One of the common arguments against speaking in tongues today is that it was only necessary in the apostolic era for spreading the Gospel to various linguistic groups. Some claim that since the church is now established, tongues have fulfilled their purpose and are no longer needed. But is this a biblical stance?

A careful study of Scripture shows that speaking in tongues was not just a temporary sign but remains essential today as a sign of receiving the Holy Spirit and a means of spiritual edification.

1. Tongues as the Initial Evidence of the Holy Spirit

The first and most important reason tongues are still necessary today is that they were the initial evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit in the early church.

  • Acts 2:4 – "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

  • Acts 10:44-46 – Cornelius’ household received the Holy Spirit, and Peter knew this because they spoke in tongues.

  • Acts 19:6 – The disciples of John in Ephesus received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues and prophesied.

This pattern was not exclusive to the apostles but applied to all who received the Holy Spirit. Nowhere does the Bible state that this would cease after the apostolic age.

2. Tongues Were Not Just for Evangelism

A common misconception is that tongues were only for preaching the Gospel to people who spoke different languages. However, this misrepresents how tongues functioned in the early church.

  • In Acts 2, people from various nations heard the disciples speaking in their own languages, but they were not being preached to in tongues—they simply heard them "speak the wonderful works of God" (Acts 2:11). Peter later preached to them in a known language.

  • 1 Corinthians 14 makes it clear that tongues were used for more than evangelism. Paul speaks of praying in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:14-15), edifying oneself (1 Corinthians 14:4), and corporate worship.

If tongues were merely for translation, why does Paul discuss praying and worshiping in tongues? The purpose of tongues goes beyond evangelism and remains relevant today.

3. Paul Encouraged Speaking in Tongues

If tongues were meant to cease after the apostolic era, why did Paul emphasize them so strongly?

  • "I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all." (1 Corinthians 14:18)

  • "Do not forbid to speak with tongues." (1 Corinthians 14:39)

Paul’s letters were written decades after Pentecost, proving that tongues were not a temporary phenomenon. If tongues were meant to cease, why would he encourage them so fervently?

4. The Difference Between the Gift of Tongues and the Sign of Tongues

Some confuse the gift of tongues (one of the nine spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12) with the sign of tongues that accompanies Spirit baptism.

  • The gift of tongues is for public edification and must be interpreted (1 Corinthians 14:27-28).

  • The sign of tongues is for every believer who receives the Holy Spirit (Mark 16:17, Acts 2:4, Acts 10:46, Acts 19:6).

Just because the gift is regulated in corporate worship does not mean that all speaking in tongues has ceased. Spirit baptism with tongues is for every believer.

5. The Bible Prophesied the Continuation of Tongues

The Bible explicitly predicts that tongues would continue:

  • Isaiah 28:11-12 – "For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people."

    • Paul connects this prophecy with tongues in 1 Corinthians 14:21, showing that tongues were prophesied to continue.

  • 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."

    • Jesus Himself stated that tongues would be a sign for believers, not just apostles.

  • Joel 2:28-29 (quoted in Acts 2:16-18) prophesies the outpouring of the Spirit in the last days. Since we are still in the last days, tongues are still relevant.

6. 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 Does Not Teach That Tongues Have Ceased

Some argue that 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 states tongues will cease:

"Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away."

  • The "perfect" here refers to the return of Jesus and the completion of God’s redemptive plan.

  • Knowledge has not vanished, and prophecy has not ceased—so why assume tongues have?

7. The Book of Acts Model is Still the Standard

Since the first-century church is our pattern, we must follow their example.

  • If tongues were necessary for receiving the Holy Spirit then, they are still necessary today.

  • If Acts is our blueprint for salvation, then what happened in Acts should still happen now.

Tongues Are Still Necessary Today

Speaking in tongues was not just a temporary sign for the early church—it is a continuing sign of receiving the Holy Spirit and a means of personal edification (1 Corinthians 14:4, Jude 20).

Rather than rejecting tongues, we should seek the fullness of the Spirit as experienced in the Book of Acts. The Oneness Apostolic Pentecostal movement affirms that speaking in tongues is an essential sign of Spirit baptism and continues to be necessary today.

Would you like to experience the Holy Spirit the way the early church did? The promise is for you (Acts 2:39)! Seek God in prayer, believe, and be filled with the Spirit—just as they were in the Book of Acts.