The gift of Tongues

The first time we see the use of the supernatural gift of tongues is on the day of Pentecost in the book of Acts. In Acts 2:4 And they where filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

In this verse we see the disciples speaking “with other tongues”, but what exactly is other tongues? To understand fully what actually happened on the day of Pentecost, we need to look at the following verses. Acts 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

If we read on to verse11 we get more detail on the various languages spoken by the disciples. So we can conclude that on the day of Pentecost the “other tongues” which the disciples spoke was indeed other languages, spoken and understood by men.
Another very important reference to tongues is seen in 1 Corinthians 12. Paul teaches us about spiritual gifts, including the gift of speaking in diverse kinds of tongues and also the interpretation of tongues. These spiritual gifts are from the Holy Spirit and given to the body of Christ as he wills (vs 11).
The Holy Spirit is the decider of who gets what gifts and how many. Although we cannot choose which gifts we operate in, we are encouraged to desire the spiritual gifts (vs 31, chp14:1).

Do all Christians have the gift of speaking in tongues? Many Christians believe that in order to show the evidence of the Holy Spirit in a believers life, he or she must speak in tongues. Many churches will call a new believer to a pray line and begin laying hands on them and encourage them to speaking tongues by faith.

The bible is clear that we all do not have the gift of tongues. In vs 12 Paul asks the Corinthians these rhetorical questions. “Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

The conclusion therefore is that all believers do not have the gift of tongues.


There is often the question asked “Are there more then one type of tongues?” I believe there are two kinds of tongues. Lets look deeper into the scriptures on this matter.

We have already looked at the tongues spoken by the disciples on the day of Pentecost, which is clearly a tongue of men. The bible calls it “other tongues” or “other languages”.
Also 1 Corinthians 13:1 says “though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. This seems to distinguish two kinds of tongues, those which are understood by men (as in Acts 2) and those of angels (a heavenly language).

For more clarity on this, we need to look at Paul’s letter to the Corinthians on the subject of tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

Paul is clearly saying that “unknown tongues” are not understood by men and that the speaker speaks mysteries in the spirit which only God understands (vs 27,28). So this must be a different kind of tongue than what was spoken o the day of Pentecost. The events that took place on the day of Pentecost was the fulfilment of a prophecy spoken by the prophet Joel, and was specific to Jewish nation.

The tongues which Paul speaks of is the gift of the spirit as spoken of in 1 Corinthians 12.

So what is the purpose of tongues today and what relevance to they have to the body of Christ? Tongues are a gift to be used in edifying the church (as all other gifts), but tongues can only edify the church when used in conjunction with the gift of interpretation of tongues (chp 12:10, 14:5-19).

The gift of tongues must be exercised in order (chp 14:33) and accordance with scripture. Paul addresses order for the use of tongues in chapter 14:27,28 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Paul explains clearly the correct use of the gift of tongues, focusing on order and the best way to benefit everyone with the gift. This is the guide to be followed by those who exercise this spiritual gift, so that all may be edified and there be no confusion in the church.