And our journey through it.
Tongues
Greetings in Jesus’ Name, Church. As I was writing the last paper, ‘Jesus—God’s Son’, I put in it a personal experience I had when I was Baptized when I was talking about John Baptizing Jesus. As I was writing my mind went to some people in this generation not believing in the ‘speaking in tongues’ part of God’s Word. In fact my sister who corrects and reviews the papers that I put on this web site said the same thing to me after she read the paper. Hence, this paper has it’s origin and title of ‘Tongues’.
I believe, hope and trust in God’s Word; therefore I always go to God’s Word to find God’s TRUTHS for myself and anyone else who would have God’s TRUTHS. So let’s see what God’s Word “says” about “TONGUES”.
First, we need to go back to where Jesus Himself was telling us about The Spirit of Truth. I believe the Book of John tells us about God’s Spirit. In chapter 14 in John, Jesus was comforting His disciples after He told them about His impending departure. (John 13: 31-35) In the first four verses in chapter 14, Jesus is telling His disciples what is going to happen after His Ascension, it is quoted many times in this generation to comfort us as well, Church. But even with Christ’s assurance some of the disciples are still concerned---even as we were before we gave our hearts into the Lord’s Hands. Think about it, Saints.
Thomas questions Jesus first with the question, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” (John 14:5) Read for yourself Jesus’s answer to him and us, verses 6-7.
Next comes Philip asking Him: “Lord show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” (Isn’t that what Jesus was doing His whole time here on earth with us?) Read what Jesus told Philip in verses 9-15 in John chapter 14.
The next question came from Judas (not Iscariot) who asked Him, “Lord how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”
Church this is where we find out about how Jesus and our Father allows us to be a part of them even when Jesus Himself is not physically with us.
“Through God’s Spirit—The Holy Spirit.”
Pay “very” close attention to Jesus’ answer to Judas here in verses 23-26 (chapter 14):
“If anyone loves Me, he will Keep My Word; and My Father will love him, and “We” will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My Words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My Name, “He” will teach you all things, “and” bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”
Church, that is what the Holy Spirit does for us because of "our" trust and faith in our Father and His Son. Saints, that is a HEART trust not a head trust! Spiritual.
Now in verses 16-17 of this same chapter (14) Jesus tells us what He will ask the Father for after He leaves this earthly realm: (Jesus’ own words)
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever, even the Spirit of TRUTH, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither “sees” Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be “in” you.” (Pentecost) (You can also read Jesus’ Words for the ‘Promise of the Holy Spirit’ in John chapter 15 verses 26-27 through chapter 16 verses 1-15 for more TRUTHS!)
Let’s skip to Acts where just before Jesus’ ascension He tells His disciples, and us, about what will happen in this wonderful event at Pentecost.
Acts 1:8
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
As we read on in chapter 2 of Acts, it tells us how the Holy Spirit was given to us by the Father:
Acts 2:1-4
“Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all together 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, (or tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each) 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.” Proof of the “infilling” for All of God’s Born Again Children!
Some people think that was only for back then with the disciples--”BUT” WE are the sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father also when we ‘choose’ (our wills) to give our hearts and lives to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.
I like the way Pastor Hagee put it when he explained the power of the Holy Spirit: ‘The powers of the Holy Spirit was not designed solely for the first century church. Rather, ALL Christians are indwelt by the Spirit and thus have His power “available”’. (I Corinthians 6:19)
The Holy Spirit’s Power from God is available to His Children now, but are we using it for God and the good of our fellowman? Think about that Church.
The Holy Spirit is the same today as He was back in the disciples day, and since we, as Born Again Children of God, are God’s disciples for this day and age we “can” also communicate with our Father through the Spirit “IN” us. The Holy Spirit is personal. God’s Spirit “in” us is personal therefore when we ALLOW the Holy Spirit to talk through us it comes out as a tongue not understood by natural man---because it is a Heavenly Language from our spirit through the Holy Spirit to God’s ears/heart.
The Holy Spirit is God’s Spirit “IN” us to lead and guide us; just as Jesus was to His disciples when He was with them in the beginning.
The Holy Spirit is a very important part of this generation’s calling in God’s Plan. We need to allow His Spirit “IN” us to work for Him and us and the world. How? By:
Trusting and Believing in God’s Love for us.
All scriptures are from: New King James Version of Prophecy Study Bible, General Editor-John C. Hagee unless otherwise stated.