6 Bible Verses about Speaking In Tongues

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country to Ephesus, and found some disciples. He said to them: Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? They said: We have never even heard of a Holy Spirit. Paul asked: What kind of baptism did you get? They replied: It was the baptism John taught.read more.
Paul said: John baptized with the baptism of repentance. He told the people they should believe in Jesus, the one who came after John. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Paul laid his hands on them and Holy Spirit came upon them. They spoke with tongues and prophesied. There were twelve men in all.

To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the one Spirit; To another the workings of miracles and to another prophesy. To another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. God has appointed some in the congregation: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helpers, abilities to direct, different tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?read more.
Do all have the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? Zealously seek (earnestly desire) the best gifts. Yet I show you a more excellent way.

Love never fails. Where there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away. Where there are tongues, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away.

For the person who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to men, but to God. No man understands him. He speaks secrets by the spirit. But the person who prophesies (proclaims God's Word openly) speaks to men to build up, encourage and comfort. The person who speaks in an unknown tongue enlightens himself; but he who declares God's Word enlightens the entire congregation!read more.
I would like it that you all speak with tongues, but I prefer that you prophesy. The person who announces (teaches) (preaches) God's Word is greater than the person who speaks with tongues. The person who speaks with tongues should have an interpreter so the congregation may receive understanding and knowledge. Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? Inanimate objects that make a sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? If the trumpet gives an unclear sound, who will prepare himself for the battle? The same for you unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will speak into the air. There are many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without meaning. Therefore if I do not know the meaning of what someone is saying I will be a foreigner to him that speaks. And he that speaks will be a foreigner to me too. As much as you are zealous for spiritual gifts, strive to build-up (increase) the enlightenment (understanding) of the congregation. Let the one who speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret what he says. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding (mind) is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding (Greek: nous: mind) also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding (mind) also. When you bless with the spirit, how will the audience of the unlearned say Amen at your giving of thanks, seeing he does not understand what you said? For you give thanks well, but the other is not given understanding. I thank God that I speak with tongues more then all of you. Yet in the congregation I would rather speak five words with my understanding than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. Brothers, do not be like children in understanding. When it comes to evil be innocent children but in your thinking be mature adults. It is written in the law: With men of other tongues and lips of foreigners I will speak to this people. Even then they will not listen to me, said Jehovah. Therefore speaking in tongues is a sign not for believers, but for those who do not believe. Prophesying (proclaiming God's Word) serves the believer and not the unbeliever. If therefore the whole congregation comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and the unlearned, or unbelievers, come there will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all proclaim God's Word and an unbeliever comes there he is convinced by all. The secrets of his heart are made known. So falling down on his face he will worship God, and report, God is truly among you. How is it then, brothers? When you come together, every one of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, and has an interpretation. Let all things be done to clarify and offer understanding! If anyone speaks in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three. It should be orderly by plan and someone must interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let the speaker keep silence in the congregation and speak to himself and to God.

Seek to prophesy brothers, and do not forbid speaking with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.