In part one of the gift of tongues we taught about the value of speaking in tongues. In part 2 we will discuss exactly what "speaking in tongues" is, look at some of the arguments against it, and finally how to receive the gift of tongues. In John chapter 4 verse 14 Jesus says " But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well springing up into everlasting life." In this verse Jesus is speaking of everlasting life - salvation; and he likens it to a well. In John 7:38,39 Jesus says "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because Jesus was not yet glorified.)" In this verse Jesus compares the Holy Ghost to being like a river flowing out of the belly. Thus receiving salvation is like a well and receiving the Holy Ghost is like a river. Both are water, but a river has power. From the well of salvation we can draw the fruits of the spirit for ourselves. But the river comes out of us and is used for other people to refresh them. One cannot be born again and not have the Holy Spirit in them like a well. However, the gift of the Holy Ghost is for power coming out of us to bless others with the gifts of the Spirit, i.e. miracles, prophecies, healing etc. John 16:7 Jesus says "Never the less I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you: but if I depart I will send him unto you." Jesus is promising the disciples that he is going to send them the Holy Spirit. Now in the same Chapter verse 13 he goes on to say "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you." Jesus calls the Holy Spirit here the "Spirit of truth". What is truth? In John 17:17 Jesus says "Thy word is truth". Jesus also says he is "the truth" in John 14:6. The primary work on the Holy Ghost to the believer is to glorify Jesus by revealing the truth of God's word in us. In Acts Chapter 1 verses 4,5 says "And being assembled together with them, (Jesus) 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. For John truly baptised with water: but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." Here Jesus is "commanding" the disciples to make sure they get the gift of the Holy Ghost. Why? Because in verse 8 Jesus says "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me... unto the uttermost part of the earth." Jesus is not saying that they will get the well of salvation - they are already his disciples. He is saying that they will receive "power" to be effective disciples and that this "power" will give them an effective witness which people will be able to see. Now, remember that when Jesus came to earth, he laid down his glory in Heaven, emptied himself, and became a man. Yes he was still God, but he had no God abilities - he only had man abilities. How then did Jesus work his miracles? In John 14: 12 Jesus says "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my father." As the son of man, Jesus did his works through the power and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and he went to the Father so that the Holy Spirit could be sent to us to empower us to do the same works that he did. Oh Hallelujah! Acts 10:38 says " How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." This verse confirms that Jesus did not do miracles because of his divinity, he laid that down. He did them through the anointing of the Holy Ghost. Jesus said that we shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon us.
Now let's look at some of the objections "religious tradition" has placed on the gift of the Holy Ghost. Many Christians say "I received the Holy Ghost when I was saved". This is true. One cannot be born again without the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. That is the Holy Ghost in us. However, there is a difference (not related to salvation) between having the Holy Ghost "in" us and having the Holy Ghost "upon" us. The Holy Ghost in us is for salvation; the Holy Ghost upon us is for service. Now some say that the gifts of the Holy Ghost is for the "bible days" and that it is passed away and not to be used for today. They reason that since people didn't have bibles then, God had to "allow" tongues and other gifts of the Holy Spirit. They use 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 which says "Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." But if we accept their reasoning that would mean that we should also reject knowledge and throw it out too. So since knowledge has not been "done away" we can also say neither has tongues or prophecies. There are many unfulfilled prophecies of Christs return and millinnial reign and final destruction of Satan. Should we throw them out too? - NO! "That which is perfect" is not the bible, it is referring to Jesus. 1 John 3:2 says "...we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." God is perfect; Jesus is perfect; when we see him we shall be perfect too. Then we won't need the bible in the same way we do today, nor tongues, nor prophecies.
Another excuse is that "tongues is not for everybody". Again this is kind of true - but only due to ignorance. They use 1 Corinthians 12: 8-11 which says "For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;...to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." Now in verse one of this chapter Paul is telling the saints about "spiritual gifts" and he doesn't want us ignorant of how they work. There are 9 manifestations of the gifts of the Holy Spirit; and in the Old Testiment we can see how they were used when the Holy Spirit came "upon" people - all except for tongues, and interpretation of tongues. Tongues is found only in the New Testament. Now look at verse 27,28 of this chapter which says " Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." Diversities means: different kinds. There are different kinds of the gift of tongues. Paul goes on in verse 29,30 and asks "are all apostles...prophets...teachers...workers of miracles?" The answer is no. "Have all the gifts of healing..speak with tongues...interpret?" Again, the answer is no. Paul is speaking of specific "ministry offices" the Holy Ghost bestows upon believers within the church. One of the "different or diversities" of tongues is a special ministry office bestowed upon certain Christians. He is not speaking of the personal prayer and praise language use of tongues, he is speaking of a specific ministry gift for the church - the assembled body of believers. (I'll get more into this one in a bit). The main point here is that there is different kinds of tongues. Now in Mark 16:17,18 it says "And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." All believers can believe for these gifts. These signs should follow "all" believers. Let's look at what happened on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:4 "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Note here that they were "all filled" and began to speak in tongues. Then in Verses 38,39 the bible goes on to say "Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptised 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." Peter is saying that the same gift of the Holy Ghost, as evidenced by speaking in tongues, that he and the other disciples had just received, was available to everyone else, if they would receive salvation in Christ. Let's look at Acts chapter 8: - verse 5 "Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ unto them." - Verse 12 "But when they believed Phillip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women." This verse shows that these were born again Christians, they believed and were baptised. Anyone who believes and is then baptised obviously has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit - right? Verse 14-17 "Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (for as yet he was fallen upon [note "upon"] none of them: only they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus.) then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost." The apostles expected all believers to receive it and saw to it that they did get it. They knew there was an experience subsequent to salvation. (as I'm running out of space - quickly look at Acts 10) Here Peter is told by the Lord to go to Cornelius' house and preach the gospel to him. In vs. 44,45 it says "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." How did they know? Vs. 46 "For they heard them speak with other tongues, and magnify God" (quickly look at Acts 191-6) "And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples (followers of Christ) he said to them, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' So they said to him, 'We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.' And he said unto them, 'Into what then were you baptized?' So they said, 'Into John's baptism.' Then Paul said, 'John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.' When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon [note upon] them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied." In every instance of believers in the early Church receiving salvation, within the context of gospel truth they all "received the gift of the Holy Ghost" as evidenced by speaking in tongues. So we see that it is not just for certain people.
Another argument is found in 1 Corinthians 14. Some argue that Paul discouraged the use of tongues and said it was a "lesser gift". Said it was something that shouldn't be used because it was misused etc. (I don't see how some can say to God I don't want this gift from you because it is a "lesser gift"). However, in verse 5 he states "I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, expect he interpret, that the church may receive edifying." Note in vs. 18,19 he says " I thank my God that I speak with tongues more than ye all: yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue." What Paul is saying is that within the context of divers kinds of tongues (or different kinds of tongues) in church, the office of the ministry of tongues should be used for prophecy and edification. This means that the few who are given this ministry will speak a message in tongues as prophecy and edification for the church and it will be interpreted by those with the gift of interpretation. It is interpreted in a language that is easy to understand that the church be edified. This is not the same use of tongues that "everyone" can use for prayer and praise in a personal way in their prayer closet where they are speaking to God and not to man (see vs.2); or at times in a church service when the Pastor says "let's all worship in tongues" - with no interpretation intended to follow. Verses 37-40, especially vs. 39 "Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues." Paul is admonishing Christians that these are the commandments of the Lord (vs. 37) to insure order (vs.40). He is not discouraging it's use. So if anyone says tongues is not of God, and not to speak in tongues, they are speaking against God's commandments.
If you have not received the gift of the Holy Ghost, as evidenced by speaking in tongues, and you would like to it is a simple matter. Luke 11:9-13 says "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Remember it is a gift given freely by the grace (ability) of God; and this scripture promises that the Father will freely give it to you. As with all of God's gifts and with all of God's promises there is something you must do; that is receive it by faith, trusting his word. Jesus said "...according to your faith be it unto you", Mat. 9:29. You can believe and receive, or doubt and do without. Even on the day of Pentecost, the disciples were all in one accord in Jerusalem (where Jesus commanded them to wait) waiting for the promise of the Holy Spirit (which Jesus said they would receive) - by faith. Acts 2:1-4 "Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Note here that they all received it. Note that they spoke. Some people think that the Holy Spirit takes control of you and it's like throwing up or something you can't control. But it is you who will do the speaking. 1 Cor. 14:32 says "The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets." You are the one who will control and do the speaking in tongues. Finally, Acts 2:39 "...For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off,..." You don't need hands to be laid on you to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Just ask pray and ask the Father for the gift, believe you receive by faith and start speaking in an unknown language now. Maybe only one or two syllables will come out at first - go ahead and use those. More will come in time. Maybe you will feel like you are hit with electricity and a torrent will come out. It's different for everyone, depending on their level of faith. But if you ask, you will receive. Remember it is you doing the talking, but it is the Spirit that will give you the syllables to use. The devil may try and tell you that this is false because you are doing the talking. Just reply that " yes, I do the speaking as the Spirit gives me the utterance." and keep going in faith.
