Babacostal International Ministry & University

Granted on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4), in fulfillment of a promise Christ had made to his disciples (Mark 16:17)

What this gift actually was has been a subject of much discussion. Some have argued that it was merely an outward sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit among the disciples, typifying his manifold gifts, and showing that salvation was to be extended to all nations. But the words of Luke (Acts 2:9) clearly show that the various peoples in Jerusalem at the time of Pentecost did really hear themselves addressed in their own special language with which they were naturally acquainted (compare Joel 2:28-29).

Among the gifts of the Spirit the apostle enumerates in 1 Corinthians 12:10-14:30, “divers kinds of tongues” and the “interpretation of tongues.” This “gift” was a different manifestation of the Spirit from that on Pentecost, although it resembled it in many particulars. Tongues were to be “a sign to them that believe not.”

"Speaking in Tongues" is one of the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit referred to in 1 Corinthians 12:4-10:

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; ... To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various

"Glossolalia" is the most commonly accepted term for speaking in tongues. It comes from the Greek words meaning "tongues" or "languages," and "to speak." Although not exclusively, speaking in tongues is primarily practiced today by Pentecostal Christians. Glossolalia is the "prayer language" of Pentecostal churches.

Some Christians who speak in tongues believe they are speaking in an existing language. Most believe they are uttering a heavenly tongue. Some Pentecostal denominations including the Assemblies of God teach that speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

The baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues was first experienced by early Christian believers on the Day of Pentecost. On this day described in Acts 2:1-4, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples as tongues of fire rested on their heads:

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (ESV)

In Acts Chapter 10, the Holy Spirit fell upon the household of Cornelius while Peter shared with them the message of salvation in Jesus Christ. While he spoke, Cornelius and the others began speaking in tongues and praising God.

The following verses in the Bible reference speaking in tongues - Mark 16:17; Acts 2:4; Acts 2:11; Acts 10:46; Acts 19:6; 1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Corinthians 12:30; 1 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Corinthians 13:8; 1 Corinthians 14:5-29.

Different Types of Tongues

Although confusing even for some believers who practice speaking in tongues, many Pentecostal denominations teach three distinctions or types of speaking in tongues:

⦁ Speaking in tongues as a supernatural outpouring and sign to unbelievers (Acts 2:11).

⦁ Speaking in tongues for the strengthening of the church. This requires an interpretation of the tongues (1 Corinthians 14:27).

⦁ Speaking in tongues as a private prayer language (Romans 8:26).

Speaking in Tongues Is Also Known As:

Tongues; Glossolalia, Prayer Language; Praying in Tongues.

Example:

In the book of Acts on the Day of Pentecost, Peter witnessed both Jews and Gentiles being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues.

What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit? How does a person receive it?

It's ironic that Christians have argued so much about the baptism of the Spirit, when the apostle Paul used it as one of his main arguments to prove that we are all united in Christ!

Some churches believe that the baptism of the Spirit is an experience different than initial salvation. They see it as a second experience that gives a person much greater spiritual power and boldness, and the ability to live a more victorious Christian life. Some groups teach that the baptism is accompanied by such signs as speaking in tongues.

The Bible does not actually use the term “baptism of the Spirit” very often. John the Baptist predicted that Jesus would come and baptize with the Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33). In Acts 1:5, Jesus recalled John's words, and told His followers that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from then. The spectacular events of the day of Pentecost ten days later seem to be the obvious fulfillment of His words (see Acts 2). The only other mention in Acts (11:16) refers back to Pentecost, explaining that Cornelius, the first Gentile convert, had an experience very similar to the Pentecost manifestations.

While these passages make it clear that the believers in Acts 2 experienced a baptism of the Spirit, we do not find a clear explanation of what that baptism means. Nor do we know whether there were other works of the Spirit that were happening at the same time.

The clearest explanation of the baptism appears in I Corinthians 12:13. Paul is dealing with a situation where the Corinthian church was splitting into factions over the issue of spiritual gifts. Overemphasis on certain spectacular gifts had led to the attitude that some people had the most desirable gifts, while others were deficient. In response, Paul exclaims, "We're all one! Don't divide up into cliques!" And to prove his point, he explains, "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit" (I Corinthians 12:13).

His main point? All believers share the reality of being baptized by the Spirit.

What does it do? It makes us part of the body of Christ, the Church.

When did it happen? If every believer has been baptized in the Spirit, then it must happen at the moment you accept Christ and become a Christian.

Great Christians down through the years have often experienced dramatic encounters with God after salvation. There is no reason to deny that this is a genuine way that God works with His people. It is also true that equally devout, effective Christians have gone through life without such a “second work” of grace.

We may use whatever words we want to describe our experiences with God. But it is most accurate to say that the Bible uses “baptism of the Spirit” to refer to one of the wonderful things that God does for us the instant we trust Christ and enter His family!