1. It’s Scriptural
Mark 16:17, NKJV
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues…
Acts 2:4, NKJV
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 10:44-46, NKJV
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Acts 19:1-6, NKJV
And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
Acts 8:14-21, NKJV
Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.
1 Corinthians 14:2, NKJV
For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
1 Corinthians 14:14-19, NKJV
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. Otherwise, if you bless with the
spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I
would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
1 Corinthians 14:39, NKJV
Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.
2. It’s A Benefit
1 Corinthians 14:4, NKJV
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
Ephesians 6:17–18, NKJV
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.
Jude 20, NKJV
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.
3. It’s A Choice
1 Corinthians 14:14-15, NKJV
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is theconclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will singwith the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
James 3:6-8, NKJV
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed
by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
1 Corinthians 14:5, NKJV
I wish you all spoke with tongues…
1 Corinthians 14:26, NKJV
How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has ateaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.