The Bible makes a clear distinction between the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the Filling of the Holy Spirit. They are not the same. In direct reference to your question, some believe that the Bible teaches that speaking in tongues is the manifestation that occurs when a person receives Christ. They also teach that speaking in tongues is the sign of being baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit.

When Peter preached to Cornelius in Acts 10, Cornelius and his family received Christ before Peter’s sermon was even finished! They simultaneously spoke in tongues. Peter took this as a sign that even Gentiles could receive Christ. He thought previously that only Jews were welcomed into the family of God.

The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the experience of the Holy Spirit coming into a person’s life to give power for God’s service. Thus, a study of this experience must begin with an exploration of the Person and nature of the Holy Spirit.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

The terms Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit are interchangeable in Scripture; they are both translated from the same Greek word in the original texts. The Holy Ghost is not an abstract identity or a remote influence, but a distinct personality of the Godhead. He is God Himself, part of the Trinity that is comprised of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He has personality and all the attributes of Deity.

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…”
—Jesus, Son of God

Is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit for Everyone?

To do God’s work, we need God’s power. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is for all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, and who are children of God through Him (see Acts 2:38–39).

Whether it’s reports of strange lights in the sky, declassified government documents, or the new smash podcast High Strange, the little green guys from space (or gray, depending on who you ask) are gaining unprecedented ground in our collective consciousness.

No matter if you consider yourself an extraterrestrial skeptic, believer, or somewhere in between, you might be wondering: does the Bible have anything to say about UFOs or little green men?

Are aliens in the Bible?

Let’s start with getting on the same page about what we’re talking about when we talk about aliens. 

A true definition of alien is “anything that belongs to a foreign territory.” Someone who is not a citizen of a country they reside in would be considered an “alien.” In the plant and animal world, alien species to a region are often called “invasive species.”

If we’re talking about aliens to Earth, an alien could refer to any being that is not from Earth. Spiritual beings (like angels and demons) that interact with our world could be included in that group. Scripture clearly indicates these beings exist.