39 page booklet
What do the Scriptures say about speaking in tongues? Is it really an evidence of God’s Spirit, or should the mature Christian seek a higher goal? Those questions and more are explored in this booklet.
Weight: 2 oz
Dimensions: 6.5 × 4.625 × 0.125 in
The booklet opens by addressing the growing popularity and confusion surrounding the practice of “speaking in tongues” in modern Christian circles. While many view it as a sign of spiritual maturity or a supernatural experience, the booklet argues that a proper understanding must come from Scripture, not emotionalism or tradition. It sets out to clarify what the Bible truly teaches about tongues, examining its historical context, intended purpose, and relevance today.
In Scripture, the term “tongues” simply means languages. The booklet emphasizes that speaking in tongues originally referred to the miraculous ability to speak in known, foreign languages without prior study, as seen in Acts 2 during Pentecost. The apostles spoke in various languages so that people from different regions could understand the gospel in their native tongue. This gift served the practical and spiritual purpose of spreading the message of Christ in the diverse world of the early Church.
The booklet carefully analyzes the events of Pentecost in Acts 2, where the Holy Spirit enabled the apostles to speak in multiple tongues. The crowd, composed of devout Jews from every nation under heaven, marveled that each heard the apostles speak “in our own tongue, wherein we were born.” This wasn’t ecstatic, unrecognizable utterance, but clear, understandable languages. Peter’s sermon clarified that this miracle fulfilled the prophecy of Joel, signifying the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the Church’s witness to all nations. The booklet stresses that Pentecost was a unique, foundational event — not a norm for future generations.
The gift of tongues is listed in 1 Corinthians 12 among other spiritual gifts, such as healing, prophecy, and knowledge. The booklet explains that these gifts were distributed by the Holy Spirit as needed, primarily in the early Church to establish and build the Body of Christ. Not every believer received the same gift — Paul explicitly asks, “Do all speak with tongues?” implying the answer is no. Therefore, the gift of tongues was not universal, nor was it meant to be a sign of salvation. Its purpose was service, not status.
A major portion of the booklet deals with the Corinthian church, which had misused spiritual gifts, particularly tongues. Paul writes to correct their disorderly and prideful conduct. The Corinthians had turned speaking in tongues into a chaotic and boastful display, seeking attention rather than edifying the Church. Paul emphasizes in 1 Corinthians 14 that prophecy — teaching and understanding — is far more valuable than speaking in an unknown tongue. If no one understands, or if there’s no interpreter, the gift does not benefit others. Paul concludes that in the church setting, it is better to speak five words with understanding than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
The booklet stresses Paul’s repeated insistence that tongues must be interpreted to benefit others. Unintelligible speech creates confusion, not edification. God is not the author of confusion but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). If someone speaks in a tongue, there must be interpretation so that the church can be instructed. Without it, the speaker should remain silent. This strong counsel from Paul contradicts the modern practice of mass or ecstatic tongue-speaking where no interpretation or clarity is provided. The emphasis is on edification, order, and understanding, not excitement or spectacle.
The booklet critiques modern Pentecostal and Charismatic movements that treat tongues as a “proof” of having the Holy Spirit. It argues that this practice is unscriptural and often emotionally driven. The experience of speaking in unintelligible syllables or ecstatic utterances is not the biblical gift of tongues. Furthermore, this misunderstanding shifts focus away from spiritual fruit — such as love, kindness, and patience — and places it on emotional experiences. The booklet warns that seeking signs instead of truth can open the door to deception, emphasizing that Satan can imitate miracles and mislead through counterfeit manifestations.
In one of the most important teachings in 1 Corinthians 13, Paul places love far above the gift of tongues. The booklet echoes Paul’s words: even if one could speak with the tongues of angels, without love, it would be meaningless noise — “a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.” Love is the true measure of Christian maturity, not supernatural gifts. The Corinthian church had focused on external signs, but Paul reminded them that faith, hope, and love remain — and the greatest of these is love. True spirituality is not about dramatic displays but humble service, understanding, and Christlike character.
The booklet draws attention to Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 13:8 — “whether there be tongues, they shall cease.” It explains that spiritual gifts like tongues and prophecy were temporary tools for the early Church, used to establish the gospel message before the full Scriptures were available. Once the Church was firmly grounded and the New Testament completed, the need for such miraculous gifts diminished. The booklet teaches that this cessation was natural and expected, not a sign of spiritual decline. Today, the Word of God is our guide, and the Holy Spirit works through understanding, not ecstatic speech.
The final sections of the booklet clarify that the real evidence of having the Holy Spirit is not speaking in tongues, but exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:22–23 — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities are universal, measurable, and clearly valued by Scripture. The Holy Spirit transforms lives from within, producing godly character, not chaotic experiences. The true Church is built on truth, order, and love — not emotionalism or confusion.
Speaking in Tongues concludes by urging readers to seek understanding, not excitement; truth, not tradition. Tongues, as described in the Bible, were known human languages miraculously spoken for a purpose in the early Church — to spread the gospel and build the faith. Today, Scripture is complete, and the focus should be on edifying one another through sound doctrine, love, and obedience to Christ. The greatest spiritual gift is not tongues, but a heart transformed by the Word of God and the Spirit of Christ.
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