A lot of non-Christians or maybe even young Christians are wondering what nonsense are we praying in Church where nobody could interpret the words. They might think it's crazy to suddenly talk rubbish so here I am to explain about speaking in tongues.
Firstly, just for your information, we Christians believe in trinity God which is God the Father, Jesus the Son and Holy Spirit the Spirit. So, people might wonder we are worshipping 3 Gods and stuffs like that. No no no, it is just one God with 3 identity taking myself for example. I am a cluster leader, student and a son of my mum and dad. That does not mean I am 3 different person but it's just 3 different identity. It works the same way as God, Jesus and Holy Spirit.
Okay, so uttering of tongues is from our Holy Spirit. Let me introduce some bible verses to make it easier to understand. It's going to be quite long but well, it's interesting and will clear your doubts.
Acts 2
Coming of the Holy Spirit
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord[a] in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 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.
The Crowd’s Response
5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” 12So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” 13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”
Peter’s Sermon
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17‘ And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,Your young men shall see visions,Your old men shall dream dreams.18And on My menservants and on My maidservantsI will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. 19I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath:Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.20The sun shall be turned into darkness,And the moon into blood,Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. 21And it shall come to passThatwhoever calls on the name of the LORDShall be saved.’[b]
Okay, on top I've highlighted quite a few verses for me to explain clearer. The first parts says about a group of people went into a house. They were of different nationality meaning they speaks different languages but when the Holy Spirit came, they began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Utterance here means words even speaker don't understand.
So this is what we called Holy Spirit. But how do we humans now get it and why don't we just pray in our own English, Chinese or Dialect? All this shall be explained at the next post so stay tune! The other highlighted ones I will talk about it soon too! So, stay tune!!
