Speaking in Tongues:

Not the only evidence of baptism by the Holy Spirit

By Kembol KEP
June Valley, NCD


Recently an article was published in the Sunday Chronicle by Pastor Godfrey Wippon on 06
th

April, 2014 enunciating on the speaking in tongues as the only evidence to prove that a
person has really been baptized by the Holy Ghost. Essentially the speaking in tongues has
been a controversial dictum in theology between the mainline Christian churches and those
of the Pentecostal Movements. The intent of this article is in response to clarify whether or
not the speaking of tongues is the initial proof of baptism by the Holy Spirit.

The speaking of tongues is a phenomenon only found in the New Testament and is silent in
the Old Testament although indirectly alluded in prophetic elements of the Old Testament
scriptures.

Purpose of Speaking in Tongues
The Speaking of Tongues from the Greek word glossolalia is a gift from the Holy Spirit.
Hence it is given to the church to facilitate evangelism and nurturing aspect of the church
growth (Ephesians 4: 12, 13). As unique as they are, every spiritual gifts are given to
different members of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12). NOT EVERYONE RECEIVE THE
SAME GIFT.

Essentially the Speaking in tongue is not given to everyone EXCEPT on three special
occasions in the New Testament. And God intentionally made that special allowance for
EVERYONE to receive gift of speaking in tongues through the Holy Spirit.

Firstly it was given to all Christian in the Upper Room on the day of Pentecost for two
important reasons. To confirm the promise Jesus made to early believers (Acts 1: 4, 5) and
also to empower and extend the church for evangelism and witnessing (Acts 1: 8).

Secondly, for the first time we have the record of the Gentiles speaking in tongues who
were actually the household of Cornelius, the Centurion in Acts 10 and 11. The first early
Christians were the Jews. It was the Jewish Christians that received the gift of tongues on
the day of Pentecost. The Gentiles heard their language and were amazed. Gospel was a
barrier to the Gentiles because of circumcision. The speaking of tongues by the Gentiles is a
proof that circumcision was no longer an issue and that gospel belongs to the Gentiles as
well as the Jews. Just as the Jews receive the Holy Spirit, the Gentiles were no exception to
that. Afterwards they were baptized (Acts 10: 47, 48).

Thirdly the story in Acts 19 also speaks of the 12 disciples who were baptized by Apollos
through Johns baptism. Paul having enquired placed his hands upon them and they
received the Holy Spirit. Everyone speak in tongues. It is a confirmation that they have the
empowerment of the Holy Spirit in preparation for ministry in Ephesus which has a problem
with spiritualism (Note: Read the whole book of Ephesians). These are only three special
exceptions God made for every believer in the Church that received this one gift of speaking
in tongues through the Holy Spirit.


Speaking in Tongues Not the ultimate evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
The subject under discussion was actually a statement made by John the Baptist. Matthew
3:11 reads I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me
is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy
Ghost, and [with] fire: (KJV). Let us look at the background context. The most widely Old
Testament book used at that time was the book of Isaiah. John was preaching from the book
of Isaiah in the Wilderness. There are number of places John directly quoted and indirectly
inferred from Isaiah. For example, Isaiah 3: 3, For this is he that was spoken of by the
prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the
Lord, make his paths straight. (KJV). This is a direct quotation.

However, baptism of Spirit and Fire is an allusion from Isaiah used by John. When the Lord
shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood
of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.
(Isaiah 4: 4, KJV). This is a prophecy Isaiah made regarding restoration and cleansing of
Jerusalem. It is the work of the Holy Spirit that will do the work of the cleansing.

As John was preaching and baptizing people in river Jordan he paraphrased words of Isaiah
by referring to the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit. Hitherto, when a person is baptized by
the Holy Spirit, it does not mean that he will necessarily speak in tongue. The evidence of a
person being baptized by the Holy Spirit is shown through the fruits of the Holy Spirit
(Galatians 5: 22, 23).

Please let us also take note that baptism with the water and the spirit are always parallel
but NEVER indicated speaking in tongues as the ultimate evidence of baptism by the spirit.
Jesus received Johns baptism in Jordan River. Although He received the Holy Spirit NEVER
did he speak in tongues as a proof of baptism by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3: 16 4: 1).
Similarly Apostle Philip ministered in the city of Samaria and people believed and were
baptized including Simon the Sorcerer. Simon Peter and John came from Jerusalem to
Samaria. They laid their hands on everyone that were baptized and they received the Holy
Spirit. BUT THEY DID NOT SPEAK IN TONGUES (Acts 8: 5 25). The Ethiopian Eunuch was
also baptised through the ministry of the Holy Spirit by Philip but did not speak in tongues
(Acts 8: 26 39). These are instances were Christians were baptized by the Holy Spirit but
did not speak in tongues.

In conclusion, the Bible did not use speaking in tongues to legitimize evidence of baptism by
the Holy Spirit. The Speaking in tongues is a gift from the Holy Spirit. It is given to certain
congregation in the New Testament for evangelism, nurturing and to address problems of
spiritualism. There are genuine Christians who do not speak in tongues but they have the
fruits of the Holy Spirit. Isnt that evidence that they are being baptized by the Holy Spirit?
We must not confine the working of the Holy Spirit The speaking in tongue is a spiritual
gift. Not everyone will receive it except on special circumstances when God will allow every
members of the congregation to receive it.