When I was 15,in church camp,at the altar,seeking all I could from my Savior I praised Him verbally. As I praised my words took an accent,they morphed into a flowing language.
I believe every believer receives the HS at regeneration but there is an empowering(some say baptism) for every believer. However,not every believer has the GIFT of tongues which is used in a congregational setting that takes pause for the one who has the GIFT of interpreting tongues so the message is given. There are lots of Christians that can interpet but in some churches I wouldn't speak out because there was no interpeter that I knew of. When I was younger in a service there would be a tongue and we would pray and wait. Usually the pastor or another member would interpet.
Then why in Acts 2 dose everyone understand what is being said in their own native language? True scriptural tongues has a purpose and is a lot different then what is being encouraged in a lot of churches today.
1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
If I were to go to Greece and speak in English but the Grecians heard me in Greek, Italians in Italian, French in French, ect. ect. that would be tongues.
I remember reading a book about tounges in which there was a very scary story. A true story. A Pastor from China was visiting a Church in the States and a member of the church "spoke in tongues" or so they all thought. According to this Chinese Pastor this member was speaking Chinese and WAS BLASPHEMEING THE LORD and saying all kinds of wicked things about God. I believe this was a demonic possession. Demons are very old and I'm sure many of them know multiple languages. I have heard of people who are demon possessed speaking in languages they have never learned.
Also remember "Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure." 1 Tim 5:22
