Speaking in tongues was an evidence of being baptized in the Holy Ghost, such as Acts 2 when they were gathered together in the upper room. Acts 10:44-48 indicates Cornelius and his family received baptism of the Holy Spirit, which was seen through speaking in tongues, before baptism of water, but the water signified the Holy Spirit that was already at work in the power of holiness. In Acts 19:1-7, Paul came across certain disciples of John, who had not heard of the Holy Ghost, but they heard Paul’s message, believed, were baptized in the name of Jesus, they were baptized in the Holy Ghost, which was seen through speaking in tongues and prophecy. There is more evidence of the baptism of the Spirit (signifying of an outpouring) being of prophecy rather than speaking in tongues, although speaking in tongues was an evidence:

Acts 2:17-18 says, “17And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy”. The outpouring of the Spirit in these last days is proven through prophecy!

Luke 1:39-45 says, “39Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43“And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? 44“For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. 45“And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.” Luke 1:67 says, “And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying.” Even John in Elizabeth’s womb recognized the presence of the LORD! As Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost, she prophesied concerning Jesus Christ! The reason why Zacharias could not speak was because it would be better to silent than to speak doubt! The enemy recognizes the gift that you have and will use your gift against you by identifying your weaknesses. For example, if you have a gift of prophecy, he will allow situations to get under your skin to motivate you to speak curses and doubt rather than prophecy according to the measure of faith in which God has given you! (Ex. Balaam, Romans 12:3)

Luke 2:25-26 says, “25And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” When the Holy Spirit moves upon you, He gives you the revelation of who Jesus is!

Acts 13:1-12 says, “1Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 4So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5When they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John as their helper. 6When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him, 10and said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? 11“Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand. 12Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord.”

First of all, Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen and Saul had to be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit, and they were obedient to Him. His Word should be confirmed and bear witness in each of our hearts! Then when Paul and Barnabas was commissioned and sent by the Holy Spirit, they came across magicians and false prophets, and they minister to them the Word of God. When Elymas saw what was happening, he opposed Paul and Barnabas, but Paul was full of the Holy Spirit, and he did not back down because the Word wasn’t welcome. In fact, after being full of the Spirit, he prophesied almost what appeared to be a curse, which led to Elymas’ blindness for a season. However, it wasn’t a word curse, but it was about the Holy Spirit proving who He was through a sign that would cause the proconsul to believe upon Jesus Christ! When people resist who you are in Christ and the Word you speak and represent, pray for the Holy Spirit to fill you up in such a way that He manifests His glory and power through you, causing others to believe upon Him! 

In Acts 13:48-52, Paul and Barnabas was driven out of the district, but they merely shook the dust off of their foot, and the disciples were continually filled with joy and the Holy Spirit! Even when others reject the gospel, be full of joy and the Holy Spirit because it will sustain you in rejection through His acceptance! You can’t help but to know and share the truth, and whether they reject or accept you, it is all for Christ’s glory! You come out a winner either way.

Speaking in tongues is an intricate part of the New Testament church, but Paul said, “Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue” (1 Corinthians 14:19). Prophecy is more important than tongues, for while tongues edifies a person, prophecy edifies the church (1 Corinthians 14:4). This is why we should pray for interpretations just so people can have a better understanding as to what the Spirit is saying. We are to covet earnestly the best gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31), but praying and singing in tongues is not the pinnacle of our faith. It is not the finish line that started with the prayer of salvation. There is so much more than this, and it is time we go deeper and seek for the fulness of Christ within us!