Speaking in tongues, even in the 21st Century, remains controversial. My cessationist friends stand firm in I Corinthians 13 and my continuationist brothers & sisters camp out in I Corinthians 14. Both are persuaded that they are correct. Neither will cede any ground in this family squabble.
Speaking in tongues, formally known as glossolalia, is a supernatural gift of utterance. It empowers Christians to pray the perfect will of God, it generates edification and refreshing, provides heavenly assistance when we don’t know what or how to pray in a specific situation, and it builds up our most holy faith.
Glossolalia
The dictionary is not too kind to the formal word for speaking in tongues. I’m sure that my cessationist friends love it.
Glossolalia (noun) — Incomprehensible speech in an imaginary language, sometimes occurring in a trance state, an episode of religious ecstasy, or schizophrenia.
Yikes!
The word in New Testament Greek is a compound word. The first part of the word is glossa, which means tongue and the second part of the word is laleo, which means to talk.
Baptism In The Holy Spirit
The Day of Pentecost
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Power was promised by Jesus and it was delivered!
Acts 2:3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Christians continued to speak in tongues long after the Day of Pentecost.
Acts 19:3-6 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
Matthew 3:11 I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
What Does The Bible Say About Speaking In Tongues
Mark 16:16-18 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name, they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
Speaking In Tongues In The Bible
Acts 10:45-47 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”
I Corinthians 14:21 In the Law it is written: “With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.”
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
Isaiah 38:14 I cried like a swift or thrush, I moaned like a mourning dove. My eyes grew weak as I looked to the heavens. I am being threatened; Lord, come to my aid!”
Spiritual Gifts In The Bible
There are nine unique gifts provided to the church.
I Corinthians 12:4-6 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.
I Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.
The gifts of the Spirit are designed to profit the church.
I Corinthians 12:8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,
I Corinthians 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit, to another gift of healings by the same Spirit,
I’ve heard it said that the gift of tongues was the only gift of the Holy Spirit that was not manifested in the Old Testament. Others have indicated that both Hannah and Hezekiah prayed in tongues.
I Corinthians 12:10 To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kind of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
Speaking In Tongues Scripture
Acts 2:10-12 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews, and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”
I Corinthians 14:18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
Jude 20-21 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Is Speaking In Tongues Biblical
Like many Bible topics, there is disagreement with this one too. Speaking in tongues is not a primary issue and should not be treated as such.
I’ve heard this statement repeated on several occasions:
In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity
— Rupert Meldenius
I Corinthians 14:5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
I Corinthians 14:39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
Bible Verses Against Speaking In Tongues
There are plenty of people in the Church who are firmly set against speaking in tongues or any of the gifts of the Spirit. Some of my favorite preachers believe that the gifts have ceased.
We will probably have to sort it all out in heaven someday.
I Corinthians 12:30-31 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
Most who believe that speaking in tongues ceased, cite the following scripture as their proof.
I Corinthians 13:8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
I Corinthians 14:6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?
That could be problematic. Paul laid out strict boundaries for operating in these types of gifts.
I Corinthians 14:23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
Prayer For The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is not on the sidelines sitting on His hands—Christians who believe that are mistaken. Christians who do not speak in tongues are filled with the Holy Spirit.
To think otherwise is just not biblical.
How To Receive The Gift of Speaking In Tongues
I believe that the Gift of Tongues is different than the baptism of the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues. Some persons will speak in tongues daily without an interpretation—and that is okay.
Praying in the Spirit does not require an interpretation. When a person provides an “Official” tongue in the setting of a local church then an interpretation is necessary. The gifts of the Spirit are as He wills.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is different. Jesus states in Mark 16 that speaking in tongues is as simple as believing. In the book of Acts, the gift of the Holy Spirit was “activated” by the laying on of hands. He also “fell” on others and they simply received a free gift.
I am convinced that those who truly want to be empowered to speak in tongues can simply ask for it.
Luke 11:13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
Benediction
Those who pray in tongues should immediately stop acting as though they are excessively spiritual because of it. Just stop, you’re embarrassing yourself with your pride hanging out!
If you lean the other way, don’t make it your life mission to correct a brother or sister in Christ on this secondary or tertiary issue. May I suggest a better use of your time? Find a sinner and preach the Gospel to them.
Just a suggestion (smile).
II Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.