This will just be a brief message about the topic of speaking in tongues. The reason that it will be brief is that the topic of "Signs and Wonders" has been carefully and biblically shared about in great detail on this website and if you would like to examine this article it is available here when you click on this link:  Signs and Wonders?

Concerning the specific topic of speaking in tongues I would simply like to share some very wise and biblical teachings from the SO4J.com (Sold Out For Jesus) website which clarifies that matter very clearly, simply, and quickly:

"If the gift of Speaking in Tongues were active in the church today, it would be performed in agreement with Scripture:

1.) It would be a real and intelligible language (1 Corinthians 14:10).

2.) It would be for the purpose of communicating God's Word with a person of another language (Acts 2:6-12).

3.) It would be in agreement with the command God gave through the Apostle Paul, “If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God” (1 Corinthians 14:27-28).

4.) It would also be in accordance with 1 Corinthians 14:33  which stresses for no confusion in the churches of the saints, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”

God most definitely can give a person the gift of Speaking in Tongues to enable him or her to communicate with a person who speaks another language. The Holy Spirit is sovereign in the dispersion of the spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11). Just imagine how much more productive missionaries could be if they did not have to go to language school, and were instantly able to speak to people in their own language. However, God does not seem to be doing this. Tongues do not seem to occur today in the manner it did in the New Testament, despite the fact that it would be immensely useful. The vast majority of believers who claim to practice the gift of Speaking in Tongues do not do so in agreement with the Scriptures mentioned above. These facts lead to the conclusion that the gift of tongues has ceased or is at least a rarity in God's plan for the church today."

Praying in tongues is another area that Christians have questions about.  I believe that SO4J.com (Sold Out For Jesus) once again has a good answer concerning this controversial issue:

"Praying in tongues is most definitely an issue on which Christians can respectfully and lovingly agree to disagree. Praying in tongues is not what determines salvation. Praying in tongues is not what separates a mature Christian from an immature Christian. Whether or not there is such a thing as praying in tongues as a personal prayer language is not a fundamental of the Christian faith. So, while we believe the biblical interpretation of praying in tongues leads away from the idea of a private prayer language for personal edification, we also recognize that many who practice such are our brothers and sisters in Christ and are worthy of our love and respect." - (See more at http://so4j.com/faq#speaking_in_tongues) 


PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING FOR YOUR SPIRITUAL WELL BEING:

If someone or some group is PRESSURING you to "speak in tongues" or if they are telling you that you don't have the Holy Spirit or baptism of the Holy Spirit if you don't speak in tongues then it would be most wise to LEAVE that person or group as soon as possible! The Bible does NOT pressure anyone to speak in tongues. In fact, the Bible gives a clear "death blow" to the idea that all Christians speak in tongues or that people who supposedly speak in tongues are somehow "superior".  Here is that section of scripture which is found in 1 Corinthians 12:30 (we will begin at verse 27)

27 Now ye are the body of Christ and members in particular.

28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

30 Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

As we can see clearly in verse 30 above, not all speak in tongues and there are gifts given by the Holy Spirit of higher value than speaking in tongues such as teaching.

I hope that this brief but clear message has helped to clarify for you most of the main concerns in regards to the topic of the modern day speaking in tongues.  

~F. A. Butler