The gift of speaking in tongues is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that has been a subject of controversy in the Church for a long time. Is it for everyone? Is it necessary? Is it a sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit? These are some of the questions that often come up. Today’s blog post is an attempt to address these questions and clarify what Scripture teaches about the gift.
First of all, yes, the gift of tongues is evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in a believer. It is a gift that a person who is born again and, by implication, has the Holy Spirit can receive. However, it is not a measure of spiritual maturity. A person who gets born again today can receive it on the same day. Many times, as we see in Scripture, it accompanies the infilling of the Spirit.
Some people argue that the tongues spoken in Acts 2 are not the same as what we see today and that, therefore, the gift of tongues must have ceased to exist. I believe this is a flawed conclusion because Scripture does not explicitly teach that the gift has ceased. Secondly, we are given other descriptions and expressions of speaking in tongues throughout Scripture.
In Acts 2, the tongues being spoken were recognisable human languages. The people began speaking actual languages they had not learnt before. However, in other parts of Scripture, such as 1 Corinthians 12 and 14, we are given further insight into speaking in tongues. Paul explains that the person who speaks in a tongue speaks mysteries and that, unless there is an interpretation, others do not understand what is being said. He also explains that the person speaks to God (1 Cor. 14:2). Jesus also mentions speaking in new tongues as one of the signs that would accompany those who believe (Mk. 16:17). Again, in Acts 10:44–46, we see that when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers in Cornelius’ house, they began speaking in tongues and magnifying God. These passages show us that speaking in tongues is not limited to recognisable human languages. It can also be an utterance that is not understood by the hearers and is directed to God.
However, there is a school of thought that believes the gift of speaking in tongues is not given to everyone. These people use 1 Corinthians 12:4–11 and 29–30 to support their position. But I believe we need to examine the context of Paul’s discussion more closely to understand what he was addressing.
First of all, in the list of gifts given by the Holy Spirit, Paul also mentions the gift of faith. So, are we then saying that faith is not a general inheritance of the believer? Or are we saying that not every believer is expected to exercise faith? The key to understanding this passage is to look at its context and distinguish between the general faith of a believer and the particular gift of faith Paul describes.
Verses 12–27 of that same chapter help us understand that Paul was speaking about unity in the diversity of the body of Christ. He explains how the different parts of the body have different functions, yet they all come together for the body to function properly. In the same way, the Church has members with different gifts and functions, but they must work together for the benefit of the entire body of Christ.
Paul’s statement in verses 29–30, where he asks whether all are apostles, prophets, teachers, or whether all speak in tongues, gives perspective to this argument. This Scripture is not necessarily suggesting that not every believer can speak in tongues. If it were, would it also mean that not every believer can teach or exercise the gift of healing? Scripture calls us to teach the Word and urges us to pray for the sick. Mark 16:17–18 also identifies the healing of the sick as one of the signs that will accompany those who believe. How, then, do we reconcile these passages with Paul’s questions in 1 Corinthians 12:29–30?
My understanding is that Paul’s questions in this passage refer to those who have been called to specific ministries or entrusted with particular public expressions of these gifts. In other words, although all believers are called to teach the Word, some are specifically called and graced for the ministry of teaching and pastoring. Similarly, while all believers can lay hands on the sick and pray for their healing, some have a particular grace for ministering to the sick. In the same way, the ability to speak in tongues is available to every believer, but some are specially graced to receive and communicate messages through tongues in the gathered Church; hence the need for the ministry of interpretation.
Nevertheless, not speaking in tongues does not mean that your spirituality is deficient or that you are not yet saved. Some believers have taken this matter to such an extreme. For some people, the gift is received early in their Christian walk, while others may not have experienced it. What is most important, as Paul helps us understand in 1 Corinthians 13& 14, is love: how we allow it to transform us and how we demonstrate it to those around us. Nevertheless, speaking in tongues is something every believer should desire, as Paul himself encourages believers to desire spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 14:1).
Why should anyone desire to speak in tongues? Simple: because speaking in tongues edifies the speaker. Scripture tells us that the person who speaks in a tongue edifies himself (1 Cor. 14:4). This was part of the issue Paul addressed in his letter to the Corinthians. The believers who had begun speaking in tongues were exercising the gift during their gatherings, possibly to the extent that it was affecting the order and edification of the entire Church. Paul wanted to correct this by explaining that although speaking in tongues is good, exercising the gift without interpretation does not edify the Church as a whole. It edifies only the person speaking.
Also, when we speak in tongues, the Spirit helps us in prayer, particularly when we do not know what to pray for as we ought (Rom. 8:26). This is another aspect of the Spirit’s work in our lives that makes the gift valuable. Moreover, if speaking in tongues were of no value, Paul would not have spoken so positively about its use in his personal life. In fact, he expressly stated that he spoke in tongues more than the Corinthians (1 Cor. 14:18). God does not give gifts that are without purpose. Every gift of the Spirit has its place in the edification of the believer and the Church.
Speaking in tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit that every believer should desire. It is given for the edification of the believer and the Church. And as long as you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you can receive and express it.
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