Originally posted by robbie carrobie
and what is speaking in tongues?
Tongues edifies the speaker, it is giving of thanks well, it builds up the Christian...etc...but it is for private prayer, not for others to hear you speak. It profits the speaker, not the church. We are encouraged to speak in tongues much in our personal prayer life. I S.I.T. while I drive, while I work, whenever I am alone. It is a personal manifestation of the spirit within. In the early church, every believer spoke in tongues when they were baptized in holy spirit. Read the book of Acts...
Acts 2:3-4
3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
NKJV
Acts 2:11
Cretans and Arabs — we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.
NKJV
Acts 10:45-46
And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
NKJV
Acts 19:6-7
6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7 Now the men were about twelve in all
NKJV
1 Cor 14:13-19
13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. 16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? 17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
NKJV
1 Cor 14:1-5
14 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
NKJV
In the rest of the epistles it is referred to as "praying in the spirit".