Is Speaking in Tongues the Only Sign That You Have the Holy Spirit?

Lisa Greene · Wednesday at 11:05 PM

I was told yesterday that I do not have the Holy Spirit in me since I can't speak in tongues. The gifts of the Spirit are diverse. Is it Mandatory for all believers to speak in tongues?

And I've heard where someone said Speaking in tongues means speaking in other languages. Just like in Acts 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

Is this true or there are tongues of Angels which we hear people speak that we don't understand?

Jorab · Thursday at 6:01 AM

Thanks for your question.

Speaking is tongue simply means speaking in other languages of people which you don't learn but you are empowered to do so by God. See Acts Acts 2:1-11. It's not speaking in gibberish or combination of jargons of syllables.

Kindly note that there's nothing like language of Angel. All angels God ever sent to people spoke in the languages of people they are sent to. However, Paul only used hyperbole figure to press his point in 1 Corinthians 13:1ff that love should be desired than spiritual gifts.

Meanwhile, there are measures of the Holy Spirit, viz:
1. Baptismal measure received by the apostles (Acts 2:1-4) and Cornelius' household (Acts 10:44-47). Spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues is exhibited which may implied sign. It was only received in these two occurrences.
2. Laying on of the Apostles' hands (Acts 8:12-18; 19:6). Spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues, prophesy are manifested which may implied sign. Only the apostles had the power to extend this measure of the Holy Spirit to people in the first century (Acts 8:18).
3. Indwelling Spirit received at the point of water baptism (Acts 2:38). It's the guarantee of salvation in Christ (Ephesians 1:13-14). No spiritual gift is manifested but fruits of the spirit are manifested (cf. Galatians 5:22-25; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:3-6).

Moreover, the first two measures had been received and completed their works. They were given to bear witness to first century God's spokesmen as they discharge God's will and to build up the church at infant stage (Hebrews 2:3-4; 1 Corinthians 13:8-13). True believers in Christ can only receive indwelling Spirit when baptized in order to have forgiveness of sin. You are not expected to speak in tongue or prophesize today. Modern day so-called speaking in tongues are not true.

Thanks and God bless.

Lisa Greene · Thursday at 9:08 AM

Sir, please, clarify this. If tongues are languages of men, why is there the gift of interpretation of tongues?
1 Corinthians 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

@Akinwumigentle · Thursday at 10:59 AM