In Christ

The Gift of Tongues (Part 2) – Last week I introduced the subject of praying in tongues as a supernatural sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is only an introduction to this subject, but it is my hope it will cause your faith to grow and that you would search the truth of the Word of God and seek this free gift. It is a free gift from our Heavenly Father given out by Holy Spirit – something all believers are not to fear, but to welcome, by faith!

Some people may think that praying in tongues is just for a select few that Holy Spirit gives this gift to, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, but this refers to different kinds of tongues. That scripture is referring to a supernatural, Holy Spirit empowered event of speaking in other tongues or languages. Praying in tongues is something we can do at any time, any place and in any situation. Once we are baptized in the Holy Spirit it is up to us when we choose to pray in tongues. The gift of tongues referred to in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 is as Holy Spirit wills and is in addition to our heavenly language -it is not the same gift.

Mary, the mother of Jesus prayed in tongues!

In Acts chapter 2:4 all of the people in the upper room were filled with the Holy Spirit and all began to speak with other tongues. The disciples, as well as Mary, the mother of Jesus prayed in other tongues! In Mark 16:17 says it is for all who believe? Well, are you a believer? If you are, then it is for you too!

We see in the Word that there is a difference between the gift of tongues for the purpose of communicating with the Father in your own prayer time, and the gift of different kinds of tongues for the purpose of edification of the Body of Christ (believers). Both are received the same way, by faith! Both serve different purposes in the Body of Christ.

If you have been told it is not for today or it is only for certain leaders in the church – don't believe it! Dale & I are were both baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues, as young believers , by faith - not by church position or service. We have witnessed those who flaunt this gift and that is not the purpose either.

In 1 Corinthians 14:18 the apostle Paul put it this way: "I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you. But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.” He was saying that he was thankful for the gift of tongues, but in a church meeting it is much better that everyone understand what he is talking about. Paul also concludes this chapter by writing, "So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don't forbid speaking in tongues. But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.”

What purpose does praying in tongues have? One thing it does, it builds up our spirit! Jude 20 says, "But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit.” (Amplified Translation)

Another thing praying in tongues does is, it allows us to pray beyond what our natural minds know. Look again at the example of the apostle Paul. He prayed in tongues more than anyone in the whole Corinthian church and he also was responsible for writing a major portion of the New Testament!

What I want you to grasp more than anything is that Our Heavenly Father loves us so much! He wants a two-way communication with us – this is called prayer! Paul puts it this way in 1Corinthians 14:2: "For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.”

Another way of saying it is, God gave us a divine way to communicate with Him supernaturally. Please don't make light of or refuse this gift from our Heavenly Father! I truly believe our walk with the Lord would not be what it is or would we reach our full potential if we did not believe and receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues!

Submission by Pastor Rena Mae