WHY SPEAKING IN TONGUES
I was talking with a fellow Christian last week regarding being baptized with the Holy Spirit. I was surprised that she believed in four baptisms of the Holy Spirit and after some research I found there were up to seven baptisms believed in by fellow Christians.
I have to confess that I have come to believe in three distinct baptisms, but if others believe in four or more it’s really their business. The complication comes with the empowering baptism of the Holy Ghost. Jesus told the disciples to wait until Pentecost to receive the baptism the Father had promised which would give them power to go witness to the world. This baptism was evidenced by speaking in tongues. (Acts 2)
Now I know that some denominations believe that tongues have passed away (1 Cor. 13:8-10), but that also would include knowledge. When I look at our society today, I sometimes feel that knowledge has already passed away because so many people don’t make sense. I also don’t see the explanation “when perfection comes” applying to today, but perfection of Heaven.
In fact, I was told by my first pastor that if I went to a Pentecostal church, I would be on my way to hell in six weeks. Well 50 some years later his prophecy turned out wrong. I think that people are taught to fear things when they don’t really understand them. So, instead of arguing the number of baptisms let’s take a look at the benefits of speaking in tongues.
First of all, let’s examine the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was active in the Old Testament and usually was manifested on certain people such as kings, prophets, and judges for particular tasks, leadership, or supernatural strength. The spirit of God came upon prophets like Ezekiel, Zachariah, and Saul, enabling them to convey God’s messages. Prophets foresaw a time when the spirit would indwell believers permanently (Ezekiel 36:26 through 27, Jeremiah 31:33)
In Joel 2:28-29, the prophet Joel prophesies a future, universal outpouring of the Holy Spirit on "all flesh" regardless of gender, age, or status. This pivotal promise includes spiritual empowerment for prophesying, dreaming, and visions. In Acts 2:17-21, Peter quotes this passage to explain the events occurring when the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples and they spoke in tongues.
Jesus had told the disciples that it was better for them that he leaves because then the Father would send back the Holy Spirit to empower them to do what Jesus did. He told them to wait in Jerusalem until the day of Pentecost and they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them and in Acts 2:4 “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
1. THE EVIDENCE: Speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. That does not mean you didn’t have the Holy Spirit with you already, for He makes salvation possible. Some Christians say the Holy Spirit with you is not the same as Holy Spirit in you. I don’t quite know how I feel about that as I had a miraculous touch of the Spirit when I accepted Christ as Savior in my home alone; but I also had a wonderful cleansing moment when I was baptized in water. I believe both events were orchestrated by the Spirit whether “with” or “in.”
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Having studied the Bible and believed speaking in tongues was necessary for an empowered walk with Christ, I sought speaking tongues at home alone with the Spirit. He instructed me and enabled me to speak in tongues and I accepted that as the promised baptism in the Holy Ghost. So, as you can see the progress was salvation, water baptism and baptism in the Holy Ghost. Yet, there were times in the Bible where people were filled with the Spirit and spoken in tongues and then got baptized. (Acts 10:44-48) So seek the answer for yourself.
2. Builds You Up: “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself.” (1 Cor. 14:4 NKJV) When struggles come, the body is tired, the mind is muddied, or you feel weak in your faith, speaking in tongues re-energizes you. As your Spirit communes with God, He is able to lift you up.
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3. Holy Spirit Prays Perfect Will of God: There are times and issues in life when you don’t know how to pray or what to pray. There are even times when you are angry and upset and don’t want to pray something wrong that you can pray in the Spirit knowing that He will pray for us. “Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26-27)
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4. Reveals Secret Truths: “For one who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to people but to God; for no one understands him or catches his meaning, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries (secret truths, hidden things). (1 Cor. 14:2 AMP) Do you ever say to yourself “I don’t know what is wrong with me.” Do we wonder why we are constantly doing wrong things, thinking wrong things and in the same mess over and over. Sometimes we don’t know what has happened in our past or even yesterday that makes us disturbed, but praying in tongues can reveal the inner things we don’t want to see or admit. Speaking to God in tongues can solve these issues.
5. Builds Up Faith: “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” (Jude 20 NKJV)
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6. Sing Praises More Perfectly: “I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding…. (1 Cor. 14:15, 17 NKJV)
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7. Reveals Future Things: In these crazy times did you ever wonder what is coming next. Would you like a better understanding of the Rapture of the Church or perhaps the book of Revelation then praying tongues is the help. “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” (John 16:13 NKJV)
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8. A Prophetic Message Given to the Church: I know someone would say “You need an interpreter if you are going to speak in tongues.” That is true if you are speaking tongues as a prophetic gift to a congregation. That is a ministry gift not just a personal communication of tongues to God. “Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.” (1 Cor. 14:13 KJV)
There are many other scriptures regarding the benefits of praying in tongues. Grab your Bible and concordance and find them! Let me be clear, speaking in tongues is not necessary for salvation and is not a determinant for entrance into heaven. It is a power gift to enable you to walk more successfully for God each day.
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When you take the time to study the Word and its emphasis on the power of praying in tongues, you’ll build your faith to move into times of this special fellowship with the Lord. You are never alone, and you are never without answers. Set aside time to pray in tongues—it can even be in your car, while you’re waiting in line at the grocery store—anywhere. The more time you spend with Him, the more powerful your victories.
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kln
Galatians 6:2 encourages fellow believers to "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. As a community, we are bound together with the love of Christ." We exhibit that love through prayer for one another. Someone in our midst may be hurting, believing for a new job, seeking direction from God. When we come together in agreement for each other, we see God begin to work! We want to agree with you. We encourage our readers to let us know what we can all agree on for you. If you have a specific need that you would like us to pray for, let us know. The Word of God compels us to pray for one another in the community where we live. So agree with us as we pray for each other!
Community Prayer List
-Pray for those involved in protecting the border
-Pray for our troops in the Middle East
-Pray for President Trump, the entire Executive Branch
-Pray for the country of Israel and its protection from Muslim countries
-Pray for the Peace of Israel
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