In the Greek, the word translated as tongues is glossalalia, meaning the literal tongue or a language. 

When the gift of tongues (speaking in foreign languages) was first given at Pentecost, we know these languages were definitely understood by foreigners. Act 2:7-8, 11 (NIV), “Utterly amazed, they asked: ‘Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?…(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs–we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!’”

There are only three instances where speaking in tongues is recorded in the New Testament – Acts 2:1-11, 10:38-48 and 19:1-8. In each instance, those who spoke were apostles who had been given the gift of the holy spirit, done for very specific purposes with very specific audiences under very specific oversight.

In verses 14-41 of Acts 2, Peter then teaches about the repentance of sins and the fulfillment of prophecy. The result was that 3,000 people were converted and baptized as a result of hearing the message in their own language. From this account, we can clearly see that the purpose of speaking in tongues was to preach and spread the gospel.

1 Corinthians 14:22 further explains, “Speaking in other tongues, then, is intended as a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers.” Speaking in tongues, foreign languages, gave the early church the ability to spread the gospel far and wide.

In the time of Jesus, the New Testament had not yet been written. The Jews had the Old Testament scriptures, but even so, they needed instruction to understand the prophecies pointing to Jesus. People depended on the signs, miracles, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit to prove that Jesus was indeed God’s son. 

However, the New Testament was written so that even 2,000 years after Jesus’s first advent, we can still learn and believe in God’s plan of salvation. The New Testament produces the exact same outcome as seeing signs and speaking in tongues. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV), “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Today, we no longer need to depend on signs and wonders. Thus, the gift of speaking in tongues, along with the other miraculous signs, ended with the apostles.

To conclude, the purpose of speaking in tongues was to be a sign to the unbelievers and to spread the gospel. Speaking in tongues is no longer happening today. It has not been in place since the days of the apostles before the New Testament was completed.

Additional Resources:
For a more detailed study of tongues, please download the free PDF: “Speaking in Tongues”

Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1047: “Why Did the Tongues of Fire Touch the Apostles?”
How God’s spirit and speaking in tongues really worked in the Bible
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

Episode #1188: “Do We Have the Purpose of the Holy Spirit Backwards?”
Distinguishing God’s power from our own desires in our daily life
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

For children, parents and Bible class teachers:
Animated CQ Kids videos: 
“What happened at Pentecost?”
“What is the holy spirit?”
“What does the holy spirit do?”