Greetings TTP family! We are excited to have you back with us for another insightful blog post. In our previous blogs, we explored the fruit of the Spirit as mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23 (Click here to catch up). Today, we will delve into an intriguing topic—the language enabled by the Holy Spirit, commonly referred to as “speaking in tongues” or Glossolalia. As we venture into this, it is important to approach the topic with humility and respect for different perspectives. Our primary focus will be presenting to you an understanding of the phenomenon of speaking in tongues in light of the Scriptures.
Whether you are already familiar with speaking in tongues or approaching it with curiosity, we hope to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of this intriguing and often misunderstood subject. Let us prayerfully seek understanding and discernment as we explore the depths of this spiritual gift. May this exploration not only increase our knowledge, but also deepen our faith and enrich our relationship with the Holy Spirit, who empowers and guides us in our walk with Christ.
So, sit back and enjoy as we take a deep dive into the language of the Spirit.
Now the word “Glossolalia” is a term used to describe the phenomenon of speaking in tongues. It is derived from the Greek words “glossa,” which means “tongue,” and “lalia,” which means “speech” or “talk.” It refers to the practice of speaking in an indecipherable language or speaking in a language that is not understood by the speaker or the hearers and, in this case, is inspired by the Holy Spirit. In its singular form, tongues can refer to the physical organ inside our mouths or a language acquired and spoken by a person. However, in these blog posts, we will be discussing the spiritual concept of tongues as seen in the New Testament.
The first instance in which “tongues” is used in this manner can be found in Jesus’ words following His resurrection. In Mark’s account of Jesus’ appearance to His disciples, we see Jesus mentioning this concept. He said to his disciples in Mark 16:15-18, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.“
According to Jesus, one of the signs that will identify and accompany believers is the ability to speak in new tongues. Some argue that this refers to believers speaking different languages. However, there are several reasons why this interpretation may not be accurate. Firstly, when Jesus sent out His disciples to spread His message to all nations, speaking new languages would simply be a practical outcome of their global mission, rather than a distinct sign. Secondly, the signs Jesus mentions are all of a miraculous nature and are bestowed by the Holy Spirit and this includes speaking in tongues.
Acts 1:4 captures a significant moment in the timeline of speaking in tongues and the broader context of the early Church. These were the last words of Jesus to His disciples before His ascension, where He instructed them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the promised gift from the Father. This gift was none other than the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus had spoken about during His ministry on earth. Jesus assured His disciples that the Holy Spirit would come upon them and empower them for their mission. He promised that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, enabling them to be effective witnesses of His life, teachings, death, and resurrection to the ends of the earth. This remarkable promise demonstrated the importance of the Holy Spirit’s work in the lives of believers and the pivotal role of the disciples in the early spread of the Gospel.
The first time we see people speaking in tongues in the New Testament is in Acts chapter 2. The Apostles were gathered together in Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon them. They began to speak in languages that they had not previously known, and the people who were gathered there from various nations heard them speaking in their own languages. In other words, the Apostles did not understand what they were saying but the people heard them speaking of the mighty deeds of God and they were amazed and greatly perplexed. Peter seized the opportunity to preach the gospel to them. He explains that what they are seeing and hearing is the fulfilment of the prophecy in Joel 2:28-32, which predicts that God will pour out His Spirit on all people in the last days.
This miraculous event of speaking in tongues on the day of Pentecost marked the fulfilment of Jesus’ promise and signaled the birth of the Church. It was a visible and audible sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power among believers. Through speaking in tongues, the disciples were empowered to boldly proclaim the Gospel in a way that transcended language barriers and reached people from different regions and cultures.
The significance of this event extends beyond its immediate impact. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the gift of speaking in tongues demonstrated the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies, such as Joel 2:28-29, which foretold the pouring out of God’s Spirit on all people. It also revealed the universality of the Gospel, showing that it was not limited to a specific language or ethnicity but intended for all nations. As we examine the origins of speaking in tongues, we see how it is intricately intertwined with the mission of the early Church i.e. making disciples of all nations. The gift of tongues was a powerful tool used by the Holy Spirit to enable believers to communicate the message of salvation in a way that transcended cultural and linguistic barriers. It served as a visible testimony to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit working within the lives of believers.
In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost, and they begin to speak in tongues. “When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: ‘Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Acts 2:6-11”.
The connection between the Great Commission and Acts 1:4 is the Holy Spirit. Jesus knew that the disciples could not fulfil the Great Commission on their own. They needed the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish this mission. Speaking in tongues was a sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power in their lives. It enabled them to communicate the gospel to people of all languages and cultures, just as Jesus had commanded.
The gift of tongues was not an end in itself, but a means to an end. It was a tool that God used to spread the gospel throughout the world. The disciples spoke in tongues, not only as a sign of their empowerment from the Holy Spirit, but for the sake of those who needed to hear the message of salvation. As Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 14:22, “Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers.”
There are other instances of speaking in tongues in the New Testament, including in 1 Corinthians 12-14. In this passage, the apostle Paul addresses the use of spiritual gifts within the church. He acknowledges that speaking in tongues is a legitimate spiritual gift, but he also emphasizes the importance of using these gifts in a way that edifies the entire body of Christ.
There are different perspectives on what speaking in tongues actually entails. Some believe that it is the ability to speak in a language that is unknown to the speaker, but is known to others who are present and have the gift of interpretation, which is mentioned clearly in 1 Corinthians 12:10 “To another [is given] the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [diverse] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.” Others believe that it is a prayer language that is solely between the individual and God, and that it may not be understood by anyone else. Let’s explore the following three instances from the book of Acts in our attempt to bring some clarity to these perspectives.
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 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 2:1-4).
“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 Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God” (Acts 10:44-46).
“When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied” (Acts 19:6).
Thus, we observe that in the above stated instances where the Holy Spirit came upon believers, they spoke in tongues. It is important to note, however, that the primary purpose of the baptism or indwelling of the Spirit is not solely for speaking in tongues but to usher believers into a realm of power, as Acts 1:8 affirms, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Nevertheless, speaking in tongues serves as one of the significant manifestations indicating that a person has received the Holy Spirit.
It is also worthy of note that in the three instances of speaking in tongues stated above, we have only one instance where the onlookers and audience understood the words being spoken. That means that we can’t narrow the idea of tongues to mean just speaking in hitherto unknown languages.
Our exploration of speaking in tongues through scripture has opened a captivating window. It’s a complex topic with diverse interpretations, and we’ve only begun to unravel its layers.
As we close Part 1, let’s anticipate Part 2 with open minds, respect for differing viewpoints and the humility to examine and understand what scripture says regarding this topic. Remember, the most important thing is to cultivate a deep and endearing relationship with the Holy Spirit, who empowers us in our walk with Christ.
The Bible tells us however, that these signs are for those who believe. For the reader who may be reading this and has not yet taken a decision to believe and follow Jesus, we extend that invitation to you today.
In our next blog post, we will conclude our discussion on what it means to speak in tongues and the benefit to us as believers in the 21st century.
Until next time, may the peace of God dwell within you, and may His blessings overflow in your life. Shalom
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