Speaking in Tongues in the Bible – It’s Easy, Here Is How!

Before I explain how to speak in tongues by faith, we need to address the difference between being “filled” with the Holy Spirit and being “baptized” by the Holy Spirit. The reason is one of these events is accompanied by speaking in tongues while the other is not. Both are important!

Remember when a person is born again through Jesus Christ everything pertaining to life and godliness is given to them. That includes all the great and precious promises. These promises manifest through the knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ!

• 2 Peter 1:2-4 (KJV)  Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,  3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

According to scripture, Jesus is the one who will baptize born again believers with the Holy Spirit and fire. One of the things that trip believers up is the difference between being “filled” with the Holy Spirit and being “baptized” with the Holy Spirit. One of these represents externally by faith what already happened internally through Jesus Christ.

To be clear there are only four people I’m aware of that was filled with the Holy Spirit inside them during this specific time frame when Jesus was on earth. In other words in the New Testament before His resurrection. John the Baptist, Elisabeth his mother, Zacharias his father and Jesus were all filled with the Holy Ghost.

What’s also particularly interesting is when they were filled, they did something verbally, apart from John who was in the womb. However, John sure spoke loud about Jesus when he was out of the womb. Elizabeth spoke about Jesus, and Zacarias prophesied about Jesus. They all basically had some sort of confession of Jesus being the messiah/savior.

Jesus’s experience was different because He is also God. The alpha and omega. Jesus was born into the earth with the Holy Spirit inside Him and no natural man was His Father. When Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit came “upon” Him and He prayed.

The word filled in the Greek is pletho G4130.

• Thayer’s definition is to fill, to be fulfilled, or to be filled.

Let’s take a look at these scriptures for clarity.

• Revelation 1:8 (KJV) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
• Luke 1:13-15 (KJV)  But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.  14  And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.  15  For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
• Luke 1:41-42 (KJV)  And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:  42  And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
• Luke 1:67 (KJV)  And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
• Luke 3:21-22 (KJV)  Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,  22  And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
• Luke 4:1 (KJV)  And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

Other than those four people, no one else was “filled” with the Holy Spirit during this specific time while Jesus was with them. It’s important to notice that three of them were “filled” with the Holy Ghost. However, Jesus was born with/and always had the Holy Ghost from the beginning. Even before He was born. When Jesus was born through Mary who was a virgin, He never had a natural father because God is His Father. He is also God. So he didn’t need to be “filled” up a second time because He was already full of the Holy Ghost from the very beginning.

So John was baptizing the people here in the water, he even baptized Jesus in water. The difference is when Jesus was baptized in water, compared to the others, He prayed. Then heaven opened up and the Holy Spirit descended “upon” Him. This is when Jesus was endued with power from on high. Basically how the disciples was endued with power from on high in Acts chapter 2 in the upper room.

Here is some food for thought to keep in mind while reading the rest of the article.

• Why didn’t heaven open for anyone else who was baptized in water?
• We know Jesus was already full of the Holy Spirit from birth. So we know this baptism wasn’t for him to be “filled” with the Holy Spirit. Is it possible that Jesus was not only baptized with water but also with the fire/power of the Holy Spirit at this very moment? Is this why the Holy Spirit came “upon” Him?
• Why did no miracle occur through Jesus before the Holy Spirit descended upon Him? Why did miracles begin occurring after the Holy Spirit descended upon Him?
• Why did Jesus pray while He was being baptized? We don’t know what He prayed during this very moment but is it possible that He spoke in other tongues?
• We know John the Baptist died before Pentecost. However, Zacharias and Elizabeth were most likely still alive. Since they were already filled with the Holy Ghost then why did they need to go receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost, where they all spoke in other tongues?

This occurred during the time before the death/resurrection of Jesus. The disciples were not filled with the Holy Spirit when they were walking with Jesus back then. However, the day of Pentecost in the upper room was after the death/resurrection of Jesus. Look at what Jesus said here.

• John 7:37-39 (KJV)  In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.  38  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.  39  (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given;because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
• John 16:7 (KJV)  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
• John 16:13 (KJV)  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Jesus can’t lie and will only speak the truth. So what is he saying? We know according to scripture that Jesus will be the baptizer of the Holy Spirit/fire. The word “baptize” is a different Greek word than what we just learned about for “filled”.

The word baptize in the Greek is baptizo G907.

• Thayer’s definition:
  • to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk)
  • to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one’s self, bathe
  • to overwhelm

So this is a different experience that Jesus is referring to. This will only happen after Jesus is glorified through His death/resurrection. This was for the disciples and also born again believers today. That’s when this promise will become available.

Notice a couple of key things pointed out about this in John 7:37-39.

• If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink…
• He that believeth on me…
• as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water…
• (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Notice this promise is for anyone who is thirsty for God. This isn’t something for people who aren’t thirsty. You have to have a desire to want what God has to offer.

Notice you have to believe, know and understand what Jesus is saying about this. This isn’t for people who don’t believe Jesus or His Word. Do you choose to trust Him on the subject or someone/something else instead?

The scripture states that out of their belly shall flow rivers of living waters. This is referring to the Holy Spirit and describes this event as something flowing from within you, outward. Kind of like how when Elizabeth, Zacarias, and Jesus were all “filled”. They all had some sort of verbal experience to accompany it such as confessing the truth about Jesus, but it wasn’t speaking in other tongues. They were declaring and believing who Jesus actually was, which was the messiah and savior! Today when people become born again believers they confess Jesus as Lord! That confession of faith accompanies them being filled with the Holy Spirit and being born again.

Again, to be clear the word “baptize” is different than “filled”. Basically, when people are baptized with the Holy Spirit there is a different type of verbal experience that accompanies this. The external manifestation of what has already been given to them internally through Jesus Christ. Which is speaking in tongues. Stay with me through this post so I can explain it more in-depth.

After the death/resurrection of Jesus Christ, He appears to the disciples and breathed into them to receive the Holy Spirit just like how God breathed into Adam. This is when the disciples became born again and “filled” with the Holy Spirit.

• Genesis 2:7 (KJV)  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Some people say that if you don’t speak in tongues, you don’t have the Holy Spirit. That statement couldn’t be further from the truth cause when the disciples became born again and filled with the Holy Spirit inside them, they didn’t speak in other tongues. Kind of like when John the Baptist, Elizabeth, and Zachariah were all “filled” with the Holy Spirit but none of them spoke in other tongues.

• John 20:21-22 (KJV)  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.  22  And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
• Luke 5:35-37 (KJV)  But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.  36  And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.  37  And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.
• John 4:14 (KJV)  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
• Luke 24:49 (KJV)  And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

The disciples were now born again living souls that are filled with the Holy Spirit. This relates to how Jesus also spoke about not putting new wine in old wineskin or it will burst. This is what Jesus meant about a well being in them springing up to everlasting life. This is the new wine-filled inside them which is the Holy Spirit springing up into everlasting life.

However, the promise where the Holy Spirit comes “upon” them and they are endued with power from on high came later. That’s what Jesus is referring to in Luke 24:49. Jesus still speaks about the importance of this promise coming “upon” them. This is when they will be endued with power from God! This is when faith comes alive through the knowledge and understanding of what Jesus gave them. This is the evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit when it’s seen in the natural.

Some people say that speaking in tongues is not important. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Jesus expressed this promise to the disciples who were now filled with the Holy Spirit! He still sent the disciples to go receive this because it was extremely vital in their/our walk with God. So we need to pay attention to this topic ourselves and thirst for this promise to manifest as well!

Notice this promise is going to come upon them and they will be endued with power from God.

The word “ye be endued” in the Greek is enduo G1746.

• Thayer’s definition: to sink into (clothing), put on, clothe one’s self
• Strongs’s definition: (in the senese of sinking into a garment); to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively): – array, clothe (with), endue, have (put) on.

Think of it like this. Before you go out to a very important engagement you make sure you’re prepared and wearing the right set of clothes for the occasion. Well, in other words, God is about to dress them properly for the occasion! What’s the occasion? The disciples going out to witness to all the world, with not just doctrine, but also with the power of the Holy Spirit. Let’s take a look.

• Acts 1:4-5 (KJV)  And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.  5  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
• Acts 2:1-4 (KJV)  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  2  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  3  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  4  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
• 2 Timothy 3:5 (KJV)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

To be clear it does also mention at Pentecost that they “were filled” but the word “were” is past tense. I believe the disciples “were filled” from John 20:21-22. (See Genesis 2:7 also) This is when they were filled with the Holy Spirit and became born again. So when they were at Pentecost they were still filled from that occasion when Jesus breathed in them and said receive the Holy Ghost! They just haven’t been baptized or clothed yet. In other words, the evidence of what happened inwardly did not manifest externally yet. Think of it like this, a river is constantly flowing and that river needed to flow outwardly.

Think of it like this if I fill up a travel mug of water at my house and preserved it. Then later I bring it with me when I go to a friend’s house. Is the mug still full of water? Of course!

However, the water reaches its full potential when it’s used for something such as pouring a glass for a friend who is thirsty or drinking the water yourself. Maybe using the water to clean some dirt off something.

The point is the water can sit idle in the mug and no one knows what’s inside it. Except for the one who put it there. However, if I want to pour a glass of water it requires the water to flow out of the mug. Now it’s visible externally and helping someone who needed a drink. So it’s possible to be filled with the Holy Spirit and not speak in tongues but the water isn’t being used to its full potential. Our cup is supposed to runneth over continually by the river of living water! It’s constantly being filled and overflowing.

• Psalms 23:5 (KJV) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
• John 7:37-38 (KJV) In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

After the death/resurrection of Jesus when you’re baptized with the Holy Spirit. The scripture states the Holy Spirit comes “upon” you and you will speak in tongues.

This is when heaven opened up and the disciples were endued with power from on high. They were baptized with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. God clothed them and they all had a visible manifestation that was vocal. They all spoke in other tongues as the Holy Spirit gave them the utterance. This is when the Holy Spirit came “upon” them. Just like how the Holy Ghost came “upon” Jesus when he was endued with power from on high. Remember Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit from the beginning. When the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus like a dove it was an external manifestation of what already was inside of Jesus! (See Luke 3:21-23)

This is what Jesus was referring to when He spoke of the river of living water flowing from the belly. This is the outward manifestation of the Holy Spirit they already had within them. They all spoke in other tongues! This is when they were all baptized with the Holy Spirit. This is when they were endued aka clothed with power from on high.

This isn’t the only place where people spoke in tongues. After this event at Pentecost had taken place, Phillip went to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and signs/wonders followed. Signs and wonders followed Phillip cause he was endued with power/baptized in the Holy Spirit. The people who heard him believed what he preached and received it gladly. In other words, these people got baptized in water for the remission of sins. They were now born again and began to follow Jesus as well.

• Acts 8:12-13 (KJV)  But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.  13  Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Later on, John and Peter heard that these people got saved but did not receive the Holy Spirit. Now we know they were filled/born again but the scripture says the Holy Spirit didn’t fall “upon” them yet. They were not yet clothed/endued on the outside from the Holy Spirit. The water from the fountain within (Being born again and “filled”) had not yet flowed out as a river of living water. (Being baptized by the Holy Spirit/fire coming “upon” them) So Peter and John took a trip to go pray for them to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues.

• Acts 8:14-17 (KJV)  Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:  15  Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:  16  (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)  17  Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Back in those days, you couldn’t just phone a friend like we have the luxury of today. John and Peter thought this was well worth the journey to go to Samaria just to pray for them to have this experience with the Holy Spirit! So clearly they took what Jesus taught them/told them to heart! Freely they received so freely they gave!

Notice the verbiage used here though, “fallen upon”. They didn’t use the word “filled” here, they used “fallen upon”. Think about that a moment.

The word “fallen” in the Greek is epipipto G1968.

• Thayers Definition:
  • to fall upon, to rush or press upon
  • to fall into one’s embrace
  • to fall upon one, i.e. to seize, take possession of him
  • of the Holy Spirit, in his inspiration and impulse

This represents a type of embrace from the Holy Spirit. Again, every born again believer is filled with the Holy Spirit. However, not every born again believer embraces the impulse from the Holy Spirit when He says to speak. If they did then they would speak in other tongues. Don’t worry it’s super simple cause the Holy Spirit is the teacher.