A common belief among some denominations is that Spirit-filled Christians are those who speak in tongues. This assertion is based upon verses like Acts 2:1-4, Acts 10:44-46, and Acts 19:6, and argues that speaking in tongues is the irrefutable proof that believers are filled with God’s Spirit. However, this supposition is problematic for several reasons.
First, these passages in Acts are not instructional but historical—meaning they do not teach, assert, or imply that all Spirit-filled believers speak in tongues or must speak in tongues. Rather, they recount historical events that occurred during and after Pentecost, according to God’s will and purpose for those individuals.
Second, the gift of tongues is only one of 16 supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit. The others are wisdom, knowledge, faith (distinct from saving faith), healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, discerning of spirits, interpretation of tongues, serving, teaching, encouraging, helps, leadership, mercy, and administration (see 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 and 28, Romans 12:6-8, and 1 Peter 4:10-11). Therefore, to say that speaking in tongues is "the evidence" of a Spirit-filled believer is to ignore and discount all the other gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Third, the Bible teaches that every born-again believer possesses at least one spiritual gift. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:7-10, “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.”
This fact is repeated in 1 Peter 4:10-11, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
However, believers do not all possess the same supernatural gifts but have differing gifts as determined by the Holy Spirit. Paul revealed this fact in Romans 12:6-8 after describing the value of differing members within the body of Christ and their varying functions. He wrote, “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness” (see Romans 12:3-8 for context). Therefore, to say that believers who speak in tongues are "Spirit-filled" and those possessing other spiritual gifts are not is inaccurate.
Fourth, the same Holy Spirit is behind (and works through) every spiritual gift assigned to the body of Christ, not just tongues. It says in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.” It also says in 1 Corinthians 12:11, “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” Therefore, to say that speaking in tongues is the only evidence that a person is Spirit-filled is simply untrue.
Fifth, the Bible identifies a variety of markers that indicate a person is Spirit-filled—the most notable one being love. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:1, “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” He wrote in Galatians 5:22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Paul also penned in Romans 5:5, “The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Jesus Himself said in John 13:35, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Another irrefutable marker of a Spirit-filled believer is power and boldness. Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He told His disciples in Acts 1:8, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Additionally, when Peter and John were arrested and released for preaching about Jesus and the church prayed for the confidence to speak God’s Word boldly, the Bible says, “The place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).
Additional evidence of a Spirit-filled Christian is joy, praise, gratitude, and humble submission. Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:18-21, “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.” Therefore, speaking in tongues is not the only identifying marker of a Spirit-filled believer.
Finally, the Bible plainly and clearly revealed that not all Spirit-filled believers speak in tongues. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:27-30, “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?”
The inferred answer to Paul’s rhetorical questions is “no,” given the context of the chapter and book. As such, the Bible is clear that God does not appoint all believers to the same ministry offices nor distribute identical gifts to all. Instead, He sovereignly chooses, anoints, and equips His children—the Church—to serve in varying capacities with their God-given gifts according to His will, purpose, and plan for them individually and the body of Christ overall. Consequently, some believers might speak in tongues, whereas others might prophesy, teach, administrate, or exhibit another spiritual gift identified in Scripture.
Considering these multiple facts disclosed and taught in the Bible regarding spiritual gifts, it is incorrect and unscriptural to claim that Spirit-filled believers must speak, should speak, or do speak in tongues.
I hope you found this information helpful on this very important yet controversial topic.
