28/05/2026
There are several important points in God’s Word that should have
arrested our attention to investigate the Scriptures about speaking in
tongues.
Of all the things God could have chosen to introduce the gift of holy
spirit on the day of Pentecost, He chose speaking in tongues. The fact that
all the apostles were operating this new manifestation confirmed that they
had received the wonderful power from on high, which was the promise of
the Father.
How do we know it was the promise of the Father? Before his
ascension, Jesus Christ had told the apostles that he would send the
“promise of my Father,” and told them to tarry in Jerusalem until they “be
endued with power from on high,” as recorded in Luke 24:49. He also
spoke of signs that would indicate the results of people being saved, such
as “they shall speak with new tongues” (Mark 16:17). In Acts, Jesus Christ
commanded them “…not to depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the
promise of the Father” (Acts 1:4). He then declared that they would “be
baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence” (Acts 1:5). Just before
he ascended, his last words included, “But ye shall receive power, after that
the Holy Ghost is come upon you…” (Acts 1:8). So this very important
result of the accomplished works of Jesus Christ—the giving of the gift of
holy spirit—was marked by the manifestation of speaking in tongues.
Acts 2:4:
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to
speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The events God had recorded about the growth of the early church in
Acts describe the importance of speaking in tongues as an indicator to the
new Christians that they truly did receive the gift of holy spirit in the new birth. For example, when the Gentiles first received the gift of holy spirit,
as recorded in Acts chapter 10, they spoke in tongues. Peter and the other
Judeans were astonished when this occurred, because in the culture of the
times, it was unheard of that the Gentiles could partake of the things of
God. The one act that convinced them that the Gentiles truly had received
God’s promise was that they heard the Gentiles speak in tongues.
Acts 10:45,46a:
And they of the circumcision [a term pertaining to Judeans]
which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter,
because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of
the Holy Ghost.
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God…
On another occasion, Paul was visiting Ephesus and talking to
believers that were earlier taught by Apollos, as recorded in chapter 18.
Apollos was an “eloquent man” (Acts 18:24), but when he taught the
Ephesians he knew “only the baptism of John” (Acts 18:25). Coming to the
area after Apollos left, Paul taught them about Jesus Christ and ministered
to them with the result that “the Holy Ghost came on them, and they spake
with tongues, and prophesied” (Acts 19:6b). Again, the significance of
speaking in tongues was evident.
In addition, there are a number of pointed statements in the book of I
Corinthians on the subject of speaking in tongues. These should arrest our
attention regarding the significance of speaking in tongues. For God to
explain and give details regarding speaking in tongues and other spiritual
matters is important to recognize. Some of these points in Corinthians are:
• “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit
withal” (I Corinthians 12:7). Speaking in tongues is one of nine
manifestations of the Spirit by which man is intended to profit.
• “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto
men, but unto God…” (I Corinthians 14:2). To speak in tongues is to speak
to God. What a privilege!
• “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself…” (I
Corinthians 14:4). Speaking in tongues edifies, or builds up, the speaker. • “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all” (I
Corinthians 14:18). If the apostle Paul, who is speaking in this verse, spoke
in tongues much, perhaps we should as well.
• “…and forbid not to speak with tongues” (I Corinthians 14:39b).
Unfortunately, in many churches Christians are advised not to speak in
tongues. The Scripture says that it should not be forbidden. God must be in
favor of it since the Scripture is God’s Word.
As we have observed in the above Scriptures, speaking in tongues is a
dynamic subject worth pursuing. The next step is to carefully survey the
Scriptures that obviously deal with speaking in tongues. This approach will
allow us to see exactly what the Word of God says.
SPEAKING IN TONGUES A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE BY ROBERT LINDFELT
