Serious Question (speaking in tongues)

[boldlion]

I've been to The Church of God before which practiced speaking in tongues. But it wasn't really my thing, it just scared me honestly. But I've heard some Pentecostals (and similar denominations) say that speaking in tongues is being truly baptized in the Spirit. Now I believe that accepting Christ is the way to salvation, but others have said that if you have never spoke in tongues you are going to Hell because you are not saved. Is this what all Pentecostals believe? If so, please explain why. I'm a born again Christian but have never spoken in tongues.

Jn 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Being born again is being "born of the Spirit". In Acts 2:4 they spoke in tongues when they were "born of the Spirit". This is what happened to me when I became born again.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

If you are saying that speaking in tongues is essential for salvation, you are speaking from a speculation, rather than from sound Scriptural teaching. It is like you are saying 1 + 1 = 3. The Scripture is quite clear when people asked how do they get saved? and Peter answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be baptised and you shall be saved". Paul said the same thing when the Philippian Jailor asked the same question.

So Peter and Paul did not believe that speaking in tongues was essential for salvation otherwise they would have both said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, be baptised, and speak in tongues and you shall be saved." But they did not say that at all.

So speaking in tongues was not a requirement for salvation as it was described in the book of Acts. The accounts of the Holy Spirit falling on people and they then spoke in tongues was a result of getting saved rather than a prerequiste for salvation.

Paul asked the question, "Do all speak in tongues?" Would he have asked that question if he believed that tongues is compulsory for every converted believer? I think not.

Hey, let's actually read our Bibles and take note of what they actually say, instead of trying to force the Scripture to support our own theological deductions and speculations.

 

[Cribstyl]

Thank you Oscar, well presented truths

 

[boldlion]

If you are saying that speaking in tongues is essential for salvation, you are speaking from a speculation, rather than from sound Scriptural teaching. It is like you are saying 1 + 1 = 3. The Scripture is quite clear when people asked how do they get saved? and Peter answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be baptised and you shall be saved". Paul said the same thing when the Philippian Jailor asked the same question.

So Peter and Paul did not believe that speaking in tongues was essential for salvation otherwise they would have both said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, be baptised, and speak in tongues and you shall be saved." But they did not say that at all.

So speaking in tongues was not a requirement for salvation as it was described in the book of Acts. The accounts of the Holy Spirit falling on people and they then spoke in tongues was a result of getting saved rather than a prerequiste for salvation.

Paul asked the question, "Do all speak in tongues?" Would he have asked that question if he believed that tongues is compulsory for every converted believer? I think not.

Hey, let's actually read our Bibles and take note of what they actually say, instead of trying to force the Scripture to support our own theological deductions and speculations.

Speaking in tongues happened at Pentecost when they received the Holy Spirit and is what happened to me and every member in my church when we received the Holy Spirit. Not one member in my previous church, and we are talking about thousands of people worldwide, received the Holy Spirit without speaking in tongues.

 

[Criada]

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[NOTurTypical]

Speaking in tongues happened at Pentecost when they received the Holy Spirit and is what happened to me and every member in my church when we received the Holy Spirit. Not one member in my previous church, and we are talking about thousands of people worldwide, received the Holy Spirit without speaking in tongues.

Ummm, they didn't receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. They were BAPTIZED in the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The disciples RECEIVED the Holy Spirit in John 20:22.

"And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:"

 

[NOTurTypical]

Jn 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Being born again is being "born of the Spirit". In Acts 2:4 they spoke in tongues when they were "born of the Spirit". This is what happened to me when I became born again.

This is not correct. When a person first believed they are born again of the Spirit. That's when people receive the "infilling" of the Holy Spirit. A person cannot be convicted of sin, nor can they affirm Christ is Lord without the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:3) The subsequent "baptism" of the Holy Spirit with fire is a later event for most, although there seem to be some who are born again and baptized in the Holy Ghost almost simultaneously.

 

[boldlion]

Ummm, they didn't receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. They were BAPTIZED in the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The disciples RECEIVED the Holy Spirit in John 20:22.

"And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:"

"Baptism in the Holy Spirit" and "receiving the Holy Spirit", are synonymous terms for the same event. In Acts 11:15-17 Peter saw no difference between "baptism in the Holy Spirit" and "receiving the Holy Spirit", yet many seem to think that they know more than Peter ! If the apostle Peter, who spent considerable time with Jesus Christ, saw no difference between "baptism in the Holy Spirit" and "receiving the Holy Spirit", then that should be good enough for anyone !

Also, you affirm that they received the Holy Spirit in John 20:22.

1. Jesus told them to get the Holy Spirit. There is no evidence in the text that they received the Holy Spirit as it was pre-pentecost.
2. Jn 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) How could they have received the Holy Spirit, as Jesus had not been glorified yet ?

 

[boldlion]

Being born again is being "born of the Spirit". In Acts 2:4 they spoke in tongues when they were "born of the Spirit". This is what happened to me when I became born again.

This is not correct. When a person first believed they are born again of the Spirit. That's when people receive the "infilling" of the Holy Spirit. A person cannot be convicted of sin, nor can they affirm Christ is Lord without the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:3) The subsequent "baptism" of the Holy Spirit with fire is a later event for most, although there seem to be some who are born again and baptized in the Holy Ghost almost simultaneously.

It is absolutely correct !

Ac 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed ? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

Where is the evidence in the above scripture that the disciples automatically received the Holy Spirit upon belief ? In fact, quite the opposite ! Sounds like your church has been telling you lies.

 

[NOTurTypical]

It is absolutely correct !

Ac 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed ? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

Where is the evidence in the above scripture that the disciples automatically received the Holy Spirit upon belief ? In fact, quite the opposite ! Sounds like your church has been telling you lies.

How can I know and affirm that Jesus is Lord without the Holy Spirit? (1 Corinthians 12:3)

So you're also saying that Jesus, who was God in the flesh, didn't have the Holy Spirit within Him until he was baptized at age 30ish?

How can I show fruits of the Spirit without the Spirit?

Why does Paul rhetorically ask: "Do all speak with tongues"?

Why does Jesus say that all that the Father has given to Him will come to Him, and then says that no man can come to Him unless God first draws that person? (John chapter 6)


P.S. My church hasn't "lied" to me, my pastor is from a Pentecostal church. He teaches the baptism of the Holy Ghost is not the same thing as the infilling of the Holy Ghost. It's very thin ice to be claiming someone isn't a blood-bought Christian who is claiming Jesus in Lord and who believes God has raised Him from the dead. (Romans 10:9)

 

[NOTurTypical]

"Baptism in the Holy Spirit" and "receiving the Holy Spirit", are synonymous terms for the same event. In Acts 11:15-17 Peter saw no difference between "baptism in the Holy Spirit" and "receiving the Holy Spirit", yet many seem to think that they know more than Peter ! If the apostle Peter, who spent considerable time with Jesus Christ, saw no difference between "baptism in the Holy Spirit" and "receiving the Holy Spirit", then that should be good enough for anyone !

Also, you affirm that they received the Holy Spirit in John 20:22.

1. Jesus told them to get the Holy Spirit. There is no evidence in the text that they received the Holy Spirit as it was pre-pentecost.
2. Jn 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) How could they have received the Holy Spirit, as Jesus had not been glorified yet ?

No, the apostles received the Holy Spirit in John 20:22. They were preaching the gospel, healing the sick, performing miracles before Pentecost. In the upper room at Pentecost they were baptized in the Holy Ghost.

 

[stormdancer0]

No, the disciples received power, but NOT the Holy Spirit until Jesus breathed on them just before He ascended, and said, "Receive ye My Spirit." And they did not receive the BAPTISM of the Holy Spirit until Pentecost.

Every Christian has received the Holy Spirit. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the impartation of power, and the releasing of the Spirit of God into a believer's whole life. It's saying, "Holy Spirit, You are in my heart. Now I ask that You come into my life, into every part of my life. I surrender 100% to You."

IOW, believing gets you the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is you opening that gift. Many people are happy with the gift, without ever having opened it. Opening it gives more power, yes, but also a great deal more responsibility. God does not give you something He does not want you to use and share. So many people are much happier just having the gift and looking at it, not daring to open it.