This is incorrect and unscriptural.
Praying in tongues is the Bible evidence of being baptized (receiving or being infilled) in the Holy Spirit.
It is a sign, evidence and confirmation of such as foretold by Jesus and shown to be true in Acts.
confirmed and explained further in the epistles.
Otherwise God is the author of confusion; and the great plethora of competing claims as to how and when people are baptized
in the Holy Spirit are all equally true.
In the beginning there was one gospel, one faith, one baptism [water and Spirit], one way.
There was unity in the body of Christ.
Now there are 20,000 versions all claiming to be equal and true.
One sign, one way, God's way.
well isn't it nice we now have these glaring x's to show our disapproval (she said dryly)
I know what you are saying and I once believed that myself. I no longer do
for one thing, the Bible does not say that is the evidence for being filled with the Holy Spirit
Paul does not say that in his instructions...go ahead and look because you will not find it
scripture states that tongues is a sign for the unbeliever...not for a believer to decide if another believer is filled or not
this is a big stumbling block with some people and one of the main objections to those who do not speak in tongues
you seem pretty determined to be right, but you are not right because scripture does not back up what you are saying
Paul says he wishes all would speak in tongues...yet there are other gifts
in fact there are diverse tongues which is also a gift
I think some folks who are so stuck on tongues need to brush up on what scripture says because there are some things being written in these posts that are of the opinion variety and simply not in the Bible
I don't care if your church teaches what you are saying...no offense...but it is not what Paul teaches
and one other thing...your 'experience' is not proof to anyone of what you say being true...a forum is not really a place to 'prove' something happened nor is it exactly proof to get hostile and steamed because people who do not believe keep saying they do not believe
I am not Pentecostal nor am I Charismatic nor am I part of any group who thinks speaking in tongues is proof of being filled
I have heard Pastors give a message/sermon...whatever you want to call it...they do not speak in tongues but I know they are filled with the Holy Spirit by the witness in my spirit and by the response of the congregation. Flesh can get worked up, but it cannot...repeat...CANNOT...duplicate the TRUE work of the Holy Spirit which is on the inside of a person
now don't come back with an angry answer or big x on this post. I already know you will disagree
and it doesn't matter. nowhere does scripture say that if you do not speak in tongues you are not filled with the Spirit of God
period
I would actually state a person exhibiting the character of Christ, showing the love of God is exhibiting the fruit of a godly character which you CANNOT have without being filled. you can try...you can try to be real good...but the separation comes when God backs up His word, whether through a teacher..which is one of the gifts...or healing or whatever
absolutely nowhere does it say a person must speak in tongues before God will give them the gift of teaching or any other gift
tongues? well...I believe they are as empty as an old tin can without unction (you know that word, right?) of the Holy Spirit
personally, I don't pray in tongues unless I am led to and like anyone else, I can 'pray' any time I want to...but often will pray in English and know that it is the Holy Spirit praying through me because I cannot work up within myself that kind of knowledge or words or know God has heard me like I know He has when the Holy Spirit prays.
people who do not pray in tongues do not understand this, people who think tongues are what praying in the spirt is all about and only tongues will not agree and some people will agree