Tongues, the initial sign! By James Lantz
As we seek the proper understanding of the scriptures we must remember the words of Jesus. Mt. 18:16 But if he will not hear, take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. This truth, of having two or three witnesses, to establish what is factual was also written in the book of Deuteronomy. Those who pioneered our legal system were enlightened by the Bible. When interpreting laws that were established many years ago, a proper understanding of the original intent can most often be found by looking at how our forefathers interrupted them. This is called legal precedence. God also sets the precedence of what a word means the very first time He uses it in the Holy scriptures. This is also referred to as the law of first mention. Good Bible interpretation honors the law of first mention.
Tongues and interpretation of tongues are two gifts of the Spirit that were unavailable to the saints under the old covenant. In this new and better covenant our spirit is reborn and God has given us these two special gifts in order to bless His people. Tongues are a part of the package that comes with the Baptism in the Holy Ghost (Spirit). Speaking in an unknown tongue is the initial sign that confirms that indeed we have received power from on High. John the Baptist declared that he baptized with water, but one mightier than he is coming, who will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire. Jesus referred to being baptized with the Holy Spirit as the promise of the Father. Acts 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. The gift of the Holy Spirit is God’s greatest gift to His children. The world can not receive the Holy Ghost but the world can receive the Lord Jesus as their savior. God fully intends for all of His children to be filled with the Holy Spirit! Many who heard Peter preach at Pentecost were pricked in their hearts when they learned that Jesus was crucified because of their sins. They asked Peter and the other apostles, what shall we do? Acts 2:38&39 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. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Jesus wants to baptize every believer with the gift of the Holy Spirit!
Notice that Peter said everyone who repents and is baptized (gets born again) shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The tarrying is over now that the Holy Ghost has been poured out. The purpose of the tarrying was not to try to be holy enough but rather waiting for the set time (Pentecost) for the Holy Spirit to come. The Holy Spirit is here in the earth right now waiting for believers to receive Him. Never again do we read of the apostles telling people to wait to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Years later Paul asked some disciples at Ephesus, have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed. The emphasis is not on God pouring out but rather for the believer to receive that which has already been given. God has graciously given us five examples in the book of Acts in which believers have received the Holy Spirit. God has laid out scriptural precedence with these authentic examples of believers being filled with the Holy Spirit.
1. The initial outpouring on the day of Pentecost! Acts 2:1-4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place . . . and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. They were all filled and notice they did the speaking in tongues. The Holy Spirit does not speak in tongues. The tongues are a manifestation of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Through tongues of men and angels we give God praise and magnify Him. Messages are given through tongues to others. On the day of Pentecost God spoke to the foreigners, who had come to worship God, in their own languages through other tongues spoken by the disciples. In our own private prayer lives tongues are a way for us to praise and magnify God, speak mysteries to God, pray out things that we don’t know how to pray for as we ought, and as we do we are charged and refreshed. God brings revelation through tongues, and of course we need the interpretation, which we can ask God for if we are praying alone. It is appropriate for a group of Spirit filled believers to pray in tongues and sing in tongues when they are worshipping and blessing God without the need of being interpreted because they are not speaking to one another but to God. When a message in tongues is given to the congregation it needs to be interpreted so that all may be edified. If you are with a group that is unlearned and there is no interpreter you can pray in tongues silently to yourself and to God.
2. Many new believers were filled with the Holy Spirit at Samaria. Acts 8:14-18 . . . Peter and John . . . prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, This group was probably thousands of people because the text says the people with one accord gave heed to Philip’s preaching. The indication is that everyone of these new believers received the Holy Ghost and spoke with other tongues as Peter and John laid their hands on them. Simon saw some supernatural manifestation take place as these new believers received the Holy Spirit.
3. Saul of Tarsus surrendered himself to Jesus and was born again on the road to Damascus. Three days later Saul received his sight and was filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. Saul, who became the apostle Paul, wrote to the Corinthians that he speaks with tongues more than all of them. Since we don’t speak with other tongues until after we are baptized with the Holy Spirit, this no doubt would have been the day that Saul began to speak with other tongues.
4. The Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit and begin to speak with other tongues and magnify God. Cornelius and his family and friends were born again the moment they heard Peter say that whoever believes in Jesus will have their sins remitted. Acts 10:44-46 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God . . . . God apparently had to do something special in order to get the circumcised believers to realize God loved the uncircumcised as well as them. It was the speaking in tongues that convinced the Jewish brethren that the Gentiles were also filled with the Holy Ghost.
5. Believers at Ephesus receive the Holy Spirit and speak with tongues and prophecy! Acts 19:1-6 . . . and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? . . . and when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them: and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Of all the instances of believers receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit in the early church, God saw fit to put these five in the holy scriptures to help you and me to grasp the how to and the importance of being filled with power from on high. Three of these five examples from the book of Acts say specifically that they spoke with tongues and in the other two it is implied that they spoke with other tongues. Jesus commanded his disciples to be filled with the Holy Spirit! Paul wrote by the unction of the Holy Spirit that it is the will of God for us to be filled with the Spirit. (see Eph. 5:17&18) John 16:7 Amp However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say, it is profitable – good, expedient, advantageous – for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you – into close fellowship with you. But if I go away, I will send Him to you – to be in close fellowship with you. Oh thank God for the precious gift of the Holy Spirit who leads us into victory!
