Holy Spirit Archives - Spiritual Gifts Today

To speak in tongues or ‘glossalgia' is the act of speaking in a language that has not been learned and given by the spirit of God. It is a gift given to those who have been baptized in the holy ghost. 1 Corinthians 13:1 calls it the tongues of men or angels. When a person receives the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, the initial evidence is speaking in other tongues. Your prayer language can be anything from a few words or syllables to a full language. Over the course of our relationship with to the Lord, you tongues will grow, develop and change. It is important that you exercise your prayer language daily. What the Bible Say about Speaking in Tongues Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Many times giving a message in tongues is one of the first gifts manifested by someone newly baptized in the spirit. It takes faith to step out and give a message in tongues. It takes even greater faith to interpret that message. As you grow in the Word of God, the depth of your prophecy will increase. The scripture says that we prophesy according to our faith, and faith cometh by hearing and hearing the Word of God. Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith. Speaking in tongues is used for: • Worship and praise - I Corinthians 14:15 • Personal prayer and intercession - Romans 8:26 • A spontaneous message is given in a congregation – 1 Corinthians 14:27 Do we have to Speak in Tongues? Some believers do not believe we need to be baptized in the Holy Ghost because we receive the Spirit with Salvation. We do receive the Holy Spirit when we come to Christ. No one comes unless the Spirit draws us to himself. John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. So, in obedience to scripture, we are to be born again and be baptized in water. The baptism in the holy spirit is a separate experience not mandated, but available to every believer. You don't have to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit nor speak in tongues to go to heaven. But wouldn't you want to receive everything that God has available to you. Why Not Receive all God has for you? In the book of Acts, Paul found certain disciples at Ephesus who through following Christ, had not heard about the Holy Ghost. Act 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. When you read down to the sixth verse of this passage, you see that this was John the Baptist’s followers. When Paul told them, they could now follow Jesus Christ, they were baptized again in the name of Jesus, Paul laid hands on them, and they receive the Holy Ghost spoke in tongues and prophesied. Act 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. My Baptist Father Receives the Baptism in the Holy Spirit My Father was an amazing man. Before we were saved, he taught us the Bible and made sure we attended church almost every Sunday. Later in life, my Dad joined the Baptist church and became a Deacon. I often found him with Bible and his Sunday school primer in hand preparing for Sunday school. He was so faithful to his church, and everyone loved him. He was taught to believe that only some believers were chosen to receive this wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. He also believed that if you had the Holy Ghost, you did not have to speak in tongues. I explained to him that anyone who asked can receive this gift and that speaking in tongues was a part of the blessing. One night when he was laying in bed reading, I approached him about the Holy Spirit Baptism and asked him could I pray for him to receive it. He agreed, and I prayed and kissed him good-night. A few days later, my Father told me he was dreaming that he was speaking in tongues and when he woke up, he was speaking in tongues. Daddy was willing to let me pray with him, so this means he was open. I laughed and rejoiced in that God was faithful to give him something, he wasn't sure everyone could receive. Just Ask for it! I think it is wonderful, that God does not necessarily follow our doctrine, but His Word and His will. If you have ever wondered about the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues, know he wants you to have it. Ask God for this gift. As a matter of fact, get together with a friend or two who wants the experience and pray together to receive it. You have nothing to lose and if you choose to receive this gift, you have a new dimension in God to gain. PRAYER TO RECEIVE THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST Father, I want to receive everything that you have to offer me. I believe that if I ask for something in you will, you will give it to me. In Luke 11:13 you said, "So if you sinful people 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?" I ask that you Baptise me in the Holy Spirit. Fill me with your spirit and your power to be a witness for you. I receive the Baptism in the Holy Ghost, right now by faith. NOW, take a deep breath and receive it by faith!