Do You Believe in Speaking in Tongues?
By: Kenneth Haydon
Many times I am asked the question do you believe in speaking in tongues? My answer is always a definite YES!
Acts 10:44 & 46 44. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all of them which heard the word. 46. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
So if Peter was teaching them what God wanted them to do? And the Holy Ghost fell on them and they spoke in tongues? Why is it not for us today?
If you read from the beginning of this chapter you will see Peter was preaching to Cornelius and his household. Because Cornelius was a devote man that prayed, fasted and gave to the poor. Not only did God send an Angel he sent the Apostle Peter to give them words by which him and his whole house could be saved.
Acts 11:13-15 And he showed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men unto Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. And as I began to speak the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
Now lets talk about how did it fall on them at the beginning. Lets go to:
ACTS 2:4 and they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
We see that the Holy Ghost fell and they began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave the utterance. So no man told them how to speak in tongues. It was definitley the Holy Ghost that was speaking through them. So this was a sign that they had recieved the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. So we see that there is a different experience than any other when this happens. This is a sign.
ACTS 2: 16-19 But this is that wich was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and daughters shall prohesy, and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servant and upon my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood and fire, and vapour of smoke:
It definitley was a sign for the Apostle and the other Jews that were there with Peter.
Acts 10:45-46 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 in tongues and magnify God
This not only happened on the day of Pentecost but it was some time latter that this happened again. Many times we have a tendency to be critical of what we know little about. When all of of the answers are summed up in the Bible, it gives us a direction to take. No matter what man has to say. The Bible is the final word on all matters. We can’t trust our own desires to lead us. We need to be as Cornelius was. Praying and giving of ourselves. That is when we see not only prayers answered , but the devine hand of God within our lives. I feel as a Christian I must be receptive unto all that God has for me. If God has it for me I want it! I want to be able to do that which God has called me to do, WITH POWER of The HOLY GHOST. Not on my own power or self will , but the will of God. So my answer is the Church must speak in tongues today or we will be denying the very power that God intended for us to have.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witness unto me both in Jerusalem and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.
As we have seen in these passages that when you receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost it is with evidence of speaking in tongues. But it is also evident of the power of God is present within your life. I do not understand why many deny his power and say they don’t need it. I need it! Closing I will give one last passage to illustrate this:
Mark 16:15-18 And He said unto them, Go ye into the all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 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.
This is the Great Commission recorded by Mark. Notice he said they will speak with new tongues. Also notice it was called a sign. If this is not in your life then remember God is no respector of persons what He has done for others he will do for you. Just as I had to be shown before I experienced this great Holy Ghost experience so can you. It is just a matter of turning your life completely over to Jesus and have the desire to allow Him to guide you instead of your own desires. It will become an adventure in life like you never thought was possible. Freind if you haven’t had this Holy Ghost experience just pray: Lord give me this Holy Ghost experience that you speak about in your Word. I want all of you that you will allow me to have. I want this power to overcome and be a witness to you. It is my desire to have more of you and less of me.
If the twentieth century Church is to ever reach the goals that God intended for it to it must have the Power of God to do so...............
