What is the purpose of speaking in tongues?

Definition and Nature of Speaking in Tongues

Speaking in tongues refers to the God-given ability to speak in a language not previously learned by the speaker. It is described in multiple places throughout the New Testament, most notably in Acts and 1 Corinthians. This phenomenon is considered among the gifts of the Holy Spirit, sometimes referred to as a “prayer language” in certain contexts, and at other times as a sign gift meant to edify both the individual Christian and the gathered church.

In the earliest account on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), the onlookers marvel as they hear their own native languages spoken by individuals who previously had no exposure to these languages. This sets the tone for much of the New Testament’s teaching on tongues: a divinely orchestrated speech event that demonstrates God’s power and serves specific purposes in the Church.

Biblical Foundations

Old Testament Foreshadowing

While the New Testament provides explicit teaching on tongues, the Old Testament offers hints that God would work among His people in surprising linguistic ways. For instance, Isaiah prophesies:

“Indeed, with mocking lip and foreign tongue He will speak to this people…” (Isaiah 28:11).

Though this passage is not a direct reference to the Pentecost event, it signals that God would use unknown or foreign speech as part of His plan to address His people. Early Christian writers sometimes connected the events of Isaiah’s time—a message through foreign tongues—to the phenomenon of speaking in tongues that would come in the New Covenant era.

New Testament Descriptions

The principal New Testament passages on tongues are found in Acts 2, Acts 10, Acts 19, Mark 16:17, and 1 Corinthians 12–14.

• Acts 2:4 says, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” This event on the Day of Pentecost is central to understanding the gift’s public demonstration.

• Acts 10:44–46 describes how Cornelius and those gathered in his home received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues, confirming God’s inclusion of Gentiles in salvation.

• Acts 19:6 records a similar occurrence when Paul laid hands on certain disciples in Ephesus: “...the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.”

• 1 Corinthians 12–14 provides detailed instructions for the church’s use of spiritual gifts, including tongues, emphasizing their place in proper worship and their purpose in collective edification.

Historical Reliability of Scriptural Accounts

The Book of Acts, authored by Luke, is widely recognized for its careful historical detail. Archaeological findings—such as the accurate naming of local officials and the geographical precision in Paul’s missionary routes—consistently support the reliability of Luke’s writings. These corroborations, studied extensively by historians like Sir William Ramsay, lend additional credence to the miraculous events recorded, including speaking in tongues (Acts 2, Acts 10, Acts 19).

Earliest manuscripts and papyri (e.g., the Chester Beatty Papyri, Papyrus 46) attest to the passages in which Paul addresses spiritual gifts. This textual evidence shows that references to tongues in 1 Corinthians 12–14 were part of the earliest Christian witness and not late additions.

Purpose and Significance

1. Edification of the Individual

One primary purpose of tongues is the personal edification or strengthening of the believer. Paul teaches, “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself…” (1 Corinthians 14:4). Through this gift, individuals experience spiritual refreshment and communion with God, often described as personal prayer or worship that builds faith.

2. Edification of the Church

When practiced in a corporate setting and accompanied by interpretation, tongues can benefit the larger body of believers (1 Corinthians 14:5–13). This brings unity and understanding, as both the speaker and the listeners share in the edifying message. Paul exhorts believers to seek the gift of interpretation so that the church as a whole may gain instruction and encouragement.

3. Sign to Unbelievers

Tongues can serve as a miraculous sign for those who do not yet believe (1 Corinthians 14:22). In Acts 2, visitors to Jerusalem heard the gospel in their own native languages, prompting many to take the claims of Christ seriously. This dramatic event led to about three thousand people repenting and being baptized (Acts 2:41). Frequently, skeptics are startled by the evidence of God’s power and compelled to investigate the claims of Christ when they witness genuine manifestations of tongues alongside proper interpretation or explanation.

4. Confirmation of God’s Work

In Acts 10, tongues confirmed that the same Holy Spirit who fell on Jewish believers at Pentecost was also poured out on Gentiles. Peter and his companions witnessed Cornelius’s household speaking in tongues, and this powerful demonstration testified that God was receiving people from every nation without distinction. The continuation in Acts 19 shows that, even among those who were unaware of the fullness of the gospel and the Holy Spirit’s ministry, God’s presence came with unmistakable evidence of speaking in tongues and prophesying.

Regulation and Interpretation

1. Orderly Worship

Paul provides guidelines in 1 Corinthians 14 to ensure orderly worship and mutual edification. He urges that if no interpretation is available in a public gathering, the one speaking in tongues should remain silent or pray privately (1 Corinthians 14:28). This underscores that God’s Spirit does not lead believers into chaos but promotes clarity and spiritual growth.

2. Interpretation

An interpreter is crucial for public expressions of tongues (1 Corinthians 14:27). Through the gift of interpretation, the congregation receives the meaning of what was spoken, preventing confusion and making the practice beneficial to everyone present.

3. Motivated by Love

All uses of spiritual gifts, including tongues, must be governed by love (1 Corinthians 13:1–3). Paul emphasizes that without love, even the most dramatic spiritual manifestations are meaningless. This ensures that tongues do not become a means of self-exaltation, but rather a humble act of service to God and others.

Contemporary and Historical Perspectives

Early Church Accounts

Early church writers, such as Irenaeus and Tertullian, attest that speaking in tongues continued in certain congregations after the apostolic era. While practiced intermittently depending on region and tradition, the phenomenon did not vanish from church history.

Modern Examples

In contemporary times, certain believers have reported speaking in tongues on the mission field, speaking fluent languages they never studied. Though anecdotal, these accounts parallel Acts 2. Critics may challenge these events, yet they align with the biblical portrayal of the Holy Spirit’s supernatural empowerment. Organizations researching global Christianity have documented instances in which individuals testify to understanding or speaking languages unknown to them, attributing this ability to God’s intervention.

Consistency with Miracles and Intelligent Design

From the standpoint that the universe itself is engineered by an intelligent Creator, it is not incongruent for God to endow speech beyond a believer’s natural competency. Scriptural accounts of miracles—from the resurrection of Christ (supported by diverse historical and manuscript evidence) to instantaneous healings—further illustrate that God’s sovereignty transcends typical natural processes. Speaking in tongues fits within a broader pattern of divine interaction recorded throughout Scripture and affirmed in many Christian testimonies.

Practical Reflections

• Those who believe they have received this gift are encouraged to use it with humility, ensuring it honors God and fosters unity.

• Church leaders are advised to teach proper boundaries, so that the gift of tongues remains an uplifting component in worship and does not lead to pride or confusion.

• Believers are reminded that speaking in tongues, like any gift, does not denote advanced spiritual status but is distributed “just as He determines” (1 Corinthians 12:11).

Conclusion

Speaking in tongues remains a significant aspect of New Testament teaching and Christian experience, revealing God’s desire to bring believers into deeper friendship with Him and to demonstrate His power among all nations. Throughout Acts and 1 Corinthians, the Scriptures highlight tongues for personal edification, corporate growth, and as a visible sign to those who have yet to believe.

Supported by well-attested biblical manuscripts and consistent with the miraculous nature of God’s works, the gift underscores the diversity of ways God chooses to communicate His grace. When exercised according to the Scriptural guidelines of love, order, and interpretation, speaking in tongues serves to build up the Church, testify to God’s global outreach of salvation, and glorify Him as the living, personal Creator.