The gift of speaking in tongues & other gifts of the Holy Spirit
- crossroadscaloundr
- May 7
- 17 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
This post is attempting to bring a balanced view of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, specifically in regards to speaking in tongues & why this is still for today.
Foreword:
Counteracting cessationism (the belief that miraculous gifts ceased after the apostolic age) involves engaging with biblical, historical, and experiential arguments while maintaining a spirit of love and unity. When engaging, it is generally advised to focus on "gentleness and respect" (1 Pet 3:15), acknowledging that both sides aim to honour Scripture. It isn't strange that the gifts of the Holy Spirit were given to facilitate the unifying of the church, and yet the issue of the Gifts is one of the most divisive in all Christendom. Some insist that a single gift is essential. They require anybody who is filled with the Spirit of God to possess the gift of tongues, and they cause division in the Body of Christ over it. Others deny the validity of the gifts of for the church today, and they too divide the body too. We're getting hit both ways. I hope to bring some balance and clarity in this matter.
The supernatural gift of speaking in tongues
1 Corinthians 14:39 New King James Version
Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 New King James Version
Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.
Topic & content:
Speaking in tongues is a valid, supernatural gift for believers today, often acting as the initial sign of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. It serves as a tool for personal prayer, edification, and direct communication with God, rather than people. After the introduction, I give my personal testimony, followed by the most common excuses & argumentation that is used against the gifts & specifically speaking in tongues, concluded with Scriptural defence & references & closing with teaching notes from Chuck Missler, who is to my pleasant surprise clearly believed in all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including speaking in tongues. Please read this with an open mind, not with "glasses" of denominational interpretations.
Introduction I had it on my heart to write about this topic for a long time. I don’t know, if it just me, but I have found that Christians who believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit & miracles & signs for today, specifically those who can speak in tongues like me, are more under attack, mocked & challenged. I even read from brother & sisters in Christ who I do agree with on sound Biblical teaching & end-times-eschatology (I do not agree with Prosperity , Bethel & NAR teaching) judging & condemning believers like me as “Tongue-speaking Charismatics” & tarring everyone with the same brush. Even suggesting they are demonic tongues. Yes, I am the first one to agree that there are extreme & wrong practices & even counterfeit in the Charismatic & Pentecostal Movement. But if there is a counterfeit then it confirms that there is a legitimate. But if you study church history you will find to your surprise (or maybe not) that every church revival / renewal & reformation movement needed corrections & adjustment, as far back as the Corinthian Church in the 1st Century AD.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are being given continually
1 Corinthians 12:11-12 New King James Version
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.
Throughout this passage, Paul speaks in the present passive indicative "is being given" This usage conveys that the gifts are being given continually. That is, they are not just for a specific time in early church history of the church. They are continually being given according to the wisdom and will of the Holy Spirit, who builds and moves the many members of the single Body of Christ.
Do not forbid to speak in tongues
1 Corinthians 14:39 New King James Version
Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.
My own testimony:
I remember when I was around 21 years old, visiting a church in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, as there were special guest speakers. I was spontaneously baptized in the Holy Spirit & started speaking in unknown languages, without anybody forcing anything or laying hands on me. I have been speaking in tongues ever since in my prayer closet or when spiritual warfare is required.
This has been so much challenged in certain Christian circles, that I went back to the “drawing board” so to speak, searching the Scriptures, finding comfort & affirmation through exhaustive Biblical study, that this is for today!
I do not believe or teach that Christians who don’t believe the same or don’t speak in tongues yet, are second rate Christians or that they don’t have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. That is not up to me.
But I would like to exhort my brothers & sisters in Christ who are on the more conservative side with different doctrinal views stop judging & condemning others who have experienced this & do speak in tongues & believe in miracles today.
Yes, I observe & agree that the church does not have the same anointing & power as the apostles & others in the first Century. I also think it better not to use the titles Apostles & Prophets today, as it can lead to pride & misunderstanding. This not because God or the dispensation of Grace has changed, but the church has changed.
The more we draw near to God & seek to walk in holiness, signs, wonders & miracles can & will follow & affirm the preaching of the Word! But please stop condemning & judging others who do, even for your own sake.
Do you really think that this pleases the Lord? Or are you deceived in thinking that you are some sort of “heresy hunter”, warning & protecting the Body of Christ against "Charismatic Christians". Maybe you need to have a good look at yourself: Do you think it is honouring to the Lord with statements of unbelief like: “This not for today”, “The Lord does not do this anymore”, “This has died out with the Apostles”.
This is intellectual arrogance & spiritual wilful ignorance, rejecting the Lord's gifts & blessings.
This is the heart of cessationism — unbelief and defiance. Yes, if you don’t have faith in this, I am sure nothing will happen in your church service.
But remember: “Without faith it is impossible to please God” or “Will the Lord find faith on the earth when he returns?” I am saddened to see how this has deeply affected many churches & individual Christians. Confessing to be believing born-again eternally saved, but never expecting or believing anything supernatural to happen regarding healing in their bodies or other gifting as the Holy Spirit determines.
There's a position among some groups of Christians that the gifts of the Spirit were for the early Church only. To justify this belief they argue that the New Testament canon is "that which is perfect has come" and the gifts are done away with. There are a couple of things wrong with this view.
Most common standard defence of cessationists is:
1 Corinthians 13:8-12 New King James Version
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
*First of all, New Testament Canon is not perfect. It is not complete. In Revelation 10:3-4 seven thunders made an utterance, and John is told to seal up what the seven thunders said and not write it down. That means the New Testament Canon is not complete until we know what the seven thunders said. I don't mean we should keep adding books to the New Testament. Not at all. I simply mean that we do not have complete knowledge, and therefore the canon cannot be "that which is perfect".
*Second, Paul is clearly referring to being with the Lord in Heaven in a perfect setting: no sin, no rebellion, no imperfection. The idea that the completed New Testament canon is "that which is perfect" is a recent idea that was developed to counter the Pentecostal movement starting in 1906 with the Azusa Street Revival. Until the 20th Century, this verse was always interpreted to mean the Second Coming of Christ, which is certainly the most intuitive meaning and the one that makes the most sense. Until Christ's returns, nothing is complete or perfect. We still live in a fallen world, and our knowledge is broken and filled with holes. The Gospel has not reached every corner of the world yet, and we need the Gifts of the Spirit today in our cold, secular world more than ever. Our knowledge cannot be complete until we see Christ face to face.
*Third, the verb "to prophecy" in the Greek text of 1 Corinthians shows that this particular verb always appears in the present tense. Whether it is in the indicative or subjective mood, whether it is a particle or an infinitive, the verb always means ongoing, continues action in the present tense. In Acts 2:17-22, Peter quotes Joel on the day of Pentecost, on the day the church was birthed. Peter is explaining to the crowd that the disciples are speaking in tongues according to the Prophet Joel. Joel was speaking of something that took place until the Day of the Lord in the last times. Peter was full of the Holy Spirit when he was speaking , and so it appears we have been in the "last days" for around 2000 years. Joel described something that would continue till the very end. The Holy Spirit has the same attributes as God the Father. He is immutable; He doesn't change!
*Fourth, remember there are many different gifts besides prophecy and healing and miracles. There are gifts of wisdom and faith and teaching, exhortation and evangelism, governance and mercy. If the gifts have ceased, does that mean that the gifts of teaching and exhortation and mercy have ceases as well-or just the demonstrative ones like prophecy and tongues? Does this make any sense, no not to me.
Other things that I have heard from cessationists in regards to speaking in tongues:
"But you don't know what you are praying"
Well that is exactly the whole point, the Lord is giving a language to the warfare & praise him in your prayer closet. Also the devil can't hear what you are praying.
"Linguists & other experts investigated this and have concluded that is nor really a language like we have on earth, the structure, syllables & tones etc are different"
I would say thank for confirming that this is not an earthly language but something supernatural. By the way: Is it not also "experts" that are telling us that wearing masks can stop a virus, that the COVID vaccines are safe & effective, that we are facing a catastrophic climate change, the earth is not created by God and is 6 Billion years old & that Islam is a religion of peace.
So please give me a break!
When the Apostle Paul said he was speaking more in tongues than any of the believers, that he was referring to the languages he spoke naturally as from his background.
What a nonsense! I myself like most of of Dutch people & Europeans, South Africans etc speak at least 2 languages fluently. But since prayer to our Heavenly Father is very personal & intimate, that when we pray with understanding, in a language that we are most comfortable with. Not constantly switching between languages. I doubt that Paul was referring to the natural languages he was able to speak.
You are just going on feelings, emotions & experience
Agreed the final test of truth is the Scriptures, but what Bible are you reading concluding that feelings, emotions & experience have no part in your Christian walk & life.
We have to obey "and tongues will cease" from 1 Corinthians 13:8.
First this is not a command and second this is absolutely not the meaning based on the context. This is not just a different interpretation, this outright nonsense.
Scriptures actually state the opposite:
1 Corinthians 14:39 New King James Version
Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 New King James Version
Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.
Tongues are demonic
Yes Satan does imitate things & demonic tongues do exist, so we need to use discernment. It is like with with many things in life the illegitimate makes the legitimate look bad. But this does not exclude that we seek the Lord for the spiritual gifts, including tongues.
Summary:
Key Takeaways on Speaking in Tongues:
Purpose: It is used for praising God, speaking mysteries, and self-edification.
The Baptism Sign: It is a supernatural evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Accessible Today: It is not limited to the early church; it is available to every believer now.
Yielding the Tongue: The believer must yield their tongue to the Holy Spirit to initiate speaking, transitioning from native language to the new language.
Varieties: While personal tongues are common, the gift also includes speaking in an assembly for interpretation and as a sign to unbelievers.
How to Receive and Use the Gift:
Stop Using Your Language: To receive the Holy Spirit, stop speaking in your own language.
Actively Speak: Do not wait for a special feeling; start speaking in the new language given by the Holy Spirit.
Personal Application: It is a tool to be used in personal, daily prayer to build oneself up.
Interpretation: When used in a group setting, it should be followed by interpretation to be understood.
Scriptural support:
Scriptures validating speaking in tongues today emphasize it as a continuing spiritual gift for personal edification, prayer, and worship, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 14, which encourages its use for building up the believer and praying in the Spirit (1 Cor. 14:4-5, 18-19, 39). These passages indicate the gift remains active for spiritual strengthening, communicating with God, and praising Him (1 Cor. 14:2, 16-17)
Key Scriptural Foundations for Tongues Today:
1 Corinthians 14:4-5, 18-19: Paul expresses a desire for believers to speak in tongues, stating that he does so himself and that it builds up the individual believer.
1 Corinthians 14:2: Explains that speaking in tongues is speaking directly to God, uttering mysteries by the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:8-11: Mentions "various kinds of tongues" as gifts distributed by the same Spirit according to His will, not suggesting a cessation date.
Acts 2:4: Describes the initial filling of the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues, setting a pattern for Spirit empowerment.
Romans 8:26-27: Describes the Spirit interceding for believers with "groanings which cannot be uttered," which many relate to praying in the Spirit.
Mark 16:17: Lists speaking in new tongues as one of the signs that will accompany believers.
Jude 1:20: Encourages believers to build themselves up by praying in the Holy Spirit.
Contextual Understanding:
Purpose: Primarily for personal prayer, praise, and self-edification (1 Cor. 14:4) rather than public teaching unless interpreted.
Sign: Serves as a sign of the Holy Spirit's empowerment (Acts 2:4).
Order: 1 Corinthians 14 provides instructions for orderly use in congregational settings.
16 Scriptures About Praying in Tongues
If praying in tongues hasn’t been a regular part of your fellowship with God, you’re missing out! There is so much power found in praying in tongues, not to mention answers to any question you have, access to inside information, and a spiritual strengthening like no other. If you’re still learning about the power of praying in tongues or would like to renew your mind to its truth, we’re sharing 16 Scriptures About Praying in Tongues sure to inspire you to spend time praying today!
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (NKJV)
“For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.” (NKJV)
“He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself.” (NKJV)
“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (NKJV)
“The Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” (NIV)
“For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding].” (AMPC)
“Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.” (KJV)
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (NKJV)
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” (NKJV)
“For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.” (KJV)
“I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding…. For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.” (NKJV)
“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.” (KJV)
“I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all.” (KJV)
“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.” (NIV)
“While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’
“They answered, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.’
“So Paul asked, ‘Then what baptism did you receive?’
“‘John’s baptism,’ they replied.
“Paul said, ‘John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.’ On hearing this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.” (NIV)
“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” (NKJV)
Please see more detailed study, facts & links for those who want to dig deeper:
Teaching notes from Chuck Missler:
There are a lot of opinions out there about whether speaking in tongues is
appropriate for today. Of course, there are groups who don’t believe the gifts of the
Spirit are for today –tongues or miracles or prophecy or any of them. We talked
about that. These groups regard the gifts to have been given only until the canon of
the New Testament was completed. Dallas Theological seems to be the most
conservative of all the seminaries in the United States – that I’m aware. They have
produced some great Christian leaders. Yet, they have had a strong position that the
gifts of the Spirit are not for today, based on this view that arose in 1906 as a
reaction to the Pentecostal movement. We’ve covered this, but I want to make a few
more notes. When Jesus announces that the disciples will receive His Spirit just prior
to His Ascension, He doesn’t mention any limitations or temporary stat us.
Acts 1:8 New King James Version
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall
be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of
the earth.”
Have we given witness to the uttermost part of the earth yet? Has every tribe and
nation been reached? We are still in the business of being Christ’s witnesses, and
we still need His Spirit. Joel 2 doesn’t give the outpouring of the Holy Spirit a time
limit. In Acts 2:17, Peter quotes Joel, saying, “In the last days,” which is a label even
more appropriate to our time than it was to Peter’s.
The Dallas Theological Seminary view that 1 Corinthians 13:10 refers to the
completed New Testament canon doesn’t have support from anywhere else in the Bible. Even
now, we do not have complete knowledge. The words of the seven thunders were
sealed up in Revelation 10:4. The canon is not perfect. There is a place in the Bible,
however, that describes “that which is perfect.” We find it in Isaiah 11:1-10. Let’s look at it.
This is a picture of Christ’s reign on earth. Right now as I write these words, wolves
are not living peacefully with lambs and lions are not eating hay. Right now, mothers
pull their small children away from snake dens lest they get bitten by something
deadly. At this present time, the knowledge of the LORD does not cover the earth the
way the waters cover the sea. The Holy Spirit will no longer need to empower us as
witnesses after Christ has returned and reigns because everybody will already know who God
is.
That time has not yet come, and we still need that empowering today – perhaps
more than ever. We need God to heal people, to teach people. We need prophecy
and words of knowledge and wisdom. We need people empowered to do great
works of faith, and we need people who are skilled in all manner of creative arts and
hospitality and mercy. We need the Holy Spirit working in the Church today. We need
a living Church filled with the life and love of God and not a dead shell.
Paul’s primary focus in these chapters is the unity of the assembling Christians. We
really do need other Christians. We cannot live as healthy Christians in isolation. We
need the rest of the Body of Christ. Sadly, those who hide away are usually those
who have been injured by the very people who are supposed to be conduits for the
unconditional love of God. If we ourselves have been injured, we need to remember
that there are other tender souls out there who need our love and the work that the
Holy Spirit can do through us.
The Holy Spirit works in different ways in each of us. We should not impute one
person’s experiences to another person and expect the same results. We are all
unique, and God is working different purposes in each of us. Some of us are eyes
and some of us are livers and some of us are toes. We won’t look the same,
because we have different jobs to do. God is diverse and He’s sovereign and He’s not limited to formulas. We should not insult God by forcing our prejudices on Him.
Above all things, we need to remember that Jesus Christ loves His Church. He loves us as individuals, and He loves us as a Body. He loves the dirty, smelly person next to us just as much as He loves us despite our own dirt and stink. I’ve had many miracles take place in my life, and I could sit here and relay them to you.
Some of them have been very dramatic. My wife Nancy has written a wide number of
books that describe God’s power working in human beings, and her books have
encouraged thousands upon thousands of women and men alike. More than
anything, though, my hope for you is that you will experience your own miracles. If I
tell you mine, I’m giving you my witness, but you can’t share mine with other people.
That would be hearsay on your part. You need to have your own miracles. You need
the confidence that comes from serving in your own gifts, full of the Holy Spirit that
leads us each closer and closer to Christ.
Heavenly Father, we are so grateful for who You are. Thank you for the Holy Spirit
and His gifts to each one of us. Thank you for the gift of Your Son who made it possible
for us to have access to You. We cannot comprehend the magnitude of that. We have
access to Your presence because You gave Your Son for us. How precious are the extremes
You have gone to on our behalf. Thank you, Father, for the diversity of the gifts that are
available to us through the Holy Spirit. We can grieve the Spirit because He loves us. May we
not grieve Him, but learn to use the gifts You’ve given us to bless the Body of Christ, the
Church. We pray that through Your Word and through Your Spirit, You would give
us understanding in these matters, that we would be free from error. We want to be
pleasing to You, and we want to be more effective stewards of the opportunities that
You give us – that lives might be saved. We commit ourselves into Your hands with
no reservations whatsoever. We commit ourselves to You. In the name and the glory
of Yeshua HaMashiach, the Lord our Messiah. Amen.
When you take the time to study the Word and its emphasis on the power of praying in tongues, you’ll build your faith to move into times of this special fellowship with the Lord. You are never alone, and you are never without answers. Set aside time to pray in tongues — it can even be in your car, while you’re waiting in line at the grocery store — anywhere. The more time you spend with Him, the more powerful your victories!
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