The Gift Of Tongues

[Dino246]

Well first of all it is not Jesus who is speaking in the passage but John.

Fair point.

Fire remains symbolic of the cleansing of the Holy Spirit. This is a cleansing only God can perform.

Yes and yes, but you have failed to address my criticism.

 

[throughfaith]

We see in John 1v29,33, that the experience of salvation is looked upon as a quite distinct experience from the baptism of the Holy Spirit, a fact confirmed by Eph 1v13, where it states that "after ye had believed (in Christ,) ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise." This promise of the Spirit was not the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, which all Christians enjoy before the baptism in the Spirit as a result of salvation and the new birth; it was the promise of the baptism of the Spirit, the promise of the Father, the endowment of power from on high. Luke 24v49. The baptism in the Spirit can occur a few seconds after conversion, as at the house of Cornelius, or many years after conversion, as was probably the case of the Ephesian believers of Acts 19v1-6. There are thousands, indeed, millions of Christians today who have proved the truth of the Scriptures, that after conversion a Christian can experience the mighty baptism of the Holy Spirit. Paul desired every one of the Corinthians to experience their personal Pentecost and speak with other tongues. 1Cor 14v5. This must have been the will of God or Paul would not have dared to say such a thing. Paul was not content until Christians had received their personal Pentecost and spoken with tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. It is very sad that many Christians are as ignorant today of their Pentecostal heritage as the Ephesian believers of Acts 19v1-6, they do not know Christ as the baptiser in the Holy Spirit. John 1v33. Acts 2v32,33. However, those of us who are filled with the Holy Spirit can rejoice in this precious experience and rejoice in the gift of tongues, which is the initial evidence of the baptism in the Spirit.

8) Speaking with tongues can be a powerful sign to people when they understand the language.

Though this is not the normal use of the gift, the gift of tongues is predominantly devotional; it can produce remarkable results when God manifests this gift as a sign as He did on the day of Pentecost. It can convict and convert the sinner, and be a great encouragement to the believer. 1Cor 14v22, Acts 2v4-12, Mark 16v17-20. The gift of tongues is not intended to replace the preaching of the Gospel however, on rare occasions God does use the gift of tongues to confirm the Gospel message by speaking in a language that the listener understands. This sign is intended to prepare the listeners for the preaching of the Gospel. The disciples at Pentecost spoke in tongues that were unknown to them, but many listeners recognised the languages and were captivated and amazed at hearing the rapturous praise of God and His wonderful works in their own language. The listeners at Pentecost knew that these disciples did not know their language, and so when Peter explained what had happened they were instantly willing to accept the Gospel Peter preached. The tongues gained the attention of the people and prepared them for the preaching of Peter. We will now give some well-documented modern instances where the Lord has used the gift of tongues as a sign to convert the unbeliever and encourage the believer.

W.F.P. Burton gives the following testimony. "We used to hold gospel services beside Lytham lifeboat house on Sunday evenings. One Sunday when a big crowd was listening to the preaching, the power of God fell on a Mrs. Whiteside, and she began to speak in a strange language. This dear sister would certainly not mind my stating that under ordinary circumstances she was far from grammatical, even in her own language, and she never learned any other. As she spoke I found that I could understand all that she was saying. A solemn silence fell on the crowd as Mrs. Whiteside spoke in tongues, and I gave the interpretation in English. As soon as we had finished a big, middle-aged man stepped into the ring of listeners and, falling on his knees cried to God to save his soul. He had been a prominent tailor in Lytham, with a big business, but had lost practically everything through his craving for liquor. He was more often inebriated than sober, but he was as sober as a judge and declared that every word of that message in tongues and interpretation went straight to his heart.

Now it happened that a young Japanese man, who was studying shipbuilding in Lytham shipbuilding yard, had stood listening among the crowd outside the lifeboat house. He went home and asked his landlady, 'Who are those people who preach and sing on Lytham beach?' She replied, 'They are a lot of fanatical, religious enthusiasts. Some say that they are religion mad,' he remarked, 'but I heard a most remarkable thing. One spoke in perfect Japanese, while another gave the exact equivalent in English.'

There one had both the tongue and the interpretation corroborated, while the result, in a soul won for the Lord Jesus, was ample evidence that the thing was from God." End of quote.

Another account of this same incident is given in Mr. Burton's book "Signs following," on pages 28 and 29. The writer recommends all readers of this book to obtain this excellent booklet. This booklet gives the additional information that Mrs. Whitehouse spoke in tongues about the death of Christ on the Cross for us. Mr. Burton goes on to tell on page 29 and 30 of his book, of a highly respected Methodist minister who heard Pentecostal Christians speaking in praise and adoration to God in seven languages which he knew, they were speaking about the death, resurrection and second coming of Christ, and extolling Christ's blood and His risen power. This so moved the minister that on his way home on the train he longed for the same experience, he through his pipe and tobacco out of the train window, he earnestly sought and received the baptism in the Spirit with speaking with tongues before the train reached his station.

We can clearly see that there are many reasons why every Christian should desire to speak with other tongues as the Holy Spirit gives them utterance, the gift of tongues is one of God's good, valuable and perfect gifts. God has given the gift of tongues to His Church because He considers it to be absolutely indispensable and necessary for the spiritual welfare of His Church. God does not give any gifts that are mean or paltry, they are all priceless, magnificent, good, beautiful and precious, and we should bow the knee at His wisdom, love and authority. Who are we to criticise the "good and perfect" gifts that our heavenly Father has given to us? He is the Lord, let us recognise the value and importance of what He has given. How dare we criticise His gifts, or neglect to seek them, when He has commanded us not only to pursue after love, but earnestly seek spiritual gifts as well? 1Cor 14v1. The gift of tongues is one of His gifts, let us recognise its value and use.

But, the Bible says its a ' sign ' a sign for unbelieving Jews . Jews require a sign . No matter what is going on out there in the world,which we can be deceived by . The bible tells us what tongues are.

1 Corinthians 1:22

“For the Jews require a SIGN , and the Greeks seek after wisdom:”

Mark 16

17And these SIGNS shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
1 cor 14
Wherefore tongues are for a SIGN , not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

 

[Truth7t7]

Is tongues a special language/form of communication (code talk) between the person speaking tongues and God? If that is the case, it makes sense why other people may not understand the tongues someone is speaking.

What is the purpose of tongues?


What is a language that is not known (unknown)?

Roman's 8:26-27KJV
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

1 Corinthians 14:27-28KJV
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

 

[Truth7t7]

Let's be honest about this. No one speaks foreign languages supernaturally today. The gift of tongues was meant to be temporary (as Paul already noted), and it was not until the early 20th century that glossolalia came into existence. The Montanists may have also made ecstatic utterances.

Your claim is false, I received the gift of speaking in tongues 43 years ago while praying in my room, it's the same today as given

The sound of this gift when spoken is liken to the Arabic or Yiddish tongue, I use this gift in my prayer time with God

Roman's 8:26-27KJV
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

 

[throughfaith]

Your claim is false, I received the gift of speaking in tongues 43 years ago while praying in my room, it's the same today as given

The sound of this gift when spoken is liken to the Arabic or Yiddish tongue, I use this gift in my prayer time with God

Roman's 8:26-27KJV
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

'which which cannot be uttered' This has nothing to do with tongues . 'Tongues' is not mentioned and they are not sounds as they cannot be uttered .

 

[Blade]

Thanks OP.. I would like to know who wrote that. For me it does matter it USE to be asked "who are you, who knows you, how long have you walked in what you preach/teach" after that they would all pray together for along time. Yet that was thousands of years ago so.. seems times have changed

In truth I sit here really trying to think about all the great wonders the Father has done, shown me. Well as to WHY what made them happen. Almost every one came down to being blind. By that I mean like when I was like 15 the bible study asked if I wanted the holy Spirit. If you had asked me then what is the holy Spirit? HAHA Don't know but I want it. So sat in a chair he read luke 11 and other verses about the holy spirit. Never added anything else. You know what I mean (what Jesus was really saying there was). No he just read what Christ or the Father said then asked me again I said yes he prayed and it was very short then stopped said "thats it you got it".

See if we stop right there do we pray like that? Knowing that if GOD said something in His word.. you don't question it you just take Him at his word. We know OT Gods word will not come back to Him void it has to do what He said. HAHA reminds me walking one night after hearing this preacher talk in Hollywood walking it was VERY dark out of no where He said "RUN" I thought run? Why? I am not scared". He came right back with "when God tells you to do something you don't question it you just do it" I smiled and said YES SIR and ran. There is more to that story but really helped me.

Since I was young I look back and so many verses just JUMP out and I don't question it don't wonder I just believe..if HE said it He will do it. So after he prayed said thats it you got it.. no one said a word I just got up went to sit down and BAM tongues just came out.. I as not thinking anything. And for me oh its like night and day before was night and after was day. One needs to know what it means to walk in the spirit pray in the spirit based on His word what He says not what so and so said or wrote in their book. Its wise to ask to read those books but in the end YOU alone need to find it out for your self.

Its like God talks to you and says this and is going to happen on and on. Yet you look forward and see NOTHING.. you never think about nothing you just go...blindly walking never giving it another thought. His word can not return to Him void. John 3 16 you believe yet never seen Him never heard His voice yet you blindly believe yes? Why is Luke 11 any different? Did not He say we will cast out demons and speak with new tongues? So read and just be like a child and believe. Yeah I don't know about fake tongues and other things like that by that I mean I don't look for it I don't go pointing fingers because someone does says something I might not agree with ..haha as if oooh I HAVE THE REAL TRUTH! FOLLOW ME! blood of JESUS no no no. Don't take my word for anything.. who am I? Exactly! Like this man or not agree or not matters not I watched one day on TBN Ken Hagin talking about gifts and tongues. He said..if you don't believe in tongues praise GOD! You believe in JESUS thats what matters. Went on a bit after that. Just don't hear things like that about him or how many times he said "if i get it wrong tell me i will repent and get it right". Find that on some video haha you wont praise GOD!

We all live in this flesh we all have just a tiny part yet put it ALL together ONE Body Christ is the head