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1. Spiritual maturity

The one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.  (1 Corinthians 14:4, NET)

Edifieth himself – That is, the truths which are communicated to him by the Spirit, and which he utters in an unknown language, may be valuable, and may be the means of strengthening his faith, and building him up in the hopes of the gospel. (Barne’s notes on the Bible)

2. Praise and worship

“both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs – we hear them speaking in our own languages about the great deeds God has done!”  (Acts 2:11, NET)

Great deeds God has done – The great things of God; that is, the great things that God had done in the gift of his Son; in raising him from the dead; in his miracles, ascension, etc. Compare Luke 1:49; Psalm 71:19; Psalm 26:7; Psalm 66:3; Psalm 92:5; Psalm 104:24; etc. (Barne’s notes on the Bible)

3. Praying in the Spirit

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.  (Romans 8:26, NET)

According to the Greek word used in the place of “weakness” the above verse, is an expression of humanity’s limitations. This is where praying in tongues enters the scene. Tongues is not something we utter out of our own imagination or expertise. Only the Holy Spirit gives the ability for this kind of utterance. Some times we cannot find words to pray. In times of distress when we don’t even feel like praying, tongues come into our aid.

4. Prophecy

to another performance of miracles, to another prophecy, and to another discernment of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:10, NET)

The function of tongues are two fold. First it servers as the initial physical evidence of baptism of the Holy Spirit. Second it serves as a gift of the Spirit (The gift of prophesying in tongues and interpreting it into the spoken language of the Assembly.)