What Does the Bible Teach About Speaking in Tongues? - What was the purpose of speaking in tongues?

 (1.) To show that God was backing Christians. In the past, God provided miraculous signs to prove that he was backing faithful people such as Moses. (Exodus 4:1-9, 29-31; Numbers 17:10) Speaking in tongues served a similar purpose, showing that God was backing the newly formed Christian congregation. The apostle Paul wrote: "Tongues are not a sign for the believers but for the unbelievers." - 1 CORINTHIANS  14:22. 

(2.) To enable Christians to give a thorough witness. Those who heard Jesus' followers on the day of Pentecost said:  "We hear them speaking in our languages about the magnificence things of God." (Acts 2:11) Thus, another key purpose of this miracle was to enable Christians "to give a thorough witness" and to "make disciples of people of all the nations," as they had been commanded by Jesus. (Acts 10:42; Matthew 28:19) About 3,000 who observed the miracle and listened to the witness that was given became disciples that very day. - ACTS 2:41. 

Next time: What Does the Bible Teach About Speaking in Tongues? -Was speaking in tongues to continue permently?

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