Tongues, heavenly language or God’s language (whatever you wish to call it) has its place and purpose. I will be the first to admit it has been abused down through the years and totally misused.
On the day of Pentecost in Acts Chapter 2, God used tongues as a sign that an individual had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit can really bring such a gift into a person’s life, no other way. Nowhere in Scripture or God’s Word does it say you have to speak in tongues to receive the Holy Spirit. There are other evidences, such as the receiving of power (Acts 1:8). Tongues, or the gift thereof, also came upon them in Acts 10:46 AND Acts 19:6. In 1 Corinthians 12:10, it is named among the nine gifts, so it is certainly of God. 1 Corinthians 14 makes very clear that tongues is real, it’s for us and Paul very much explains its purpose.
Again, tongues are misused greatly, but it does not mean that God does not still use them. Paul makes clear in 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 when that which is perfect is come (the second coming), then tongues, prophesy and knowledge will be done away with or no longer needed. But, for now, they are all needed to edify and strengthen the church. There are times you will hear me or another speak tongues, but it’s just because it’s very hard to hold it in or back at times.
Bishop Keith Conard