Can you explain to me from the Bible, whether SPEAKING IN TONGUES IS THE INITIAL EVIDENCE OF RECEIVING THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT AS THE BELIEVERS DID ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST?
There is a lot of confusion out there about the significance of the phenomenon known as "speaking in tongues" Chapters 13 and 14 of 1 Corinthians are a "must read" on this subject. Chapter 14 is in fact the only passage in Scripture that discusses this gift at length.
The apostle Paul indicates that tongues are not for everyone (1 Corinthians 12:30), and that if done in the assembly, it must be done with an interpreter, so that everyone is edified. (1 Corinthians 14:27, 28). The entire 14th chapter of 1 Corinthians is dedicated to downplaying the importance of tongues in favor of more edificacious spiritual gifts.
Tongues were meant as a sign for unbelievers, not for believers, according to 1 Cor 14:22. In Acts chapter 2, the disciples spoke in the language of the various pilgrims at the Feast of Pentecost. It is important to note that everyone understood the message on this occasion. (Acts 2:6) Much or most of what passes for “speaking in tongues” today is understood by no one. For "unlearned" men to suddenly be enabled to communicate in languages they have never learned is a sure sign of supernatural power, but a speech in a "language" no one understands comes across as a lot of noise (1 Corinthians 13:1, 14:9), and is a "sign" of nothing but insanity (1 Cor 14:23)
The gift of tongues has its place (1 Cor 14:39), but was not intended to last forever (1 Cor 13:8). Paul evidently did not believe this gift was an
essential sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
David
Brown
AMF International
http://www.amfi.org