Is the Gift of Tounges relevant to Our Generation
Yes, now more than ever it is needed. There are those who hold this Gift in contempt, apparently. There will be churches who will reject this gift altogether and yet think they are doing God's work. Revelations talks about them. You will not receive this Gift unless you have his Spriit. You must be born again of the spirit. If you have not his Spirit, you are none of his, I don't care how many time you go to church or pray. If you do not have this connection with God, your prayers are in vain.
There are at least 23 verses that indisputably mention speaking in tongues. Moreover, another dozen names, such as "praying in the Spirit" (cf. Rom. 8:26-27; Eph. 6:18; Jude 20).
By carefully studying these passages, we can learn much about this gift of the Spirit. One conclusion stands out clearly: there exist at least three different dimensions to tongues.
SIGN OF THE SPIRIT'S COMING--
as on the day of Pentacost and at other times when those who believed had hands layed on them and began to speak in tongues.
A FORM OF PRAYER--
"A man who speaks in a tongue is talking not to men but to God. No one understands him because he utters mysteries in the Spirit" (1 Cor. 14:2). "Talking to God" defines prayer pretty accurately. Notice that in this case the language does not appear to be an intelligible one.
A FORM OF PROPHECY
"If any are going to talk in tongues let it be at most two or three, each in turn, with another to interpret what they are saying. But if there is no one to interpret, there should be silence in the assembly, each one speaking only to himself and to God" (1 Cor. 14:27-28).
Nowhere in the New Testament does it even hint that this manifestation of the Spirit was intended only for the first years of the church’s existence. They have always been around to those who believe.
"Tongues, did not entirely die out. From time to time the phenomenon re-emerged in individuals or groups, only to vanish again. That is, until 1901. In that year was born the movement which is termed Pentecostalism. Christians studying the Acts of the Apostles perceived the close link between the coming of the Holy Spirit in power and speaking in tongues. With expectant faith, they prayed for the gift.
Their prayers were answered. Not only did many receive tongues, but also they discovered that this gift was a door way into Charismatic realm that included many other works of the spirit, such as prophecy, healing and miracles. A new current gathered momentum in Christendom, starting as a trickle around the turn of the century and swelling to a torrent in recent years." quoted from another source...Jim Sculley
Millions of Christians today use the gift of tongues regularly in their private prayer. Do those of you who do not believe, really think all these millions of people are under some spell of the Devil? I would be very careful telling these people that the language God gave them is of the Devil. Never attibute a Gift of God to the Devil.
"If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will you heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" Luke 11:11-13 - NKJV.
I asked God to give me the Holy Spirit while down on my knees in prayer and praise to him, so I am absolutely confident that what I have received is a good gift with no possibility of there being either serpent or scorpion in it!