This is Part 8 of our Raw Power Unleashed Bible Study Series. Suitable for use in individual, group, church bible study groups or as a sermon helper. Speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift.
​On the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came upon the people and they seen cloven tongues of fire which sat on each one of them. Then they were filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues because the Holy Spirit gave them the power to do so. There were different countries at this meeting which all spoke different languages but suddenly they all heard and understood the word of God in their own language.

• And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place, Acts 2:1

Sounds like a rushing mighty wind filled the house.

• And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting, Acts 2:2

Looked like tongues of fire on each other.

• And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. Acts 2:3

When filled with the Holy Ghost they spoke in tongues.

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

Everyone spoke in their own language but people who spoke other languages heard it in their own language. Everyone who witnessed this was completely amazed.

• Even though everyone spoke in their own language, people who spoke in other languages understood it because they heard it in their own language
• And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Acts 2:5
• Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. Acts 2:5
• And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? Acts 2:7
• And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Acts 2:8
• Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judeaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Acts 2:9
• Phrygia, and the Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers  of Rome, Jews, and proselytes, Acts 2:10
• Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. Acts 2:11

What Jesus said about speaking in tongues:
After Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead he appeared to the eleven disciples and spoke to them about their belief and hardness of their hearts. Jesus told them to go out into the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Jesus said whoever believes and is baptized will be saved but those who do not will be damned.

• Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
• Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
• Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Jesus also  told the 11 disciples that those who believe would show signs because they would be able to cast out devils, speak in new tongues, pick up serpents or drink a deadly thing (not intentionally to harm yourself) that it would not hurt them, Jesus also said that those who believe could lay hands on the sick and they would recover. Then Jesus went up to heaven and sat on the right hand of God. Afterwards, His disciples believed and went out preaching and confirming ( establishing the truth) the signs Jesus spoke of and went about preaching everywhere and healing the sick.

• Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
• Mark 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
• Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
• Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Is speaking in tongues in church a requirement?
1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
When someone speaks in tongues and there is noone there to interpret they are speaking to God. 

• 1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

When we speak to men we are to speak words they understand words to edify (to instruct, or to help improve someone morally or intellectually), exhort (strongly encourage someone to do good), and comfort (help to ease someone's pain or restraints).

• 1 Corinthians 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

Speaking in an unknown tongue that noone understands edifies (helps improve) yourself but does nothing for those who hear it and do not understand it.

• 1 Corinthians 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

Don’t worry if you have never spoken in tongues as long as you prophesy (tell people about Christ’s second coming). If you speak in a different language than those around you then you should also provide an interpretation so they can understand what you said or else it will not do anything to help the other people who hear it.

• 1 Corinthians 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
• 1 Corinthians 14:6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
• 1 Corinthians 14:7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
• 1 Corinthians 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
• 1 Corinthians 14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

There are many languages in the world but speaking words that cannot be understood by others in church when there is no interpreter present, does no good, in fact, it may even distract, confuse or  frighten off visitors or new members who are not familiar with what speaking in tongues means.  If you speak in tongues, always pray that there is also an interpretation. 

• 1 Corinthians 14:10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
• 1 Corinthians 14:11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

Speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift that can edify the church if there is an interpretation of what is said.

• 1 Corinthians 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
• 1 Corinthians 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

If you find yourself praying in an unknown language, it is your spirit praying, but you may not understand it, so it is important to pray for understanding of it.

• 1 Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
• 1 Corinthians 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
• 1 Corinthians 14:16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
• 1 Corinthians 14:17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

In the church it is better to speak words that people can understand so that people can learn the gospel.

• 1 Corinthians 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
• 1 Corinthians 14:21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
• 1 Corinthians 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

If people come to the church and see everyone speaking in tongues they may think everyone there is crazy and never return so you will miss the opportunity to teach the unlearned and the unbelievers.

• 1 Corinthians 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
• 1 Corinthians 14:24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

Teaching the gospel to the unlearned and the unbelievers in a language they understand, will do more good, to tell them that Jesus is the only way to God, teach them the gospel and then they will worship God and tell others about Him.

• 1 Corinthians 14:25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

All things you do teaching the doctrine, speaking in tongues, having a revelation, having an interpretation should be done to help others (edifying).

• 1 Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
• 1 Corinthians 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

If there is no interpreter present then you should not speak in tongues in church.

• 1 Corinthians 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

You may have the gifts of prophecy, speaking in tongues, understanding all mysteries, and have all knowledge, and have much faith, enough to move mountains but if you do not have charity it has no meaning and is not profitable to the Lord.

• 1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
• 1 Corinthians 13:2 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, and have not charity, I am nothing.
• 1 Corinthians 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

What is charity? Charity is a unselfish love of the highest order, a Godly love, that suffers long, is kind to others, does not envy people, is not prideful, does not behave in a way that is not Christ like, does not seek their own will but seek God’s will, is not easily provoked to anger or sinful ways, does not think evil thoughts or rejoice in sin. Charity is rejoicing in truth, bearing all things for Christ’s sake, believing all things of God, hopeful for Christ’s return and eternal life, enduring trials without complaint, never failing to teach the word of God, to tell others of Christ’s sacrifice and His return in the end times.

• 1 Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
• 1 Corinthians 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
• 1 Corinthians 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
• 1 Corinthians 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
• 1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

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