Acts 2:4 English Standard Version (ESV) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Many have asked how they can speak in tongues. The answer is that on the day of Pentecost the apostles did not ask to speak in tongues. Asking implies that we are telling God how we want to serve Him. It does not serve God to ask, it only serves self-interest. We can how look to that historical event and consider conditions that made it fitting to serve God in that way.

Acts 2:1 King James Version (KJV) And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Most versions of Acts 2:1 only say “come together” while a few add “with one accord”. That understanding of unity of spirit is one of experience. Rarely do we find ourselves in such unity of the spirit that there are no needs of the body that need tending. Since the act of tongues is for the benefit of the body then we all should focus on worship when we meet. We should lay aside our troubles and focus on God.

If we truly want to hear God’s answer to our troubles we must quiet ourselves in order to hear. Who God chooses to deliver the message is His choice for His own reason and not our own. Submission to His will is the only way to know His will.

Experience tells us that the larger the group, the less likely it is that we will reach one accord. It is more than an agreement, it is a quieting of conflict within our minds. We must be there for God in order for Him to see the faith required to speak through someone.