Do All Speak With Tongues?

Here are a few questions and answers on speaking in tongues, a controversial issue in Christendom. Every Bible question has a Bible answer. Please approach this prayerfully and let the Holy Ghost guide you in finding the truth about this topic.

1. What is tongues-speaking?

Tongue-speaking is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

^{1 Corinthians 12
1}Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
 ⁴Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
 ⁵And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
 ⁶And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
 ⁷But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
 ⁸For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
 ⁹To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
 ¹⁰To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
 ¹¹But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

From what the Bible says, I understand that there are two types of tongues-speaking;
i. The Unknown tongue-
Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.-  
1 Corinthians 14:13
ii. The different languages spoken by people which can be understood by speakers of that language.
 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: -1 Corinthians 14:18

2. Is tongue speaking an evidence for having the Holy Ghost?

NO. The reason why I do not believe speaking with tongues is the evidence of the Holy Ghost is that I have seen fetish priests in Ghana speak in tongues and someone interprets.   

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

3. Must every Christian speak with tongues?

No. The Bible does not say anywhere that everyone must speak in tongues. Rather, this is what the Word of God says.

1 Corinthians 12:27-31

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 

28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 

29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 

30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 

31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

 Here, it is clear  that God gives people to the gifts as He wills and He does not expect all of us to speak with tongues. But it goes on to say;
  Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.-1 Corinthians 14:39
 

4. Why do some Christians believe that everyone must speak in tongues?

I am not sure why some Christians believe firmly that everyone must speak in tongues. I think they base their belief on Acts 2 and Mark 16. 
However, in Acts 2, the kind of tongues they spoke, the people understood them in their own languages. Also, for Mark 16, the Bible states clearly in Corinthians that not all speak with tongues, not all heal etc.

Acts 2:1-8

1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 

3 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. 

5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 

6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 

7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 

8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?


It is evident from this passage that the disciple did not speak in an unknown tongue but rather spoke in languages that the foreigners could understand in their own languages.

^{Mark 16:17-18
17}And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
 ¹⁸They 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.


1 Corinthians 12:28-30
²⁸And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
 ²⁹Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
 ³⁰Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

Some believe that since the disciples spoke in tongues on the day of Pentecost, every Christian must speak in tongues. This believe is an error because they spoke in tongues for a purpose-there were many people from different parts of the world at the place. So God saw it necessary for the disciples to preach to them in their own languages. And as a result, about 3000 were added to the believers.

Wherefore tongues 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. 1 Corinthians 14:22
  

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.  

1 Corinthians 13:1

5. How will I know if someone has the Holy Ghost?
For the evidence of the Holy Ghost, click on the link Evidence of the Holy Spirirt

For more study read on the topic; 1 Corinthians 12, 13 and 14.