Speaking in Tongues

On the one hand…Jesus and the Apostle Paul are clearly pro-speaking in tongues. 

• And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name: they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:17-18

• For to one is given through the Spirit…various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 1 Cor. 12:7,10

• Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. 1 Cor. 14:5

• Do not forbid speaking in tongues. 1 Cor. 14:39 

On that same hand…there are only three instances in the entire New Testament (all in the Book of Acts) where a person or persons received the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues. 

• The Day of Pentecost

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4

• At Cornelius’ House

While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” Acts 10:44-47

• The 12 Disciples in Ephesus

And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John's baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. There were about twelve men in all. Acts 19:1-7

But on the other hand…there are seventeen accounts in the Book of Acts where persons or groups of persons came to faith with no mention of speaking in tongues. The list is: the 3,000 on the day of Pentecost, those who were saved in Samaria by Philip’s preaching, the Ethiopian Eunuch, those in Lydda, Sharon and Joppa who turned to the Lord, the Greeks in Antioch, the proconsul in Cyprus, the Jews and Gentiles in Antioch, those in Iconium and Lystra, Lydia of Thyatira, the Philippian jailer, those in Thessalonica, the Greek women of high standing in Berea, those in Athens, Crispus the ruler of the synagogue in Corinth, and those in Rome. 

The Apostle Paul also makes it very clear that not every Christian will receive the gift of speaking in tongues, for each receives a spiritual gift according to the will of the Holy Spirit. While it is true that every believer has at least one spiritual gift, the reality is that not every Christian has the gift of speaking in tongues. 

• To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. 1 Cor. 12:7-11

• Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 1 Cor. 12:27-30

A conversation overheard on the day of Pentecost:

“Why are the disciples of Jesus all speaking in my mother-tongue of Italian? Did they all learn it when they traveled to Venice?” “Hold on! I’m a Jew; everyone knows they’re not speaking Italian! Clearly, they’re all speaking in Hebrew; that’s what I hear.” “No, no, you’re both wrong; I’m from Corinth so I know they’re all speaking in Greek. Really, everything they’re saying is all Greek to me!” “What are you guys crazy? They’re all speaking Arabic, just like I learned in Yemen. I can understand every word they’re saying.”

Question: Is “speaking in tongues” the God-given gift to speak a known (but unlearned) foreign language?

A. Context: The three instances of speaking in tongues in the Book of Acts 

1.   On the day of Pentecost, why did part of the crowd who heard the disciples speaking in tongues come to the conclusion that the disciples were drunk (not making any sense) while the other part of the exact same crowd clearly understood what the disciples were speaking because they were hearing them speak in their own native language (Acts 2:13)? For example, if ten men from Arabia (who were fluent in Arabic) were in attendance when the disciples “spoke in tongues” how could it be that five of them heard the disciples speaking in Arabic and yet five couldn’t understand a word at all – and judged them to be speaking not in Arabic, but gibberish? If even one of the disciples were in fact speaking in the Arabic tongue (language), then why wouldn’t all the Arabs in attendance have been able to understand their own native language? 

2.   On the day of Pentecost, when the disciples started speaking in tongues before a large crowd, how could people from over fifteen different language groups differentiate between fifteen different languages being spoken at the same time (Acts 2:7-11)? This is akin to something that often happens in an international airport and is incredibly confusing for the one who does not speak multiple languages. The narrative doesn’t suggest that that apostles took turns speaking in different languages so each language group could have a turn hearing their native language. 

3.   On the day of Pentecost, the crowd that understood what was being said when the disciples were speaking in tongues would not have been amazed and astonished that they all heard them speak in their own native language (at least fifteen different languages). After all, why would it have been strange for the disciples to be multi-lingual (It’s most probable that many of them spoke at least Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic)? What would be so bewildering, amazing or perplexing about that (Acts 2:6-7, 12a)? 

4.   On the day of Pentecost, why did each language group hear the disciples speak in their own language? The account is not that they said the disciples were speaking in multiple languages, but simply that they “spoke in tongues.” Could it be that God opened the minds of some in the crowd and allowed them to hear their own language, even though there was only one language being spoken by the disciples at that time – in a way, a reverse of the Tower of Babel experience where no one could understand each other (Gen. 11:1-9)? 

5.   At Cornelius’ house, while Peter was preaching, “the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word (Acts 10:44)” Of note is that Peter and his friends made the connection that those who had been listening had been given the gift of the Holy Spirit based on the evidence of their ability to speak in tongues (Acts 10:46). If speaking in tongues were really speaking in a foreign language, why would the Holy Spirit have chosen to have anyone speak in a language other than the language of those who were in attendance (Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic)? 

6.   At Cornelius’ house, Peter heard those who had just received the Holy Spirit “speaking in tongues and extolling God (Acts 10:46).” This description seems to be describing two things, not one. They heard them speaking in tongues (which they couldn’t understand) and they also heard them extolling God (in a language everyone was fluent in). Considering that there is no mention of anyone interpreting what was being spoken in tongues, the assumption is that they heard people speaking in tongues (perhaps a heavenly language) and speaking and extolling God in the language everyone in the room was fluent in, most likely Greek. Again, it speaking in tongues was actually speaking in a known foreign language, then the better phasing of the event would have been that Peter heard them speaking in tongues extolling God, not and (Greek = kai) extolling God. 

7.   When Paul was in Ephesus, he met twelve Ephesians who had not believed in Jesus nor been baptized in his name. Once they believed and were baptized, Paul laid his hands upon them and “the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues (Acts 19:1-7). Considering that these twelve disciples and the Apostle Paul were the only ones in attendance, why would God have chosen these twelve new believers to speak in any language other than their and Paul’s common language of Greek? Would it really have made any sense for these twelve disciples to start speaking, for instance, Hindi (a unknown language for them) at the time? 

B. Context: Speaking in tongues at a church service

1.   If it were a known foreign language, then during a church service, a hearer (even an unbeliever) who already knew the language would not need an interpreter, therefore there would be no need for the spiritual gift of interpretation (1 Cor. 12:10). 

2.   If it were known foreign language, then when the church gathered and someone rose up to “speak in tongues,” why would there be a need to have the spiritual gift of interpretation when one could just as easily find a native speaker of the language being spoken to give the interpretation so that everyone in the room could understand? Really, couldn’t someone just break out his or her iPhone and “Ask Siri” for the language translation?

3.   If it were a known foreign language, in a church setting where everyone in the church spoke the same language, why would God choose to have someone speak in an unknown foreign language and then have it interpreted so everyone could understand what had just been said? For instance, in an English speaking church, why would God have someone stand up and speak in the “tongue” of Polish, when no one in the room spoke Polish? 

4.   If it were a known foreign language, was it the case that there was never a person in the church who was fluent in the language that was being spoken in tongues and therefore the spiritual gift of interpretation was necessary to put into play to understand what was being said? 

5.   If it were a known foreign language, then how would someone speaking in an unknown foreign language be personally “built up?” (1 Cor 14:4a). What would be the edification for that person, especially considering that he or she didn’t understand the foreign language being spoken it was just “uttering mysteries in the Spirit? (1 Cor. 14:4b)”

6.   If it were a known foreign language, then why when outsiders or unbelievers heard everyone in the church speaking known foreign languages think that everyone was out of their minds? (1 Cor 14:22-23). Would they really think it unusual for many languages to be spoken in a church setting? “I hear someone speaking in French and another in Russian.” “Everyone in this church is out of their minds!” “Run for the hills!”

7.   If it were a known foreign language, why were we given a command to not forbid speaking in tongues (1 Cor. 14:39)? Why would someone even consider forbidding someone from speaking a known foreign language? 

8.   If it were a known foreign language, then how can it be that the one speaking in a tongue is said to speak in a language that no onecan understand (1 Cor. 14:2)? This implies that the language is not a known foreign language, for if that were the case, then someone on the earth would be able to understand it. 

9.   If it were a known foreign language, then why, without the benefit of interpretation, is it described as not being intelligible and as “speaking into the air” (1 Cor. 14:9)? Wouldn’t someone who was fluent in the language find it intelligible? 

C. Context: Science> Linguistics

10.  If it were a known foreign language, then linguists would be able to discern the structure or word order of the given (known) language being spoken in tongues. However, linguistic research shows that there is no known system, pattern or construct to the language being spoken by those who speak in tongues – which is strange, because every single known foreign language has structure and word order.

11.  If it were a known foreign language, then linguists would be able to confirm and give examples of people speaking in tongues that were really speaking in a known foreign language. All the research reveals that there is no recorded verifiable instance of anyone ever speaking in tongues speaking a foreign language. To date, no linguist has ever heard or recorded anyone who spoke in tongues and then declared, “Oh, that person is speaking in Norwegian!” Now of course, it is possible for God to give someone the gift of speaking a foreign language that he or she didn’t learn to promote the gospel.  Though there are claims of stories of this having occurred here and there (mostly there), there is no verifiable evidence for this happening, therefore, the case cannot be easily made that speaking in tongues is unequivocally speaking in a known foreign language. 

Question: If “speaking in tongues” is not speaking in a known (but unlearned) foreign language, then what other options remain?

Based on the New Testament, history and linguistics, there seems to be underwhelming to zero evidence for one to come to the conclusion that the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues was, is, and can only be a person speaking in a known (but unlearned) foreign language. Therefore, the only four other logical conclusions that remain would be: 1. The person who speaks in tongues is actually speaking a totally made-up language filled with sounds that have no communicative spiritual value, 2. The person is who speaks in tongues is, for whatever reason, faking speaking in tongues, f3. The person who speaks in tongues is being deceived by Satan into thinking that what is being spoken is by the leading of the Holy Spirit when in fact it is inspired by Satan, or 4. The person who speaks in tongues is in truth, at the gifting of the Holy Spirit, speaking in a heavenly language that needs the spiritual gift of interpretation to be understood. 

Option #1: “Speaking in tongues” is really just someone speaking in a made-up language.

1.   If speaking in tongues were really just speaking in a made-up language made up of various sounds voiced in random patterns with no apparent grammatical structure, then why is the “language” of those speaking in tongues – from local churches to Christians around the world (regardless of their mother tongue) easily recognizable as being distinctly “speaking in tongues” and not random gibberish?

2.   If speaking in tongues were really just speaking in a made-up language, why is it that many Christians’ spirits resonate with what is being spoken upon hearing it and recognize it to be a gift of the Holy Spirit? Do all these Christians simply lack discernment? 

3.   If speaking in tongues were really just speaking in a made-up language, why is it that the sounds, words and often times pace of the language being spoken have amazing similarities among those who speak in tongues? How could it be that everyone who speaks in tongues made up the same fake language? What are the odds of that happening? 

Option #2: “Speaking in tongues” is something Christians are faking.

1.   It seems that some Christians are unintentionally faking, forging, forcing or mimicking the ability to speak in tongues. Not having the gift of speaking in tongues, and wanting to fit in and be like everyone else in their church, denomination, movement or Christian community, they try to imitate the sounds or words of a believer who really does speak in tongues and over time convince themselves that they really have the gift of speaking in tongues when in fact, they do not. Sometimes, people like this have been pressured, guilted coerced or shamed into taking a spiritual gifts class to “learn” how to speak in tongues (even though in reality it’s a gift of the Holy Spirit, not something that can be learned) or otherwise coached by a well-meaning Christian mentor to “learn” how to pray in tongues under the belief that one needs to pray in tongues in order to show evidence of being a Spirit-filled Christian, having been baptized in the Spirit or even having a true faith and genuine salvation in Christ. 

2.   There are also those Christians who intentionally fake the ability to speak in tongues to gain notoriety, power, or receive financial gain. These charlatans believe that if they fraudulently speak in tongues they can impress others with their spirituality, gain respect and in the end, like a false prophet, take advantage of the unsuspecting and gullible flock (2 Tim. 4:3-4). 

Option #3: “Speaking in tongues” is a deceptive tool of Satan.

The fact is that Satan is a liar (John 8:43-45), wily in his attacks (Eph. 6:11-12) and walks around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1 Pet 5:8-9). He is also known to not only be a deceiver (Rev. 12:9), but he also has the ability to do great signs & wonders to deceive, if possible, the elect (Matt. 24:24). Beyond this, he is also the author or conflict, confusion and chaos (1 Cor. 14:33). So it would come as no surprise if he counterfeited the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues to wreck havoc in the church. But hold on a second…

1.     If speaking in tongues in the church today were of Satan, why would speaking in tongues be closely associated with prayer, praise and even healing? False prophets are supposed to produce bad fruit, not draw people to into a closer relationship with God, honor and exalt God or bring wellness to those who are hurting or in pain. This seems the opposite of what Satan would want to happen. 

2.     If speaking in tongues in the church today were of Satan, then why is it that many of those who speak in tongues seem to be growing in the Christ-like character traits of faith, godliness, righteousness, love and humility? Is that something Satan would want to see happen?

3.     If speaking in tongues in the church today were of Satan, then why is it that many of the people who practice speaking in tongues are developing an increased hunger for and appreciation of the Scriptures? Again, that would seem to be the exact opposite of what Satan would want to happen. 

4.     If speaking in tongues in the church today were of Satan, then why is it that those who practice speaking in tongues during their prayer times report being greatly edified, encouraged and drawn closer to Christ? Does Satan want people to be built up in their faith and grow closer to Jesus?

5.     If speaking in tongues in the church today were of Satan, then why is it that many of those who speak in tongues have an increased passion for bearing witness to Christ by sharing the gospel of Jesus with their non-believing family, friends and neighbors (John 15:26)? How could Satan be pleased with that?

6.     If speaking in tongues in the church today were of Satan, then why is it that when speaking in tongues, a person often times praises and exalts the name of Jesus Christ in English (or their mother-tongue) before, during and/or after they speak in tongues? We need to keep in mind that, “no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:3). 

7.     If speaking in tongues in the church today were of Satan, then why do many of those who speak in tongues have a heart to be concerned not only for themselves, but others (Phil. 2:3-4)? This love for their neighbors results in an increased desire to do good works (Eph. 2:10; Titus 2:7, 14, 3:8), something that would go against the selfishness and pride that Satan would prefer to see happen.

8.     If speaking in tongues in the church today were of Satan, then why do many of those who speak in tongues show evidence of submissiveness to the elders and pastors of the church and the Word of God by desiring to respect and obey the regulations governing the use of speaking in tongues as set forth in 1 Cor. 14:26-33)? Wouldn’t Satan rather incite rebellion than bring about obedience to the Word of God?

9.     If speaking in tongues in the church today were of Satan, then one would expect conflict, confusion and/or chaos in our churches (1 Cor. 14:33)? The fact of the matter is that this has and is happening in many churches. However, to throw the baby out with the bathwater is not the best option, for if we do so, we risk restraining or even quenching a true work of the Holy Spirit. We need to expect Satan to try to counterfeit something that is really of God and use our God-given discernment to determine the spirit behind anyone who is speaking in tongues. 

Option #4: “Speaking in tongues” is actually speaking in a “heavenly language.”

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 1 Cor. 13:1

The Apostle Paul, a man who had the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues, makes reference to his ability to speak in the tongues of men (for him, at least Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic) and his ability to speak in the tongue of angels (1 Cor. 13:1). If there were no “tongues of angels,” why would he even mention it, or that it were even possible for him to speak that language? 

Conclusion

The God-given gift of speaking in tongues is not speaking in an unlearned but known foreign language – though it is possible for God to give someone, even temporality and most likely for the furtherance of the kingdom of God, the ability to speak an unlearned foreign language. This means that those who speak in tongues are really speaking a heavenly language.

Those who exercise their Spirit-led gift of speaking in tongues are not speaking in a made-up language – though is possible for both Christians and non-Christians, for whatever reason, to make up a fake language and pass it off as speaking in tongues. 

Speaking in tongues at the prompting of the Holy Spirit is also not a deception of Satan – though it is possible for Satan to counterfeit the real spiritual gift of speaking in tongues to lead the elect astray and cause chaos and/or confusion in the church. One way to discern whether or not someone is really speaking in tongues by the Spirit and not by Satan is to examine the resulting fruit. A person who is growing in godliness, faithfulness and righteousness, drawing closer to God through worship, developing a hunger for and deeper appreciation of the Word of God and is passionately sharing the gospel about Jesus so that others may come to faith are most likely not being deceived by Satan but instead, filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues for personal edification and the building up of the body of Christ. 

Therefore, we should not forbid the speaking of tongues in our church. Being ever mindful to keep a careful watch on the practice and fruit of this gift, we should in fact be encouraging its use so that our church would be built up to the glory of God. Further, we should be diligent to teach on this spiritual gift (and all the others) so as to prevent or mitigate any confusion it could cause in our church body. Finally, like the Apostle Paul, we should desire that everyone in our church would speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. 

More on Speaking in tongues:

1. Spiritual gifts, including the gift of speaking in tongues, are expressly given to build up the church.

It’s without question that the primary purpose of spiritual gifts is to build up the church. Does the present day church still need to be built up – or not? Why would the early church need all the spiritual gifts to be built up and advance the kingdom of God but not the modern-day church? 

• To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Cor. 12:7

• Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. 1 Cor. 14:5

• So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. 1 Cor. 14:12

• What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 1 Cor. 14:26

• And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. Eph. 4:11-12

• As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. 1 Pet 4:10

2. The proper use of the gift of speaking in tongues when the church gathers together (for a Sunday morning worship service). 

• What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 1 Cor. 14:26-27

• Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 1 Cor. 14:6

1.   It seems to have been normative, at least when the early Corinthian church met together, that both speaking in tongues and the interpretation of tongues were a standard part of the service agenda (along with a hymn, a lesson and a revelation). 1 Cor. 14:26

2.   One governing regulatory guideline was such that no more than two or three would speak in tongues at a given church service, each in turn. 1 Cor. 14:27

3.   When the church came together, if someone spoke in tongues, it was to be interpreted. If there were no interpreter, then the one who spoke in tongues was to keep silent and instead speak to himself and God (1 Cor. 14:28). Note: This implies that a person who speaks in tongues can control when he or she speaks in tongues. 

4.   The one who speaks in tongues should bring the church body edification (1 Cor. 14:4) by bringing: 

• A Revelation – Something that God reveals to the church that they did not know. 1 Cor. 14:6

• Knowledge – Previously unknown information that was useful to the church at the time. 1 Cor. 14:6

• A Prophecy – Most usually a coming event that is foretold or a declaration about someone’s life (see: 1 Tim. 4:14; 1 Cor. 14:6)

• Teaching – An instruction on or an explanation of a given biblical matter. 1 Cor. 14:6

3. Practical applications for The Harbor Church in regards to speaking in tongues during a church worship service:

1.   We should not quench the Spirit (1 Thess. 5:19) nor forbid to speak in tongues (1 Cor. 14:29)

2.   We should test everything and hold fast what is good, abstain from every form of evil and be mature in our thinking about speaking in tongues (1 Thess. 5:20-22; 1 Cor.14:20)

3.   To ensure order in the church worship service, we should allow a time for the use of the gift of speaking in tongues and an interpretation – or the gift of prophesy (1 Cor. 14:26, 40).   

4.   We should only allow two or at most three people to speak in tongues at a church service. 1 Cor. 14:27

5.   If someone speaks in tongues, a pastor or elder needs to ask if someone in the church has the interpretation. Further, it this happens, we need to give a clear explanation to the church body as to what is happening. 

6.   If after someone speaks in tongues there is no one with the interpretation, we should ask the person who spoke in tongues to be silent and not allow anyone else to speak in tongues at that church service. 1 Cor. 14:28

4. The use of speaking in tongues for personal edification. 

The fact of the matter, for right or wrong, is that there are Christians who speak in tongues in their private prayer times. Is this a proper and allowable use of their gift of speaking in tongues? What is the biblical support for speaking in tongues privately? Is the gift of speaking in tongues only to be used during a corporate church service? 

• For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 1 Cor. 14:2

• The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 1 Cor. 14:4

• For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 1 Cor. 14:14

• What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. 1 Cor. 14:15

• “But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God (1 Cor. 14:28).”

If there were no one to interpret the speaking of tongues in a church service, The Apostle Paul instructed those who spoke in tongues not only to be silent (in the church service) but to instead speak to himself and to God (1 Cor. 14:28). Since it’s impossible for a person to be silent when speaking in tongues, the only place a person could pray in tongues would be outside of the church, most likely in their personal prayer times. 

Question #1: Could speaking in tongues be part of “praying (or singing) in the Spirit,” something that would not be limited to a corporate worship service?

• Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Rom. 8:26

• Praying at all times in the Spirit. Eph. 6:18

• But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit. Jude 20

Question #2: Why do those who speak in tongues describe their gift as a “personal prayer language?”

The governing regulations given in regards to spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 14 are such that if, in a corporate church setting, there is no interpreter that a person should keep silent (not speak in tongues) but rather “speak to himself and to God (1 Cor. 14:28).” Typically, we consider speaking to God to be the actual definition of what prayer is. 

Combining the above verse with “the one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up (1 Cor. 14:4)” and the Apostle Paul’s reasoning that, “I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also (1 Cor. 14:15),” one can be led to the conclusion that a person who speaks in tongues has, for no better term, a “personal prayer language.” 

However, it should be noted that the primary purpose for speaking in tongues is to build up the church. Those who only speak in tongues during their prayer times should well heed the command to pray that he or she may interpret so all can be edified and not be content to keep that gift to themselves and God. 

Question #3: If the Holy Spirit is bringing into a church those who speak in tongues and is newly gifting those in that same church the ability to speak in tongues, wouldn’t he also gift someone with the ability to interpret so that the entire church could be edified?

And that is the question. The Apostle Paul tells those who speak in tongues to pray for the gift of interpretation (1 Cor. 14:13). He also expressing states that unless there is someone to interpret, that speaking in tongues should not be allowed in a corporate church setting (1 Cor. 14:28).  This leads to a catch-22 situation. Church leadership should not forbid to speak in tongues, but how can they encourage those who speak in tongues to use their gift at a corporate worship service if they don’t know of anyone who could interpret that which would be spoken in tongues? 

Could it be that those who have the gift of speaking in tongues are limiting themselves to speaking in tongues in their personal prayer times because they are not being encouraged by the church leadership to speak in tongues in church? Could it be they don’t have the space in the service to speak in tongues and don’t want to cause confusion or disorder? Could it be that they have not received the biblical teaching on the proper use of speaking in tongues for the building up of the body of Christ? Or could it be that they are reluctant to speak in tongues during a church service because they also, like the church leadership, are unaware of anyone who could interpret what they speak and therefore risk embarrassment?