Reason Number 1
The Word of God teaches that when we are filled with the Holy Ghost, we speak with other
tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance. As we have seen, speaking in tongues is an
initial evidence or sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit: "And they were all FILLED WITH THE
HOLY GHOST, and began to SPEAK WITH OTHER TONGUES, as the Spirit gave them
utterance" (Acts 2:4).
In Acts 10, the brethren of the circumcision who had come with Peter to Cornelius' household
were astonished when they saw that the gift of the Holy Ghost was poured out on the Gentiles
too. They thought salvation and the baptism in the Holy Ghost were just for the Jews.
How did these Jews know that Cornelius' household had received the gift of the Holy Ghost?
"For they HEARD THEM SPEAK WITH TONGUES, and magnify God ..." (Acts 10:46).
Speaking in tongues was the supernatural sign and initial evidence that convinced them that
the Gentiles had the same gift they had.
Reason Number 2
Paul, in writing to the Church at Corinth, encouraged the Corinthian Christians to continue the
practice of speaking with other tongues in their worship of God. He also encouraged them to
speak in tongues in their individual prayer lives as a means
of spiritual edification or building up. The Bible says, "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue
edifi-eth himself. . ."(1Cor. 14:4).
Jude 20 also links praying in tongues with building yourself up spiritually.
JUDE 20
20 But ye, beloved, BUILDING UP YOURSELVES on your most holy faith, PRAYING IN
THE HOLY GHOST.
Howard Carter, who was one of the Pentecostal world's most renowned teachers on the
subject of spiritual gifts, said we must not forget that speaking with other tongues is not only
the initial evidence of the Holy Spirit's infilling, but is also a continual experience for the rest of
one's life.
For what purpose? To assist us in the worship of God. "Speaking in tongues," Rev Carter said,
"is a flowing stream that should never dry up, and that will enrich one's life spiritually." '
The Apostle Paul said that speaking with tongues will edify or build us up spiritually. "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" (1 Cor. 14:2).
Moffatt's translation of this verse says, ". . . he is talking of divine secrets in the Spirit." Paul
was saying here that God has given to the church a divine, supernatural means of
communication with Him.
Paul also stated in First Corinthians 14:14, "For if I pray in an unknown tongue, MY SPIRIT
PRAYETH, but my understanding is unfruitful." Notice he said, ".. . my spirit prayeth. ..."
The Amplified Bible reads, ". . . my spirit [by the Holy Spirit within me] prays. . . ." God is a
spirit. When you pray in tongues, your spirit is in direct contact with God, who is a Spirit. When
you speak in tongues, you are talking to Him by divine, supernatural means.