What is speaking in tongues, and interpretation of those tongues?

General Faith
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Continuing the discussion from Is being “slain in the Spirit” biblical—or something else entirely?*:

I agree that we should not chase feelings. I agree that no manifestation from God will contradict the Bible. The Holy Spirit is convicting, coherent and Christ-exalting. Manifestations of the Holy Spirit do not bring fog. God is not a God of confusion. But sometimes He makes clearer what was said in words by some show of His Spirit like a healing or a statement of faith that was missing before or a word of wisdom or knowledge, or a discerning of spirits that most people do not discern, or a prophesy that clarified a scripture.

Interpretation of tongues is prayer, because we see in scripture that tongues itself is to God, not to man (1Cor 14:2), so its interpretation must be prayer. It is not preaching. Prophecy might sometimes be preaching, but interpretation is giving the meaning of tongues, which is a prayer with a person’s spirit rather than his mind. Many Pentecostal churches do not give time for interpretation of tongues and launch into prophecy right after someone has spoken in tongues. I believe this is wrong. In Acts tongues was talking about “the mighty works of God.” (Acts2 2:1) These were overheard by the crowd, and thus informed the hearers of what God had done. (Most people think the Christians were preaching in tongues to foreigners, but I believe they were passionately praying to God and thanking Him for all He had done. I see no proof in Scripture that tongues is preaching,) Tongues is prayer and praise to the Father, and so is interpretation of tongues. When these happen, we can all join in praying in the vernacular with the person who spoke in tongues with our own praise and worship.

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It’s interesting how much of 1 Corinthians 12–14 is Paul creating order around these questions. One thing that stands out is that Paul keeps tying every gift back to edifying the body, whatever the gift is, it’s meant to build up the church and not leave people in the dark.

And 1 Corinthians 14 does make a clear distinction between tongues directed toward God and prophecy directed toward people. Paul says the person “utters mysteries in the Spirit” in tongues (v.2), and then makes the point that without interpretation, the rest of the church can’t benefit (v.16-17).

I’ve appreciated how Paul keeps bringing everything back to this principle:

“Let all things be done for building up.” (1 Cor. 14:26)

That guideline seems to be the anchor. Whatever the gift looks like, prayer language, interpretation, or prophecy, the purpose is clarity that strengthens the church, not confusion.

And seeing it through that lens keeps the focus less on the phenomenon itself, and more on the fruit it produces.

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From a cessationist perspective The supernatural spiritual gifts were only to establish the early church. They did not have a New Testament to their bible as well as the help needed for different languages.

1Co 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1Co 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

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The canonized New Testament is not the “Perfect” that was to come, after which the church would no longer have or need tongues, prophecy, miracles, healings, etc. Only when the true Perfect, i.e. Christ comes will the church have no more use for these gifts. The spiritual gifts or manifestations of the Spirit continue wherever Church leaders stand back and give the right of way to the Holy Spirit in their meetings. God, the Holy Spirit still leads his people in orderly worship even with his creative additions that are not humanly predictable. All gifts God gives enable the church to function as it should so that People are blessed and God is exalted.

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The personally edified Christian who just prayed to God in a tongue “breaks the ice” or “oils the gears” in a service so that others in the congregation are encouraged to share the manifestations that God wants to use them in. Sometimes things are so formal that some people will resist obedience to God in the gift God gave to them unless another manifestation has already been shared. I find that tongues and interpretation often breaks the ice and allows the expectation part of faith to be present that is necessary for the manifestation of gifts that seem to require more faith.

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When the congregation has not gathered and a Spirit-baptized Christian is in his own prayer closet, he may choose to pray to God in a tongue that God has given him instead of with his understanding in the vernacular. He has no concern at this point whether other Christians understand what he is saying and, of course, God will always understand what he says. When he is praying without his understanding 1Cor.14:14 says it is his human spirit that is praying (through the enabling of the Holy Spirit). Somehow the spirit of man sometimes gets overcome his mind and his reason undermines his faith to have believe for certain things. I do not believe Satan can discourage the tongues prayer since he cannot understand it himself, but he does block people from even considering to pray that way, since they can just as well pray with their understanding. What we say with our spirit may be past our own or anybody else’s understanding. But God knows the mysteries that we speak to Him. When the interpretation comes in our prayer closet, we will continue to pray and exalt the Lord in our minds just as we had already done so with our spirits. The tongues-praying Christian so edified with this cooperation with the Holy Spirit in prayer may be so edified personally that when he comes to the gathered church, he has an excitement and an anointing to encourage and bless others just with his enthusiasm for God.

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Sometimes the human mind covers or outshines the non-rational and emotional reasoning of the human spirit. But we need to develop this important part of our selves. I know of no better exercise for the development of our spirit than praying with it (ie. in tongues) We may not always have our reason available to us (as when we are under terrible stress or pain) and may need our spirits to be strong to pray according to God’s perfect will.

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Yes, it is a great edification of the Body of Christ when all the hearers get an interpretation of a tongues prayer and can join in that God-inspired prayer with their brother or sister who first prayed it to God in a tongue. Tongues do not inspire action and service to God as much as they do higher orders of prayer in the Holy Spirit unto God. We often learn in “interpretation” what is according to God’s will and purpose and what is not.

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The Bible never says that “the perfect” in ~1 Corinthians 13:10 means Jesus’ return. The context shows Paul was saying when God’s revelation was complete, the temporary sign gifts (prophecy, tongues, special knowledge) would be done away. The Greek word teleion means complete or finished. When the full Word of God was given, the church moved from partial revelation to full understanding by the completed Scripture.

God confirmed His Word at first with miracles and signs: “God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will” ~Hebrews 2:4. Those signs proved the message of the apostles was from God while the New Testament was still being written. But when the foundation was laid, “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” ~Ephesians 2: 20, there was no need to keep laying it again.

The Holy Spirit still works powerfully today. He convicts, comforts, guides, and gives strength, but He does this through the Word He already inspired ~2 Timothy 3:16-17. True worship is led by the Spirit when it stays grounded in truth: “God is Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth” ~John 4:24. The Spirit never adds new revelations or unpredictable experiences. His role is to glorify Christ and remind us of what God has already spoken ~John 16:13-14.

The idea that we should expect new revelations or creative “surprises” from the Spirit is actually a dangerous path to deception. That’s the same kind of lie Satan used in the garden when he said, “Has God really said?” ~Genesis 3:1. Scripture warns, “Many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many” ~Matthew 24: 11, and that some will “depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils” ~1 Timothy 4:1. The Spirit of God never adds to or changes the Bible. He confirms it.

God is not the author of confusion ~1 Corinthians 14:33. The safest place for every believer to stand is where God has already spoken, the Word of God, complete and sufficient for everything we need for faith and life ~2 Timothy 3:16-17.

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I still maintain the “Perfect” is Jesus at His return. We have the New Testament canon, but it is subject to many interpretations. No new revelations of basic truth come to us by the Holy Spirit, be we do get clarifications of what the Word means at times or God will reveal to a person how a scripture applies in a specific situation or applies specifically to a particular person. The word gifts also have this same function. No new basic truth, but clarification of what is already written in the Bible. Also word of knowledge and wisdom may reveal something that is not obvious to the group, that only the Holy Spirit knows but something God wants us to know. Same with discerning of spirits. We still need things that will not come by natural means (miracles) and God does provide these and supernatural healings cannot be denied. The Body of Christ does not only depend on word educated people like preachers and teachers. Sometimes inspired exhorters are needed. Sometimes less rationally oriented persons also get to participate in services with prayer with their spirits, not their understanding (tongues), and then interpreters are needed. God lets all these and more complement each other as He meets with His people in a fresh new way. He has not stopped creating and manifesting Himself to his church. The church needs this freshness and it just enhances the original words of scripture.

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Yes there will be a time when tongues, interpretation, prophesy, healing, miracles are no longer needed, but obviously to me that is not now. God still blesses us by talking to us, not just by the Bible and the preachers’ messages. He loves to have humans work with Him and does this through the manifestations of the Spirit in church meetings. I’m so glad he did not stop this when the New Testament canon was put together. God is not a relic as some churches are who do not consider freshness in their services something good or valuable.

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Your argument still assumes something Scripture never teaches. You keep saying “the Perfect” in ~1 Corinthians 13:10 must be Jesus at His return, but the text does not say that. Paul was contrasting partial revelation with completed revelation, not earthly life with the Second Coming. The Greek word teleion means complete or mature. The context is about knowing and prophesying “in part” until something complete arrives. Nothing in the passage says Christ Himself is the “perfect” that replaces prophecy, tongues, and special knowledge. What Scripture does say is that prophecy and tongues belonged to the period when revelation was still being delivered, and God used sign gifts to confirm that revelation ~Hebrews 2:3-4. Once the foundation was laid by Christ and His apostles, the church was not told to keep expecting more foundations. The foundation is already set: “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” ~Ephesians 2:20. You cannot keep laying a foundation that God has already finished.

You say the Spirit still gives “clarifications,” “revelations,” and shows what a verse “means in a specific situation.” Scripture never describes spiritual gifts that way. The Spirit does not deliver fresh meanings of Scripture. He brings to remembrance what Christ already taught ~John 14:26. He guides us into the truth already given, not beyond the truth ~John 16:13. The moment you claim new “applications” or “specific words” that others must accept as from the Spirit, you have stepped into the very thing Scripture warns against: adding to God’s Word or treating impressions as revelation. “Do not add to His words lest He reprove you and you be found a liar” ~Proverbs 30:6.

You also say tongues is prayer language, emotional expression, or “spirit speaking without understanding.” Scripture contradicts that. In Scripture, tongues are always actual human languages ~Acts 2:6-11. Paul said a tongue is understood if interpreted, which proves it is language, not heavenly syllables ~1 Corinthians 14:10-11, 27. The idea that Satan cannot understand tongues is not in the Bible. The idea that tongues “oil the gears” of a service is not in the Bible. The idea that tongues make your spirit stronger when your mind fails is not in the Bible. Scripture never turns tongues into a private emotional tool. Paul said tongues was a sign for unbelievers, not a prayer exercise for believers ~1 Corinthians 14:22. Every modern claim contradicts the text God actually gave.

You also claim God still works “fresh new manifestations” in church and gives unexpected “additions” in gatherings. That directly opposes what the Spirit Himself says. True worship is “in spirit and truth” ~John 4:24, which means it stays anchored in the truth already revealed. The Spirit’s ministry is to glorify Christ by pointing people to what Christ has already spoken ~John 16:14, not by creating new experiences to excite a congregation. Scripture warns repeatedly that the danger in the last days is not dryness in worship but deception through supposed spiritual manifestations. “Seducing spirits” influence people who want experiences instead of Scripture ~1 Timothy 4:1. “False signs and lying wonders” deceive those who do not cling to the truth ~2 Thessalonians 2:9-10. That is why God commands His people not to go beyond what is written ~1 Corinthians 4:6.

Nothing in Scripture teaches that the church needs “freshness.” The church needs faithfulness. “The faith once delivered to the saints” ~Jude 3 is already complete. The Spirit strengthens the church through the Word He inspired, not through unpredictable manifestations. The Word of God is sufficient for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness so the believer is “complete and thoroughly furnished” ~2 Timothy 3:16-17. If the Scripture makes the believer complete, then no spiritual gift is missing.

The Spirit has not stopped working, but He has stopped giving revelation. He continues His ministry exactly as Scripture says: convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment ~John 16:8, producing His fruit in believers ~Galatians 5:22-23, and empowering obedience to the Word He already gave. You do not need manifestations. You need Scripture. And Scripture is enough.

If you want to say the Spirit still gives healing or answers prayer, Scripture never denies that. God can do anything He chooses. But He is not giving new revelation, new interpretations, new messages, or new tongues. He already told us everything we need for life and godliness ~2 Peter 1:3.

Your view centers on experiences and impressions. God centers His people on His Word. And His Word is complete.

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Scripture also recognize that these gifts will continue until the end of the age when “that which is perfect is come” (1 Corinthians 13:10). This phrase is interpreted as referring to the culmination of God’s plan and the return of Christ, (not the finished canon of Scripture or end of Apostolic Age) when believers will experience complete understanding and fulfillment in His presence. At that time, prophecies, tongues, and partial knowledge will no longer be needed as they will be surpassed by the perfect knowledge and revelation found in Christ.

In contrast, charity—selfless, sacrificial love modeled after Christ’s love—is eternal and foundational to the Christian faith. It persists beyond the temporal expressions of spiritual gifts because it reflects the very nature of God Himself (1 John 4:8). Scripture emphasizes the importance of cultivating this love in all aspects of life, as it transcends the transient nature of gifts and endures throughout eternity. This perspective encourages believers to prioritize love above all else, knowing that it is the enduring mark of a life lived in communion with God and in service to others.

1 Corinthians 13:9, “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part”

Acknowledges the limitations of human understanding and spiritual revelation in relation to the vastness of God’s wisdom and knowledge. This verse underscores the belief that while believers receive divine insights and messages through prophetic utterances and spiritual gifts, these revelations are partial and incomplete compared to the fullness of God’s truth. This as a reminder of the need for humility and dependency on God’s Spirit in interpreting and applying spiritual revelations.

The phrase “we know in part” acknowledges that human knowledge and understanding are finite and subject to our current perspectives and experiences. It emphasizes the ongoing journey of growth and learning in faith, recognizing that our understanding of spiritual truths is progressive and evolving. Similarly, “we prophesy in part” highlights that the prophetic messages received are not exhaustive or complete revelations but are delivered according to God’s timing and purpose. Prophecy is a gift of the Holy Spirit intended for edification, exhortation, and comfort within the church community (1 Corinthians 14:3).

1 Corinthians 12:29-30, “Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?”

Addresses the diversity of spiritual gifts within the body of Christ, emphasizing that not every believer will have the same role or gift. The church is likened to a body, with each member having a distinct function, and all are necessary for the health and growth of the church. This diversity ensures that the church operates effectively, with apostles, prophets, teachers, miracle workers, those with gifts of healing, and others each contributing uniquely to the mission of the church.

It is important to distinguish between the different types of speaking in tongues mentioned in the New Testament. The Bible teaches that speaking in tongues serves different purposes and contexts. First, there is speaking in tongues as the initial evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit, which is a private and personal experience for every believer baptized in the Holy Ghost. This experience is a sign of the New Birth and is distinct from the spiritual gifts described in 1 Corinthians 12.

Second, the passage in 1 Corinthians 12 refers to the specific gift of tongues used in a public worship setting. This gift, meant for the edification of the church, typically occurs during quiet spiritual moments and requires interpretation. Not all believers will possess this particular gift, just as not all are apostles, prophets, or teachers. This public exercise of the gift of tongues, accompanied by interpretation, is different from the personal prayer language experienced by individuals when they receive the Holy Spirit.

In summary, while every believer is encouraged to seek and receive the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues as a personal experience, the specific gift of tongues used in church settings for communal edification and requiring interpretation is given according to God’s sovereign will and purpose. This distinction clarifies the different roles of speaking in tongues within the body of Christ, both for individual spiritual growth and for the edification of the church.

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I would like further clarification please. Where does the bible say this happens? What if a person has not experienced this, even after years of accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour. (trying to understand)

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Thank you for asking that. I appreciate your heart and desire to understand—this is not something to fear or feel pressure about. Let me explain gently and simply what I meant.

Scripture shows two different ways tongues operate in the New Testament:

1. Tongues as a personal, Spirit-given prayer language

(This is connected to receiving the Holy Spirit.)

This is the pattern we see in Acts:

  • Acts 2:4 – “They were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues…”

  • Acts 10:44–46 – Cornelius’ household received the Spirit and “spoke with tongues” before anyone even taught them about the gifts.

  • Acts 19:6 – When the Ephesians received the Spirit, “they spoke with tongues and prophesied.”

  • Acts 8 – Something visibly and audibly happened when they received the Spirit, enough that Simon wanted to buy the ability to impart it.

In every recorded instance where believers are specifically said to receive the Holy Spirit, tongues accompany the experience.

This is a personal experience—like a prayer overflow—between the believer and God.
Paul says:

  • “He that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks unto God” (1 Cor. 14:2)

  • “I will pray with the spirit…” (v. 15)

This is prayer language, not public ministry.

2. Tongues as a spiritual gift used in church gatherings

(This is what Paul is regulating in 1 Corinthians 12–14.)

Paul treats this as one of many spiritual gifts:

  • “…to one is given the gift of tongues, to another the interpretation…” (1 Cor. 12:10)

Not everyone has this one:

  • “Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?” (1 Cor. 12:30)

Why?
Because this form of tongues isn’t about personal prayer—it’s a public message needing interpretation to edify the whole church.

This is why Paul says:

  • “If anyone speaks in a tongue [in a service], let it be by two or three… and let one interpret.” (1 Cor. 14:27)

This is a different purpose than the prayer language in Acts.

So to answer your question: “Where does the Bible say this?”

The personal prayer-language tongues

Found in every outpouring of the Spirit in Acts (Acts 2, 10, 19), plus Paul’s private prayer language (1 Cor. 14).

The public gift of tongues

Found in 1 Corinthians 12–14, where Paul treats it as a specific ministry gift, not something all believers will use publicly.

“What if someone hasn’t experienced this after years of being saved?”

That is completely understandable. Many believers love God deeply yet have never been taught or encouraged about this.

A few important things:

1. Salvation is by faith in Christ, not by tongues.

No one is saying a person is unsaved or unloved by God.

2. The Holy Spirit is a gift, not an achievement.

Jesus said the Father gives the Spirit to those who ask (Luke 11:13).

3. Many believers receive when they are gently instructed and prayed with—just like in Acts 8 and 19.

4. No one should feel pressured or condemned.

The Spirit comes with peace, not anxiety.

5. If someone desires this, they can simply seek God with an open heart.

Many people receive in worship, at home, in prayer meetings, or even quietly on their own.

  • The Bible shows tongues in two different roles:

    • a personal prayer language when someone receives the Spirit

    • a public gift used in church gatherings with interpretation

  • Not having experienced tongues yet does not mean someone is outside God’s love or salvation.

  • Anyone who desires more of the Spirit can simply ask, seek, and trust—God gives good gifts in His timing.

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Scripture never says spiritual gifts continue “until the end of the age.” There is no verse that says that. Not one. Jesus used the phrase “end of the age” to speak of His return and the final judgment ~Matthew 13:39-40; ~Matthew 28:20, but Paul never connected that phrase to spiritual gifts. That idea is added by people, not by Scripture, and we have to stay with what the text actually says.

What you wrote sounds passionate, but the claims you’re making are not found anywhere in Scripture. The Bible does not separate “private tongues for everyone” from “public tongues for some.” Paul never taught two categories. He said plainly, “Do all speak with tongues?” and the obvious answer is no ~1 Corinthians 12:30. If tongues were the universal sign of the new birth, Paul would never ask a question whose answer contradicts that idea.

Scripture says nothing about “initial evidence” of salvation being tongues. Salvation is by faith in Christ, not a gift of the Spirit ~Ephesians 2:8-9. And every believer receives the Spirit at conversion, not later and not through a particular gift ~Romans 8:9. If someone does not have the Spirit, they do not belong to Christ at all. That means the Spirit’s presence is not proved by tongues; it is proved by belonging to Christ and being made a new creation ~2 Corinthians 5:17.

You quoted 1 Corinthians 13 to support ongoing revelation, but the passage does not teach what you’re forcing onto it. Paul’s point is simple: our knowledge now is partial. When we see Christ face to face, the partial will end ~1 Corinthians 13:12. That has nothing to do with a two-stage Spirit baptism or a universal tongue experience. It has everything to do with the final perfection believers receive at Christ’s return.

Your explanation of “we prophesy in part” also does not match the text. Paul is not saying modern prophetic messages are partial revelations that continue today. He is contrasting the present age of faith and hope with the future age where those will no longer be needed. In that future, love remains. He is not describing modern charismatic practice. He is describing the difference between this age and the age to come.

Finally, Scripture never teaches that tongues are guaranteed to every believer as a private prayer language. Tongues in Acts were known languages used as signs to unbelievers ~Acts 2:6; ~1 Corinthians 14:21-22. Paul said tongues without interpretation do not edify the church ~1 Corinthians 14:5, so elevating tongues above Scripture’s clarity is already out of order.

The Bible does not support your two-tier system of tongues, nor the idea of tongues as initial evidence, nor a universal private prayer language. If Scripture is our authority, then the gifts are given “as He wills” ~1 Corinthians 12:11, not as we claim every believer ought to experience.

What God commands all believers to pursue is not a specific gift. It is obedience, holiness, and love flowing from a heart transformed by the Word and the Spirit ~Romans 12:1-2; ~Galatians 5:22-23. That is the true evidence of life in Christ.

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Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I truly appreciate the time you took to walk through each point. I’ll respond gently and simply from the text itself, because I don’t want this to turn into a back-and-forth of assumptions—we both care about what Scripture actually says.

Let me start with what we agree on:

  • Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ.

  • Every believer receives the Spirit.

  • Spiritual gifts operate according to God’s will.

  • Love is greater than any gift.

Where our viewpoints differ is not in the supremacy of Christ or the central role of Scripture, but in how we interpret certain passages related to the Spirit’s ongoing work, especially in 1 Corinthians 12–14 and Acts.

Let me gently clarify a few places where I think there might have been a misunderstanding of what I originally shared.

1. “End of the age”

You’re absolutely right—Paul never uses that exact phrase. My point wasn’t that Paul wrote those exact words, but that the timing Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13 points to the same moment Jesus called “the end of the age”—Christ’s return and our seeing Him face to face.

Paul says:

  • “When that which is perfect is come…”

  • “…then shall I know even as also I am known.”

  • “…we shall see face to face.”

Paul ties the end of partial understanding to Christ’s appearing, not the closing of the canon. So even if he does not use the phrase “end of the age,” he is referring to the same future moment Jesus described—a moment that hasn’t happened yet.

That’s all I meant, and I think we might actually agree more closely than it first sounded.

2. Tongues: gift vs. experience

I’m not trying to “force” a system onto the text. I’m simply observing what Scripture distinguishes.

Paul clearly differentiates between:

  • tongues in public worship (which require interpretation)

  • tongues spoken unto God, not man (prayer, thanksgiving, personal edification)

He says:

  • “He that speaks in a tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God” (1 Cor 14:2)

  • “He edifies himself” (v. 4)

  • “In the Spirit he speaks mysteries” (v. 2)

  • “If I pray in a tongue…” (v. 14–15)

Those are descriptions of private devotional prayer, not the public gift listed in chapter 12.

Paul also treats praying in tongues and the public exercise of gifts differently:

  • “I thank my God, I speak in tongues more than ye all” (v. 18)
    …that is not public church ministry, because:

  • “Yet IN THE CHURCH I would rather speak 5 words…” (v. 19)

Paul distinguishes between his personal practice and what is appropriate in the assembly. That is the same distinction I was making.

3. “Do all speak with tongues?”

I fully agree with Paul’s rhetorical question.
But the context is the public gift (interpretation required), not the private devotional prayer Paul just described.

If the question meant all forms of tongues, Paul would be contradicting his own statement that he prayed in tongues more than all of them.

The text itself naturally divides:

  • Chapter 12 → gifts in the assembly

  • Chapter 13 → permanence of love & temporary nature of gifts

  • Chapter 14 → proper use of tongues and prophecy (church vs. private)

I’m simply following that structure.

4. Tongues in Acts

I agree Acts 2 is known languages—no disagreement there.

But Acts 10 and Acts 19 do not emphasize languages for outreach. They emphasize Spirit baptism evidenced by tongues, and it is not presented as the same kind of evangelistic sign as Pentecost.

Acts presents the phenomenon consistently, but the purpose varies by context.

Again, I’m not forcing this on the text—I’m trying to respect each narrative.

5. The heart of the matter

My intention isn’t to elevate tongues over Christ, Scripture, or love.
It’s simply to observe that:

  • the gifts are still described as active until Christ returns

  • the church still needs edification

  • the Spirit still distributes gifts

  • the text describes more than one kind of tongues activity

  • and nothing in Scripture says the Spirit stopped doing what He was doing

If God chooses to give gifts “as He wills,” then I see no scriptural basis to say He stopped willing them.

I appreciate the conversation and your commitment to Scripture. My goal here is not to argue over systems but to let the text speak plainly, and to stay open to what the Spirit is still doing among His people. Grace to you.

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What you are defending is not what Scripture teaches. When we let the Word interpret itself, the distinctions you are making collapse under the text. Scripture never divides tongues into a universal private prayer language for all believers and a separate public gift for some. Paul said plainly that the Spirit gives gifts “as He wills” ~1 Corinthians 12:11, not as believers seek or expect. He asked, “Do all speak with tongues?” ~1 Corinthians 12:30, and the answer in the context of the whole chapter is no for every gift listed, which removes any claim that tongues are for all believers in any form. What Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14 about praying in the spirit does not describe a second category of tongues. It describes how the gift operates when it is not interpreted, which is why he said he would rather speak five words with his understanding in the church ~1 Corinthians 14:19. Scripture also never teaches that tongues accompany every reception of the Spirit. Romans 8:9 says every believer has the Spirit at salvation, not through later experiences or manifestations, and the Spirit’s presence is proved by belonging to Christ, not by a gift. The book of Acts never teaches a universal pattern for all believers. Acts 2 was known languages for unbelievers ~Acts 2:6, Acts 10 was God proving that Gentiles were included, and Acts 19 was a unique transitional moment for disciples of John the Baptist. None of these are presented as ongoing requirements for the church. Scripture also never says tongues will continue until Christ returns. Paul said that tongues will cease and knowledge will vanish ~1 Corinthians 13:8, and his point is not timing for gifts but the contrast between our partial knowledge now and the perfect knowledge believers will have in the presence of Christ. You keep appealing to what seems reasonable, but Scripture alone must be the standard. The Word does not teach a private prayer tongue for all believers, it does not teach two kinds of tongues, and it does not make tongues evidence of receiving the Spirit. What it teaches is simple. Salvation is by faith in Christ ~John 3:16, every believer receives the Spirit immediately ~Romans 8:9, gifts are given according to God’s will ~1 Corinthians 12:11, and love and obedience are the true marks of spiritual life ~Galatians 5:22-23.

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“Lord thank you for my healing and my gifts before I learned your word” -Me

If that sounds like putting the carriage before the horse allow me to explain. If I knew all the scripture and doctrine I do now I might have questioned all of it to death. My deliverence and annointing were so amazing it scared the very people who prayed for it to happen. I was removed from the church for refusing to stop using my gifts. Jesus took away their lamp stand and Florida lost 1 mega church and the folks at 60 minutes rejoiced at another win for their king.

Brothers and sisters I beg you take all theology and doctrine and religion and carefully place it here through a lense of Love and no pride what so ever. Our enemy knows the Bible better than us all and how to make us use it against each other.

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Thank you again for taking the time to respond so thoroughly. I genuinely appreciate your desire to keep everything anchored in the Word and not in feelings or experience. I’m right there with you on that—Scripture has to correct all of us where we’re off.

Let me try to simplify where I think our difference really lies, and then walk through a few key texts you mentioned. I’m not trying to “win” a debate here, just to be honest about why I read some of these passages the way I do.

1. “Two kinds of tongues” – am I inventing a category?

You said Scripture never divides tongues into a private prayer language and a public gift, and that what I’m describing is just the same gift operating without interpretation.

I agree that 1 Corinthians 12 is clearly dealing with gifts in the body, especially in the gathered assembly. Where I see a distinction is in the way Paul himself talks about tongues in chapter 14:

  • “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.” (1 Cor 14:2)

  • “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself…” (v. 4)

  • “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.” (v. 14)

  • “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding…” (vv. 18–19)

To me, Paul is very clearly describing two settings and two functions:

  • One where tongues are directed to men and must be interpreted for the church to be edified.

  • One where tongues are directed to God, edify the speaker, and function as prayer (“if I pray in a tongue”), even when no one else understands.

I’m not trying to say, “Every believer automatically has this,” as if we can demand a gift. I’m saying:

Paul speaks of a use of tongues that is prayer to God, in the spirit, that edifies the believer, and he distinguishes how he uses tongues personally from how he ministers in the church.

That’s why I used the language of “private devotional prayer” versus the public gift. I don’t see that as adding a man-made category so much as noticing the categories Paul himself is already describing.

2. “Do all speak with tongues?” and “as He wills”

You rightly pointed to 1 Corinthians 12:11 and 12:30. I agree that:

  • The Spirit gives gifts as He wills.

  • Not all operate in the same gifting.

I’m not arguing that tongues (in any sense) are a universal command for every believer. My point is more modest:

  • Chapter 12 is dealing with gifts distributed in the body.

  • Chapter 14 shows that Paul himself uses tongues extensively in personal prayer, even while being very cautious about their public use.

So when Paul asks, “Do all speak with tongues?” in the list of gifts (1 Cor 12:30), I take that to mean:

Do all function in this public, church-edifying, interpreted manifestation of tongues?

And the obvious answer is no.

That doesn’t erase what he says later in chapter 14 about praying in the spirit, speaking to God, and edifying oneself. Nor does it erase his instruction to:

  • “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.” (1 Cor 14:1)

  • “Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.” (v. 12)

So I fully agree: we don’t command God, He gives as He wills. But Scripture also tells us to desire and seek the gifts, which to me implies that His will includes responding to hunger, not bypassing it.

3. Romans 8:9 and receiving the Spirit

You mentioned Romans 8:9, and I absolutely affirm what it says:

“…if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

Every true believer has the Spirit. No argument there.

Where I think we differ is not whether believers receive the Spirit, but whether Scripture allows for further experiences/fillings/empowerings beyond the initial indwelling.

For example:

  • In Acts 8, the Samaritans “received the word of God” and had been baptized in Jesus’ name (vv. 14–16), yet Peter and John came that they “might receive the Holy Ghost” (v. 15), and something visible happened that made Simon try to buy the ability to impart it (vv. 18–19).

  • In Acts 19, Paul finds disciples who have believed (they’re called “disciples”) yet asks, “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” (v. 2). After explaining, he lays hands on them, “and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.” (v. 6)

I don’t take those passages to mean they were unsaved before the experience. I take them to show:

The NT makes room for both the indwelling Spirit at conversion and further empowering/manifestation that can be experienced afterwards.

That doesn’t contradict Romans 8:9; it fills out the picture. Every believer has the Spirit. Not every believer has had the same measure, manifestation, or experience of His power.