Spiritual Gifts and Speaking in Tongues — Disputes with Protestants

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III clarifies the stance of the Coptic Orthodox Church regarding spiritual gifts, especially speaking in tongues, and discusses the disagreement with some Protestant groups (particularly Pentecostals) that exalt this aspect.

Core idea:

1. Spiritual gifts are a gift from God and there is no human merit in them, and they are not a cause of salvation.

2. The fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, meekness, chastity, goodness, and faith) are more important than showing miraculous gifts.

3. The Apostle Paul placed speaking in tongues at the end of the order of gifts, and affirmed that love and the fruits of the Spirit are higher and more suitable for the building of the Church.

4. Speaking in tongues can be beneficial if it is for the edification of others and has translation; otherwise it is better for the believer to be silent and keep the relationship between him and God.

5. A warning against pride and hypocrisy: whoever receives a gift should hide it and use it for service not for self-praise, otherwise the gift becomes an extension of the demons of false glory.

6. There is a distinction between true spiritual filling that God gives when He wills and human practices that claim to grant gifts by human power — the honoring of chrism and the priesthood in the Church is a different method and framework for granting the Holy Spirit.

7. Speaking in tongues in Scripture was often for the purpose of evangelizing unbelievers so that they might believe, while teaching and admonition (prophecy) is for the believers to build up the Church.

8. Pauline regulations: gifts are not for everyone, they must be ordered, subject to the prophets, with regard to the calm and order of the Church, and women in the Church are to be in submission according to the law as the Apostle mentioned (in the context of the text).

Spiritual and educational dimension from a Coptic Orthodox faith perspective:

• Emphasis on the theological centrality of love and the spiritual fruits as signs of true spiritual progress.

• A call to repentance, purity, and humility as genuine preparation for any gift if the Lord wills to grant it.

• Emphasis on the sacraments and polity of the Church (such as priestly acts and chrism) as the framework for the Holy Spirit’s work within the body of the Church, and not to replace them with individual unregulated practices.

• Practical ecclesial edification: every gift that is requested or given must be used for the building of the Church and the salvation of souls, not for fame or personal domination.

For better translation support, please contact the center.