Robert Henderson - The Gift of Tongues: What It Is, What It Isnt and Why You Need It

I t does not take an in-depth search of the Bible to discover the gift of tongues and see it in operation. Numerous Scriptures back this gift up and affirm it, and together we will look at many of them. Yet even Bible-believing people debate about whether or not this gift is for today. As a result of all the debating and questioning, many believers consider the gift of tongues obsolete and archaic. They feel that theologically, emotionally and intellectually, there is no need for this gift in todays world or Church.

I would assert, however, that nothing could be further from the truth. Both in my experience and from a strongly theological viewpoint, I would assert that operating in the gift of tongues holds great advantage for us, and that it is even necessary to living a full life of satisfaction and effectiveness. This is what I will endeavor to illustrate as we progress through the information I will present here regarding this gift.

First of all, what are tongues ? This gift of tongues is the supernatural ability to speak a language you have never learned, using this language for spiritual and heavenly reasons. Chronologically, the first place we see tongues mentioned in Scripture is Mark 16:17: And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues. We are told here that new tongues are one of the signs that will follow a believer. Believers who have been born again are supposed to be able to manifest and demonstrate the supernatural power of God. This is quite evidently an uncommon experience for many of us today. So often, we seem powerless and without any real authority. Yet we are told that these signs should follow us.

The Greek word for sign in this verse is semeion , and it means an indication. The root word it comes from is sema , which means a mark. When we connect these two parts of the definition, it could be said that a sign is a mark we carry that indicates we are a believer. We will look into this Scripture from the gospel of Mark in greater depth in a moment, but suffice it to say here that we are supposed to be marked with the supernatural of God. Tongues are one of these markings or indications that we are believers and belong to Him.

As believers, we are supposed to be characterized by the supernatural. Isaiah 8:18 tells us that as Gods children, we were made to function in and live from the supernatural power of God: Here am I and the children whom the L ORD has given me! We are for signs and wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, who dwells in Mount Zion. The writer of Hebrews in the New Testament would later pick this verse up and record it in Hebrews 2:1113, making the case from this Scripture that the same DNA and nature that was in Jesus is now in us as those joined to Him: