Acts 19:6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
Paul ran into some men in Ephesus who knew about the baptism of John the Baptist but not beyond that. They get baptized in the name of Jesus and then the Holy Spirit comes upon them. They do what is called “speaking in tongues” and prophesying. Wikipedia says, “Speaking in tongues, also known as glossolalia, is a practice in which people utter words or speech-like sounds, often thought by believers to be languages unknown to the speaker. One definition used by linguists is the fluid vocalizing of speech-like syllables that lack any readily comprehended meaning, in some cases as part of religious practice in which some believe it to be a divine language unknown to the speaker. Glossolalia is practiced in Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity, as well as in other religions.” The whole point is that Jesus was the fulfillment of what John had been proclaiming and that the good news is that God meets people at their level. Paul says more about speaking in tongues in his letter to the Corinthians. It is an interesting expression of prayer and worship. But the focus is never on the expression but on God who comes in Jesus. Is there anything you focus on in your faith instead of Jesus?
Logan Memorial Presbyterian Church 