THE LITERARY AND THEOLOGICAL FUNCTION OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES IN
ACTS
Brian C. Mclaughlin
RLGN 301-B02
June 26th, 2017
1
Introduction
All Bible believing Christians have at some point heard people speaking in tongues
especially during the praise and worship session. This has risen many questions concerning the
use and purpose of speaking in tongues; this does not only affect the members of the
congregation, priests, and pastors also grapple to integrate speaking in tongues into the lives of
the congregation as well as the church. However, it is of importance to understand that speaking
in tongues does not involve gibberish chanting, as the term “tongue” has been biblically defined
as real, comprehensible human language and the gift of speaking in a foreign language that even
the person speaking does not have any knowledge of and cannot comprehend.
This phenomenon is evident the second book of acts when hundreds of Jewish-
Christians began to speak in unknown languages at the Pentecost. In the book of Acts 2:4-8, it is
recorded that the tongues were of a human language that the natives in the crowd could
understand naturally1. Verse nine to eleven of the book confirmed that the visitors Rome, Judea,
Cappadocia, Pontus as well as Asia could hear the “tongues” in their language2. To put the points
straight, there was not a language, known as “tongues” on the Pentecostal day that the miracle
had occurred. That day the people available could speak a foreign language which had little
known to them of diverse languages. This research paper will evaluate the theological and
literary function of speaking in tongues as discussed in the book of acts.
1 Acts 2:4-8
2 Acts 2:9-11
2
Research question
What has been the major cause of controversy over speaking in tongues? Is it associated
with the scripture? Was the speaking in tongues only for the book of Acts or is it still scriptural
today? Why do Pentecostals believe tongues are evident today and other denominations do not?
Research problem
The debate on tongues has existed since the days of old. Pentecostal Christians strongly
believe that the use of tongues still belongs to the church, this is not the same with other
denominations which raises the question of the necessity of this gift in one’s Christian walk. In
the book of Acts, Peter urged everyone to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for
the cleansing of sin so that they would all receive the gift of the Holy Spirit3. The Holy Bible
does not specifically use the term “tongues” but only states the gift of the Holy Spirit. The other
scripture that brings glossolalia into the light is the first chapter of the book of Acts that states
believers will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them and it shall be witnessed in
Judea, Jerusalem, Samaria, and the end of the earth4. The word upon is taken from the Greek
word eperchomai5 which literally means to be taken by force. In other words, the whole event
had occurred beyond human control.
Research purpose
3 Acts 2:38-39
4 Acts 1:8
5 Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance
3
Tongues have long been a topic that has been considered abnormal. Scripture backs up
that tongues are valid today. Using scripture and solid research, this very topic will be
understood and defined more by the narrowing of the results given. Tongues itself is not the gift
of the Holy Spirit, and rather it is the evidence of the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is the outpouring
of the human soul connected to God in such a way, which there is no other way to express the
emotions, feeling or bestowing of the gift that God has placed upon the believer.
Research Hypothesis
These paper intents to inform the reader about the purpose of tongues in the modern
Christian society. It aims to discuss the experiences the Christians face today and therefore
provide proof. The paper's intention does not aim to undermine the scripture in any way rather it
intends to bring to light the existing relationship between speaking in tongues and the true
Christianity. The existing literature point toward the gift only existing during the biblical times
and it does not believe in the modern days. This is not far from the truth considering how
powerful the holy spirit can be and how it can manifest itself in various ways rather than the
biblical speaking in tongues.
.Research Approach
The study analyzed scholarly articles, commentaries, books and the holy bible in the
effort to prove that tongues do exist in the Christian ministries today and at times they are used
as was in the olden biblical days. The paper will intend to show the application of the use of
tongues in our daily lives in relation to the scripture of the book of acts, the other scripture that
this paper use include the book of first Corinthians, the book of John, the book of Romans,
Ephesians, Mark and Mathews
4
Major cause of controversy in speaking in tongues
Many divergent beliefs regarding the gift of languages that was given to the Christian
believers on the Pentecost day as a sign of new covenant have been brought forward. And there
exist various differing opinions in the interpretation of the work of the apostle Paul on the use of
the gift in the church. There is a group of Christian who believes that one must be able to speak
in the tongue to receive the Holy Spirit and be an anointed son of God. The other section of the
Christian believes that speaking in tongues could be a manifestation of mental disability or even
the possession of demons. To add to this, there exists a belief that glossolalia is only given to a
few individuals and can only be used under circumstances. Tongues is not just for Pentecostals
only. It is for anyone who will be ready to receive the impartation.
The Azuza street revival that took place in the early 1900’s was an eclectic group of
believers that came together only for one purpose to lift up high the name of Jesus and more
importantly to wait upon His presence. There was not any type of denomination segregation.
Jesus Christ tells us to ask of Him and He will show up. He gives us the well-known acrostic of
Ask, Seek, Knock. This is precisely what happened with the Christians then, and it is what is
happening now. People who really want to go deeper with Christ are receiving the gift of tongues
all over the globe. “…there are people who pray in tongues who attend a lot of different churches
besides the local Assemblies of God or Church of God in Christ. Charismatics who pray in
tongues include Catholics, Episcopalians, Mennonites, Quakers, Methodists, and Baptists, to
name just a few.”6
6Alexander, P. (2009). Signs and wonders. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-
proquest- com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/lib/liberty/detail.action?docID=427673
5
The major cause of controversy on the matter of glossolalia has been presented in The
Holy Bible where the book of Corinthians and the book of Acts attempt to contradict each other
on the matter. The book of Acts chapter 2 states that all the believers can speak in tongues7, this
verse in the scripture is countered by first Corinthians which states not all believers can speak in
tongues8. The difference further progresses where on one account the book of Acts states that the
language could be understood by all the believers9 whereas the book of Corinthians counters the
argument pushed forward by Acts stating that the language can only be understood by a few
individuals that are if there is any10. The other accounts of differences recorded in the book of
Acts and the book of Corinthians include the need for an interpreter, the existence of harmony
amongst the believers and the element of speaking to God and humans.
The other major controversy concerning glossolalia is its existence11. The Christian
church has divergent opinion on the matter of the existence of the gift of tongues. The Christians
who believe its existences are referred to as Pentecostals while those who don’t believe in the
7Acts 2:4
8 1 Cor 12:30
9 Acts 2:6
10 1 Cor 12:30
11 Lathrop, John P. The Power and Practice of the Church: God, Discipleship, and Ministry.
Timothy King, 2010.
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existences of tongues are called sensationalist. However irrespective of one’s theological
alignment we must admit that the gift existed in the first-century churches as recorded by the
Paul in the book of first Corinthians chapters twelve and fourteen.
The implied purpose of speaking in tongues was made for God’s empowerment to the
believer to help them reach out to the lost by listening carefully to what God was telling them to
do. Still, with the whole idea of dumbing it down to a level where it is not deemed an important
part of the Christian walk, is more than likely why we have believers doubting in the result of it
today. It is not that the tongue speaking is not scriptural. The Bible clearly shows that tongues are
scriptural. From the outside looking in, it is an easy assessment to say we do not need this
anymore. But, the experiences that each believer has had thus far have been so dramatically life
changing, that it is simply something that cannot be ignored. “And some charismatic Christians
began to deemphasize the centrality and/or the necessity of speaking in tongues.”12
However, the scriptural teachings acknowledge the existence of the gift. When Paul was
writing to the Corinthians, they were already feeling the gift. The apostle went ahead and stated
that they did not lack the gift which was the case with the gift of tongues. The attention given to
this gift in the scripture especially in the book of first Corinthians chapter fourteen makes clear
the acknowledgment of the existence of this gift. This gift was not meant for all. The apostle
Paul’s teachings recognize the Holy Spirit at work in the believer; however, the teachings in the
book of Corinthians also acknowledges that this gift does not exist for everyone.
Speaking in tongues in the contemporary world.
12 Jacobsen, D. G. (2003). Thinking in the Spirit : Theologies of the Early Pentecostal Movement. Bloomington:
Indiana University Press.
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In the modern church and the modern society, the notion of speaking in tongues has been
debated on vigorously. This has led to the ascension of many questions revolving around the gift.
The first common question usually asked in relation to the matter is whether every Christian who
receives the Holy Spirit can speak in tongues. The other question is the role of tongues in the
church. To get answers to this question, it is prudent that we examine various scriptures and
commentaries on the matter of tongue speaking in the modern societal setting.
Tongues have been played off as a has been type of reality. There has been people who
claim that someone who reacts in this way has been acting like a schizophrenic. Although, as in
this case here there was no schizophrenia going on or evident in her. Tongues is a harmonious
display of the direct communication a believer can have with God. The underlying meaning here
is that because tongues has been listed as a phenomenon, there must be something wrong with
the person that mentally is not right with them. God is a God of order. Schizophrenia is a
disorder. “…she began to ‘speak in tongues’, one of the ‘gifts of the Spirit’ encouraged in the
sect. She continued working in the hospital, apparently happy…”13
One of the most undeniable facts about the whole view of ‘speaking in tongues’ is these
people who spoke in other languages did so while waiting on the Holy Spirit to come upon them.
This represents a colossal historical approach on what took place and how God moved during
this Pentecostal movement. Moreover, this was not an Assembly of God, or Pentecostal
denomination when this occurred. This was solely from a whosoever will come and receive
event that took place. Also during this time there was not a Pentecostal faith. People were
believing in God for something more than what they were used to in church. “It was then that
Methodist
13 Loewenthal, K. (2006). Religion, culture and mental health. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-
proquest- com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/lib/liberty/detail.action?docID=281728
8
preacher Charles Fox Parham held a Bible meeting at Bethel Bible College in Topeka,
Kansas, where, Pentecostal historians believe, a woman named Agnes Ozman received the
“Pentecost” baptism and spoke in tongues.”14
The Assembly of God faith has been under a lot of scrutiny due to the people who go
there not having a similar experience as the next one. The whole premise of speaking in tongues
is not the tongues itself but, the gift of tongues is the outward evidence of God working on the
believer to empower him or her to go out into the world and reach people for Jesus Christ.
Today, the Assembly of God faith is one of the largest faiths that reaches across the globe with
foreign missionaries to date. People who have had this ‘experience’ have felt a strong need to do
more for God than what they have believed to be possible within themselves. “…this survey
clearly demonstrates that praying in tongues is a meaningful experience for many Pentecostals
that is accompanied with a sense of the divine presence that may foster benevolence.”15
After the ascension of Christ into heaven the disciples experienced violent blowing wind
from heaven and saw what looked like flames, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began
to speak in tongues as the Spirit empowered them16. So many Christians are skeptical of what is
real and what is not. The apostle Paul said in the Bible that when we as believers speak in our
unknown language we speak not unto men but unto God. The truth is that this promise is still
available today to our children, our children’s children, and those who afar off. God will use
every one of us in His own way and His own time. The key is being sensitive to God’s presence
14 Marina, P. (2014). Getting the holy ghost. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-
proquest- com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/lib/liberty/detail.action?docID=1153792
15 Poloma, M. M., & Green, J. C. (2010). The Assemblies of God : Godly Love and the Revitalization
of American Pentecostalism. New York: NYU Press.
16 Acts 2:1-4
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and allowing Him to move upon us. Tongues occurs when we have been overfilled with His
presence. It cannot be helped only released. “…at first David was skeptical about glossolalia. It
was only after a woman he met at church phoned and prayed in an “unknown language” for a
back condition of David’s (during which he was healed) that he was open to receiving this gift.”17
An in-depth analysis of the scripture as well as the modern Christian practices, it is
agreeable that this gift ceased after the early Christian age. Looking at the matter from a non-
charismatic Christian’s perspective, speaking in tongues mainly acted as an insignia for the
unbelievers and enlightened Christians at the beginning of the church. This argument is backed
by the book of Hebrews chapter two verse one to four, which states that the age of the apostolic
church was filled with signs, wonders, as well as gifts. Since the development of the Bible as
Gods revelation and guide there is no longer the need to use tongue.
However, the Pentecostal movement has been credited for the revival of tongues in the
today’s Christian churches. These believers are of the opinion that a genuine revival in the
church is happening and the Holy Spirit is revealing itself and its blessings to the believers
through the gift of speaking in tongues. The Pentecostal movement urges Christians to seek the
gift as an aid for prayers and praise. Other extreme groups believe that speaking in tongues is a
required proof of one’s salvation, however this argument lacks the biblical support and therefore
has no legitimate credibility in the Christian society.
Because speaking in tongues came from within, the spectators did not see any example of
a hypocritical nature of those who experienced the tongue speaking ability. Even though the
process happened where people would experience a type of fire inside of them like they were
17 Poloma, M. M., & Hood, J. R. W. (2008). Blood and fire. Retrieved from
https://ebookcentral- proquest-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/lib/liberty/detail.action?docID=865808
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being burned alive, these people were able to see or do things supernaturally that only gave
benefit to the church. Examples of giving people hope when they felt God was not listening to
them is a true indicator that these believers were in tune with what God wanted to do during that
time. This still happens today. “In sum, bystanders almost always stayed well in view, whether
as objects of evangelism, or as corroborators of the supernatural, or as implied readers of the
text. The experience may have been personal, but rarely private.”18
Christians today need to understand that speaking in tongues is a spiritual matter that
requires prayers and a clear conscience. However, it is important to understand that the gift of
speaking in tongues is not a proof of salvation, neither does it show spiritual strength or
weakness. As recorded in the epistle of acts what was significant about speaking in tongues was
not for the believers who spoke in tongues, but the dissension of the Holy Spirit upon the
believers. Ultimately, what truly matters is that Christians welcome the Holy Spirit into their
hearts and committing their lives to the ways of Christ.
Why do Pentecostals believe tongues is evident today, and other denominations do
not?
The name Pentecostal was coined from the experience of early Christian’s believers on
the day of Pentecost19. On this day the Holy Spirit descended onto the disciples and appeared as
18 Wacker, G. (2003). Heaven Below. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press.
19 Fairchild, Mary. Pentecostal: What Is the Meaning of Pentecostal and What Do Pentecostals
Believe? . March 7, 2017. https://www.thoughtco.com/meaning-of-pentecostal-700726
(accessed June 26, 2017)
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tongues of flame that rested on their heads. Pentecostals Christians are Protestants who strongly
believe that the manifestation of the Holy Spirit is real and are experienced by the Christians in
every step of their journey. The Pentecostal Christians can also be described as “Charismatics.”
The faith believes in the baptism in Holy Spirit that was brought forward by Paul in the
book of acts. This baptism is often manifested by speaking in tongues. The belief states that the
power to exercise the gift of the Holy Spirit comes when a believer is baptized in the Holy Spirit
which very distinct to conversion and water baptism, their worship style is mainly characterized
by emotions and live expressions of worships with great spontaneity. Some of the Pentecostal
churches include Assemblies of God, Church of God, Full-Gospel Churches, and Pentecostal
Oneness churches.
The basic doctrine that is followed by the Pentecostal churches is the gift of tongues. The
Pentecostal Christian believe that the gift of speaking in tongue is God given ability to speak a
language that one did have any prior knowledge of. The Pentecostal faith believes in the baptism
of the holy spirit, in other religions we see people being baptized using the immersion in the
water approach this is one of the distinctive features of the Pentecostal church.
Conclusion
Speaking in tongues is still a matter of great debate in many Christian societies as well as
various denominations and faiths. Various denominations have a different interpretation of the
practice of speaking in tongues with the Pentecostal churches being the leading Christian
sanctuary that supports and uses this means of worship when conducting praises and worships in
the church. However, the concept of speaking in tongues has many controversial issues that need
to be considered.
12
One major controversy on the matter of speaking in tongues is its existence. Various
Christian churches have divergent opinions on this matter of the existence of the gift of speaking
in tongues. There exists a group of Christians who believe in the existence of the gift and are
referred to as Pentecostals or charismatic Christians, on the other hand, there are Christians who
do not subscribe to the belief in the use of tongues during worships and are often referred to as
sensationalists or non-charismatic Christians. However, it is important to embrace the pluralistic
Christian setting and not let the matter divide the Christian faith and label some Christians as
lesser Christians. The other controversy on glossolalia has been presented in the Holy Scripture
where the book of Corinthians and Acts offer divergent details on the matter. Theologians in the
modern Christian society agree that the gift of speaking in tongues existed during the biblical era
and was replaced with the Bible which is now considered to be the Christians sole guide in their
Christian walk. However, there are many faiths that still use this prayer and worship techniques
and are often referred to as Pentecostal believers, and this is what makes the Pentecostal
churches different from the other churches that exist in the current world.
13
Bibliography
Alexander, P. (2009). Signs and wonders. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-
com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/lib/liberty/detail.action?docID=427673
Anderson, Allan Heaton. An introduction to Pentecostalism: global charismatic Christianity.
Cambridge University Press, 2013.
Espinosa, G. (2014). William j. seymour and the origins of global pentecostalism. Retrieved from
https://ebookcentral-proquest.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/lib/liberty/detail.action?docID=1760634
Fairchild, Mary. Pentecostal: What Is the Meaning of Pentecostal and What Do Pentecostals
Believe? . March 7, 2017. https://www.thoughtco.com/meaning-of-pentecostal-
700726 (accessed June 26, 2017).
Jacobsen, D. G. (2003). Thinking in the Spirit : Theologies of the Early Pentecostal Movement.
Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
Lathrop, John P. The Power and Practice of the Church: God, Discipleship, and Ministry.
Timothy King, 2010.
Loewenthal, K. (2006). Religion, culture and mental health. Retrieved from
https://ebookcentral- proquest-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/lib/liberty/detail.action?
docID=281728
Marina, P. (2014). Getting the holy ghost. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-
com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/lib/liberty/detail.action?docID=1153792
Poloma, M. M., & Green, J. C. (2010). The Assemblies of God : Godly Love and the
Revitalization of American Pentecostalism. New York: NYU Press.
Strong, James (1890), The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible , Cincinnati: Jennings &
Graham.
Wacker, G. (2003). Heaven Below. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press.
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