Kinds of tongues (speaking in tongues)

Summary:

It is written in the Bible that someone can have a spiritual gift of "KINDS (OF) TONGUES" (1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 12:28), or "SPEAKING (IN) TONGUES" (1 Corinthians 12:30).

The Greek words for "KINDS" and "TONGUES" are both in the plural, meaning that this is referring to a plurality of kinds and a plurality of tongues.  

The different "KINDS (of) TONGUES" (1 Corinthians 12:28) that someone could speak with this spiritual gift may include:

1) "TONGUES (of) HUMANS" (1 Corinthians 13:1).

2) "TONGUES [...] (of) ANGELS" (1 Corinthians 13:1).

Speaking in the "TONGUES" of humans would be speaking in the "LANGUAGES" of humans. 

Speaking in the tongues of humans can involve speaking human languages NOT PREVIOUSLY LEARNED.

Speaking tongues of ANGELS may involve NOT SPEAKING TO PEOPLE, BECAUSE NO MAN UNDERSTANDS.

Tongues of ANGELS may be spoken with ONE'S OWN SPIRIT, the same way that ANGELS can speak and are said to be SPIRITS. 

Tongues of ANGELS may NOT be spoken with ONE'S MIND, as the mind may be unfruitful while speaking.

Tongues of ANGELS may be described in an ancient Jewish text from around the 1st century AD.

The spiritual gift of "KINDS (OF) TONGUES" (1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 12:28) can include a plurality of EXPRESSIONS such as SPEAKING, PRAYING, SINGING-PRAISE, BLESSING. 

Someone speaking in tongues is perfectly able to CONTROL when they speak in a tongue or when they do not. 

Speaking in tongues is NOT the HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKING THROUGH SOMEONE. 

Paul wrote to the church of the Corinthians HOW speaking in tongues CAN BE DONE whenever "the whole church comes-together at the same (place)" (1 Corinthians 14:23), indicating that this was "(a) commandment (of the) Lord" (1 Corinthians 14:37). There can be CONSEQUENCES of NOT ABIDING by the commandment of the Lord concerning speaking in tongues. 

Someone can also speak in tongues PRIVATELY OUTSIDE OF A CONGREGATION.  

Speaking in tongues is NOT NECESSARILY the only INITIAL EVIDENCE that someone got baptized by the Spirit of God. It CAN be ONE EVIDENCE, but it does not HAVE to be.

Even though Paul wrote that NOT EVERYONE SPEAKS IN TONGUES, he also wrote that he WISHES THAT EVERYONE were speaking in tongues, and ENCOURAGES speaking in tongues.

Early Christians authors AFTER THE 1ST CENTURY would have reported that the gift of speaking in tongues would still have been ACTIVE.

You can find more details below:

 

Spiritual gift of kinds of tongues:

It is written in the Bible that someone can have a spiritual gift of "KINDS (OF) TONGUES" (1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 12:28), which can also interchangeably be referred to as "SPEAKING (IN) TONGUES" (1 Corinthians 12:30). 

This is a spiritual gift among the list of other spiritual gifts available.

For more information:

List of spiritual gifts:
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A plurality of kinds and a plurality of tongues:

Paul wrote that the spiritual gift of "SPEAKING (IN) TONGUES" (1 Corinthians 12:30) is more specifically called "KINDS (OF) TONGUES" (1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 12:28).

The Greek words for "KINDS" and "TONGUES" are both in the plural, meaning that this is referring to a plurality of kinds and a plurality of tongues.  

A few verses after mentioning "SPEAKING" (1 Corinthians 12:30) several "KINDS (OF) TONGUES" (1 Corinthians 12:28), Paul wrote: "If I-SPEAK (in) the TONGUES (of) HUMANS and (of) ANGELS" (1 Corinthians 13:1).

Here there would be a pluality of "KINDS" (1 Corinthians 12:28): 

1) "HUMANS" (1 Corinthians 13:1).

2) "ANGELS" (1 Corinthians 13:1).

These KINDS would have a plurality of "TONGUES" (1 Corinthians 13:1).

The different "KINDS (of) TONGUES" (1 Corinthians 12:28) that someone could speak with this spiritual gift may include:

1) "TONGUES (of) HUMANS" (1 Corinthians 13:1).

2) "TONGUES [...] (of) ANGELS" (1 Corinthians 13:1).

Earlier in 1 Corinthians, HUMANS and ANGELS would have been understood as being DISTINCT, as it is written: "we-were-made (a) spectacle (to) the world, BOTH (to) ANGELS AND (to) PEOPLE" (1 Corinthians 4:9).

Adressing the "conditional impossibility" objection:

When Paul uses the conditional particle "IF" in "IF I-speak (in) the tongues (of) HUMANS and (of) ANGELS, but I-do not have love" (1 Corinthians 13:1), he is NOT describing a level of gifted expression so exalted that it becomes a CONDITIONAL IMPOSSIBLILITY, as if he were deliberately appealing to something no human could ever do so that only love would matter. Rather, he is saying that even if the expression of a gift reaches an extremely developed or exalted form, even then, without love, it amounts to nothing.

This reading is reinforced by the very next parallels Paul gives, as he also wrote: "IF I-dole-out all my possessions, and IF I-hand-over my body in-order-that I-may-boast, but I-do not have love, I-am-profited nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:3). These examples are not CONDITIONALLY IMPOSSIBLE; a person can in fact give away all their possessions or hand over their body. These are high, yet CONDITIONALLY POSSIBLE, expressions of devotion or sacrifice. Paul’s point is that even the most intense or extreme acts, even those that are indeed attainable, are worthless without love.

Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 12 Paul listed spiritual gifts which he then mentioned again in 1 Corinthians 13, for example:

1 Corinthians 12:9: "FAITH".

➔ 1 Corinthians 13:2: "if I-have all FAITH".

1 Corinthians 12:10: "PROPHECY".

➔ 1 Corinthians 13:2: "if I-have PROPHECY".

1 Corinthians 12:10: "KINDS (of) TONGUES".

➔ 1 Corinthians 13:1: "If I-speak (in) the TONGUES (of) HUMANS and (of) ANGELS".

Early Christian author:

Around the 4th century, a Christian author named Ambrosiaster wrote: "It is a great gift to be able to speak in different languages. To speak with the tongues of angels is even greater. But in order to show that none of this can be ascribed to merit and that every tongue is subject to the glory of God, Paul adds that a man without love is like a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal." (Commentary on Paul's epistles).

Tongues of humans are languages of humans:

Paul wrote: "If I-SPEAK (in) the TONGUES (of) HUMANS" (1 Corinthians 13:1).

Speaking in the "TONGUES" of humans would be speaking in the "LANGUAGES" of humans. 

It is written that when people "began to-speak (in) other TONGUES" (Acts 2:4), the people hearing them said: "we-are-hearing them speaking the great (things) of God (in)-OUR-(OWN) TONGUES" (Acts 2:11) or in other words: "we are each (one) hearing (in) OUR OWN LANGUAGE in which we-were-born" (Acts 2:8).

Speaking in tongues of humans can involve speaking human languages not previously learned:

Speaking in the tongues of humans can involve speaking human languages NOT PREVIOUSLY LEARNED.

Paul wrote: "If I-SPEAK (in) the TONGUES (of) HUMANS" (1 Corinthians 13:1).

In Acts 2, it is written about people (who were usually speaking Galilean) that "they-were all filled (with the) Holy Spirit, and began TO-SPEAK (IN) OTHER TONGUES" (Acts 2:4). This would have been speaking in OTHER tongues than Galilean. 

The people hearing them said: "are not all these (ones usually) SPEAKING GALILEANS? And how (is it) we are each (one) hearing (IN) OUR OWN LANGUAGE in which WE-were-born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites; and the (ones) dwelling-in Mesopotamia, and Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, and Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts (of) Libya toward Cyrene; and the Romans residing (here); both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs; we-are-hearing them SPEAKING the great (things) of God (IN)-OUR-(OWN) TONGUES" (Acts 2:7-11).

Speaking tongues of angels may involve not speaking to people:

Speaking tongues of ANGELS may involve NOT SPEAKING TO PEOPLE, BECAUSE NO MAN UNDERSTANDS.

Paul wrote: "If I-SPEAK (in) the TONGUES [...] (of) ANGELS" (1 Corinthians 13:1).

It is written: "the (one) speaking (in a) tongue IS NOT SPEAKING (TO) PEOPLE, but (to) God, FOR NO-MAN UNDERSTANDS, but he-speaks mysteries (with his) spirit" (1 Corinthians 14:2).

This kind of tongues would be spoken to God and not to people (in contrast to when someone may be speaking in "the TONGUES (of) HUMANS" (1 Corinthians 13:1).).

Tongues of angels may be spoken with one's own spirit:

Tongues of ANGELS may be spoken with ONE'S OWN SPIRIT, the same way that ANGELS can speak and are said to be SPIRITS. 

Paul wrote about "the TONGUES [...] (of) ANGELS" (1 Corinthians 13:1). ANGELS are SPIRITS, as it is written that "ANGELS" (Hebrews 1:13) are "ministering SPIRITS" (Hebrews 1:14).

Paul wrote: "if I-am-praying (in a) tongue, MY SPIRIT is-praying" (1 Corinthians 14:14). This would be PAUL'S OWN HUMAN SPIRIT praying, as he wrote that it is "MY spirit" (1 Corinthians 14:14) praying. 

Tongues of angels may not be spoken with one's mind:

Tongues of ANGELS may NOT be spoken with ONE'S MIND, as the mind may be unfruitful while speaking.

Paul wrote: "If I-SPEAK (in) the TONGUES [...] (of) ANGELS" (1 Corinthians 13:1).

Paul wrote: "if I-am-praying (in a) tongue, my spirit is-praying, BUT MY MIND IS UNFRUTFUL" (1 Corinthians 14:14). 

Scientific brain imaging studies done on people speaking in tongues (sometimes also referred to as "glossolalia") reported that AREAS OF THE BRAIN TYPICALLY LINKED TO LANGUAGE PRODUCTION (like Broca's area in the frontal lobe) WERE NOT STRONGLY ACTIVATED when they did so, in contrast to when they sang gospel music (in human language). Researchers interpret this to mean that the "usual language centers" are not driving the utterances during their speech. This may be consistent with Paul indicating that someone praying in a tongue is praying WITH THEIR SPIRIT and NOT WITH THEIR MIND.

Because Paul wants people speaking in tongues to ALSO use their mind, he indicates that they may alternate between speaking in tongues and speaking with their mind (in a way that can be understood), writing: "What then is (to be done)? I-will-pray (WITH) THE SPIRIT, AND I-will also pray (WITH) THE MIND. I-will-sing-praise (WITH) THE SPIRIT, and I-will also sing-praise (WITH) THE MIND" (1 Corinthians 14:15).

Tongues of angels in ancient Jewish texts?:

Tongues of ANGELS may be described in ancient Jewish texts (from before or around the 1st century AD).

Paul wrote: "If I-SPEAK (in) the TONGUES [...] (of) ANGELS" (1 Corinthians 13:1).

It is written in an ancient Jewish text called the Testament of Job: "when the one called Hemera arose, she wrapped around her own string just as her father said. And she took on another heart, no longer minded toward earthly things, but SHE SPOKE ecstatically IN THE ANGELIC DIALECT, sending up a hymn to God in accord with the hymnic style of the messengers. And as she spoke ecstatically, she allowed "The Spirit" to be inscribed on her garment" (Testament of Job 48:1-3).

And again: "Then the other one also, named Amaltheia's Horn, bound on her cord. And HER MOUTH SPOKE ecstatically IN THE DIALECT OF THOSE ON HIGH, since her heart also was changed, keeping aloof from worldly things" (Testament of Job 50:1-2).

It is written in an ancient Jewish text called the book of Jubilees: "He created for them a holy language so that they might speak with one another; and the ANGELS of the Presence and the ANGELS of Holiness were created SPEAKING THE HOLY LANGUAGE." (Jubilees 12:25-26). 

What expressions the spiritual gift of kinds of tongues can include:

The spiritual gift of "kinds (of) tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 12:28) can include the following EXPRESSIONS:

- "SPEAKING (in a) tongue" (1 Corinthians 14:13), as one "SPEAKS [...] (with his) spirit" (1 Corinthians 14:2).

- "PRAYING (in a) tongue" (1 Corinthians 14:14), as one can "PRAY (with) the spirit" (1 Corinthians 14:15).

- SINGING-PRAISE in a tongue, as one can "SING-PRAISE (with) the spirit" (1 Corinthians 14:15).

- BLESSING in a tongue, as one can be "BLESSING with (their) spirit" (1 Corinthians 14:16). 

Adressing the objection that "speaking in tongues" and "praying in tongues" would be fundamentally different categories:

"SPEAKING (in a) tongue" (1 Corinthians 14:13) and "PRAYING (in a) tongue" (1 Corinthians 14:14) would not be fundamentally different categories. 

Instead, they would simply be different EXPRESSIONS of the same spiritual gift of "kinds (of) tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 12:28). 

This can be evidenced by the fact that in principle someone "PRAYING" can still be described as "SPEAKING", as it is for example written: "He-PRAYED for (a) third (time), having-SPOKEN the same thing again" (Matthew 26:44). 

Adressing the objection that "kinds of tongues" or "speaking in tongues" would be fundamentally different:

"kinds (of) tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 12:28) and "speaking (in) tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:30) would not be fundamentally different. 

In the same passage in 1 Corinthians 12:28-30, Paul used INTERCHANGEABLY the terms "kinds (of) tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:28) with the terms "speaking (in) tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:30).

In that same passage in 1 Corinthians 12:28-30, Paul also used INTERCHANGEABLY several terms, first mentioning them in 1 Corinthians 12:28, and then mentioning them again in 1 Corinthians 12:29-30, as it is written: 

1 Corinthians 12:28: "And God placed some in the church (as) first, APOSTLES [1]; second, PROPHETS [2]; third, TEACHERS [3]; then POWERS [4]; then GIFTS (OF) HEALINGS [5], helps, administrations, KINDS (OF) TONGUES [6]."

1 Corinthians 12:29: "All (are) not APOSTLES [1], (are they)? All (are) not PROPHETS [2], (are they)? All (are) not TEACHERS [3], (are) they? All (do) not (do) POWERS [4], (do they)?"

1 Corinthians 12:30: "All do not have GIFTS (OF) HEALINGS [5], (do they)? All are not SPEAKING (IN) TONGUES [6], (are they)?"

Notice here how the terms "KINDS (OF) TONGUES [6]" (1 Corinthians 12:28) can be interchangeable with the terms "SPEAKING (IN) TONGUES [6]" (1 Corinthians 12:30), implying that they would not be fundamentally different. 

Speaking in tongues can be controlled:

Someone speaking in tongues is perfectly able to CONTROL when they speak in a tongue or when they do not. 

Paul wrote that someone praying in a tongue speaks WITH THEIR OWN HUMAN SPIRIT, as Paul wrote: "if I-am-praying (in a) tongue, MY SPIRIT is-praying" (1 Corinthians 14:14). This would be PAUL'S OWN HUMAN SPIRIT praying, as he wrote that it is "MY spirit" (1 Corinthians 14:14) praying. 

Paul then indicates that what "IS TO BE DONE" by the believers is to ALTERNATE between praying with their spirit and praying normally with their mind, writing: "What then IS (TO BE DONE)? I-will-pray (WITH) THE SPIRIT, AND I-will also pray (WITH) THE MIND. I-will-sing-praise (WITH) THE SPIRIT, and I-will also sing-praise (WITH) THE MIND" (1 Corinthians 14:15). This implies that the believers can choose to alternate between the two. 

Paul wrote: "If anyone SPEAKS (IN A) TONGUE, (let it be done) BY TWO OR (AT) THE MOST THREE, and IN TURN" (1 Corinthians 14:27). Here Paul said that those who speak in a tongue must decide to do it "BY TWO OR (AT) THE MOST THREE" (1 Corinthians 14:27), thus deciding who speaks in a tongue and who doesn't, and if they do decide to speak they must do it "IN TURN" (1 Corinthians 14:27), again implying control over their own spirit for when to speak. 

Speaking in tongues is not the Holy Spirit speaking through someone:

Speaking in tongues is NOT the HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKING THROUGH SOMEONE. 

Paul wrote that someone praying in a tongue speaks WITH THEIR OWN HUMAN SPIRIT, as Paul wrote: "if I-am-praying (in a) tongue, MY SPIRIT is-praying" (1 Corinthians 14:14). This would be PAUL'S OWN HUMAN SPIRIT praying, as he wrote that it is "MY spirit" (1 Corinthians 14:14) praying. 

In Acts 2, it is written that "they-were all filled (with the) Holy Spirit, and THEY-began TO-SPEAK (in) other tongues as the Spirit was-giving (the) uttering (to) them" (Acts 2:4). Here it is written about the humans that "THEY-began" (Acts 2:4) as the subjects actively "TO-SPEAK [Active voice in Greek] (in) other tongues" (Acts 2:4). It is not written that they began "to-be-made-to-speak" in the passive voice as if done to them, but it is written that they began "TO-SPEAK" in the active voice as them doing actively doing that. This was done "as the Spirit was-giving (the) UTTERING (TO) THEM" (Acts 2:4), that is, the Holy Spirit of God was giving "(TO) THEM" (Acts 2:4) to UTTER such tongues. The Holy Spirit here did not speak through them or for them, but the Spirit was giving the uttering "(TO) THEM" (Acts 2:4). 

In Romans 8, Paul wrote that "the Spirit helps our weakness. For we-know not what we-should-pray as (we) ought-to, but the Spirit itself intercedes-for (us with) UNSPEAKABLE groanings" (Romans 8:26). Here the Spirit of God intercedes for us with "UNSPEAKABLE" (Romans 8:26) groanings. The Greek word for "UNSPEAKABLE" [alalétos 215 in Greek] in Romans 8:26 is composed of "alpha" [alpha 1 in Greek] as a negative particle, and a derivative of "TO-SPEAK" [laleó 2980 in Greek]. It is a word described the opposite of "TO-SPEAK" [laleó 2980 in Greek]. The Spirit of God interceding with "UNSPEAKABLE groanings" (Romans 8:26) cannot refer to "SPEAKING (in) tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:30) because the groanings are described as being "UNSPEAKABLE" (Romans 8:26) or "NON-SPEAKABLE" instead of being something SPOKEN such as "SPEAKING (in) tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:30). 

In Jude, it is written that believers ought to be "praying IN (THE) HOLY SPIRIT" (Jude 1:20). This can be distinct from praying in tongues. Paul wrote: "if I-am-praying (in a) tongue, MY SPIRIT is-praying" (1 Corinthians 14:14). This would be PAUL'S OWN HUMAN SPIRIT praying, not the HOLY SPIRIT, as he wrote that it is "MY spirit" (1 Corinthians 14:14) praying. Furthermore Paul wrote about "praying with every(-kind-of) prayer and petition at every opportunity IN (THE) SPIRIT" (Ephesians 6:18). In order for someone to pray "with every(-kind-of) prayer and petition at every opportunity" (Ephesians 6:18), such a one would need to be able TO PERFORM A DISTINCTION between "every(-kind-of) prayer and petition" (Ephesians 6:18), which cannot be done when praying in tongues, but which can be done when praying with the mind (which is not speaking in a tongue). As Paul wrote: "if I-am-praying (in a) tongue, my spirit is-praying, but my mind is unfruitful. What then is (to be done)? I-will-pray (with) the spirit, AND I-will ALSO pray (with) the MIND" (1 Corinthians 14:14-15).

How speaking in tongues can be done whenever the church comes together:

Paul wrote to the church of the Corinthians HOW speaking in tongues CAN BE DONE whenever "the whole church comes-together at the same (place)" (1 Corinthians 14:23).

Paul wrote: "do not be-forbidding the speaking (in) tongues. But let all (things) be-done properly, and in-accordance-with order" (1 Corinthians 14:39-40). 

The goal when the church comes together at the same place is to "be-seeking that you-may-abound FOR THE EDIFICATION (OF) THE CHURCH" (1 Corinthians 14:12). 

Paul wrote that "The (one) speaking (in a) tongue IS-EDIFYING HIMSELF" (1 Corinthians 14:4), and not the church, as "the (one) speaking (in a) tongue IS NOT SPEAKING (TO) PEOPLE, BUT (TO) GOD" (1 Corinthians 14:2).

Paul indicated that in order to profit others in the church, A CLEAR WORD needs to be spoken, so that they may KNOW what was said, as he wrote: "if I-come to you speaking (in) tongues, what will-I-profit you unless I-speak (to) you either by (a) revelation or by knowledge or by (a) prophecy or by (a) teaching? Likewise the lifeless (things) giving (a) sound, whether (a) flute or harp, if it-does not give (a) DISTINCTION (in) the tones, how will the (thing) being-fluted or the (thing) being-harped BE-KNOWN? For indeed, if (a) trumpet gives (an) UNEVIDENT sound, who will-prepare (himself) for battle? So also you with the tongue, if you-do not give (A) CLEAR WORD, how will the (thing) being-spoken BE-KNOWN? For you-will-be speaking into (the) air!" (1 Corinthians 14:6-9). 

As a result, Paul wrote that "IN CHURCH, I-WANT TO-SPEAK FIVE WORDS (WITH) MY MIND in-order-that I-might also INSTRUCT OTHERS, (RATHER) THAN TEN-THOUSAND WORDS IN (A) TONGUE" (1 Corinthians 14:19). 

But Paul indicated that there is a way in which speaking in tongues in church can end up being edifying for others: if there is someone with the spiritual gift of "INTERPRETATION (of) tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:10) who can interpret with a clear word what was spoken in tongues, as Paul wrote: "the (one) prophesying (is) greater than (one) speaking (in) tongues, unless (one) INTERPRETS IN-ORDER-THAT THE CHURCH MAY-RECEIVE EDIFICATION" (1 Corinthians 14:5). 

Paul thus instructed: "If anyone speaks (in a) tongue, (let it be done) by two or (at) the most three, and IN TURN, AND LET ONE (PERSON) INTERPRET" (1 Corinthians 14:27). In order for it to be profitable for others, not everyone should speak in tongues at the same time, but "(let it be done) by two or (at) the most three, and IN TURN" (1 Corinthians 14:27), and "LET ONE (PERSON) INTERPRET" (1 Corinthians 14:27) so that others can be edified by a clear word from the interpretation. 

Paul also wrote to "let the (one) speaking (in a) tongue PRAY IN-ORDER-THAT HE-MIGHT-INTERPRET" (1 Corinthians 14:13). But Paul also went on to adress the situation where there would be no one with the spiritual gift of "INTERPRETATION (of) tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:10), writing: "But if there-is no INTERPRETER, let-him-be-silent in church. And let-him-speak to himself and (to) God" (1 Corinthians 14:28). Paul STILL ALLOWED speaking in tongues in church EVEN IF there is no interpreter for others. But the one speaking tongue would need to do it SILENTLY TO THEMSELVES.  

Paul then warned, writing: "IF ANYONE THINKS (THAT HE) IS (a) prophet or (A) SPIRITUAL (PERSON), LET-HIM-ACKNOWLEDGE (the things) which I-am-writing (to) you, that THEY-ARE (A) COMMANDMENT (OF THE) LORD" (1 Corinthians 14:37). All the instructions Paul gave regarding how one ought to be speaking in tongues in the church Paul indicated that "THEY-ARE (A) COMMANDMENT (OF THE) LORD" (1 Corinthians 14:37). If someone may say that they are too spiritual for these instructions and that these do not apply to them, Paul warns that "IF ANYONE THINKS (THAT HE) IS [...] (A) SPIRITUAL (PERSON), LET-HIM-ACKNOWLEDGE (the things) which I-am-writing (to) you, that THEY-ARE (A) COMMANDMENT (OF THE) LORD. BUT IF ANYONE DOES-NOT-KNOW (THIS), HE-IS-NOT-KNOWN" (1 Corinthians 14:37-38).

Consequences of not abiding by the commandment of the Lord concerning speaking in tongues:

There can be CONSEQUENCES of NOT ABIDING by the commandment of the Lord concerning speaking in tongues. 

Paul to the church of the Corinthians HOW speaking in tongues can be done whenever "the whole church comes-together at the same (place)" (1 Corinthians 14:23), adding that that his instructions were "(a) commandment (of the) Lord" (1 Corinthians 14:37). 

If the commandment of the Lord concerning speaking in tongues is not respected, people witnessing these could think that:

- "YOU-ARE-MAD" (1 Corinthians 14:23) if suddenly "all speak (in) tongues" (1 Corinthians 14:23) at the same time.  

- It is only doing "UNEVIDENT SOUND" (1 Corinthians 14:8) which cannot "BE-KNOWN" (1 Corinthians 14:9), or in other words: gibberish/babbling. 

- It is NOT "EDIFYING (THE) CHURCH" (1 Corinthians 14:4) as people's minds remain "UNFRUITFUL" (1 Corinthians 14:14). 

- There is "DISORDER" (1 Corinthians 14:33), and people may not have "PEACE" (1 Corinthians 14:33). 

None of these things would necessarily indicate that people would not be witnessing the spiritual gift of "kinds (of) tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 12:28), but instead they might be witnessing disorder concerning the respect of the commandment of the Lord governing the use of the spiritual gifts. 

The response would therefore NOT to "be-forbidding the speaking in tongues" (1 Corinthians 14:39), but to seek to abide by the "commandment (of the) Lord" (1 Corinthians 14:37) concerning speaking in tongues, so as to "let all (things) be-done properly, and in-accordance-with order" (1 Corinthians 14:40). 

Can someone also speak in tongues privately outside a congregation?

Someone can also speak in tongues PRIVATELY OUTSIDE OF A CONGREGATION.  

Paul to the church of the Corinthians that whenever "the whole church comes-together at the same (place) [...] they all speak (in) tongues" (1 Corinthians 14:23), probably describing what the Corinthians were doing (which Paul then goes to address by bringing order into their practices). YET, even though the Corinthians may have been known for speaking in tongues whenever they would come together, Paul wrote: "I-give-thanks (to) God I-speak (in) tongues MORE (THAN) ALL (OF) YOU" (1 Corinthians 14:18). If Paul spoke in tongues more than all of them, and they spoke in tongues whenever they would come together, that may imply that Paul would have gone BEYOND that, probably speaking in tongues also outside of the usual gathering with believers. Paul even continued the sentence by contrasting immediately his practice by saying "BUT IN CHURCH, I-want to-speak five words (with) my mind in-order-that I-might also instruct others, (rather) than ten-thousand words in (a) tongue" (1 Corinthians 14:19). Paul would speak a lot in tongues, "BUT IN CHURCH" (1 Corinthians 14:19) he would do differently, implying that when he was speaking a lot in tongues it was not "IN CHURCH" (1 Corinthians 14:19), but BEYOND.

Paul wrote that "The (one) speaking (in a) tongue IS-EDIFYING HIMSELF, but the (one) prophesying is-edifying (the) church" (1 Corinthians 14:4), showing how speaking in tongues may also extend BEYOND the gathering of the church. 

Paul wrote that "the (one) speaking (in a) tongue is not speaking (to) people, but (TO) GOD" (1 Corinthians 14:2), which can extend BEYOND the gathering of the church. 

Paul wrote about "PRAYING (in a) tongue" (1 Corinthians 14:14). PRAYING can extend BEYOND the garhering of the church and also be done in secret, in private, as Jesus indicated: "whenever you-pray, enter INTO YOUR INNER-ROOM, and HAVING-SHUT YOUR DOOR, PRAY (to) your Father, the (One) IN SECRET. And your Father, the (One) seeing IN SECRET, will-give-back (to) you" (Matthew 6:6). 

Speaking in tongues is not necessarily the only initial evidence that someone was baptized with the Spirit of God:

Speaking in tongues is NOT NECESSARILY the only INITIAL EVIDENCE that someone was baptized with the Spirit of God. It CAN be ONE EVIDENCE, but it does not HAVE to be.

Jesus said "you WILL-BE-BAPTIZED [baptizó 907 in Greek] IN [en 1722 in Greek] (the) Holy SPIRIT" (Acts 1:5). Paul indicated to the believers in Corinth that they were all baptized in the Spirit, as he wrote: "IN [en 1722 in Greek] one SPIRIT WE ALL [pas 3956 in Greek] WERE-BAPTIZED [baptizó 907 in Greek]" (1 Corinthians 12:13). Yet several verses later, Paul asked rhetorically (expecting the answer to be "no"): "ALL do NOT have gifts (of) healings, (do they)? ALL [pas 3956 in Greek] do NOT SPEAK (IN) TONGUES, (do they)? ALL do NOT interpret, (do they)?" (1 Corinthians 12:30).

One EVIDENCE that someone was baptized with THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN BE that there is a MANIFESTATION of the Holy Spirit, as Paul wrote about "the MANIFESTATION (of) the SPIRIT" (1 Corinthians 12:7). Within the MANIFESTATION of the HOLY SPIRIT, Paul wrote that it is possible for the SPIRIT to MANIFEST in "kinds (of) TONGUES" (1 Corinthians 12:10). Thus if there is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit such as speaking in tongues, then it might be taken as EVIDENCE that the person speaking in tongues might have indeed been baptized with the Holy Spirit. BUT speaking in tongues is NOT THE ONLY EVIDENCE of the manifestation of the Spirit, as Paul also wrote for example that someone could speak a "prophecy" (1 Corinthians 12:10) AMONG OTHER EXAMPLES. 

Paul wishes that everyone would speak in tongues:

Even though Paul wrote that NOT EVERYONE SPEAKS IN TONGUES, he also wrote that he WISHES THAT EVERYONE were speaking in tongues, and ENCOURAGES speaking in tongues.

Paul wrote that not everyone speaks in tongues, saying: "ALL do NOT speak (in) tongues, (do they)?" (1 Corinthians 12:30) as "God placed SOME in the church (as) [...] kinds (of) TONGUES" (1 Corinthians 12:28). 

But yet Paul also wrote that he wishes that everyone would speak in tongues, and encourages speaking in tongues, as he wrote:

- "The (one) speaking (in a) tongue IS-EDIFYING himself" (1 Corinthians 14:4).

- "I-WISH (that) YOU ALL (were) speaking (in) tongues" (1 Corinthians 14:5).

- "I-GIVE-THANKS (TO) GOD I-speak (in) tongues MORE (THAN) ALL (OF) YOU" (1 Corinthians 14:18).

- "DO NOT BE-FORBIDDING the speaking (in) tongues" (1 Corinthians 14:39).

Speaking in tongues reported after the 1st century?

Early Christians authors AFTER THE 1ST CENTURY would have reported that the gift of speaking in tongues would still have been ACTIVE.

Around the 2nd century AD, a Christian author named Irenaeus wrote: 

"In like manner, we also hear many brethern in the church who possess prophetic gifts, and who through the spirit speak in all kinds of languages, and bring to light for the general benefit the hidden things of men." ((c. 180 E/W), 1.531).

Around the 3rd century AD, a Christian author named Novatian wrote: 

"This is He who places prophets in the church, instructs teachers, directs tongues, gives powers and healing, does wonderful works, offers discernments of spirits, affords powers of government, suggests counsels, and orders and arranges whatever other gifts there are of the charismata." (c. 235, W), 5.641.

Around the 4th century AD, a Christian writing named the Constitutions read: 

"It is not necessary that every one of the faithful should cast out demons, raise the dead, or speak with tongues. But only such a one who has been graciously given this gift [...] We say these things so that those who have received such gifts may not exalt themselves against those who have not received them." (7.479–7.481).

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