Why Speak In Tongues? (100 Days Of Discipleship — Day 69) by Apostle Emmanuel Iren: MP3 Download & Sermon Notes

Not a Denominational Preference — A Biblical Command

1 Corinthians 14:1: "Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts." The Greek word translated "desire" is zeloo — to be zealous, to covet with great passion. Interestingly, God uses a word often descriptive of fleshly excess to describe the intensity of passion He wants believers to have for spiritual things.

If you are not actively desiring spiritual gifts — regardless of your denomination — you are disobeying the word of God. Not many Christians have been systematically taught this, which is why indifference to the gifts continues.

Why Tongues Specifically? — The Glorification of Christ

On the day of Pentecost, when the crowd was bewildered by what they saw and heard, Peter stood and gave the theological explanation: "Him being at the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Spirit, He has shed forth this which you now see and hear." (Acts 2:33)

Tongues were not a spiritual novelty — they were proof that Jesus was glorified. When someone speaks in tongues, they are giving living testimony that Christ is risen and seated at the right hand of the Father. That is not something to be indifferent about.

The Only Gift Unique to the New Covenant

Consider every major spiritual gift: miracles, healing, faith, prophecy — all have Old Testament precedents. Elijah raised the dead. Moses parted a sea. Even Elisha multiplied oil. But the gift of tongues poured out on all flesh — as a sign of the Spirit given to every believer — is unique to the New Testament. It became possible specifically because Christ rose, ascended, and poured out the promised Spirit.

This is the only gift that, by its very existence, proves the resurrection and glorification of Jesus Christ.

Enriched in Utterance — the Testimony Confirmed

1 Corinthians 1:5-6: "You are enriched by Him in all utterance and in all knowledge — even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you." Supernatural utterance — including tongues — confirmed the testimony of Christ in the church at Corinth. The testimony of Christ and supernatural utterance go together.

Come Behind in No Gift

1 Corinthians 1:7: "So that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ." The gifts are for this age — when Christ returns, no one will need healing, or prophecy, or tongues. Use them now. Come behind in no gift.

You can be saved and not speak in tongues. But you cannot speak in genuine tongues and not be saved — because tongues point to the glorified Christ.