Description: Divine ability to speak in unknown languages.
Purpose:
- does not speak to men, but to God (prayer)(1 Cor. 13:2)
- tongues are for a sign but to unbelievers (1 Cor 14:22)
Focus:
- Communicate the character and identity of God, and the Gospel message. In cultures where the Gospel message have just come into being, the people do not have a true understanding of God. Tongues (through prayer) will praise, and bestow honor to God, in their native tongue, and communicate the true Gospel message.
Results:
- People will know of the Gospel and character or God.
- Negative: If church speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, they not say that you are mad (1 Cor. 14:23)
Attributes:
- Speaking gift (1 Cor 14:6)
- Be cautious of a multitude of people speaking tongues and no one has the gift of interpretation, this would demonstrate God has distributed the gifts inappropriately.
Blindsides:
- Manifesting them within yourself.
- Giving into peer pressure, and performing “tongues” to be accepted.
- Praying in a tongue with no one present to hear, or understand.
Example:
- The Apostles in Acts 2
Possible Ministries:
- Missionary to a culture where Gospel is unknown.