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Glory · The Holy Spirit
At Pentecost, tongues were Spirit-given speech in languages the speakers had not learned, so that everyone heard 'the mighty works of God' in his own language. Paul treats tongues as one gift among many, to be used for building the church, ordered and interpreted in the assembly. Whether the sign gifts continue today is a question on which faithful Christians differ, but the Bible's priorities are clear: love is greater, and everything is for edification.
https://glorystudy.com/questions/what-is-speaking-in-tongues-and-is-it-for-today · Scripture quoted from the World English Bible
Acts 2:1-21
As you read: The first tongues: ordinary Galileans praised God in the languages of every nation present.
1Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them.
4They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.
5Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under the sky.
6When this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because everyone heard them speaking in his own language.
7They were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Behold, aren’t all these who speak Galileans?
8How do we hear, everyone in our own native language?
9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia,
10Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
11Cretans and Arabians: we hear them speaking in our languages the mighty works of God!”
12They were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, “What does this mean?”
13Others, mocking, said, “They are filled with new wine.”
14But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them, “You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15For these aren’t drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is only the third hour of the day.
16But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel:
17‘It will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams.
18Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy.
19I will show wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and billows of smoke.
20The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21It will be, that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
As you read: Tongues and their interpretation listed among the gifts, all distributed by the one Spirit as He wills.
4Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5There are various kinds of service, and the same Lord.
6There are various kinds of workings, but the same God, who works all things in all.
7But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all.
8For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit;
9to another faith, by the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit;
10and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages.
11But the one and the same Spirit works all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.
1 Corinthians 14:1-25
As you read: Paul's priorities: edification for all, order in worship, and love as the goal.
1Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
2For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.
3But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.
4He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.
5Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up.
6But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?
7Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they didn’t give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped?
8For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war?
9So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air.
10There are, it may be, so many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them is without meaning.
11If then I don’t know the meaning of the sound, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me.
12So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.
13Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret.
14For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
16Otherwise if you bless with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn’t know what you say?
17For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.
18I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all.
19However in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in another language.
20Brothers, don’t be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.
21In the law it is written, “By men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. Not even thus will they hear me, says the Lord.”
22Therefore other languages are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to those who believe.
23If therefore the whole assembly is assembled together and all speak with other languages, and unlearned or unbelieving people come in, won’t they say that you are crazy?
24But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all.
25And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed. So he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.
Acts 10:44-48
As you read: The same gift marks the Gentiles: evidence that they had received the Spirit just as the Jews had.
44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word.
45They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles.
46For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God. Then Peter answered,
47“Can anyone forbid these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just like us.”
48He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay some days.
The disciples 'began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak,' and the pilgrims from every nation were bewildered, 'because everyone heard them speaking in his own language.' They heard the speakers declare 'the mighty works of God' in the languages of Parthians, Medes, Egyptians, Romans, and Cretans. These were not ecstatic noises; they were known human languages, given by the Spirit so the gospel could be heard.
“They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under the sky. When this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because everyone heard them speaking in his own language. They were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Behold, aren’t all these who speak Galileans? How do we hear, everyone in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians: we hear them speaking in our languages the mighty works of God!””Acts 2:4-11
“When this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because everyone heard them speaking in his own language.”Acts 2:6
“How do we hear, everyone in our own native language?”Acts 2:8
Paul lists 'different kinds of languages' and 'the interpretation of languages' alongside prophecy and healings: 'the one and the same Spirit works all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.' His rhetorical questions make the point: 'Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret?' No gift is mandatory for every believer, and none is proof of the Spirit's arrival: the same Spirit gives, and He gives 'as he desires', to whomever He wills.
“For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; to another faith, by the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit; and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages. But the one and the same Spirit works all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.”1 Corinthians 12:8-11
“Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret?”1 Corinthians 12:29-30
“But the one and the same Spirit works all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.”1 Corinthians 12:11
Paul says the one who speaks in a tongue 'speaks not to men, but to God... in the Spirit he speaks mysteries,' and that tongues are 'a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving,' fulfilling Isaiah's word about speaking to this people 'with stammering lips and in another language.' He prays and sings 'with the spirit' and 'with the understanding also,' insisting that the mind not be left unfruitful. The gift is real, and it is also bounded: it serves faith, and it is not its own end.
“For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation. He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.”1 Corinthians 14:2-4
“Therefore other languages are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to those who believe.”1 Corinthians 14:22
“But he will speak to this nation with stammering lips and in another language;”Isaiah 28:11
“For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.”1 Corinthians 14:14-15
Paul's rule is stark: 'Let all things be done to build each other up,' with at most two or three speaking and one interpreting, and 'if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly.' God is 'not a God of confusion, but of peace.' Whatever place tongues has in private prayer, the public worship of the church is the arena of the understandable word, so that even outsiders can hear and say that God is really among you.
“What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up. If any man speaks in another language, let it be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself, and to God.”1 Corinthians 14:26-28
“for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the assemblies of the saints,”1 Corinthians 14:33
“If therefore the whole assembly is assembled together and all speak with other languages, and unlearned or unbelieving people come in, won’t they say that you are crazy? But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed. So he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.”1 Corinthians 14:23-25
Paul says love never fails and that tongues 'will cease' when that which is complete has come. Whether that fullness has arrived now or awaits Christ's return is debated among faithful believers who read the same chapters. What is not debated is the text's priority: the gift must be tested, love must govern, and everything must build the church. So the practical answer is the biblical one: pursue love, desire the greater gifts, and let the Spirit's own order rule the church.
“Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with.”1 Corinthians 13:8-10
“But the one and the same Spirit works all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.”1 Corinthians 12:11
“If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.”1 Corinthians 13:1
“God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?”Hebrews 2:4