Different Languages, Same Spirit
For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. 2 Corinthians 11:4
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called Ephesians 4:4
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 1 Corinthians 12:4
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 1 Corinthians 12:11
For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free —and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 1 Corinthians 12:13
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because EACH ONE HEARD THEIR OWN LANGUAGE being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? …(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Acts 2:1-4, 6-8, 11
Click here to listen to my teaching on THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
When the early disciples of the Lord Jesus got baptized in the Holy Spirit, they all spoke in different languages. And we see the same thing occur in whenever believers got baptized in the Holy Spirit:
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. Acts 10:44-48
While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Acts 19:1-6
READ ALSO: SHOULD ALL CHRISTIANS SPEAK IN TONGUES? (PART 1)
Evidence of the Holy Spirit’s Presence
From these Scriptures, we can derive that whenever the believers got baptized in the Holy Spirit, they spoke in tongues. It was the evidence or proof of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
In Acts 8, Philip went to Samaria and preached the gospel to the people there. He did many miracles among them, and they believed, were baptized in water, and were filled with joy (Acts 8:4-8, 12-13). However, they did not receive the Holy Spirit yet, and Peter and John had to be sent from Jerusalem. Acts 8:17 tells us that when Peter and John came to Samaria, “they laid their hands on the people, and they received the Holy Spirit”.
How did the apostles Peter and John know that the people had not yet received the Holy Spirit after Philip preached to and baptized them in water? The same Peter who oversaw the Cornelius’ House event. How could he tell that they had received the Spirit? I presume, boldly, that they spoke in new tongues! There was an outward manifestation whenever the Holy Spirit came on a believer from all we saw before.
Many argue that this is not proof, God help the skeptic! So why should I arrive at another basis for identifying the Spirit’s baptism? Is the Church still being built today? What on earth is He using other than the same Spirit? “In whom you also are built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:22
READ ALSO: CESSATIONISM
Is the Spirit with Us Today the Same Spirit?
There has been a similar experience in the lives of Christians all over the world to date. Millions and more have been laid hands on and begun to speak in a new tongue and praised God and prophesied in one way or the other. I have seen the same in my own life and service to the body of Christ. These manifestations of a new language may be mild or strong, instant or gradual, distinctive or seemingly unimpressive, in both young and old.
If believers who are baptized in the Holy Spirit should speak in tongues, then does it mean EVERY believer should speak in tongues? What about 1 Corinthians 12, where Paul asked, Does everyone speak in tongues?
In the next article, we will observe this matter carefully.
READ ALSO: SHOULD ALL CHRISTIANS SPEAK IN TONGUES? (PART 3)