[Note: One of the most important things an understanding of worldview brings to us is a clear picture of the outer limits of the various belief systems that exist in the world. By understanding how a belief system answers the three worldview questions (Who is God? What is man? What is salvation?), we know what worldview system it belongs to and how to evaluate it for truth. However, there are also other questions, beyond the three essential worldview questions, that come up as people attempt to understand and live out their faith. The answers to these “other” questions are important – some even very important. However, as important as they might be, they are not essential to the faith. People can answer them differently, and even get the answers wrong, and still be a part of the faith. There are many of these kinds of questions in the Christian faith, and it is typically these non-essential questions that create the conflict and division that exist within the faith itself. In fact, these kinds of differences are the main reason why there are different denominations. The purpose of this series is to explain those differences in order to give Christians a basis upon which to agree to disagree in love. These kinds of differences may cause various divisions, but they should never cause Christians to reject one another.]
What is the Dispute about Tongues All About?
One of the most divisive non-essential doctrines we see in Christian churches is the doctrine of speaking in tongues. Some Christians believe it is a spiritual gift that God gives to some believers. Others think it is an actual sign of salvation, and that anyone who doesn’t speak in tongues is not even saved. Then there are those who believe it was a gift appropriate in the early church, but is no longer valid.
But not only is there dispute over who has/had the gift and when it is/was in effect, there is also contention about what it actually is – some thinking it is a prayer language, others believing it is a prophetic gift to be used in the church, and others seeing it as a gift of hearing rather than speaking in other languages.
The result of all of these various interpretations is similar to what we have seen as it relates to other non-essential biblical beliefs – division in the body of Christ. It has led to the existence of many different Christian denominations, fights in churches, and even huge church splits.
It is doubtful that any kind of explanation will convince people that their particular interpretation is wrong, but there is great value in understanding the various approaches to interpreting the Bible regarding this topic. With this knowledge, we have, at the very least, a way to understand one another in order to set aside the acrimony that often accompanies differing views on this topic.
Speaking in tongues is the New Testament phenomenon in which people speak in a language that is unknown to them. This language is understood as either a transcendent spiritual language or some other earthly language. It occurred at Pentecost, but was obviously also a part of the experience of Christians in some early churches (most notably in the church at Corinth).
There seems to be three distinct ways that the concept of tongues is spoken of in the New Testament. The first appears in the context of evangelism where believers were presenting the gospel at the time of Pentecost – shortly after Christ’s resurrection. The second use is as a private prayer language that is not interpreted. A third use of tongues is a language spoken in a church service that is interpreted.
Some of the dispute about this topic relates to confusion about the three different expressions of tongues. Other disputes revolve around the proper way to understand the doctrine. Let’s take a deeper look at this topic and see how we can sort it out.
What the Bible Has to Say
Since we are dealing with a topic that is based on biblical teachings, and since there are only five places in the New Testament where speaking in tongues is referred to explicitly, let’s begin by looking at those five passages and see what we can glean from them.
1. Mark 16:17-18
17 These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
These verses in Mark recount Christ giving instructions to his apostles. The acts included in this list (including the prophesy that “they will speak with new tongues”) are understood to be signs that would be manifested by those who believe in Jesus. It should be noted, here, that the oldest existing manuscripts do not contain these verses, and many scholars believe they were not in the original writing but were added later.
2. Acts 2:1-11
1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. 5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 They were amazed and astonished, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.”Acts 2, which describes an occurrence of speaking in tongues in Jerusalem at Pentecost, though with various interpretations. Specifically, “every man heard them speak in his own language” and wondered “how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?”
These verses share the story about when the Holy Spirit first came upon believers after Christ’s resurrection and they began to speak with other tongues. There are a couple of important points to note regarding this passage. First, the incident specifically refers to a situation where the “tongues” were other intelligible languages that the speakers had not before learned. A second important point is that the wording in the passage is such that it is not only about people speaking other languages, but also about people hearing in their own language from others who didn’t speak their language. As such, we cannot be sure whether or not this was a miracle of being able to speak unknown languages or a miracle of hearing one’s own language while the speakers were speaking their own language – or both. Regardless, the important point is that the miracle recorded here is that God was using believers specifically to share the gospel with people who did not know Christ. This was a miracle of Christian witness.
3. Acts 10:44-46
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. 45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God.
The context of these verses is that, based on a vision from God, Peter went to the home of Cornelius and shared the gospel with those who were there. Up until this time, all of the evangelization of the new church had been had been directed toward the Jews. Here, though, Peter had gone to the home of a Gentile. When he shared the gospel and they believed, they spoke in tongues, which was recognized to be the Holy Spirit entering the Gentiles just as he had done the Jews at Pentecost. It was also recognized as a sign that God saved Gentiles in the same way he saved the Jews.
Some commentators interpret this passage to mean that the speaking in tongues was some kind of ecstatic utterance. Others interpret it that the Gentiles were able to speak in known tongues in the same way as happened at Pentecost. The passage itself does not specify this detail, so it could have been either. The main point here, though, is not the kind of tongues that were being spoken, but that the Holy Spirit manifested himself in the lives of these Gentiles in a way that made it obvious that God accepted believing Gentiles in the same way he accepted believing Jews.
4. Acts 19:1-7
1 It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. 2 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. 7 There were in all about twelve men.
Here we have the story of when Paul met Apollos and a group of his friends in Ephesus. In those early days, there were disciples of John the Baptist who believed in Jesus because of John’s testimony, but who did not know the message of salvation based on the death and resurrection of Christ. These disciples continued to preach John’s message of repentance throughout the land. Apollos and a group of about a dozen of his friends were a part of this group – they had come to believe in Jesus, but didn’t understand the full gospel.
When Paul met them, he shared about the death and resurrection of Jesus, and these men received Christ. When they did that, Paul laid his hands on them and they began to speak in tongues as they received the Holy Spirit. This is another case where we are not given specific details about the nature of the tongues. As before, it could have been ecstatic speech or it could have been other known languages. Once again, however, the point of the passage is not to give a lesson concerning tongues, but to point out that when these men acknowledged Christ as Lord, the Holy Spirit entered their lives.
5. 1 Corinthians 12-14
The fanal passage we will look at is found in 1 Corinthians and consists of three full chapters. Because of its length, we will not print the entire text here. We will, however, pick out the particular verses where tongues is discussed (which does include the entirety of chapter 14). It should be noted that it is fairly clear that the type of tongues being dealt with here is, specifically, ecstatic utterance. This does not mean that the utterance is without intelligent meaning. That said, typically even the one uttering the speech did not understand. For this reason, whenever this gift is exercised in public, the church is admonished to accept it only if there is someone to interpret the meaning. Otherwise, it is a gift that is only to be used between an individual and God.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.
In this passage, Paul speaks of various spiritual gifts and mentions tongues in his list. In doing this, he notes several things that relate to all of the gifts.
1. The same Holy Spirit gives them all.
2. The gifts are for the common good of the church.
3. The gifts are all given to accomplish God’s own purpose.
4. God gives the gifts to people according to his own will (he chooses which ones he will give to who).
In addressing the speaking of tongues specifically, Paul mentions that there are “various kinds of tongues.” Along with that, he also mentions the gift of interpretation of tongues. There are a couple of implications in these verses that we need to note as it relates to this unique gift.
1. These tongues were not natural languages.
2. The unknown language that was spoken was not merely ecstatic speech that had no meaning, but actually did have meaning and needed to be interpreted.
1 Corinthians 12:27-31
27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? 31 But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way.
Toward the end of Chapter 12, Paul mentions the gift of tongues once again. This time he speaks of it in the context of how the various spiritual gifts are to be used in the church. Here he specifically points out that:
1. God is the one who decides what gifts to give and who is to receive them,
2. No one gets all the gifts, and
3. There is something more important than any particular gift a person might exercise (as we look in chapter 13, the attitude of love is identified as this “more excellent way”).
1 Corinthians 13:1
1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. …
1 Corinthians 13:8
8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease;
In chapter 13, tongues are mentioned twice – in verses 1 and 8. It is here that love is identified as “the more excellent way.” And while tongues is touted as being an important gift (along with all of the other gifts), it is secondary to expressing the love of God in one’s life. In fact, the point is clearly made that if a gift is exercised without an expression of love, it is useless and God is displeased. It is clear that spiritual gifts are not an end in themselves, but are merely tools God uses in people’s lives to accomplish the more important purpose of the gospel.
1 Corinthians 14
1 Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. 4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying. 6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching? 7 Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? 8 For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9 So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning. 11 If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me. 12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church. 13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. 16 Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified. 18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; 19 however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20 Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. 21 In the Law it is written, “By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to Me,” says the Lord. 22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you. 26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; 28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment. 30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; 33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 34 The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. 35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. 36 Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only? 37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. 38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. 40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.
Based on the teaching in chapter 14, there was obviously a problem in the Corinthian church when it came to the use of the gift of tongues. Here, Paul addresses this matter in order to deal with that problem. He had already, in chapters 12 and 13, emphasized the importance of this gift and laid down some special limiting instructions in a general sense. Now, in chapter 14, he gets down to cases about the use of tongues in the church. Let’s look at a list of the principles that he laid out in chapter 14 concerning the use of this gift.
1. There is a gift that has a higher priority than tongues (prophesy). v.1, 5, 39
2. Speaking in tongues is not directed toward other people, but toward God; as other people do not understand what is being said. v. 2
3. Any person speaking in tongues is only edifying self, not other people. v.4-5
4. Unless words spoken in tongues are interpreted, they are not useful for the church. v. 6-13
5. People should not speak in tongues in public without a way for the church to be edified. v. 12, 26
6. Praying in tongues does not engage the mind, but the spirit. v. 14
7. There is nothing wrong with praying in tongues, but it does not have priority over praying consciously. v. 15
8. One should consider the presence of others before praying out loud in tongues. v. 16-17
9. Teaching others truth is more important than speaking in tongues. v. 18-19
10. The significance of tongues for unbelievers is to impress them, not to bring conviction. v. 22-23
11. The significance of tongues for believers is as a sign of God’s presence. v. 22
12. Never should more than 2 or 3 people speak in tongues in a church service, and then only with interpretation. v. 27-28
The Variety of Beliefs About Tongues
Now that we have looked at the various passages of Scripture, let’s take a look at the different positions various groups have taken concerning this topic. If we want to drill down to what is really important, we must at least have a basic understanding of the various possibilities.
As we look at these several points of view, it is important to understand that different denominations of Christians tend to consider the topic of tongues in different ways. Obviously Pentecostal and Charismatic churches accept the use of tongues as an integral part of their theology; but even there we find a variety of beliefs and practices in the understanding and use of this gift. Traditional Protestant denominations tend not to practice tongues as a normal part of church life, but even there we find a certain amount of variety in beliefs about this subject. So, lets take a look at the primary teachings of each point of view.
Indication of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
While most Evangelicals believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is essential to being a Christian, there is a wide variety of beliefs concerning what that actually means.
Many Pentecostals believe that conversion and the baptism of the Holy Spirit are two distinct experiences, and that the baptism of the Spirit typically comes at some time later than conversion and is marked by the individual speaking in tongues. Others believe that conversion and the baptism of the Spirit happens at the same time and is accompanied by speaking in tongues.
Non-Pentecostals generally do not associate speaking in tongues with conversion, and typically prefer using the terminology “filled” rather than “baptism” of the Holy Spirit.
Gift Only for Some Believers
1 Corinthians 12 is very clear that the gift of tongues is a spiritual gift and not everyone receives it. Most non-Pentecostal Protestants fall either into the camp of accepting it as a valid spiritual gift for some, though not normative, or that it is no longer a valid gift at all. Pentecostal groups are more inclined to accept tongues as a normative practice, and tend to believe either that it is only for some or for everyone.
Gift for Every Believer
Those holding a traditional Pentecostal viewpoint generally believe that every Christian should expect to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, and that the gift of tongues is a sign of that baptism.
Necessary for Salvation
Oneness Pentecostal (Apostolic) churches believe that speaking in tongues is a sign of salvation, and anyone who has not received the sign of tongues is not saved. This point of view is mentioned here because it exists, but is obviously contrary to the biblical teaching and is not accepted by any Evangelical (Pentecostal or non-Pentecostal) or Protestant church.
No Longer a Valid Gift
Cessationists believe that the gift of tongues was never for all people, and they quote 1 Cor. 12:30 as their authority. They also point to 1 Cor. 13:8 to indicate that there would be a time when the gift ceased. Those who accept this theology believe that all of the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit (tongues, healing, etc.) ceased soon after the church era was established.
Prayer Language vs. Public Speech (Prophetic Gift)
Some Pentecostal groups distinguish between speaking in tongues that is done in private and that which is done in public. Private speaking in tongues is considered personal prayer language that is specifically addressed to God.
Public speaking in tongues, on the other hand, is for the benefit of the church. It is considered that this prayer language can potentially be interpreted into human language that is able to edify those hearing it. Many who hold this point of view believe that speech in tongues is actually revelation from God to the church and may be considered equivalent to prophecy.
Gift of Hearing or Speaking?
Another disagreement about tongues relates to disputes about what actually happened at Pentecost when the church congregation began to speak in other tongues. At that event, people who did not know the language of those who were sharing the gospel heard the message in their own language. This is referred to by some groups as the “sign of tongues” and refers to xenoglossia – where one speaks an actual language that has never been learned.
Some see this as the same expression of tongues spoken of in 1 Corinthians, only being applied in a different way. Others see the miracle as one in which the one speaking actually spoke in the language of the hearer. Still others see it as a miracle of hearing, where individuals spoke their own language, but those hearing the message heard it in their own language.
We Can Agree to Disagree
Proponents of each viewpoint use both the biblical writings and historical arguments to support their positions. What we end up with it another situation where one’s prior theological framework influences how they interpret the passages.
The truth is, when it comes to the topic of tongues, the Bible does not give us a definitive and complete theology. We have some stories of historical events along with a few guidelines to help us put the gift of tongues in context, but no complete doctrinal teaching about the gift itself. The result is that different people have latched on to different ways of understanding the gift based on an incomplete teaching that is informed by their own personal experience.
In evaluating this doctrine, however, we need to admit that our view concerning the gift of tongues is necessarily based upon a theological construct and an individual’s personal experience regarding the gift. Both those who have experienced it and those who have not tend to think that their experience is normative.
As with our discussion regarding other non-essential biblical doctrines, this explanation is not meant, in any way, to be dismissive of any particular point of view. There are very committed believers who strongly hold to each one. Rather, it is meant to give some perspective on the various possibilities, and to encourage people to come to an understanding of “why” they decide to adopt one view or another.
In dealing with this topic, probably more so than some of the other non-essential biblical doctrines, many Christians use their personal beliefs and experience as a test of fellowship with other believers. And while one’s understanding of the doctrine of tongues is very important, it is not important enough to become a valid wedge that causes a break in fellowship with other brothers and sisters in Christ. As with all other non-essential theological beliefs, a person can be dead wrong about this topic and still be considered a believer. It is not a necessary component of salvation.
Christian fellowship should always be based upon the understanding that everyone who knows a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ is a spiritual brother or sister in Christ. Non-essential theological beliefs should never be a barrier to fellowship. It is a wonderful thing to study the various non-essential beliefs as fully as possible, and to practice what one believes to be the true teaching of the Bible within a fellowship of believers who hold a common belief. In the process of doing that, however, it should never become a barrier to fellowship with other believers.
© 2018 Freddy Davis