Should Christians “speak in tongues”? Part 2

Are "unknown tongues" still a valid gift today?

Some say no. Paul predicted that tongues would "one day cease" (1 Corinthians 13:8), and they are omitted in Ephesians 4 and Romans 12, gift lists written later in the New Testament.

However, 1 Corinthians 13:8 also states, "Where there are prophecies, they will cease." "Prophecies" means preaching; no one claims that preaching has ceased as a spiritual gift and activity. Paul's reference in 1 Corinthians 13 relates to that time in glory "when perfection comes" (v. 10). And nowhere does the New Testament clearly teach that this gift is temporary.

Some suggest that the reason for the gift ceased at Pentecost since we are able to translate the gospel into hundreds of languages today. However, such interpretation confuses the Pentecost experience with the Corinthian gift.

Paul wrote: "Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers" (1 Corinthians 14:22). And so some believe that the purpose of "unknown tongues," like other "sign gifts" of miracles and healing, is no longer valid today. In this reasoning, these spiritual gifts existed to show the unbelieving world the truth and veracity of the Christian faith. Now that the New Testament and its church are established, these gifts of persuasion are no longer necessary.

However, no text teaches that this is so. 

Believers who consider "tongues" to be invalid still pray for God to heal bodies and work other miracles. I can find no biblical warrant for dismissing "tongues" as a valid gift for believers today. When this gift is used within scriptural guidelines, it apparently draws those who practice it closer to the Father.

Those guidelines include:

• The spiritual gifts are given to the edification of the church (Ephesians 4:12). Any gift used to the division of the church rather than for its edification is being abused.


• Any person who desires to speak in an "unknown tongue" in public must first determine whether one with the gift of interpretation is present (1 Corinthians 14:27–28). If an interpreter is present, only two or three are to speak, and each in turn (v. 14:27).

So, we can conclude that "tongues" are still a valid spiritual gift. 

But we should also note: no biblical text suggests that "tongues" is a superior spiritual gift or that it demonstrates that the believer is more "filled" with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). 

We are all to be submitted to the leading of God's Spirit each day. Then our spiritual gifts will fulfill his purpose, to his glory and our good.