6 Bible Verses about Speaking In Tongues

And it came to pass, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, after passing through the upper districts, came to Ephesus, and finding certain disciples, said to them: Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? They said to him: We have not only not received it, but we have not even heard whether the Holy Spirit is given. And he said to them: Into what, then, were you immersed? They replied: Into John's immersion.read more.
And Paul said: John immersed with the immersion of repentance, saying to the people, that they must believe on him who should come after him, that is, on the Christ, Jesus. And when they heard this, they were immersed into the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve.

to another, faith, by the same Spirit; to another, gifts of healing, by the same Spirit; to another, the working of mighty deeds; to another, prophecy; to another, the discerning of spirits; to another, different kinds of tongues; to another, the interpretation of tongues.

Now, you are the body of Christ, and, as individuals, you are members. And God has placed some in the church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing; helps, governments, kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of mighty deeds?read more.
Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But seek earnestly the best gifts; and yet I show you a more excellent way.

Love never fails; but whether there be gifts of prophecy, they shall have an end; or tongues, they shall cease; or knowledge, it shall have an end.

For he that speaks in an unknown tongue, speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands him: but yet in spirit he speaks mysteries. But he that prophesies speaks to men so as to build them up, to exhort and comfort them. He that speaks in an unknown tongue, edifies himself; but he that prophesies, edifies the church.read more.
I am willing, indeed, that you should all speak in tongues, but rather that you should prophesy; for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, in order that the church may receive instruction. Now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, in what will I profit you, unless I speak to you by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophecy, or by teaching? And even lifeless instruments, which produce sound, whether pipe or harp, unless they give a distinction in the notes, how shall that which is piped or harped be known? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle? So, also, unless you, with the tongue, utter words that are intelligible, how shall that which is spoken be known? for you will speak into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without meaning. If, then, I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaks a barbarian; and he that speaks will be a barbarian to me. So, also, do you, since you greatly desire spiritual gifts, seek to excel to the building up of the church. For which reason, let him that speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, the spirit which I have prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What, then, is it? I will pray with the spirit which is given to me, and I will pray with my understanding also. I will sing with the spirit that is given to me, and I will sing with my understanding also. Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit that is given to you, how will he that occupies the place of the unlearned man say Amen, when you give thanks, since he understands not what you say? For you give thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than you all. Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. Brethren, be not children in understanding: yet, in malice, be childlike; but, in understanding, be full-grown men. In the law it is written: Through men of other tongues and other lips will I speak to this people; and not even thus will they hear me, says the Lord. Therefore, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to those who believe not: but prophecy is not for those who believe not, but for those who believe. If, then, the whole church come together into the same place, and all speak in tongues, and there come in unlearned men, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad? But if all prophesy, and there comes in an unbeliever, or an unlearned man, he is convinced by all, he is examined by all, and the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God, and report that God is really among you. What, then, is it, brethren? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has something to teach, has an unknown tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If any speak in an unknown tongue, let two, or, at most, three, speak at each meeting, and in succession: and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church: but let him speak to himself, and to God.

Wherefore, brethren, earnestly desire to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done with propriety, and in good order.