The year 1844 stands as a turning point spiritually, prophetically, politically, and socially. As Christ was preparing the way for His truth to be proclaimed globally, Bible-based principles were rediscovered and revived. Yet at the same time, Satan worked relentlessly to obscure truth and counteract its influence.
Around the world, people are searching for genuine spiritual experiences. Some wonder if miracles and signs are proof of a close connection with God. Many people have heard of “speaking in tongues.” Some picture a person praying in a language no one understands; others imagine an ancient miracle that no longer happens. The topic can feel confusing, but the Bible actually explains it quite clearly.
Different Ways Christians Understand Tongues
Across Christian traditions, there are a few main ways people interpret this gift:
1. The Classical or Biblical View
This view says the gift of tongues was the supernatural ability to speak real, human languages that the speaker had never studied. The first example is in the book of Acts chapter 2, where Jesus’ followers suddenly spoke in the native languages of people visiting Jerusalem from many different nations.
2. The Pentecostal and Charismatic View
In these churches, “tongues” is often described as a spiritual or heavenly language, a way to pray directly to God. It’s seen as a special sign of being filled with the Holy Spirit and can be used for personal prayer or in group worship when someone interprets what is said.
3. A Mixed or Evangelical View
Some Christians believe both kinds exist: real languages for public use (with interpretation) and private, prayerful speech for personal devotion. Others accept tongues but insist it should always be done responsibly, clearly, one person at a time, and with interpretation so everyone understands.
Even though these groups differ, they all agree on one thing: the gift of tongues is connected to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
What the Bible Actually Describes
To understand what the Bible itself means, it helps to start at the beginning, with Acts chapter 2.
On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus’ disciples. Instantly, they began speaking in many different languages they had never learned. People from across the ancient world were in Jerusalem at the time, and they were stunned to hear the message of God in their own native tongues.
Every man heard them speak in his own language. — Acts 2:6
This was not a mysterious or emotional experience for its own sake. It was a clear sign of God’s purpose, to make the good news of Jesus understandable to everyone, no matter their nationality or language.
The Bible lists many of the languages heard that day: Parthian, Median, Elamite, Egyptian, Arabic, and more. The message was the same in every language: God’s wonderful works and the story of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Why the Gift Was Given
The purpose of tongues in the Bible was communication, not confusion. God wanted the message of salvation to spread quickly and clearly.
At the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11), human pride led to confusion of languages and division. At Pentecost, God reversed that confusion, this time using language to unite people in truth.
Each time tongues appear in the book of Acts (chapters 2, 10, and 19), the same thing happens: the Holy Spirit empowers believers to speak or proclaim the gospel, and others understand them. Tongues served as a sign that God’s message was for every nation.
One Gift Among Many
Later in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth about various spiritual gifts, abilities given by the Holy Spirit to help build up the church and serve others.
He lists many:
All these work by one and the same Spirit, who gives to each one just as He chooses. — 1 Corinthians 12:11
Paul explains that not everyone receives the same gift, and tongues is only one of many. He actually places more emphasis on gifts that build up others, like teaching, encouragement, or prophecy (speaking God’s truth clearly).
Most importantly, Paul says that even if a person could “speak with the tongues of men and of angels” but lacked love, it would mean nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1). Love, not ecstatic speech, is the truest evidence of the Spirit’s presence.
Keeping the Right Focus
Paul also gives practical guidance for using tongues in worship:
His goal was simple: that everyone could understand and be helped. He wrote,
For Paul, the Spirit’s gifts were never about personal display. They were about helping others understand God’s truth and experience His love.
Do These Gifts Still Exist Today?
Christians have debated for centuries whether miraculous gifts like tongues and healing still happen.
The Bible itself gives a hopeful answer. In Acts 2, Peter quoted the prophet Joel:
Peter said this prophecy was beginning at Pentecost and would continue “in the last days.” The New Testament describes no expiration date for the Spirit’s gifts; instead, it points to their purpose, helping the church grow and the gospel reach the world.
Why the Bible Must Be Our Authority
When is comes to spiritual gifts, or any matter of faith, it's essential that we let the Bible be our final authority. Feelings and personal experiences can seem convincing, but they are not always trustworthy. Jesus warned that in the last days, Satan would perform "great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect" (Matthew 24:24). Not every supernatural display is from God, and emotional experiences are not reliable tests of truth.
At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit truly came down as tongues of fire upon the disciples. This was a genuine outpouring from heaven that empowered them to share the gospel in many languages, bringing conviction, repentance, and a deep love for God's truth. But Revelation 13 describes a very different kind of fire, a false sign performed by the beast power that "makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men." This deceptive "fire from heaven" imitates the true outpouring of the Holy Spirit, but its purpose is to mislead the world into worshipping the beast rather than the Creator.
The differences between these two manifestations is striking. The true fire of the Spirit leads to obedience, humility, and a desire to glorify God. The false fire exalts human power and directs worship away from God's Word. That is why our faith must rest on Scripture alone. The Bible, not emotion, not miracles, not popular opinion, is the ultimate test of what is true. The Holy Spirit never contradicts the Word of God; instead, He leads us deeper into it.
What Really Matters
The true miracle of tongues is not the sound of many languages, it’s the sound of God’s truth reaching every heart, and people from different nations and backgrounds hearing the gospel of Jesus.
Even more important than any spiritual gift is the gift of a new heart, a heart transformed by faith in Christ and filled with His love. Jesus Himself, though filled with the Spirit, never spoke in tongues. Instead, He taught, healed, forgave, and showed compassion. That is what the Spirit empowers believers to do today: to live out love and truth in everyday life.
By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. — John 13:35
What This Means for Us
We don’t need a supernatural experience to begin a relationship with God. The same Holy Spirit who spoke through the disciples at Pentecost is still drawing people to Christ today, people of every language, background, and story.
God’s invitation is simple:
Repent and be baptized… and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. — Acts 2:38
That promise is for everyone.