06/11/2026
# Speaking in Tongues: A Church of Christ Perspective
# # Introduction
Few subjects in modern Christianity generate as much discussion and disagreement as speaking in tongues. Many religious groups teach that speaking in tongues is evidence of salvation, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or a special spiritual experience. Others believe that tongues continue today as a miraculous gift from God.
The Churches of Christ approach this topic by asking a simple question: **What does the Bible actually teach?** Rather than relying on personal experiences, emotions, or traditions, we seek to examine the Scriptures and allow God's Word to be our authority.
# # What Were Biblical Tongues?
The first thing we must understand is that the tongues spoken in the New Testament were real human languages.
On the Day of Pentecost, the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other tongues. The Bible clearly identifies these tongues as recognizable languages spoken by people from many nations.
Acts 2:6–8 says:
*"And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, 'Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?'"*
The miracle was not meaningless sounds or ecstatic speech. The miracle was that the apostles were able to communicate the gospel in languages they had never learned.
The purpose was clear: to spread God's message to people from many nations gathered in Jerusalem.
# # Why Did God Give the Gift of Tongues?
Tongues were one of several miraculous gifts given during the early years of the church.
Paul listed these gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, including prophecy, healing, miracles, wisdom, knowledge, and tongues.
These gifts served a special purpose. They confirmed that God's message was truly from Him.
Hebrews 2:3–4 says:
*"How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?"*
Before the New Testament was completed, miraculous gifts helped reveal and confirm God's truth.
# # The Problem in Corinth
The church at Corinth struggled with the proper use of spiritual gifts. Some Christians apparently viewed tongues as more important than other gifts and were using them in a disorderly manner during worship.
Paul corrected this misunderstanding.
In 1 Corinthians 14:19 he wrote:
*"Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue."*
Paul emphasized that worship must be understandable and edifying. If someone spoke in a language unknown to the audience, an interpreter was required.
1 Corinthians 14:27–28 states:
*"If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church."*
This instruction alone differs greatly from many modern practices where multiple people speak simultaneously without interpretation.
# # Did Miraculous Tongues Continue Forever?
A key passage for Churches of Christ is 1 Corinthians 13:8–10.
*"Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away."*
Churches of Christ generally understand this passage to teach that miraculous gifts were temporary. They existed during the period when God's revelation was being given in parts. Once God's revelation was completed and the faith was fully delivered, these miraculous gifts fulfilled their purpose and ceased.
Jude 3 refers to "the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints."
Today, Christians possess the complete revealed Word of God in the New Testament.
# # How Were Miraculous Gifts Passed On?
The New Testament teaches that miraculous gifts were typically imparted through the laying on of the apostles' hands.
Acts 8:17–18 says:
*"Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money."*
As the apostles died and those upon whom they had laid hands also passed away, the means by which these miraculous gifts were transmitted ceased.
This understanding explains why miraculous gifts, including tongues, gradually disappeared after the apostolic age.
# # What About Modern Claims of Tongues?
Churches of Christ do not deny the sincerity of those who claim to speak in tongues. Many are genuine believers seeking to honor God.
However, modern tongue-speaking often differs significantly from what is described in Scripture:
* Biblical tongues were known human languages.
* Biblical tongues could be understood by native speakers.
* Biblical tongues required interpretation in worship.
* Biblical tongues were used to communicate God's message.
* Biblical tongues were exercised in an orderly manner.
Many modern practices involve ecstatic speech that does not correspond to identifiable languages and does not follow the guidelines given in 1 Corinthians 14.
Because of these differences, Churches of Christ generally conclude that modern tongue-speaking is not the same gift described in the New Testament.
# # The Greater Gift
Interestingly, Paul taught that Christians should not focus on miraculous gifts but on something greater.
1 Corinthians 13 emphasizes love as the supreme characteristic of Christian living.
A person may possess great abilities, knowledge, or spiritual experiences, but without love those things are meaningless.
The true evidence of a Spirit-filled life is not miraculous speech but the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22–23 says:
*"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."*
These qualities should characterize every follower of Christ.
# # Conclusion
The Church of Christ perspective on speaking in tongues is rooted in a commitment to biblical authority. The New Testament teaches that tongues were miraculous human languages given to reveal and confirm God's message during the church's infancy. These gifts served an important purpose but were temporary in nature.
Today, Christians are blessed with the completed Word of God and do not need ongoing miraculous revelation. Rather than seeking signs and wonders, believers are called to study Scripture, grow in faith, serve others, and reflect the character of Christ.
The greatest evidence of God's work in our lives is not found in miraculous gifts but in faithful obedience to His Word and a life transformed by His grace.
