Speaking in Tongues and the Evidence of Receiving the Holy Ghost
God most certainly did not choose speaking in tongues as the only sign of the Holy Ghost. He knew the devil could counterfeit tongues, but one thing the devil cannot show is continuous, true love. The Scriptures confirm this truth:
Matthew 7:16-19 (KJV):
“Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”
Yeshua Himself said no other sign would be given but “the sign of Jonas.” This challenges the belief that tongues are the definitive sign of the Spirit:
Matthew 12:38-40 (KJV):
“Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
Similar statements appear in:
Mark 8:11-12 (KJV), and
Luke 11:29-30 (KJV),
all stressing “no sign” except the resurrection.
On the Day of Pentecost, one hundred and twenty believers were filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues as the Spirit gave utterance (Acts 2:4). Paul clarifies that tongues serve as a sign not to believers but to unbelievers:
1 Corinthians 14:22 (KJV):
“Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.”
Paul also says he wishes all could speak in tongues, “but rather that ye prophesied,” for prophecy edifies the whole church, not just the individual (1 Corinthians 14:5).
Not All Speak in Tongues
Paul underscores the diversity of gifts and the fact that not all believers speak in tongues:
1 Corinthians 12:27-30 (KJV):
“Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?”
The repeated emphasis makes clear that speaking with tongues is not universal.
The Church’s Carnality and Maturity
The Corinthian church was immature and carnal, focused on tongues as a measure of spiritual status:
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (KJV):
“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ... for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”
Paul calls believers to maturity—manifested in love and unity.
Paul’s Teaching on Spiritual Maturity and Gifts in the Corinthian Church
Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reveals a church struggling with spiritual immaturity, which colors their misunderstanding of the gifts of the Spirit, including tongues. Paul explicitly states:
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (KJV):
“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”
Paul calls the Corinthian believers “babes in Christ,” emphasizing their lack of growth and dependence on elementary spiritual teachings, “milk,” rather than “meat,” or solid spiritual nourishment. Their spiritual carnality manifested in jealousy, strife, and divisiveness—signs of believers yet immature in the faith.
If the gifts Paul describes were merely ancillary or unrelated to the clear, initial evidence of the Holy Ghost, he would have taken care to say so. Instead, he presents the gifts—including speaking in tongues, prophecy, healing—as present realities in the church but makes no claim that all believers receive them at salvation. Notably, Paul does not say, “Everyone speaks in tongues when they receive the Holy Spirit.” Such a qualification would have been the natural place to clarify the expected, initial evidence of the Holy Ghost. The absence of such a statement indicates that speaking in tongues is not the universal or absolute sign of the Spirit’s reception.
Moreover, Paul contrasts speaking in tongues with prophecy, elevating prophecy’s role because it edifies the entire church rather than the individual alone (1 Corinthians 14:5). He also teaches that both will cease when “that which is perfect is come” (1 Corinthians 13:10), referring to the complete revelation and maturity in Christ.
The Corinthian church exemplified confusion and overemphasis on extraordinary gifts (especially tongues), which Paul sought to correct by refocusing believers on love, unity, and maturity. Their immature fixation on tongues reminded Paul of new believers who must first be taught foundational doctrines before advancing to deeper truths (Hebrews 5:12).
Therefore, understanding Paul’s teaching on the “milk” stage clarifies that the gifts were present and real but not the sole markers or initial evidence of the Holy Ghost’s indwelling. The Spirit’s work includes diverse manifestations—sometimes tongues, sometimes prophecy, or other signs and fruit—as God sovereignly determines.
This mature perspective insists on:
Recognizing the Spirit’s evidence by transformed character and love (Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 13), not by a single gift.
Acknowledging that tongues, while powerful and valid as a sign for some (e.g., unbelievers in Acts 2 and 10), are not given to all as the initial or exclusive sign.
Growing from spiritual infancy to maturity in discernment, faith, and love, moving beyond the need for miraculous manifestations as proof of salvation.
In sum, Paul’s silence on tongues as a guaranteed initial evidence, together with his teaching on spiritual maturity, strongly supports the conclusion that the gifts of the Spirit, including tongues, are diverse, not universal upon conversion, and must be understood in the context of the church’s growth and edification—not as a fixed credential.
Varied Experiences of Receiving the Holy Ghost
Many received the Spirit without tongues. For example:
Acts 4:31: “...they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” No mention of tongues.
Acts 8:17-18: Simon “saw” the Holy Ghost given, but no tongues are recorded.
Luke 1:15, 41, 67: John the Baptist, Elisabeth, and Zacharias were filled with the Holy Ghost. Zacharias prophesied, but tongues are not mentioned.
Acts 9:17-18: Paul’s sight was restored and he was filled with the Holy Ghost; tongues are not mentioned here.
Several believers exhibited gifts of prophecy, miracles, joy, or transformed lives as evidence of the Spirit.
God sovereignly works differently in each believer’s life, distributing various gifts and manifestations according to His purpose (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).
The Supreme Evidence: The Fruit of the Spirit
Above all, the Spirit’s work in a believer is shown by love and character:
Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV):
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
And love never fails:
1 Corinthians 13:7-10 (KJV):
“Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.”
Tongues belong to the “part,” but love remains forever.
Final Divine Admonition
God’s Word is final and true. The presence of the Holy Ghost in a believer’s life may be accompanied by various gifts or signs, sometimes including tongues, sometimes not. Those filled with the Spirit will bear fruit consistent with God’s holiness and love.
“God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar...” (Romans 3:4 KJV).
May you heed the Scriptures as your sole authority, seek the Spirit’s daily work, and be led into holiness and love, which are the everlasting evidences of God’s presence.
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