SPEAKING IN TONGUES

There will be disagreement on this subject until the Lord comes again. It cannot be disputed that tongues was spoken of in the Bible. The big question is was it for then and not now?

There is only one mention of tongues spoken of by Jesus in the four Gospels: Mark 16:17 'And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my Name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues'. This can easily be explained in that Jesus meant they would learn new languages. I do not believe that is what He meant, He said they shall speak in new tongues.

Another example is Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And verse 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

I will include my testimony here. LJG and I were both raised in the same church that did not believe in speaking in tongues. They also baptized in the Names of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Upon my baptism I felt wonderful, light as a feather, I was nine years old. Years later at the age of 30 I attended a church and was completely overcome by the Spirit of God, I could not even speak. I did not know about speaking in tongues. I was led by the Lord to be baptized, came out of the water speaking in an unknown tongue and have been ever since. What was the difference? The only thing that was different is this time I was baptized in the Name of Jesus. I did not know the Bible said this was a promise to me.

I was saved in the 7th grade and like my precious rECj I had a feeling I had never had before. I too was light as a feather. The sermon that day was “behold I stand at the door and knock.” I knew at that moment I had opened the door and Jesus was abiding there with me. Then I started going to a Pentecostal Church, was slain in the spirit, came up speaking in tongues and have been doing so ever since.

This is what happened to us. I have a dear uncle who has never spoken in tongues, not because the gift is not there but every time the Spirit of God comes on him, he is slain in the Spirit. My beautiful youngest daughter who has never been baptized speaks in tongues. I know a pastor who said he got on his knees and prayed for God to give him this gift, after five minutes he got up and said if it was from God he would have gotten it, he didn't so he determined it is not from God. I think maybe he should have waited on the Lord longer.

It is hard to convince someone of something that they have not experienced themselves. Years ago I lived in a small town and many of us have saw objects flying through the sky that did not look any thing like airplanes. Now if I say UFO I am going to get a 'oh my gosh' from many people. But to those of us that saw them including the Chief of Police we know we saw something.

We have experienced speaking in tongues. It is as natural to us as breathing. Is it for all? That is a question I can not answer. I do know that there are many gifts of the spirit and not all have all gifts. What I do know is that if a gift is needed and no one is around with that special gift the person available will have the use of that gift for that time.

The other thing I know is this, I want all the Lord has for me. I explain it to others in this manner. If I invite you to my house to eat you will not come in and fill up on tea. You will not just get ham, no you will take some of everything to taste it all. I am that way with the Lord I want some of everything He has on the banquet table.

I did not know about tongues but I enjoy the knowledge and use of having this gift. To me it is the way my Spirit prays, not what I think is needed but what my Spirit knows needs to be prayed. As I heard my daughter quote me the other day you might be praying for the lady who limps to get new shoes, the Spirit knows she needs her corns healed.

As with all things seek the Lord on this. Oh and when the Lord comes I will understand Him and speak to Him in His tongue.

God Bless Indeed
recj/LJG