Speaking in tongues is of evidential value rather than validational value.

• A. spiritual; ceremonial
• B. practical; doctrinal
• C. evidential; validational
• D. emotional; intellectual

Answer: (C)

Speaking in tongues is understood here as having evidential value rather than validational value. That means this gift is viewed as a sign or indication that the Spirit is at work, something that can testify to others of God’s activity and to the person experiencing it, rather than a mechanism that validates or proves a particular doctrine or authority. In this sense, the act serves as evidence of the Spirit’s presence, not as a test that confirms a specific teaching or church position. The other pairings would shift the focus away from this sign-level function: they describe different dimensions (spiritual vs ceremonial, practical vs doctrinal, emotional vs intellectual) that don’t capture the intended role of tongues as observable evidence of the Spirit rather than a doctrinal validation.