Speaking in Tongues Explained: Objections, Evidence, & Its Purpose

Common Objections to Speaking in Tongues

In follow-up to the first teaching, “The Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the Evidence of Speaking in Other Tongues”, let us look briefly at some common objections to speaking in tongues.

Objection 1: Jesus Didn’t Speak in Tongues

The First and most obvious objection is “Jesus did not speak in tongues, so we don’t have too either.

As pointed out in the previous blog, the gift of speaking in tongues was prophesied in the Old Testament. Isaiah 28:11-12 says,

“Indeed, He will speak to this people through stammering lips and a foreign tongue, He who said to them, ‘This is the place of quiet, give rest to the weary’, and ‘This is the resting place,’ but they would not listen.” (nasb)

The word tongue in verse 11 is translated as tongue in Hebrew most times, but secondarily as languages and even as “babbler” in one instance.

As was also mentioned in the prior teaching on this subject, the Old Covenant/Testament does not say much about the gift of speaking in tongues because it is unique to the church age in which we live.

It seems Jesus did not speak in other tongues because He was God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14a) even though He “laid aside” His divinity (Philippians 2:5-8), and operated as a human during His earthly ministry. His was a virgin conception unlike us, therefore He was born without the sin nature all humans inherited. He was the Lord God at His birth (Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:43, and others). This profound truth is clearly taught in the scriptures and one that we as humans cannot fully comprehend.

It is one of the most complex mysteries scholars and theologians have grappled with for centuries.

Jesus was the Godman. He was all God and all man at the same time! How could that be? No human brain can really comprehend that. What understanding we can glean has to come by revelation from the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth.

Colossians 1:9 says, “For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,” (emphasis mine)

and Colossians 2:9 states, “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.” (emphasis mine) (nasb)

A careful study of the four Gospels shows no record Jesus ever spoke in tongues, although as a man, the Godman, He operated in all the other gifts of the Holy Spirit. He had no need to speak in other tongues when we understand the purpose for which God gave this gift, which we will cover.

The Second objection against speaking in tongues is, “It is of the devil.”

I will not even dignify that objection by commenting much because it is spoken from a place of lack of knowledge of scripture. Proverbs 18:13 says, “He who answers before he hears [the facts]—It is folly and shame to him.”

In other words, when someone gives their opinion on an issue without knowing facts or having studied the matter, that is foolish.

As we go further in this blog and look at the specific scriptural accounts and events presented, we will see in the record, several disciples and believers who spoke in tongues. Any person who would accuse them of speaking under the inspiration of the devil would not be able to make that case from scripture.

The Third and last objection I will cover is the one raised most often, that “tongues have ceased” or passed away with the early believers.

The scripture that is most often used to support that opinion is 1 Corinthians 13:8 which says,

“Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will (shall) fail; whether there are tongues, they will (shall) cease; whether there is knowledge, it will (shall) vanish away.”(emphasis mine) (nkjv)

All these are spoken of in the future tense and presented as a package.

Question: Has knowledge passed away?

Of course not. In fact, we live in a day and time when there is more knowledge in the world than at any time in all human history!

Some then try to use verse 10 to forbid tongues.

Let’s look at both 9-10 which states,

v.9 “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.“

V.10 “But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.” (nkjv)

When it states “when that which is perfect has come, it is NOT talking about the Bible as some try to allege.

If we combine verse 12 with that we will see it states,

v.12 “For now we see in a mirror (glass), dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” (nkjv)

Obviously, we do not yet see face to face, that we still see “through a glass dimly (darkly).” It is likewise evident that prophecies have not failed, and of course knowledge has certainly not vanished away, therefore tongues have not ceased either. We will look at a historical account much more recent than the first century to illustrate this in the next blog post.

Those who try to forbid or argue against speaking in tongues based on these passages of scripture would benefit from reading 1 Corinthians 14:39 which states,

“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.” (emphasis mine) (nasb)

In fact, we are given a few reasons in that chapter why we are encouraged to speak with tongues which we will cover later.

I have found in listening to people that most cannot support their opposition to speaking in tongues from scripture. That is fairly consistent regarding other topics as well. Very often many just disagree without any factual or credible basis of information to substantiate their position. They just choose to “not believe.” But for now, I will present the purpose we are urged to speak in tongues.

The Purpose of Speaking in Tongues

John 7:38-39 states,

“The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He said in reference to the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (emphasis mine) (nasb)

Luke 24:49 records some of the last words of Jesus to His disciples before His ascension,

“And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” (emphasis mine) (nasb)

Jesus did not say, stay in the city until you are converted or saved (they already were).

No, He said, “stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” So, we find then that the purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit (or the infilling of the Holy Spirit), which is evidenced by speaking in tongues, is to receive this “power from on high.” But what does that mean?

Often, the best way we can discern what something means is to understand what it does not mean. In this case, we need to understand it does not always mean something we feel. Jesus was not promising an emotional experience. He promised an enduement of supernatural ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon us.

Now let’s think about Luke 24:49 for a minute.

These men, the disciples, had been with Jesus for approximately three years, day and night, witnessing many of the miracles, signs and wonders He performed. We would think that after that long period of time they would have been ready, prepared to carry out the mission and assignment He called them to do. You would think.

Well, evidently not, or else Jesus would not have commanded them to “stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” God obviously knew they were not equipped enough at that point. Essentially, the time they spent with Jesus could be considered somewhat like the modern-day military “boot camp” for soldiers in America. (Generally, it lasts between seven-thirteen weeks, depending on the branch of service.)

In the Book of Acts, God inspired the same person, Luke, to record and repeat the same event he shared in the Gospel.

We find in Acts 1:4-5, 8 the following:

v.4-5 “Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, ‘Which,”’He said, ‘you heard of from Me; for John baptized with/in water, but you will be baptized with/in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.'”

V.8 “but you will receive power when (future tense) the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.” (emphasis mine)

Speaking in tongues is not the infilling of the Holy Spirit and the infilling of the Holy Spirit is not speaking in tongues, BUT they go hand in hand. In the infilling of the Holy Spirit, we are receiving the fullness of the Third Person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit. In other words, we experience a greater measure of the Holy Spirit.

How do we know that?

One obvious way we know is to look no further than Jesus’ disciples after the infilling or baptism of the Holy Spirit. When we read the beginning account of the church in Acts chapter 2, it records Peter standing up (with the eleven) on the Day of Pentecost and speaking very boldly to the huge crowd who were gathered in Jerusalem. This was less than two months after Peter had denied three times that he even knew Jesus. The other disciples had run away in fear for their lives and were essentially in hiding just as Jesus predicted.

Now it could be easy for us, two thousand years removed from this event, to criticize their actions. However, we should keep in mind that they not only witnessed the horrific, brutal crucifixion of Jesus, but had spent three years with Him and saw all the miraculous things He did.

And even though Jesus told them multiple times He was going to be killed, after seeing all the miraculous signs He did, it’s not hard to imagine them doubting He could or would be taken alive and crucified. It would not be a big leap to conclude they were likely traumatized by watching His crucifixion.

So, what was it that caused these men who had essentially been in seclusion days before, to now speak boldly, and apparently unafraid for their lives?

In my study of the resurrection of Jesus, in terms of the historical authenticity of that event by reputable scholars, many point to that as the defining moment for the dramatic change that caused this boldness to come on the disciples. While I don’t disagree that the resurrection likely had an obvious impact on them, that alone would not have generated such boldness in them (after all, they also saw Him ascend back to heaven).

So that begs the question of what was this “power” thing Jesus spoke to them about?

This is a very important point, and I know a much-debated issue in many Christian circles. But please, let us be open enough to examine the scriptures without bias and prejudice to see what it says. I went for years not understanding the truth on this issue because there was very little, if any, basic, practical teaching, “precept must be upon precept, line upon line, here a little, there a little”, Isaiah 28:10.

But I only have myself to blame because I did not take the time to study it on my own, like I should have (2 Timothy 2:15). I heard people talk about it, but apparently, like many believers, I never really gave it serious enough thought or consideration to pursue and study it to my detriment.

John 8:31 says, “So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘IF you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples;'” (emphasis mine) (nasb)

Let us look at some clear examples from the Scriptures of how the New-Birth experience of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you and the Holy Spirit coming upon you in power is recorded. In John 14:16-17, the night before Jesus knew He was only hours away from being crucified for us, He spoke these words to His disciples,

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; the Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with (present tense) you AND will be in (future tense) you.” (emphasis mine) (nasb)

These were the disciples He was talking to. They were obviously true believers, not just those who casually and mentally assented to Jesus as some did then and do today. It is true that it is the Holy Spirit who imparts eternal life to our spirit and who through the Word (1 Peter 1:23) makes the human spirit a new creature in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17).

It is He who is present in this New Birth to bear witness with our spirit that we are a child of God (Romans 8:14,16), which the Bible calls receiving Christ (John 1:12), and receiving eternal life (1 John 5:11).

Alternately, in the Book of Acts we find it says people receive the Holy Spirit, are filled with the Holy Spirit, are baptized with the Holy Spirit or receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. All those terms are used in Acts relating to the same experience and it is always after a person was born again.

Please see the initial doubt that arose on this topic in the first century when the church began, in the section “right out of the gate” in the first part of this teaching, The Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the Evidence of Speaking in Other Tongues.

Let’s look at the specific examples from the Scriptures that show salvation and the baptism in the Holy Spirit are two separate experiences. My preference would have been to list the entirety of the passages, but because of space I will just give the substantive verses. I encourage you to read the entire chapters/passages.

When It All Began

Acts 2:1-2, 4 says, “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting….And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out.” (emphasis mine) (nasb)

The they this is referring to were the disciples and the other believers who were gather together with them. They were all obviously ALREADY saved, born again.

Jesus, Phillip, Peter, and John

In Acts 8:5,12,14-17, we find the following account:

v.5 “Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming the CHRIST (Messiah) to them.”

V.12 “But when they believed Philip as he was preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were being baptized.”

v.14-17 “Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they would receive the Holy Spirit. (For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in (into) the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.” (nasb)

In reading Acts 8:12, no one who is honest, and not tainted by their own opinion, denominational prejudice, or traditional biases, would insist that these people were not saved!

Now this was before Peter and John went down to Samaria to pray for them to receive the Holy Spirit. Although the Holy Spirit is not mentioned in this chapter until Peter and John went down and prayed for these Samaritans, we see Him operating in their lives but notice how verse 16 puts it. He, the Holy Spirit, “had not yet fallen upon any of them.”

What we can surmise from this is that the Early Church believed and understood that being filled with the Holy Spirit was a separate experience from the New Birth. That appears to be very clear.

The account of Cornelius and his household occurred ten years after the Day of Pentecost. This is the second account in scripture of a Gentile (non-Jew) being converted to Christianity (The first being the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:27-38).

Prior to this, the church was made up exclusively of Jews or Jewish proselytes.

Let’s read these verses from Acts 10:

v.3 “About the ninth hour (3 p.m.) of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, ‘Cornelius!'”

v.5 “Now dispatch some men to Joppa and send for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter;”

v. 8 “and after he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.”

v. 9 “On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour (noon) to pray.”

v. 17 “Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in mind as to what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius had asked directions to Simon’s house, and they appeared at the gate;”

v. 24 “On the following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.”

v. 29 “That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. So I ask, for what reason did you send for me?”

v. 34 “Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality,”

v. 44-46 “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message (word). All the Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had also been poured out on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God.”

A clear reading of this entire passage shows the thing that convinced Peter and his Jewish brothers that Cornelius and his household had received the Holy Spirit was they heard the Gentiles “speak with tongues.”

Cornelius and his household were saved as Peter preached to them and they believed and received the word. From the description of this event, it shows they received salvation and were baptized in the Holy Spirit almost simultaneously.

This account to me is the clearest description in Scripture between being born again, i.e., salvation, and the Holy Spirit coming upon with the infilling as a separate experience.

This incident in Ephesus occurred about 20 years after the Day of Pentecost.

Acts 19:1-3 reads, “Now it happened that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus and found some disciples. He said to them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?‘ And they said to him, ‘On the contrary, we have not even heard if there is a Holy Spirit. And he said, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’ And they said, ‘Into John’s baptism.'” (emphasis mine)

Paul went on and explained to them the difference between John’s baptism and Jesus’ baptism.

But notice that in verse 1 the scripture clearly records and states they were disciples! They just had not heard of the Holy Spirit the way Paul was communicating Him to them.

In the next blog on this subject, I plan to cover guidelines and how to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit which I believe will be a tremendous help to those who are interested. I also hope to cover a couple more misconceptions. I very briefly, but very pointedly mentioned an important one in the last section of my previous blog post on this.

It is also important to know the value and scope which we will touch on.

Until then, Maranatha. (Our Lord comes.)