The Pentecostal movement is most identified with tongues-speech – a mysterious and largely misunderstood phenomena. In the apostolic church, and the early centuries of the Christian church, tongues-speech signified the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1ff). Although tongues-speech declined by the 5th century, it has never ceased. Throughout the history of the church tongues-speech has been associated with various mystics and renewal movements. Even before the 20th century Pentecostal movement, there were localized outpourings of the Spirit and outbreaks of tongues-speech across the globe. But it was the Azusa Street movement that made tongues-speech a global phenomenon. Today, Christians of all tribes, from Roman Catholic to Mennonite, have testified to being baptized in the Spirit and speaking in tongues. Even the Southern Baptists are rethinking their official ban on tongues-speech.
As Pentecostalism moves into its second century, many Pentecostals are reappraising the movement. That’s good. Any Christian movement is well served by prayerful discernment. Any reading of the last century will demonstrate that Pentecostalism occasionally lost its way. As I converse with younger Pentecostal ministers I discover that many have serious questions about the significance of tongues-speech.
So, I must begin with an affirmation – I still believe in speaking in tongues. Why? Because it is a biblical sign of the Holy Spirit (Mark 16:17; Acts 2:4). Also, I have witnessed the sacramental power of tongues-speech in Pentecostal worship. I have heard and seen God change people’s lives through this mysterious sign. I have prayed in tongues and received strength and comfort, even as my mind was unfruitful (1 Corinthians 14:14). Tongues-speech reminds us that the Holy Spirit speaks and we must be careful to listen, to rightly interpret, to prayerfully discern, the voice of God. Because tongues-speech is a gift of the Spirit, it is a treasure stored in an earthen vessel.
Because tongues-speech is a treasure, Pentecostals should carefully guard the authenticity of this gift against worthless counterfeits. I fear that tongues-speech has become so abused among Pentecostals that we are no longer amazed or astonished (Acts 2:7, 12). Paul warned that some believers would “be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant. . . reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power” (2 Timothy 3:5). I fear that for too many Pentecostals tongues-speech has become a “form of godliness” without power. How can tongues-speech become a powerless form?
Tongues-speech without love is a meaningless and annoying noise – a form of godliness without power (1 Corinthians 13:1). Love is the first fruit of the Spirit and has priority over tongues-speech (Galatians 5:22). Paul encourages believers to earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, but insists that love is the more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12:31). To be Spirit-baptized is to be immersed in the very essence of God – love (Romans 5:5; 1 John 4:8, 16). The Holy Spirit is the divine flame of love who perfects all believers in unity with God in Christ (John 17:23; Colossians 3:14; 1 John 2:5; 4:12, 17).
Tongues-speech that is not properly discerned is a form of godliness without power. All prophetic speech, including tongues and words of knowledge and wisdom, must be properly discerned and interpreted (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22; 1 Corinthians 14:29). Love abounds in “real knowledge and all discernment” (Philippians 1:9). Too often Pentecostals resist serious discernment, fearing that the Spirit may be quenched. But it is a lack of discernment that quenches the Spirit. Proper discernment should be nurtured and is a sign of spiritual maturity (Hebrews 5:14). Silence should be preferred over tongues-speech that lacks love and discernment (1 Corinthians 14:28). If we treasure tongues-speech, then we must earnestly and prayerfully seek the gifts of discernment and interpretation (1 Corinthians 14:13).
To prefer tongues-speech over the inspired preaching and teaching of the Holy Scripture is a form of godliness without power. In the public assembly, tongues-speech without proper discernment and interpretation reduces worship to a chaotic frenzy (1 Corinthians 14:23). The purpose of all the spiritual gifts is the edification and empowerment of the church. Therefore, one sentence of instruction in a known language is better than “ten thousand words in a tongue” (1 Corinthians 14:19). The Holy Scripture is inspired by the breath of God – the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16). The Scripture is canon, that is, the standard by which all prophetic speech is to be judged.
Tongues-speech that is seasoned by love and prayerfully discerned is a “form of godliness” with power. With Paul, “I thank God I speak in tongues” (1 Corinthians 14:18). Proper tongues-speech is inspired by the Holy Spirit and declares the “mighty deeds of God” (Acts 2:4, 11). The Holy Spirit also inspires the hearers of tongues-speech so that other tongues, or unknown tongues, may be heard and understood (Acts 2:6). The spiritual gift of the interpretation of tongues makes that which is unknown to be known so that everyone who hears may be edified (1 Corinthians 12:10; 14:5, 26). Paul exhorts, “Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues” with the counsel that “one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret” (1 Corinthians 14:5, 13). Tongues-speech is not the goal of being Spirit-filled. The goal of Spirit-baptism is “to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19).
