What Does the Bible Say About Speaking in Tongues?

Written By Mary Carter

Mary holds a degree in theology and she has a deep understanding of biblical texts. She works as an elementary school teacher in Alabama.

Speaking in tongues, often misunderstood, is a fascinating concept found in the Bible. It refers to a miraculous ability enabling believers to communicate in languages they have not learned. This gift, as outlined in the New Testament, signifies the Holy Spirit’s presence. It played a pivotal role during Pentecost, allowing disciples to preach God’s word to diverse audiences. Paul’s letters further detail its proper usage in worship. The gift isn’t a sign of spiritual superiority and doesn’t imply immunity from sin.

So, is speaking in tongues still relevant today? According to the Bible, it serves specific, divine purposes and is governed by love and order.

Ever wondered about the mysterious phenomenon of speaking in tongues described in the Bible? Dive deep with us to understand this divine gift and its significance in Christian faith and worship. Find out what Jesus and the disciples practiced and preached about this miraculous ability.

What Does the Bible Say About Speaking in Tongues?

Speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift from God, witnessed prominently in the New Testament, manifesting through individuals as they are filled with the Holy Spirit. The most iconic occurrence is during the Pentecost, as narrated in the book of Acts, where the apostles received the Holy Spirit and were enabled to speak in various languages. This allowed them to spread God’s message to people from different linguistic backgrounds, symbolizing the universality of the Gospel message.

This gift, according to Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians, serves two main purposes: edification of the church and as a sign for unbelievers. When someone speaks in a tongue, they speak to God in a language unknown to them, uttering mysteries in the Spirit. It’s essential to note that speaking in tongues isn’t a regular or mandatory practice for all believers. It’s a specific gift bestowed upon some, and it doesn’t make one superior in faith.

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Paul emphasizes love and order as the guiding principles for exercising this gift. He stresses the importance of interpretation when tongues are spoken publicly in the church, to avoid confusion and to ensure the edification of the congregation. Without interpretation, the speaker is advised to keep silent in the church and speak to himself and to God. In this way, Paul illustrated that God’s view on speaking in tongues revolves around love, understanding, and orderliness.

The question of whether this gift is still present today sparks much debate among Christians. Some believe it ceased with the apostolic age, while others believe it continues to manifest in the present day. What’s clear is that when exercised in accordance with biblical guidelines, speaking in tongues is allowed and aligns with God’s will.

Bible Verses About Speaking in Tongues

The Bible offers numerous verses addressing speaking in tongues, enlightening us on its nature, purpose, and the proper way of its execution.

Acts 2:4 This verse narrates the remarkable event of Pentecost, where all the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them. It illustrates the divine intervention that facilitates this miraculous ability, allowing the disciples to convey God’s word to diverse audiences.

1 Corinthians 14:2 Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, explains that one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Here, it is highlighted that the essence of speaking in tongues is inherently spiritual, serving as a means to communicate divine mysteries, albeit not understood by the human mind.

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1 Corinthians 14:4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, says Paul. This verse underscores the personal and spiritual enrichment attained through speaking in tongues, cultivating one’s relationship with God.

1 Corinthians 14:27-28 These verses lay down the protocol for speaking in tongues in the church. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should remain silent in the church and speak to himself and God. It underlines the importance of maintaining order and coherence within the worship setting, resonating with God’s preference for clarity and understanding in worship.

1 Corinthians 12:10 This scripture reveals that the ability to speak in different kinds of tongues is indeed a spiritual gift from the Holy Spirit. It is one of the many gifts listed by Paul that the Spirit gives to believers, highlighting its divine origin and its role in serving God’s plan and purpose.

1 Corinthians 14:22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers. Paul posits that the function of speaking in tongues serves primarily as a sign to those who do not believe, showcasing the power of God in a way that can draw them to faith in Jesus.

1 Corinthians 14:5 Paul expresses his wish that every believer could speak in tongues but stresses that prophecy is more important in the church setting unless the tongue can be interpreted. It’s here that Paul underscores the importance of edifying the church and ensuring that the use of gifts leads to understanding and builds up the faith community.

Acts 10:46 This verse recounts how the Gentiles also received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues, praising God. This occurrence is a pivotal moment, demonstrating that the gift of tongues and, more broadly, the gift of the Holy Spirit, is not exclusive to any group but available to all who believe in Jesus.

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Acts 19:6 In this verse, the believers in Ephesus spoke in tongues and prophesied when Paul laid his hands on them, demonstrating the transference of the Holy Spirit and the manifestation of spiritual gifts through the laying on of hands.

Mark 16:17 Jesus, before ascending to heaven, declared that among the signs accompanying those who believe would be speaking in new tongues. This proclamation from Jesus emphasizes that the ability to speak in tongues is a manifestation of faith in Him and a sign that follows believers.

In conclusion, speaking in tongues is a multi-faceted gift from the Holy Spirit. It’s a divine method of communication, a tool for the propagation of God’s message, and a sign for unbelievers. It’s not a universal calling or a marker of spiritual maturity, and it operates under the overarching principles of love, order, and edification. The biblical perspective makes it clear that whether one speaks in tongues or not, the ultimate focus should be on pursuing love, desiring the higher gifts, and seeking to build up the church in all things. The various instances and teachings in the New Testament illustrate that speaking in tongues should be approached with reverence, understanding, and a heart inclined to God’s will and purpose.