Is Conversion Possible Without Tongues?
Can a person be "converted" (born again) without ever speaking in tongues? This
question is undoubtedly THE most important of questions. . . because if the answer is
NO, then millions of God's people have been deceived. What is YOUR answer? Can a
person be "converted" (born again) without speaking in tongues?
Nearly everywhere, (among people who believe in the baptism of the holy Ghost with the
initial evidence of speaking in other tongues), you will hear it taught that a person is first
"converted" - and AFTERWARDS, if they are "dedicated" enough, they may be filled
with the Spirit. Let us look at the biblical examples to see why this teaching is both
wrong and dangerous - and why believing it will continue to confuse and divide God's
people.
It actually amounts to teaching that a person receives the Spirit twice. Once upon
"believing in Jesus", and again, upon receiving being baptized with it. One can no
more be born of the Spirit twice than he can
be physically born twice. A man can be born only once,
whether naturally or spiritually. A backslider can be
forgiven and renewed in Spirit, but not re-born. God gives
His Spirit only once. As we receive our human spirit once,
when we are born naturally, we can receive the holy Spirit
only once, when we are born of God.
Peter received the Spirit, and, so, was converted, at
Pentecost, along with the other disciples. Altogether, about
120 men and women were admitted into the kingdom of
God that day. During Jesus' earthly ministry, he continually
stressed that the kingdom of God was "at hand", or "near",
(Mt.4:17), even saying to his disciples, "there be
some...that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till
they have seen the kingdom of God come with power"
(Mk.9:1). And on Pentecost morning it came, "For the
kingdom of God is... righteousness, peace, and joy in the
holy Ghost" (Rom.14:17).
Paul told the saints in Colossae that God "hath translated
us into the kingdom of his dear Son, in whom we have
redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of
sins" (Col.1:13-14). This translation into the kingdom of
God, this redemption and forgiveness, is conversion.
Obviously, no one could be converted, or translated into the
kingdom of God, before the day of Pentecost, when the
kingdom was first given to men! It is astounding that so
many today believe that men were born again before Jesus
died, when his sacrificial death is what made the new birth
possible. My friend, the baptism of the holy Spirit,
evidenced by speaking in tongues, places us into the
kingdom of God, just as it placed the disciples into God's
kingdom on Pentecost morning. There is no other way to
be converted. As Paul said, by one Spirit are we all baptized into
one body" (1Cor.12:13).
What is this "kingdom of God" which we are made a part of through the baptism of
the Spirit? Jesus' disciples were not the only ones who were waiting
to be converted into God's mysterious kingdom. Among
others, "Joseph of Arimathea, an honorable counsellor,
also waited for the kingdom of God" (Mk.15:43). Watching the
Master ride triumphantly into Jerusalem, and
thinking that his kingdom would be an earthly one, Jesus'
excited disciples "thought that the kingdom of God should
appear immediately" (Lk.19:11). Even after his resurrection, as
Jesus instructed them to tarry in Jerusalem for the holy Ghost, they desired and
expected an earthly kingdom.
They inquired, "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the
kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6). They didn't know that by
speaking of the Spirit, Jesus was introducing them to his
kingdom. Until Pentecost, they didn't understand Jesus'
words, "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good
pleasure to give you the kingdom (Lk.12:32)". This is
conversion: citizenship in the kingdom of God.
Spiritual conversion makes one a new creature in Christ
Jesus, and makes real the biblical promise, "Behold, all
things are become new" (2Cor.5:17). In Christ, one
comes to know the newness and freshness of
eternal life. And it is evident that it takes the Spirit to be converted. It is
receiving the Spirit that is the new birth experience. An experience that comes with a
"sound" (according to the words of Jesus in John 3:1-8) - a "sound" that is evident in
EVERY case!
What about believing in Jesus and turning from sin? Isn't that conversion some may
ask? The beginning of one's journey in this joyous life is when
he hears the Word and is convicted of sin by its call. Jesus
compared the preaching of the Word to a seed being sown
in the human heart (Mt.13). Even in the case of spiritual
birth, conception precedes the birth. In nature, not every
seed sown produces fruit. Likewise, in God's kingdom
many who hear the Word do not act upon the conviction
which the Word causes them to feel. In vain the Seed is
sown in their hearts.
Regrettably, many confuse this conviction with conversion.
The Apostle Paul, for example, was convicted on the
Damascus road, not converted. He was converted three
days later, when he received the holy Ghost (Acts 22:16).
Not everyone who is conceived (convicted) will be converted (baptized with
the holy Ghost). Many were truly conceived by the Word during Jesus' ministry; yet,
only about 120 continued in his Word to be born again in Acts 2.
Remember, Jesus said, "If ye continue in my word, then
are ye my disciples" (Jn.8:31). Many have been convicted
of sin by the Spirit, but have not continued in that conviction, hungering and
thirsting for righteousness. They were conceived, but not converted. No one is
converted before receiving the holy Ghost baptism. To say, "You must be
born again" is to say, "You must receive the holy Ghost baptism". They are
one and the same.
The Lord warned his disciples, "Except ye be converted,
and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the
kingdom of heaven" (Mt. 18:3). This godly counsel should stir every
heart which has been conceived by the Word, but has not
yet received the Spirit, to renewed zeal for the righteousness
of God. Persevering in faith to make conversion into God's
kingdom possible for us, Jesus triumphed gloriously over
the errors of the elders of Israel, who attempted to supplant
God's offer of eternal life with their traditions.
Conversion is another word for the new birth, or
regeneration. It follows conception by the Word, and it is
essential. And just as it was impossible for the disciples to be "converted"
before Pentecost - it is impossible to be converted prior to receiving the baptism of the
holy Ghost now. This is the teaching of the Scriptures, and it stands unchangeable
through all ages, for all people. When we believe the truth - God's people (those with
the Spirit) - will finally be able to "be one", and what could be more sweet to Jesus than
that?
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