Home About Us Apostolic Free Library Questions & Answers Guestbook Order Online Search The Network

Is tongues the only evidence?

 Submitted: 11/12/2012
Post a comment or
ask a follow-up question
 
Question: Why do so many churches say 'with the evidence of speaking in tongues' as if the only proof of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is tongues, even though Paul says plainly that not all speak with tongues, or interpret, or prophecy.
Answer: It would be more accurate to say that speaking in tongues is the 'initial evidence' that a person has received the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is clear from reading the book of Acts. Once a person has been filled with the Spirit, over time there should be the additional evidence of spiritual fruit and spiritual gifts (Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Cornithians 12).

When you refer to Paul's statement that all don't speak in tongues, you are confusing the gift (dorea) of the Spirit with spiritual gifts (charisma). Everyone speaks in tongues when the Spirit is received. That's how we know a person has received the gift (dorea) of the Spirit. But not everyone has the 'gift (charisma) of different kinds of tongues' which Paul described in 1 Corinthians 12:10. For a more in depth explanation of the difference, please read our article called 'Speaking in Tongues in the Church' found on Shelf 1 of the Apostolic Free Library on this website.


Copyright © 1999 - 2024 || Rosh-Pinnah Publications :: PO Box 337 :: Carlisle, PA 17013-0337