What does the Bible say about speaking in tongues?
The Biblical Gift of Speaking in Tongues: A Baptist Theological Perspective
The phenomenon of speaking in tongues, or glossolalia, is a spiritual gift that first occurred on the day of Pentecost. This miraculous event is described in Acts 2:1–4:
“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
The apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, began to proclaim the gospel in languages they had never learned. This miraculous gift enabled people from various nations to hear the message of God in their own language:
Acts 2:6–8: “And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, ‘Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?’”
Acts 2:11: “We hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”
The Greek word for "tongues" is glossa, which means "languages." Therefore, the biblical gift of tongues refers to the supernatural ability to speak a known, intelligible human language that the speaker has never learned, for the purpose of communicating God’s message to those who speak that language.
The Gift of Tongues in the Early Church
The Apostle Paul provides additional teaching on the gift of tongues in 1 Corinthians 12—14, addressing its purpose, proper use, and limitations within the church. Paul emphasizes that tongues, like all spiritual gifts, were given for the edification of the church, not for personal glorification or disorder:
1 Corinthians 12:7: “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.”
Paul warns against the misuse of tongues and underscores the importance of interpretation. Without interpretation, the gift of tongues is unedifying to the congregation:
1 Corinthians 14:6: “But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?”
1 Corinthians 14:13: “Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.”
1 Corinthians 14:19: “Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.”
The gift of interpretation, mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:10, allowed someone to understand and communicate the meaning of what was spoken in tongues, ensuring that the message could edify the entire church:
1 Corinthians 14:27–28: “If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.”
Paul also makes clear that the use of tongues must reflect the character of God, who is a God of order and peace:
1 Corinthians 14:33: “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”
Has the Gift of Tongues Ceased?
The cessation of tongues is a point of theological debate. In 1 Corinthians 13:8–10, Paul writes:
“Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.”
Some argue that the phrase "tongues will cease" (Greek verb pauo) indicates that the gift of tongues would end on its own, prior to the arrival of “the perfect.” Others connect the cessation of tongues with the completion of the New Testament canon or the fulfillment of their primary purpose as a sign to unbelieving Israel:
1 Corinthians 14:22: “Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.”
Isaiah 28:11: “For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people.”
Cessationists often point to the judgment of Israel in A.D. 70, when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans, as the fulfillment of this sign. However, Scripture does not explicitly state that the gift of tongues has ceased entirely.
The Gift of Tongues Today
If the gift of tongues is still active in the church today, it must align with the biblical guidelines established in 1 Corinthians 12—14:
It must involve a real and intelligible language:
1 Corinthians 14:10: “There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance.”
It must be for the purpose of communicating God’s Word:
Acts 2:6: “And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.”
It must be orderly and interpreted:
1 Corinthians 14:27–28: “If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.”
However, the modern practice of tongues in many charismatic movements often does not meet these criteria. Much of what is called speaking in tongues today appears to involve unintelligible utterances rather than known languages, lacks interpretation, and is performed in a way that causes confusion—contrary to the character of God as described in 1 Corinthians 14:33.
The Sovereignty of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts according to His will:
1 Corinthians 12:11: “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”
God can still grant the gift of tongues today if He so chooses, particularly in situations where a language barrier would hinder the spread of the gospel. However, the rarity of this gift and its inconsistent practice suggest that it is not a common part of God’s plan for the church in this age.
Conclusion
The biblical gift of tongues was a miraculous ability to speak in an unlearned, intelligible language for the purpose of spreading the gospel and edifying the church. While Scripture does not conclusively state that tongues have ceased, the evidence suggests that this gift is either no longer active or extremely rare. If tongues are practiced today, they must align with the biblical standards for order, intelligibility, and interpretation.
As Christians, we affirm the sufficiency of Scripture for guiding all aspects of faith and practice. The emphasis should not be on seeking specific spiritual gifts but on faithfully proclaiming the gospel, building up the church, and glorifying God through the power of His Word and Spirit.
