1. Introduction
One of the most debated subjects in Christianity is speaking in tongues—especially in connection with the coming of the Holy Spirit. Many believers associate tongues as the necessary sign of being filled with the Holy Spirit, while others see it as one of several spiritual gifts, not given to all.
To understand this properly, we must go back to the Bible itself, especially the Book of Acts and Paul’s letters, and then compare that with how tongues are practiced today.
2. What Happened When the Holy Spirit First Descended (Acts 2)
The Day of Pentecost
“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”— Acts 2:4
Key Observations from Acts 2
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The tongues were real, known human languages
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People from many nations heard the apostles speaking in their own languages (Acts 2:6–11).
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These were not random sounds but intelligible languages.
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The purpose was proclamation
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They were declaring “the wonders of God” (Acts 2:11).
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Tongues served as a missionary sign, not personal display.
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This was a unique historical event
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Pentecost marked the birth of the Church.
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The Spirit’s coming fulfilled Jesus’ promise (Acts 1:8).
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3. Other Occurrences of Tongues in the Book of Acts
Tongues appear only a few times in Acts:
a) Cornelius’ Household (Acts 10)
“For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.”— Acts 10:46
Purpose:
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Confirmed that Gentiles also received the Holy Spirit.
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This convinced Jewish believers that salvation was for all nations.
b) Disciples at Ephesus (Acts 19)
“The Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.”— Acts 19:6
Purpose:
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Showed transition from John’s baptism to full Christian faith.
Important Pattern
Tongues in Acts appear at key transitional moments:
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Jews (Acts 2)
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Gentiles (Acts 10)
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Disciples of John (Acts 19)
👉 This suggests tongues were signs of inclusion, not a universal, repeated requirement.
4. Paul’s Teaching on Tongues (1 Corinthians 12–14)
The most detailed teaching on tongues comes from Paul, not Acts.
a) Tongues Are One Gift Among Many
“Are all apostles? … Do all speak in tongues?”— 1 Corinthians 12:29–30
The Greek grammar implies NO as the answer.
b) Tongues Without Love Are Meaningless
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong.”— 1 Corinthians 13:1
Spiritual maturity is measured by love, not gifts.
c) Tongues Must Be Orderly and Interpreted
“If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.”— 1 Corinthians 14:27
Paul warns against:
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Chaos
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Public tongues without interpretation
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Spiritual pride
d) Prophecy Is Greater Than Tongues in the Church
“I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.”— 1 Corinthians 14:19
Why?
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The church must be edified
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Outsiders must understand
5. What Is Different in Today’s Scenario?
a) Tongues Today Often Differ from Biblical Pattern
In many modern settings:
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Tongues are uninterpreted
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Everyone speaks at once
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Emotional pressure is applied
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Tongues are treated as mandatory evidence of the Holy Spirit
⚠ This does not fully align with Paul’s instructions.
b) Tongues Are Sometimes Used as a Spiritual Status Symbol
This leads to:
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Division
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Pride
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Discouragement for sincere believers
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Confusion for new Christians
Paul warned against exactly this (1 Corinthians 12).
c) The Bible Emphasizes Fruit Over Gifts
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience…”— Galatians 5:22–23
A believer may have gifts without maturity—but never true maturity without fruit.
6. What Should Believers Do Today?
1️⃣ Seek the Holy Spirit — Not a Specific Gift
“How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”— Luke 11:13
Ask for:
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Power to witness
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Holiness
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Wisdom
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Love
Let God decide the gifts.
2️⃣ Test Everything by Scripture
“Do not despise prophecies, but test everything.”— 1 Thessalonians 5:20–21
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Do not blindly accept
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Do not automatically reject
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Examine biblically
3️⃣ Focus on Building the Church
“Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.”— 1 Corinthians 14:26
If a practice:
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Confuses people
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Exalts individuals
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Distracts from Christ
…it needs correction.
4️⃣ Remember: Tongues Are Not the Proof of Salvation
“For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body.”— 1 Corinthians 12:13
The true evidence of the Holy Spirit is:
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Faith in Christ
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Obedience
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Love for others
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Christlike character
7. Conclusion
The Bible teaches that speaking in tongues is a genuine spiritual gift, but:
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It is not given to all
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It is not the primary sign of the Holy Spirit
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It must be used orderly, lovingly, and biblically
In today’s world, believers must return to Scripture over experience, fruit over emotion, and Christ over gifts.
The Holy Spirit’s greatest work is not making us speak differently—but making us live differently.
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