Ankit David
Masters of Christian Studies – Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary
Masters of Christian Ministry – Malaysian Bible (Evangelical) Seminary
A friend of mine joined me over the phone today to put a question about “What is the Evidence of the Baptism of Holy Spirit”? Another question that he asked along with this was “Do I need to speak in tongues to have the Holy Spirit”?
This conversation was not a surprise to me as I have talked and discussed with so many other people who were confused like my friend with the Doctrine of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit that teaches about speaking in tongues as the primary evidence. But it was still disheartening for me when I sensed that my friend was confused, because he was feeling that he may not be a Christian or perhaps a second-class Christian who doesn’t speak in tongues. But I know my friend and I can see that this is not the case.
The witness of him being a Christian is not based on if he can or can’t speak in tongues. It’s based on the right Biblical evidence that reveal that a person is Baptized with the Holy Spirit.
We will discuss those evidence in this short examination as this is the core purpose of creating an awareness with the right Doctrine of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Let’s note first that the idea of speaking in tongues as the only evidence for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is an old school perspective that comes from the fellow believers of the Pentecostal Denomination. Certainly not every Pentecostal Denomination would hold to this view. We should also know that the view of speaking in tongues as the evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit primarily comes from the phenomenal revival movement known as Azusa Street Revival under William J. Seymour. The beginning birth swing of Pentecostalism in the 20th century. Where Seymour’s groups encountered the Holy Spirit and then they began
to speak in tongues and then Seymour started teaching that the evidence of the Holy Spirit Baptism is speaking in tongues.
We are not arguing here about the ceasing of speaking in tongues. Some of our Cessationist Evangelicals brothers and sisters would surely argue about its ceasing. But that’s not the case. We as followers of Christ who believe in the Holy Spirit should obey what Paul commands “don’t forbid speaking in tongues” (1 Cor 14:39) and when we read 1 Corinthians 12-14 Paul would also make sure that speaking in tongues should not become a hindrance
or confusion in the church. A clear indication that Paul was not trying to convince everyone to speak in tongues.
Also, more clearly in 1 Corinthians 12:30 Paul would highlight that speaking in tongues is not meant for everyone “Do all speak in tongues?” and the answer is no. It’s a gift. It’s also critical to learn that experiences don’t make doctrines. It is the Word alone that needs careful
interpretation. Not that experiences are wrong or false. But we need to have an open mind and open heart that is willing to do a careful investigation to form any kind of Biblical teachings. It’s not that we are denying that speaking in tongue is not Biblical. Again, it is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that gives supernatural experience and is certainty powerful when practiced in a Spirit filled way.
Now let’s answer two main questions related to our examination for the evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit:
First Question:
Do I need to speak in tongues to be a Christians or to be saved?
The answer is no! We need to understand and believe that a man is saved by faith alone. One of my favourite scriptures is from Romans 3:28 “For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.” Now if we hold to the idea of speaking in tongues as an instrument of Salvation, we will then contradict the doctrine of Justified by Faith alone. Therefore, the idea of speaking in tongues to be a Christian is misleading because the regenerating power or the Baptism Holy Spirit initiates Salvation without any works.
Some theologians would also disagree with this idea of the speaking in tongues as an initial sign for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones highlights that the gift of tongues is not meant for all. (Martyn Lloyd Jones, God the Holy Spirit, 2002.)
Oswald says that there is no mention of the 300 converted at Pentecost receiving the gift, the great numbers of those whom Luke reports as coming to the faith are not said to have spoken in tongues.
Oswald quotes Norman Grubb, who says; an examination of the New Testament does not support those who say that there must be visible evidence of the inducement of the spirit by the speaking in tongues.” (J. Oswald Sanders, the Holy Spirit and His Gifts. Grand Rapids, 1940.)
Even Catholic Pentecostals when enthusiastically embraced and experienced tongues, the Catholic insisted that speaking in tongues glossolalia is one of the gifts among many and not necessarily initial evidence. (Mark W Wilson, ed. Spirit and Renewal, Sheffield Academic Press, 1994.)
J.I. Packer comments that "those who know that glossolalia are not God's path for them and those for whom it is a proven enrichment should neither try to impose their own way on others, nor judge others inferior for being different, nor stagger if someone in their camp transfers to the other, believing that God has led him or her to do so. Those who pray with tongues and those who pray without tongues do it to the Lord; they stand or fall to
their own master, not their fellow-servants; and in the same sense that there is in Christ neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, male nor female, so in Christ there is neither glossolalist nor non-glossolalist.” (J.I. Packer, Keep in Step with the Spirit. IVP, 1984).
Second Question:
What is the evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
We have already sorted out the idea of Speaking in tongues is not the primary evidence for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. But then what signs should we look for to find out the evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
Highlighting the distinguishing marks of the Holy Spirit.
First Highlight:
Believing in the complete Divine Truth of Jesus! The true distinguishing sign of the Holy Spirit in someone's life should reveal faith that has established the significant truth about Jesus’ supremacy (Col 1:18 ESV), Jesus’ virgin birth (Matt 1:18-25 ESV), Jesus’ divinity (Mk 2:5-7), Jesus’ humanity (Matt 21:18), Jesus’ crucifixion as a perfect propitiation of our sins (1John 2:2
ESV), Jesus’ supernatural resurrection (Lk 24:6-7 ESV), Jesus’ accession (Acts 1:9-11 ESV) and Jesus’ second coming (Heb 9:28 ESV).
Second Highlight:
Conviction against Satanic Kingdom and Hatred against our own sins. A clear opposition against the Kingdom of Satan that has created multiple false religion, false divine practices,
Atheism or Mysticism. Secondly, hatred against the biblical definition of sin. Apostle Paul has consistently highlighted those sinful ways in his Epistle that believers need to sprint away from. In short, the pursuit of Holiness and hatred against sin is the true mark of the Holy Spirit.
J.I. Packer would say that “God has implanted a passion for holiness deep in every born-again heart. Holiness which means being near to God, like
God, given to God, and pleasing to God is something believers want more than anything else in the world” (JI Packer, Keep in Step with the Spirit. IVP, 1984).
Therefore, one of the most important distinguishing marks of the Holy Spirit which we should look for in every believer life as the evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is Holiness. Thus, viewed as the fruit of Spirit displayed as the Christians Walk by the spirit (Gal 5:16, 22, 25). So, this must bring conviction that we don’t just do things for God without having sincere hatred against sins. Grace is so that we might transform into his image. It’s not a license to sin as Paul would highlight in the book of Romans 6:1-2 “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means!” Not forgetting that if someone is strong in his walk with the Lord should restore people who are caught in sin with love and gentleness “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness” (Gal 6:1).
Third Highlight:
Ambassadors of Love! The Baptism of the Holy Spirit will result in love for God and others as the Apostle John would highlight “the one who does not love does not know God, for God is love" (1 Jn 4:8). We should know that when a person has the Baptism of the Holy Spirit that individual will operate with a Spirit of love. Efforts to love God and His creation would be evident. Also, there will be a great passion with concern to invite people far gone from God
into this beautiful holistic Kingdom journey. And when we talk on love it would be helpful to highlight Herbert Lockyer comments “the spirit... brings a harvest of love and he says that Joy is love exulting, peace is love responding, long suffering is love enduring, Gentleness is love in refinement, Meekness is love with bowed head, Goodness is love in action, Temperance is love obeying, Faith is love confiding.” (Herbert Lockyer, All about the Holy Spirit, Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson, 1949, 167). Including Howard Snyder, that comments the most wonderful signs of the Holy Spirit power in the first century was the new community of
disciples, who so demonstrated Jesus' love that the Gospel spread power fully across the Roman Empire (Howard A Snyder, Signs of the Spirit. Grand Rapids,1989. 9)
After having this brief examination on the evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. It would be right to encourage that if we have professed Christ, we must invite Holy Spirit in our lives and watch for the three highlights mentioned above as evidence. Believing in the divine truth, hatred against satanic kingdom and sin, and being the Ambassadors of love. We should also note that we need this evidence consistently in our life as we get filled with Holy Spirit every day so that we reflect more of Christ every day.
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