What Does The Bible Say About Speaking In Tongues?

Is speaking in tongues in the Bible?

Why do Pentecostals believe in speaking in tongues? 

Find answers to these questions, and more, in this episode of The Pentecostal Perspective.

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Transcript:

Did you know there are three God given uses for speaking in tongues in the Bible?

In order to answer this question adequately, one must first understand that the Bible
speaks on the topic of tongues quite a bit. In truth, there are entire chapters dedicated
to this topic, and it is not relegated to the New Testament only. Grab your Bible and
let’s study this together.

Tongues as the Evidence of Holy Spirit Baptism
Most will quote Matthew 28:19 as being the Great Commission. Yet, there is more than one
Great Commission. Jesus said much more during His call to action, and those words are
found in Mark, Luke, and Acts. (Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:46-49, Acts 1:4-8)

The commissions (plural) that God gave His disciples all pointed to the promise of the
Father which Jesus spoke of, and that promise would be fulfilled through the baptism of the
Holy Ghost. Jesus said in Acts 1:4-5 "...wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye
have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy
Ghost not many days hence."

Each commission was aimed at saving the world from eternal damnation. The monumental
task of reaching the whole world however, would require a power not of this world.
Therefore, part of their commission was predicated upon receiving the power needed to
fulfill the commission. So Jesus told them, "...behold, I send the promise of my Father upon
you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on
high." (Luke 24:49, see also Acts 1:8)

According to Jesus, the sign that would follow them that believed and received this power,
would include a new tongue. "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name
shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues..." (Mark 16:17)

Every Pastor, preacher, teacher, evangelist, and theologian alike, (regardless of their
denominational preference) can agree that the church was born on the Day of Pentecost in
Acts chapter 2. When we read Acts chapter 2 we see that the promise of the Father came
just as Jesus foretold, and that upon the reception of the Holy Ghost, the 120 that gathered
in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost did in fact speak with tongues. "And they were all
filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them
utterance." (Acts 2:4) 

If this was just an isolated incident that only happened on the Day of Pentecost we should
see a break in the pattern, but that is not the case. This pattern would persist throughout
scripture and was not just a one time event.

Onward to Acts chapter 10, we find the same pattern again with Cornelius and his
household. As Peter preached the gospel to them it says in Acts 10:44 "While Peter yet spake
these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word." How did they know that
they received the Holy Ghost? “For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify
God..." (Acts 10:46)

It is notable to mention that Cornelius was not there on the Day of Pentecost, he had no
idea what was going to happen when Peter began to preach. Peter never told him what to
expect either. However, just as set forth in the plan and pattern of God, when the Holy
Ghost fell on them they spake with tongues as the Spirit gave them the utterance.

Some have said that the tongues given in Acts 2 were for those gathered in Jerusalem of
different languages to hear the gospel in their native tongue and ceased after that. The
account of Cornelius proves otherwise. Those gathered in this centurions house all spake
the same language and they received the same experience.
Again, in Acts 19, we find Paul asking this question to believers, "...Have ye received the Holy
Ghost since ye believed?..." (Acts 19:2)

This shows that the Holy Ghost is essential to salvation, and that a belief system will not save
us in and of itself. After Paul explains the importance of the matter he prays for them in Acts
19:6 "And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they
spake with tongues..."

Acts 19:2 states that before they received the Holy Ghost that day they had said,"...We have
not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." Therefore, we have another group of
believers who had not even heard of the Holy Ghost, and did not not know what would
happen upon receiving it. Yet, they spoke with tongues. The plan and the pattern persists.
Up to this point we have talked about one administration of tongues in the Bible, however
as we will see there are actually three.

Tongues as a Spiritual Gift
The pattern of speaking in tongues after receiving the Holy Ghost was already established,
and now Paul writing to a church that already held to that doctrine, begins to tell them of
the second administration of tongues.

This Apostle, who set under the most prominent scholars of the law, knew that these
tongues were not only Biblical, but they were also prophesied by the patriarchs Isaiah and
Joel. (See Isaiah 28:11-12, Joel 2:28) Therefore, rather than Paul writing to stop something
"heretical" that transpired after Pentecost, he would put in order and set guidelines for their
usage.

To the Corinthian church in 1st Corinthians 12:1 he would write,"Now concerning spiritual
gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant."
It is imperative to look at the setting of the scriptures being studied to know their true
intent. That said, chapter 12 of 1
st Corinthians sets the stage for spiritual gifts and not the
evidence of Holy Spirit baptism. As he begins to lay the groundwork for the gifts of the
Spirit, Paul tells us in 1st Corinthians 12:4-6 "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same
Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are
diversities of operations, but it is the same God..."

Within the diversities aforementioned, he would name the gift of diverse kinds of tongues,
"For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the
same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same
Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits;
to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues." ( 1st Corinthians
12:8-10)

Knowing that the gifts of God (though perfect in their origin) would flow through temples of
flesh that are in a fallen state, Paul would spend the next two chapters making sure that the
motives behind their operation were pure.

The beginning of chapter 13 states, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,
and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." (1st Corinthians 13:1)
He continues by outlining all of the gifts under this same banner, and concludes it all by
saying that if I " ...have not charity, it profiteth me nothing." Therefore, when one is operating
within these God given gifts, it must be done under the banner of love.

Yet again, he is nottelling them that the tongues are wrong or have ceased. In fact in the next chapter he states,"Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts..." and even gives the strong command laterto "...forbid not to speak with tongues." (1st Corinthians 14:1, 1st Corinthians 14:39)

As we read on, Paul further encourages God's people to utilize these gifts and then begins
to create a place for etiquette. He says, "...Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man
speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and
let one interpret.” (1st Corinthians 14:26-27)

As previously brought out, these gifts must be under the banner of love, so if there be
several operating in these gifts they need to "Be kindly affectioned one to another with
brotherly love; in honour preferring one another." (Romans 12:10) This keeps people from
"stepping on" one another as they seek to be used. "For God is not the author of confusion,
but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." (1st Corinthians 14:33)

The gift of tongues, in order to be effective within the body, requires an interpretation.
However, the interpretation does not always come. This does not mean that the individual
that was used in this area was out of line if there was no interpretation given, for even Paul
says "...if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to
himself, and to God." (1st Corinthians 14:28)

Therefore this second administration of tongues is for the sole purpose of edifying the body
of Christ collectively, through the vessels God would choose, and when coupled with the gift
of interpretation of tongues it's purpose is fully brought into fruition.

Tongues as A Prayer Language
Some have taught in err that the use of tongues will always require an interpretation. This is
simply not true. Paul said,"I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all."
(1st Corinthians 14:18) Yet, most of his time was spent in prisons where there were no interpreters present.

After one receives the Holy Ghost, they will continue to speak in tongues even if the gift of
tongues has not been given to them. Reason being, when the "vessel" becomes full at the
first initial filling, the contents over time can evaporate under the "heat" of trials, heartaches,
and life in general. Yet, God will renew us in His Spirit as we seek Him for the help we
need. The prophet Isaiah put it this way, "For with stammering lips and another tongue will
he speak to this people.To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the
weary to rest; and this is the refreshing..." (Isaiah 28:11-12) Therefore, as we pray, we can
receive afresh the strength needed to continue on as God flows through us and refills our
cup to overflowing.

Paul let us know that he put this into practice and stated that our spirit can pray through us
apart from the flesh."For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my
understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with
the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding
also." (1st Corinthians 14:14-15) Thus signifying that he spoke,sang, and prayed in tongues unto
God apart from his flesh (understanding).

Now that we know that the act of praying with the spirit is praying in an unknown tongue.
How can this benefit us? As humans we have a tendency to think higher of ourselves than we ought. At times we will even overlook certain flaws or faults we may have, sometimes unaware that we have them at all. However, as we begin to pray with the spirit, the spirit makes intercession on our behalf to pray for things we know not of.
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we
ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession..." (Romans 8:26)

This intercession is the deepest level of prayer spoke of in the Bible. Yet, it is not limited to
ourselves alone. We can operate in this dimension of prayer for others as well. As an altar
worker, praying with an individual, it is imperative to reach this level of prayer. We can then
pray most effectively for the needs we know not of. Likewise, we may pray for things with
the spirit that our flesh would otherwise hold against an individual. So, it is the purest form
of prayer as well, considering it has no element of carnal stereotyping or personal
preference.

Recap
There are three administrations of tongues within the Bible and are defined as:
1. The initial evidence of receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
2. Edification for the church when coupled with the gift of the interpretation of tongues.
3. A prayer language for personal edification as well as intercessory prayer.

Common Questions
Q: Why would God choose tongues?
A: James the brother of Jesus sums it up in James 3:3-4, he says, "Behold, we put bits in the
horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the
ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned
about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth."
If you give God control of your tongue it shows that you have completely surrendered the
"helm of your heart" to Him, and now He can control the vessel, steering it in the direction
He wants it to go.

Q: According to 1
st Corinthians 13:8 haven't tongues ceased?
A: That scripture, and the few following it, answer this question plainly. It says, "Charity never
faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall
cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we
prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall
be done away." (1st Corinthians 13:8-10) So, according to this scripture, in order for tongues to
cease, prophecies would have to fail, knowledge would have to vanish away, and that which
is perfect would have to come. Prophecies are still coming to pass daily, knowledge is increasing by leaps and bounds, and the only perfect thing this world has ever known (Jesus Christ) has not come as of yet. When Christ comes then the gifts will no longer be needed, but until he comes they are in fact in operation.

Q: If 1st Corinthians 12:30 says, "...do all speak with tongues?" Doesn't that mean that not
everyone will speak with tongues?
A: In the context of chapter 12, no. Paul opens up the chapter by saying, "Now concerning
spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant."(1st Corinthians 12:1) Therefore the
context of verse 30 is in that of a Spiritual gift. Not everyone will have the gift of tongues,or
speak in diverse kinds of tongues, but everyone will speak with tongues when they receive
God's Spirit, and will continue to pray with the spirit, if they build upon their relationship
with God further.