​You're speaking my language.

The concept of speaking in tongues has tripped me up for quite a while as a newer Christian.

I used to think maybe something was wrong with me since I've never experienced this particular gift, one that some denominations claim is the essential evidence of being baptized by the Holy Spirit.

So, you can imagine my trepidation.

But fortunately, I've grown in my study of Acts over the years, and as of a few short weeks ago, our pastor helped us dig into the text and learn what "speaking in tongues" actually means according to the New Testament.

Based on Acts 2:7-11, "speaking in tongues" is clearly defined as speaking another country's native language. This line makes that pretty evident:

"... we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

So, we have to ask ourselves why God would grant this ability to the disciples during Pentecost?

Well, unlike our modern-day and age, there were no telephones, emails, SnapChat, TikTok (you name it!) that could help spread the word about the Way of Jesus.

So, God granted the first believers to share this truth with others in a way that helped quickly spread the movement and bring new believers into the Kingdom.

Okay, great. But if it happened that one time (and additionally two other times, once in Acts 10 and once in Acts 19), doesn't this mean that we all must be able to speak in tongues to prove that we're truly followers of Christ and indwelled with the Holy Spirit?

Well, actually, there are many other accounts of people being baptized in the Spirit and this not happening to them–Paul included!

When he sees Jesus on the road to Damascus and becomes His follower, he does not immediately speak in tongues.

He does eventually mention receiving this gift, but he's also careful to point out that we're all different parts of the body and not all of us have the same gifts, as indicated in 1 Corinthians 12: 27-31:

"Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?"

The obvious answer to his rhetorical questions is "no."

All right, so what about where Paul talks about "speaking in the tongues of angels" in 1 Corinthians 13?

Here, Paul is clearly making the point that even if this were a gift someone could be given, it means nothing if it's not done in love.

In fact, I would argue (like many do) that he's speaking in hyperbole here, especially since this is the only reference to "tongues of angels" in the entire Bible.

Could God allow us to speak the language of angels? Certainly. He is God. And because He is God, we need to always make room for the possibility of the miraculous. However, like Paul deeply underscores, nothing matters, including receiving this particular gift, if it's not done in love.

And quick side note: I once had a friend who recounted her experience with a particular denomination that routinely bullied her into "displaying" the ability to speak in angelic tongues as proof that she was baptized in the Holy Spirit.

This is the lack of love Paul is referring to.

So, what is the normative pattern for following Jesus in Scripture (also laid out by John Stott in his book The Message of Acts)?

1. Repentance/Faith in Jesus
2. Water baptism
3. Receiving the Holy Spirit

That's it.

Ultimately, what I've realized is that God’s not a God of confusion. He created order out of chaos, and welcomes us into His family with His love, His open arms. So, if I find myself doubting His love for me or where I am on the spectrum of "saved," most likely the problem isn't with my salvation but with my understanding of His Word.

Also, God’s work and power in our lives is specific to us, and we need to stop doing the human thing of creating formulas from what we read in Scripture. Our Lord is creative and can grant any gift when and where He pleases.

So why is all of this important? Because it comes down to digging into Scripture, asking questions, and doing our due diligence of researching so we know what God's truth actually is before blindly believing someone else's warped version of it. It is our calling as believers to be discerning and to meditate on the Word night and day, because when we don't, we can easily be deceived.