Question
What does speaking in tongues mean in the Bible?
Answer
There is so much misunderstanding today about “tongues” such as what they were, their purpose and whether they are continuing today in the same way they were seen in the time of the apostles.
First, what are these “tongues”? In the Bible, it is clear that rather than nonsensical babbling which no one could understand, these were languages spoken by these men. The amazing thing is, they had never learned these languages, but God gave them the ability to speak them. In other words, speaking in tongues meant speaking in unlearned foreign languages.
ACT 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
ACT 2:2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent, rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
ACT 2:3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.
ACT 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
ACT 2:5 ¶ Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men, from every nation under heaven.
ACT 2:6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because they were each one hearing them speak in his own language.
ACT 2:7 And they were amazed and marveled, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans?
ACT 2:8 “And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born?
Next, what was the purpose of them speaking in tongues? In the very same chapter, we are given the reason, they were given this power to confirm to the people that they were speaking on behalf of Jesus as He had sent forth the Holy Spirit to them. The Spirit had not only given them the power to speak in these languages, but had also given them the specific words they were to speak to the people.
ACT 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
ACT 2:2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent, rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
ACT 2:3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.
ACT 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
ACT 2:5 ¶ Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men, from every nation under heaven.
ACT 2:6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because they were each one hearing them speak in his own language.
ACT 2:7 And they were amazed and marveled, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans?
ACT 2:8 “And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born?
ACT 2:32 “This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.
ACT 2:33 “Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear.
Finally, do people have the same power today? No. Since the Word of God has been given and has been confirmed by these miracles, there is no need for the confirmation by miracle, including speaking with tongues, to continue today. Paul wrote about the temporary nature of these miracles, including tongues.
1CO 13:8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.
1CO 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part;
1CO 13:10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.
1CO 13:11 When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.
1CO 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known.
1CO 13:13 But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Although many believe they are speaking in tongues today, most of the time, no one can understand anything they are saying. Also, again, the Word of God has been written, confirmed and preserved so that we might be able to believe and follow after Jesus.
JOH 20:30 ¶ Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;
JOH 20:31 but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
By Gary Hunt
