I became saved in a Pentecostal church at the age of 13. Like any young blindly obedient Pentecostal I had this inner belief that we are onto something special that no one else had or knew. I don’t remember why I behaved or thought like this, but I do remember the ideology being very strong. See my other Article on “Pentecostal Ideology” for more on this.

The Pentecostal movement practice tongues. This practice, depending on which church you go to, is a sign of the spirit and in some cases confirm that you are saved. The problem with all of it is that,

There is not one church today that practices biblical tongues.

Reader that is not a bold statement, it is a simple statement of fact. When held up against biblical verses on the topic all churches that dabble in this practice fail miserably.

The Practice

Just based on the practice itself one should be seriously concerned. Any reasonably minded person should ask the following questions,

How do we know any tongue is real?

How do we know it isn’t real?

How could we validate any interpretation?

How could we invalidate and interpretation?

In some cases, the very act of tongues invalidates itself. In October 2019 the following was posted showing

Reader that video is 1minute and 15 seconds in length and is a difficult watch. I paused it twice before I finally made it to the end in embarrassment. I don’t think anyone of reasonable intelligence would attempt to make the case that this pastor was actually speaking a language of God during that video. Of course, this one incident doesn’t invalidate this practice for everyone across the globe, for that we just need to go to the bible and just a couple of verses.

The Facts

Firstly, the bible states that tongues were for a time, and a specific time only, and that this practice shall cease,

• Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

The bible states that tongues will cease, simple.

Pentecostals state that tongues are a vital part of being baptized in the spirit, and that these practices do the following,

It brings on the anointing,

It edifies the members of Christ,

It Invokes the Holy Spirit,

It can heal,

Unfortunately, the bible is having none of it, God’s word is expressly specific about what tongues is actually for and it has nothing to do with a saved christian,

• 1 Corinthians 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

Moving on, tongues have some specific rules which apply,

• 1 Corinthians 14:27-28 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
• 1 Corinthians 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

This is important, only two or three can speak at once in this tongue, and one more MUST interpret, otherwise all should keep quiet. Paul warned the early church that if this rule was broken, we would appear crazy.

How many churches do you know who practice tongues in this manner aligned with the bible

A Logical Fallacy

If one researches just a little you will find that tongues being used as evidence of being baptized in the spirit did not originate until the early 1900’s. The American evangelist Charles Parham (1873 – 1929) taught it, and it quickly got out of hand at the helm of his student William J Seymour during the Asuza Street Revival. Reader something isn’t right, what happened to the Christians for 1900 years between Pentecost and the Asuza Street Revival? Did they all get it wrong and miss all the gifts of the Holy Spirit for one thousand nine hundred years? Or has this unbiblical practice of tongues aligned itself with the modern world and the degradation of the modern church.

Conclusion

Tongues was real, and it had an amazing purpose. The Holy Spirit sent the gift of tongues to the Apostles as a sign to Jews. It was for a time when Christ had been crucified and the world needed evidence. Unbelievers at this time did not have the New Testament and were coming to terms with the fact that the messiahs coming had just occurred. It was never intended to continue, it had specific rules for the early church and the practice has no place in our time or in any Christian church.

Ironically, the church today exists for one purpose and that is to edify its members, which is in opposition to the biblical reason tongues was introduced by the spirit in the first place.