The New Testament, in several places, refers to the phenomenon of "speaking in tongues" as a gift from God and manifestation of the Holy Spirit's power. Today, millions of Christians still manifest this phenomenon while others argue that "tongues" died out with the Twelve Apostles and no longer exists. Thus it is that a battle line of varying width has been drawn between Christians over "tongues."
The issue of speaking in tongues is no small matter to us at Kingdom Ministries. So we offer the following as what we believe to be the correct biblical position regarding several related aspects of this subject.
Before we deal specifically with tongues, let's lay down some foundational truth. First, it should be pointed out that "filled" is a generic biblical term used for three different types of Holy Ghost "fillings."
The promised filling of the Holy Ghost comes in three phases. First, as comforter to all believers (John 20:22, Lk. 24:49), second as the one who endues with power from on high (Acts 1:4 5), and third as our replenisher through subsequent Holy Ghost experiences (Acts 4:31, 13:52).
[John 20:22 and Luke 24:49 are two accounts of the same upper room visitation by Jesus after His resurrection and are in the present "receive right now" tense. Since Luke wrote Lk. 24:49, which says receive the promise now, and Acts 1:4 which says wait for the promise, it is obvious that there are two parts to "the promise." The first part (the comforter) was received in the upper room, the second part (endowment with power) the day of Pentecost.]
Every believer receives the Holy Ghost as comforter and seal of their salvation at conversion because the only prerequisites for receiving the Holy Ghost as comforter are that 1) one believe and 2) Jesus be risen from the dead (John 16:7; 14:17-18; Acts 3:19 -20; 7:39; 20:22; Eph. 1:13).
When people get saved, Jesus (in Spirit) comes into their hearts filling them with Himself -- the promised, comforting, and abiding Holy Ghost. An individual's response to this infilling of forgiveness and peace is to speak out in a known language of what God has done.
To be baptized with the Holy Ghost, one must be a believer, have some understanding of what the experience is all about, and want it (Acts 19:2, Lk. 11:13). It is also evidently necessary to have some degree of devotion and maturity as evidenced by obedience (Acts 5:32, 2:5, 10: 2). The initial evidence of this baptism is usually praising God in an unknown tongue, but not always, as we shall see.
To receive continued "times of refreshing," one must simply serve God and remain willing to be used by Him whenever, wherever, and however He wills (Acts. 4:29-31, 13:51-52). This causes continued joy, praise, testifying, and other verbal witness of the Lord.