Glossolalia

'Glossolalia' is constructed from the Greek word γλωσσολαλιά which is formed of two parts, γλῶσσα - glossa "tongue, language" and λαλεῖν (lalein) "to talk", Hence, ''Speaking in tongues'.

Many are sceptical of Christian claims that glossolalia is a supernatural language, believing it to be no more than the deluded rantings of religious fanatics. However, the practice of speaking in tongues stretches back as far as the apostlesof Jesus Christ in the first century.

Jesus Spoke about glossolalia

After Christ's resurrection, before He ascended to Heaven, He spoke to His disciples very clearly about this coming blessing (albeit a somewhat uncoventional one!). In Mark chapter 16, Jesus is recorded as saying:

"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
Mark 16:17-18

Jesus also made it very clear to them that they could never accomplish the mission He had entrusted them with without the aid, and the supernatural power, of the third Person of the Godhead, the wonderful Holy Spirit. He told them to tarry and wait for Him to arrive, and that He would send Him not only to be with them, but be in them!

Check out Luke 24:49, and John 14:17

Ten Days Later on the Feast of Pentecost

I don't think the Apostles had any idea what Jesus was talking about, and probably just nodded their heads. They were used to Jesus saying things that they didn't quite understand with their natural minds. Soon enough however, ten days after Jesus went to be with the Father, something occurred among the 120 disciples who heeded Jesus command to wait for the Holy Ghost, and heaven came to earth. The Book of Acts describes what happened in chapter 2. We will look at the first few verses, but check out the whole thing. It's awesome!

" And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
Acts 2:1-4

This is the first instance of glossolalia recorded in the Bible. Some thought that they were crazy back then too, accusing them of drunken babbling, but history has few heroes who have had more influence than this small band of believers. Today there are over 700 million charismatic pentecostal believers in the world, from every walk of life, social background, economic strata, race, nation and tribe, and the numbers just continue to grow.

To find out more about tongues and speaking in tongues download the eBook, "Speaking God's Language" which contains many more scriptures and some great keys to enhance your prayer life.