I need clarity in this one; i have heard many pastors in my church asking us to pray for the filling of the Holy Spirit. They slo say that the evidence of this infillong is speaking in tongues. I have searched scriptures and don't find the two connected. Everyone this is taught, I get frustrated because it seems not to line up with scripture.
Speaking in tongues is a gift of the spirit according to 1 Cor 12.
Why is this taught in churches? Is baptism with the Holy Spirit evidenced by tongues? What about those who don't speak in tongues, are they not baptized?
Am I missing something here?
The evidence of being filled with the Spirit is being dead to sin. Romans 6:2. That is first and foremost. 1 John 3:9
Most Pentecostals don't even realize there are two manifestations of speaking in tongues. The first every believer has according to Mark 16:16-18.
16 He who
believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And
these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents (Hebrew idiom/slang for protection from enemies); and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Those are part of the whole armor of God given to all who believe. Ephesians 6:
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual
hosts of wickedness in the heavenly
places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all
prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
The church is another entity made up of believers. In 1 Corinthians 12, the church is given
gifts of the Spirit for the profit of all.
The gifts of diverse kinds of tongues and interpretation of tongues are given to only a few to receive messages
FROM God that must be interpreted, whereas all the believers pray
TO God. Not everyone has the gift of diverse kinds of tongues, nor interpretation of tongues, but all who believe can pray in tongues in the Spirit.