The Theology of Glossolalia: A Multifaceted Biblical Exegesis and Its Pentecostal Hermeneutic

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive examination of the biblical theology of glossolalia, commonly known as speaking in tongues, through detailed exegesis of relevant New Testament texts and systematic theological reflection. The study argues against a reductionist interpretation that flattens the diverse biblical witness into a single doctrinal formulation. Instead, it demonstrates how the Lukan and Pauline writings present complementary rather than contradictory perspectives on this phenomenon. In Acts, Luke portrays glossolalia primarily as a missiological sign marking epochal transitions in salvation history, while in 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses it as a charismatic gift for personal edification and corporate worship when properly regulated. The paper further explores historical interpretations, contemporary theological implications, and pastoral applications for Pentecostal practice, with particular attention to African and Global South Pentecostal communities. By engaging with major scholarly voices and examining the biblical texts in their original contexts, this research contributes to a more nuanced Pentecostal hermeneutic that honors the full biblical witness while maintaining the distinctive Pentecostal emphasis on the experiential dimension of the Spirit's work. The paper also engages with African Pentecostal scholarship, demonstrating that glossolalia functions not merely as doctrinal evidence but as a practical means of engaging spiritual realities in contexts where the supernatural is assumed rather than debated.