What do you know about the gift of tongues? This subject is both confusing and controversial in the minds of many people. Some believe that it is a miraculous gift that continues to be performed today. Some believe that it is necessary for salvation. Some believe that it is an extremely emotional experience. Some believe that it involves speaking unintelligible sounds.

What does the Bible teach about the gift of tongues?

Fast Facts

  • It was a miraculous spiritual gift (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-10). There were many miraculous spiritual gifts in the first-century church.
  • It was miraculously imparted. It was imparted to the apostles and the Gentile household of Cornelius through Holy Spirit baptism (Acts 2:1-4; 10:44-46). The gift was also imparted through the laying on of hands by the apostles (Acts 19:5-7; Romans 1:11).
  • Not all Christians had this gift (1 Corinthians 12:11-12). The Holy Spirit decided who would receive the various miraculous spiritual gifts.
  • It involved speaking actual languages (Acts 2:1-11). Those who had the gift could suddenly speak in foreign languages that they had never been formally taught.
  • It was not generally practiced in assemblies where the people did not know the language (1 Corinthians 14:1-2, 27-28). No one in the assembly would be edified if the language was not understood. The gift would lead to confusion and chaos.
  • It was primarily designed to benefit unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14:22; Mark 16:15-20). The gift was to serve as a sign that the tongue speaker was a messenger of God!
  • It could be controlled by the one who possessed it (1 Corinthians 14:27-33). Tongue speakers were to speak one at a time in a worship assembly. There were to be no more than two or three people speaking, and they needed someone to interpret.

Paul’s Message to the Corinthians

  • “Stop being prideful.” Paul wanted the Corinthians to stop competing over their miraculous spiritual gifts and focus on using them to the glory of God. They needed to remember that they were all part of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-14).
  • “Seek to edify.” Tongue speaking was a gift that was to be used to build up and serve other Christians (1 Corinthians 14:1-5, 12, 19, 26). Our gifts are also to be used for the same purpose (1 Peter 4:10-11).
  •  “This miraculous gift will cease.” This gift would cease when God’s word was completely revealed (1 Corinthians 13:8-10). No one is miraculously speaking in tongues today. No apostles are alive to impart the gift. We have perfect revelation of God’s will in the Bible, and that is all we need!

Conclusion:

Tongue speaking has never been required for salvation. God commands all people to believe in His Son, repent, and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 10:47-48).