Will I Speak In Tongues After I’m Saved?

I talked to someone on the phone a while back and they asked me, “Will I speak in tongues after I’m saved?” The short answer is “No!” The long answer is “No!”

Why is it that some believe that they will speak in tongues after they are saved or think that they have to. The reason is due to false teaching. What was speaking in tongues?

Tongues were languages. In Acts 2:4 it describes how the apostles began to speak with other tongues. Jews from every nation were in Jerusalem and every man heard them speak in his own language, Acts 2:5-6.  See also Acts 2:7-13. The apostles did not jabber with disconnected syllables coming from the mouth; they spoke languages, languages that could be understood, languages that men from the various provinces had learned.

Biblically, speaking in tongues was the miracle of speaking in a language that had not been learned by the speaker. The gibberish and unintelligible sounds that some today call speaking in tongues is not like that found in the Bible. Tongues were a sign to the unbeliever, 1 Corinthians 14:22. This gift was used in Acts 2 to convince unbelievers of the truth spoken by the apostles, Acts 2:12, 33. In Acts 10:44-48when Cornelius and his household began to speak in tongues, it was a sign to Peter and the Jewish brethren that (Gentiles) could be saved and a part of God’s kingdom.

While it is true that tongues could be used to teach the gospel to those who did not understand the common tongue (Greek), that does not seem to be its primary use. It was used as a sign to cause unbelievers to believe, Mark 16:17-20. In no place were tongues used as a sign that one is saved or that he is "close to God."

Tongues was a less desirable gift than prophecy, 1 Corinthians 14:5.

1. In an assembly where the language spoken was unknown, unless interpretation was given, the hearers were not edified by the gift of tongues, 1 Corinthians 14:5, 27-32.

2. Read 1 Corinthians 14:18-19.  Paul used tongues outside the assembly. Tongues has limited use in the assembly.

3. What would happen if an unbeliever came into an assembly where languages were spoken that the unbeliever didn't know and no interpreter was present?  They would think the Christians were crazy, 1 Corinthians 14:22-24. 

Tongues could be controlled by the speaker, 1 Corinthians 14:26-40.

1. All things must be done unto edification, 1 Corinthians 14:26, 40.

2. Only two, or at the most three, could speak in an assembly, 1 Corinthians 14:27.

3. If no interpreter was present, he must keep silent, 1 Corinthians 14:28.

4. Like the tongue speakers, the spirits of the prophets were subject to the prophets, 1 Corinthians 14:32, indicating the gifts could be controlled.

More could be said with respect to speaking in tongues.

Speaking in tongues does not determine if one is saved or not. Rather, following the words of Jesus and His apostles do, Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38. Some want people to think that if you speak in tongues, it shows how close you really are to God. That’s false! One has fellowship with the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirt when one believes and obeys the gospel!

Not every Christian in the first century had the ability to speak in tongues. It didn’t make their relationship with God any less valuable or less important than those who could speak in tongues.

So, how are claims of speaking in tongues explained today?

          An emotional experience. 

1. It is often necessary for those who speak in tongues to be whipped into an emotional frenzy in order to produce their phenomena. Many people think they need a sign that God has accepted them. 

2. They have been taught that tongues is such a sign. If they have tongues, it means they are close to God and are spiritual people. They do not, however, speak actual languages by the Spirit of God.

A learned experience.  People often mimic what they believe others are doing.

The following questions may be asked of those who claim to speak in tongues by the Holy Spirit.

1. Do you speak a language known to others in the world?  Acts 2:6, 8, 11.

2. Are your tongues used as a sign to unbelievers?  1 Corinthians 14:22.

3. Do several speak in tongues at once in your assemblies?  1 Corinthians 14:27.

4. Do your people speak in tongues only with an interpreter?  1 Corinthians 14:28.

5. Are your assemblies conducted in an orderly fashion?  1 Corinthians 14:40.

When one obeys the gospel, they are forgiven of their sins, Acts 2:38. That’s reason to rejoice and to know you have fellowship with God.