Bible Passage: I Corinthians 14:21
I. There are gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to each as it wills.
The ministry gifts (Ephesians 4:11).
o Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.
The manifestations (or gifts) of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).
o Word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, divers kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues.
“And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 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? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:28-31).
These gifts are different from the commission Jesus gave the disciples.
o “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents;
and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands
on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17-18).
Speaking in tongues is a personal gift and also a ministry gift. When cultivated
for ministry, it is on a higher level than the basic operation of tongues.
First Corinthians 14 is like a dictionary, giving us the many applications of this
one powerful BLESSING of God—tongues.
II. Reason 2 why believers should pray in other tongues is that tongues are divine communication and direct contact with God.
1. Talking to God like He is sitting beside you
“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).
o The Weymouth translation says, “He speaks divine secrets.” o There is great value in speaking secrets with God.