Speaking_in_Tongues

Speaking in Tongues The Complete Bible Dictionary defines speaking in tongues. The ability given by the Holy Spirit either to speak in an unlearned foreign language or to make ecstatic utterances unrelated to any human language. The scriptures again and again show that whenever the it came to believers, it was accompanied by speaking in tongues. (Acts 2:4)” And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Zac Poonen speaks about the truth about speaking in tongues. He points out in (James 1:17)”Every good gift and every perfect gift is from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” He finds that God never changes and he gives only perfect gifts. Therefore when he gave the gift of "speaking in unknown languages" ("tongues") (Acts 2:1-12) reports that at Pentecost following Jesus resurrection and ascension, the Holy Spirit was poured out on Christ disciples. Which was accompanied by unusual signs such as speaking in our tongues Jesus says within his word in (St.Mark16:17) “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. Troy 2 In reference to speaking in tongues in (Acts 19:6) "When Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying" (1 Cor. 12:7, 8, 10) "But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues." Tongues within 1 Corinthians passages speak on how tongues seem to indicate an ecstatic utterance in no known human languages. Paul claims this ability for himself identifying it as one of the gifts given by the Holy Spirit. The gift of tongues is for "the common good" of the church. This was written 25 years after the day of Pentecost. And the gift of tongues was still being given then by the Spirit "for the common good". All believers do not speak in tongues, just like all believers do not have the gifts of healing. So obviously, God does not feel that "tongues" is an essential gift for all believers either for being holy or for being effective in His service. If it were, He would have given this gift to everyone. (1 Cor. 14:9, 13) "Unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken' Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret."Tongues" must be interpreted when used in a church meeting. (1 Cor. 14:14)"If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. What is the outcome then' I shall pray with the spirit and I shall pray with the mind. I shall sing with the spirit and I shall sing with the mind Troy 3 In (1 Cor.14) Paul goes on to regulate how the gifts of tongues is to be used when Christians meet together. He argues that in public meetings prophecy speaking God’s word in ordinary languages has priority. According to Mark McMinn there are three major positions that has to be taken. That show evidence of speaking in tongues. Which are limited to the apostolic, given as evidence of a special coming of the Holy Spirit upon the believer, and as given as one of many gifts. To edify the believer within the book of (1 Cor. 14:1-4) it says “Pursue love and be eager for the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For the one speaking in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, for no one understands; he is speaking mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation. Speaking in tongues serve as a sign to the unbeliever according to the following scriptures. “By people with strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, yet not even in this way will they listen to me,”says the Lord. So then, tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers.” (1 Corinthians 14:21) “For with mocking lips and a foreign tongue he will speak to these people,” (Isaiah 28:11) David Entwistle states that many Christians have arranged their priorities wrong. That is they seek after tongues instead of asking the Father to baptize them with the Holy Spirit. This wrong. The baptism of the Holy Ghost should be our aim. Tongues is a result of the Holy Spirit baptism not vice versa. Within the bible in the book of (Acts10:44-47) says “While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the Troy 4 circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have'” In 1 (Cor.12:27-30) “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles' Are all prophets' Are all teachers' Do all work miracles' Do all possess gifts of healing' Do all speak with tongues' Do all interpret' But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.” Many people inaccurately define speaking in tongues as "speaking gibberish" or "talking nonsense." The truth is, speaking in tongues is the most intelligent, perfect language in the universe. It is God's language. Jesus says that those who believe in Him will "speak in new tongues" (Mark 16:17). The word "new" means appearing for the first time. No one had spoken these languages before Peter made a clear distinction between water baptism and their having received the Holy Spirit in (Acts 19:1-6) While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Troy 5 Spirit when you believed'” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive'” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. (Acts 19:1-6) brings us to another important insight. Notice that the apostle Paul considered these believers to be baptized disciples. Paul’s question establishes the fact that it is” perfectly appropriate to ask a water-baptized Christian, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed'” There is a clear difference between being “born of the Spirit” (John 3:5) and “baptized with the Holy Spirit.” They are entirely different Greek words. The context they spoke in tongues in verse 6 shows that Paul’s question “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed'” was asked in the sense of “Have you water-baptized disciples been baptized with the Holy Spirit yet'” The Holy Spirit is the author of tongues as well as any other spiritual gift. Today we assessed different teachings, practices, beliefs about tongues in the light of God’s word. It’s foolishness to argue about such great divine gifts without exercising them. This is what the Lord has given for the edification of self and His church.