Do you have to speak in tongues to be saved?

Response

No, speaking in tongues is not a requirement for salvation. The Bible documents cases of some believers utilizing the gift of tongues, but it does not assert that speaking in tongues is proof of salvation. Those who claim that speaking in tongues is necessary for salvation often refer to specific examples in the book of Acts where tongues served as a manifestation of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and therefore of salvation.

In Acts 10, the Roman centurion Cornelius and his household embrace faith in Christ. The Holy Spirit descends upon them, and they commence speaking in tongues. This served as a signal to Peter that these Gentiles were saved and had received the Holy Spirit—Peter would have immediately linked this occurrence to what transpired on the Day of Pentecost, when the church was established among the Jews. Now, Gentiles were also being saved alongside the Jews, and Peter had confirmation: this group of Gentiles was speaking in tongues.

In Acts 19:4–6, the apostle Paul encounters some followers of John the Baptist in Ephesus. These individuals had embraced John’s message of repentance but were unaware of the Holy Spirit. Paul directed them to Jesus, they believed, and were baptized in Jesus’ name. Paul laid his hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit, demonstrated by their speaking in tongues. In this instance, speaking in tongues served as a sign to them and to Paul that they had accepted the complete gospel message. It also served as a sign to the entire city of Ephesus, a significant hub of Gentile trade, culture, and idolatry. God was preparing His work in Ephesus, and here were men equipped for His purpose, capable of proclaiming the gospel in any required language.

The salvation of Cornelius and the men of Ephesus are specific cases where speaking in tongues was an indication or a signal that the new birth had taken place. These cases are the exception rather than the norm. It is noteworthy that throughout the book of Acts andThe rest of the New Testament does not mention speaking in tongues in connection with salvation. None of the gospel presentations in the New Testament refer to tongues (John 3:16-18; Ephesians 2:1-10; Acts 4:12; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-13; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Ephesians 2:1-10). If speaking in tongues were necessary for salvation, or the main indicator of salvation, we would expect to find more references to tongues.

Understanding the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues is crucial to realizing why it is not a sign of salvation. The gift of tongues was bestowed on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came to dwell permanently in Christ’s followers. This gift allowed them to speak foreign languages they had not learned, and the early church used this ability to preach Christ (Acts 2:4-12). Some translations, like the New Living Translation and Holman Christian Standard Bible, interpret “tongues” as “languages.” The Greek word is glossa, which can mean the physical tongue or a language. Today, some associate the gift of tongues with ecstatic, unintelligible speech and “heavenly” (i.e., mystical, unknown) languages, but this does not align with the biblical example. The purpose of the gift of tongues or languages was to convey a message and serve as a sign to unbelievers (“Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.” – 1 Corinthians 14:22), and it ceased with the apostolic age, as Paul predicted (“Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether t…”).Here be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” , (1 Corinthians 13:8). Missionaries to a foreign field must now go to language school and learn the language they will minister in. Speaking in tongues was a spiritual gift given to some, not all “Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?” , (1 Corinthians 12:30). It is never presented as a requirement for salvation in Scripture.

The Bible emphasizes that not everyone will have the same gift. As Paul asks a series of rhetorical questions in 1 Corinthians 12:29–30: “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 implied answer is “no.” In the body of Christ, different parts have different functions (1 Corinthians 12:18-20). Even in the early church, when the gift of tongues was in use, not every Christian was expected or required to speak in tongues. The Holy Spirit gave the gift of tongues to those He wanted to have it “but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” , (1 Corinthians 12:11).

Faith in Jesus Christ—His work on the cross and His resurrection—is what saves people (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) by the grace of God. If salvation requires more than faith, then faith would be accompanied by works, which goes against the teaching of Scripture (see Ephesians 2:8-9). Just as the JudaiZers argued that Christians had to follow parts of the Mosaic Law to be saved. Similarly, some individuals today claim that more actions are necessary for salvation. Such teachings are not supported in the Bible. See Galatians 2:16.

If a person has placed their faith in Christ, then their life will indeed show evidence of salvation: “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” (James 2:22). Bearing the fruit of the Spirit, loving others, and obeying the Lord will indicate that a person’s life has been changed by Christ (Galatians 5:22-23; John 13:34-35; 14:15). Living for Jesus, rather than speaking in tongues, is evidence of salvation.