7 Things the Bible Tells Us About Speaking in Tongues

Only three books of the Bible mention speaking in tongues: Mark, Acts, and 1 Corinthians. It seems as though the New Testament writers had very little to say about speaking in tongues, almost as if the topic wasn’t worthy of lengthy discussion. But wrapped up in those handful of verses is a wealth of insight into the true nature of tongues, their purpose, duration, and so on.

While it’s beyond the scope of a single blog post to discuss everything the Bible has to say about speaking in tongues, we will discuss 7 essential truths that every believer should understand in regards to this controversial topic. Hopefully by the end of this article you’ll have some much needed clarification!

1. Tongues Were Actual Human Languages

The first mention of the use of tongues comes from Acts 2. Here we read of the day when the Apostles were “all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4). 

The nature of the tongues being spoken is made clear in the following passage:

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

Acts 2:5-13

Three times the audience proclaims that they heard those who were filled with Spirit speaking in their own native language. What else could this mean but that the gift of tongues was the supernatural ability to speak a foreign language previously unknown to the speaker? 

There is no mention whatsoever of these tongues being angelic or heavenly languages that couldn’t be understood. Quite the contrary. Every foreigner recorded as being present heard “them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God” (Acts 2:11). 

Being that the first use of tongues is demonstrated to have been in the form of actual human languages, and we have no Biblical proof that tongues were anything but, we must view every subsequent mention of speaking in tongues made throughout the Bible as the supernatural ability to speak a foreign language that was previously unknown to the speaker. 

The law of first mention, which is not necessarily a law but a guideline, instructs us to develop our understanding of a particular subject or doctrine based on its first mention. While not always practical, it is in the case of speaking in tongues where speculation abounds as to the nature of the gift. If we apply the law of first mention to speaking in tongues and interpret every passage related to tongues in light of the initial manifestation, we can rule out the possibility of there being multiple types of tongues, as supposed by some, and obtain a more accurate, Biblical understanding of what speaking in tongues actually was.

2. Tongues Were Not Angelic or Heavenly Languages

In saying that the gift of speaking in tongues were actual human languages, by necessity they cannot be angelic or heavenly ones. However, some would argue that 1 Corinthians 13:1 contradicts this.

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”

1 Corinthians 13:1

Some suppose Paul’s words here imply that believers have the ability to speak in an “individual prayer language”. However, this argument is based on nothing more than speculation and denominational assumptions. Not only that, it fails to consider that Paul is simply using hyperbole to make a point.

The idea behind Paul’s statement is that regardless of the language being spoken, even if it’s the most advanced, perfect form of language there is, such as that attributed to angels, if it’s not spoken with love for the purpose of building up the one being spoken to, it’s worthless. Paul makes no claim to be able to speak in angelic, heavenly, or individual prayer languages and this verse gives no license for believers to do so today.

For an in-depth look at this verse check out my article Tongues of Angels: 1 Corinthians 13:1 Explained

3. Tongues Were to be Exercised in an Orderly Manner and With an Interpreter Present

In modern day charismatic churches (at least the ones I’ve attended) many congregants speak in tongues at the same time. I’m not sure how they justify it given what Paul has to say about the number of people allowed to speak in tongues, and the manner in which they were to do so.

If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.

1 Corinthians 14:27-28

The content of this passage is pretty self-explanatory. I guess I’m missing the part where Paul makes an exception for Christians living in the 21st century…

Anyways, the reason Paul demands an interpreter be present whenever someone speaks in tongues is because without one, no one knows what’s being spoken, not even the one speaking in some instances, and therefore no one would be edified. If multiple congregants were speaking foreign languages all at the same time nothing useful would result. If, however, they spoke in tongues one by one with an interpreter present, then the whole church could be built up. Remember, Paul said to “strive to excel in building up the church” (1 Corinthians 14:12) and to “let all things be done for building up” (1 Corinthians 14:27).

In addition to this, Paul gives an example of what was likely to occur in the event that the Corinthian church acted like Pentecostal churches today –  let’s call it…fanatical. He says, “If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?” (1 Corinthians 14:23). Thus in the form of a rhetorical question, Paul demands that tongues be used in an orderly fashion so as to give the unbeliever no reason to question the sanity of the Christian or the validity of the religion as a whole.

4. Tongues Would Eventually Cease

In 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 Paul speaks of the day when tongues would cease. This will occur, says Paul, “when the perfect comes” (1 Corinthians 13:10).

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known”

1 Corinthians 13:8-12

There is no shortage of disagreement in regards to what the “perfect” is. Some suggest it means the Second Coming of Christ; that when Jesus returns the gifts of the Spirit will no longer be needed and thus will cease to exist. Others, such as myself, understand Paul to be speaking about the full revelation of God being given though the completed canon of Scripture. Here’s why.

The three gifts that Paul says will “pass away” or “cease” are tongues, knowledge, and prophecy – all three being revelatory in nature. Through these gifts God gave much needed revelation, guidance, and instruction to the early church to help guide her through her infancy. Being that the church didn’t have the completed canon of Scripture at her disposal, these gifts were necessary for her initial establishment and growth. Once, however, the completed canon of Scripture was available these gifts were to be done away with due to their temporal nature and the superiority of that which is “perfect” being made available, namely the completed canon of Scripture.

In that these gifts only revealed pieces of the whole, they were “partial”. They didn’t reveal everything that God had to say, only what was needed at that time. The Bible, on the other hand, is the full revelation of God. It contains all the revelation that God would ever give. Nothing more is going to be added to it. It is complete and “perfect”. 

That being said, when the complete revelation of God was given the incomplete revelations became obsolete along with the means whereby they were obtained (tongues, knowledge, prophecy). Thus tongues ended when they were no longer necessary for the growth of the church, that is, when the canon of Scripture was complete.

5. Tongues Served Multiple Purposes

As already stated, the gift of tongues was the supernatural ability to speak a foreign language previously unknown to the speaker. The purpose of the gift, however, was not so singular. Throughout the New Testament we see evidence of God using the gift for multiple purposes. Let’s discuss them now.

They Were Used to Propagate the Gospel

From Acts 2 we understand that those who were filled with Spirit and spoke in tongues were telling others of the “the mighty works of God” (Acts 2:11). In other words, they were preaching the Gospel. 

The ability to speak a foreign language without having to spend years learning it certainly would be helpful in spreading the Gospel quickly. And while we have no Biblical proof of this occurring outside of Acts 2, it may help partially explain how the Gospel was able to spread at such a rapid pace.

A Sign to Unbelievers

In 1 Corinthians 14:22 Paul says that “tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers.” In that tongues were an outward manifestation of the Spirit, they attested to the divine origin of the message being proclaimed. In other words, they acted as proof or confirmation for the validity of the Gospel and the authority of those who preached it, namely the Apostles.

Upon receiving the Great Commission the Apostles “went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs” (Mark 16:20), one of those signs being the ability to “speak in new tongues” (Mark 16:17). 

The author of Hebrews says the same. In speaking of “such a great salvation” he says, “It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will” (Hebrews 2:1-4).

Proof That God Was Including the Gentiles in His Plan of Redemption

Although salvation was initially presented to the Jews, God’s plan all along was for the Gospel to spread throughout the entire earth and to save the Gentiles too, hence the Great Commission. It seems, however, that this wasn’t readily accepted among the early Jewish Christians, that is, until God gave undeniable proof.

In Acts 10 that proof is given after Peter preaches to a Gentile audience and witnesses the Holy Spirit being poured out upon them, resulting in their “speaking in tongues and extolling God” (Acts 2:44-48). In the following chapter Peter is called out by the Jews for “going to uncircumcised men (Gentiles) and eating with them” (Acts 11:3). He then recounts everything that took place and in his defense says, “If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:17). Upon hearing all that Peter had to say the Jews finally concluded that  “to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18).

In this instance God used the gift of speaking in tongues to prove to the skeptical Jewish Christians that the Gentiles also were being granted salvation.

Gave Revelation to the Early Church

I’ve already mentioned how the gift of tongues was revelatory and was one of the means whereby God gave instruction to the early church. Paul mentions that tongues were of no benefit unless by them “some revelation, or knowledge or prophecy or teaching” was given (1 Corinthians 14:6). This is why Paul demanded that tongues be spoken only in the presence of an interpreter so that the church could be edified. Tongues left uninterpreted were useless, but if interpreted some much needed revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or teaching would be imparted unto the hearers.

6. Not All Believers Spoke in Tongues

It is supposed by some that all believers have the ability to speak in tongues. Some go as far as to say that “speaking in tongues is the evidence of the Holy Spirit”. Unfortunately, what this statement implies is that if a believer does not speak in tongues, he hasn’t been filled with God’s Spirit. 

The first issue with this statement is that Paul said that it is God “who apportions to each one individually as he wills”, in regards to spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11). So ultimately, whether a believer spoke in tongues or not had nothing to do with his ability or desire to do so but whether or not God granted him that particular gift. The second issue is that Paul tells us in the form of a rhetorical question that not all believers would speak in tongues.

In 1 Corinthians 12:29-30 Paul asks, “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?” The obvious answer is of course not! 

There is no Biblical evidence supporting the claim that all believers can or should speak in tongues. Nor is there any Scripture that declares speaking in tongues to be the sole evidence of the Holy Spirit. In fact, this idea contradicts Scripture for as I’ve already stated, God is sovereign over which gift a particular believer was to receive. 

To say that Christians who don’t speak in tongues are not filled with God’s Spirit is a foolish claim based on nothing more than false denominational assumptions.

Furthermore, Paul tells us that the “fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). These traits, according to Paul, are the evidence of a believer having been filled with and changed by God’s Spirit, not the gift of speaking in tongues.

7. You Don’t Have to Speak in Tongues to be Saved

Nowhere does the Bible state or imply that you have to speak in tongues to be saved.

Romans 10:9 tells us that “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” If you believe in Christ, if you’ve accepted Him as Lord and Savior, if you’ve been changed, if your life is dedicated to Jesus, if you exhibit the fruits of the Spirit then you have been saved. Period. 

Speaking in tongues is not a requirement for salvation and how could it be? Being that the gift of tongues was a temporary gift to the early church that has long since ceased, it cannot be a requirement for salvation which would be granted throughout the rest of human history. And even if believers could legitimately receive the gift of speaking in tongues today, it still could not be a requirement for salvation because not all believers speak in tongues and God is sovereign over who receives which spiritual gifts, as we’ve already discussed.

If you’ve been worrying about the validity of your salvation because you don’t speak in tongues, you can put that anxiety to rest. The only requirement for salvation is faith in Christ.

“And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…”

Acts 16:31

Final Thoughts

While the gift of speaking in tongues was useful to the early church, it has no place in church today. Its temporal nature required its cessation when its purpose had been fulfilled, which it was with the completed canon of Scripture. 

That being said, the tongue speaking witnessed in Pentecostal and other charismatic churches today is not the same as that which we read about in the Bible. Biblical tongues were actual human languages used for purposes which have already been discussed, not random syllables and made up words repeated over and over again in one’s “individual prayer language”. 

And while the Bible provides no lengthy discourse on the topic of speaking in tongues, it says enough to give us a proper understanding of the nature, role, and duration of the gift. The issue, however, is that many of us approach the text with blinders on. We let our denominational presuppositions dictate what the Bible says, instead of letting the Bible speak for itself. In so doing we fail to let the Bible challenge our way of thinking lest what we believe turns out to be false. But if we really want the truth about speaking in tongues, and all other matters related to Christianity, we must allow the Word of God to speak for itself.

I hope this article has been helpful and that you now have a bit more clarity in regards to what the Bible says about speaking in tongues. Have a question? Leave it in the comments below!

Thanks for reading. God bless!