Dan Nolan asks: So based on your previous question on tongues, is speaking tongues the evidence of being baptized in the Spirit? I'm in a Pentecostal Church, and that is one of their faith statements. But they don't seem to speak in languages. It's more of the estatic tongues you speak of.

Hi Dan,

We can say that tongues is "a type" of evidence of being baptized in the Spirit, we definitely cannot say that it is "the" evidence of being baptized in the Spirit.

While Paul himself did not speak in tongues when he was baptized in the Spirit, he also makes clear that believers are “all baptized by one Spirit into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13), but not all believers speak in tongues (1 Corinthians 12:30). Instead, the Holy Spirit distributes his gifts as he himself determines (1 Corinthians 12:11).

Therefore, rather than tongues, the normative evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, is the confession of Jesus Christ as Lord, repentance from sin, and obedience to God (Romans 8:1–17; 1 John 4:12–16; cf. Ephesians 1:13–15).

“Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6).

As such, the fruit of the Spirit is not merely speaking in tongues, but “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self–control” (Galatians 5:22–23).

To our last point, this statement of faith is extremely misleading. It is to teach that if someone doesn't speak in tongues, they have no evidence of having the Holy Spirit, and therefore, no evidence of Salvation.

Lastly, this kind of teaching can cause people to pretend to have the gift of tongues, so that he or she is not seen as a person that does not have the Spirit. We must remember that as believers, our bodies become the temple of the Holy Spirit. This indwelling does not happen by speaking in tongues, but by accepting Jesus as Savior.

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;" (1 Corinthians 6:19).

(Historical note: Rather than the Bible teaching that tongues is the evidence of being baptized in the Holy Spirit, Charles Parham (the pioneer of Pentecostalism in the late 1800's) was the first person to associate Ecstatic tongues, with the baptism in the Holy Spirit. A theological connection crucial to the emergence of Pentecostalism as a distinct movement).

(Ecstatic tongues) - a practice in which people utter words or speech-like sounds, often thought by believers to be languages unknown to the speaker. Linguists define the term as fluid vocalizing of speech-like syllables that lack any readily comprehended meaning, in some cases as part of religious practice in which some believe it to be a divine language unknown to the speaker. However, the sound patterns are repetitive, and the repetition tends to have multiple meanings. This is highly practiced in Kundalini, Apostolic, Hinduism, Pentecostalism, the Charismatic Movement, Quakers, Shakers, Hinduism, Shamanism and more.

"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathens do; for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking". (Matthew 6:7)

Comments:

Dan Nolan: So should I leave the church?

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: These are secondary issues. As long as they don't become extreme or dangerous, they should not cause division.

Dan Nolan: Ok. Thank you for the answer. Thanks for what you do. It's very helpful to have a place to get proper information from. God bless you.

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: God bless you too Dan. Thank for your kind words.

Jenny Reed: Wow, I've been in the Apostolic church almost all my life, and it's amazing that these things aren't taught in our church. Thank you!

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Thanks for the support Jenny.

Ruth Pinero: Same in my church. I've asked the Pastor and leaders to explain this, and while you all give clear verses, they all seem to only be able to explain these issues by assumptions. I subscribed. Thank you.

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Thanks Ruth. Thanks for the kind words and support.

Corinthians 12:11

"All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines".