Legacy · Q&A
Must Every Believer Speak in Tongues?

Question:
Thanks for your great answer. I agree with your view of the terms salvation, conversion, new birth and with your definition of Spirit Baptism. One last question though. So if New Birth / Conversion is always evidenced by the speaking in tongues, does that mean, in your view, that anyone who has not spoken in tongues is not born again (and ultimately then would not have hope of salvation.)? Oh, one last thing. Would you classify your view as in line with the Pentecostal tradition?
Thanks,
Joe
Answer:
Hi Again Joe,
Speaking with other tongues when receiving the Spirit baptism, is the unalterable witness from heaven that the individual has received the remission of their sins. You might like to read our online tract titled The Token, for more detail on that point. The reality of Salvation is that one must be without sin in order to be raised in the first resurrection, which is the rapture of the Bride of Christ, at His coming Rev. 20:6, Heb. 12:15, Mat. 5:8, I Jn. 3:2,3). So if someone hasn't ever spoken in tongues, this means that God's witness has never been given to them because their repentance and faith toward Jesus hasn't met His terms, regardless of how things may appear to be with them. We're told in Romans 8:10 that the power (holy Ghost) that raised Jesus from the dead, must also dwell in us in order for our mortal bodies to be quickened (raised from the
dead). However I will say that many people have received the Spirit, and the accompanying witness of speaking with tongues, without actually realizing that they've spoken in tongues. That's really not uncommon. But it does eventually manifest if the person is among people who are free in their spiritual worship of God.
The answer to your other question about if I'm in the mainstream traditional Pentecostal doctrine(s), the answer is no. Everything about Christianity is erroneous, and the Pentecostal community is under the traditions and doctrines of Christianity. The only differences between the Pentecostal denominations, and non-denominations also for that matter, and the other Christian denominations, is that many Pentecostals have experienced the Baptism of the Spirit, and believe in the things that pertain to the power of God; whereas by and large most other Christian denominations do not, though there are probably people somewhere in every denomination who have experienced these things at some time or another in
their life. But because those who do have the Spirit baptism have been taught that it is not the new birth experience, but rather a secondary "Christian" experience for those who are already "saved," they have been caused to esteem erroneous new birth teachings like "getting saved" and "accepting the Lord," before and above the experience that has delivered them from sin (The holy Ghost Baptism). God is now calling His people (those baptized with the Spirit into the body of Christ - I Cor. 12:13) out of Christianity ( spiritual Babylon - Rev. 18:4) and ALL of the Christian denominations, to become one with Him in and through the Spirit.
And it should be noted that throughout history, God's way has never been popular or mainstream with His people, and consequently those who have known and strived to persuade others of His way have never been widely esteemed or accepted by God's people either. "Nevertheless the foundation of the Lord standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His" (II Tim. 2:19). There's a powerful and sobering reality about truly being identified with the true Jesus. "He was despised, and rejected of men..." (Isa. 53:3), and Jesus said that those who despised (lightly esteemed) Him would do the same to those who truly followed Him ( Jn. 15:8, Jn. 16:2). And it was unquestionably God's people who despised and rejected Jesus. I don't know if you read the article on our FAQ's page, called I Know I've Had an Experience With The Lord, But I've Never Spoken in Tongues... This article explains why the New Birth has been so widely misunderstood. Anyway, that is kind of a long answer, but I felt it was a little more explanatory than just saying yes or no. Thanks for your response, and you're welcome to write any time.
Sincerely,
Lary



