Gift of tongues
From Wesleyan Discipline
265
- (10) Preserve the fellowship and witness of the Church with reference to the use of languages. The Wesleyan Church believes in the miraculous use of languages and the interpretation of languages in its biblical and historical setting. But it is contrary to the Word of God to teach that speaking in an unknown tongue or the gift of tongues is the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit or of that entire sanctification which the baptism accomplishes; therefore, only a language readily understood by the congregation is to be used in public worship. The Wesleyan Church believes that the use of an ecstatic prayer language has no clear scriptural sanction, or any pattern of established historical usage in the church; therefore, the use of such a prayer language shall not be promoted among us.1
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- 1 In 2022, the North American General Conference and its subsequent district conferences passed Memorial 52 which purposed to change Paragraph 265:10 to the following:
- 265:10 To promote love, the common good, and orderliness in Christ’s church with reference to the use of the spiritual gift of tongues. The Wesleyan Church believes in the gifts of the miraculous use of tongues and the interpretation of tongues. Speaking, praying or singing in tongues, whether done privately or publicly, is the divinely enabled ability some believers experience to communicate to God words of thanksgiving, praise, and adoration in a language not previously learned. While The Wesleyan Church recognizes that the gift of tongues is given to some believers, there is no single gift that is given to all as evidence of the Spirit’s infilling. The greatest expression of this work is a heart purified by the Holy Spirit and an empowered life of love and service to God and people. If speaking in tongues occurs publicly in a church gathering, Scripture requires one person to speak at a time and an interpretation to be provided by another so all in attendance, especially unbelievers, may understand and be edified. Pastors and leaders are to exercise discretion in light of these instructions to ensure our gatherings bear the fruit of unity and order in a manner helpful and intelligible to those hearing the gospel.
- Mark 16:17; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:4, 6, 8-11, 16, 33; 4:7, 31; 10:44–47; 19:6; Rom. 5:5; 13:1–5; 15:18–19; 1 Cor. 2:4; 12:3, 7, 10-11, 25, 28, 30; 13:1; 14:1–2, 5-6, 13–19, 23, 26-28, 33, 39-40; 1 Thess. 5:12, 23; Heb. 2:4; 1 Peter 4:10; 5:12
- Memorial 52 will not be ratified until the Caribbean (2023) and Philippines (2026) General Conferences take action. For the current status of Memorial 52 check www.wesleyan.org/memorial-52.