Difference Between Pray by Speaking in New Tongue and Pray with Understanding

(1) Before we the Holy Spirit, we can only pray with understanding. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we can pray by speaking in new tongues.

(2) Pray with understanding is available in the old covenant, but pray by speaking in new tongues is only available in the new covenant.

(3) Pray with understanding is understood by man, but pray by speaking in new tongues cannot be understood by man. (1 Corinthians 14: 2, 23)

(4) Pray with understanding edifies others, and pray by speaking in new tongues edifyourselves. (1 Corinthians 14:3-4)

(5) Pray with understanding means we pray by ourselves, and pray by speaking in new tongues mean the Holy Spirit make the intercession for us. (1 Corinthians 14:14-15, Romans 8:26-27)

Relationship Between Receive the Holy Spirit and Pray by Speaking in New Tongues

Fact vs. Exclusive Sign

Pray by Speaking in New Tongues is the only sign to prove a person receive the Holy Spirit. When someone receive the Holy Spirit, as a result, he can naturally pray by speaking in new tongue. Apostle Peter knew the gentiles receive the Holy Spirit by looking at if they could speak in new tongues.

One-time vs. Continuous

Receiving the Holy Spirit is a one-time happened and is in an instant. When the Holy Spirit descend on us, we will receive the Holy Spirit immediately.

Praying by speaking in new tongues is a continuous process we shall do to renew our spiritual life in our daily life.

Born Again vs. Renewal of Life

Receiving the Holy Spirit is part of a complete born again. A complete born again include receiving the water baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit (John 3:1-8). Praying by speaking in new tongues is for renewing our spiritual life in the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:25 tells us: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Receiving the Holy Spirit means we live in the Holy Spirit, which is just a beginning. Praying by speaking in the new tongues help us walk in the Spirit in our whole-life, which is a process.

We shall not get into the right door butwalk on the wrong way. It is as if the Galatians begun by relying on the Holy Spirit, but walk on the wrong way by keep the faith on the law. So Paul ac-cused them of falling from grace and being separated from Jesus Christ. (Galatians 5:4)