The Role Of The Holy Spirit - Part 4a ( Speaking in Tongues )

 Another role of the Holy Spirit is to distribute gifts to the Body of Christ as He wills.

1 Corinthians 12: 4-11 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 

The above Scripture outlines the different gifts that operates in the Body of Christ for the common good of the Kingdom of God, and to equip the Church to become able witnesses of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 I shall classify these gifts into three groups to make it easier to study about them.

1. Gifts of Speech : Tongues ; Interpretation of Tongues ; and Prophesy 

2. Gifts of Revelation: Word of Knowledge, Word of Wisdom, Discernment of spirits 

3. Power Gifts: Faith, Gifts of Healing; and the working of miracles 

Today, we shall deal with the first Gift in the first group, which is the Gift of speaking in diverse kinds of tongues under the  Gifts of speech:

 a) The Gift of speaking in diverse kinds of Tongues -  Kindly note that there isn't just one type of the gift of speaking in tongues, but rather diverse (meaning, different and varied) forms of the gift of tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.

The gift of tongues was first witnessed on Pentecost day when the disciples were endued with Power from on high. They spoke  in other tongues, understood by people from different places, who spoke different languages - Acts 2:1 -11. 

Similarly, at my local church, a gentleman who is a church member, approached a visitor , shook hands and spoke shortly in tongues. Unknown to this church member, he was speaking the native language of the visitor. The visitor thinking he could speak his language, presumably started a chat in his native language, and to his surprise the gentleman was totally lost. Upon further interaction, the visitor learnt the gentleman had only prayed in tongues. Unknown to himself, what he regarded as prayer in an unknown tongue , was praise to God uttered in a native South African language. God prophesied through Isaiah that For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, Isaiah 28:11

Mark 16:17 also reiterates this - And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

 

The above is one type of tongues that God speaks through His children. Believers speak unknowingly of another language, and through this, God ministers to others. 1 Corinthians 14:22 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.