Pentecost Sunday

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Speaking in tongues, or glossolalia, represents a gift of the Holy Spirit connected to baptism in the Spirit.1 The phenomenon takes two main forms: glossolalia refers to unintelligible speech patterns unfamiliar to speakers, while xenolalia involves the miraculous use of known languages not learned through conventional means.2

In the New Testament, tongues appear as a sign accompanying Spirit-empowerment. At Pentecost, believers filled with the Holy Spirit spoke in other tongues, with each listener hearing their own native language. (Acts 2:1–11) 

The gift also manifested among Gentile converts and those receiving Paul’s ministry. (Acts 10:44–46; 19:6) However, Paul distinguishes between public and private use. When someone speaks in a tongue, they address God rather than people, uttering mysteries that remain unintelligible to listeners. (1 Cor 14) While tongue-speaking edifies the individual, prophecy builds up the church. (1 Cor 14)

Paul establishes clear boundaries for congregational practice. Those speaking in tongues should pray for the ability to interpret what they say. (1 Cor 14) Glossolalia gains validity in worship only when followed by interpretation, thereby becoming equivalent to prophetic ministry and teaching.3 As a private devotional exercise, glossolalia primarily benefits the individual speaker.3

Modern interpretations vary considerably. Some theologians argue the gift authenticated apostolic authority and ceased with the apostolic age.2 Pentecostal movements, however, regard tongues as the initial evidence of Spirit baptism, a distinctive feature since the twentieth century.2 

Contemporary Pentecostal theology understands tongues as providing personal encounter with God’s infinite nature—a mystical language of negation enabling ascent into union with the divine while God simultaneously condescends toward us.4


1 Roger Haight, Christian Community in History: Comparative Ecclesiology (London; New Delhi; New York; Sydney: Bloomsbury, 2014), 2:472.

2 Daniel G. Reid et al., in Dictionary of Christianity in America (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1990). [See here, here, here.]

3 Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Tongues, Speaking In,” in Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 2:2076–2077.

4 Shelby T. Boese, Play, Tongues, and Liberation Power (Eugene, Oregon: Wipf and Stock, 2021). [See here, here, here.]

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