SPEAKING IN TONGUES

A. The Issue
In the New Testament era, speaking in tongues was one of the miraculous gifts God bestowed upon certain believers. In some religious circles, speaking in tongues is considered an obsolete gift which served its purpose but is no longer needed. Among other churches, however, it is seen as the ultimate sign of one who is truly baptized in the Holy Spirit.

B. The Biblical Teaching
• It appears that in each of the cases when the Spirit came upon people (Acts 2,10,19), speaking in tongues was bestowed by God on these believers as a sign of acceptance by God and a testimony to the presence of the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues is listed among the gifts distributed by the Holy Spirit to select individuals (1 Cor. 12). There is no indication that God has discontinued bestowing these gifts in the church age. While tongues will cease someday (1 Cor. 13:8), we do not know when that day is.

• Speaking in tongues is not listed as one of the greater gifts 
(1 Cor. 12:28-31)

• If tongues are not interpreted, they do not edify the body (2 Cor. 14:1-5). We are to desire gifts that build up the church (1 Cor. 14:12).

• People are not to speak in tongues during public worship without the message being interpreted (1 Cor. 14:13).

C. Conclusion
1. In churches today, speaking in tongues is a controversial subject that has sometimes become divisive. Because speaking in other languages is a phenomenon found also in non-Christian religions, it is important that the fruit of the Spirit-Christlike character-be the identifying mark of a Spirit-filled believer.

2. We believe that God may still choose to equip certain believers with this gift. If someone claims to possess this gift, and an interpreter is present, the elders are willing to listen and evaluate whether or not the message is consistent with Scripture and appears to be from the Lord. Because the potential for abuse and error are so great, we are cautious about incorporating it into the public worship of this church. We want to be sensitive to the voice of God, yet cautious of false gifts and abuses.

3. Regarding tongues as a personal prayer language, we believe the Scriptures do not speak clearly to this issue. We do not want to interfere in a person's private prayer life-prayer is a very personal matter between the believer and God--yet the Bible is clear that God responds readily to the prayers of His children when spoken in their native languages. Speaking in tongues is not described as a higher form of prayer.