s Word is that He never intended spiritual language as a proof, but that He has offered it as a provision—a resource for readiness in prayer and praise."

3. Tongues is one of the spiritual gifts, therefore some receive this gift and others don't.

4. Tongues is a gift of the Spirit with varied uses.

This latter position holds that there is a two-fold deployment of this gift. One, there is a prophetic gifting to select ones during a corporate assembly of the Body for edification of the Church. Two, there is a prayer and praise gifting that is available to every Christian for individual edification. This is my position on the issue of tongues.

Unashamedly, gratefully and humbly, I want to go on record as one who has and does speak in tongues. Also trying at all cost to avoid creating an impression that those who don’t speak in tongues are spiritually inferior to those of us who do, I readily acknowledge that there are multitudes of devout Christians down through the centuries and into the present, who didn’t, haven’t and won’t, for various reasons, ever speak in tongues. Yet, I believe the gift for personal edification is available to all even though nobody must speak in tongues to prove anything.

In spite of using the gift of tongues in prayer and praise on a daily basis, I still consider myself relatively sane and pretty normal. And believe it or not, I can still tie my shoes, drive my car, and carry on a halfway intelligent conversation. My front teeth aren’t missing, and I have never foamed at the mouth, and I seldom ever drool when I speak in tongues. For me to reveal to you that I speak in tongues is to expose myself to ridicule and potential censure as a Southern Baptist pastor. It opens me up to charges of being a mind­less, spiritual fanatic who periodically mumbles while in an ecstatic or hypnotic trance. Yet this gift is so precious and practical in my life that I gladly bear any reproach that is so often associated with the gift.

Let’s look into the problem that had developed in the Church at Corinth concerning the use and abuse of the gift of tongues by considering first:

The Congregational Abuse of Tongues is Addressed

A. Abuse was confusing the church's worship -- 14:26 – “How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.” Notice that although the abuse of the gifts of the Spirit was confusing the church’s worship, Paul didn’t write them and command them to cease and desist from the use of these gifts. Instead he admonishes them to learn how to operate in these power tools of the Spirit powerfully and constructively, instead of confusingly.

B. Abuse was clouding the church's witness --  1 Cor. 14:9,11,16,23b

1 Cor. 14:9: “So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.

1 Cor. 14:11, "Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me."

1 Cor. 14:16, "Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?"

1 Cor. 14:23, "Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? “

Due to the manner in which the whole assembled church was trying to vie with one another by all simultaneously speaking in tongues without pause or interpretation, visitors to the church would conclude that they had mistakenly entered the house of the insane rather than the house of God. Thus the witness of the church was being nullified in the meeting and negatively publicized throughout the city.

C. Abuse was corrupting the church’s warfare –1 Cor. 12:3, “Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.” It appears from the implications of this warning that some of the church members had in the process of speaking in tongues actually been cursing Jesus instead of blessing Him. Religious spirits were apparently having a field day in some of the worship services. Thus the Church’s effectiveness in spiritual warfare was being corrupted and in fact the enemy was using the Christian's own weapons of warfare to aid and abet the cause of the kingdom of darkness!

The Scriptural Use of Tongues is Affirmed

Someone asks, “Why did God ever give the gift of tongues in the first place?”

Charles Carrin, a Primitive Baptist pastor for 27 years gives a very cogent reason as he writes: "Of all the spiritual gifts, tongues is the most controversial. God has a reason for this: Tongues is the only gift deliberately designed to attack man’s ego and pride. No other gift achieves the humbling purpose of God like the gift of tongues. To the public, tongues is abnormal. It denotes mental incompetence, social inferiority, and ignorance. The mere mention of the gift arouses man’s religious intolerance."

A. The Gift Defined – The gift of tongues is a supernatural utterance in a language or languages (earthly or heavenly) which the one doing the speaking does not understand, unless they are given the interpretation.  It is a vocal miracle.  It is a miracle of speech (Acts 2:4-8; Acts 10:46; Acts 19:1-6; 1Cor 12-14).

Professor Rodman Williams speaks of tongues as "declaring the works of God in ways transcending all human ability.”

Anglican minister Michael Green regards the purpose of tongues as enabling “the recipient to pray to God from the depths of his being and not merely from the con­scious levels of his mind.”

Tongues gives a voice to our spirits. Har­old Horton explains that tongues "has nothing whatever to do with linguistic ability, nor with the mind or intellect of man. It is a manifestation of the mind of the Spirit of God employing human speech organs.”

The gift of tongues may be used to witness (Acts 2), to pray (1Cor 14:2), to sing (1Cor 14:15), to give thanks (1Cor 14:16-17), and to praise the Lord (Acts 10:46).  Tongues with interpretation is equal to prophecy (1Cor 14:5).  The gift of tongues is a sign to the unbelieving Jew who has read or heard the O.T. prophesies concerning this gift (compare 1Cor 14:21-22 with Isaiah 28:11).  Through this gift, the Holy Spirit may pray through a believer and make intercession according to the will of God causing everything to work together for good (Romans 8:26-28).

Dr. Sam Storms reminds us of an important truth as he states, “We must never forget that the gift of tongues was God’s idea, not man’s. He gave this gift to the church no less than that the gifts of teaching, mercy, exhortation, and evangelism. Let us resolve from the outset not to spurn or ridicule something precious in God’s sight, graciously bestowed by a loving Heavenly Father who gives only good gifts to His children.

It is also important that we keep our sense of perspective. Tongues is neither God’s greatest gift to His most highly favored children nor is it the devil’s most sinister tool of deceit. Tongues is just like any other gift of the Spirit. It is not a sign of God’s special love. It is not a sign of heightened maturity in Christ. It is not a sign of superior zeal or commitment. It is not a sign that one has “more” of the Holy Spirit than others. In fact, tongues is not a sign of anything. It is merely one among many of what the apostle Paul calls “manifestations of the Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:7) given to believers for the common good of the church.”

B. The Gift Deployed

The "gift of tongues" may be deployed for congregational edification;

The gift, or what Jack Hayford calls “the grace of tongues," is used for devotional and intercessional prayer and praise.

In both areas -- corporately in the church assembled and privately in the church scattered -- tongues are useful for a number of things:

(a) Tongues can expand praise and worship,(not only speaking but singing with the Spirit- 1 Cor. 14:15) The spiritual gift of tongues enhances our ability to give thanks to God and to worship Him for the good He has done. British professor C. F. D. Moule said, "The manifestation of tongues is a significant outlet of pent-up praise or emotion too deep, too intense, for words: it is a precious mode of private devotion. It relaxes and releases the soul for adoration.”

Sometimes what God has done and is doing will so overwhelm a person that words fail to be adequate in expressing the joy and loving adoration felt by the believer. Speaking and praising God in tongues meets this need to worship the LORD.

(b) Tongues can empower warfare – On occasions while engaged in the ministry of deliverance, we have come to an impasse and not knowing what to do, say, or pray, we have begun to exercise the gift of tongues and found that the demons indwelling the person would immediately be stirred into manifestations and demand that we cease such activity.

Pastor Ernie Rockstad relates an experience in which a deliverance team had reached an impasse and needed help and so they called him on the phone and asked if he would pray and command while they kept her in restraint and held the phone to her ear. He said, “I pro­ceeded to do so, but after some minutes it was re­ported that the situation remained the same. I wanted to use the tongue, but knowing these people had been strictly taught that tongues are not for today, I was reluctant to do so.

Nevertheless, since this was a time of real extremity and I didn’t know what else to do, I overcame my dif­fidence and began to speak in the tongue. After doing this for a brief period of time, I became em­barrassed and began again to pray and command in Eng­lish. Shortly a voice came on the extension: “You had better go back to that other language. She seemed to understand, and it was evidently doing her some good.” with alacrity I began again to use the tongue and continued to do so for some minutes. Then a voice came on the line again expressing appreciation and informing me that the young lady was quiet and all was well."

(c) Tongues can enhance witness – A pastor was at a Christian gathering in a conference room at a large hotel. Hotel rules dictated that the bar in the rear of the conference room remain open whenever the room was in use. A bartender tended the bar while the Bible Study, prayer and worship went on. Close to the end of the meeting a person stood up and spoke in tongues. The group waited silently for the interpretation of the word spoken in tongues. When no apparent interpretation was given, the leader of the meeting said, "We thank the LORD for the utterance, but since there is no interpretation flowing here tonight, that will be our only public utterance in tongues." As the meeting closed the bartender, with tears streaming down his face, came to the leader of the meeting and said, "I must talk to that man who stood up and prayed. How does he know my tongue? I'm Iranian, and he worshipped the True and Living God in perfect Farsi!" That night the bartender gave his heart to Jesus Christ. Tongues are a sign to unbelievers.

(d) Tongues can edify the soul -- As Professor Gordon Fee points out, “contrary to the opinion of many, spiri­tual edification can take place in ways other than through the cortex of the brain. Paul believed in an immediate communing with God by means of the Holy Spirit and the human spirit that sometimes bypassed the mind; and in vv. 14-15 he argues that for his own edification he will have both. But in church he will have only what can also communicate to other believers through their minds”

(e) Tongues can express the inexpressible –Rom. 8:26-27, ”Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” The expression “groanings which cannot be uttered” means primarily that there are times when we are so pressed out of measure that words are woefully inadequate for our travailing insomuch that the Holy Spirit interprets our groanings to the Father for us. However, I am convinced that the passage also allows for the employment of the gift of tongues to pray when words fail us.

Biblical Truths about Tongues

1. Tongues speech is directed to God and not men(it isn't irrational speech, but trans-rational, i.e., it transcends the rationale of the mind) -- 14:2, “ 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.”

2.  Tongues speech "is speaking mysteries in the Spirit” -- 1 Cor.14:2 

In commenting on 1 Cor. 14:2, Sam Storms writes, “Here Paul says 4 important things about tongues-speech. First, tongues-speech is directed or addressed to God, not to men. Hence, tongues-speech is a form of prayer and praise. Even when interpreted in a public gathering, tongues-speech is God-­oriented (cf. the Psalms). Second, no one in the church understands tongues. Why? Because it is uninterpreted. This is the reason for the relative “inferiority” of tongues to prophecy. Third, Paul says that in or by his spirit (Holy Spirit?) he speaks mysteries. Fourth, and more important still, what is meant by “myster­ies”? It may be one of two things. “Mysteries” may refer to those truths relating to our salvation in Christ that were not previous­ly revealed during the era of the OT, but now have been made known by an act of revelation. Or then again he may be referring to anything that lies outside the understanding of both the speaker and the hearer. In other words, he speaks “mysteries in the sense that no one understands. Tongues-speech, when unin­terpreted, is simply a “mystery’ to everyone.

3. Speaking in tongues edifies the person -- 1 Cor. 14:4 -- ^“He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.”

Is the desire to edify one’s self wrong or selfish? No! It’s for this reason that believers study the Bible, listen to teaching and preaching, etc..

4. Paul prefers prophecy to tongues in the assembly of the saints -- 1 Cor. 14:5, “I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.”

5. Tongues plus interpretation does edify the entire Body -- 1 Cor. 14:5

When the gift of tongues with interpretation is employed, it actually becomes another form of prophesying.

6. When a person prays in the Spirit the mind is unfruitful --1 Cor. 14:14Unfruitful means that the mind neither produces nor understands the speech.

There is a praying with the spirit (tongues –1 Cor 14:15), and a praying in the Spirit – (Eph 6:18; Jude 20) Praying in the Spirit isn’t necessarily praying in tongues, but praying in tongues should always be praying in the Spirit. (Arthur Wallis)

7. Is tongues speech ecstatic?”

By this question we mean is it a highly emotional, out-of-control type of action? Sam Storms writes, “It is important to remember that the NT never uses this term to describe speaking in tongues. It is found in some English trans­lations but is not in the Greek text. Many define ecstatic as a mental or emotional state in which the person is more or less oblivious to the external world. The individual is perceived as losing self-control, perhaps lapsing into a frenzied condition in which self-consciousness and the power for rational thinking are lost, or, those who speak in tongues lose self-control or become unaware of their surroundings. Paul insists that the one speaking in tongues can start and stop at will (1 Cor. 14:15-19; 14:27-28; 14:40; cf. 14:32). There is a vast difference between an experience being "ecstatic” and it being “emotional”. Tongues is often highly emo­tional and exhilarating, bringing peace, joy, etc., but that does not mean it is ecstatic.”

8. Paul admits to being a tongues speaker -- 1 Cor. 14:18,“I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; Here’s a question that demands an answer: If Paul speaks so much in tongues, but didn’t do so when the Body was corporately assembled, where did he exercise this gift? Answer, in private devotion and intercession!

9. Tongues is a gift to the body and a sign to unbelievers -- 1 Cor. 14:21-25 –“In the law it is written: With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” says the Lord. ²²Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. ²³Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? ²⁴But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. ²⁵And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.”

10. Tongues for public use needs the complimentary gift of interpretation –1 Cor. 14:5,13,27,28

14:5, “I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.”

14:13, “Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.”

14:27-28, “If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. ²⁸But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. ²⁹Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.”

The spiritual gift of interpretation of tongues works through the spirit of man as enabled by the Holy Spirit, and not his mind. One pastor said, “Mental ability is no more employed in interpretation of tongues than medical science was used when Paul said, "stand up right on your feet," and the man leaped and walked."

Interpretation of tongues isn’t the ability to translate various known languages. One without the Spirit of God can have the natural talent of translating languages. Also we must understand that one interprets and doesn’t translate the message. This gift does not always quote the exact words as translators; for interpretation is not translation. It tells the meaning of a message as one may tell the meaning of a dream, a symbol, parable, sign, or an action.

The Spiritual gift of the interpretation of tongues is the supernatural manifestation of the Spirit of God using one's vocal organs, giving utterance in one's own language, telling the meaning of the words which have been spoken with tongues. Paul says that interpretation of tongues is equal to prophecy (I Cor. 14:15). He says this gift helps us to profit (14:16). God says for us to pray for this gift if we speak with tongues (14:5).

C. Regulations of the Gift of Tongues for public use:

1. Let all things be done to edify -- 1 Cor. 14:26

2. There should be no more than three uses of the gift in a single service -- 1 Cor. 14:27

3. There is to be only one person at a time giving the word -- 1 Cor. 14:27

4. There must be an interpretation at one time or another -- 1 Cor. 14:27,28

5. Everything must be done decently and in order -- 1 Cor. 14:40

6. We are to covet to prophesy and forbid not to speak in tongues -- 1 Cor. 14:39

Professor Ruthven reminds us that "the charismata(spiritual gifts), then, reflect the very nature of God, who does not share his glory with another. Similarly, God is a Spirit of power, "who changeth not." If the Church has "begun in the Spirit," let us not attempt to change God's methods to complete our course in the weakness of human flesh. Since it is the Father's pleasure to "give good gifts to them who ask Him," it must be our pleasure to receive them humbly."

D. Potential Abuses of the Gift of Tongues Should be Noted

1. Tongues, in many circles, is Misinterpreted as being a Mark of Spiritual Superiority and Maturity.

Tongues may be the primary, but not exclusive evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit; the normal or common, but not the normative or commanded evidence. Tongues are not however the evidence of a Spirit-filled life. The Bible reveals that being filled with the Holy Spirit brings about and enriching transformation, and the evidence is never limited to speaking with other tongues. Praise is an evidence (Acts 10:45-46; Eph 5:18-19); prophecy (Acts 19:6); boldness in witness (Acts 4:8,31); most conclusively, fruit is the primary evidence – (Gals 5:22)

2. Tongues can be Abused  by Psychological Manipulation

The genuine gift of tongues will need no priming of the pump type activity to initiate it’s use. No one needs to be told to say “tie-my-bow-tie” rapidly and repetitively. The true gift doesn’t require a certain type of environment or a working of one’s self into some highly emotional state. Beware of any psychological manipulation.

3. Tongues can be an Avenue for Demonic Mimicking

We must understand that speaking in tongues isn’t unique to Christianity. Hindu’s speak in tongues. Many pagan religions use tongues in their religious rituals. All tongues should be tested, because demons mimic all the "power tool" spiritual gifts, especially tongues.

Pastor Earnest Rockstad in confronting this issue of demonic tongues writes, “Strange as it may seem, in some instances we have found a mixture of the true and the false. One per­son had two distinctly different tongues. One proved to be demonic in source. When the wicked spirit was removed, that particular tongue could no longer be produced. The other tongue, which was very clearly of a different nature, passed every test as the Lord Jesus Christ was honored and glorified. One person with whom we had occasion to work over a considerable period of time had eight different demons giving tongues. After these had all been removed, it was found that she also had a gift which repeatedly passed every test. It was also found that the use of this gift in the presence of wicked spirits in mani­festation seemed to cause them great distress and hastened their departure. One person was found to have a wicked spirit whose work was to interfere with the exercise of what was proven to be a true gift of tongues.”

Are you fearful of this gift of the Spirit? If so why? Do you despise the gift of tongues? Would you gladly receive this gift if Jesus offered it to you?

Would you be willing to pray for the Lord to make you willing to receive this gift, or better still for this gift to be released from within by the indwelling, infilling Holy Spirit?

Although you may not have the gift yourself, would you be willing to allow its use in church if biblical procedure was followed?

Presbyterian Pastor, Don Dunkerley tells how we are to receive and release the gift of tongues and interpretation of tongues: “If you believe in Christ, you have the Holy Spirit living in you (Romans 8:9). Because He is in you, all the power and gifts of the Spirit are potentially in you as well. Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to indwell believers on Easter Sunday night. Days later at Pentecost, believers were filled from within and the gifts and power of the Spirit were released. Many Christians today (as I have said) are like the disciples between Easter and Pen­tecost. The Spirit is in them but the gifts and power need to be released. Pray that both will be released in your life (see Luke 11:13). Begin to praise God verbally. Express your love and praise to Him. As you sense the presence of God, at some point stop speaking words that your mind can understand and simply allow your mouth to produce the sound that you feel coming from your spirit and the Holy Spirit.

Some people believe that because Jesus told the disci­ples to “tarry” at Jerusalem (Luke 24:49, KJV; see also Acts 1:4), we must “tarry” in prayer a long time, too, before the Spirit will be released in our lives. But that instruction was given before Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost and never left. He is here. We do not need to wait for Him. After praying, go in faith seeking and expecting the gifts and power to be released in your life. Pray for the sick and the demonized. Seek to manifest other gifts.

The first one likely to come to you is tongues. Ask the Spirit to take control of your mind and drive out all spir­its not of Jesus. Then ask the Lord to give you words in an unknown tongue by which you can praise Him. Focus on the Lord, open your mouth and praise Him with whatever words He gives you. Do not pay too much attention to the words and do not be self-conscious. Just praise Him with whatever words He places in your mind and heart.”

Professor and Pastor Craig S. Keener gives a refreshing testimony about his experience in being saved and operating in the gift of tongues at the same time: "Yet although I pray in tongues, my initial experience with tongues came entirely unexpectedly. I first heard the gospel on the way home from high school one day, and after arguing for forty-five minutes with the Baptists who shared it with me, I walked home trembling. Although I had been an atheist and found their arguments unconvincing, the Spirit was pressing me for a decision and would not stop pressing until I surrendered or told him to leave me. Within an hour I fell to my knees on my bedroom floor and asked God to save me. Instantly I felt something rushing through my body that I had never felt before, and I quickly jumped to my feet, wonder­ing what was happening. I resolved to be a Christian henceforth, although I was not yet certain of all that this commit­ment entailed. On Sunday I went to a church, and a pastor prayed with me to accept Christ. Assured now that I had accepted Christ “properly,” I felt the same overwhelming pres­ence of God I had felt two days before and this time decided to yield to it fully.

In a moment I was so overwhelmed with the awesome majesty and presence of God that I understood that only He could pro­vide me adequate words with which to praise him. And because I intuitively understood that God knows lots of languages, it somehow did not surprise me when the Spirit gave me another language in which to praise him. For an hour or two I worshiped God in tongues—often punctuated with deep, cathartic laugh­ter (which has recurred on occasion since)—experiencing a joy I had never known before. When I finished, I was convinced that the purpose in life I had long sought must be to promote the glory of Jesus Christ alone.

Over the years God provided other experiences (including learning how to read the Bible in context) that made this spir­itual experience only one among many, but prayer in tongues remains special to me in my personal prayer life. Having never read the Bible before that day or been exposed to speaking in tongues, I did not know “tongues” existed, nor did I hold pre­conceptions about what tongues should involve. But God sim­ply granted me the gift as an act of grace to a former atheist who badly needed a touch from him.

I recognize that everyone’s experience is different, but I offer my own story as an example of how God might provide an experience similar to the ones in Acts for a person who had not been taught anything pro or con about tongues."

Amen!