Tongues are given by the utterance of the Holy Spirit after one has received the
Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues.
I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[ 14:5
Or other languages; also in
verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39]
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
(Whole Chapter: In context: )
Luke 24:48-50 (New International Version)
48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
Acts 1
Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven
"Do not leave
How did they wait
for the gift? Notice how in the
context of the passage:
Acts 1
Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven
1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began
to do and to teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after
giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3After
his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs
that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke
about the
6So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at
this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
7He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates
the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in
9After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a
cloud hid him from their sight.
10They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when
suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11"Men of
Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky?
This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the
same way you have seen him go into heaven."
Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas
12Then they returned to
Then they replaced
Judas, so all 12 of them were ready for the next step. The next thing the bible records is this:
Acts 2
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one
place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came
from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They
saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each
of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to
speak in other tongues[1]
as the Spirit enabled them.
The immediate effect
in Acts Chapter 2 of this Baptism was powerful SOZO ministry:
Acts Chapter 2
38Peter replied,
"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus
Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all
who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."
40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them,
"Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41Those
who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand
were added to their number that day.
The Fellowship of the Believers
42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the
fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was
filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the
apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in
common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone
as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the
temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and
sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the
people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
As these passages show, the purpose of the Baptism
of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of other tongues is empowerment for evangelistic church
planting, with accompanying wonders and
miraculous signs.
Acts 1 records the
resurrected Christ’s last words:
4On one occasion, while
he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave
6So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at
this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
7He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates
the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my
witnesses in
How did they wait?
14They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Many evangelicals might say that it is a waste of time to pray and wait for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of other tongues. They think that you should just go out witness without it. This is the opposite of what Christ commanded above in Luke 24:48-50, and Acts 1:4-5.
Compare Peter with Peter: Before and after he spoke in tongues. He went from denying Christ (to a young girl) to boldly accusing 1000 of the same people thusly:
Acts
2:36
"Therefore let all
Acts
2:35-37 (in Context) Acts
2 (Whole Chapter)
Acts
4:10
then know this, you and all the people of
Acts
4:9-11 (in Context) Acts
4 (Whole Chapter)
Rom 8:26-27
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. (NIV)
Look at the deeper meaning to
the word translated “weakness”:
769 astheneia (as-then'-i-ah); from 772;
feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty:
KJV--
disease, infirmity, sickness, weakness.
769 astheneia-
lack of
strength, weakness, infirmity; used of the body
1) its
native weakness and frailty
2)
feebleness of health or sickness; used of the soul:
lack of
strength and capacity requisite:
a) to
understand a thing
b) to
do things great and glorious
c) to
restrain corrupt desires
d) to
bear trials and troubles
Matt 8:16-17
16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.
17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases." (NIV)
Now learn how to pray in tongues. à
For more reasons to pray in tongues, read on from a source that I found at http://www.believers.org/believe/bel107.htm
I liked their research on tongues. I don’t recommend their view on prosperity, and I don’t know much about them. The rest of this document is just their article. I like how they numbered the reasons. It reads well.
WHY SPEAK IN TONGUES?
1. It is God's will.
1
CORINTHIANS 14:5 NKJ
5 I wish you all spoke with tongues . . . .
1
CORINTHIANS 14:37 NKJ
37 . . . the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.
2. Jesus said we would.
MARK
16:17 NKJ
17 "And these signs will
follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak
with new tongues;
3. It builds you up
spiritually.
1
CORINTHIANS 14:4 NKJ
4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself . . . .
4. It stimulates your
faith because faith must be exercised to speak in tongues.
JUDE
1:20 NKJ
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in
the Holy Spirit,
5. It enables you to pray
for things you otherwise would not even know about.
ROMANS
8:26 NKJ
26 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.
6. It helps you pray
according to God's will. It eliminates unbelief and selfishness from your
praying.
ROMANS
8:27 NKJ
27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because
He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
JOHN
14:16-17 NKJ
16 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that
He may abide with you forever,
17 "even the Spirit of truth . . . ."
7. It provides a spiritual
rest and refreshing.
ISAIAH
28:11-12 NKJ
11 For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people,
12 to whom He said, "This is the rest with which you may cause the weary
to rest," And, "This is the refreshing"; yet they would not
hear.
8. It is a supernatural
evidence of the Holy Spirit's indwelling. As you continue to speak in tongues
you stay conscious of His presence. That will affect your conduct.
ACTS
2:4 NKJ
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other
tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
ACTS
10:45-46 NKJ
45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came
with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the
Gentiles also.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God...
9. It is a means of
releasing the wisdom and guidance of God.
1
CORINTHIANS 14:2 NKJ
2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one
understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
1
CORINTHIANS 2:7 NKJ
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery,
the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,
PROVERBS
18:4 NKJ
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom is a
flowing brook.
10. It is a supernatural
means of communication with God.
1
CORINTHIANS 14:2 NKJ
2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God . . . .
11. It provides a way to
give thanks well.
1
CORINTHIANS 14:17 NKJ
17 For you indeed give thanks well . . . .
12. Yielding your tongue to
the Holy Spirit to speak in tongues is a big step toward yielding all your
members to God. If you can yield your tongue, you can yield any member.
JAMES
3:8 NKJ
8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
13. It allows the Holy
Spirit to help you in the most important area, speaking the right words, so the
will of God will be accomplished in your life.
ACTS
2:4 NKJ
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other
tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
MARK
11:23 NKJ
23 ". . . but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he
will have whatever he says."
14. Gifts and power are
released in your life.
ACTS
1:8 NKJ
8 "But you shall receive power
when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in
JOHN
7:38-39 NKJ
38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart
will flow rivers of living water."
39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would
receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet
glorified.
15. It helps you worship
God.
JOHN
16:13-14 NKJ
13 "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.
14 "He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to
you.
ACTS
10:46 NKJ
46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God...
There are many benefits
to speaking in tongues for the Christian believer: including spiritual
edification and help in prayer. Do not go without all these benefits any
longer. Ask right now to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Then begin to
speak in tongues today, along with millions of other believers.
For more instruction on
how to receive, read our paper, You Can Receive The Gift
Of The Holy Spirit.
To answer any objections
you may have, read our paper, Answers To Objections To
Speaking In Tongues.