Did you know that we find three specific contexts where we find speaking in tongues in the Bible?
Each of these three contexts in the Bible shows us expressions of speaking in tongues that will represent a unique purpose.
I want to address these important questions regarding speaking in tongues as found in the Bible:
- Where is speaking in tongues in the Bible?
- How does speaking in tongues help us fulfill the Great Commission?
- How does speaking in tongues relate to the Baptism with the Holy Spirit?
- How does speaking in tongues get used in the church?
I know you want to know how to receive this gift and how to grow in using the gift of tongues, so let us first understand this basic teaching about speaking in tongues.
The Bible gives us three different contexts for speaking in tongues.
These demonstrate and explain the reason why the Holy Spirit is so eager to give disciples of Jesus Christ the spiritual gift of tongues.
Use One: Speaking in Tongues— Mission Outreach
In the fulfillment of the Great Commission, there will be powerful expressions of the Holy Spirit and gifts given by the Holy Spirit.
“Later Jesus appeared to the eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
And these signs will accompany those who believe; In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
Mark 16:14-18 (NIV)
I recognize the contextual problem with Mark 16:14–18. Some scholars do not believe this portion of scripture is found in the original manuscripts of the Gospel of Mark and that this section of scripture ends at verse 8.
But I believe, with the tradition of the Church, that the rest of Mark is included in the scriptures, and verses 14–18 contain the actual words of Jesus Christ.
These words were recorded at the end of Mark by the early Church.
They are completely consistent with what Jesus Christ said to His disciples while giving them the Great Commission, along with Jesus’ promise to us given in Acts 1:4–8.
They had experienced a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit. And the disciples fulfilled their mission of being witnesses to Jesus Christ.
It is reasonable to conclude that these particular verses are included in scripture because of the evidence found in the early Church.
Jesus included speaking in tongues as a valid manifestation of the Holy Spirit.
He also clearly put these verses in the context of being able to fulfill the Great Commission.
This is the context we need to understand all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including speaking in tongues.
If these are just the words of the early Church, then they were experiencing what we also experience today: the gifts are the power tools needed for making disciples, building the Church, and advancing the gospel.
The evidence of the Holy Spirit coming upon the first Christians in fulfilling Acts 1:4–8 can include all that Jesus mentioned here:
- Speaking in tongues,
- Healing the sick,
- Casting out demons and
- Even being able to overcome dangers like snakes and deadly poison.
These are a few of the expressions of His power that take place as we have the Holy Spirit upon us to live the resurrected life in Christ.
Use Two: Speaking in Tongues— Empowerment
We find the three explicit occasions in the Bible when the Holy Spirit comes upon them in power from on high and gives His people tongues.
At Pentecost:
“They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. ”
Acts 2:3-4 (NIV)
The gospel goes to the Gentiles:
“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”
Acts 10:44-47 (NIV)
On the Disciples at Ephesus:
“While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.”
Acts 19:1-6 (NIV)
In these verses, we find specific terms used to describe this work of the Holy Spirit.
- At Pentecost, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues
- The Gospel goes to the Gentiles, and the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message
- The Disciples at Ephesus, the Holy Spirit came on them
These are the terms that describe the way the Holy Spirit works.
The first time the Holy Spirit falls on a person in connection with being called to witness and serve may be called a “Baptism of the Holy Spirit.”
Read more: What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
We may also call this experience:
- Receiving the Holy Spirit
- Being filled with the Holy Spirit,
- The Holy Spirit falls “upon” a person.
All these references are found in the Bible and all have to do with Holy Spirit empowerment for the ability to become a witness of Jesus Christ.
What is the difference between being filled with the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit coming upon people?
In these particular instances, we find that the result is the same: the people showed manifestations of the Holy Spirit, and in this case, the gift of speaking in tongues.
R.A. Torrey describes some of these terms as “one and the same experience” of empowerment:
“Baptized with the Holy Spirit,”
“Filled with the Holy Spirit,”
“The Holy Ghost fell on them,”
“The gift of the Holy Ghost was poured out,”
“Receive the Holy Ghost,”
“I send the promise of my Father upon you,”
“Endowed with power from on high,”
are used in the New Testament to describe one and the same experience.
(R.A. Torrey, What the Bible Teaches About the Holy Spirit (New York: Revell, 1898, pp. 270‐271.)
This “one and the same experience” is the empowerment of the Holy Spirit that we experience, so that we may be witnesses to Jesus Christ as promised in Acts 1:4–8.
All of these cases, they are evidence of the powerful work of the Holy Spirit while speaking in tongues.
The gift of speaking in tongues is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s power and can be a sign of empowerment for the Holy Spirit.
In our Dunamis teachings, we hold to the truth that the spiritual gift of tongues is not the only evidence of the Holy Spirit coming upon us for power.
All of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are part of our witness to Jesus Christ.
Use Three: Speaking in Tongues— Building Up of the Church
Paul gives us key instructions about the speaking in tongues for the body of Christ found in 1 Corinthians 12–14.
- 1 Corinthians 12: Paul lists the various gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit and their role in building up the Church.
- 1 Corinthians 13: Everything must be done in love.
- 1 Corinthians 14: Guidelines for church services that are led and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Paul gives us general guidance about appropriate use in 1 Corinthians 14:39–40.
“So then, brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy and do not forbid anyone from speaking in tongues. And do everything in a decent and orderly manner.”
1 Corinthians 14:39-40 (NIV)
Here are 15 observations on the use of speaking in tongues as found in these chapters in 1 Corinthians:
- They are one of the manifested gifts of the Holy Spirit (12:10).
- They are one gift among multiple gifts and callings (12:28, 30).
- Tongues of men or angels are useless without love (13:1).
- Tongues like all imperfect things will cease, but love will never end (13:8).
- The one who speaks in tongues speaks not to men but to God (14:2).
- He who speaks with the gift of tongues edifies himself (14:4).
- Paul wants us all to speak in tongues, but in church, it is more prophecy unless there is interpretation (14:5).
- The need for interpretation if tongues are used in church (14:6–12).
- Those who speak in tongues also need to pray for the gift of interpretation (14:13).
- We are to pray and sing in the spirit (i.e., in tongues). We are also to pray and sing with our minds; both modes are important (14:15–17).
- Paul is thankful that he speaks in tongues more than any of the rest of the Corinthians, but in church, he would rather speak a language all can understand (14:18–19).
- Tongues are a sign for unbelievers, while prophecy is for believers (14:20–25).
- There should be order in the worship; Paul suggests two, or at most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret (14:27).
- In public worship, if there is no one to interpret the tongues, the gift should not be exercised publicly (14:28).
- Earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues, but all things should be done decently and in order (14:39–40).
When did Paul receive the gift of speaking in tongues?
Paul declares, “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you” (1 Corinthians 14:18–19).
When did Paul receive the gift of tongues?
Was it when he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus?
As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Acts 9:3-6 (NIV)
Or was it when Ananias laid hands on him and prayed that he would be filled with the Holy Spirit?
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it.
Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized
Acts 9:17-18
There is no reference in Scripture for speaking in tongues to be a part of Paul’s initial experience of infilling with the Holy Spirit.
I know it is an argument from silence, but there is a possibility that Paul received this gift of speaking in tongues sometime later.
All we know for certain is that Paul declared that he spoke, prayed, and sang in tongues.
Dunamis Video Course: Biblical View on Tongues
For those seeking to deepen their understanding of the profound workings and influence of the Holy Spirit through the practice of speaking in tongues, we invite you to explore further the Dunamis Video Course “Biblical View on Tongues“.
Enroll Today
Thank you Brad ,for this small teaching on the gift of tongues. I employ tongues in prayer when English runs out. I have been asking if He wants me to have a gift of interpretation so I can this gift publically or is this important?i.
Thanks for your question about the gift of tongues and praying for the gift of interpretation … good question. Paul says in 1 Cor. 14:13 that one who speaks in a tongue should pray that the may interpret. The context makes it clear that this is the context of public meeting. So my suggestion is to pray that the Lord provides you the gift of interpretation so that you can speak out a word publicly that is given in tongues. Usually that is not yourself who receives the word in tongues but someone whose tongue you interpret. There are sometimes in a public meeting, I have given a word in tongues .. and no one seemed to receive the gift of interpretation so I have given received it myself. Often, I find that when that happens someone will tell me after the meeting that they received the interpretation but were afraid to speak it out. There are times also when the Holy Spirit is praying praying through me in tongues , especially in intercession and the Lord will just give me the interpretation so I can know what I am praying. I hope you found those lessons helpful . There is more teaching coming on the Four Types of Tongues and also, How to Receive and Grow in the Gift of Tongues and Interpretation. Those should be coming out soon. Thanks for your feed back. Bless you as you teach on this topic and the Lord works through you to grow others in these wonderful gifts of the Holy Spirit. Brad Long
Hi Brad,
Thank you for this solid biblical teaching on the Holy Spirit. The experience and teachings of the Holy Spirit that I have aline well with these teachings of PRMI, and gives me a greater sense of confidence.
I have one comment. In your opening words you say “I know you want to know how to receive this gift and how to grow in using the gift of tongues, so let us understand this basic teaching about speaking in tongues first.” At this season of my walk with our Lord, I do not feel like I want or even desire to receive the spiritual gift of tongues. For the past 38 years He has blessed me with many spiritual gifts, the primary one manifested most being the gift of knowledge or knowing. This has for me affirmed my identity in Christ and encouraged my continued walk serving the Lord in many different ways and places where I would not have otherwise gone. I feel greatly blessed as He leads me and seek nothing but that which He would have me to do. I do find it good to know as much as I can about all spiritual gifts, so that I might be able to teach others as given opportunity to do so in love.
Speaking in Tongues: I believe It is a gift from our Heavenly Father.But just like the Bible we need the Holy Spirit to guide us in it’s proper intend use and to properly discern it’s interpretation. I believe our Heavenly Father gives us the gift of His word to draw us near to Him to know Him better and more! He gave us they His son Jesus to save us and to build a real Everyday relationship With us. A relationship that shows us that He knows us , loves us, and understands us. He gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us, lead us, and teach us all truth about all things. The Holy Spirit Gives us what to say, what to pray, in times of need when we don’t know what to say or pray. The Holy Spirit gives words of knowledge to individuals and to bodies of believers. But when People speak in tongues or have a word from God . God also gives the gift of interpretation. When we are concerned about what is said when someone speaks in tongues we need to remember God gave us a gift to measure interpretation of A word from Him, the Bible, And tongues. That measure is love God with all your mind , might heart and soul and love your neighbor as yourself. If anything goes against that then it is probably not from God. Also that measure helps us to be kind and loving to brothers sisters who don’t speak in tongues. After all the Bible teaches us to judge not lest we be judged. And we will be judged by the same measure as we judge. And there is only one judge God! And if we say we love God and hate our brothers or sisters we lie! So if we hurt them by being or saying unkind things to them because they don’t speak in tongues that is just as bad.
An excellent and balanced teaching on tongues, Brad. While I myself do not speak in tongues, although I sought this gift many years ago, I believe that God has given me other gifts.
Blessings!
I want to know more of the speaking of tongues. What are some of the words I don’t understand