The initial evidence that those on the Day of Pentecost had received the Holy Spirit was their ability to speak in tongues or rather, their ability to speak other languages that were unknown to them—languages they had never learned or spoken prior to that moment.

Let’s look at Acts 2:5-8 (NIV). “Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?”

Luke then goes on to list the various languages which were heard. Now, isn’t that amazing? Those filled with the Spirit were speaking languages they had never learned or spoken prior to that moment, and they probably had no idea what they were saying. On the other hand, those in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost who spoke those languages knew exactly what those filled with the Holy Spirit were saying.

Luke also records another event where it demonstrates that the initial sign or evidence that someone has received the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues. Luke says, “Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God.” (Acts 10:44-46).

This is in reference to Cornelius and his household, and please take note of how those who came with Peter knew that the Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit. They knew because “…They heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God.” Did those who came with Peter know the tongues or languages these new believers were speaking? Scripture is silent on that; however, it is not silent on the fact that speaking in tongues is the initial evidence or sign that a person has received the Holy Spirit.

Similarly, the initial evidence that you have received the Holy Spirit will be your ability to speak in tongues or another language the very moment you are filled with Spirit. This is not a tongue or language that you can practice, study, or go to school to learn. This tongue or language supernaturally comes from the Spirit the moment you are filled with the Spirit.

Now here is a story for you! Not too long ago, I heard someone testify that when she went to the altar to receive the Holy Spirit, the altar worker told her what to say then after she had repeated what she was told to say, the altar worker pronounced her filled with the Holy Spirit. I felt so sorry for this woman because having someone pronounce her filled with the Holy Spirit when she had only repeated what she was told to repeat is not receiving the Holy Spirit.

Let me say that again! Saying mumbo-jumbo, or some weird words, sentences, phrases, or whatever it may be that someone whispers into your ear does not equate to receiving the Holy Spirit. Coming up with your own mumbo jumbo or imitating someone else’s tongues also does not equate to receiving the Holy Spirit. You receive the Holy Spirit when you surrender your tongue to God and allow him to change your native language to one that you have never spoken or learned.

Furthermore, God does not need help, and if you think He does then you really do not know who God is! So let me share with you this bit of information. God made a donkey speak, and if God can make a donkey speak, don’t you think He can control your tongue and make you speak what He will?

Take my word for it. God does not need anyone to put words in your mouth for you to repeat and then pronounce you filled with the Holy Spirit. As a matter of fact, doing this has damning eternal consequences. For example, if the woman I mentioned earlier had not realized that she in fact did not receive the Holy Spirit after repeating what she was told to repeat, she would not be part of the family of Christ. Scripture tells us that without the Spirit, we do not belong to Christ, which means that she would not have any part or lot in the hope of eternal life because Jesus does not know who she is. (See Romans 8:9)

God does not need help to fill someone with the Holy Spirit, but do you know what God needs? All God needs for you to do is yield your tongue to Him and He will do the rest!