ByTongue-speaking is one of the most debated doctrines in Christianity. Some say believers must speak it to prove that they are born-again. Others say men have to understand it because, in Acts 2, people understood what the Apostles were saying in prayer when the Holy Spirit descended upon them on the day of Pentecost. But upon checks and study in scripture, I’ve discovered two categories of tongues speaking in Christ, some of which may be similar in a different category.
Category 1 – Unknown tongues and other tongues
In this category, there are two distinct tongues, all inspired by the Holy Spirit, in the lives of believers who speak them according to the scriptures. The first and foremost is “other” tongues.
Other tongues
This is the first kind of tongue that was made manifest in the Bible by the 120 disciples in Acts 2. In verse 4 of the same chapter, it’s written that,
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” – Acts 2:4 (NKJV)
In Acts 2, several people from every nation under heaven came together and heard the disciples speak in their own language. To this day, I still don’t understand how 120 people can pray together, and people outside will hear their languages each amidst praying people in one room; only God can do that.
But here’s the doctrine. In this kind of tongue, there’s an element of human language in it. That is, the Spirit’s language, being uttered by a Christian in prayer to God, may be in an earthly language he himself doesn’t understand. When that happens, someone, who understands the language that person is speaking, can interpret what he said as he prayed. But usually, it occurs out of surprise.
Unknown tongue
For this kind of tongue, the dialect can’t be understood by any man, including the one praying. Only God understands it. 1 Corinthians 14:2 (italicised mine) says,
“For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.”
Even though the word “unknown” is in italics in the King James Version Bible (depicting that it’s a borrowed word), I see it as a way Biblical authors used to help us understand the Word.
When a believer is praying in an unknown tongue, he won’t understand it. However, one thing is sure. He will edify himself in the spirit as he prays (see 1 Corinthians 14:14).
Moving on to the second category are two sets of tongues unveiled in one verse.
Category 2 – Tongues of men and tongues of angels
Let’s take a careful reading of 1 Corinthians 13:1.
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”
1 Corinthians 13:1 KJV (Boldface mine)
According to the above verse, Paul says a believer can speak with the tongues of men and that of angels. These are two different sets. But what do they mean?
“Tongues of men” could be synonymous with “other tongues;” in that men can interpret them. But “tongues of angels” is different. It’s not like “unknown tongues” where only God understands because angels can understand the tongues of angels. That means there’s a language in the spirit realm believers can use to communicate with angels to minister for us, just as the scripture says in Hebrews 1:14. You don’t need to learn it; you simply need to be in alignment with God’s Word.
Although all these kinds of tongues are revelations from scripture, it’s not any believer’s job to understand which one he’s speaking. Tongues is the Holy Spirit’s gift to help us fellowship with God. So if you’re blessed to speak it, pray in the Spirit and God will hear you. You can ask Him for interpretation if you want to (1 Corinthians 14:13). But use it mainly to deepen your connection with God.
