Episode Summary: Back to the Bible Podcast

Host: Larsen Plyler
Episode 127: Speaking in Tongues, 2
Date: October 12, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Larsen Plyler continues a discussion on the biblical doctrine of speaking in tongues. Prompted by a listener's question about a viral video asserting that speaking in tongues is essential for salvation, Larsen carefully examines scriptural teaching, the historical context of spiritual gifts, and addresses misunderstandings about tongues from both personal experience and broader church practice. Using an expositional approach, he analyzes the relevant passages from Acts and 1 Corinthians, contending that speaking in tongues was never universal among the saved, was passed on in specific ways, and ultimately ceased after the apostolic age.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Stage: The Question and Motivation

• Listener's Question: A video claims, “If you're not speaking in tongues, you're not going to heaven.”
  • Larsen clarifies his intent is to answer biblically and not personally judge salvation.
• Purpose: To examine whether speaking in tongues is necessary for salvation and the valid scriptural understanding of spiritual gifts.

2. Biblical Evidence from Acts: Who Received Spiritual Gifts—and How?

• Acts 2: The Holy Spirit was directly given to the apostles (not to all believers).
• Acts 8: Samaritans:
  • Philip, though a preacher and miracle worker, could not impart spiritual gifts—the apostles had to lay hands for that to happen (08:44).
  • Salvation was recognized before receiving spiritual gifts:

    “Is it when the Samaritans come up out of the water that they begin speaking in tongues? It is not. ... The apostles come and they lay hands on them so that they can receive the power of the Holy Spirit.” (16:12)

• Acts 10–11: Cornelius:
  • Only two direct outpourings of the Spirit are referenced—disciples at Pentecost and Cornelius' household. Peter doesn’t generalize these as typical experiences for all converts.

    “Peter ... says, ‘...the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as he did upon us at the beginning.’” (20:13)

• Acts 19: Ephesus Disciples
  • Those baptized into John’s baptism had not received the Holy Spirit; after Christian baptism, Paul lays hands on them and they receive the gifts, emphasizing that gifts do not automatically follow baptism (24:09).
• Romans 1:11
  • Paul expresses desire to impart a spiritual gift to Roman Christians, implying not all early believers possessed spiritual gifts.

3. Universal Gift? - Paul's Teaching in 1 Corinthians

• Variety, Not Universality
  • 1 Corinthians 12 shows spiritual gifts were diverse, and not all Christians received or exercised the same gifts.

    “‘Do all speak with tongues?’ ... The answer to all of those is no.” (32:07)

  • Analogy of the body: Different parts, different functions, same Spirit.
• Love as the Greater Gift
  • Tongues and other gifts are secondary to love, described as “a more excellent way” (1 Cor. 12:31; 13:1).

    “If I speak with tongues of men and angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” (34:09)

4. The Purpose and Cessation of Tongues

• Purpose of Tongues
  • Tongues served as revelation of God's word across language barriers, not personal spiritual status.

    “The purpose of speaking in tongues was to be revelation to people who didn’t speak the same language you did.” (35:45)

• Ceasing of Gifts
  • Paul predicts the end of spiritual gifts with “the perfect”—interpreted here as the completed canon of Scripture (1 Cor. 13:8-10).

    “Love never fails. But if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away. If there are tongues, they will cease...” (39:01)

  • Gifts would phase out as their purpose (imparting revelation) was fulfilled when Scripture became complete.

5. Modern Misapplications

• Contrasts with Modern Practices
  • Many claiming to speak in tongues today do so absent interpretation, in contradiction to Paul's regulation in 1 Cor. 14.

    “First of all, there has to be an interpretation... If there is no translator, he must keep silent in the church and let him speak to himself and to God.” (46:55)

  • Larsen strongly asserts modern tongue speaking does not align with biblical practice and is not necessary for salvation.

    “Let me tell you that ... spits in the face of the purpose of tongues. That is not what they were for.” (36:56)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Salvation and Tongues:

  “It is not the case that if you do not speak in tongues that you are going to hell.” (06:40)

• On How Gifts Were Given:

  “Right there, through the laying on of the apostles hands. That’s how the Spirit is delivered.” (15:04)

• Explaining Acts 11:

  “Peter ... says, ‘the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as he did upon us at the beginning’. ... These are two stand together events.” (20:13)

• On Diversity of Gifts:

  “Do all speak with tongues? ... The answer to all of those is no. We’re not all the same in that.” (32:07)

• On the Fading Gifts:

  “The speaking of tongues and the healings directly and the prophecy and those things are things that have faded away with the completion of the Scriptures.” (38:39)

• On Modern Tongue Speaking:

  “That just ... spits in the face of the purpose of tongues. That is not what they were for. They were for revelation.” (36:56)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:00–06:30] – Introduction & Statement of Question
• [06:31–16:10] – Acts 2 & 8: The Reception and Transmission of Spiritual Gifts
• [16:11–21:45] – Cornelius and the Uniqueness of Holy Spirit Outpourings
• [21:46–26:45] – Acts 19: Ephesus Disciples and the Role of Apostolic Hands
• [26:46–29:30] – Romans 1:11: Evidence that Not All Had Gifts
• [29:31–34:30] – 1 Corinthians 12: Diversity of Gifts Explained
• [34:31–40:20] – 1 Corinthians 13: Cessation and Purpose of the Gifts
• [40:21–46:45] – 1 Corinthians 14: Orderly Use of Tongues & Modern Contradictions
• [46:46–End] – Final Reflections, Call for Questions, Conclusion

Conclusion

Larsen Plyler’s response to the listener question is a thorough, Scripture-based examination of the doctrine of speaking in tongues. He emphasizes that spiritual gifts, especially tongues, were never universal among believers, were imparted under specific circumstances (by apostolic hands), and had a defined, temporary role focusing on revelation, not salvation. His analysis challenges modern interpretations, concluding that the need and means for tongues have ceased with the completion of Scripture, and that love remains the enduring, superior Christian virtue. He invites further questions and seeks to continue addressing biblical topics with clarity and respect for God’s word.