Tongues: The Initial Sign Evidence Series

There is much controversy over this subject. Let me from the onset say that I do believe that Tongues is the initial sign evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost in the believer’s life.

Let’s look at the Scripture which substantiates this:

Acts 2:1-12

1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

What were the signs here associated with them receiving the baptism?

1. a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind

2. cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

3. began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance

Now…when the town came close… what did they notice?

Wind? Tongues of Fire?

No, in fact they may not have even seen the disciples…

BUT they HEARD them speaking in tongues.

Let’s go the our second passage:

Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

What were the signs here associated with them receiving the baptism?

1. For they heard them speak with tongues

Were the other signs present from Acts ch. 2? NO

What one sign was repeated? Tongues

Let’s go to our third passage:

Acts 19:1-71 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.

4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

7 And all the men were about twelve.

What were the signs here associated with them receiving the baptism?

Vs. 6 they spake with tongues, and prophesied

Were the other signs present from Acts ch. 2? NO

What one sign was repeated? Tongues

Now let’s go to the other 2 outpourings in Acts

Peter and John have been let out of prison… having appeared before the High Priest and the council…. They have been threatened not to teach and preach Jesus.

They are back with their own disciples relaying what took place… Then they had a prayer meeting.

Ac 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

What were the signs here associated with them receiving the baptism?

1. place was shaken

2. they spake the word of God with boldness

Did they speak in tongues? Not recorded, but let’s go back to the first 3 instances where they did speak with tongues:

Acts 2:11 …we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.