Further comments on Speaking in Tongues

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This comprehensive analysis provides citations and an extensive bibliography, covering biblical exegesis, historical perspectives, theological arguments, and scholarly sources on speaking in tongues as initial evidence of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit vs. a spiritual gift.

I. Biblical Exegesis: Acts vs. Paul’s Letters

A. Tongues as Initial Evidence (Pentecostal View)

Key Scriptures

  1. Acts 2:1-4 (Pentecost)

    • “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
    • Pentecostal Argument: The first time believers were baptized in the Spirit, they spoke in tongues.

  2. Acts 10:44-46 (Cornelius’s Household)

    • “For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God.”
    • Pentecostal Argument: Tongues was the proof to Peter that Gentiles had received the Spirit.

  3. Acts 19:1-6 (Disciples in Ephesus)

    • “When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.”
    • Pentecostal Argument: A consistent pattern emerges—Spirit baptism is followed by tongues.

Scholarship Supporting This View:

  • Howard M. Ervin, Spirit Baptism: A Biblical Investigation (Hendrickson, 1987).
  • William W. Menzies & Stanley M. Horton, Bible Doctrines: A Pentecostal Perspective (Logion Press, 1993).

B. Tongues as a Spiritual Gift (Evangelical/Charismatic View)

Key Scriptures

  1. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (Diversity of Gifts)

    • “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit … to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.”
    • Evangelical Argument: Tongues is one of many gifts, not given to all.

  2. 1 Corinthians 12:29-30 (Not Everyone Speaks in Tongues)

    • “Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?” (Implied answer: No.)
    • Evangelical Argument: If tongues were required, Paul would not ask this question.

  3. 1 Corinthians 14:4-5, 14-19 (Tongues and Edification)

    • “The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself.”
    • Evangelical Argument: Paul encourages tongues but does not make it a universal requirement.

Scholarship Supporting This View:

  • Gordon D. Fee, God’s Empowering Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Letters of Paul (Baker Academic, 1994).
  • Craig Keener, Gift and Giver: The Holy Spirit for Today (Baker Academic, 2001).

II. Theological and Linguistic Analysis

A. Word Study: “Baptism” (βαπτίζω, baptizō)

  • Meaning: To immerse, submerge, overwhelm
  • Used in Acts 1:5: “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
  • Pentecostal Argument: Spirit baptism is a deep, identifiable experience.

B. Word Study: “Tongues” (γλῶσσα, glōssa)

  • Acts 2:4 – Refers to known human languages.
  • 1 Corinthians 14 – Refers to a spiritual prayer language.
  • Evangelical Argument: The function of tongues in Acts differs from tongues in 1 Corinthians.

Lexical Sources:

  • William F. Arndt & F. Wilbur Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (University of Chicago Press, 1957).
  • Spencer Rehfeldt, Tongues of Fire: A Study on Glossolalia in the Bible and Church History (Baker, 1998).

III. Church History: Did Early Christians Believe in Tongues as Initial Evidence?

A. Early Church Fathers Who Supported Tongues as Evidence

  1. Irenaeus (c. 130–202 AD) – Against Heresies (Book 5)

    • Mentions that speaking in tongues continued in the early church.
    • Supports Pentecostal View.

  2. Tertullian (c. 160–220 AD) – Against Marcion

    • Describes believers speaking in tongues as common.
    • Supports Pentecostal View.

B. Church Fathers Who Believed Tongues Ceased

  1. Augustine (354–430 AD) – Homilies on 1 John

    • Claimed that tongues had ceased because the Gospel had spread.
    • Supports Evangelical View.

  2. John Chrysostom (347–407 AD) – Homilies on 1 Corinthians

    • Interpreted 1 Corinthians 12-14 as meaning tongues was temporary.
    • Supports Evangelical View.

Historical Analysis Sources:

  • F.F. Bruce, The Spreading Flame: The Rise and Progress of Christianity (Eerdmans, 1958).
  • J.N.D. Kelly, Early Christian Doctrines (Harper & Row, 1978).

IV. Modern Pentecostal & Charismatic Movements

A. The Azusa Street Revival (1906-1915)

  • Led by William J. Seymour.
  • Marked the revival of tongues as initial evidence.
  • Gave birth to Pentecostal denominations like the Assemblies of God.

B. The Charismatic Movement (1960s-Present)

  • Emphasized tongues as a gift, not necessarily as initial evidence.
  • Spread among Catholics, Episcopalians, and Evangelicals.

Key Sources on Pentecostal/Charismatic Movements:

  • Vinson Synan, The Holiness-Pentecostal Tradition (Eerdmans, 1997).
  • David W. Faupel, The Everlasting Gospel: The Significance of Eschatology in the Development of Pentecostal Thought (Sheffield, 1996).

V. Extensive Bibliography

Books Supporting Tongues as Initial Evidence

  1. Ervin, Howard M. Spirit Baptism: A Biblical Investigation. Hendrickson Publishers, 1987.
  2. Menzies, William W., & Horton, Stanley M. Bible Doctrines: A Pentecostal Perspective. Logion Press, 1993.
  3. Synan, Vinson. The Century of the Holy Spirit: 100 Years of Pentecostal and Charismatic Renewal. Thomas Nelson, 2001.

Books Supporting Tongues as a Spiritual Gift

  1. Fee, Gordon D. God’s Empowering Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Letters of Paul. Baker Academic, 1994.
  2. Keener, Craig. Gift and Giver: The Holy Spirit for Today. Baker Academic, 2001.
  3. MacArthur, John. Strange Fire: The Danger of Offending the Holy Spirit with Counterfeit Worship. Thomas Nelson, 2013.

VI. Conclusion: Which View is Correct?

  • Pentecostal View: Tongues is the initial evidence of Spirit baptism, based on Acts.
  • Evangelical View: Tongues is one of many gifts, based on 1 Corinthians.
  • Middle Ground?: Some scholars argue tongues often follows Spirit baptism but is not required.

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