Praying in Tongues vs. Gift of Tongues
"For 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
Corinthians 14:2 KJV
"He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself;" 1 Corinthians 14:4a
KJV
"For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is
unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with
the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the
understanding also." 1 Corinthians 14:14-15 KJV
"But ye, beloved, building up yourself on your most holy faith, praying in the
Holy Ghost," Jude 20 KJV
The gift of tongues listed in 1 Corinthians 12:10 is totally separate from
"praying in tongues", or what some Christians call the "prayer language." The
word "tongue(s)" simply means language(s). These are some of the major
differences between the gift of tongues, and the prayer language...
1.) The gift of tongues refers to a divine gift given by the Holy Spirit in a
public assembly, in a church service. A person will have an unction from the
Holy Spirit to speak in tongues out loud for all to hear...there must be an
interpreter when this takes place in a public setting. By interpreter, I mean a
person who has the gift of interpretation of tongues...that is a divine gift
given by the Holy Spirit also(it has nothing to do with education, it is a
supernatural gift).
2.) A message given in tongues in a public setting plus the interpretation of
that message is equal to the gift of prophecy.
3.) Every born again, Holy Spirit baptized believer does NOT have the "gift of
tongues."
4.) Every born again, Holy Spirit baptized believer DOES HAVE a prayer language,
or is able to do what we call "pray in tongues."
5.) The gift of tongues is a message from God to the local assembly, and the
prayer language or praying in tongues is your spirit by the Holy Spirit praying
to God.
6.) A born again, Holy Spirit baptized believer can pray in tongues
anytime...just as you can pray to God in your own natural language, or with your
understanding anytime.
7.) The "gift of tongues" with the interpretation edifies others. "Praying in
tongues" edifies you individually according to Jude 20.
The Scriptures listed above refer to the "prayer language", NOT to the "gift of
tongues." To be ELIGIBLE for the "gifts of the Holy Spirit", and RECEIVE your
prayer language, you must be born again and receive the baptism in the Holy
Spirit.
Below are some scriptures referring to the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and a
prayer to receive...
"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how
much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?"
Luke 11:13 KJV
"But ye shall receive power, AFTER that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye
shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria,
and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:8 KJV
"He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost SINCE ye believed?" Acts
19:2a KJV
Heavenly Father, I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and
that He has been raised from the dead. I confess with my mouth, and believe in
my heart that Jesus Christ is Lord. You said in Your Holy Word that You would
give the Holy Spirit to those who ask. I'm asking You now to baptize me with the
precious Holy Spirit, so that I may be a powerful witness of Your Son Jesus. I
receive the Holy Spirit now! I expect to speak in other tongues as the Holy
Spirit gives me the utterance. I now receive every blessing You have for me in
the mighty Name of Jesus! Amen!
Remember, you do the speaking and the Holy Spirit gives you the utterance. It is
a language you have never learned before; it is your spirit by the Holy Spirit
praying. The whole purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is to be a powerful
witness for the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8)! Get ready, you are going to be
used in such a powerful way for God's Glory!
P.O. Box 338, Big Rapids, Michigan 49307
(231) 796-8228
