“And he(Jesus) said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:15-18 (ESV)
Speaking to God and edifying oneself:
“Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.” 1 Corinthians 14:1-2, 4, 13-15 (ESV)
Speaking in tongues is a spiritual prayer language the Holy Spirit is giving to everyone who asks, seeks, knocks and desires to receive. This is the sign that you have received the Holy Spirit anointing and it is very much needed to speak mysteries and help God to manifest His Will on the earth physically. Without our cooperation Holy Spirit cannot operate as God is in the spirit form now. Those who speak in tongues edifies themselves in the sense in spirit, soul and body. This way the power of God operates in us from the spirit to soul and body; every part of our being is empowered and made whole.
Speaking to Church and edifying people:
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-11(ESV)
These varieties of gifts are given to the church and edify the people that are gathering. These gifts are all for the benefit of others through the one to whom they are given.
- Utterance of wisdom: This gift is to prophesy the future of the person prayed for.
- Utterance of knowledge: This gift is to know the past of the person prayed for.
- Spirit of Faith: This is the main gift through which we operate all these 8 other gifts.
- Gifts of healing: These gifts to heal the sick and raise the dead as Jesus commanded to do.
- Working of miracles: These to do signs and wonders like Jesus multiplied 5 loafs & 2 fish.
- Gift of Prophecy: Reveal all the plans and purposes of the Lord.
- Distinguish spirits: This gift reveals the spirit- good or bad that is operating in people.
- Various kinds of tongues: Speaking in unknown and angelic languages.
- Interpretation of tongues: Interpreting the unknown tongues and speaking in known ones.
“If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.” 1 Corinthians 14:37-39 (NIV)