PENTECOST WEEK (PART 10)
"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall ... they shall speak with new tongues;" - Mark 16:17 (KJV)
In Part 4 in the series, published on the 12th day of May, 2023, we spoke about tongues to be widely held in Pentecostal circles as the initial evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit. If you will recollect, we said also that in as much as that's the case, there can be varied spiritual manifestations that evidence baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Undoubtedly, the Lord Jesus was categorical about tongues; that it's a spiritual manifestation to identify believers in Him:
"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall ... they shall speak with new tongues;" - Mark 16:17 (KJV).
Speaking in other tongues is a manifestation of the Spirit in the life of the believer (1 Cor 12:10). When the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples in the Upper Room on the day of Pentecost, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they all spoke with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:4). It's expected also that following baptism in the Spirit, the believer should speak in other tongues.
Now, why speak in other tongues?
We speak in other tongues because we are under God's command to do so (Eph 6:18), moreso as it shows that we are believers in Jesus (Mk 16:17). Another reason is that it's the purest language from God to us with which to call on Him (Zeph 3:9). Again, because sometimes we don't know what to pray about or how to pray, the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning that cannot be uttered (Rom 8:26) It's a heavenly language with which we speak mysteries (1 Cor 14:2). Another reason is that when we pray in tongues, we edify and build up ourselves in our most holy faith (Jude 1:20). Again, when we pray in other tongues, we pray under the Spirit's guidance (Acts 2:4) and in accordance with God's will (Rom 8:27). In other words, the one that prays in tongues cannot miss out on God's will for his life, and that being so, all things will work together for the good of such an one (Rom 8:28); and so forth.
It's unfortunate that in the Church today, many people don't speak in other tongues despite the obvious benefits it offers to believers. I see this as a satanic onslaught against the Church. The Lord Jesus said that He will build His Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matt 16:18). Let us remember that as believers, we are the Church, not the physical structure in which we gather for fellowship. Like we noted above, when we speak in other tongues, we edify ourselves (1 Cor 14:4) and we are built up in our most holy faith (Jude 1:20). Tongues therefore are given to us by the Lord with which to build us, His Church.
The current apathy among us against tongues had been foreseen by the Lord. He foresaw that His people will scoff at it:
"For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear." - Isaiah 28:11-12 (KJV).
Others come up with their twisted interpretation of 1 Cor 12:30, saying,
"Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? ... " - 1 Corinthians 12:30 (KJV). There's a big difference between tongues as a spiritual manifestation (Rom 12:13) and speaking in tongues as a ministerial gift (Rom 12:30). Tongues as a spiritual manifestation must be spoken by every believer (Mk 16:17; Eph 6:18); whereas speaking in tongues as a ministerial gift isn't for everyone (Rom 12:30).
Message will be continued.
PRAYER:
Holy Father, thank You for the gift of tongues. I pray for a fresh anointing and manifestation of the Holy Spirit upon my life, in Jesus name.