Speaking in Tongues: Some Considerations

Is speaking in tongues biblical? Speaking in tongues is certainly mentioned in the Bible. However, there are some things that we need to consider:

1. Tongues are Human Languages.

Today, when most people “speak in tongues”, they do not speak in human languages. However, according to the Bible, speaking in tongues always involves speaking in human languages.

The first record of speaking in tongues was at the first Pentecost after Jesus’ ascension into Heaven, when the disciples “began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4). Those who heard them speaking in tongues each heard them speak in his own native language (vv. 6, 8, 11).

The next recorded occurrence of speaking in tongues is at the conversion of Cornelius’ family (Acts 10:44–46). Later on, when the Apostle Peter was recounting that incident, he reported,

“And when I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us in the beginning.” (Acts 11:15)

The word “as” (Greek: ὥσπερ) indicates that Cornelius and his family spoke in tongues in the same way that the disciples were speaking in tongues at Pentecost—in human languages.

2. Not Every Christian can Speak in Tongues.

It is popularly taught that every Christian can receive the ability to speak in tongues; they just need to pray or be prayed for to receive the gift of tongues. However, according to the Bible, not every Christian can receive the ability to speak in tongues.

In 1 Corinthians 12:30, the Apostle Paul asked the question,

Do all speak in tongues?

This rhetorical question expects the answer, “No, not all speak in tongues.” In context, Paul was talking about the diversity of spiritual gifts among Christians. Like the other spiritual gifts, the gift of tongues is distributed according to how the Holy Spirit wishes to distribute it (vv. 4–11). Thus, just as not every Christian can be an apostle, be a prophet, be a teacher, work miracles, or perform healings, so also not every Christian can receive the ability to speak in tongues (vv. 28–30).

3. The Bible Regulates Tongue-speaking in Church.

Today, many Christians “speak in tongues” during a church meeting without anyone interpreting the content of their tongue-speaking. However, this goes against the instructions that are found in the Bible.

In 1 Corinthians 14:27–28, the Apostle Paul wrote,

If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. ₂₈ But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. (ESV)

A local church should not forbid speaking in tongues (v. 39). However, if there is no one in the meeting who can interpret the content of the tongue-speaking, then no one should speak in tongues in that meeting.

4. “Praying in the Holy Spirit” is Not Praying in Tongues.

It is commonly assumed that the expression “praying in the Holy Spirit” means praying in tongues. However, in the Bible, “praying in the Holy Spirit” simply means to pray with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Hence, “praying in the Holy Spirit” can be done in one’s own language. There is nothing in the Bible which suggests that “praying in the Holy Spirit” specifically means praying in tongues, as if the only way to pray in the Holy Spirit is by praying in tongues.

Moreover, while “praying in the Holy Spirit” is something that all Christians should do (Eph. 6:18; Jude 20), speaking in tongues is something that not all Christians can do (1 Cor. 12:30). This makes it clear that “praying in the Holy Spirit” is not the same thing as praying in tongues.

Conclusion

Speaking in tongues is biblical—in the sense that it is mentioned in the Bible. However, what many Christians practice today as “speaking in tongues” is not actually speaking in tongues according to the Bible. They are not speaking in tongues in the biblical sense, and they do not have the biblical gift of tongues.

For more information, please read: Questions about Speaking in Tongues