What Is the Gift of Speaking in Tongues? Is It for Today?
The gift of speaking in tongues has been a topic of much discussion among Christians. To understand it, we must look at what the Bible says about this gift and its purpose.
Understanding the Gift of Tongues
In the New Testament, the gift of tongues was the God-given ability to speak in human languages unknown to the speaker. This miraculous gift first appeared on the Day of Pentecost:
Acts 2:4 — “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
These tongues were actual languages, as evidenced by the diverse crowd understanding the apostles in their own native tongues:
Acts 2:6 — “And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.”
The Purpose of the Gift of Tongues
The primary purpose of the gift of tongues was to serve as a sign to unbelieving Israel, indicating that God’s message was now extending to all nations. The Apostle Paul references this in his letter to the Corinthians:
1 Corinthians 14:21-22 — “In the Law it is written, ‘By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.’ Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers…”
Are Tongues for Today?
While the early church experienced the gift of tongues, the Bible indicates that certain miraculous gifts were temporary, serving specific foundational purposes. Paul writes:
1 Corinthians 13:8 — “Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.”
The term “cease” suggests that the gift of tongues would come to an end. With the completion of the New Testament and the establishment of the church, the need for such sign gifts diminished. Therefore, the genuine biblical gift of tongues is not active today.
What About Praying in Tongues?
Some believers advocate for praying in tongues as a personal prayer language. However, biblical instances of tongues were always public, known languages meant as signs for unbelievers. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of understanding in prayer:
1 Corinthians 14:15 — “I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.”
Prayer should engage both the spirit and the mind, ensuring clarity and understanding. The modern practice of praying in unintelligible tongues lacks biblical support and deviates from the scriptural model of prayer.
The gift of speaking in tongues was a miraculous sign given to the early church, serving specific purposes in God’s redemptive plan. According to Scripture, this gift has ceased and is not intended for the church today. Believers are encouraged to focus on clear communication and understanding in both prayer and worship.