By Lewis Donovan
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit & Tongues
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is available to ALL
Christians (Acts 2:39), and is given (for many reasons) but primarily for the
purpose of enduing Christians with power and supernatural ability to be
effective witnesses of Christ throughout the earth (Acts 1:8). It is an
ENTIRELY SEPARATE event to salvation (Acts 8:14-17 & Acts 19:1-7). Don’t
misunderstand me, when you are born again you are born of Spirit (John 3:5-8),
receive a breath of the Holy Spirit (John 20:22), and no one can say that
Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:3), but there is an entirely
separate event to salvation in which Christians are filled with the Holy
Spirit (Acts 2:4). The baptism of the Holy Spirit can only be received after
one has been born again, and it usually needs to be ‘asked for’ and
received by faith (Lk 11:13 & Mk 11:24). The usual (and biblical) method
for receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit is through the laying on of hands
(Acts 8:17, 9:17, 19:6). The biblical evidence for the baptism of the Holy
Spirit in a person’s life is the ability of that Christian to pray in
tongues (Acts 2:4, 10:45-46, 19:6). If you can’t pray in tongues then you
have not been baptised in the Holy Spirit because the evidence of the baptism
of the Holy Spirit is the ability to pray in tongues. Do not feel condemned if
you cannot (currently) pray in tongues. Be excited because there is a new
experience of God awaiting you that will empower you for a supernatural walk
with God (Acts 1:8). You can receive it (or Him) today!
So does this mean that all Christians should pray in
tongues? Yes! The baptism of the Holy Spirit carries with it the evidence of
the ability to pray in tongues (Acts 2:4, 10:45-46, 19:6). And since the
baptism of the Holy Spirit is available to ALL believers, the ability to pray
in tongues is also available to all believers when they are baptised in the
Holy Spirit.
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14:5 I would like every one of
you to speak in tongues… Paul said it would be good for and he desires that
ALL Christians pray in tongues! Isn’t it great that through the baptism of
the Holy Spirit all Christians can pray in tongues! In the bible, every single
person who had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit could pray in tongues,
and the way that the disciples could tell whether or not someone had received
the baptism of the Holy Spirit was if they could pray in tongues (Acts
10:45-46). Since praying in tongues is the evidence of the baptism of the Holy
Spirit and the baptism of the Holy Spirit is available to all Christians,
speaking in tongues is available to all Christians. This is supported by the
great commission in Mark 16:17 when Jesus says: And these signs will accompany
those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in
new tongues; Who did Jesus say would speak in tongues? Only some Christians
that God chooses? Only those in Pentecostal circles? No! Believers (ie; all
believers) are called to pray in tongues, and through the baptism of the Holy
Spirit they can!
But doesn’t the bible say in 1 Corinthians 12:30: “Do
all speak in tongues?” and the implied answer is ‘no’? Yes, but that is
because there are different types of tongues and they are used in different
settings and have different rules governing their use. This passage is talking
about the use of the “spiritual gift of tongues” which is used publicly
for the edification of other Christians (as apposed to the other types of
tongues which will be discussed later on). I will discuss and prove this in
detail further on.
The bible describes four main types or functions of
tongues. There are two for public use and two for private use. These are in no
particular order of importance. They are all important. Before we get into
discussing the four types of tongues, let me show you many of the seeming
contradictions between verses when tongues are discussed in the bible that
have led me to believe that they are actually talking about different types of
tongues.
1.Tongues as a SIGN to the non-believer
1 Corinthians 14:22 says: Tongues, then, are a sign, not
for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not
for unbelievers. The AMP translation of this verse says: Thus [unknown]
tongues are meant for a [supernatural] sign, not for believers but for
unbelievers [on the point of believing], while prophecy (inspired preaching
and teaching, interpreting the divine will and purpose) is not for unbelievers
[on the point of believing] but for believers. Tongues are meant as a
supernatural sign to non-Christians who are on the point of believing. The
Greek word used in this verse for ‘sign’ is the word ‘semeion’ for
which one of the definitions is: “of miracles and wonders by which God
authenticates the men sent by him, or by which men prove that the cause they
are pleading is God's.” God wants to use this form/type/function of tongues
as a sign or as proof to non-believers that He is God and that the cause we
are pleading is truly God’s.
We clearly see this form of tongues as a sign to
non-believers in Acts chapter 2. Acts 2:4-12 says: All of them were filled
with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled
them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation
under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in
bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking
Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native
language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and
Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of
Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism
Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own
tongues!" Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does
this mean?" Verse 41 of this chapter tells us that three thousand of
these people were saved that day! Notice that it was the sound of the tongues
that got them to come together, and it was the fact that they all understood
the tongues in their own languages that caused them to be amazed and
perplexed. It was these tongues as a sign to the non-believer as described in
1 Cor 14:22 and displayed here in Acts 2 that paved the way for three thousand
salvations on the day of Pentecost!
These tongues as a sign to the non-believer are always in
the languages of men (earthly languages), but are not understood by the person
speaking them. They NEVER require an interpretation because they are
understood by the intended listener in a language the listener understands but
that the speaker has never learnt. They are not used in one’s private life
because they need to be heard by someone who has your attention and is
listening to what you’re saying. Some people suggest that all Christians can
operate in this form of tongues as they (the Christian) will and desire,
because all people who received the baptism of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2
operated in this form of tongues on the day of Pentecost. I am not so sure
about that because there is no other example of this form of tongues being
demonstrated in scripture. We don’t see this form of tongues being operated
in as much as Christians will. I would say however, that ALL Spirit baptised
Christians can operate in this form of tongues IF the Spirit wills.
2.Tongues that require INTERPRETATION or the
“Spiritual Gift” of tongues
The
second form of tongues for public ministry is commonly referred to as the
“spiritual gift of tongues”. This is the ONLY form of tongues that ALWAYS
requires an interpretation. 1 Corinthians 12:28 says: And in the church God
has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then
workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help
others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different
kinds of tongues. This form of tongues which is also mentioned in verse 10 of
this chapter is the form that is given in public ministry in front of the
church. ALL Spirit baptised Christians can pray in the private forms of
tongues, but NOT all Christians are called to operate in this public form of
tongues in front of the church. Verse 29 of this chapter continues: Are all
apostles? [No.] Are all prophets? [No.] Are all teachers? [No, and notice that
this passage is talking about gifts that are used in public.] Do all work
miracles? [No.] 30Do all have gifts of healing? [No.] Do all speak in tongues
[publicly – see context]? [No.] Do all interpret? [No.] This second form of
tongues is for usage in front of a church (as opposed to in front of
non-Christians or in one’s personal prayer life) and not all Christians will
operate in this gift.
This form of tongues will ALWAYS need to be interpreted. 1
Corinthians 14:26-28 says: ... All of these must be done for the strengthening
of the church. 27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most
three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28If there is
no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to
himself and God. Firstly, there must always be an interpretation for this form
of tongues! Secondly, for the sake of orderliness there should only be two or
three at most who operate in this gift in a service. Thirdly, if there is no
one available to interpret (an this should usually be arranged before someone
begins speaking in tongues in front of an assembly), then the person should
not speak in tongues in front of the assembly but should pray in tongues
between himself and God (not demanding the attention of others). This is no
longer speaking of the type/function of tongues that is given in front of an
assembly and requires interpretation, but is now speaking of the devotional
form of tongues which is between them and God and will be discussed later on.
This passage makes it clear that it is okay to operate in this devotional form
of tongues in a church setting, as long as you do not distract or detract from
the service and you are not demanding the attention of others. (This will be
discussed later).
Also, this form of tongues (unlike the previous) is always
given in a heavenly language, not an earthly one. If it was given in an
earthly language this form of tongues would require a translation, not an
interpretation. However, that is not true. The Holy Spirit inspires a
Christian to speak in a heavenly language and then another (or the same
person) will give the interpretation of what was said.
3.Tongues for INTERCESSION
Before
I get into this third type or function of tongues it is important to
understand that it is YOU (the person) who prays in tongues, but it is the
Holy Spirit who inspires you or gives you the utterance when praying in
tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:2 & 14 says: For anyone who speaks in a tongue
does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters
mysteries with his spirit. ... For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but
my mind is unfruitful. Acts 2:4 says: All of them were filled with the Holy
Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. You
see, your spirit does the praying when speaking in tongues. You are praying,
and you have control to start and to stop and move your mouth to speak the
words, but the Holy Spirit is what gives your spirit the utterance. In other
words, the Holy Spirit tells you what words and syllables and phrases to
speak.
There are two forms of tongues that are operated in
as YOU will, in your own private life. The first of these is the tongues for
intercession. Romans 8:26-27 NLT says: And the Holy Spirit helps us in our
distress. [And what is our distress?...] For we don't even know what we should
pray for, nor how we should pray. [However, God has provided an answer for
this problem] But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be
expressed in words. [or in ‘articulate speech’ as the Greek literally
says]. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying,
for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will.
Now this passage is not talking about the Holy
Spirit praying directly to the father (without us) because there is no reason
for that since the Holy Spirit has perfect intimacy with the father and they
are 1 with each other. This passage is talking about the Holy Spirit helping
us (believers who are filled with the Spirit) to pray. Why does He need to do
this? Because we don’t know everything there is to know about the lives of
our brothers and sisters. We don’t always know what to pray or how to pray
for them but the Holy Spirit does!
1 Corinthians 14:14 says: For if I pray in a
tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. When you pray in English
you can only pray for things that you know about, because you are praying with
your mind. However, the Holy Spirit can help you to intercede for others and
you can pray and intercede over situations that you have absolutely no
understanding about. For example you don’t know what’s happening in Iraq
right now, and you don’t know about the person in China who is about to be
tortured for their faith and needs prayer, but the Holy Spirit does and He can
prompt you to intercede for them in tongues. How incredible! Also, if you want
to intercede for a preacher or for a friend and you need help from the Holy
Spirit to do that then if you ask the Holy Spirit, He will help you in your
weakness to intercede for people when you don’t know how to.
As we saw previously, tongues are inspired by the
Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). The ‘groanings’ spoken of in these verses (Romans
8:26-27) are also inspired by the Holy Spirit, so these groanings are actually
a form of tongues. Now, just because you happened to groan once when praying
doesn’t mean that you operated in the groanings spoken of in these verses.
These are supernatural groanings. People who have operated in these groanings
say that they actually sounded like they were giving birth because of the
extent of their groanings. The Holy Spirit inspires these groanings as a form
of tongues to intercede for believers.
Also, I do not believe that the ONLY way the Holy
Spirit inspires believers to intercede for other believers is in the form of
groanings. I know of numerous stories of people all of a sudden feeling
prompted to pray in tongues (not the groanings form) to intercede for other
believers. When feeling this prompting it is important to submit to the
guidance and will of the Holy Spirit. If He gives you the nudge or utterance
to go into groanings then do so, and if He gives you the utterance to pray in
a ‘normal’ unknown tongue then do that also. The point is that the Holy
Spirit may inspire or burden you from time to time to pray in tongues to
intercede for other Christians. You often know in your spirit if you are
actually interceding for anyone. Remember to continue to pray in tongues until
you feel the ‘release’ or the burden ‘lift’ because it is only then
that the need for your intercession has been met.
4.DEVOTIONAL tongues or tongues for personal
EDIFICATION
This
is the most commonly used form of tongues. One of the great blessings of being
filled with the Holy Spirit (which is a separate event to salvation that most
often needs to be ‘asked for’ and received by faith with the laying on of
hands) is the ability to pray to God in tongues on a personal level. There is
no limit to how much you can do this. Jude 20 NKJV says: But you, beloved,
building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,The
Greek in this verse for ‘build yourselves up’ literally means to charge
yourself. So when we pray to God in tongues we are actually building ourselves
up in faith and charging ourselves like a battery. 1 Corinthians 14:4 says: He
who speaks in a tongue edifies himself... When you pray in tongues between you
and God you are edifying and charging yourself.
There are two main benefits of the fact that
tongues are inspired by the Holy Spirit as we are told in Acts 2:4 and 1 Cor
14:14 AMP. Firstly, since tongues are inspired by the Holy Spirit that means
that we can pray about things that we have no understanding or knowledge
about. When praying in tongues you are aren’t praying with your mind; the
Holy Spirit is giving your spirit the utterance. You are therefore able to
communicate with God on His level without having to worry about the issue that
your natural and soulish mind has such a little understanding of God's Word,
and what’s happening in the world right now. Secondly, the prayer in tongues
is absolutely 100% perfect prayer! Why? Because it’s the Holy Spirit who
inspires it! (There are numerous other reasons why we should all pray in
tongues, but these are just a few).
Devotional tongues do not have to be interpreted
(and neither do tongues for intercession), but if God can give you the
interpretation when you pray in the “spiritual gift” of tongues, there’s
no reason why He can’t give the interpretation when your praying in
devotional tongues.
We see this devotional form of tongues in operation
many times in the Word. Acts 10:45-46 says: The circumcised believers who had
come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been
poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and
praising God. Once Cornelius and his household had received the baptism of the
Holy Spirit they began to speak to God in tongues and communicate with Him on
His level. Notice also that it was the ability of Cornelius and his household
to pray in tongues that was the evidence to the Jewish Christians that they
had been baptised in the Holy Spirit. Also, they were all praying in tongues
together at the same time and there was no need for an interpretation. Why?
Because it is totally fine to pray in the devotional form of tongues together
with other Christians and not give an interpretation. This form of tongues
does not require interpretation. As long as you do not tell other Christians
to stop and listen to you, you are fine to pray in the devotional form of
tongues and not give an interpretation. It’s only when you command the
attention of others and pray in tongues with their attention that you are
required to give an interpretation so that they can be edified also.
Acts 19:1-7 says: While Apollos was at Corinth,
Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found
some disciples and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you
believed?"
They answered, "No, we have not even heard
that there is a Holy Spirit."
So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you
receive?"
"John's baptism," they replied.
Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of
repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that
is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the
Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them,
and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.
This is another example of devotional tongues being used. Notice firstly that
these Ephesian disciples were saved but had not been baptised in the Holy
Spirit. Why? Because they are two totally separate experiences. Secondly, they
hadn’t even heard of the baptism of the Holy Spirit or that it was available
to them. This seems to sound like most of today’s Christians. Thirdly, Paul
laid His hands on them straight away and immediately they were baptised in the
Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues. Speaking in tongues and the baptism
of the Holy Spirit go hand in hand. If you can’t speak in tongues then you
haven't received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (and you can receive it now if
you want), but if you have spoken in tongues then you have been baptised in
the Holy Spirit. This is simply what the bible teaches!
In 1 Corinthians 14:18-19 Paul says: I thank God
that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather
speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a
tongue. Paul prayed in devotional tongues a lot of the time! Paul loved it and
knew the power of it in his private life. However, Paul understood that there
is no point in standing up in church and saying “Everyone listen to me
because I am going to pray in my devotional tongue” (without giving an
interpretation), because it only benefits, builds up, charges and edifies you.
Please understand that there is nothing wrong with praying in your devotional
tongue in a public setting eg; in a prayer meeting or in worship in church, as
long as you don’t demand the attention of others or interrupt the service.
It is only when you demand the attention of others and pray in tongues without
giving an interpretation that you are in the wrong because you have wasted
other people’s time. If they are going to stop and listen to you, then they
need to be edified by receiving the interpretation of what you prayed.
However, let me restate that you should feel free to pray in devotional
tongues in prayer meetings and church and worship as long as you don’t
demand everyone listen to you, and you aren’t interrupting the service.
Conclusion
When a Christian receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit (which is available to all and can be received right NOW by faith) they are able to pray in tongues. There are two public forms of tongues, and two private. The first public form of tongues is always directed towards non-believers and the second type is always directed towards Christians. Not all Christians will operate in these public forms of tongues. They are operated in as the Spirit wills. There are also two private forms of tongues. These private tongues are the tongues for intercession and the tongues for one’s devotional life. All Spirit baptised Christians can operate in these forms of tongues as THEY will. The public tongues are operated in as the SPIRIT wills (and thus not all believers will operate in them), but the private forms of tongues are operated in as YOU will (because the Holy Spirit always wants them to be in operation in your life). Devotional tongues are an incredible blessing and enable you to pray perfectly and communicate with God on His level. You can use devotional tongues throughout your personal prayer life and in prayer meetings and worship in church as long as you do not demand the attention of others and interrupt the service.
© Lewis Donovan 2005. All rights reserved.
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