Baptism in the Spirit—Speaking in Tongues

Baptism in the Spirit—Speaking in Tongues
Speaking in Tongues—Baptism in the Spirit

There is controversy about whether speaking in tongues is a sign of being baptized in the Spirit or not. People have little experience of what the baptism in the Spirit is when they argue about it. It would be a poor baptism in the Spirit if speaking in tongues were to be the only sign. Many people have been satisfied with that and have been deceived.

Jesus has given us the sign for having received the Holy Spirit: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you . . . .” Acts 1:8. “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority; but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” John 16:13-14. By this you can know whether you have the Holy Spirit or not. “Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Eph. 1:13-14. We are to know whether we have the guarantee or not, and Jesus has given us the evidence.

People have always required signs. Signs and wonders are a support of faith. But do you need to speak in tongues in order to know whether you have experienced the baptism in the Spirit? When we read about Peter in Cornelius’s house, Peter realized by the sign they heard—“For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God”—that the Spirit was poured out over the Gentiles just as over themselves. Acts 10:45-47. When the Jews required Peter to give an account of himself, he had this sign with which to defend himself, saying: “And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning.” Acts 11:15. He says, “at the beginning.” In other words, this did not always occur in the same way. Those who received the Spirit did not need the sign, even though it also strengthened them in their faith; but the others who were present needed it.

“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body . . . .” 1 Cor. 12:13. To all those who were baptized with one Spirit he says, “Do all speak with tongues?” V. 30. This is clear evidence that not everyone who was baptized in the Spirit spoke in tongues. In other words, there were some who did not exhibit this sign. Speaking in tongues is a gift, and Paul exhorts us to pursue spiritual gifts. We also know that the most common gift is the gift of tongues. We need to make a difference here between helping those who seek the baptism in the Spirit, and helping those who have received the Spirit to receive the gift of speaking in tongues.

There are many preachers whom we can call revival preachers. They use meeting techniques to get many people to confess their sins. They can boast of revivals in many places where they have been. But how did it go afterwards with those who bowed their knees? Likewise, you can also call some preachers “Fabricators of Spirit baptism.” They work with those who seek the baptism in the Spirit to get them to speak in tongues. When they have got them to say something unintelligible, they think they have the sign of the baptism of the Spirit. Some of them are quite capable in this area. Now the question arises: Have they spoken in tongues as a result of being baptized in the Spirit, or do they believe they have received the baptism in the Spirit as a result of speaking in tongues? How is it with what Jesus said are the results of having received the Spirit?

Experience tells us that you see very little of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) among those who boast most of the baptism in the Spirit and speak the most about the spiritual gifts. On the contrary, you see much of the works of the flesh, such as contentions, divisions, selfish ambitions, wrath, adultery, etc. This does not mean that they may not have experienced the baptism of the Spirit; but because they do not see the value of the fruit of the Spirit—only seeking the gifts of the Spirit—they go astray. They go astray because they do not seek the sign Jesus has given, namely, what the Spirit will do: “He will guide you into all truth.” Many people go astray, believing they have received the Spirit because they speak in tongues; yet they spoke only in their own spirit without having received the Spirit.

No one can bear the fruit of the Spirit without having received the Spirit. No one can put to death the deeds of the body without the Spirit. Rom. 8:13. No one can be in Christ without being baptized with this one Spirit, and no one can always gain the victory without being in Christ. 2 Cor. 2:14. We will not go astray if we follow Peter’s exhortation: “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue . . . .” 2 Pet. 1:5. “For if you do these things you will never stumble.” V. 10.

When we read the epistles, we can also see how the apostles are very diligent in putting the emphasis on the fruit of the Spirit. Only in 1 Corinthians do we read about the gifts of the Spirit—and it was written to those who had all of them. 1 Cor. 1:7. They put the main emphasis on the gifts instead of on the fruit, resulting in disorder, sin, and in an absence of spiritual growth. 1 Cor. 3:1-3. We experience the very same thing in these days in such circles.

We live in the last days, immediately before the revelation of the Antichrist. Then we also understand that the spirit of Antichrist has tremendous power. People like to see and hear something extraordinary. Therefore they run after signs and wonders, and by them Satan will deceive the people. He will use “all power, signs, and lying wonders.” 2 Thess. 2:9. He will succeed in deceiving all those who do not love the truth, but he will not succeed in deceiving those who pursue sanctification. Heb. 12:14.

It is of the utmost importance that we have the right attitude when it concerns this area. We also see that Jesus was quick to correct the seventy whom He had sent out. Jesus had endowed them with far-reaching authority, yet He said, “Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:19-20. However, we see that many of them left Him afterwards. Their attitude had not changed. John 6:66.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit . . . .” “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness . . . .” “Blessed are the pure in heart . . . the meek . . . the peacemakers,” etc. This is Jesus’ teaching. Matt. 5:3-11. They will not be deceived, and it is the church’s mission to help such people. God will add to the church those who are willing to be saved. Acts 2:47.