What Does the Bible Say About Speaking in Tongues?

Quick Answer

The Bible describes speaking in tongues as a spiritual gift involving the miraculous ability to speak in unlearned languages. Its primary purpose was as a sign to unbelievers, particularly Jews, that God’s message was going out to all nations. While some Christians believe this gift continues today, others argue it ceased with the apostolic age. The Bible emphasizes that not all believers will speak in tongues and that love and Christian maturity are more important than any specific spiritual gift.

Speaking in tongues is one of the most controversial and misunderstood spiritual gifts mentioned in the Bible. This article aims to provide a comprehensive, biblically-grounded exploration of what Scripture teaches about this phenomenon, its purpose, and its relevance for Christians today.

The Biblical Basis for Speaking in Tongues

The gift of tongues is first mentioned in the New Testament in Acts 2:1-4, where the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages. This event, known as Pentecost, marks the beginning of the church age and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the outpouring of God’s Spirit (Joel 2:28-32).

Throughout the book of Acts, speaking in tongues is associated with the initial filling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:44-46, 19:6). The Apostle Paul also discusses tongues extensively in 1 Corinthians 12-14, providing guidelines for its use in the church.

The Nature of Biblical Tongues

Known Human Languages

The biblical gift of tongues primarily involved speaking in actual human languages that the speaker had not previously learned. This is evident from Acts 2:5-11, where people from various nations heard the disciples speaking in their own languages.

Possible Angelic Languages

Some interpret Paul’s reference to “tongues of men and of angels” (1 Corinthians 13:1) as suggesting the possibility of heavenly or angelic languages. However, this may be hyperbole to emphasize the superiority of love over any form of speech.

Interpretation Required

When used in church gatherings, tongues were to be interpreted so that the whole congregation could benefit (1 Corinthians 14:27-28).

The Purpose of Speaking in Tongues

Sign to Unbelievers

Paul explicitly states that tongues are “a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers” (1 Corinthians 14:22). This aligns with the events at Pentecost, where the miraculous speech attracted attention and led to the gospel being preached.

Confirmation of the Gospel

In the early church, tongues served as a supernatural confirmation of the apostles’ message (Mark 16:17-20; Hebrews 2:3-4).

Personal Edification

While not its primary purpose, Paul acknowledges that speaking in tongues can edify the speaker (1 Corinthians 14:4).

Praising God

Acts 2:11 and 10:46 describe tongues-speakers as declaring “the wonders of God” and “praising God.”

Biblical Regulations for Speaking in Tongues

Paul provides clear guidelines for the use of tongues in 1 Corinthians 14:

Prioritize prophecy over tongues in church gatherings (14:1-5)
Speak in tongues privately if there’s no interpreter (14:28)
Limit tongues-speaking to two or three people per meeting (14:27)
Ensure orderly worship (14:40)

The Cessationist vs. Continuationist Debate

Christians are divided on whether the gift of tongues continues today. This debate extends to other miraculous gifts as well, such as prophecy and healing. Both sides present biblical arguments for their positions.

Cessationist View

Cessationists believe that certain spiritual gifts, particularly the “sign gifts” like tongues, prophecy, and miraculous healings, ceased with the end of the apostolic age. Their main arguments include:

Tongues and other miraculous gifts ceased with the apostolic age:
- They argue that these gifts were primarily to authenticate the apostles’ message (2 Corinthians 12:12, Hebrews 2:3-4).
- Once the apostolic message was established and recorded in Scripture, these gifts were no longer necessary.
The completed Scripture has replaced the need for such gifts:
- Cessationists point to passages like 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which states that Scripture is sufficient for equipping believers for every good work.
- They interpret 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 to mean that the “perfect” that comes, causing prophecies and tongues to cease, is the completed canon of Scripture.
Modern tongues experiences don’t match the biblical description:
- They argue that modern glossolalia (speaking in tongues) doesn’t align with the Acts 2 description of known languages being spoken.
- They cite 1 Corinthians 14:22, which describes tongues as a sign for unbelievers, not primarily for the edification of believers.

Continuationist View

Continuationists believe that all spiritual gifts, including tongues, continue to be active in the church today. Their arguments include:

All spiritual gifts, including tongues, continue today:
- They cite 1 Corinthians 1:7, which suggests the gifts will continue until Christ’s return.
- They argue that there’s no clear scriptural statement that these gifts would cease before Christ’s return.
God still works miraculously through His people:
- Continuationists emphasize verses like Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever,” to argue that God’s miraculous work continues.
- They point to James 5:14-15, which instructs believers to pray for healing, as evidence that miraculous gifts continue.
Personal experiences validate the ongoing nature of the gift:
- While not a biblical argument per se, many continuationists cite personal or observed experiences of tongues and other miraculous gifts as evidence of their continuation.
- They argue that these experiences, when aligned with Scripture’s descriptions, confirm the ongoing nature of the gifts.

Both views have scriptural arguments and are held by sincere believers. The debate often centers on how to interpret certain key passages (like 1 Corinthians 13:8-12) and how to apply biblical principles to contemporary Christian experience.

It’s important to note that even within these broad categories, there’s a spectrum of beliefs. Some cessationists, for instance, believe the gifts have ceased in principle but that God may still work miraculously on occasion. Some continuationists, while believing the gifts continue, may be cautious about certain modern practices associated with tongues-speaking.

Regardless of one’s position on this issue, Scripture calls all believers to unity in Christ (Ephesians 4:3) and to focus on the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) as the primary evidence of spiritual maturity.

Common Misunderstandings About Tongues

Tongues as Proof of Salvation or Spirit Baptism

While some teach that speaking in tongues is evidence of being filled with the Spirit, the Bible never makes this claim. Paul clearly states that not all believers will speak in tongues (1 Corinthians 12:30).

Tongues as a Private Prayer Language

Although some interpret Romans 8:26 and 1 Corinthians 14:2, 14 as supporting a private prayer language, this concept isn’t explicitly taught in Scripture.

Unintelligible Babbling

Biblical tongues involved real languages, not ecstatic, unintelligible speech.

The Importance of Love and Maturity

Regardless of one’s view on tongues, Scripture emphasizes that love is superior to all spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 13). Paul encourages believers to “grow up in every way” (Ephesians 4:15) rather than focusing on spectacular gifts.

Conclusion

While speaking in tongues played a significant role in the early church, its exact nature and current relevance remain subjects of debate among Christians. Believers should approach this topic with humility, grounding their understanding in Scripture and prioritizing love, unity, and spiritual maturity above any particular gift or experience.