The Initial Sign
Speaking in tongues is frequently referred to as the initial evidence of the Holy Spirit Baptism. I usually do not refer to it as the initial evidence, but as the initial sign. One primary reason is that that is what Jesus called it, a sign (Mk.16:17). Another reason is, I believe Scripture teaches us that faith is the evidence for the things we are believing for (He.11:1). We should need no other evidence for the things we ask God for. Our faith in Him and in His Word is the evidence. We also know that we learn from all of our faith teachings that we are to believe we receive when we pray (Mk.11:24). Faith is the core principle that is used in receiving anything from God. The Holy Spirit Baptism is no exception.
So if I pray in faith for the Holy Spirit baptism, I must believe that I have received it by faith, even without any outward evidence. So faith is the evidence. But usually speaking in tongues is the first sign. Speaking in tongues is the first of the "Sign Gifts" that manifests in a Spirit-Baptized Christian (Mk.16:16-18). Though it is true that the Scripture never specifically says that "speaking in tongues is the initial sign of the Holy Spirit Baptism", it seems apparent from Scriptural examples, and is confirmed through historical experience. Let's look at some of these Scriptural examples. I specifically want us to look at five places in the New Testament Book of Acts where believers received the Holy Spirit Baptism.
There is no need to add to Scripture, or to take from it. God's Word is true and it speaks for itself. In the second chapter of Acts, we know that immediately upon the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, everyone in the Upper Room began to speak in tongues. Many other supernatural things occurred, but the first thing that happened was the speaking in tongues. Tongues is clearly seen as the initial sign of the Holy Spirit Baptism here. This is the first place in Scripture where believers in Christ spoke in tongues, and it is in connection to the Holy Spirit Baptism.
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:4)
Jesus had promised His apostles that He was sending them the Holy Spirit Baptism. He told them that another Comforter would be with them after His departure. He told them that this Spirit of Truth would guide them into all truth and would bring all things to their remembrance. Before He ascended into Heaven, He told them to wait in Jerusalem until they are endued with the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts. 1:8). So, they waited, applying themselves to prayer and seeking God, until the outpouring of the Spirit of God with the initial sign of Speaking in Tongues.
In the eighth chapter of Acts, we find Philip going to Samaria, preaching and demonstrating the Kingdom of God, with many signs and wonders following his ministry. Many people believed upon the Lord and were baptized in water by Philip. Simon the Sorcerer was among those who believed and was baptized in water. Yet, these Samaritans didn't receive the Holy Spirit Baptism until Peter and John came to minister to them. The Apostles' objective was that the Samaritans would receive the Holy Spirit Baptism. Notice that the Apostles accepted that the Samaritans were now Born Again, and Water Baptized, yet having not received the Holy Spirit Baptism.
"Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost." (Acts 8:17-19)
Although it doesn't specifically say that they spoke with tongues in this reference, it is obvious that something dynamic and supernatural took place. Whatever it was, Simon the Sorcerer was so impressed by it that he offered money for the ability to impart the Holy Spirit Baptism to people. Of course, in the next few verses Simon Peter strongly rebuked Simon the Sorcerer for wanting to buy the power of God. But what was it that prompted Simon the Sorcerer to want to buy this ability? Some might suggest that it was the healings and the casting out of demons or some other supernatural occurrence.
But that wouldn't make sense, because all of those things were taking place earlier, at the hand of Philip. You might expect that Simon would offer money for the casting out of demons, healings, and other things that Philip was ministering to them. But there is no evidence that Simon offered money to Philip for the supernatural occurrences that were taking place before Peter and John arrived. So what supernatural thing was Simon the Sorcerer offering money for? What was it that was so supernatural and spectacular that it would prompt a former sorcerer to want to buy the ability to demonstrate it?
Again, I ask you to take note from this passage that the former sorcerer didn't offer money for the ability to heal. As a sorcerer, he probably had seen more than a few supernatural healings. That wasn't anything new to him. Notice also, that after his water baptism, the former sorcerer remained with Philip and saw many signs and miracles (8:13).
It says that he "wondered", but he didn't offer money. When he was a sorcerer, I am sure he saw many miracles and signs. Healings, miracles, and signs were not new to this former sorcerer. So, again I ask, what was it about the Holy Spirit Baptism that was so supernatural and spectacular, prompting him to offer money? It seems obvious to me that something very spectacular was being demonstrated by the people who were receiving the Holy Spirit Baptism at the hand of Peter and John. Could that supernatural and spectacular thing be the ability to speak in tongues? He probably had never known anyone to supernaturally speak in unknown tongues until these events. This was the only supernatural thing that occurred that he would be unfamiliar with.
Another reason to believe that these newly Spirit Baptized believers were speaking in tongues is seen in the 21st verse. Peter tells Simon, "You have neither part nor portion in this matter."; The word "matter" could have been translated "utterance". Peter was telling Simon that he was unable to receive this utterance, this speaking in tongues. Why was Simon unable to receive the utterance, the speaking in tongues? Peter goes on to explain, ".for your heart is not right in the sight of God." Fortunately for Simon, it appears that he repents in verse 24.
In the ninth chapter of Acts, we find Saul on his way to persecute Christians, when he himself is converted. Shortly after being converted on the Road to Damascus, he meets up with a disciple by the name of Ananias, who assists him into receiving the Holy Spirit Baptism. Now, it doesn't say in this context that he spoke in tongues at that time, but we know from his own writings that he was a tongue-talker. In fact, he tells the Corinthian Church that he speaks in tongues more than all of them. This may not prove that Speaking in Tongues is the initial sign of the Holy Spirit Baptism, but it certainly points toward it being a sign.
"And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost." (Acts 9:17)
This verse in itself may not prove much. But it does show that the Holy Spirit Baptism is a separate experience from being converted or Born Again. Ananias refers to Saul as "brother", confirming that his conversion had already taken place. Ananias' mission was to impart the Holy Spirit Baptism to Saul, which he did. Saul later testifies that he was a tongue-talker and teaches more on the subject of Speaking in Tongues than any other Scripture writer. Much of what we now believe and teach about this subject, we gain from the writings and teachings of Saul, who later became known as Paul, the Apostle.
In the tenth chapter of Acts, we have a specific reference where speaking in tongues was the initial sign that revealed that the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit Baptism. Some of the other references are not as obvious as this one is. But it is clear here that speaking in tongues was the initial sign of the Holy Spirit Baptism.
Peter states, "of a truth, I perceive that the Holy Ghost is not a respecter of persons", which means that if one person or group receives the Holy Spirit Baptism, it is available for every person or group. God doesn't have any favorite children, nor does He discriminate. He loves each of us equally and He wants all His children to receive all that He has for us. He wants all of us to be baptized with His Spirit, not just a sprinkle of His Spirit. He wants us to be immersed in the Holy Spirit. He wants us to be soaked in the power and presence of His Spirit.
"And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God." (Acts 10:45-46)
How did they know that the Holy Ghost had come upon them? It is clearly stated that it is because they heard them speak with tongues. Speaking in tongues was the sign that gave evidence that they received the Holy Spirit Baptism. Now, the one thing that is different in this passage then the passage in the eighth chapter is that the Samaritans were already water baptized before they were Spirit Baptized. Here in the tenth chapter, the Gentiles were Spirit Baptized before they were Water Baptized. It really doesn't matter which order one receives these Baptisms, but all believers should receive both Water Baptism and Spirit Baptism.
In the nineteenth chapter of Acts, we see another example where speaking in tongues is apparently the initial sign of the Holy Spirit Baptism. In many of these references, tongues is mentioned along with something else, but we repeatedly see the emphasis on Speaking in Tongues. The reference in the tenth chapter said that they spoke with tongues and magnified God. Here we see that they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Repeatedly, throughout Scripture, throughout history, and even today: Speaking in Tongues is the initial sign of the Holy Spirit Baptism. There may be other signs, but the one thing that is consistent is the Speaking in Tongues.
"And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues and prophesied." (Acts 19:6)
Most believers within Pentecostal and Charismatic circles have experienced speaking in tongues. But even those who have not experienced it certainly have heard discussions about it. Yet with all the talk about speaking in tongues, few understand what it's all about, or why it should be an active part of their lives. Even many of those who occasionally speak in tongues, tend to not take it seriously enough to practice it every day.
If something is mentioned in the Bible once, it is something we should study and learn. If it is mentioned two or three times, we consider of very high importance and deserving of more study. The Bible mentions speaking in tongues at least thirty-five times. That is a lot, so this subject should not be taken lightly, or cast aside as unimportant. God does not fill the pages of His book with unimportant things. Certainly something of such continual repetition must be a major factor in the New Testament Church and Christianity as a whole. It is imperative that each believer know what the New Testament teaches on this subject.
Evangelist Tom Brown makes this observation, "Many people who have never spoken in tongues speak as though they're experts in this field, when in reality they teach only from theory. Who should know more about tongues: those who speak in tongues or those who don't? Well, shouldn't we learn from those who do speak in tongues!?"
Before going on to the twelve reasons you should speak in tongues, I want to make sure you understand the difference between the Charismatic Gift of Tongues and the Sign Gift of Tongues. In the twelfth chapter of First Corinthians, Paul lists the nine Charismatic Gifts of the Spirit, which are manifested and demonstrated in many church congregations around the world. These are supernatural revelations and demonstrations of the presence of the Spirit of God in the midst of the congregation. They also can and should be in operation outside the church setting.
The Charismatic Gift of Tongues is the Speaking in Tongues within a congregation, which requires an interpretation. The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues will need to be in operation to accompany that Charismatic Gift of Tongues, so that others in the congregation can receive the benefit of what is being communicated. The Charismatic Gift of Tongues is God supernaturally speaking to His congregation in an unknown language through a willing Spirit-baptized individual. But since it is in an unknown language, it also requires someone to operate in the Charismatic Gift of Interpretation of Tongues, so the people can receive the benefit of what God is desiring to communicate to His people.
The Sign Gift of Tongues is the one referred to in the sixteenth chapter of Mark and throughout the Book of Acts. Jesus said that Speaking in Tongues would be a sign that would follow those who believe (16:17). This is the prayer language of tongues. It doesn't require an interpretation, because you are communicating by your spirit with God and He already knows what your spirit is praying. When I refer to Speaking in Tongues as being the initial sign of the Holy Spirit Baptism, it is this prayer language of tongues that I am referring to. Notice that the Charismatic Gift of Tongues is God speaking to us, whereas the Sign Gift (prayer language) of Tongues is us speaking to God.
