Speaking In Tongues Does Not Equal Salvation.

[BroGary]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Gary, the issue does seem to become muddled when we know and see many non-tongue speakers who seem to have turned "about face" and are completely willing to live the Christian life.

Their desire and hunger for God is also apparent.

Do you not know such people? I know many - even pastors and workers in the Kingdom.

Also, there are those who do speak in tongues (and by no means most or all) who have not turned "about face" nor appear hungry for God...

It's because of what I indicated above that I tend to treat the tongues issue as a non sequitur...

I simply don't see the "evidence" for the case you are making.

No offense taken bro, we will have to politely agree to disagree with no hard feelings.

Having said that, there are likely some out there who didn't do an about face who did not speak in genuine tongues (either taught, or imitated what they thought they was supposed to say) or some who may had temporairly done an about face, got the Holy Ghost with the initial evidence of tongues, then went back to their old ways, "backslidden on the pews")

Those who seemed to do an about face and have a changed life does not mean they received the Holy Ghost, there are people who become devout muslims, mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, ect. and have a changed life, giving up alcohol, ect. so that alone is not enough evidence.

Anyhow, what others and myself have said in defense of tongues being the initial evidence I am not going to rehash here in this post, but because of all that and probally some stuff I can't think of right now I am convinced tongues is the initial evidence of receiving the Holy Ghost.

Again, no hard feelings, we simply agree to disagree on this particular point :-)