THE DOCTRINE OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES

Speaking in tongues is a supernatural manifestation of the Holy Ghost, whereby believers speak in a language they have never learnt (Acts 2:4; 1 Corinthians 14:14-15). This language may be an existing spoken human language (Acts 2:6) or an angelic language (1 Corinthians 13:1). It is not an 'ecstatic speech', neither can it be learnt. It is Holy Spirit enabled. The practise therefore, whereby some pastors tell people to repeat 'tongues' syllables after them is not biblical. It is a false doctrine. Anyone who spoke in tongues this way is not speaking the real tongues. He or she is speaking counterfeited tongues.

The first time that people spoke in tongues was on the first Pentecost after Christ had resurrected and ascended up into heaven to be with His Father (Acts 1:9). Just before His ascension, the Lord Jesus commanded His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they be endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5). This Father's promise was first fulfilled on this Pentecost day: when 'suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind' which filled the house where the first 120 disciples and believers were sitting and waiting upon the Lord (Acts 1:15). The bible says in

Acts 2:3-4
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

As seen in the above passage, speaking in tongues is the first initial physical evidence of baptism in the Holy Ghost. Let's also look at Acts 10:44-46 and Acts 19:4-6 to confirm what we have just said.

Acts 10:44-46
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
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Acts 19:4-6
Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.


The bible tells us that "in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." (2 Corinthians 13:1). The fact therefore that the above two passages above are in agreement with what happened in Acts 2:3-4 proves without ambiguity that any believer who has been baptised in the Holy Ghost must also speak in tongues.

As the Holy Ghost came upon the believers they began to speak in tongues and prophesied. It is important to note that both Jews and Gentiles had this spiritual experience in the early church (Acts 10:45). The outpouring of the Holy Spirit as presented in the New Testament by Luke is not just a perception by faith alone but includes a knowable and identifiable experience capable of being verified objectively. Speaking in tongues is therefore the external and justifiable proof that the Holy Ghost has come upon a believer and follower of Christ. It is the experiential confirmation that a believer has indeed been baptised in the Holy Ghost.

Who can speak in tongues?
Speaking in tongues whether as a gift (1 Corinthians 12:10) or the initial outward sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for all believers who desire to experience it. Our Lord Jesus says in Luke 11:13

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Our Lord Jesus in this passage is most likely referring to the baptism in the Holy Spirit that He promised His followers (Luke 24:49). This is because the impartation of the Spirit and Holy Spirit's indwelling is automatically given the believer at the point of new birth or conversion, hence we do not have to specially pray for it.

Tests for genuine baptism in the Holy Ghost and authentic tongues
Speaking in tongues is available to every believer who is committed to the Lord Jesus Christ and to the authority of Scripture. Anybody who is not committed into obeying God's Word, whatever manifestations he or she may have are not from the Holy Spirit (1 John 3:6-10). The baptism in the Holy Spirit cannot be maintained independently of the Spirit's work of producing righteousness within us and leading us into the knowledge of and commitment to Biblical truth.

The man or woman who is baptised in the Holy Spirit and genuinely speaks in tongues manifests characteristics that conform to that of the Holy Spirit, the Baptiser. These characteristics include:

i. Living a holy and righteous life - 1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:24; 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8

ii. Singing hymns, psalms and spiritual songs (not makossa, skelewu, disco and other disgusting tunes that emanate from most church altars these days) - Ephesians 5:18-21; Colossians 3:16

iii. Understanding and judging spiritual matters - Acts 15:1-31; 1 Corinthians 2:15; Proverbs 28:5

iv. Bearing the fruit of the Spirit - John 15:1-5; Galatians 5:22-23; Colossians 3:12; 1 John 2:29

v. Being spiritually and not carnally minded - Romans 8:5-9; 1 Corinthians 2:14

vi. Loving all that God loves and hating all that He hates - Psalm 139:21-22; Psalm 119:158; 2 Chronicles 19:2

vii. Teaching the truth of God's Word and will not condone or support error or fallacy - John 8:47; John 16:13; John 14:26; 1 John 2:20-21, 27; 1 John 4:6

viii. Declaring the Word of God with boldness, with signs and wonders following - Acts 2:1-4, 14, 37-38; Acts 4:13, 29, 31; Romans 8:15; 2 Timothy 1:7.


Are you a believer, living a holy and righteous life? Have you been baptised in the Holy Ghost with the initial physical evidence of speaking in other tongues? If not pray earnestly for it in faith and back it up with fasting, if need be. You will experience it by the grace of God. (Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 11:9-13). Do you used to speak in tongues and no longer able to, pray to the Holy Spirit for an infilling. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).

Till we meet again on this platform, I wish you all very joyous new year 2016.

Remain blessed in Jesus' name, Amen.