|
|
Some say speaking in tongues is proof of ‘baptism in the Holy Spirit.’ Are those who haven’t spoken in tongues without the Holy Spirit?
“Speaking in tongues” is a topic of widespread interest in the Christian church. Many who are not familiar with speaking in tongues are often perplexed, amused, or disturbed when they first witness the phenomenon. Their reactions are understandable since it seems to depart from the natural. Even seasoned Christians with a thorough understanding of theology wrestle with the nature of the subject. Adding to its mystification is the fact that many Christian cults, the occult, Eastern mystics, and New Agers claim to exercise speaking in tongues. Thus, with all the confusion surrounding the subject, speaking in tongues deserves a look. While it is beyond the scope of this text to present the rationale for every viewpoint, we will do our best to briefly present the common views on this topic and explore what the Bible has to say about it.
Speaking in Tongues: The Biblical Account
Speaking in tongues by Christians first occurred during Pentecost. Luke records the account in the book of Acts. Fifty days after Christ’s crucifixion, a group of believers were gathered in Jerusalem at a room near the temple. Jesus had “commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father” (Acts 1:4, KJV). Many Jews that had traveled far were also there to celebrate the traditional festival of Pentecost. It is with this backdrop that Luke records what happened:
…Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. – Acts 2:2-4 KJV
Filled with the Holy Spirit, the believers began to speak in other languages they neither learned nor understood. The result was that many passers-by heard the gospel proclaimed in their own languages. In bewilderment, they became convicted by the message they heard and became believers in Jesus Christ.
Speaking in tongues occurred again in Caesarea 38 years after Pentecost, this time in the home of the Roman centurion Cornelius (Acts 10:44-48). Unlike Pentecost, where Jewish believers spoke in tongues, here the tongues were spoken by gentile believers. As declared by Peter, this served as a sign to verify to many Jewish Christians that the gospel applies to the Gentiles as well (Acts 11:15-18). The last incident of tongues recorded in Acts takes place 13 years after Caesarea in Ephesus. Paul laid his hands on twelve disciples, baptizing in the name of Jesus, when suddenly they began to speak in tongues (Acts 19:1-7). If this incident is consistent with the other accounts in Acts, these men spoke in dialects unknown to them but known by others.
Speaking in Tongues: Paul’s Instructions to the Church
Speaking in tongues is addressed by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 14. The church in Corinth was experiencing problems with tongues becoming a disturbance. Many believers spoke in tongues freely during public worship, but since no one understood what was being said, many people were being stumbled (vs. 23). In chapter 14, Paul instructs the church on the proper use of tongues. Though many Christian teachers disagree on the proper interpretation of this passage, there are several points Paul makes about tongues that are clearly evident:
- Speaking in tongues is a legitimate gift of the Holy Spirit and can be distinctive communication with God (vs. 2).
- Speaking in tongues is edifying to a believer’s private life (vs. 4).
- Public speaking of tongues must be done by no more than two or three people at the same time, and tongues must be interpreted so as to edify others (vs. 27-28).
- Discerning people must weigh the validity of what’s spoken (vs.29).
- Praying in tongues should be accompanied by praying with the mind (vs. 14-15).
- Speaking in tongues can be a stumbling block for non-christians if done carelessly (vs. 23).
Speaking in Tongues: Christian Viewpoints
Speaking in tongues is an issue that has been widely debated within the Christian community. Many credible “non-charismatic” Christians hold to the view that this spiritual gift ceased after the apostolic age. They believe that speaking in tongues mainly served as a sign for unbelievers and edified believers at the start of the church. They point to Hebrews 2:1-4, in which the writer uses past tense when he declared that God had confirmed the apostolic church age with “signs and wonders” and “gifts.” Since we now have the Bible as God’s revelation and guide there is no longer a need for tongues. Also, church historians have not found evidence of speaking in tongues in the writings of the church fathers during the 2nd century. However, most will also readily admit that the Bible never explicitly claims that tongues will cease after the apostolic age.
The Pentecostal movement of the last century is credited for the resurgence of tongues today. Many of these credible “charismatic” Christians believe that a genuine revival in the church is happening, part of which the Holy Spirit is revealing Himself and blessing believers through the gift of tongues. They encourage Christians to seek this gift as a resource for prayer and praise. Some more extreme groups believe that speaking in tongues is required evidence of one’s salvation, but this viewpoint is opposed by most Christians, and finds no credible biblical support (see 1 Corinthians 12:27-31).
Speaking in Tongues: What Does This Mean to Me?
Speaking in tongues is a spiritual matter that requires prayer and discernment, but keep in mind that speaking in tongues is not necessary for salvation, neither is it a sign of spiritual maturity or immaturity. In Acts, what was important wasn’t so much that the believers spoke in tongues, but that the event marked the coming of the Holy Spirit upon every believer. The Holy Spirit resides in us to guide us, convict us, and comfort us in our Christian walk. Ultimately, what truly matters is that we have welcomed the Holy Spirit into our heart by committing our lives to the lordship of Jesus Christ.