This subject can be clearly understood beyond all doubt. All we need to do is go to the original Greek when trying to understand what this language of heaven or earth really was/is. There are only two words used in the Greek dialect when referring to any form of language. One is "glossa," meaning: "The language or dialect used by a particular people distinct from that of other nations." In other words, your own "native tongue." We get our English word "glossary" from this word. The other is "dialektos," meaning: "The tongue or language peculiar to any people." In other words, a "foreign language." We receive our English word "dialect" from this word.

With this Bible truth in mind, let's look at Acts Chapter Two, starting with verses 3 & 4. "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." Both "tongues" in this case are from the Greek word "glossa," which is native or specific to a certain Nation. Thus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the "gift of tongues" have now become understood and a useable part of the disciples vocabulary. This is true because it is certain that the "tongues" were a gift from the Holy Spirit seeing how the disciples were not native to any of the Nationalities present or fluent with the languages with which they were now speaking. We know this because when we continue on to verse 6 we find: "Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language." The "language" spoken of here is "dialektos." In other words, the multitude were clearly confessing that they were hearing what would be a "foreign language" to these "Galilaeans" as their own native language. Which is confirmed and clarified again in verse 8: "And how hear we every man in our own tongue [dialektos], wherein we were born?"

In First Corinthians Chapter 12 verse 10, we are instructed that there are many gifts, with one of them being the "gift of tongues" [glossa], or a specific language given to an individual who never new that language before. Notice also that God places this gift as last in line - in terms of importance - for His work (verse 28). As an example, our Lord Jesus did not even have this gift, nor does it seem that He needed to use it, which would be why God would give the gift in the first place (see Acts Chapter Two again if you disagree).

This is why when we come to First Corinthians Chapter 14, we can better understand why the apostle is pleading with them. He says in verse 1: "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy." The "gift of tongues" was not as important to Paul either, above that of the other gifts of the Holy Spirit (see verse 5). It is also very important here to notice that the word "unknown" is a supplied word, not in the original manuscripts, and has probably caused most of the confusion on this subject. Every use of the word "tongue" or "tongues" in Chapter 14 is from the word "glossa." So it is absolutely clear that Paul was talking about a known language on this earth. We can know this by reading verse 10: "There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification." He is speaking about real dialects. Also it would appear that Paul spoke in more tongues than any of them (whether learned or Spiritually given he does not say), but still confirms that he is speaking about known languages. Verses 18 and 19: "I thank my God, I speak with tongues [glossa, remember?] more than ye all: (19) Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue [glossa]. Now notice verse 22: "Wherefore tongues [glossa] are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe." Herein lies a key point. The gift of "tongues" was not given for the believer, but for the unbeliever. Prophecy is for the believer. To ignore this point is to ignore a Biblical truth. Those who teach that you do not have the Holy Spirit without the manifestation of the "Gift of Tongues" do not understand what they are talking about. And now hopefully, YOU WILL!