Prayer In the Spirit - Just What Are "Other Tongues"?

Tongues are a supernatural manifestation given by God to EVERYONE who is filled with the Holy Spirit. (Don't start screaming just yet...). I did not say that everyone who is filled with the Holy Spirit actively speaks in tongues or that they have ever spoken in tongues. I said that tongues are given to everyone who receives the HolySpirit.

Whew.. that was close. Listen, understanding the things of God doesn't have to be difficult if we would simply take Him at His Word....like a little child.

"Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by *no means enter it." Luke 18:17

*(This doesn't mean you won't go to heaven, this means you will not have accurate understanding of how the kingdom of God operates...subject for another hub)

The fact of the matter is that on the day Pentecost there were about 120 present in the upper room; men women and who knows perhaps children. When suddenly....the Holy Spirit came and filled all those people who were waiting for Him. And, they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. _{Acts 1:4-5}

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication,* with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. _{Acts 1:13-14}

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord* in one place._{Acts 2:1}

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. _{Acts 2:4}

All 120 people in the upper room were filled with the Holy Ghost [Holy Spirit] and all 120 of them began to speak with other tongues. This is clear if you read both chapters 1 and 2 of the book of Acts as if they were a continuation of one another. So,often we think the events of the Bible happened within the confines of the chapter and verse organization that we place them in. But, we have to remember that the Bible was only written in chapter and verse for our ease of use.

Yes, there are two basic functions of Tongues. And I don't mean, "the tongues of men, and the tongues of angels" found in 1 Corinthians 13:1.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. _{1 Corinthians 13:1}

(The tongues of men and the tongues of angels represent "types of tongues" not categories of tongues.)

The fist category of tongues is "tongues as our prayer language". These tongues are defined as such by me because these are the tongues received at the infilling of the Holy Ghost. We use these tongues in prayer and worship and we use then with the ease of using our natural speech.

These tongues are used by us to minister to God. They traveling from us to God...remember that.

The second category of tongues is "divers kinds of tongues". These tongues are defined as such in 1 Corinthians 12. They are listed with and are one of the "Gifts of the Spirit". There are the tongues that operate only as the Holy Spirit wants them too.

These tongues are used by God to minister to us.... get it. God speaks through man, but these tongues travel from God to us.

This is where we get messed up, and this is where we need clarification. Remember, the bible was not originally organized in chapter and verse, so we must not limit our understanding to chapter headings and numbered verses. We must read it as a continuous thought.

The confusion with tongues is caused by the devil first of all because he knows what actively praying in tongues can do for us and for others; and, secondly because we attribute the characteristics or rules for our prayer language to the gift of divers kinds of tongues and vice- versa. This is why we have questions like: Can you speak in tongues if there is no interpretation? Does everyone have to speak in tongues? Can you speak in tongues in the church? And, so on, and so on....

The video to the right is lengthy, but it gives an example of the use of tongues as a prayer language. I chose Benny Hinn because he has some credibility for longevity. Whether you like him or not is not the issue. Just forget about that right now and try and see the purpose of the video.

In the beginning, you hear him praying in tongues. While he is doing so, the camera pans to the audience and you see others who are also praying in tongues. There is no interpreter because there is no isolated message coming from God to the people.

This is no different than any of us standing in a group and praising God in our native language. Everyone is not saying the same thing, but everyone is talking to God. Again, because there is no specific message coming from God, there is no need for an interpreter.

This next video shows an example of the Gift of Divers Kinds of Tongues or the Gift of Tongues with the companion Gift of the Interpretation of Tongues.i chose it because it is at Jimmy Swaggerts church. And again, that is a name most folks are familiar with, whether you like him or not, please just be open.

The Gift of Tongues is operating through a women in the congregation. You will notice the difference in the intensity of the tongues, they are more robust and powerful than those in the previous video. This is because it is God speaking through this vessel. You will also notice the atmosphere is quiet while the tongues are being spoken. Again, this is because the Spirit of God is using this vessel to minister to the people.

Notice the woman was not miked but her voice was clear and distinct throughout the building. She does not appear to be yelling or even exerting any excessive pressure which would cause her to be heard.

The same is true of the gentleman through whom God is giving the interpretation. We are not even sure where he is or who he is. We presume that he is the one the camera pans to after the message is completed.

It was with regard to the Gift of Divers Kinds of Tongues that Paul was referring when he said,

But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. _{1Corinthians 14:28}

He was not talking about tongues as your prayer language. We have to be clear. 1 Corinthians chapters 12, 13, and 14 all talk about the two categories of tongues; their proper use, motivation and order.

• Chapter 12 identifies them,
• Chapter 13 talks of their motivation, and
• Chapter 14 talks about their orderly use in the church.

Next in the series: Prayer in The Spirit (part 3) - What is the Purpose of Tongues?