Speaking in tongues, as described in the New Testament, is a gift of the Holy Spirit. It is not something that one can achieve through human effort or learning, but rather, it is a spiritual gift bestowed by God. The primary biblical accounts that discuss speaking in tongues are found in the Book of Acts and 1 Corinthians, offering insights into how this gift manifested in the early Christian community and guidance on its use.

1. The Initial Outpouring of the Holy Spirit: In the Book of Acts, speaking in tongues first occurred among the followers of Jesus on the day of Pentecost. Acts 2:1-4 describes this event: “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” This passage indicates that speaking in tongues is a direct result of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
2. A Gift from God: Speaking in tongues is considered one of the spiritual gifts distributed by the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Paul discusses various gifts given to believers, stating in verse 11, “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” The implication is that not all believers will speak in tongues; it is a gift that the Holy Spirit may give to some individuals as He wills.
3. A Sign for Unbelievers: In 1 Corinthians 14:22, Paul explains, “Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.” The context of this chapter suggests that the gift of tongues, especially when interpreted, can serve as a sign to those who do not yet believe, demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit.
4. For Personal Edification and Prayer: In instances where speaking in tongues is not interpreted for the edification of the church, it is used for personal prayer and edification. Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 14:4, “Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.”
5. The Role of Faith and Surrender: While the Scriptures do not provide a step-by-step guide on how to speak in tongues, the underlying principle is that it requires faith in Jesus Christ and openness to the Holy Spirit’s work in one’s life. It is about surrendering to God’s will and allowing the Holy Spirit to manifest His gifts as He chooses.

In summary, speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift that manifests through the Holy Spirit’s empowerment. It is not something controlled or initiated by human will but is a sign of the Spirit’s presence and activity within an individual. The New Testament encourages believers to desire spiritual gifts, but always with the aim of edifying the church and glorifying God.

The phenomenon of speaking in tongues, referred to as glossolalia, is discussed in the New Testament, particularly in the books of Acts and 1 Corinthians. These passages provide insight into the nature and purpose of speaking in tongues within the early Christian community.

In Acts 2:1-11, the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost enabled the apostles to speak in other tongues. The text specifies that these tongues were understood by people from various nations who were present in Jerusalem at the time: “Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.” This suggests that on this occasion, speaking in tongues involved speaking in real, human languages that were not previously known to the speaker but were understandable to those who knew those languages.

However, Paul’s discussion in 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14 addresses a different aspect of speaking in tongues, which seems to focus more on a spiritual language used for personal edification and prayer when not interpreted. In 1 Corinthians 14:2, Paul says, “For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.” This implies that there can be instances where speaking in tongues involves languages not understood by human listeners without the gift of interpretation. Paul encourages the church to seek the gift of prophecy over speaking in tongues unless someone can interpret, so the church can be edified (1 Corinthians 14:5).

Paul also emphasizes order and understanding within the church gathering: “Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air” (1 Corinthians 14:9). This underlines the importance of edification and understanding within the Christian assembly, suggesting that while speaking in tongues can be a sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence and work, it should not lead to confusion or disorder.

In summary, the New Testament presents speaking in tongues as both the ability to speak in real, human languages previously unknown to the speaker (as seen at Pentecost) and a spiritual language that may not be understood without the gift of interpretation. The purpose behind speaking in tongues, according to Paul, should always be for edification, prayer, and the building up of the church, whether it involves known languages or spiritual utterances.