The Doctrine of Other Tongues
We believe that speaking with other tongues is the supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit, where God provides the utterance to the believer in a language they have not learned. It serves as both the initial sign of the Spirit's infilling and a continual means of spiritual edification.
The Initial Sign
According to the scriptural pattern, speaking in tongues is the immediate, external evidence that a person has received the gift of the Holy Ghost. It is the uniform experience recorded in the birth of the New Testament Church.
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Acts 2:4: "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
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Acts 10:46: "For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God."
Spiritual Edification and Prayer
Beyond the initial evidence, the use of tongues is a vital part of a believer's private prayer life. It allows the Spirit to intercede through the individual, speaking mysteries unto God and building up the inner man.
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1 Corinthians 14:2: "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries."
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1 Corinthians 14:4: "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself..."
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Jude 1:20: "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost."
The Gift of Divers Kinds of Tongues
We also recognize the "divers kinds of tongues" as one of the nine spiritual gifts given for the benefit of the local body. When exercised in a public assembly and followed by the interpretation of tongues, it serves to exhort and comfort the church.
1 Corinthians 14:5 "...greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying."
Our Biblical Mandate
We hold to the apostolic instruction regarding the move of the Spirit. While we maintain order in the house of God, we strictly adhere to the commandment that the manifestation of tongues should never be suppressed or forbidden.
1 Corinthians 14:39-40 "Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order."