Titus 3:5-6
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Primary
What this passage establishes
God saves through regeneration and richly pours out the Holy Ghost through Jesus Christ.
Why it matters in the argument
Acts gives observable accounts of people receiving the promised Spirit. Those narratives supply the Bible’s clearest pattern for recognizing Spirit reception.
Apostolic connection
Apostolic teaching distinguishes the initial sign of tongues when the Spirit is received from the later congregational gift that requires interpretation.
Common misunderstanding
Paul’s question ‘do all speak with tongues?’ concerns distributed gifts in the assembled body, not the repeated initial sign in Acts.
How to use it in conversation
Start with the promise, then compare Acts 2, 10, and 19. Use 1 Corinthians only after distinguishing initial sign, private prayer, and public gift.
Scripture connections
See which passages advance, clarify, or answer the argument