© 2025 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). E-Journal of Religious and Theological Studies (ERATS) ISSN – Online 2458-7338 | Print 2821-8957 Volume 11 Issue 5 2025 pp 200 -209 Available online at: https://noyam.org/journals/erats/ DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.20251153 Christian Ethical Perspectives on Speaking in Tongues (glossolalia) as a Mandatory Requirement for Selecting a Church Leader George Anderson Jnr. 1 & Philip Kwadwo Okyere 2 1 Department of Religion and Human Values, University of Cape Coast, Ghana. 2 Department of Basic Education, University of Cape Coast, Ghana. INTRODUCTION In Christendom, the act of speaking in tongues originated with the Apostles of Christ (Acts 2:4). This phenomenon re-emerged during the 1906 Azusa Street Revival, led by William J. Seymour, where evidence of speaking in tongues, miracles, and other spiritual experiences was reported. 1 Despite these manifestations across various strands of Christianity, scholars like John Calvin, St. Augustine, and Chrysostom contend that speaking in tongues is antediluvian, with Calvin arguing that it was limited to the Apostolic age. 2 In contrast, Pentecostals maintain that the gift of tongues persists today, asserting historical evidence of its authenticity and its continuation until Christ ’s return. 3 For Pentecostals, speaking in tongues is a vital medium of prayer and a necessary sign of having been “baptised in the Spirit,” 1 Mookgo Solomon Kgatle, “The Influence of Azusa Street Revival in the Early Developments of the Apostolic Faith Mission of Sou th Africa,” Missionalia: Southern African Journal of Mission Studies 44, no. 3 (2016): 321–35. 2 Erik H. van Alten, “John Calvin on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in His Commentary on Acts,” Koers: Bulletin for Christian Scholarship= Koers: Bulletin Vir Christelike Wetenskap 82, no. 2 (2017): 1–13. 3 Confidence Worlanyo Bansah, “Is Speaking in Tongues Real Today? An African Christian Perspective,” The American Journal of Biblical Theology, vol. 17, 2016. 1 Correspondence George Anderson Jnr. Email: george.anderson@ucc.edu.gh Publication History Received: 2 nd February , 2025 Accepted: 1 st May, 2025 Published online: 30 th May, 2025 ABSTRACT Speaking in tongues has a long history in the church, dating back to Christ’s apostles (Acts 2:4). While theologians like John Calvin, St. Augustine, and Chrysostom view it as outdated, Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians assert its relevance today. This belief drives many to attempt speaking in tongues, often interpreting their inability as a sign of not being fully born again or lacking the Holy Spirit. Consequently, some Christians may imitate others to showcase their reception of the Holy Spirit. This qualitative analysis through interviews explored the Christian ethical perspectives on requiring this gift before one becomes a church leader. It argues that the ability to speak in tongues is a supernatural gift bestowed by the Holy Spirit, which cannot be acquired through human effort or training. Therefore, making it a prerequisite for church leaders risks encouraging imitation rather than a genuine spiritual experience. The paper contributes to the debate on speaking in tongues in the church. Keywords: Christian Ethics, Speaking In Tongue, Mandatory Requirement, Church Leader