This is one of the most frequently asked Bible questions. Let’s give brief attention to the two main sections of the New Testament that mention such tongues.
ACTS 2, 10, 19
The first mention of speaking in tongues is found immediately following the Spirit coming upon the apostles. Luke records in Acts 2:4: “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” It is significant to note that the context here limits this tongue speaking to the apostles (see Acts 1:26-2:4), to whom Jesus promised to send His Spirit (see Jn. 14:26; 16:13). We also note that these tongues were simply languages of the people present on the day of Pentecost. They were guided by the Spirit to speak in other languages for the sake of communicating the Gospel, as well as to serve as a “sign” or confirmation of their message (see Mk. 16:17). Verse 11 records the audience saying, “we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” This further confirms these tongues as being languages. When Peter begins addressing the large gathering of Jews he alludes to the prophecy concerning these “last days” that they were witnessing and the wonders and signs that would accompany them (see vv. 17…). (See also Acts 10:46 related to the Spirit coming upon the Gentiles and Acts 19:6 regarding the Spirit empowering some to speak in tongues).
1 CORINTHIANS 12-14
These three chapters in the first letter to the Corinthians are about the assembly and worship of the church in that day. Tongues are mentioned in each of these chapters. Notice two verses from chapter 12 to begin with:
12:10 – “to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.”
12:30 – “Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?”
Speaking in “various kinds of tongues” (languages), was one of several different miraculous gifts bestowed upon various Christians as determined by the Lord (see 12:11). (We should also note that these miraculous gifts could only be passed on through the laying on of the apostles’ hands – see Acts 8:18; 19:6).
Some also received the ability to interpret or translate the tongue. Of course, if no one had the ability to do such, the speech would have been void of meaning and relevance in cases where that was not the native language. In fact, Paul draws this conclusion in 14:6 where he says, “Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?” In a sense Paul says, “If I speak in a language you don’t understand, what knowledge am I imparting, or what good am I doing?” In verse 19 he gives additional emphasis to his point saying, “Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.” Five understandable words do much more to edify than countless unintelligible words!
While chapter 13 may be known as the “love” chapter, there is a significant point being made concerning speaking in tongues and miraculous gifts in general, and that is, they are coming to an end. While it seems the Corinthians especially gloried in the gift of tongues… faith, hope and love would continue on (see v. 13). In the midst of this chapter Paul suggests that prophesy and tongues (miraculous gifts) would come to an end, but not love (see vv. 8-9). They would “pass away” when God had fully revealed His will (“the perfect” – v. 10).
These chapters contain all that is said concerning speaking in tongues. It is clear from the context of the passages noted that speaking in such miraculous tongues was a temporary gift given to some Christians in the first century. The word of God has been fully revealed and confirmed, “so now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor. 13:13).
Daren Schroeder