Introduction
1 Corinthians 14:2 – “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him: but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries“
Acts 2:6 – “And when this sound occurred, a multitude came together, and were confounded, because each one heard them speak in his own language“
The Emergence of New Languages
1. How many languages were spoken about 4500 years ago, shortly after the flood occurred? .
Genesis 11:1 – “And the whole land was of one language and one speech“
2. Out of fear that another flood would occur, what did the inhabitants of the earth build?.
Genesis 11:2-4 – “And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, Come, let us make brick, and burn it thoroughly. And they took brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. And they said, Come, let us build us a city, and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth“
Commentary: The Lord had made a covenant with Noah and the inhabitants of the earth, promising never again to destroy the earth with water (Genesis 9:11). However, a few generations later, the people doubted His promise and decided to build a tall tower to protect themselves from another flood. The leader of this construction, as well as the great city that was built, was named Nimrod (Genesis 10:9-12).
3. What did the Lord do with the inhabitants of that time?.
Genesis 11:7-9 – “Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech. So the Lord scattered them from there over the face of the whole earth, and they stopped building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth, and from there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth“
Commentary: Because of their disbelief in His covenant, the Lord decided to confuse the people’s language to prevent the tower from being completed. At that time, different languages were created, and as a result, the builders of the tower and the city could no longer continue their work.
Preaching All Over the World
4. What command did Jesus give to His disciples after His resurrection?.
Mark 16:15 – “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature“
Commentary: How could His disciples preach a message throughout the world if most of them were simple people? They could not speak any language other than Hebrew. How could they take this message to the entire world, which had many languages spoken by its people? If Jesus gave the command, surely He would also provide the means.
5. In order to fulfill His order, what did Jesus promise His disciples?.
Luke 24:45-49 – “Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, ‘This is what is written: The Christ must suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.’“
Commentary: Just as God intervened in the building of the tower after the flood, confusing men’s minds by creating new languages, so God would intervene in the preaching of the gospel by empowering His Son’s disciples.
6. What guidance did Jesus give His disciples regarding the Father’s promise?.
Acts 1:4 – “And being gathered together with them, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, you heard from me“
7. With what would they be baptized to receive power and fulfill Jesus’ command?.
Acts 1:5 – “For John truly baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now“
8. What signs would accompany the disciples as they fulfilled their missions?.
Mark 16:17 – “And these signs will follow those who believe: In my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues“
Commentary: Speaking in new tongues would be one of the signs that would accompany Jesus’ disciples. Notice that the Lord comments on the existence of several “languages” as a sign to His disciples, for it is said in the plural “languages“. Another important detail of the text is that the word used in the Greek manuscripts is “kainos” and not “neos“. Both Greek words mean something “new“; however, they differ in terms of the purpose for which they are used. “Neos” applies to something that did not exist but came into existence, whereas “kainos” refers to something new that already existed. Therefore, we can understand that the text “new languages” refers to something already existing in the world in which the disciples lived, and not something new that was unknown to the people of the time.
Religious People Coming from Different Nations
9. When was this promise fulfilled?.
Acts 2:1-4 – “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them cloven tongues as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance“
Commentary: We can see from the account that the disciples received the Father’s promise of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to empower them in preaching the gospel on the day of Pentecost. The disciples were not only empowered, but they were also given the gift of tongues to speak in other languages.
10. According to the Law, how many days after the Sabbath following the Feast of Unleavened Bread were the people supposed to bring food offerings to the Lord?.
Leviticus 23:15-16,21 – “Then you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; it shall be seven full weeks. Until the day after the seventh Sabbath you shall count fifty days; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the Lord. … And you shall proclaim on that same day that it is a holy convocation; you shall do no servile work therein. It shall be a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations“.
11. What was the name given to this holy convocation?.
Deuteronomy 16:9-10 – “You shall count off seven weeks; from the moment the sickle is put to the grain, you shall begin to count off seven weeks. Then you shall celebrate the Feast of Weeks to the Lord your God. Whatever you give will be a freewill offering from your hand, as the Lord your God has blessed you“
12. What should be done by all people during the Feast of Weeks?.
Deuteronomy 16:16 – “Three times in the year every male among you shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which he shall choose, in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: but he shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed“
Commentary: According to the instructions that God had given to Moses, the people of Israel were to celebrate 7 annual feasts, 3 of which required a pilgrimage to Jerusalem each year. The Feast of Weeks was one of these 3 feasts, during which all the Jews and their families were to go to Jerusalem to worship the Lord.
13. According to the Law, did the religious people mentioned in Acts chapter 2 fulfill the commandment to go to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast?.
Acts 2:5 – “And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven“
Comment: As we can read in Acts 2:1, the day of this occasion was called “Pentecost“, which in the original Greek means “50 days“. Why “50 days“? Because it was the period determined by God to celebrate the Feast of Weeks, as we have seen in the previous passages. On this occasion, Jews and religious men from every nation known to them were present in Jerusalem.
14. When the disciples received the promise from the Father, what did they receive power to speak?.
Acts 2:4 – “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance“
Commentary: After receiving God’s Holy Spirit, the disciples were filled with power to preach the message. However, their boldness in preaching would have been meaningless if there had been no confirmation to the people that the disciples were fulfilling God’s will. For this reason, the Lord gave them the gift of tongues to speak new languages, and this would serve as a sign to those religious people.
15. After being empowered by the power from on high, did the disciples fulfill the order given by Jesus to preach to all nations?.
Acts 2:5-11 – “Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, a multitude came together and were confused, because each one heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, ‘Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? How then do we hear them, each one in our own language, in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and those who live in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya around Cyrene, and strangers from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs, we all hear in our own languages the wonderful works of God.’“
16. The gift of tongues received by Jesus’ disciples caused them to speak in what languages? Were the languages they spoke understood by the people who heard them speak?.
Acts 2:6,8 – “And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because each one heard them speak in his own language. … How then do we hear each one in our own language, in which we were born?“
Commentary: We can clearly see in this passage that the gift of tongues received by the disciples was the gift of speaking other languages. They had never studied these languages, but miraculously, they began to speak them without ever having learned them. The entire multitude of people began to hear the disciples preaching in different languages, and many were able to understand the message, since they heard it in the language of the nation where they lived.
17. At that time, what nationalities were there among the religious people? Approximately how many different languages were known among these people?.
Acts 2:9-11 – “Parthians and Medes and Elamites and those who live in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene, and strangers from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs, we all hear in our own languages the wonderful works of God“
The Gift of Tongues in Corinth
18. What other gifts are granted by the spirit of God?.
1 Corinthians 12:5-11 – “And there are diversities of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man for the profit of all. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; and to another faith by the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit; and to another the working of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another the discerning of spirits; and to another diversities of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues. But all these things worketh one and the same Spirit, distributing to every man individually as he will“
Commentary: The Lord grants different gifts to His Church through His Spirit. Not everyone receives the same gifts. Therefore, each gift is given for a specific purpose, according to the will of God and not of men.
19. Regarding communication, how many gifts are there?.
1 Corinthians 12:10 – “And to another the working of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another the discerning of spirits; and to another divers kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues“
Comment: Regarding communication, we find two gifts given by God. The first is the gift of “variety of languages“, which grants a person the ability to speak in another language without the need to study or learn it through human effort. Note that it is referred to as “variety of languages” in the plural, indicating the existence of the many languages in our world. The second gift related to communication is the “interpretation of languages“. The person who receives this gift does not have the ability to speak a certain language but can understand it perfectly when they hear it being spoken. When granted together, both gifts complement each other, giving the person the ability to speak and understand a specific language.
20. It is correct to state that the term “languages” is used in the Bible to refer to languages? Do the passages below agree with this statement?.
Acts 2:6 – “And when this sound occurred, a multitude came together, and were confounded, because each one heard them speak in his own language“
Acts 2:8 – “How then do we hear them, each one in our own language in which we were born?“
Genesis 11:1 – “The whole land was of the same language and the same speech“
21. What advice did the apostle Paul give to the church?.
1 Corinthians 14:1 – “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy“
22. What difference does the apostle Paul make between the gift of prophecy and the gift of tongues, in relation to people who do not understand the spoken language?.
1 Corinthians 14:2-4 – “For he who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him, for in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks to men for edification, exhortation, and comfort. He who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church“
Comment 1: The term “unknown” does not appear in the oldest manuscripts and can be considered an addition by the translator. In some versions of the Bible, translators no longer include this word. Another word that does not appear in the manuscripts is “strange“, which can be found in other biblical versions of the one used in this study. Both the words “unknown” and “strange” were added by the translator, probably because they describe a “new” language for the speaker, making it “unknown” and “strange” to the one announcing it.
Comment 2: The language is unknown to the person who has received the gift of tongues. He does not understand the words he speaks, but he knows what he is saying because the thought presented is his own. However, the words spoken are not understood by him unless he has received the gift of interpretation of tongues. Therefore, only God understands what is being spoken, as well as people who have the gift of interpretation or who have learned that language naturally. The speaker himself does not know the meaning of the words, but he understands the message, as it comes from his own thoughts. Therefore, if there is no interpreter, only the speaker is edified by the spoken word, unlike what happens with the gift of prophecy, which is spoken in a language understood by the listeners. The message given through prophecy edifies not only the speaker but all listeners.
23. In what situation does the gift of tongues become as useful as the gift of prophesying?.
1 Corinthians 14:5 – “And I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more that you should prophesy. For greater is he who prophesies than he who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edification“
Commentary: If the message given through the gift of tongues is known only to the speaker, then the gift of prophecy is more profitable than the former. On the other hand, if there is an interpreter of the message presented in another language, then the gift of tongues becomes as useful as the gift of prophecy, for it edifies both the speaker and the listener.
24. According to the apostle Paul, what are the characteristics that the gift of tongues spoken by people must possess?.
1 Corinthians 14:6-10 – “Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what good is it to you unless I speak to you either by revelation or by knowledge or by prophecy or by teaching? Likewise, if lifeless things that make a sound, whether flute or harp, do not give distinct sounds, how will anyone know what is played on the flute or harp? For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle? So likewise you, unless you utter intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what is said? For you are speaking into the air. For there are so many kinds of voices in the world, and not one of them is without meaning“
25. Are the voices expressed by men meaningless?.
1 Corinthians 14:10 – “There are, for example, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without meaning“
26. Therefore, if we ignore the meaning of the voices spoken by men, to whom can we be compared?.
1 Corinthians 14:11 – “But if I ignore the meaning of the voice, I will be a barbarian to the one to whom I speak, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me“
Comment: Some translations render “barbarian” as “foreigner“, as this is the best translation. It is quite clear from the context that Paul is talking about languages spoken by people. Each word has its own meaning. If we ignore the sound of each word, we will lose its meaning, and thus, we will be like strangers to each other, without understanding the meaning of each word. In other words, a message given in another language is of no use if it is not understood.
27. What is the purpose of spiritual gifts?.
1 Corinthians 14:12 – “So you also, since you are eager for spiritual gifts, seek to abound in them for the edifying of the church“
28. If someone receives the gift of speaking in another tongue, what other gift should that person pray for to be manifested?.
1 Corinthians 14:13 – “Therefore let him who speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret“
Comment: Speaking in another tongue just for the sake of speaking is not God’s will. In fact, if this happens, it is because the Lord is not directing the speaker, as no one is being edified by the message presented. If anyone receives the gift of tongues from the Lord, there should also be an interpreter of the message so that the entire church may be edified.
29. According to Paul, does the understanding expressed by one who speaks in another tongue produce any fruit if it is not interpreted so that others can also understand?.
1 Corinthians 14:14-17 – “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What then shall I do? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also; I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the unlearned say, Amen, at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? For you truly give thanks well, but the other is not edified“
30. If there is no interpreter of the language spoken by the one who received the gift, then who is the only one who understands the words spoken?.
1 Corinthians 14:14 – “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful“
Comment: The Bible refers to the person himself several times when it uses the word “spirit“. This word has several meanings in the Bible, and one of these meanings refers to the feelings and thoughts of the mind. That is why Paul says that when someone speaks in another tongue, their own spirit understands, but their understanding is unfruitful. In other words, the message transmitted from their understanding had no effect, since it was not understood by anyone who heard it.
31. Did the apostle Paul have knowledge of other languages?.
1 Corinthians 14:18 – “I thank my God that I speak more languages than you all“
Comment: It is evident once again that Paul is referring to other languages when he uses the word “languages“. Here, Paul declares that he speaks more languages than all those in the church at Corinth. In fact, he was a learned man who had studied and mastered other languages.
32. What was Paul’s attitude in using his knowledge of other languages to speak to people who did not know that language?.
1 Corinthians 14:19 – “Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my own understanding, that I may instruct others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue“
33. According to the prophecy mentioned by the apostle Paul, it is evident that he is dealing with “languages” in the course of your letter?.
1 Corinthians 14:21 – “It is written in the law: With men of other tongues and with other lips I will speak to this people, and yet they will not listen to me, says the Lord“
Comment: The prophecy cited by Paul is found in the book of the prophet Isaiah 28:11. Once again, the context confirms that “languages” refers to the languages spoken by the people of this world, and not the pronunciation of words unknown to its inhabitants.
34. For whom does the gift of tongues become a sign?.
1 Corinthians 14:22 – “So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; and prophecy is not a sign to unbelievers but to those who believe“
35. In fact, did this gift serve as a sign for the people who heard Jesus’ disciples preach on the day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2?.
Acts 2:6,12 – “And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because each one heard them speak in his own language. … And they were all amazed, and were in awe, saying one to another, What meaneth this?“
Commentary: As previously mentioned, power and boldness to preach the message would not be enough to spread the gospel throughout the world. Therefore, the Lord gave the gift of tongues to His disciples, not only to carry the message to other nations but also to serve as a sign to the listeners that these messengers were sent by God.
36. In what other situation did the gift of tongues serve as a sign?.
Acts 10:44-48 – “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers of the circumcision, as many as came with Peter, were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter answered, ‘Can anyone withhold water from these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they begged him to stay with them for a few days“
37. For an uneducated person, that is, one with little knowledge, who does not know how to speak other languages, what is more beneficial, hearing a prophetic message or someone speaking in another language?.
1 Corinthians 14:23-24 – “And if the whole church comes together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are unlearned or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad? But if all prophesy, and an unlearned or unbeliever comes in, he is convicted of all, he is judged of all“
38. Is it consistent for members of a church to speak several languages at the same time?.
1 Corinthians 14:27 – “And if anyone speaks in an unknown tongue, let it be done by two, or at the most by three, in turn, and let one interpret“
1 Corinthians 14:33 – “For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints“
1 Corinthians 14:39-40 – “Therefore, brethren, seek earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But let all things be done decently and in order“
39. Should a person speak in tongues when there is no one to interpret what is being said to others?.
1 Corinthians 14:27-28 – “And if any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, in turn, and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church, and speak to himself, and to God“
Comment: The church should not have several people speaking in different languages at the same time, especially when there is no one to interpret. As Paul said, in this case, it is better to remain silent in church.
40. What other example from the Bible can we find that proves the term “languages” a reference to languages spoken by people?.
Deuteronomy 28:49 – “The Lord will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth, as swift as the eagle flies, a nation whose language you will not understand“
Comment: The language would be unknown to the Israelites because it would be spoken by people from other nations. This is how the term “languages” is used in the Bible, and not as the Pentecostal movement currently teaches in different churches. The talk of “languages” in the Bible refers to speaking new languages through the empowerment of God’s Holy Spirit, not speaking words that are unknown to human beings. This is a false gift of tongues, a false Pentecost practiced by many today. As we have seen, in the true Pentecost, the gift of tongues granted was that of languages, not the same as that taught in many Pentecostal churches.
41. Some claim that Paul spoke the language of angels. Is that really what Paul said when he referred to this language?.
1 Corinthians 13:1 – “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal“
Comment: Paul did not claim that he spoke the language of angels, much less that it was possible for humans to speak such a language. He was extolling the gift of love. He said, “even if I spoke“, meaning he never spoke that language-only those of men.
The Holy Spirit and the Gifts
42. Is the gift of tongues the only gift in existence?.
1 Corinthians 12:4 – “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit“
43. Can gifts be obtained by ourselves?.
1 Corinthians 12:11 – “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills“
44. Who gives gifts to men?.
1 Corinthians 12:28 – “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues“
Commentary: Through His Spirit, God is the one who gives gifts to men. We do not earn these gifts on our own. What we can earn by our own efforts are called talents, but the gift is provided by God. It is not obtained through human effort.
45. Do we need to do anything to receive the Lord’s gifts?.
1 Corinthians 14:1 – “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy“
Acts 1:4 – “And being gathered together with them, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, you heard from me“
Acts 1:14 – “All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers“
Commentary: Even though the gifts cannot be obtained by ourselves, there are conditions for receiving them. It is the Lord who grants us the gifts, but it is up to us to persevere in seeking them, asking the Lord to grant us a gift to fulfill His will. These gifts will also be given to His people when they are prepared to receive them. We must be united in the truth and with one another. No feelings of enmity can exist among those who hope to receive a gift from the Lord.
46. Do all people have the gift of tongues?.
1 Corinthians 12:28-30 – “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? do all have gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?“
Comment: The gift of tongues, like other gifts, is not given to everyone. God is the one who chooses the specific gift that each person may receive, according to the needs of His people. Some may or may not experience manifestations of these gifts, as everything is done according to the will of the Lord. Contrary to what many teach today, the gift of tongues is not proof of being baptized with the Holy Spirit. Evidence of this is that many prophets and servants of the Lord did not receive this gift, such as Mary, the mother of Jesus; John the Baptist; Paul; Stephen; many disciples; and even the Lord Jesus.
47. What is the greatest proof that a person has the holy spirit of God in his life?.
Galatians 5:22 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control“
Commentary: The true proof of having God’s Holy Spirit is not demonstrated through the existence of some gift, but rather through the fruits of the Spirit in our lives. The gifts of the Spirit are granted first according to the Lord’s will, and second, according to the needs of the church.
Historical Quotes
Irenaeus of Lyons 130-202 AD “Likewise we have all heard that many of the brethren in the church have prophetic gifts, and speak in all tongues through the Spirit, and also bring to light the secrets of men for the benefit of men, and expound the mysteries of God“ – Eusebius of Caesarea, Ecclesiastical History, Book 5, Chapter 7. 1st Ed. – Rio de Janeiro: CPAD, 1999. Pages 173 and 174.
Pachomius 292-348 AD “After special moments, he could, under the power of the Spirit, speak the Greek and Latin languages that he had never learned.” – Vida de los Santos. A. Butler (1756).
Final Considerations
The true gift of tongues in the Bible refers to speaking other languages that are unknown to the person’s understanding. It is not speaking “strange languages” that are unknown on our planet. The second type is a counterfeit of the truth- a “sign” given not by God, but by His enemy, to deceive and beguile many. The current movements known as “Pentecostals” do not qualify as being directed by God, because the same power that acted at Pentecost will grant the true gifts to fulfill God’s purposes. Just as it was granted to the early church to take the gospel to many people and to be a sign to those who did not believe in Jesus, the same will happen when the Holy Spirit of God is poured out again shortly before the return of the Son of God. This will occur so that the completion of the proclamation of the gospel will reach the entire world. May we be attentive to the signs of Jesus’ return and not be deceived by Satan’s tricks. May God bless us.
