Christmas, Easter, & Pentecost: Why Speaking in Tongues


Doug Witherup

Christmas, Easter, & Pentecost: Why Speaking in Tongues

Christmas, Easter, Pentecost—A Foundation of Faith

Imagine a church that doesn’t believe in Christmas. Hard to fathom, isn’t it? No celebration of the miraculous virgin birth, no acknowledgment of the Incarnation—God taking on flesh to dwell among us. Now imagine a church that doesn’t believe in Easter. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our faith, the event that gives us hope for eternal life. Finally, imagine a church that doesn’t believe in Pentecost. It seems almost unthinkable, yet many Christians stop short of embracing the full power and purpose of Pentecost.

When it comes to the doctrine of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues, some believers hesitate. "That’s not for me," they say. "It seems strange." But let’s take a moment to reflect:

You already believe that a virgin gave birth to the Son of God.

You already believe that the Son of God was crucified and rose from the dead.

But you struggle to believe that God can empower you with a new language?


Not fully embracing Pentecost and the empowering of the Holy Spirit is like celebrating Christmas without the virgin birth or Easter without the resurrection. Yet many Christians celebrate Pentecost—the birth of the Church—without embracing the gift of speaking in tongues.


Why Speaking in Tongues?


The question often arises: Why tongues? What is the significance of speaking in another language? The answer lies in the nature of God and His work in the world. When God initiates something new, He often uses language.


1. God Formed the World Through the Word and the Spirit


In Genesis 1, the creation story begins with God speaking the universe into existence.
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth... And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light” (Genesis 1:1-3).


The Word of God, combined with the hovering Spirit, brought forth order from chaos. The enemy, however, cannot create; he can only distort. This is evident in Genesis 3, where Satan’s deception begins with a question: “Did God really say…?” The enemy uses distorted words to disrupt God’s order and identity in our lives.


2. The People of God Reform the World Through the Word and Spirit


In John 1:1, Jesus is identified as the Word made flesh. After His resurrection, Jesus breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). Then, in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit empowered the early Church at Pentecost.



“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:4).


Language was central to this moment. Speaking in tongues signified the restoration of unity and the empowerment to declare God’s works across cultural and linguistic barriers.


3. Restoration at Pentecost: Reversing Babel

In Genesis 11, humanity’s unity in language at the Tower of Babel led to pride and rebellion. God responded by confusing their language and scattering them. At Pentecost, this fragmentation was reversed:


“Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken” (Acts 2:5-6).


What was broken at Babel was restored in Jerusalem. God’s people were unified by the Holy Spirit, speaking a heavenly language that signified the restoration of divine power and purpose.


Language Shapes Culture


Babylon’s agenda often begins with changing language. In today’s world, we see this principle in action:


  • Sin is rebranded as “choice.”
  • Confusion is cloaked in euphemisms like “dysphoria.”


Confusing language creates a confused culture. However, God empowers His people to reclaim and reshape culture through the heavenly language of the Spirit. Whoever controls the language controls the culture.


Speaking in Tongues: Gateway to the Supernatural


James 3:2 says, “If we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.” When we surrender our tongues to the Holy Spirit, we invite His power into our lives. Speaking in tongues is more than a spiritual exercise; it’s an act of submission that unlocks the supernatural.


A Powerful Illustration


Imagine using an old leaf blower to clear a yard filled with oak leaves. It gets the job done, but barely. Then, you discover a high-powered leaf blower with the strength to move mountains of leaves effortlessly. Similarly, many Christians operate with limited spiritual power because they haven’t tapped into the full potential of the Holy Spirit.


“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you” (Acts 1:8).


The gift of tongues isn’t just about language; it’s about accessing the power to witness, to work miracles, and to live in the fullness of God’s purpose.


Conclusion


Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost are three pillars of the Christian faith. While most believers embrace the miraculous aspects of Christmas and Easter, Pentecost often remains underexplored. Speaking in tongues is not just an optional add-on; it’s a divine gift that empowers us to live victoriously and change the world. By embracing this gift, we fully participate in the restoration God initiated through Jesus Christ and continues through the Holy Spirit.

Let us not celebrate Pentecost without embracing its power. Surrender your tongue to the Holy Spirit and discover the extraordinary power of a heavenly language. The world is waiting for a Church empowered by the Spirit, united in purpose, and bold in proclamation.

By Doug Witherup October 28, 2025
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Okay, confession time: the title is a little clickbaity. But I also really do mean it. And I think it matters. Here’s why. First off, let’s clarify: the word eschatology is not in the Bible. That’s not necessarily a problem. After all, neither is the word Trinity , and that doctrine is foundational to the Christian faith. And just because Christmas trees don’t appear in Scripture doesn’t mean having one in your living room is wrong. (Unless it’s February. Then it’s very wrong. Take it down. Seriously.) But back to the point — eschatology , as a term, didn’t exist in the vocabulary of early Christians. It wasn’t introduced until around the 17th century , during the rise of post-Reformation theology in Europe. The word gained real traction in the 19th century , especially among Protestant systematic theologians. Again, the problem isn’t the word’s late arrival. The issue is the meaning it carries. Eschatology = “The Study of the End” The word combines: Eschatos = last, final -logy = the study of So, eschatology quite literally means “the study of last things” or “the end times.” But here’s where I push back: Revelation isn’t the end. It’s not a wrap-up or a closing chapter. It’s a re-beginning. It’s Eden restored. The garden becoming a garden-city. The curse removed. Heaven and earth reunited. It’s not the end — it’s the again . And sure, I realize this might sound like a matter of semantics. But let’s not forget: semantics shape theology, and theology shapes how we live. If my framework is built around endings , I live clinging to this world. I fear death. I avoid Revelation because it seems scary and unfamiliar.
But if my theology is rooted in re-beginnings , then I’m filled with hope. I long for a better land. I ache — in the best way — for the ultimate homecoming. A Better Word and a Better Way: Palingenesiology Let me humbly propose an alternative: palingenesiology. It's built on the Greek word παλιγγενεσία (palingenesia), meaning rebirth or regeneration . Palin = again Genesia = birth or genesis It appears in Matthew 19:28 , where Jesus promises “the renewal of all things.” This word captures not just the personal transformation of salvation, but a cosmic one — the full-scale renewal of everything broken. Palingenesiology = the study of new beginnings.
 The study of Genesis again .
 The study of Eden again . The study of a restored world where Christ is King, the curse is no more, and all things are made new. So Let Me Ask You: Would you rather study a theology of endings that feels fearful and heavy?
Or a theology of re-beginnings that breathes life and hope into every part of your soul? Me?
I’ll take palingenesiology — every time.
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