Purpose of the 8 Tongues of Spirit-Filled Christians

1. The Tongue of Baptism: Acts 2:4, 10:45-47

This tongue is the evidence that you have been baptized with the Holy Spirit... It is the first tongue that you receive... It is a sign that you have been baptized with the Holy Spirit... It is the initial physical evidence that you have been filled with the Holy Spirit. (It is never interpreted.)

2. The Gift of Tongues: I Cor. 12:10, 14:13-21, 14:26-27, Is. 28:11-12

This tongue is a message from God. It should be interpreted and should be used only when a member of the body of Christ is present that has the gift of interpretation. Tongues is not "confusion" in a service but complements, and many times confirms the preaching or teaching. The gift is always to be used with love and wisdom and never condemns. The Holy Spirit is to be in full charge of a meeting and never interrupts Himself.

3. The Unknown Tongue: I Cor. 14:2

This tongue is the language of divine communication between man and God, "Praying in the Spirit." No man can understand or interpret this tongue. When there are no words left to express your love to God the unknown tongue can speak for you. "Howbeit in the Spirit he speaks mysteries."

4. The Tongue of Self-Edification: I Cor. 14:4, Jude 20

This tongue edifies and builds up the faith of the believer.

5. The Tongue of Intercession: I Cor. 14:14

This tongue is when the Holy Spirit prays through us and intercedes on behalf of someone or something. Our understanding of this prayer is unfruitful.

6. The Tongue of Song: I Cor. 14:15

"I will sing with the Spirit and I will sing with the understanding also." If we desire, we can sing in tongues and we can sing with the understanding also. (Our own language)

7. The Tongue for a Sign to the Unbelievers: I Cor. 14:22

All tongues are a sign to the unbeliever and one of the main purposes of the manifestation of tongues is that sinners might see the supernatural in operation and bring them to a place of repentance.

8. The Tongue of Angels: I Cor. 13:1

This is when the Holy Spirit calls angels to Himself. The angels understand this tongue and usually it is manifested when protection is needed in an emergency.