Is speaking in tongue biblical

Answer 1

As a matter of fact, it is. Go to Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 2 in the Holy Bible. The Baptism of the three-thousand According to the Book of Acts, the experience of the Pentecost was shared by all in the large crowd, causing confusion and inspiring fear. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. [...] Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? [...] Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?" Acts 2:6-12 Then the Apostle Peter, standing with the eleven other apostles, spoke to the crowd. He explained that these strange events had been predicted by the prophet Joel, and that Jesus's coming had been prophesied by David. Peter explained that these events confirmed David's prophesied exaltation of Jesus. Peter then exhorted his listeners to turn to Christ. About three thousand responded to Peter's sermon. Three physical signs occurred showing the coming of the Holy Spirit: Sound of Blowing Wind A strong rushing wind was heard before the fire descended from Heaven. Tongues of Fire The tongues of Fire which descended on the disciples represents a theophany (a visible manifestation of God). This is important to Christianity in that it represents the dynastic succession of power from Jesus to the Holy Spirit who guides the believers. See also Luke 3:16-17. Glossolalia/Xenoglossia They heard the apostles speaking in the native tongue of the listener, i.e., the miracle was in the hearing. This was important in that it was key for the spread of the gospel. The Holy Spirit acted as a translator so that as the preaching occurred everyone there comprehended the message in their own native language. (This event has also been interpreted as the opposite of the events at the Tower of Babel, which, according to the tradition, introduced the language barriers in the first place.) "Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. [...] Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear." (Acts 2:26-33) Simon Peter also reminded the multitude (in Acts 2:17-21) that this experience had been predicted by the prophet Joel: "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions." (Joel 2:28) Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [...] Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Acts 2:38-41

Answer 2

Only Paul really addressed this issue; he seems sometimes to have supported the idea, sometimes opposed it, as if it was of no concern to him if people tried to talk in tongues. In 1 Corinthians 14:2, he seems to be sarcastic in saying that those who speak in tongues do not talk to men, so they must be talking to God, then in 14:4 he says that those who speak in tongues edify themselves, not the Church:

1 Corinthians 14:2: "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries."

1 Corinthians 14:4: "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church."

Answer 3

The sudden ability to speak fluently in a foreign language is mentioned in Acts 2:4 as a gift of the Holy Spirit. Dennis E Smith and Joseph B Tyson (Acts and Christian Beginnings) say that this story seems to be a reversal of the Old Testament Babel narrative.

'Speaking in tongues' usually means speaking in what appears to be an entirely unknown language, supposedly as evidence of the Holy Spirit, since no human can really understand what is being said. The Apostle Paul was dismissive of those who claimed to speak in tongues, although he was not prepared to alienate those who claimed this ability. He indicated a preference for prophecy, since this at least might be useful. In 1 Corinthians 14:4, Paul says "Whoever speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but whoever prophesies builds up the church." He then goes on to explain what he sees as the futility of speaking in tongues, summarising this in verse 19: "but in the church I would rather speak five words with my mind, so as to instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue."