Bible 3 Position Paper

Speaking in Tongues is a very controversial topic. I think that speaking in tongues is still relevant today but it is misused. I think that people misuse and hype up the gift of speaking in tongues. I think that people make a way more big deal out of it than it actually is. Speaking in tongues is still relevant today but it is not used properly.

Paul says that speaking in tongues is one of the lesser of the gifts. In 1 Corinthians 12:28-31, Paul states that one should desire the greater gifts like being an apostle or a prophet. He almost lists the spiritual gifts in order of importance. He is addressing the Corinthians because they (and people today) see speaking in tongues as a super spectacular gift that everyone should have, otherwise you are not a true Christian. Paul says “And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.” Paul is saying that speaking in tongues is a unique gift that not many people receive, and if you do not have it, then you should not fret. One should desire the gifts such as being a prophet or a teacher.

Speaking in tongues today is often misused. In first Corinthians 14:27 it says: If anyone speaks in a tongue, two--or at the most three--should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. In all my life I have never seen speaking in tongues done properly. I always see masses of people in pentecostal churches all speaking in tongues at once, with no interpreter to be seen.

Speaking in tongues is tactile. I think the purpose of speaking in tongues is so that the spirit can communicate with us directly. I do not think that it is some mystical gift that is like nirvana when you receive the gift, but something of actual use that might benefit the church.

There are two types of speaking in tongues. I believe that there is a language that is unknown to man but can be interpreted by interpreters. I also believe there are situations in which people can be speaking to someone that does not speak the same language but they will understand what they are saying to each other.

In conclusion, I believe that speaking in tongues is relevant and right if it is done correctly according to the Bible. I think that pentecostal churches need to evaluate more meticulously what they are doing when they are speaking in tongues to make sure that they are doing it how the Bible says.