Speaking In Tongues: Clearing the Confusion About Tongues
- Thad DeBuhr
- 6 days ago
- 13 min read
Study Guide: WHAT IS "SPEAKING IN TONGUES" Acts 2:5-13 (1 Corin 14)
Have you ever been in a conversation where everyone was talking, but nobody was actually being understood? Maybe it was at a loud family reunion, or perhaps it was in a church service where things felt a little... chaotic.
For many Christians, the topic of "speaking in tongues" feels exactly like that. It’s a subject that has caused a lot of division. Some people are deeply attracted to it, while others are completely weirded out by it. Most of us just sit in the middle, scratching our heads and wondering, "What is the actual point of this?"
Today, we are diving into a passage that stops the confusion in its tracks. We’re going back to the very first time the Holy Spirit went public. We are moving from the private "waiting room" of the disciples into the busy, crowded streets of Jerusalem. This isn't just a story about a miracle; it’s a story about how God goes to great lengths to make sure He is understood.
Welcome to a no-nonsense, plain language, Biblical guide to "Speaking in Tongues."
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Before you dig into the study guide, I would suggest reading or listening to the passage in two different bible translations from this list: NIV, NLT, NASB, ESV, NKJV
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Setting the Scene: The Jerusalem Crowd
The Crowd: A Global Family Reunion (Acts 2:5–6)
Jerusalem was the "Home Base" for the Jewish faith, but during the festival of Pentecost, the people in the crowd were world travelers.
The "Stay-Put" Audience: The Bible says there were "God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven" staying in Jerusalem (Acts 2:5). These weren't just tourists; many were retirees from the "Diaspora" (Jews who had lived their lives in foreign lands like Rome, Egypt, or Persia) who moved back to the Holy City to be near the Temple in their final years.
The Magnet: This wasn't a quiet event. The sound of the "rushing wind" acted like a public siren. It was loud enough to draw a massive, diverse crowd to the disciples' location (Acts 2:6).
The Confusion: When the crowd arrived, they were "bewildered." Their brains couldn't process the logic. They were looking at a group of uneducated blue-collar workers who were speaking perfectly in the native dialects of far-off lands.
The "Galilean" Factor & The Reverse of Babel (Acts 2:7–11)
To understand the shock of the crowd, you have to understand the reputation of the people speaking.
The Reputation: The crowd asked, "Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?" (Acts 2:7). In that day, Galileans were considered "country folk" with thick, recognizable regional accents. They were the last people anyone expected to be world-class linguists.
The Big Idea: This was the Reverse of Babel. In Genesis 11, humans tried to build a tower to their own pride, so God confused their languages to scatter them. At Pentecost, God used languages to bring the world together.
The Message: These disciples weren't just making "spirit noises." The Bible says the crowd heard them "declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues" (Acts 2:11). God was bragging about His greatness in the "heart language" of every visitor present.
Two Ways to Respond (Acts 2:12–13)
Whenever God does something big, people usually fall into one of two camps:
The Seekers: They were amazed and asked the most important question: "What does this mean?" (Acts 2:12). They were open to the possibility that God was up to something new.
The Skeptics: They tried to explain away a miracle with a joke: "They’ve had too much wine" (Acts 2:13). Peter had to point out the logic flaw—it was only 9:00 AM! Skeptics would rather believe a silly lie (that wine makes you fluent in foreign languages) than believe a supernatural truth.
The Bridge: When the "Miracle" Became a "Gift"
As the Church moved out of Jerusalem, something shifted. In Acts 2, tongues were a Sign to the Nations—God gave the disciples specific, known human languages so they could preach to the world. But as believers began to meet in homes for prayer, they realized the Holy Spirit was doing something else, too.
They began to experience the Spiritual Gift of Tongues—a "Private Language" where the spirit connects with God in a way the human mind can't fully grasp. Paul later explains in 1 Corinthians 14:2 that "anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God."
Clearing Up the Confusion:
The Acts 2 Comparison: Because the "gift" sounded like the "miracle" at Pentecost, many people (then and now) guessed it should be used the same way—out loud and in public. They assumed that because it was public in Jerusalem, it should be public in every prayer meeting.
The Pagan Connection: This is where it gets messy. Many new Christians in the city of Corinth had a history of "ecstatic worship." In their old pagan temples, people would work themselves into a frenzy, rambling in made-up languages to worship gods like Dionysus.
The Mess in Corinth: When these people met Jesus, they brought that "temple baggage" with them. They mixed the real gift of the Spirit with their old pagan habits of loud, chaotic, attention-seeking outbursts.
Historical Context:
The Corinthian Chaos
The "Spirit-Status" Problem
Corinth was a flashy, competitive city. In their culture, "more" was always "better." They began using tongues as a status symbol, thinking, "If I am louder and more chaotic than you, it proves I am more 'possessed' by the Spirit than you are."
The Correction:
Paul wrote what he did in 1 Corinthians 14 not because tongues were bad, but because the Corinthians were using them to create "cliques" and "shows." He tells them in verse 33 that "God is not a God of disorder but of peace." This is why Paul doesn't mention tongues much to other churches—they weren't trying to turn the Holy Spirit into a performance.
The Modern Protocol: Getting it Right Today
In our world today, most Christians tend to fall into one of four camps regarding this gift:
The "Weirded Out" Camp: Being around it makes them uncomfortable because it feels like the "pagan chaos" Paul warned about.
The "I Like the Vibe" Camp: They enjoy the energy but don't fully understand the biblical rules.
The "Show-Off" Camp: Like the Corinthians, they are obsessed with the gift as a status symbol and tend to "put on a show."
The "Scriptural" Camp: They understand the gift, value it, but practice it in line with the "Team First" instructions of Paul.
Summary: What You Need to Know About Tongues Today
To move into that fourth camp, we need to understand the heart behind Paul’s guidelines in 1 Corinthians 14.
Not Everyone Has This Gift: Paul makes it clear in 1 Corinthians 12:30 by asking, "Do all speak in tongues?" (The implied answer is No). While he wishes everyone could experience that intimate connection with God (1 Cor 14:5), it is NOT a requirement for having the Holy Spirit.
The Heart-Check Rule: If you use this gift in a public meeting where no one understands you, it’s time for a heart check. Since only you are being benefited, why are you doing it out loud? Mature faith prioritizes the group's benefit (1 Cor 14:4).
Public Restraint: Paul suggests a guideline of only 2 or 3 people speaking in tongues in a public gathering, and they must take turns (1 Cor 14:27). This ensures the service stays focused on teaching and worship that everyone can join in on.
The Mystery of the Interpreter: If you feel an urge to speak out loud, you should pray that you may interpret what you say (1 Cor 14:13).
Testing the Spirit: True interpretation should "build up" the church (1 Cor 14:26) and align with the Bible. If it sounds like a vague fortune cookie or contradicts Scripture, it’s not from God.
Avoid the "Corinthian Trap": Many modern churches make tongues the "main event." This often brings a "look at me" vibe that excludes seekers and creates confusion.
The Bottom Line: Tongues are a desirable and good gift for the believer, but they are best used in your private time with God.
Summary: When is it "OK"?
Setting | Out Loud? | Why? |
Private Prayer | YES | It builds your personal spirit (1 Cor 14:4). |
Small Group / Service | NO (unless interpreted) | It causes confusion and prioritizes the individual over the "Team." |
Public (Silent/Whisper) | YES | As long as it’s "to yourself and God" and not a distraction to others. |
The Final Word: Paul says, "Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way" (1 Cor 14:40). A mature believer uses their gifts to serve others, which often means holding back a personal expression for the sake of the group’s peace and understanding.
✅ How to APPROACH THis passage in ACTS Correctly (Tips and Principles):
How do we approach this study for success? We have to look at the "Heart Posture" of the writers.
Context is King: Always ask, "Who is in the room?" In Acts 2, the world was in the room, so God used a "Public Megaphone." In 1 Corinthians, the family was in the room, so Paul focused on "Building the Team."
Order Over Chaos: Remember that God is a God of peace, not confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). If a practice makes a meeting chaotic or makes seekers feel "weirded out," it’s likely being done in a "Corinthian" way rather than a "Pentecost" way.
The Goal is Edification: "Edify" is a fancy word for "building up." The right way to view any spiritual gift is to ask: "Does this help the person sitting next to me find Jesus or grow closer to Him?"
Questions to Chew on and Discuss:
These questions are designed to help you personally dig deeper into the passage.
Most people fall into one of four camps: Weirded out, into the "vibe" but confused, obsessed with the "show," or practicing it biblically. Which camp have you spent the most time in, and why?
Paul says that even if we speak in the languages of angels but don't have love, we are just a "clanging cymbal" (1 Corinthians 13:1). How can we make sure our pursuit of spiritual gifts doesn't accidentally trample over our love for the people around us?
Why do you think God values our understanding (using our minds) just as much as our spirit (using our hearts)?
Journey Group Discussion Starter:
Whether you're helping facilitate a small group, talking about this passage one-on-one with a friend, or even just need a topic to guide the conversation at the dinner table, these ideas can help start a good group conversation before you dive into the passage and questions in this study guide.
The "Accent" Check: The crowd in Acts was shocked that "unpolished" Galileans could speak so beautifully. If people looked at your life today, would they be shocked by the "language of grace" coming out of your mouth? Why or why not?
The "Heart Language": At Pentecost, everyone heard the Gospel in their own native language. Who in your life speaks a different "language" (maybe a different generation or political view)? How can you "speak their language" this week to show them the love of Jesus?
Sum it Up
God is a Missionary God. He wants to be understood. In Acts 2, He used a miracle of language to prove that Jesus is for everyone. In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul teaches us that while spiritual languages are great for our private prayer life, our public gatherings must be focused on building each other up. Don't be a "clanging cymbal." Use your gifts—whether it's speaking, serving, or praying—to make the wonders of God clear to a world that is desperate for hope.
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FAQ: Navigating the Gift of Tongues Today
This section is designed to tackle the "tough stuff." When we move from the Bible pages into real life, things can get messy. Here are the answers to the most common questions about how tongues work in the modern world.
1. Was the gift of tongues widespread or common in the early church?
It seems to have been a common experience, but not a "one-size-fits-all" experience. While it appears in several key moments in the Book of Acts (like Pentecost, the house of Cornelius, and Ephesus), Paul’s letter to the Corinthians shows that it was a gift shared by many in that specific community. However, Paul also lists it alongside many other gifts like teaching, helping, and leading. It was part of the "spiritual landscape," but it wasn't the only way, or even the primary way, the Spirit moved.
2. If it’s a language, why don’t people write it down or teach it?
This goes back to the difference between Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 14. In Acts 2, they were known languages that could be understood by people from those countries. But in 1 Corinthians 14, Paul describes tongues as "mysteries" spoken to God that no human mind understands. Because this "prayer language" isn't based on human grammar or vocabulary, it can't be "taught" like Spanish or Greek. It isn't a code to be cracked; it’s a spiritual expression. The "interpretation" mentioned in the Bible isn't usually a word-for-word translation, but rather a "reporting" of the heart or essence of what was prayed.
3. I’ve never spoken in tongues. What is it about it that is desirable?
Paul says the person who speaks in a tongue "builds themselves up" (1 Corinthians 14:4). Many people find it desirable because it provides a way to pray when they are too overwhelmed, exhausted, or joyful to find human words. It’s like a "pressure relief valve" for the soul. It allows for an intimate, emotional connection with God that moves past the limits of our intellect.
4. Is this something I can learn, or does God just do it?
Biblically, tongues are a "gift" (Charisma), which means it’s something God gives, not something you manufacture. You can’t "practice" your way into a spiritual gift. While some people are encouraged to "mimic" sounds in certain settings, the New Testament describes it as a move of the Holy Spirit. Our role is to be open and ask, but God is the one who decides who gets which gift for the benefit of the Church (1 Corinthians 12:11).
5. What if I’m at a church where everyone is doing it but there's no interpretation?
According to the "Protocol" we studied in 1 Corinthians 14:28, that setting is technically disorderly. If you find yourself in that situation, you don’t need to be afraid or judgmental, but you should stay grounded in the Word. A healthy church should prioritize understanding. If the "vibe" is more about the "show" than the message of Jesus, it’s okay to be cautious. You are not "less spiritual" for being confused by a chaotic environment.
6. If someone wants to pray over me in tongues, what should I do?
You are always in control of your own space. If it makes you uncomfortable, it is perfectly okay to say, "I would prefer if you prayed for me in English so I can agree with your prayer." Remember, Paul says the spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet (1 Corinthians 14:32). This means the person praying can control themselves. If they insist on praying in a way that confuses or bothers you, they are prioritizing their experience over your "building up."
7. Why do some denominations focus on it so much?
Historically, some groups (often called Pentecostal or Charismatic) formed during times when the church felt "dry" or "dead." They wanted to recapture the fire and power seen in the Book of Acts. Because tongues are a very visible and audible sign, it became the "banner" for their movement. While their heart for the Spirit is great, the danger is when the "sign" becomes more important than the "fruit" (love, joy, peace).
8. Are there denominations I should avoid regarding this?
Be cautious of any group that says, "If you don't speak in tongues, you aren't saved" or "You don't have the Holy Spirit." That is a direct contradiction of 1 Corinthians 12. Also, avoid groups where the leaders use "tongues" to claim they have "secret information" from God that you aren't allowed to question. If a gift is being used to control people rather than serve them, it is a major red flag.
9. Is it okay to want to receive this gift?
Yes! Paul actually says, "Eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit" (1 Corinthians 14:1). It is a good thing to want everything God has for you. The key is your "Why." If you want it so you can be a "Super-Christian" or fit in with a certain crowd, your heart is in the wrong place. If you want it to deepen your private intimacy with God, then ask away!
10. How do I stay scriptural if I’m a skeptic?
Skepticism isn't a sin; the Bible actually tells us to "test the spirits" (1 John 4:1). The best way to stay in line with Scripture is to hold the "Standard of Love" and the "Standard of Order." Does the practice lead to more love for Jesus and people? Is it orderly? If someone's "tongue" or "interpretation" makes them arrogant or causes chaos, your skepticism is actually a helpful tool for discernment.
11. Why are some people so "extra" in worship (shouting, dancing, etc.)?
People are built differently. Some people connect with God intellectually (through study), while others connect emotionally and physically. Historically, expressive worship is often a reaction to a life that has been deeply transformed. If someone was "saved from the gutter," they might shout a little louder than someone who grew up in a quiet pews. As long as it isn't a "performance" to get attention, it’s usually just a person's "heart language" of gratitude overflowing into their body.
Bonus Questions
Q: Can the "Gift of Tongues" be faked? Yes. Because it is an audible sound, it is possible for people to mimic it to fit in or look spiritual. This is why the Fruit of the Spirit (your character) is a much better measure of a person’s walk with God than the Gifts of the Spirit.
Q: Does the Gift of Tongues eventually "cease" or stop? There is a big debate on this. Some believe these gifts stopped when the Bible was finished. However, most scholars point out that 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 says gifts will pass away only when "completeness comes"—which most agree refers to when we see Jesus face-to-face. Until then, the "tools" of the Spirit are still available for the job.
Q: Is it possible to speak in tongues and still be a "mess" of a person? Absolutely. Look at the Corinthians! They had all the gifts but were full of pride, lawsuits, and division. Gifts are about God's power, but fruit is about your maturity. Never mistake a "gift" for "approval" of everything a person does.
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