Today we’re going to consider something that’s deeply personal to me, also widely discussed and sometimes misunderstood…that is "speaking in tongues."
If you’ve ever been part of a Pentecostal or charismatic church—or maybe you’ve just seen clips online—you’ve probably encountered this phenomenon. It can seem powerful… emotional… even mysterious.
But what does the Bible actually say about it?
That’s what we’re going to explore together today.
Before we get into scripture, I want to share a bit of my own journey.
My husband and I were part of a Pentecostal group for many years.
And yes… we both spoke and prayed in “tongues.”
So I’m not speaking about this from the outside looking in—I’ve lived it.
And over time, we began to ask deeper questions:
What is this practice?
Is it what the Bible describes?
And is it the evidence of having received the Holy Spirit?
Pentecostalism as a movement really began in the early 1900s, most notably with the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles.
What set Pentecostals apart from other Christian denominations was one key doctrine:
That speaking in “tongues” is the primary evidence of having received the Holy Spirit.
In many Pentecostal churches, this became the defining sign—almost the foundation of the movement.
But here’s where we need to slow down and ask an important question:
What does the word “tongues” actually mean in the Bible?
In the King James Bible, the word “tongues” simply means languages.
Not mysterious sounds.
Not unintelligible speech.
But real, understandable languages.
And we see this very clearly in the first instance of “tongues” in the New Testament.
Let’s go to Acts chapter 2.
This is the day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is poured out, and the apostles begin to speak in other “tongues.”
But notice what happens next:
“Every man heard them speak in his own language.” — Acts 2:6
There were Jews in Jerusalem from many different nations—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Egypt, Rome…
And each one heard the message in their own language.
This is so important.
These were not random, unintelligible sounds.
These were real, known languages.
And what was the purpose?
Clarity.
“We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.” — Acts 2:11
The miracle of tongues in Acts 2 didn’t bring confusion—it removed it.
It allowed everyone to clearly hear and understand the gospel.
The Bible also tells us that tongues were a sign for unbelievers.
We see this in Acts chapter 10, when Peter is sent to a Gentile named Cornelius.
As Peter preaches, something remarkable happens.
Cornelius and his household receive the Holy Spirit and begin praising God in “tongues.”
Now think about this.
Cornelius was a Gentile—likely speaking his native language, Italian.
And the Jewish believers who came with Peter were astonished.
Why?
Because they could understand what was being said.
And even more shocking—God had given the Holy Spirit to Gentiles.
The “tongues” in this moment were not about confusion or spectacle.
They were a clear, understandable sign confirming that God’s message was for all people.
Now let’s move to Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.
Corinth was a cosmopolitan city—people from many nations, many cultures.
So naturally, the church there would have had a mix of different native languages.
You can imagine how chaotic that could become in a gathering.
So Paul gives instruction:
“Let all things be done decently and in order.” — 1 Corinthians 14:40
He explains that if someone speaks in a tongue—that is, a foreign language—there should be an interpreter.
Why?
So that everyone can be edified.
Otherwise, only the speaker benefits, and the rest of the congregation is left confused.
Paul even says:
“If there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church.” — 1 Corinthians 14:28
That’s very clear.
The gift of tongues was a gift of languages—and for some, also the ability to interpret those languages.
Think about it this way.
I have a friend who works as a Spanish interpreter.
That’s a real gift and skill—you have to be highly competent in both languages to do that well.
In the same way, the biblical gift of tongues involved real communication, real understanding and real edification of others.
Now I want to zoom out for a moment and talk about miracles more broadly.
Throughout scripture, miracles appear at specific times for specific purposes.
During the first exodus—when Israel came out of Egypt—we see incredible signs:
The Red Sea parted.
A cloud by day.
Fire by night.
Manna from heaven.
Even their shoes didn’t wear out.
Then in the second “exodus,” during the time of Jesus, we see miracles again:
Jesus walked on water.
He healed the sick.
He multiplied loaves and fishes.
And then in the book of Acts, the apostles continue in signs and wonders.
Why?
To authenticate Jesus as the Messiah and to establish the early church.
But as we move into the epistles—Peter, Paul, James, John—we see something interesting.
The emphasis shifts.
We see very little mention of ongoing signs and wonders.
This suggests that these miraculous signs were serving a foundational purpose—and that purpose was being fulfilled.
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul says:
“Whether there be tongues, they shall cease…” — 1 Corinthians 13:8
He explains that this would happen when “that which is perfect is come.”
The word “perfect” here can mean complete or mature.
The early church began at Pentecost, and over the course of about a generation—roughly 40 years—it grew, matured, and became established.
There’s a fascinating contrast in the Bible that ties into this.
In Genesis, at the Tower of Babel, people said:
“Let us make us a name.”
They built in their own strength, their own wisdom, apart from God.
So what did God do?
He confounded their language and scattered them abroad.
But in Acts, we see the opposite.
The church is built in God’s name, according to His will.
And instead of language causing division, the miracle of tongues brings unity.
Different people, different nations… yet one message, one Spirit, one body.
And we see this beautiful picture again in Revelation.
The New Jerusalem is described as pure gold, clear as glass.
A river flows from the throne of God, clear as crystal.
This speaks not just of purity—but of clarity.
No confusion.
No chaos.
Just truth, light, and understanding.
And the invitation is open:
“Whosoever will, let him come.”
The message is clear. The kingdom is accessible.
Now here’s where this becomes a serious issue.
In many Pentecostal circles, speaking in “tongues” is taught as the evidence of having the Holy Spirit.
But based on what we’ve seen in scripture—that claim doesn’t hold up.
Because the biblical purpose of tongues was not to prove spirituality…
It was to communicate the gospel clearly, especially across language barriers.
And again, I say this from experience.
I was part of a Pentecostal church. I spoke in “tongues.”
My husband was involved with a Hillsong sister church back in the 80s.
He saw people living one way on Saturday night…
and then speaking in “tongues” at church the next morning.
That should make us pause.
Because unintelligible, repetitive sounds are not the true evidence of the Holy Spirit.
The real evidence is a transformed life.
A holy life.
As it says in James chapter 4:
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded… humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
God does not dwell in an unclean vessel.
The mark of the Holy Spirit is not what we say in a moment—
it’s how we live every day.
So I encourage you—study this for yourself.
Go back to the scriptures.
Read Acts. Read Corinthians.
Ask questions. Seek truth.
I’d love to hear your thoughts and your experiences in the comment section below, or send me an email: crystalriver053@gmail.com
And as always—
God bless you as you study to show yourself approved.
