Dispelling the Myth Baptists Don’t Speak in Tongues

The myth that Baptists do not speak in tongues is what we used to call a bald-faced lie (John 8:44, Col. 3:9 et al)!

Furthermore, the demonic idea that the denominational orthodoxy of Pentecostals is, to include COGIC (Church of God in Christ), Apostolics and the Judaizing sub-sect of Oneness Pentecostals, superior has no basis in biblical theology (1 Cor. 1:10, Philipp 1:27, Gal. 1:8-9, et al).

To begin, I won’t engage in a scripture-quoting battle, as that suggests doctrinal debates and textual arguments matter more than the full counsel of God's Word (Deut. 4:2, 2 Tim. 3:16-17) .

More plainly, the texts added to not only this article, but every other on this site, aligns with the full counsel of the Word and not denominational cherry picking (Jer. 23:28-29, Rev. 22:18-19).

As I have shared prior, I pastor a Missionary Baptist church and still have no idea what their doctrinal platform is, much less why it makes us superior to other Christian interests.

However, there is one piece of demonic teaching, 'once saved always saved', which confused preachers must cease and desist from or every one of them will perish (Heb. 6, 10:26, Gal. 5:4, 1 Tim. 1:20, Rev. 3:5).

Any denominational convention is always, without exception, the result of spiritual reprobates who the Lord 'gave a better revelation to' than the fools they used to follow (1 Cor. 1:10-13, 1 Cor. 3:3-5, Eph. 4:3-6, Philipp. 2:1-3, et al).

For example, the newet heresy to emerge from Pentecostalism, Oneness, teach that anyone baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is damned because the apostles baptized only in Jesus’ Name (Acts 2:38, Acts 8:16, Acts 19:5).

Yet they can’t explain why Jesus Himself commanded Godhead baptism—excluding their narrow interpretation and furthemore why The Master was baptized under this formula (Matt. 3:16, Matt. 29:19, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:21-22.)

In effect, and in their unspoken theology, the apostles had more authority than Jesus. Let those with ears hear.

Let’s dismantle the falsehood that Baptists forbid tongues, are unwelcoming of its practice, and intolerant to those so gifted. To new readers; I was baptized into the Oneness Pentecostal cult in 1998, and left discouraged a year later, so I am not some uninformed outsider.

Nevertheless, in the southern U.S., and as far north as St. Louis, Missouri, Baptists do speak in tongues! There are also tongue speakers here in Waterloo, Iowa and some are pastors. In our church, a sister minister has the gift as well.

A dear Holiness Pentecostal sister called these anointed servants of Yahweh "Holiness Baptists!" However, at least in our fellowship, we claim Jesus and not Baptist.

Pentecostals claim tongues as evidence of salvation, while Baptists call it a gift. Ironically, both are biblically correct, although each rejects the biblical nexus with the other (Acts 2:4, 10:46, 1 Cor. 10:12).

The problem with Pentecostalism (we’ll address Baptists shortly) is their deception in teaching works-based salvation and theology—believing they can earn more favor with God if they do 'stuff' (Gal. 6:13-14, Rom. 3:27-28, Eph. 2:8-9).

Yet not one has cogently answered an often asked question: "if your works assists God in saving us, why did Jesus Christ, the Word of God, arrive on Earth"(Rom. 3:20, Rom. 8:3, Rom. 10:13, Gal. 3:11, Heb. 7:19, et al)?

In effect, they refute salvation by faith alone, preached by the apostle Paul, by attempting to mix in work not as an outward expression of post-salvation faith, rather a salvation requirement. (Rom. 3:28).

Baptists, on the other hand, are not guilt-free of wanton ignorance to what we preach either (Matt. 15:15). This largely exists in an apathy toward spiritual gifts while most view 'song' with greater reverence, it not being named as a gift of the Holy Spirit.

More plainly, a church Baptist (though not disciple of Christ) will sing, holler and shout during a song while the same 'members' view tongue speakers with suspicion.

In defense of Pentecostalism, they have a Holy Ghost balance in this area. Let's review Holy Spirit gifts:

• Wisdom: Applying spiritual knowledge effectively to kingdom build (1 Cor. 12:8).

• Knowledge: Supernatural insight into the Word of God (1 Cor. 12:8).

• Faith: Extraordinary trust in the Lord God (1 Cor. 12:9).

• Healing: Supernatural restoration of one's own health or that of others (1 Cor. 12:9, 28).

• Miracles: Altering natural events which could include healing (1 Cor. 12:10, 28).

• Prophecy: Speaking God’s message of things which can not otherwise be known (1 Cor. 12:10; Rom. 12:6).

• Discerning Spirits: Identifying true and false spirits (1 Cor. 12:10).

• Tongues: Speaking unlearned languages, not 'unknown' (1 Cor. 12:10, 28).

• Interpretation of Tongues: Translating tongues (1 Cor. 12:10).

• Apostleship: Leading churches with divine authority (1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11). Note: Unless a leader holds the 'keys to the kingdom,' they are false apostles.

• Teaching: Instructing other in biblical truth (1 Cor. 12:28; Rom. 12:7; Eph. 4:11).

• Helps/Service: Assisting others (1 Cor. 12:28; Rom. 12:7).

• Administration: Leading with spiritually divine guidance (1 Cor. 12:28; Rom. 12:8).

• Evangelism: Proclaiming the gospel powerfully to the lost, reprobate Christians, and seed planting (Eph. 4:11).

• Pastoring: Shepherding believers locally (Eph. 4:11).

• Exhortation: Encouraging faith whether through earned tribute or rebuke (Rom. 12:8).

• Giving: Contributing generously above normally prescribed tithes and offering (Rom. 12:8).

• Leadership: Guiding with divine vision yet through the spirit of a servant (Rom. 12:8).

• Mercy: Showing compassion (Rom. 12:8).

We don’t limit an infinite God to this list and some have multiple gifts as well.

Yet, both, and other black denominations besides, stand guilty of hypocrisy with respect to the below (but not limited to) and are antithetical to the exercise of spiritual gifts:

• Ignoring biblical warnings against schisms: Silos cause confusion, not edification (1 Cor. 1:10-13, 3:3-7, 1 Pet. 3:8, et al).

  
  

• Claims of superiority while disobeying scripture: Oneness Pentecostals demand 'Jesus-name' baptism but ignore the Bible’s 'living water' baptism examples (rivers, lakes)—opting for sanitized pools. There is no biblical example, command, or release for water baptism as we practice it (Matt. 3:5-6, Mark 1:9-10, Act 8:36-38, et al). Baptists believe Father, Son and Holy Spirit baptism to be superior (Matt. 28:19).

  
  

• Assuming God favors one group or person over the other: 'Chosen' doesn’t mean 'favored' over another because God’s love isn’t greater for some than others (John 3:15-17, 1 Tim. 2:3-4, 2 Pet. 3:9, et al). There is no one alive, or even in the Bible for that matter, who can point to a single reason why God chose them as a servant and not others.

Now let's review spiritual challenges specific to Pentecostals:

1. Tongues often glorify the speaker, not the church. Most often when someone is speaking in tongues, it is their desire and not the unction of the Holy Spirit. When one claims God is doing a spiritual work yet, in that moment He is not, the Lord is mocked (Ezek. 13:6-7, Jer. 23:21, Gal. 6:7). Paul put it best; "those who speak in tongues without an interpreter are only edifying themselves and not the church" (1 Cor. 14:4).

   
   

2. No proof of 'stronger anointing.' If tongues meant greater spirituality, where’s the fruit or as they like to demand of everyone else, 'evidence'?

   
   

3. Pentecostal tongues refute denominational claims of utility. At Pentecost, listeners understood tongues spoken by Peter but today, no one understands his supposed Pentecostal successors (Acts 2:1-11)?

There is also fault within Baptist orthodoxy as well:

1. Claiming to welcoming all gifts but do not. Few Baptist churches foster an environment for tongues and whether Pentecostal or Baptist, neither is interested in receiving the tongue interpretation.

   
   

2. Pastor-centric rule stifles the Spirit. Leaders often quench the spirit of true worship under the guise of discernment. Furthermore, the autocratic rule of the negro preacher, and without any biblical authority, is mockingly apalling (Matt. 20:25-27, Mark 10:42-44, 1 Pet. 5:2-3).

   
   

3. Being closed and unwilling to yield to the operation of gifts from others: A pastoral anointing never means the assignment to control the operation of the Holy Spirit. I am so thankful to Jesus He sent four (4) other ministers with gifts different than my own and I honor their anointings to assist in kingdom mission.

Saints, seek God’s heart and challenge the lie that Baptist churches are not open to the operation of the Holy Spirit and tongues. Additionally, and as both Pentecostals and their heretical brethren, Oneness Pentecostals claim, God is no respector of persons nor the self-righteousness which believes one is favored over another.

These schisms exist due to zero curiosity concerning the Word of God (Jesus), and even less faith despite claiming it in abundance.

Repent of this confusion before it’s everlasting too late.