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Why Tongues?
The benefits of being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking with other tongues are discussed in this important minibook.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
165 people are currently reading
1154 people want to read
About the author
Kenneth E. Hagin
427 books662 followersRev. Kenneth Erwin Hagin, known as the “father of the modern faith movement,” served in Christian ministry for nearly 70 years.
In 1968, Rev. Hagin published the first issues of The Word of Faith magazine, which now has a monthly circulation of more than 300,000. The publishing outreach he founded, Faith Library Publications, has circulated worldwide more than 65 million copies of books by Rev. Hagin, Rev. Kenneth W. Hagin, and several other authors. Faith Library Publications also has produced more than 9 million audio teaching CDs.
In 1968, Rev. Hagin published the first issues of The Word of Faith magazine, which now has a monthly circulation of more than 300,000. The publishing outreach he founded, Faith Library Publications, has circulated worldwide more than 65 million copies of books by Rev. Hagin, Rev. Kenneth W. Hagin, and several other authors. Faith Library Publications also has produced more than 9 million audio teaching CDs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 4, 2024
I knew I was going to have problems believing this pamphlet when the writer quoted Acts 2:1-4 on page 2 of the booklet, and left out Acts 2:5-11... the part that explains that the Christians were speaking in other known languages that foreigners visiting Jerusalem could understand. Why hide the truth? This is an obvious example of cherry picking verses and leaving out other verses that present a viewpoint other than what the writer wants people to believe.
This booklet was given to me this week by a friend. I know she meant well, but I was not impressed favorably by the way author Kenneth E. Hagin interpreted scripture and jumped to conclusions. The booklet really deserves a page-by-page response, but I don't think I'm going to do it. Instead I'm going to find another church that doesn't make this Assemblies of God kind of "speaking in tongues" (babbling) into a false god.
The booklet was given to me because I said to my friend (and another woman) that I didn't believe that people who don't speak in tongues haven't been "baptized with the Holy Spirit." They proceeded to tell me how wonderful their relationship with the Holy Spirit was because they could speak in tongues. I listened for a while but it became evident that they truly believed that I don't have a relationship with the Holy Spirit because I don't speak in tongues the way they do. It felt very demeaning that they assumed that, and then later in the week one of the women showed up on the porch with this 31-page booklet. Okay, so now I've read it.
Part 2 of the booklet is titled, "Ten Reasons Why Every Believer Should Speak in Tongues." I won't respond to every point, but here's an example. "The sixth reason every Christian should speak in tongues is that this is a means of keeping free from the contamination of the ungodly and the profane, and all the vulgar talk around us on the job or out in public." The author suggests that somehow speaking in tongues (babbling) is a protection because he can sit in a barber shop where men tell risqué jokes and "speak to himself and to God in tongues." Very interesting. This is a well-known cult thought-stopping technique. I'll bet the same could be done in plain English without all the babbling that nobody but nobody understands. Apparently the author thought that if I don't speak in tongues I'll be contaminated by the world. I reject his reasoning and in fact, I find that to be a ridiculous assumption on his part.
I am reminded of a schizophrenic man who followed me into the post office one day (years ago) and stood behind me in line speaking in babbling tongues because he thought he could chase away evil spirits that way.
Anyhow, evidently the gift of a booklet did not have the desired effect on me. I was attending the Assemblies of God church down the street because it is close to my home. But as of last Saturday I'm no longer attending there. I'm going to have to pray about what to do next but it won't be worshiping at a church that believes I'm a spiritual cripple because I don't speak in babbling tongues. As I said to the pastor in a text message last Saturday evening, "There's a two-tier system... believers, and then believers baptized by the Holy Spirit which is evidenced by speaking in tongues. I do not speak in any tongues other than English and Spanish, and I believe God understands those languages just fine. But your church believes that: "With it [speaking in tongues] comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry." (#7 on the list of the Assemblies of God 16 Fundamental Truths) ... so since you believe I have none of that there's no reason for me to be involved in the denomination's church. I would always feel like a second-class citizen."
I already feel freer, more unburdened, because I've cast off my rather naive complacency about this denomination's ridiculous dogma. I was attending the church because it is in my neighborhood and I like the people. That's not a good enough reason. I am nondenominational; I've never been Pentecostal.
4/19 - I'm adding this: I have no objection to people speaking babbling tongues during their private prayer. If that is how they like to worship, that's fine - for them.
However - don't tell me I have not been baptized in the Holy Spirit because I don't speak babbling tongues that I don't understand. That is crossing the line, to judge my relationship with the Holy Spirit based on an experience you had.
1 Corinthians 12:29-30 ... "Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?" These are rhetorical questions. The answer is, of course not!
You do you, and quit telling me I haven't been baptized in the Holy Spirit. You don't know me or my experiences with the Holy Spirit. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is not synonymous with speaking in babbling tongues even if your church tells you that.
With so many denominations, it is clear many of them are wrong because they can't agree with one another. I'm happy to call myself nondenominational. I want to live by what the Bible says, not by what some person decided about what the Bible means to him.
Anyhow, to get back to the topic of the little booklet, the author repeatedly says that he believed EVERY Christian should speak in tongues, and clearly that is not what the Bible says. I am giving a 1-star rating to this booklet because I can't give anything lower.
To anyone who doesn't like me using the word "babbling" to describe this, please tell me what else to call it. Glossolalia? It sounds like babbling to me. I don't see the value in speaking a language that not even I can understand during prayer. To me it sounds ridiculous and I think it keeps a lot of people from wanting to be Christians. Maybe this is why there's been such a decline in church attendance in the last 100 years since this "speaking in tongues" babbling began around 1900 with Charles Parham and William Seymour.
I think, for me, it is better to know what I'm trying to say to the Lord rather than just babbling out a lot of random sounds and expecting the Holy Spirit to make a message out of that to convey to our Father God.
Is Tongues Evidence of Being Baptized in the Holy Spirit?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0m44...
Tongues Deception <----- ***** Great video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WScna...
The Truth About Speaking in Tongues | Costi Hinn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a0-n...
I agree with what Pastor Mike Winger says about baptism of the Holy Spirit, in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTK7C...
For more information - here is an interesting thread on this topic over at Reddit.
https://www.reddit.com/r/TrueChristia...
Biblical Greek Refutes Modern Glossolalia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYEvp...
Modern Tongue Speaking is False
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCS0l...
A woman teaching little children to fake speaking in tongues
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g6how8S...
Why I STOPPED Speaking in Tongues And You May Want To Too - Allen Parr
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHECI...
Book: Misled: 7 Lies That Distort the Gospel, by Allen Parr
Book: Strange Fire: The Danger of Offending the Holy Spirit With Counterfeit Worship, by John MacArthur
This booklet was given to me this week by a friend. I know she meant well, but I was not impressed favorably by the way author Kenneth E. Hagin interpreted scripture and jumped to conclusions. The booklet really deserves a page-by-page response, but I don't think I'm going to do it. Instead I'm going to find another church that doesn't make this Assemblies of God kind of "speaking in tongues" (babbling) into a false god.
The booklet was given to me because I said to my friend (and another woman) that I didn't believe that people who don't speak in tongues haven't been "baptized with the Holy Spirit." They proceeded to tell me how wonderful their relationship with the Holy Spirit was because they could speak in tongues. I listened for a while but it became evident that they truly believed that I don't have a relationship with the Holy Spirit because I don't speak in tongues the way they do. It felt very demeaning that they assumed that, and then later in the week one of the women showed up on the porch with this 31-page booklet. Okay, so now I've read it.
Part 2 of the booklet is titled, "Ten Reasons Why Every Believer Should Speak in Tongues." I won't respond to every point, but here's an example. "The sixth reason every Christian should speak in tongues is that this is a means of keeping free from the contamination of the ungodly and the profane, and all the vulgar talk around us on the job or out in public." The author suggests that somehow speaking in tongues (babbling) is a protection because he can sit in a barber shop where men tell risqué jokes and "speak to himself and to God in tongues." Very interesting. This is a well-known cult thought-stopping technique. I'll bet the same could be done in plain English without all the babbling that nobody but nobody understands. Apparently the author thought that if I don't speak in tongues I'll be contaminated by the world. I reject his reasoning and in fact, I find that to be a ridiculous assumption on his part.
I am reminded of a schizophrenic man who followed me into the post office one day (years ago) and stood behind me in line speaking in babbling tongues because he thought he could chase away evil spirits that way.
Anyhow, evidently the gift of a booklet did not have the desired effect on me. I was attending the Assemblies of God church down the street because it is close to my home. But as of last Saturday I'm no longer attending there. I'm going to have to pray about what to do next but it won't be worshiping at a church that believes I'm a spiritual cripple because I don't speak in babbling tongues. As I said to the pastor in a text message last Saturday evening, "There's a two-tier system... believers, and then believers baptized by the Holy Spirit which is evidenced by speaking in tongues. I do not speak in any tongues other than English and Spanish, and I believe God understands those languages just fine. But your church believes that: "With it [speaking in tongues] comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry." (#7 on the list of the Assemblies of God 16 Fundamental Truths) ... so since you believe I have none of that there's no reason for me to be involved in the denomination's church. I would always feel like a second-class citizen."
I already feel freer, more unburdened, because I've cast off my rather naive complacency about this denomination's ridiculous dogma. I was attending the church because it is in my neighborhood and I like the people. That's not a good enough reason. I am nondenominational; I've never been Pentecostal.
4/19 - I'm adding this: I have no objection to people speaking babbling tongues during their private prayer. If that is how they like to worship, that's fine - for them.
However - don't tell me I have not been baptized in the Holy Spirit because I don't speak babbling tongues that I don't understand. That is crossing the line, to judge my relationship with the Holy Spirit based on an experience you had.
1 Corinthians 12:29-30 ... "Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?" These are rhetorical questions. The answer is, of course not!
You do you, and quit telling me I haven't been baptized in the Holy Spirit. You don't know me or my experiences with the Holy Spirit. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is not synonymous with speaking in babbling tongues even if your church tells you that.
With so many denominations, it is clear many of them are wrong because they can't agree with one another. I'm happy to call myself nondenominational. I want to live by what the Bible says, not by what some person decided about what the Bible means to him.
Anyhow, to get back to the topic of the little booklet, the author repeatedly says that he believed EVERY Christian should speak in tongues, and clearly that is not what the Bible says. I am giving a 1-star rating to this booklet because I can't give anything lower.
To anyone who doesn't like me using the word "babbling" to describe this, please tell me what else to call it. Glossolalia? It sounds like babbling to me. I don't see the value in speaking a language that not even I can understand during prayer. To me it sounds ridiculous and I think it keeps a lot of people from wanting to be Christians. Maybe this is why there's been such a decline in church attendance in the last 100 years since this "speaking in tongues" babbling began around 1900 with Charles Parham and William Seymour.
I think, for me, it is better to know what I'm trying to say to the Lord rather than just babbling out a lot of random sounds and expecting the Holy Spirit to make a message out of that to convey to our Father God.
Is Tongues Evidence of Being Baptized in the Holy Spirit?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0m44...
Tongues Deception <----- ***** Great video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WScna...
The Truth About Speaking in Tongues | Costi Hinn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a0-n...
I agree with what Pastor Mike Winger says about baptism of the Holy Spirit, in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTK7C...
For more information - here is an interesting thread on this topic over at Reddit.
https://www.reddit.com/r/TrueChristia...
Biblical Greek Refutes Modern Glossolalia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYEvp...
Modern Tongue Speaking is False
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCS0l...
A woman teaching little children to fake speaking in tongues
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g6how8S...
Why I STOPPED Speaking in Tongues And You May Want To Too - Allen Parr
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHECI...
Book: Misled: 7 Lies That Distort the Gospel, by Allen Parr
Book: Strange Fire: The Danger of Offending the Holy Spirit With Counterfeit Worship, by John MacArthur
January 10, 2013
"When you pray in tongues - it is your spirit praying, by the Holy Spirit within you. The Holy Spirit within you gives the utterance - and you speak it out of your spirt. You do the talking. He gives the utterance. By this method the Holy Spirit helps you pray according to the will of God, as things should be prayed for."
May 1, 2018
Must read!
Such foundational teachings! We need all the books written by Kenneth Hagin! Must have! I love Kenneth Hagins teachings! Love!
Such foundational teachings! We need all the books written by Kenneth Hagin! Must have! I love Kenneth Hagins teachings! Love!
July 6, 2024
Not a long book at all. A small power packed pamphlet of why tongues is real and necessary. A point of contention for many in the Body of Christ but the proof is in the scriptures that tongues with the apostles is still a necessary for today. The only way to deny tongues is to deny what the scriptures have stated regarding it.
If one doesn't understand what it is and how it is used, this is the book for you.
I find that reading the same books releases more revelations. In this day where speaking in tongues is often challenged, we should continue review why we speak in tongues.
If one doesn't understand what it is and how it is used, this is the book for you.
I find that reading the same books releases more revelations. In this day where speaking in tongues is often challenged, we should continue review why we speak in tongues.
April 23, 2012
so informative and interesting. this book or pamplet, i guess it should be called, gives a lot of information on tongues that i didn't know before. i am so grateful though that we have such an awesome God that He would give us such a beautiful language to talk to Him without the enemy being able to attack us. i love speaking in tongues. :D
Read
August 3, 2013a superb book on tongues. a must read!!!
Read
November 17, 2024There is a great misunderstanding of a great many people who call themselves Christian, but do not want to follow God's word, worshiping Him how they want.
Many people confuse the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the gifts of the Spirit of speaking in tongues.
If one does not have the Spirit of God, then do they have the armour of God? They definitely do not have the Power of God if they do not have the Spirit of God. Speaking to God in tongues is not the same as the gift of tongues; giving a message to believers.
The pdf is not great and it's most likely going to be confusing to people who are already confused or misunderstand what scripture says.
Many people confuse the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the gifts of the Spirit of speaking in tongues.
If one does not have the Spirit of God, then do they have the armour of God? They definitely do not have the Power of God if they do not have the Spirit of God. Speaking to God in tongues is not the same as the gift of tongues; giving a message to believers.
The pdf is not great and it's most likely going to be confusing to people who are already confused or misunderstand what scripture says.
February 20, 2021
Kindle Customer
TONGUES IS GODS WILL.
February 20, 2021
The Baptism of the Holy Ghost is absolutely essential for the believer to grow in their relationship with the Father and for Gods Kingdom to expand... Resistance to Tongues is equivalent to placing a barrier between God and His children. Speaking with tongues is too often misunderstood by the Church and certainly by those who are lost. Kenneth E. Hagin lays a great foundation for understanding Tongues; the gift of God to His children... RECOMMENDED
TONGUES IS GODS WILL.
February 20, 2021
The Baptism of the Holy Ghost is absolutely essential for the believer to grow in their relationship with the Father and for Gods Kingdom to expand... Resistance to Tongues is equivalent to placing a barrier between God and His children. Speaking with tongues is too often misunderstood by the Church and certainly by those who are lost. Kenneth E. Hagin lays a great foundation for understanding Tongues; the gift of God to His children... RECOMMENDED
January 31, 2021
Wonderfully Written and Backed with Scriptures
I enjoyed this mini book, especially because he considers others in the room. Speaking in tongues among Christian that do not understand yet, can be uncomfortable. We are not here to make anyone uncomfortable. We are here to win souls for the Lord.
“In the presence of people who are unlearned, however, Paul said to pray with your understanding also so that they can be edified; they will understand what you say.”
Danni
I enjoyed this mini book, especially because he considers others in the room. Speaking in tongues among Christian that do not understand yet, can be uncomfortable. We are not here to make anyone uncomfortable. We are here to win souls for the Lord.
“In the presence of people who are unlearned, however, Paul said to pray with your understanding also so that they can be edified; they will understand what you say.”
Danni
July 16, 2025
Brother Hagin’s book gives a clear, biblical outline for why praying in tongues is vitally important for every believer’s life. If you or someone you know is curious about what the Bible says about speaking in tongues this an easy to read book that helps bring clarity and understanding. Tongues is for every believer, not just a few. And this precious gift is for today!
March 16, 2018
Wonderful
A good explanation of why we should speak in tongues without ceasing. It is written in plain English so it is very easy to understand. I would recommend this book to the seeker.
A good explanation of why we should speak in tongues without ceasing. It is written in plain English so it is very easy to understand. I would recommend this book to the seeker.
February 10, 2021
Short, easy, but a powerful eye opening book about speaking in tongues and the power that the Holy Spirit has given us. I highly recommend and will begin utilizing this gift of the Spirit to gain new grounds.
March 31, 2024
The word of God is life itself. Read it and understand the way God work through us, in us or with us. Tongue is one of the powerful tool we Christian need to keep using to improve, help, talk to us.
Thank you Kenneth E HAGIN
Thank you Kenneth E HAGIN
June 2, 2017
Very good
I learned so much about tongues and how valuable praying in tongues is thanks be to God! Really an eye opener🙌🙌🙌
I learned so much about tongues and how valuable praying in tongues is thanks be to God! Really an eye opener🙌🙌🙌
December 30, 2017
A short expository into speaking in tongues - one of the sacred ways of the Church so much neglected by the majority. A source of power and the anointing and edification for self and for the church.
January 21, 2019
Very accurate and concise
Such an accurate and concise teaching on Tongues. It is such an educational and inspiring book with unparalleled evidence of sound bible interpretation
Such an accurate and concise teaching on Tongues. It is such an educational and inspiring book with unparalleled evidence of sound bible interpretation
March 26, 2019
Excellent!
I am so blessed to read this book. To have biblical examples of why God has given us this gift of tongues in the New Testament.. Veyr clear, concise and to the point!
I am so blessed to read this book. To have biblical examples of why God has given us this gift of tongues in the New Testament.. Veyr clear, concise and to the point!
December 10, 2019
Excellent Breakdown
This book is an excellent, easy to understand breakdown of speaking in tongues. It explains why speaking in tongues is so important.
This book is an excellent, easy to understand breakdown of speaking in tongues. It explains why speaking in tongues is so important.
March 12, 2020
Classic Book
Very good short read. If you're looking for a better understanding of speaking in tongues this is the book to read.
Very good short read. If you're looking for a better understanding of speaking in tongues this is the book to read.
February 4, 2021
A small yet powerful book on tongues. A great help to understand the importance of praying in tongues every day. Really helpful.
February 4, 2021
I really recommend it!
April 8, 2021
Very insightful on why every Christian needs to speak in their spirit language. I learnt a lot. Very straightforward and short too.
July 23, 2021
This book give a wonderful explanation of what speaking in Young's will do for you and how it is biblical evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit in you
October 1, 2021
Insightful.
October 28, 2022
Brief yet clear explanation of tongues with biblical supports.
June 21, 2023
Wonderful book
Powerful and enlightening. I was blessed by this book: I am encouraged to pray more in tongues. Thank You Jesus.
Powerful and enlightening. I was blessed by this book: I am encouraged to pray more in tongues. Thank You Jesus.
August 1, 2025
speaking in Tongues
Still trying to figure out speaking in tongues.
Do I know or not know what I am saying when speaking in tongues?
Still trying to figure out speaking in tongues.
Do I know or not know what I am saying when speaking in tongues?
February 25, 2017
Revelation and illumination
I thank God for coming into the knowledge to read, hear and understand the powers of speaking in tongues, such a blessing after reading this powerful, life changing book, God bless you.
I thank God for coming into the knowledge to read, hear and understand the powers of speaking in tongues, such a blessing after reading this powerful, life changing book, God bless you.
January 30, 2016
This book was a real reminder of how important praying in tongues is to every Christian.. It reminded me in a brief way what Mahesh Chavdas book is all about... The power of praying in tongues is a real strengthening to our inner man... We have the Holy Spirit who prays through us, how awesome is that to have perfect prayers!
Well worth a read if you want a book that is short, simple and to the point.
Well worth a read if you want a book that is short, simple and to the point.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews