receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Speaking in tongues serves as a confirmation of this indwelling, but the broader evidence of a Spirit-filled life includes the fruit of the Spirit and a life aligned with God’s Word. Therefore, the emphasis should be on the complete experience of salvation and living out one’s faith, recognizing that speaking in tongues is an important sign, but not the sole measure of one’s relationship with God.
While speaking in tongues did occur in close proximity to the Upper Room event, it isn't to suggest that this is the standard model for what those who are Spirit-filled can or will experience.
The usage of tongues in the context of Acts 2:38 was for the purpose of effectively speaking to the people of diverse languages that were present. According to Acts 2:5-11, there were Jews and proselytes who were the 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, Cretes and Arabians, who were hearing wonderful works of God being spoke of in their own language due to the apostle's gift of tongues.
While the people who were utilizing the gifts of tongue were Spirit filled, they were not Spirit filled because they were speaking tongues. God used a miracle for this situation because He wanted to get a message to people who would have otherwise not been able to communicate with one another.
Living a holy and overcoming life without the baptism of the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in tongues, would be exceedingly difficult because the Holy Spirit is the source of spiritual power and guidance for the believer. The New Testament teaches that the Holy Spirit empowers believers to overcome sin, resist the flesh, and live a life that is pleasing to God (Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:16). Without this indwelling presence, the believer is left to rely on their own strength and willpower, which is insufficient to fully overcome the sinful nature and the challenges of this world. The baptism of the Holy Ghost not only seals the believer into the New Covenant but also enables them to access divine strength, wisdom, and discernment, which are crucial for living a life of holiness and victory. Speaking in tongues serves as an initial evidence of this infilling, affirming that the believer has received the Spirit's power. Without this transformative experience, maintaining a consistent, overcoming Christian walk becomes a struggle, as it is the Holy Spirit who leads and empowers believers to live out the righteousness of God in a fallen world.
Living a holy and overcoming life without the baptism of the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in tongues, would be exceedingly difficult because the Holy Spirit is the source of spiritual power and guidance for the believer. The New Testament teaches that the Holy Spirit empowers believers to overcome sin, resist the flesh, and live a life that is pleasing to God (Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:16). Without this indwelling presence, the believer is left to rely on their own strength and willpower, which is insufficient to fully overcome the sinful nature and the challenges of this world. The baptism of the Holy Ghost not only seals the believer into the New Covenant but also enables them to access divine strength, wisdom, and discernment, which are crucial for living a life of holiness and victory. Speaking in tongues serves as an initial evidence of this infilling, affirming that the believer has received the Spirit's power. Without this transformative experience, maintaining a consistent, overcoming Christian walk becomes a struggle, as it is the Holy Spirit who leads and empowers believers to live out the righteousness of God in a fallen world.
Jesus himself didn’t have the Holy Spirit anointing until his water baptism (Matthew 3:16,17, Acts 10:37,38) which was the time in which he was empowered for God to do miraculous works through him, not before. It may seem like being anointed by the Holy Spirit and led by the Holy Spirit are the same things, they are not.
Those who are anointed by the Holy Spirit are empowered by the Holy Spirit to do miraculous works, but they are not necessarily born again or have what you refer to as the New Birth. These can be people who receive the gift, but didn't receive the New Birth and may actually still be habitual, unrepentant, sinners according to Matthew 7:21-23 and these very people could include tongue-speakers.
While on the other hand, those who are led by the Holy Spirit are walking according to the Spirit as opposed to walking in the flesh. This sounds religious and it's what I like to call "Bible-speak," but in plain English it means someone is pursuing goodness, righteousness, and being holy as opposed to sinning.
So while having the gift of tongues may mean that someone has received a spiritual gift, it does not presuppose that they are under the guidance of the Holy Spirit or that they feel much, if any, conviction to obey God and produce the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
The fruits of the Holy Spirit are what are the sign(s) of the New Birth. One who has been born again may have one or more of these type of spiritual fruits (Galatians 5:22-23) and could hypothetically have them all at one point or another. The fruit is the evidence of the New Birth and Jesus was very direct about this in Matthew 7:15-20, saying "Ye shall know them by their fruits."
This is why not all people speak in tongues in Scripture or by what is observable in the present day. It isn't directly related to salvation, the new birth, being born again, etc; it's for ministerial purposes or whatever other purpose God wants to use it for. (1 Corinthians 12, 14)
receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Speaking in tongues serves as a confirmation of this indwelling, but the broader evidence of a Spirit-filled life includes the fruit of the Spirit and a life aligned with God’s Word. Therefore, the emphasis should be on the complete experience of salvation and living out one’s faith, recognizing that speaking in tongues is an important sign, but not the sole measure of one’s relationship with God.
I believe that the tongue-speaking in Acts 2:38 was so that Peter could persuade the Jews to convert and he was successful:
"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." However, it is not related to one's relationship with God. God is concerned about your obedience and submission to His will rather than you speaking in tongues.
This is evident by our final judgement being based on our unrighteous and righteous works while our spiritual gifts, or absence thereof, will not even be taken into account.
Matthew 7
21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but
he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,
have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And t
hen will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.