Tongues Are a Gift of the Holy Spirit Not a learned skill or emotional experience "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit." - 1 Corinthians 12:4 Speaking in tongues is listed among the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:8-10). It's given by the Holy Spirit as He wills, not as proof of spiritual rank. "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." - 1 Corinthians 12:11 Principle: Tongues are a gift, not a requirement for salvation or superiority. 2. Tongues Are Prayer and Praise Directed to God "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God..." - 1 Corinthians 14:2 Tongues are primarily vertical, not horizontal. They are communication between the believer and God, especially when words fail. "For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth..." - 1 Corinthians 14:14 Principle: Tongues edify the speaker through spirit-led prayer. 3. Tongues Edify the Individual-Interpretation Edifies the Church "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church." - 1 Corinthians 14:4 not a rebuke-just a distinction. • Private tongues ? personal edification • Public tongues ? must be interpreted for corporate edification "Except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying." - 1 Corinthians 14:5 Principle: In public worship, understanding matters. 4. Interpretation Is Required in Corporate Settings "If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three... and let one interpret." - 1 Corinthians 14:27 If no interpreter, Scripture says: "Let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God." - 1 Corinthians 14:28 Principle: Order is a spiritual value, not a lack of faith. 5. Tongues Are a Sign-But Not the Only One "Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not..." - 1 Corinthians 14:22 At Pentecost (Acts 2), tongues were known languages understood by listeners. In other passages (1 Cor. 14), they appear as unknown or heavenly languages. "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels..." - 1 Corinthians 13:1 Principle: Tongues can function in different ways depending on context. 6. Not Every Believer Speaks in Tongues "Do all speak with tongues?" - 1 Corinthians 12:30 The implied answer is no. Principle: Tongues are one gift among many-never a spiritual measuring stick. 7. Love Is the Governing Principle Paul places 1 Corinthians 13 right between chapters 12 and 14 on spiritual gifts-on purpose. "If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass..." - 1 Corinthians 13:1 Principle: Any expression of tongues without love misses God's heart. 8. God Is a God of Order, Not Confusion "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace..." - 1 Corinthians 14:33 Spiritual intensity never excuses disorder. "Let all things be done decently and in order." - 1 Corinthians 14:40 Principle: True spiritual manifestation reflects God's character. I'm really glad you asked this-because the Bible is very clear here, and it brings a lot of peace. No. Not speaking in tongues does not mean you don't have the Holy Spirit. That idea isn't biblical. Let's walk through it gently and plainly. If I don't speak in tongues does that mean I don't have the Holy Spirit 1. Every Believer Has the Holy Spirit "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." - Romans 8:9 The moment a person is saved, the Holy Spirit comes to live in them. "After that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise." - Ephesians 1:13 Key truth: The Holy Spirit is received at salvation-not at tongues. 2. Tongues Are a Gift, Not Evidence of Salvation "Do all speak with tongues?" - 1 Corinthians 12:30 The implied answer is no. If tongues were proof of having the Spirit, Paul would never ask that question. Key truth: You don't need every gift to have the Spirit-just like you don't need every body part to be alive. 3. The Spirit Shows Up in Many Ways The Bible never says, "You will know the Spirit by tongues." It says: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace..." - Galatians 5:22-23 Fruit is character, not a manifestation. Ask this instead: • Is your life changing? • Is your heart sensitive to God? • Is love growing? That's the Spirit at work. 4. Even in the Early Church, Not Everyone Spoke in Tongues • The disciples at Pentecost did (Acts 2) • The Samaritans believed and received the Spirit-tongues are not mentioned(Acts 8) • Paul says tongues are one gift among many (1 Cor. 12) Key truth: Experience varies; the Spirit is the same. 5. Salvation Is Based on Faith, Not Gifts "For by grace are ye saved through faith... not of works." - Ephesians 2:8-9 Tongues are not: • A saving act • A spiritual badge • A maturity score They are a tool, not the foundation. 6. Why This Question Matters Some believers have been: • Made to feel "less than" • Pressured to perform • Made to doubt their salvation That's not the Holy Spirit. The Spirit brings assurance, not anxiety. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." - Romans 8:16 Bottom Line If you: • Have trusted Christ • Believe the gospel • Are being transformed by God You have the Holy Spirit. Even if you never speak in tongues.