Why Tongues?

Updated: March 27, 2025

In the book of Acts (which is the record of what happened right after Jesus’ resurrection), people are baptized with the Holy Spirit on five different occasions. In three of those times, it is expressly recorded that they spontaneously spoke in a language that they had not learned (“tongues”). In the other two times, it is evident that something outward had occurred based on the immediate reactions of those present. The Apostles thought the baptism of the Holy Spirit was so important that they made a practice of ensuring every new believer received it (Him), usually by laying their hands on them. The book of 1 Corinthians spends a good bit of time explaining the proper operation of “tongues”, making it very clear that this is to be an ongoing blessing practiced by every believer for prayer, praise, and thanksgiving (aka, Praying in the Spirit), mostly in private. Many testify that this practice was and is a gateway to the other amazing gifts of the Spirit.

As odd as this gift may seem, God is still revealing His amazing purpose in it. Consider this: God created everything by spoken words, every act He performed was preceded by words, His prophets (like Moses and Joshua) were given words to effect things in heaven and earth, Jesus is called the Word of God and was conceived in Mary following a spoken word from the Lord. Being born again requires a spoken word, and no one can even confess “Jesus is Lord” except by the Spirit of God. Clearly, the Holy Spirit in mankind moves the tongue before anything else. Could it be that we emerge from our spiritual womb speaking because our DNA is that of our Father God, who Himself exercises creative power in this universe by speaking words? (See also Why Filled with the Spirit?)
(1 Corinthians 14:5, 1 Corinthians 14:14-18, Acts 19:1-6, Ephesians 6:18, Jude 1:20, Romans 10:9-10, 1 Corinthians 12:3, 1 Samuel 19:20)