Tongues in the Bible

In the beginning God spoke.           In the beginning God spoke and breathed to create life (Gen 1:3 and Gen 2:7).

When men grew proud of their human achievements together and tried to build a city with a high tower reaching heaven (Gen 11:1-9) God intervened, confusing their languages (Babel means ‘confusion’) and scattering them throughout the earth.  No mention is specifically made of tongues until the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 when a different kind of unity – a spiritual unity- was given by God:  “And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language” (Acts 2:5-6 NKJV).

Link with the infilling of the Holy Spirit  Encouragements to pray in tongues
Tongues in spiritual warfare and intercession Guidelines for tongues in public settings
Bible passages that help us understand about tongues Bible passages that highlight God’s priorities
Old Testament passages that seem relevant Other related themes

Is anything too hard or too wonderful for the Lord? (Gen 18:14)                                                                                                                   ‘Not by might, not by power but by my Spirit’ says the Lord (Zech 4:6b)                                               The tongue has the power of life and death (Prov 18:21 NIV)