Expert: Rev. Stuart Woodward - 5/2/2010

Question
i went to an Evangelical church where there were people praying loudly in toungs. how does this work? how do they do it can they understand each other?

Answer
Hello Liz,
Thank you for your question. Speaking in tongues first is recorded as happening in the New Testament in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost. In Mark 16:17 it is listed as one of the things that will happen as the church fulfills its mission. Paul describes it in 1 Corinthians 12 through to 14 as one of the gifts given by the Holy Spirit and as with all such gifts is to be eagerly desired. It is the ability without learning to speak another language, either an earthly language or a heavenly one. It is not normal for the person speaking to understand what is said and its primary use seems to be in private devotions when we don't know how to pray about an issue and it as if the Holy Spirit prays through us and build us up in faith. If used in public worship it should be accompanied by an interpretation (another gift of the Holy Spirit) and it is often someone else in the room that has the interpretation. However, in many churches people all speak their praise to God in tongues at once and they do not feel it is necessary for there to be an interpretation as it is all very personal. Not all Christians agree with this practice.
There are Christians, including many Baptists who believe this gift died out when the scriptures were complete. However there is nothing in scripture itself that suggests this.
It is a gift that can be misused in that it can be used in a kind of 'showing off' way but that ought not to deflect us. Anything God gives must be good.
I do speak in tongues in prayer myself but only in private and have never felt led to use this gift publicly.
It can be a source of controversy in the church and as such many have decided to stay clear of the issue. However, all God's gifts have a purpose and to my mind it is not wise to turn our back on what God gives.
Traditional Pentecostalism has taught that to speak in tongues is the necessary initial evidence of being baptised in the Holy Spirit. I do not believe that scripture teaches this but have great respect for those who do.
I hope these comments are of some help. Many books have been devoted to this issue and I have necessarily tried to condense the issues into a comparatively short answer so forgive me if I have packed too much information in a short space.
May God bless you and give you wisdom.
Stuart Woodward