Is speaking in tongues the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

El argumento de si hablar en lenguas es la evidencia definitiva del bautismo del Espíritu Santo, ha sido debatido por siglos dentro de diferentes ramas del cristianismo. Mientras que algunos grupos enseñan que el hablar en lenguas es la evidencia de haber recibido el Espíritu, otros sostienen que esta manifestación no es necesaria para todos los creyentes. Para abordar este tema es necesario explorar lo que las Escrituras enseñan sobre el bautismo del Espíritu, el don de lenguas y el fruto del Espíritu en la vida de los creyentes.

The confusion surrounding this issue has led many to an unnecessary search for specific experiences, believing that without a visible manifestation such as speaking in tongues, one cannot be sure that one has received the Holy Spirit. However, as we examine the New Testament, we find that the gift of tongues is only one of many manifestations of the Spirit, but it is not the definitive evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the Unity of the Body of Christ

What does the Scripture say?

To properly understand the relationship between the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues or commonly known as “speaking in tongues,” we must begin with the teaching of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:13, where he states: “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free; and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” This verse is foundational, as it establishes that all believers, without exception, are baptized by the Holy Spirit at the moment they are incorporated into the body of Christ.

Baptism in the Spirit is not a separate or post-conversion experience, as is taught in some circles, but occurs at the moment a person lays down his or her faith in Christ.

This baptism is the supernatural work of God, through which the believer is united to Christ and to the body of the churchIn Ephesians 1:13-14, Paul writes that by believing in Christ, believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise as a guarantee of their inheritance in Christ. Spirit baptism, therefore, is the incorporation of a person into the family of God through faith. This process occurs for all believers, and is not based on a specific manifestation such as speaking in tongues.

Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 12:30, Paul poses the rhetorical question, “Do all speak in tongues?” The answer is clearly no. Although some believers have the gift of speaking in tongues, it is not a gift that everyone possesses. Paul teaches that the Spirit distributes various gifts to believers according to His will (1 Corinthians 12:11), and not all receive the same gift. This teaching eradicates the notion that speaking in tongues is a universal sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

The gift of tongues is not the only evidence

Speaking in tongues has often been promoted as the definitive seal of the Spirit’s presence in some Christian contexts. However, biblical teaching does not support the idea that all believers should experience this gift as evidence of having received the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 12:4–6, Paul teaches, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are varieties of operations, but the same God who works all in all.” This passage makes it clear that the diversity of gifts is a key characteristic of the Spirit’s work, and not all believers receive the same gifts.

Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 14:19, Paul says, “But in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.” This underscores that the purpose of spiritual gifts is not for personal show, but for the edification of the church. The gift of speaking in tongues, while real and helpful in some contexts, is not necessarily the most important or only means by which believers can know that they have been filled with the Holy Spirit. In fact, Paul emphasizes that the gifts are to be used to edify and benefit the entire community of faith.

In Acts 2, during the day of Pentecost, the apostles spoke in tongues as the Holy Spirit came upon them. However, these tongues were human languages, understandable by people from different nations who were present in Jerusalem. The purpose of the tongues in this event was not a personal manifestation, but a proclamation of the gospel to a multicultural audience. Therefore, this specific event does not set a universal standard for all believers.

Love: The supreme sign of the Spirit

The superiority of love over spiritual gifts

The apostle Paul addresses the issue of spiritual gifts and their relationship to love in 1 Corinthians 13. Here, Paul offers us a powerful teaching: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:1–2). This makes it clear that while spiritual gifts are important, love is the supreme virtue and the greatest evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in the life of a believer.

Love, according to 1 John 4:8, is the clearest manifestation of God’s character: “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” Therefore, the true mark of a person being baptized by the Holy Spirit is not whether he or she speaks in tongues or not, but whether he or she lives a life marked by love for God and for others. Love is the highest manifestation of the Spirit and surpasses any spiritual gift.

Manipulation and false expressions

It is important to note that not all tongues are genuine. In some contexts, tongues can be the result of social pressure or psychological manipulation. Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 14:23 that if everyone speaks in tongues without interpretation, unbelievers might think that believers are out of their minds. This indicates that tongues speaking must be controlled and must have a clear purpose within the body of Christ.

In some religious movements, overemphasis on speaking in tongues has led to the creation of an environment where people feel compelled to manifest this gift in order to demonstrate their faith. In these cases, tongues may not be a genuine expression of the Holy Spirit, but rather a response to social pressure or community expectation. This type of manipulation can lead to false expressions of spirituality, which are not based on a true relationship with God.

The Normative Evidence for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Confession of Christ and obedience to God

The true evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, according to Scripture, is not speaking in tongues, but the confession of Jesus Christ as Lord and a life of obedience to God’s commandments. In Romans 8:9, Paul teaches, “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” Here, the presence of the Spirit in the life of the believer is evidenced not by an outward manifestation such as speaking in tongues, but by a life that reflects the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

The apostle John also offers valuable teaching in 1 John 4:13-15: “By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son, the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” The confession of Christ is the clearest testimony that the Holy Spirit dwells in a believer. This confession is not limited to a mere verbal affirmation, but involves a life of obedience and surrender to the commandments of God.

The fruit of the Spirit

The true hallmark of the work of the Holy Spirit is not a temporary gift, such as speaking in tongues, but the fruit of the Spirit. In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul teaches us that the fruit of the Spirit is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” These fruits are the result of a life transformed by the constant presence of the Spirit in the life of the believer.

The fruit of the Spirit is not something that manifests itself immediately or spectacularly, but rather develops throughout the Christian life as the believer walks in obedience to God. While spiritual gifts, such as speaking in tongues, may be temporary and circumstantial, the fruit of the Spirit is eternal and reflects the character of Christ in the believer. It is this fruit that truly testifies to the work of the Holy Spirit in a person's life.

The context of languages in early Christianity

Tongues in Acts

The day of Pentecost Acts 2 is a key moment for understanding the purpose of the gift of tongues in the history of the church. When the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, they began to speak in tongues, and the people of different nations who were present in Jerusalem understood the message in their own languages. This event was a miraculous sign that allowed the gospel to be proclaimed to a multicultural audience.

It is important to note that tongues on the day of Pentecost were not simply unintelligible or ecstatic sounds, but comprehensible languages that served to communicate the gospel message to people of different cultures. The purpose of tongues in this context was clear: to facilitate the spread of the gospel in the early days of the church. However, this does not imply that speaking in tongues is a universal norm for all believers in all ages.

Is speaking in tongues the ultimate evidence?

When we examine the Scriptures as a whole, it becomes clear that speaking in tongues is not the sole or definitive evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The true mark of a Spirit-filled believer is a transformed life that confesses Christ as Lord and produces the fruit of the Spirit. While the gift of tongues is a valid manifestation of the Spirit in some believers, not all will receive this gift, and this does not mean that they have not been baptized in the Spirit.

The apostle Paul exhorts us in Ephesians 5:18-21 to be filled with the Spirit, but he emphasizes that this fullness is manifested primarily in worship, gratitude, and mutual submission, not necessarily in outward manifestations such as speaking in tongues. Rather than seeking only visible gifts, we should focus on living a life that reflects the character of Christ, evidenced in love, peace, patience, and justice. The true mark of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is not simply a temporary gift, but a life filled with the fruit of the Spirit and marked by obedience to God.