Speaking In Tongues/Glossolalia

Speaking in tongues appears in the New Testament in two forms: speaking in languages one does not know, and speaking in a kind of “spirit language” when under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

At Pentecost, Jesus’ apostles were filled with the Sprit and began to “speak with other tongues” and could be understood by people from other nations (Acts 2:1–12).

But more often the New Testament refers to the second meaning of “speaking in tongues,” an “unknown tongue” as a way of prophesying and praising God.

Acts mentions this several time (Acts 10:46; 19:6), and Paul stated he had spoken in tongues many times.

In 1 Corinthians 12 we learn that the Christians at Corinth placed a high value on speaking in tongues.

Paul told the Corinthians that this was fine, but that it was only one of many gifts from the Holy Spirit, and not everyone should expect the same gifts.

Pentecostals and charismatic Christians place a high value on gifts of the Sprit, including speaking in tongues. See 327 (Pentecostals) and 328 (charismatics).
For more on gifts of the Spirit, see 148.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Gift of Himself

David Jeremiah

Long ago, there ruled a wise and good king in Persia who loved his people and often dressed in the clothes of a working man or a beggar so he could visit the poor and learn about their hardships.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Healing Time

J. Stephen Lang

1868: On this date a political leader who grew up poor, had no formal education and was illiterate until his wife taught him to read and write, issued Proclamation 179 “granting full pardon and amnesty for the offense of treason against the United States during the late Civil War.”

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

A Personal Promise

Charles Stanley

Jesus came to earth with the view of offering you salvation. He wanted you to have a restored relationship with the Father, a relationship that was so close, so intimate, that you would have your special place in the Father’s house (John 14:1–4).

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Unexpected Savior

John MacArthur

Scripture records that when John the Baptist began his ministry, “The people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not” (Luke 3:15).

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Reflections on the Incarnation and Freedom of God

Philip Yancey

Think of the condescension involved: the incarnation, which sliced history into two parts had more animal than human witnesses. Think, too, of the risk. In the incarnation, God spanned the vast chasm of fear that had distanced him from his human creation.