Speaking in tongues, also known as glossolalia, is a controversial spiritual gift mentioned multiple times in the Bible. It involves speaking in an unknown language as the Holy Spirit gives utterance. This spiritual gift is often misunderstood and debated among Christians.
The first mention of speaking in tongues is in Acts 2 during the day of Pentecost. The disciples were gathered together when the Holy Spirit came upon them and they began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them (Acts 2:4). The tongues sounded like unintelligible babbling to those who did not understand, but miraculously some in the crowd did understand the disciples praising God in their own native languages (Acts 2:6-11). This demonstrated the power of God to overcome language barriers and reach diverse people.
Paul later provides instructions for orderly use of speaking in tongues in church gatherings (1 Cor 14). He indicates that not all believers have this gift (1 Cor 12:30), that it must be interpreted to edify the church (1 Cor 14:5), it should not exceed two or three utterances per gathering (1 Cor 14:27), and it should be done in a fitting and orderly way (1 Cor 14:40).
There are differing viewpoints on whether the gift of tongues is still active today. Cessationists believe certain gifts like tongues ceased with the apostolic age, while continuationists believe tongues and other gifts can continue today. There are also debates around whether modern day tongues are always known human languages or can also involve ecstatic unintelligible speech.
Those who believe speaking in tongues is still a gift today emphasize being filled with the Holy Spirit and yielding one’s voice to the Spirit’s leading. They believe God can grant the ability to pray, praise or prophesy through an unknown tongue as the Spirit intercedes through the believer.
Opponents argue instances of modern glossolalia do not align with the biblical gift which enabled people to speak real human languages previously unknown to them. They also cite potential theological and practical concerns such as meaningless babbling, disrupted church services, and connections to questionable charismatic movements.
In summary, the gift of tongues involves Spirit-enabled speech in a language not known to the speaker. The Bible records miraculous examples of believers speaking human languages they did not learn. Guidelines were given for orderly use of tongues in church services during the early church period. There are divergent views on whether tongues continues as a gift today or has ceased. Questions remain about the nature and purpose of tongues and Spirit-filled prayer language among Christians who accept modern glossolalia.
Biblical Examples of Speaking in Tongues
Day of Pentecost – Acts 2:1-13
The first occurrence of speaking in tongues was on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-13. The disciples were gathered together in one place when suddenly a noise like a violent, rushing wind came from heaven and filled the house where they were staying. Divided tongues like fire appeared and came to rest on each of them. All were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Unbelieving Jews from every nation who were in Jerusalem for the festival heard the noise and came together bewildered. They were astonished to each hear the disciples declaring the wonders of God in their own native languages. The tongues sounded like unintelligible babbling to those who did not understand, but miraculously some in the crowd did comprehend what was being said about God’s greatness in their own heart languages.
This sign demonstrated a reversal of the confusion of languages at the tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9). Through the power of the Holy Spirit, language barriers were overcome as a sign that the gospel of Christ would reach diverse people groups in many nations.
Household of Cornelius – Acts 10:44-46
Peter was sent by God to preach the gospel to Cornelius, a Gentile Roman centurion. While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message. The circumcised Jewish believers with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.
How did they know the Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit? Verse 46 states, “For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God.” This demonstrates that speaking in tongues was evidence of having received the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Disciples of John at Ephesus – Acts 19:1-6
Paul encountered some disciples at Ephesus who had received John’s baptism but had not heard of the Holy Spirit. When Paul laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they began to speak in tongues and prophesy. Again, speaking in tongues accompanied receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit.
These instances in Acts demonstrate a pattern of Spirit-filled believers speaking in tongues. This gift of the Spirit burst through linguistic and ethnic barriers with a miraculous sign to validate God’s message of salvation for all nations.
1 Corinthians 14 – Orderly Use of the Gift
Paul provided practical guidelines for orderly exercise of the gift of tongues in a church gathering. 1 Corinthians 14 indicates that speaking in tongues was a genuine but controversial spiritual gift in operation in Corinth.
Paul emphasizes intelligibility in church services. Tongues must be interpreted to strengthen the church (1 Cor 14:5). Prophecy is valued above uninterpreted tongues (1 Cor 14:6-9). Paul wishes everyone spoke in tongues, but even more that they prophesied (1 Cor 14:5). Tongues and interpretation function as equivalent to prophecy (1 Cor 14:26-33).
Paul insists on order in worship. Tongues are limited to 2 or 3 in one service, spoken one at a time (1 Cor 14:27). They must be interpreted or kept silent (1 Cor 14:28). Prophets also take turns speaking, with others weighing what is said (1 Cor 14:29-33). God is not a God of disorder (1 Cor 14:33).
Some key guidelines from Paul’s instructions on orderly tongues and prophecy in church include:
- Not all believers have the gift of tongues (1 Cor 12:30)
- Tongues must be interpreted to edify the church or kept silent (1 Cor 14:5,13,27-28)
- Prophecy is valued above uninterpreted tongues (1 Cor 14:1-5)
- Limits of 2-3 tongues per service, spoken one at a time (1 Cor 14:27)
- Everything must be done in a fitting and orderly way (1 Cor 14:40)
This passage demonstrates that the gift of tongues was controversial even in the first century church. But Paul recognized it as a genuine gift and sought to instruct proper regulations for its use, not prohibit it altogether.
1 Corinthians 13 – Tongues Without Love are Nothing
After listing spiritual gifts including tongues in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul places the essential priority on love in chapter 13. He states that one may have power to speak in the tongues of men and angels, but without love it is just meaningless noise. Prophecy, knowledge and faith are also empty without Christ-like agape love.
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. (1 Cor 13:1)
This crucial chapter reminds believers that gifts of the Spirit are not for selfish pride but for serving others. The eternal virtues of faith, hope and love far surpass temporary spiritual gifts. Love unifies; knowledge divides. The height of Christian spirituality is captured in agape love.
Tongues must be exercised together with love, patience, kindness and humility. Without love, they profit nothing and can even lead to pride or division in the church.
Should Every Christian Expect to Speak in Tongues?
Speaking in tongues is listed along with other gifts like teaching, healing, prophesying, and administration (1 Cor 12:8-10, 28). Not all of the gifts are expected to operate in every believer.
Paul specifically states that not all have the gift of tongues (1 Cor 12:30). There are a variety of spiritual gifts distributed across the body of Christ. No onegift, including tongues, is present in every believer.
However, some Christian traditions teach that speaking in tongues is a necessary sign of salvation, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or spiritual maturity. They cite verses like Mark 16:17, Acts 2:38-39, and passages in 1 Corinthians 14 to propose that if you have not spoken in tongues, you may not be saved, Spirit-baptized, or mature.
Based on Paul’s teaching that not all have the gift of tongues, these beliefs impose unhealthy expectations on believers. There is diversity within the unity of the Spirit. Forbidding or mandating a particular gift for all Christians goes beyond biblical guidelines.
As an external sign gift, tongues may be more prevalent at certain times based on God’s purposes. But it is problematic to demand tongues as necessary proof of salvation or Spirit baptism when Scripture does not.
Purposes of the Gift of Tongues
Why does God give the gift of speaking in tongues? Here are some key purposes that emerge from Scripture:
- Sign to unbelievers – On the day of Pentecost, tongues functioned as a miraculous sign to unbelievers of God’s power (Acts 2:1-13; 1 Cor 14:22).
- Overcome barriers – United worship in various tongues demonstrated that Christ’s gospel would reach diverse nations and peoples (Acts 2:1-13; 10:44-46).
- Spirit baptism – Speaking in tongues accompanied Holy Spirit baptism as an evidence of receiving this gift (Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:1-6).
- Prayer and praise – Tongues are used in prayer, praise and giving thanks (1 Cor 14:14-17). The speaker is edified despite lacking understanding (1 Cor 14:4).
- Intercession – The Holy Spirit intercedes through the believer’s tongue to God, often bypassing understanding (Romans 8:26-27).
These purposes of tongues reveal it is not meant to be a required proof or constant manifestation, but a special gift for God’s specific purposes when needed.
Views on Whether Speaking in Tongues Continues Today
There are divergent viewpoints on whether the New Testament gift of speaking in tongues continues today or has ceased.
Cessationist View
Cessationists teach that tongues and other “sign gifts” (miracles, prophecy, healing) ceased with the passing of the apostolic age. They were unique to that foundation-laying era of the church’s history.
Arguments for cessationism include:
- No mention of tongues after Acts.
- Apostolic gifts confirmed the message then ceased when Scripture was complete.
- Difference between tongues in Acts and Corinth.
- Potential excess and abuse of tongues today.
From this perspective, contemporary examples of speaking in tongues are considered fabricated emotional experiences. Practicing tongues could also invite doctrinal falsehood or carnal mysticism into the church, so are wisely prohibited.
Continuationist View
Continuationists argue that spiritual gifts like tongues, prophecy and healing continue to operate today. God as a sovereign giver of varied gifts did not cease gifting the church after Scripture was complete.
Arguments for continuationism include:
- No biblical statement that tongues would cease before Christ’s return.
- Tongues, prophecy and knowledge are said to cease “when completeness comes” implying Christ’s return (1 Cor 13:8-10).
- Paul encourages desired gifts like tongues and prophecy to operate under proper guidelines, not prohibit them.
- Church history records apparent tongues throughout the centuries.
From this view, examples of modern tongues and gifts do not contradict Scripture but rather align with Paul’s teaching on orderly use of gifts to build up the church.
Open but Cautious View
Some adopt a middle perspective that tongues and gifts could continue today but also pose dangers. They may be open to tongues in private prayer, but not as part of corporate worship.
This position is cautiously open to contemporary tongues, but avoids dogmatism or excesses. It focuses on testable fruit, while allowing freedom for God to still move in spiritual gifts.
Nature of Tongues – Known Language or Ecstatic Speech
Are biblical and modern examples of tongues always known human languages, or can they also involve “heavenly languages” of ecstatic speech?
Arguments that tongues are actual languages:
- Tongues in Acts were intelligible human languages.
- Tongues were given to enable cross-cultural gospel spread.
- The Greek word “glossa” refers to a language.
- Paul implies interpreting tongues into a known language.
Arguments for ecstatic tongues beyond language:
- Distinction made between tongues of men and of angels (1 Cor 13:1).
- A “personal prayer language” fits Paul’s description in 1 Corinthians 14.
- The Holy Spirit gives utterance beyond our understanding.
- Some modern tongues examples do not seem to equate with human languages.
This is a difficult issue. Both human language and ecstatic perspectives have merits. It seems wise to avoid dogmatism and not limit how the Holy Spirit may work.
Practical Concerns and Excesses
Because tongues remains debated, this can create instability in churches on both extremes – forced suppression or mandatory expression.
Potential Excesses to Avoid:
- Prohibiting tongues entirely.
- Requiring tongues as necessary proof of salvation or Spirit baptism.
- Letting tongues dominate church services.
- Using tongues without self-control.
- Pursuing tongues as a status symbol.
- Fake tongues.
- Letting tongues divide rather than build up the church.
Guidelines for Healthy Practice:
- Neither forbid nor demand tongues.
- Focus on love, maturity and character more than gifts.
- Use tongues and gifts to serve others, not boost self.
- Value unity in Christ over opinions on gifts.
- Test fruit – does it lead people to Jesus?
- Follow biblical guidelines for orderly worship and practice.
Conclusion
The Bible presents speaking in tongues as a controversial but genuine spiritual gift. There are documented cases of Spirit-filled believers speaking in tongues throughout history. Yet tongues can also be divisive or abused when lacking discernment or biblical foundation.
This article has surveyed key scriptural passages and purposes related to tongues. It examined various perspectives on whether this gift continues today or has ceased. Believers differ on tongues potentially involving both known languages or ecstatic prayer speech.
All must approach this gift with humility and wisdom. Seek unity in the Spirit over opinions on tongues. Avoid the extremes of overly restricting or letting tongues divide. Focus on growing in Christ-like love over pursuing any particular gift.
The safest path seems to be one of openness together with cautious balance and biblical order. Test all by their fruits. Let love prevail over gifts. If practiced carefully and properly, tongues can still exalt God and serve His purposes.
