God Bearing Witness

The evidence or the manifestation of the Spirit, gifts of the Holy Ghost, may materialize at any time after a person is born again—baptized with the Holy Ghost. "God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will" (Hebrews 2:4); and "The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal" (1 Corinthians 12:7). "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness" (Romans 12:6-8). According to the proportion of faith, a newly born again believer may exhibit the manifestation of the Spirit immediately.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:7-10)

These thirteen gifts of the Holy Ghost as documented above and in Mark 16:18 and Acts 11:18 (see also Acts 2; 1 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Corinthians 14), are separate and distinct from the power received after being filled with the Holy Ghost. The manifestation of being filled with the Holy Ghost—being baptized with fire—testifies of the granting of the power of God: testifies of our growth in grace. "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power" (1 Corinthians 4:20). With grace we have power to deliver from evil: power to cast out devils, power to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease by laying hands on the sick, and power to raise the dead (although the season for this power ended with the death of the last of the twenty-four apostles. See Matthew 10:8; Luke 9:1; Luke 10:19; Acts 5:12; Acts 14:3; Acts 19:11-12). Contrast this, for instance, with the gifts of healing which allow a believer to heal natural sickness and disease; that is, sickness and disease not caused by devils.

In the Old Testament, Bezaleel was filled with the Spirit of God and received authority (wisdom, understanding, and knowledge) and the power (all manner of workmanship) to make the tabernacle of the congregation and all the vessels within.

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. (Exodus 31:1-5)

All born again believers via the Holy Ghost receive the right (authority) to manifest the following signs: "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (Mark 16:17-18). Two of these signs, however, namely casting out devils and laying hands on the sick (including those afflicted by evil/unclean spirits) for healing requires power; that is, they require being filled with the Holy Ghost—baptized with fire. The other two signs, speaking in new tongues and not suffering harm from poison, are gifts of the Holy Ghost.

And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. (Acts 28:3-5)

It should be noted that all born again believers have the authority to speak with new tongues: either other tongues or unknown tongues (we will detail the distinction between the two shortly). It is clear that God orchestrates the composition of the body of Christ. He designs, develops, and deploys each member of the body for His purpose.

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? (1 Corinthians 12:27-30)

In a given body of believers, the calling of God—gifts of ministry—varies from person to person: a subset can be called as apostles, a subset can be called as prophets, and a subset can be called as evangelists, pastors and teachers. Moreover, the other gifts of the Holy Ghost vary: a subset can perform miracles, a subset can heal sickness and disease that are not caused by evil/unclean spirits, a subset can speak with other tongues, a subset can speak with unknown tongues, a subset can interpret unknown tongues, etc. In addition, within this body of believers, those filled with the Holy Ghost have access to the power of God—grace.

The ability (power) to perform a combination of signs and wonders, miracles and/or gifts of the Holy Ghost is allocated by God as he wills and according to the proportion of faith in the believer, and also the proportion of power. He "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us" (Ephesians 3:20). As noted before, however, the manifestation of gifts does not signify that we are in right standing with God. "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (Romans 11:29). That evidence is bearing fruits of righteousness: "whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God" (1 John 3:10). Those that bear and retain fruit are granted the power of God: "ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7). Notice that if fruit dissipates through unrighteousness, so then does power—grace:

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. ... Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. ... Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. (John 15:2, 8, 16)

SPEAKING IN TONGUES

Many are coveting to speak in unknown tongues because popular theology has erroneously taught that speaking in unknown tongues is the evidence of being filled with the Holy Ghost—the supposed evidence that they are in right standing with the Lord. As we have already shown in the introduction to this "God Bearing Witness" section, this is not the case. Many Christians believe that being filled with the Holy Ghost or, the supposed evidence of being filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking in unknown tongues, makes them spiritual. What is worse, these Christians believe that speaking in unknown tongues validates their supposed sanctification. And many of these are set on being filled with the Holy Ghost to set themselves apart (pride); not to be one with others that are spiritual. Notice the focus on the desire to be set apart; not to God but for one's own purpose. Many people try to "speak in unknown tongues" for the purpose of proving their power and individuality (see "Personal Savior"), not God's power. Being spiritual is supposed to bring people to a place of oneness with God. "Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues" (1 Corinthians 14:39). God chose a people to be his church, not individuals: "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt" (Hosea 11:1).

People ought to desire to be spiritual so that they may change from their present fallen state. As a church (a body of believers that are meant to be one with God), individuals are meant to be one as well. We are many members but one body. The problem with focusing on the Holy Ghost is that it separates us from the unifying agent of Christianity (the Church = Jesus Christ = the Word). Focusing on our individual abilities over against the power of God to make us one church makes it so we will never become one, thus we will never fulfill the vision of God for us. "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another" (Romans 12:3-5). Paul, the apostle, dealt with the same issue in the church at Corinth. His correction is documented in 1 Corinthians 12 and clearly states that the gift of speaking in tongues is an evidence, not the evidence, of being baptized with the Holy Ghost.

Notice that "divers kinds of tongues" are specified, not just "divers tongues." So there are diverse kinds of tongues; that is, there are different types or categories of tongues. In the gospel of Mark, a more generic term, "new tongues," is used, which means a language that is new to the speaker. The two kinds of tongues are defined in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13: "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal" (1 Corinthians 13:1). There are tongues of men, which are languages endemic to mankind that are spoken somewhere on earth by men; and there are tongues of angels, which are languages endemic to angels (not necessarily angels of God).

Other Tongues

The first kind of tongues is the ability to speak with other tongues—tongues of men; that is, a language of mankind spoken somewhere on earth. The first occurrence of speaking in other tongues actually occurred well before the much misunderstood event in Acts Chapter 2. "And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay" (Numbers 22:28-30). Notice in the preceding verses that the ass spoke with other tongues, as the Spirit gave it utterance. In Acts 2, notice that many (some, of necessity, spoke in the vernacular to the local Galilaeans) of the hundred and twenty disciples spoke in different languages of men, other than their own native language: "began to speak with other tongues." No interpreter was needed, a necessity if they had began to speak with unknown tongues (1 Corinthians 14:27-28). The evidence of this miracle is witnessed by the visitors from around the world to Jerusalem, which heard them speak in their respective native languages and were "all amazed and marveled ... we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God."

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. (Acts 2:4-11)

Had all the disciples spoken in unknown tongues the reaction from the visitors would have been markedly different—the visitors would have thought that they were mad (crazy). "If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with [unknown] tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad" (1 Corinthians 14:23)? The other key observation is that the ability to speak in other tongues was orchestrated by the Holy Ghost ("as the Spirit gave them utterance") and not by the individual spirits of the disciples. The disciples were being led by the Holy Ghost in what to say and in what language to say it in: "for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost" (Mark 13:11; Matthew 10:20). In other words, the power to speak with other tongues is a form of prophecy: a necessary ministry gift if we are to preach the gospel to every nation (Mark 16:15) and bring unity to the body of Christ. Peter confirms this by quoting the prophet Joel: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy" (Acts 2:17-18).

Therefore, "covet to prophesy" for prophesying serves—works through—believers as a tool for soul winning (1 Corinthians 14:22; John 4:16-19). "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy ... But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. (1 Corinthians 14:1, 24-25).

And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp. And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them! (Numbers 11:25-29)

Other tongues is a gift that helps to bring unity to the body of Christ that we "be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind" (Philippians 2:2), and is needed to negate the confusion of languages brought on by the false unity of the people in Genesis 11 who were in one accord for sin (pride).

And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. (Genesis 11:4-9)

Unknown Tongues

The second kind of tongues is the ability to speak with an unknown tongue: tongues of angels. That is, speak a language or dialect NOT from earth (speaketh not unto men ... for no man understandeth him); but, a language or dialect from the spiritual world (angels). With respect to prophesying, speaking in unknown tongues is a "half-gift" and does not have value as a ministry gift unless coupled with its other half, the gift of interpretation.

For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries ... He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church ... If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. (1 Corinthians 14:2, 4, 27-28)

The Holy Ghost does not orchestrate speaking in an unknown tongue; rather, the spirit of the person does. "For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful" (1 Corinthians 14:14). Thus, a person with the gift of speaking in unknown tongues speaks as their own spirit gives them utterance; they are NOT being led by the Holy Ghost. Moreover, speaking in an unknown tongue should not be confused with the "groanings" of the Holy Ghost: "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Romans 8:26). Notice, the "groanings" cannot be uttered—spoken (see "In the Spirit"). There is no need for utterance since "he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God" (Romans 8:27). To reiterate, speaking in an unknown tongue is of no benefit to the church unless there is someone present who has the gift of interpretation, and thereby, prophecy can go forth to edify the church.

Inconclusive Evidence

As mentioned before in "The Principality of Idolatry" section, Satan desires to misdirect Christians from the truth. He continues to want them to focus on self and not on the Word of God, just like he did in the beginning with Eve. Yet another misdirection of Satan is this false belief he has popularized via the Pentecostal Movement, that speaking in an unknown tongue is the only evidence that a person has been filled with the Holy Ghost. Smart. Have people focus on the one gift that has the least impact "against the rulers of the darkness of this world" (Ephesians 6:12). Notice, in regard to the order of church authority, the gift of speaking in tongues comes last: "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:27-28). As we have proven already, the Holy Ghost is not actively involved when someone speaks in an unknown tongue. Speaking in an unknown tongue by itself does not in any way "destroy the works of the devil"; it is not a unique identifier (not conclusive evidence) of the power of God over evil. Unknown tongues—tongues of angels—could be tongues of fallen angels not just holy angels (see "The spirit of Error"). The gift of unknown tongues is a half-gift: only when coupled with the gift of interpretation does the gift of unknown tongues work against evil in the form of prophecy. And prophecy can make manifest the secrets of an unbeliever's heart: "But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth" (1 Corinthians 14:24-25).

Proof of the fullness of Spirit of God in us can only be determined by examining the purpose for the Son of God being sent into the world. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8) "that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Hebrews 2:14-15). If the proof of his purpose is in us, then he is in us. Jesus highlights this in what has been called the model prayer: "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen" (Matthew 6:13). The kingdom of God is come to deliver us from evil, he gives us of his power to deliver us from evil, and it is for his glory to deliver us from evil. "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:20-21). "But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you" (Matthew 12:28). For example, the prophet Elijah was confirmed in the eyes of the widow in Zarephath by his raising her son from the dead (defeating the devil). His first miracle in which "the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail" did not validate him to her. After all, the magicians of Pharaoh caused frogs to multiply upon the land of Egypt (Exodus 8:5-7; see also Exodus 7:10-12, 20-22); thus, multiplying meal and oil could be viewed as an enchantment and not as a power of God.

And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again. And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth. And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth. (1 Kings 17:20-24)

Let us examine the various "signs and wonders ... divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost" (Hebrews 2:4) to determine which powers and gifts are led by the spirit of man versus which are led by the Spirit of God. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" (Romans 8:14).

Led by the spirit of man:

Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7-10)

Speaking in unknown tongues

Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. (1 Corinthians 14:13-14)

Led by the Spirit of God:

Power (John 15:7; 1 John 3:22; 1 John 5:14)	Callings (Ephesians 4:11)
Casting out devils Laying hands on the sick for healing Healing sickness and disease (whether naturally or spiritually induced) Raising the dead Greater works (John 14:12; John 15:7)	Apostle Prophet Evangelist Pastor Teacher Prophetess

Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7-10; Mark 16:18; Acts 11:18)

Prophecy
Word of wisdom
Word of knowledge
Faith
Discerning of spirits
Working of miracles
Healing (sickness and disease naturally induced: not involving devils)
Speaking in other tongues (prophecy)
Interpretation of unknown tongues (prophecy)
Not suffering harm from injected poison (serpents)
Not suffering harm from ingested poison
Repentance unto life

The thirteen gifts of the Holy Ghost can be further subdivided as follows:

Gifts inherent to the body of Christ:

Not suffering harm from injected poison (serpents)
Not suffering harm from ingested poison
Repentance unto life

Gifts inherent to each member (one allocated according to God's will):

Speaking in other tongues (prophecy)
Speaking in unknown tongues

Gifts available to each member (allocated according to God's will):

Prophecy
Word of wisdom
Word of knowledge
Faith
Discerning of spirits
Working of miracles
Healing (sickness and disease naturally induced: not involving devils)
Interpretation of unknown tongues (prophecy)

Notwithstanding this preponderance of a proof (see also "In the Spirit"), the Word of God establishes several concrete proofs to determine if someone has the Spirit of God in them: "Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost" (1 Corinthians 12:3). Furthermore, the Word of God establishes a concrete proof to determine if someone has the fullness of the Spirit of God in them: "But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you" (Matthew 12:28).

The Jews Require a Sign

We see time after time that the Jews, especially the Pharisees and Sadducees, wanted to see a sign from Jesus: "For the Jews require a sign" (1 Corinthians 1:22). "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. They said therefore unto him, What sign showest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work" (John 6:28-30)? Even one of Jesus' apostles, Thomas, wanted to see a sign. "But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe" (John 20:24-25). Seeing as a prerequisite to believing, or walking by sight, is the temptation presented by a spirit of pornography. Signs then are for unbelievers: "A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign" (Matthew 16:4); however, as Jesus states in John 20:29: "blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." Clearly there were many Jews that believed that Jesus is the Christ (them which are called) and many other Jews that believed he was not (require a sign). Let us paraphrase 1 Corinthians 1:22-24:

For the Jews require a sign, but we preach Christ crucified, which is a stumblingblock unto the Jews. The Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, which is foolishness unto the Greeks. Unto them, however, which are called, whether they be Jews or Greeks, we preach Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

So for the Jews that require a sign, "God hath concluded them all in unbelief" (Romans 11:32). "In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips [lips of angels] will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe" (1 Corinthians 14:21-22). Tongues were used in the book of Acts to arrest the attention of the Jews; that is, as a sign. This is no different than the flaming bush used to arrest Moses' attention in the desert.

And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. (Exodus 3:2-4)

There are several examples of tongues being used for a sign to the Jews in the book of Acts (Chapters 2, 10 and 19); for example: "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven ... And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this" (Acts 2:4-5, 12)? Notice in Acts 10 and Acts 19, tongues were not the only gift manifested in the converts. That is, the manifestation of the Spirit was not restricted to speaking in tongues only.

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 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. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. (Acts 10:44-46)

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, 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. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 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. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve. (Acts 19:1-7)

Also notice in Acts 11, the apostles and brethren that were in Jerusalem glorified God that the rest of the world had received the like gift of repentance unto life. They were not glorying that the rest of world could speak in tongues; however, the sign of speaking in tongues—"the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning"—did convince them.

And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them ... And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. (Acts 11:1-3, 15-18)

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