Is Speaking in Tongues the Evidence of Being Spirit-Filled?

A Biblical Examination of the Claim That Tongues Are the Required Evidence of Being Filled with the Holy Spirit

In some Christian circles today, it is taught—explicitly or implicitly—that speaking in tongues is the necessary and universal evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit. While tongues are a genuine biblical gift, the claim that all Spirit-filled believers must speak in tongues demands careful examination.

This report seeks to answer a simple but critical question:

Does Scripture teach that speaking in tongues is the required evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit?

The answer, when Scripture is allowed to speak for itself, is clear: No.

 
I. Jesus Himself: The Clearest and Decisive Case

Luke 3:22 – “The Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form, like a dove.”

Luke 4:1 – “And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan…”
Jesus is explicitly described as full of the Holy Spirit.

There is no record—none—of Jesus ever speaking in tongues.

If speaking in tongues were the required evidence of being filled with the Spirit, Jesus Himself would fail the test. That conclusion is unthinkable—and it alone exposes the flaw in the doctrine.

 
II. Old Testament Examples: Spirit-Filled Without Tongues

Before Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon individuals for wisdom, leadership, craftsmanship, obedience, and power—never as ecstatic speech.

Bezalel - Exodus 31:3 – “I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability, intelligence, knowledge, and all craftsmanship.”

Result: skill, excellence, creativity—not tongues.

Joshua - Deuteronomy 34:9 – “Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom.”

Result: leadership, faithfulness, obedience.

The Judges
Othniel – Judges 3:10
Gideon – Judges 6:34
Samson – Judges 14:6

In each case, the Spirit empowered action, courage, and deliverance, not speech.

The Old Testament never equates being filled with the Spirit with speaking in tongues. Ever.

 
III. New Testament Examples: Still No Universal Tongues

John the Baptist - Luke 1:15 – “He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.”

Result: prophetic boldness, repentance preaching.

No tongues recorded.

Elizabeth - Luke 1:41 – “Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Result: praise and prophecy in her own language.

No tongues.

Zechariah - Luke 1:67 – “His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied.”

Result: prophecy—not tongues.

Simeon - Luke 2:25–27 – The Holy Spirit was upon him, guiding and revealing truth.

No tongues recorded.

 
IV. The Apostles and the Early Church

Peter - Acts 4:8 – “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said…”
Result: bold proclamation.

No tongues mentioned.

The Jerusalem Believers - Acts 4:31 – “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”

Luke clearly identifies the result: boldness.

Luke consistently records tongues when they occur (Acts 2, 10, 19). His silence here is deliberate.

Stephen - Acts 6:5 – “A man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 7 – One of the longest sermons in Scripture.

No tongues recorded—ever.
 
V. Paul the Apostle (A Critical Witness) - Paul did speak in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:18). Yet: Acts 9:17 – Paul is filled with the Holy Spirit.
Tongues are not mentioned at that moment.

More importantly, Paul directly teaches:

“Do all speak in tongues?”
(1 Corinthians 12:30)

The Greek construction demands the answer: No.

Paul could not be clearer without shouting.

VI. What Scripture Actually Teaches

Being Filled with the Holy Spirit Produces:
Obedience – Acts 5:32
Holiness – Romans 8
Love – Romans 5:5
Power for Witness – Acts 1:8
Wisdom – Acts 6:3
Boldness – Acts 4:31
Christlikeness – Galatians 5

Tongues Are:
A gift, not a guarantee
A sign, not a seal
One manifestation among many—not the measure of spirituality
 
Here is My conclusion, based on the Word;

Here it is, plainly and biblically stated: Scripture never teaches that everyone filled with the Holy Spirit will speak in tongues.

Scripture repeatedly shows Spirit-filled people who never did.

To claim otherwise is not a difference of interpretation—it is adding a requirement God never gave.

The Holy Spirit is not proven by sound, volume, or display. He is known by fruit, faithfulness, obedience, and love.

Where the Spirit truly fills a believer, there is no need to pretend, perform, or prove.

Tongues are a gift.
They are not a guarantee.
They are not a requirement.
And they are not the measure of spirituality.

Jesus Christ is.

In His love,

ray mileur

Special thank you to my wife Anne for her indepth historical research on this topic, that inspired this post.