Speaking in Tongues: Is it Essential to Salvation?

This page will be treated in like manner to the pages involving the Oneness/Trinity debates and water baptism. It is provided to supply links to both United Pentecostal Church (UPCI) writings and those of similar or differing beliefs. It should be noted that most churches which call themselves 'apostolic' hold the same main beliefs on salvation as the UPCI, with the exception of churches which are part of the New Apostolic Reformation. However, there are apostolic churches which teach one is saved when they repent, but they should go on to the rest of what is often termed the three steps (repentance, water baptism in the name of Jesus, receiving of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues).

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Tongues in the Bible simply means languages.

According to the UPCI, those who manifest this spiritual gift of tongues are confirmed as having received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. They take this view because you cannot be saved without the Spirit of God (Romans 8:9) and they believe speaking in tongues verifies that the Spirit of God has come to abide in a believer. They surmise that tongues are the initial evidence of having been filled with God's Spirit because tongues are mentioned in three places in Acts when people received God's Spirit. Acts 2 shows about 120 people speaking in tongues, Acts 19 shows about twelve men speaking in tongues (and prophesying) and Acts 10 shows an unknown number of Gentiles speaking in tongues, though all who were present fit into the house. It is assumed that in Acts 8 the people spoke in tongues, even though Scripture is silent concerning it. David Bernard, the General Superintendent of the UPCI, admits in his writings that it is assumed.

United Pentecostals and other apostolics believe that when a person is baptized in the name of Jesus that the Holy Spirit will come because it is a promise to you, your children, and other people that the Lord shall call (Acts 2:38, 39). Until a believer has spoken in tongues, they teach that the person is not yet saved. In fact, most apostolics would consider trinitarian believers who spoke in tongues to also be unsaved because they had not been properly water baptized and/or did not believe in the oneness of God. There are a few who will question the validity of a person's tongues experience if it is received outside an apostolic church setting.

In contrast, most mainstream Pentecostals believe that speaking in tongues is not a matter of salvation. The Assemblies of God, International Pentecostal Holiness Church, and Fire Baptized Holiness Church, are some major denominations that reject the teaching that they pertain to salvation. These denominations teach that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a different experience from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which is received upon repentance. They do, however, teach that believers should want and seek this extra baptism of the Spirit, which is evidenced by speaking in tongues.

In addition to this, some Christians believe tongues are a sign of demonic possession as many thought during the original Pentecostal revival in the early 1900s. Other Christians believe that tongues are simply one of many gifts a believer may receive from the Holy Spirit, and are neither initial evidence, nor a sign of a separate Spirit baptism. In addition, some Christians from the Reformed Camp believe tongues have ceased with the New Testament being completed and they point to 1 Corinthians 13 as proof. There are others who believe tongues still exist, but question whether most tongues they hear today are actual human languages which can be verified and understood as seen in the Bible, as compared to repeated brief syllables or phrases. In addition, some believe that speaking in tongues did not happen, but rather that the people heard in their own language what the others spoke in their native tongue. In other words, it was in the hearing and not the speaking.

As you can see, beliefs on the subject of speaking in tongues are quite diverse. Everyone cannot be correct. Must a believer speak in tongues to be saved? Are tongues that important for today? Is there a non-biblical overemphasis of tongues in Pentecostal churches? Have tongues ceased? Are all tongues of the devil? Is it just one of the many gifts of the Holy Spirit that you may receive? Do believers speak with angelic tongues?

Below is an example of speaking in tongues at a United Pentecostal Church camp meeting that appeared in the movie, Borat. The next is an example of someone trying to speak in tongues at a United Pentecostal Church. In it, you will see the normal gathering of people around the person. Sometimes they hold up their arms and place their hands on them. This person did not speak in tongues despite all the praying.

Below is another example of the various things one might see when someone is trying to 'pray through' to receive the Spirit. You will witness people talking to him, some yelling, "Come on!" They get by his ear or right in his face and either talk or yell at him. Some pound the floor or stomp their feet near him. They wail and have concerned looks on their faces, even after he says he has the Spirit. Most everyone is making noise at the same time while he lies on the floor and periodically thrashes around. Pay attention to all the hands on him. They grab his arms, sometimes moving them around. They touch his legs, head, chest- even hitting on his chest. It is intense and there is no way to know how long this transpired as it is only a portion of what occurred. (They made the video private after we linked to it, so we removed our link to there.)

Here is another of a very young girl, with people all gathered around her, touching her, speaking loudly, etc. Next is an ABC Primetime Thursday News report on speaking in tongues that shows much of what is seen in Pentecostal churches.

Below are links to various writings on the subject, stating several perspectives. Included under the UPCI view are writings from other groups that believe likewise, at least in part. Therefore all are not fully representative of their views. Also included may be some links to Apostolics who believe that tongues are one of the many gifts of the Holy Spirit that one may or may not receive.

* Denotes the article is posted directly on this site, with all others being links to other sites.

UPCI & Similar Views	Differing Views
United Pentecostal Church Tract - Why Did God Choose Tongues?	When Will Tongues Cease? by Dan Lewis
Isaiah 58 Broadcast & Tracts - Is Conversion Possible Without Tongues? or Are Tongues Only For "Some" in the Church?	Spirit Baptism and Speaking with Other Tongues by the International Pentecostal Holiness Church
Speaking In Tongues by David K. Bernard	Cyber Journal For Pentecostal-Charismatic Research, Water baptism and Spirit baptism in the Church Fathers by Martin Permentier
Baptism in the Holy Spirit by David K. Bernard	Salvation in Christ and Baptism in Spirit: A Response to Robert Menzies, "Evidential Tongues: An Essay on Theological Method" by Roli G. dela Cruz
Baptism with the Holy Spirit by Jeffrey Brian White	An Evangelical Critique of "Initial Evidence" Doctrine by David S. Lim
Tongues Devilish or Divine? by Irvin Baxter, Jr.	The Baptism in the Holy Spirit: The Initial Experience and Continuing Evidences of the Spirit-Filled Life-AOG positional paper 8/11/2000
Tongues as Initial Evidence? by William Arnold III	Is Speaking in Tongues a Necessary Sign of Salvation? A View by Matthew Slick (Christian Apologetic & Research Ministry)
Truth About the Gift of Tongues by Pastor Daniel Wellman	The Pentecostal group of denominations
A Debate between Pastor Daniel Wellman and Bro. Stan Hallett the General Secretary of the UACI: Is Tongues Evidence of the Holy Ghost?	20th Century Tongues... Faith or Fake?
Speaking In Tongues - Word Aflame Press Tract (UPC)	The Gift of Tongues: What Is This Supernatural Gift and How Is It To Operate by Let Us Reason Ministries
The Gift of the Holy Ghost by the Apostolic Church of Tallahassee	Theology Q&A by Dr. J. Rodman Williams
Why Did God Chose Tongues? - A UPCI Tract	Is Tongues In Evidence In Every Instance of Spirit Baptism in Acts? by Ian Johnson
The Initial Evidence of the Holy Ghost by J. L. Hall	Initial Evidence or Evident Initials? A European Point of View On A Pentecostal Distinctive by Jean-Daniel Puss
The Baptism of the Holy Ghost by Rev. John Soto	Baptism In the Holy Spirit: Who He Is and Why You Need Him by Maranatha Christian Fellowship
Are Tongues the Only Unique Sign of Receiving the Holy Spirit? by Jason Dulle	What is Baptism in the Holy Spirit by Pat Mullins
Are Tongues the Evidence of the Holy Ghost? A Q&A Session	What is Baptism in the Holy Spirit and How Does One Receive It? by ChristianAnswers.net Ministries
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit by Jack Visker	How To Heal - Baptism in the Holy Spirit by Hal Weeks
The Truth About Speaking in Tongues by Eddie Jones	45 Problems With the Charismatic Movement
Doctrine of the Holy Ghost by Key To The End Times Ministry	Prophecies and Tongues Have Ceased by The Bible Truth Site Ministries
Don't Believe It! by Rev. Lewis E. Manuwal	The Miraculous Manifesting Gifts Have Ceased by Dave Redick
	The Gift of Tongues and That Which Is Perfect by David A. Green
	The Problem With Tongues by Spreading Light Ministries
	Speaking in Tongues: The Experience and the Doctrine by Steve Born
	Speaking in Tongues and the Holy Spirit by Steve Born
	Speaking in Tongues by Buddy Martin*
	Acts 19: A Closer Look by Lois E. Gibson*
	Acts 10: A Closer Look by Lois E. Gibson*
	Speaking in Tongues and the Spirit Baptism by Mark McNeil (Word document)
	Speaking in Tongues: Can All Christians Experience It? by Jason Young*
	Speaking with Tongues: Four Views by Dan Lewis
	Stammering Lips and Other Tongues by Dan Lewis

Below are some debates on this subject.

Debate between David Bernard and James White; Pastor Dowell and Stanley Sylvain.

Debate between Michael Brown and Sam Waldron & last we have what many would believe to be an improper use of tongues when a Toledo mayoral candidate used it against a man.

Page added October 22, 2004 & updated November 19, 2023 & all links checked April 21, 2023