Yes! I Speak in Tongues!

 

Yes, I speak in tongues, and I am I good company.

 

Jesus Himself AUTHORIZED it:

 

Mark 16:17

17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

 

All of Jesus Disciples, plus the more than 100 other believers gathered with them in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost, all spoke in tongues:

 

Acts 2:4

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

 

The first Gentile believers, Cornelius and those gathered in his home to hear the Gospel from Peter,

ALL spoke in tongues:

 

Acts 10:44-46

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 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.

 

The Apostle Paul spoke in tongues, and advocated greatly for it:

 

1 Corinthians 14:18

18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;

 

1 Corinthians 14:14-15

14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion then? 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 Corinthians 14:2

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 14:39-40

39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

 

What Speaking in Tongues is NOT:

 

It is NOT a badge of spiritual superiority. It doesn’t make you a better Christian, more righteous or more loved by God.

 

It is NOT a natural gift of being able to learn and speak other languages.

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What Speaking in Tongues IS:

 

It is the initial evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

 

Acts 2:4

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

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.

 

Acts 19:6

6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

 

It is a Supernatural Means of Communication with God:

 

1 Corinthians 14:2

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.

 

It is a Way to Give Thanks Well:

 

1 Corinthians 14:16-17

16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? 17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.

 

It is a Way to Build Yourself Up Spiritually:

 

1 Corinthians 14:4

4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself

 

1 Corinthians 14:4 NLT

4 A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally

 

1 Corinthians 14:4 God’s Word

4 When a person speaks in another language, he helps himself grow.

 

Jude 20

 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit

 

It is a Way to Pray About a Matter When You Don’t Know How:

 

Romans 8:26-27

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. 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.

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Many situations are clear, we know the will of God, and what to pray for. But some situations are not as clear. What is the will of God? How do we best pray? The Holy Spirit helps us to pray the perfect will of God as we pray in tongues.

 

Although the phrase “speaking in tongues” or “praying in tongues” is not used here, it is strongly inferred. The Holy Spirit is our helper, and it is by the Holy Spirit that we speak or pray in tongues. Furthermore, according to the noted linguist, Greek scholar and Bible teacher P.C. Nelson, the phrase “with groanings which cannot be uttered” also carries the meaning “cannot be uttered in articulate speech” and would include speaking, or praying, in tongues.

 

Yes I speak in tongues. I began speaking in tongues many years ago, as a young man when I was first filled with the Holy Spirit. I have continued to speak with tongues these many years on a daily basis.

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- Pastor David Harris