Not Every Believer Speaks in Tongues, and That’s Biblical

You can be filled with the Spirit and never speak in tongues. In Acts 19:1–10, we see the Apostle Paul arrive in Ephesus and meet a group of about twelve men. They are called “disciples,” but it quickly becomes clear that they have not yet received the Holy Spirit. When Paul asks if they received the Spirit when they believed, they respond, “We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” That’s a serious issue, because according to Romans 8:9, “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” These men weren’t yet saved.

Paul digs deeper and finds that their only baptism was John’s baptism, the baptism of repentance, which prepared people for the coming of Jesus but did not save them. They hadn’t yet believed in the death and resurrection of Christ, nor been baptized into His name. Paul explains the gospel, and they respond in faith. After they are baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, Paul lays his hands on them, and the Holy Spirit comes on them. At that moment, they speak in tongues and prophesy.

Now here’s where people start twisting Scripture. Some take this passage and wrongly teach that every true Christian must speak in tongues to prove they have the Holy Spirit. But that is not what this passage teaches, and it is not what the rest of the Bible teaches either.

The reason these men spoke in tongues wasn’t because tongues is the universal sign of salvation. It happened as a visible, outward confirmation that these former Old Covenant followers of John had now truly believed in Jesus Christ and received the Holy Spirit. This moment in Acts is a unique transition point. These men were crossing over from the message of John the Baptist to the gospel of Jesus. God confirmed it with a supernatural sign to mark the moment, just like He did at Pentecost for the Jews (Acts 2), and in Cornelius’s house for the Gentiles (Acts 10). It’s not about tongues being required for salvation, it’s about God publicly showing that these men had now come into the New Covenant.

The Bible is clear that not every believer will speak in tongues. First Corinthians 12:30 asks plainly, “Do all speak with tongues?” The implied answer is no. The Holy Spirit gives different gifts to different people as He chooses (1 Corinthians 12:11). Tongues is one of those gifts, but it is not for everyone, and it is not the evidence of salvation.

What is the real evidence of salvation? Faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9), the presence of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13), and the fruit of the Spirit in a changed life (Galatians 5:22–23). Not everyone will speak in tongues, but every true believer will be born again, filled with the Spirit, and begin to bear fruit that lasts.

Now let’s address a growing problem. Many today use tongues to puff themselves up, to make themselves look more spiritual or more connected to God. But Scripture sharply warns against this kind of pride. Paul wrote, “Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth” (1 Corinthians 8:1). In other words, if you’re using a spiritual gift to make yourself feel superior to others, you’re missing the whole point. In fact, Paul rebuked the church in Corinth for doing exactly that. They were misusing tongues, not to edify others, but to impress people. That’s why he said, “Let all things be done unto edifying” (1 Corinthians 14:26). He even said, “I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue” (1 Corinthians 14:19).

Tongues are not a badge of honor or a measure of holiness. The real test of spirituality is fruit, not flash. Jesus never said, “You’ll know them by their tongues.” He said, “You shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). Real fruit looks like love, humility, obedience, truth, and a life that exalts Christ, not self. When people use tongues to elevate themselves, they’re operating in the flesh, not the Spirit. God gives gifts to serve others, not to promote ourselves. “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal” (1 Corinthians 12:7). If someone is using tongues to build their platform or prove their spirituality, they’re misusing the gift, plain and simple.

So don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not saved just because you haven’t spoken in tongues. That is not what the Bible teaches. Salvation comes by grace through faith, not by outward signs (Ephesians 2:8, 9). The gospel is simple, and the Holy Spirit is given to all who believe in Jesus, not just to those who display certain gifts. Let God’s Word, not emotional hype or spiritual peer pressure, be your foundation.

“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13)

That’s the real evidence of salvation. And that’s the truth according to Scripture.

Read / Listen

2 Kings 13:1-14:29
Acts 18:23-19:12
Psalm 146:1-10
Proverbs 18:2-3

New Testament: Acts 18:23-19:12

Summary: Apollos Speaks Boldly in Ephesus, Paul in Ephesus, The Sons of Sceva

Why had the disciples in Ephesus not received the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1–7)?

Overview: Acts 13-28  Click Here to Watch Video

   

Dr. J. Vernon McGee – Thru the Bible

 

Acts – J Vernon Mcgee – Thru the Bible

Acts 17-18

Acts 19-21

Views: 2