Many are surprised when they first hear someone speaking in tongues and wonder, “Is this real? Does God truly give such a gift?” The answer, rooted in Scripture and tradition, is a resounding yes. For with God, nothing is impossible.
God and the Miracle of Language
The first miracle involving language appears early in the Bible—Genesis 11. Up until that point, the whole world spoke a single language:
“Now the whole earth had one language and the same words… the Lord confused the language of all the earth.”
(Genesis 11:1–9)
In a moment, God introduced diversity in speech, scattering people across the earth through language. If God can give many languages in an instant, how much more can He grant the gift of tongues to His children?
A Speaking Donkey? Yes!
In another remarkable event, God even enabled a donkey to speak:
“Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and it said to Balaam…”
(Numbers 22:28–30)
If the Creator can enable a donkey to speak with understanding, why should we doubt that He can also empower human beings with divine speech?
Modern Witnesses of the Gift
In more recent times, mystics like Therese Neumann provide astonishing testimonies. During her ecstasies, she reportedly spoke and understood Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic, despite only having a 7th-grade education and no prior exposure to these languages.
Professor Wessely, a linguist, declared:
“Therese Neumann’s knowledge of Christ’s own language is a miracle in itself… unheard of and inconceivable.”
Pentecost: The Outpouring of the Spirit
The most powerful biblical testimony to the gift of tongues is found in Acts 2:
“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.”
(Acts 2:4)
Devout Jews from many nations heard the apostles proclaiming God’s deeds of power in their own native tongues.
A Promise from Jesus
Jesus foretold this divine phenomenon:
“They shall speak in new tongues.”
(Mark 16:17)
That promise is still alive today—available to all who open their hearts to the Holy Spirit.
