What is the Evidence for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

A friend of mine joined me over the phone today to ask a question about “What is the Evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit”? Another question that he asked along with this was “Do I need to speak in tongues to have the Holy Spirit”? This conversation was not a surprise to me as I have talked and discussed with so many other people who were confused like my friend with the Doctrine of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit that teaches about speaking in tongues as the primary evidence. But it was still disheartening for me when I sensed that my friend was confused because he was feeling that he may not be a Christian or perhaps a second-class Christian who doesn’t speak in tongues. But I know my friend and I can see that this is not the case. The witness of him being a Christian is not based on whether he can or can’t speak in tongues. It’s based on the right Biblical evidence that reveals that a person is baptized with the Holy Spirit. 

We will discuss this evidence in this short examination, as this is the core purpose of creating an awareness of the right Doctrine of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Let’s note first that the idea of speaking in tongues as the only evidence for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is an old-school perspective that comes from fellow believers of the Pentecostal Denomination. Certainly, not every Pentecostal Denomination would hold to this view. We should also know that the view of speaking in tongues as evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit primarily comes from the phenomenal revival movement known as Azusa Street Revival under William J. Seymour. The beginning birth swing of Pentecostalism in the 20th century. Where Seymour’s groups encountered the Holy Spirit, and then they began to speak in tongues, and then Seymour started teaching that the evidence of the Holy Spirit Baptism is speaking in tongues. 

We are not arguing here about the ceasing of speaking in tongues. Some of our Cessationist Evangelicals brothers and sisters would surely argue about its ceasing. But that’s not the case. We as followers of Christ who believe in the Holy Spirit should obey what Paul commands “Don’t forbid speaking in tongues” (1 Cor 14:39) and when we read 1 Corinthians 12-14, Paul would also make sure that speaking in tongues should not become a hindrance or confusion in the church. A clear indication that Paul was not trying to convince everyone to speak in tongues. 

Also, more clearly in 1 Corinthians 12:30 Paul highlights that speaking in tongues is not meant for everyone, “Do all speak in tongues?” and the answer is no. It’s a gift. It’s also critical to learn that experiences don’t make doctrines. It is the Word alone that needs careful interpretation. Not that experiences are wrong or false. But we need to have an open mind and open heart that is willing to do a careful investigation to form any kind of Biblical teachings. It’s not that we are denying that speaking in tongues is not Biblical. Again, it is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that gives supernatural experience and is certainly powerful when practised in a Spirit-filled way. Now let’s answer two main questions related to our examination for the evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit: 

First Question: Do I need to speak in tongues to be a Christian or to be saved? 

The answer is no! We need to understand and believe that a man is saved by faith alone. One of my favourite scriptures is from Romans 3:28 “For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.” Now if we hold to the idea of speaking in tongues as an instrument of Salvation, we will then contradict the doctrine of Justification by Faith alone. Therefore, the idea of speaking in tongues to be a Christian is misleading because the regenerating power or the Baptism in the Holy Spirit initiates Salvation without any works. Some theologians would also disagree with this idea of speaking in tongues as an initial sign of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Dr Martin Lloyd Jones highlights that the gift of tongues is not meant for all. [1]

 Oswald says that there is no mention of the 300 converted at Pentecost receiving the gift, the great numbers of those whom Luke reports as coming to the faith are not said to have spoken in tongues. Oswald quotes Norman Grubb, who says; An examination of the New Testament does not support those who say that there must be visible evidence of the induction of the spirit by the speaking in tongues.” [2]

Even Catholic Pentecostals, when enthusiastically embraced and experienced tongues, the Catholic insisted that speaking in tongues glossolalia is one of the gifts among many and not necessarily initial evidence. [3]

J.I. Packer comments that "those who know that glossolalia is not God's path for them and those for whom it is a proven enrichment should neither try to impose their way on others, nor judge others inferior for being different, nor stagger if someone in their camp transfers to the other, believing that God has led him or her to do so. Those who pray with tongues and those who pray without tongues do it to the Lord; they stand or fall to their own master, not their fellow servants; and in the same sense that there is in Christ neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, male nor female, so in Christ there is neither glossolalist nor non-glossolalist.” [4]

Second Question: What is the evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit? 

We have already sorted out the idea that speaking in tongues is not the primary evidence for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. But then what signs should we look for to find out the evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit? Highlighting the distinguishing marks of the Holy Spirit. 

First Highlight: Believing in the complete Divine Truth of Jesus! The true distinguishing sign of the Holy Spirit in someone's life should reveal a faith that has established the significant truth about Jesus’ supremacy (Col 1:18 ), Jesus’ virgin birth (Matt 1:18-25), Jesus’ divinity (Mk 2:5-7), Jesus’ humanity (Matt 21:18), Jesus’ crucifixion as a perfect propitiation of our sins (1John 2:2), Jesus’ supernatural resurrection (Lk 24:6-7), Jesus’ accession (Acts 1:9-11) and Jesus’ second coming (Heb 9:28 ). 

Second Highlight: Conviction against the Satanic Kingdom and Hatred against our sins. A clear opposition against the Kingdom of Satan that has created multiple false religions, false divine practices, Atheism or Mysticism. Secondly, hatred against the biblical definition of sin. Apostle Paul has consistently highlighted those sinful ways in his Epistle that believers need to sprint away from. In short, the pursuit of Holiness and hatred against sin is the true mark of the Holy Spirit.  J.I. Packer would say that “God has implanted a passion for holiness deep in every born-again heart. Holiness, which means being near to God, like God, given to God, and pleasing to God, is something believers want more than anything else in the world.”[5]

Therefore, one of the most important distinguishing marks of the Holy Spirit which we should look for in every believer's life as the evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is Holiness. Thus, viewed as the fruit of the Spirit displayed as the Christians walk by the Spirit (Gal 5:16, 22, 25). So, this must bring conviction that we don’t just do things for God without having sincere hatred against sins. Grace is so that we might transform into his image. It’s not a license to sin as Paul would highlight in the book of Romans 6:1-2 “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means!” Not forgetting that if someone is strong in his walk with the Lord, he should restore people who are caught in sin with love and gentleness “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness” (Gal 6:1). 

Third Highlight: Ambassadors of Love! The Baptism of the Holy Spirit will result in love for God and others as the Apostle John would highlight “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love" (1 Jn 4:8). We should know that when a person has the Baptism of the Holy Spirit that individual will operate with a Spirit of love. Efforts to love God and His creation would be evident. Also, there will be a great passion with concern to invite people far gone from God into this beautiful holistic Kingdom journey. When we talk about love it would be helpful to highlight Herbert Lockyer's comments “The spirit... brings a harvest of love and he says that Joy is love exulting, peace is love responding, long-suffering is love enduring, Gentleness is love in refinement, Meekness is love with bowed head, Goodness is love in action, Temperance is love obeying, Faith is love confiding.”[6] Howard Snyder, that the most wonderful sign of the Holy Spirit's power in the first century was the new community of disciples, who so demonstrated Jesus' love that the Gospel spread powerfully across the Roman Empire. [7]

After having this brief examination of the evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. It would be right to encourage that if we have professed Christ, we must invite the Holy Spirit into our lives and watch for the three highlights mentioned above as evidence. Believing in the divine truth, hatred against the satanic kingdom and sin, and being the Ambassadors of love. We should also note that we need this evidence consistently in our lives as we get filled with the Holy Spirit every day so that we reflect more of Christ every day.

Refrences

1. Martyn Lloyd Jones, God the Holy Spirit, 2002.

2. J. Oswald Sanders, the Holy Spirit and His Gifts. Grand Rapids, 1940.

3. Mark W Wilson, ed. Spirit and Renewal, Sheffield Academic Press, 1994.

4. J.I. Packer, Keep in Step with the Spirit. IVP, 1984

5. JI Packer, Keep in Step with the Spirit. IVP, 1984

6. Herbert Lockyer, All about the Holy Spirit, Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson, 1949, 167

7. Howard A Snyder, Signs of the Spirit. Grand Rapids,1989, 9