SPEAKING IN TONGUES IS IT FROM GOD?

A Sign of God's Backing

When writing to Christians in the city of Corinth, some of whom apparently could speak in tongues, Paul explained that  "tongues are for a sign . . . to the unbelievers." (1 Corinthians 14:22) Hence, along with other miraculous abilities, the power to speak in tongues was an indication to observers that  the newly formed Christian congregation had God's approval and backing. The miraculous gifts were like a street marker pointing out where truth-seekers should now go to find God's chosen people.

Significantly, the Bible does not mention that Jesus or any of the pre-Christian prophets miraculously spoke in tongues that they had not learned. The gift of tongues bestowed upon Jesus' disciples,  then, evidently had some additional objective. 

Next time: SPEAKING IN TONGUES IS IT FROM GOD?/A Tool to Spread God's News

From the Watchtower magazine