Tragically, many pastors today are falsely rejecting God’s precious gift of praying in tongues because they say it’s not exactly like what happened in Acts 2, when many foreigners were in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and could hear the newly Spirit-filled Christians speaking in their own languages. “So this is always the way it’s supposed to happen or it’s not Biblical tongues,” pastors say.
Paul explains God’s gift of praying in tongues to God privately, to be free:
1 Cor. 13:1 If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love….
1 Cor. 14:1 Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation. 4 He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly. 5 Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages [everyone could pray in tongues], but rather that you would prophesy [during public church services]. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up.
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