Evidence of Spirit Infilling?
 

Question; If someone gives a message in tongues (assuming it is then interpreted) is that evidence the individual is Spirit-filled?

How about the usage of the other gifts? Miracles, faith, prophecy, word of knowledge, wisdom etc.? Would exercising any or all of these indicate one is filled with the Holy Spirit?

Re: Evidence of Spirit Infilling?
 

I would answer yes to both questions.

Re: Evidence of Spirit Infilling?
 

Assuming that "Spirit filled" is "Spirit controlled" the answer to your question would be "no." Some people can be very cold in their relationship with the Lord, may be living in open sin (heterosexual and/or homosexual), could be having substance abuse problems (alcohol and other drugs) and still be very active in the gifts.

The fruit show what a person is, not outward dress code nor outward "manifestations, gifts, or signs." Note that Paul called the Corinthians carnal but said they came behind in no gift. There are plenty of preachers who are basically just hucksters even though their words may be smooth and they may be very demonstrative in physical gyrations and utterance gifts like tongues, interpretation, and prophecy but inwardly they are sectarian, exclusive, judgmental, sexually promiscuous, materialistic, self righteous, etc.

Watch how a person/preacher treats his/her spouse, children, animals, people who "serve" them (as in restaurants, businesses, etc), and how they treat people who are "sinners" or who can provide them no "benefit" or "payback" and you will see what a person really is.

Re: Evidence of Spirit Infilling?
 

Sam, Thank you and I do agree... but, I am referring to what is commonly called "evidence of receiving the Holy Ghost".

It should not be of huge import whether we are talking initial or not IMO.

Re: Evidence of Spirit Infilling?
 

Standard Pentecostal doctrine (both trinity and oneness) is that speaking with tongues is "the initial physical evidence" of the (HGB) Holy Ghost Baptism. In the Book of Acts there are several instances where people who have been saved or converted receive a post salvation empowering experience that we call the Holy Ghost Baptism, and when that experience is received it is often accompanied with or followed by "speaking with tongues and/or prophecy." The HGB is not for sinners to bring them to salvation but is for those who are already born again to empower them for service.

Re: Evidence of Spirit Infilling?
 

right. So would a "message in tongues qualify" as the evidence? Is it tongues and tongues only? Just wondering if other gifts of the Spirit are also evidence or not.

Re: Evidence of Spirit Infilling?
 

Nope even though the bible says that there are other gifts of the spirit.. Well atleast to the pentecostals there is only tongues..LOL It is always about proof have 3000 saved in the book of Acts no proof for them....

Re: Evidence of Spirit Infilling?
 

I hope I am not veering off the intended path here...

But I have seen people before who came to a service and ended up at the altar. At the altar they were crying and praising God, asking for forgiveness etc and afterward they had a complete personality change. They were, indeed, a different person.

But nobody saw then speak in tongues.

I'm not talking about your average person who was a nice person anyway. I am talking about people who had real interpersonal issues and, all at once, they were changed.

But nobody saw them speak in tongues.

They were thrilled at what they felt. They said they had never felt anything like it before. They said that all the anger, hate & resentment that they had been carrying around had been lifted and they had never felt so clean & free before.

But nobody saw them speak in tongues.

So then it begins. People begin to come up to them and tell them that they will be so excited when they receive the Holy Ghost. The doubts begin. What? I thought I did receive the Holy Ghost? So a person who was on cloud nine and walking free now has doubts placed in their minds and they feel like there is something else they need to do.

Then they return to the altar straining and pushing... trying to achieve something that they were told they needed to achieve.

I find this disturbing. Something... maybe it was the barometric pressure of that day... but something changed them.... brought freedom from anger, hatred, resentment... etc.

What was it... because... remember... nobody saw them speak in tongues.

Re: Evidence of Spirit Infilling?
 

Sounds about right...LOL

Here is a little petecost history lesson..LOL

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecostalism

Re: Evidence of Spirit Infilling?
 

I would think that the "correct name" might give some indication as they are 'gifts of the SPIRIT' therefore how could any operate absent of the Spirit?