The gift of tongues in apostolic times: glossolalia, xenoglossy or jubilation?

Abstract

The article aims to answer the question of whether the gift of tongues in apostolic times, as it was presented in the texts of the New Testament, meant using a foreign language that was actually existing and comprehensible, or prayer in an incomprehensible language. An analysis of respective texts revealed that Acts 2 presents the Apostles speaking during Pentecost “foreign languages/tongues” (λαλεῖν ἑτέραις γλώσσαις) where the term foreign” (ἑτέραις) is further specified  by the phrase τῇ ἰδίᾳ διαλέκτῳ, which indicates speaking in foreign languages that are actually existing and understandable.

 Instead, Paul's presentation of the gift of languages in 1 Cor 12–14, where the expression γένη γλωσσῶν or λαλεῖν γλώσσαις appears, speaking in tongues during an event at the house of Cornelius in Acts 10,44–47 (λαλεῖν γλώσσαις), in Ephesus Acts 19,1–17 λαλεῖν γλώσσαις) would rather be about speaking in non-existent and incomprehensible languages.

Finally, the analysis of the announcement in Mk 16.9–20 that Jesus' disciples will “speak in new languages” (γλώσσαις λαλήσουσιν καιναῖς) did not give a definite answer as to whether glossolalia or xenoglossia were involved.

However, there is no mention in the New Testament texts of jubilation as understood by St. Augustine.