Bible Questions and Answers

Can you explain the meaning of speaking in tongues?

At Pentecost the twelve apostles were anointed with the Holy Spirit which gave them supernatural powers. One of the supernatural powers given to the twelve was that of the ability to speak in tongues. To speak with other tongues means to speak in foreign languages which they have not learned. To speak in foreign languages enabled them to preach the Gospel to people of different nations. So it was that in Jerusalem on that day people of other nations heard the apostles speak in their own languages. Acts 2:3-11

When Paul was appointed as the apostle to the Gentiles, he too received the same supernatural powers as the twelve apostles. The twelve and Paul who received the supernatural powers also had the ability to pass on gifts of the Holy Spirit to baptised believers by the laying on of their hands. Those upon whom they laid hands received a singular gift (or power) of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:1-31

From this we learn two things:

1. The apostles and Paul were given the ability to preach the Gospel in foreign languages.
2. Those upon whom they laid hands could not all speak in foreign languages – that was one of the gifts that they might receive but they were restricted to just one gift.

We have an example of Paul laying hands on baptised believers at Ephesus Acts 19:5,6Paul continues his explanation in 1 Corinthians 14:1-22

Those who received the ability to speak in foreign languages were not to do it in the Church (Ecclesia) unless there was someone who could interpret.1 Corinthians 14:23-33

As a consequence, when the apostles died, gifts of the Holy Spirit were no longer available. This is evident by the rapid descent of the Church into apostasy.

Those who claim to ‘speak in tongues’ today are deceiving themselves.

Speaking in tongues was all about preaching the Gospel in foreign languages.

I hope you find this helpful,
God bless,
Glenn