The gift of tongues is a New Testament concept since there is no place in the Old Testament in which people supernaturally spoke in other tongues. It manifested on the day of Pentecost.

The disciples of Jesus had no inkling what to expect when the Holy Spirit arrived. It was a shock when fire rested on each of their heads with no harm. Then they lost control of their mouths and started to speak in foreign languages they did not understand. Furthermore, an unknown force drove them out from the upper room and they started to roam the streets of Jerusalem, speaking loudly about the Messiah in different languages.

The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) was a holy day and Jerusalem was filled with thousands of pilgrims who had come to be part of the festivities on the temple ground. These diaspora Jews were surprised when they heard Galileans speak about Jesus in their respective native language.

There is no doubt that languages are designed by God. We know that there was only one language in the beginning, but that changed when Jesus confounded the people building the Tower of Babel and gave them new languages. Then humanity was scattered over the earth.

There are three types of tongues which can be given to a believer in Christ by the Holy Spirit. An earthly language that he has never learned, a language that can be interpreted, and an unknown language for which there is no interpretation. The third instance is known as praying in an unknown tongue to God.

I received the gift of praying in tongues sometime after I was baptized in the Holy Spirit. It was a strange experience hearing myself speak, not knowing what I was saying. Please join me this week as I share what tongues are and how this gift has blessed my life.

Remember, operating in this gift of the Holy Spirit – or any other for that matter – is exciting because it means you are in God’s will and He is choosing to use you for something particular. It is wonderful knowing that the path you’re on is sanctioned by God and receiving His blessing in the form of one of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Print out the sermon outline and let's examine the Scriptures together Sunday morning at 9:00 AM PST.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor John S. Torell