“... In Acts 2 the tongues are tongues as of fire, distributing themselves over the apostles and hovering over them as they, full of the Spirit, begin to speak in “other tongues” (heterai glossai). This happens in Jerusalem, accompanied by the sound of a mighty wind from heaven. It appears that here the situation is the opposite of that in Corinth: This glossolalia is not in need of interpreters. The speaking with tongues is a miraculous and marvelous means of communication so that a large number of people from diverse countries hear in their own tongues the disciples proclaim “the mighty works of God” (2:11). It seems that the tragic breakdown in communication at the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:6-9) has been overcome. This contrast to the understanding of glossolalia that emerges from Paul’s discussion in 1 Corinthians is striking, and it is not obviated or softened by the various discussions about whether the miracle in Acts 2 is one of speaking (the apostles speaking different languages or dialects), or one of hearing (the listeners recognizing a “heavenly” language as their own true language). In either case the difference remains between intelligible (Acts) and unintelligible (Paul) glossolalia. ...”