Speaking in Tongues

The Speaking in Tongues, a known and unknown language.

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts compared to the Gift of the Speaking in Tongues as in 1 Corinthians Chapters 12-14.


Let us first read what happened in Acts Chapter 2.

Acts 2:4-12

4.And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8. And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9. Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10. Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11. Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
12. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

As we gather/understand from the above scriptures the utterance as given by the Holy Spirit were KNOWN languages to the unbelieving visitors, gathered in Jeruzalem at that time. This means that the Speaking in Tongues was a sign unto the unbelievers that indeed the Holy Spirit was present.

When we read further on we will notice that Peter immediately lifted his voice and began to preach explaining the word of God.

Speaking in “OTHER” Tongues, as the Spirit gave utterance at the day of Pentecost is a different manifestation of the Holy Spirit (although it has a resemblance), than the instructions regarding the GIFT of Speaking in Tongues, described by Paul (1 Cor Chapters 12 to 14), since it was not for self edification nor with interpretation for edification of the Body of Christ.

In Acts Chapter 2 the speaking in OTHER Tongues was to confirm that indeed the Holy Spirit had descended as cloven tongues like as of fire upon each of them and for the purpose to witness to and evangelize the crowd. As evidence, three thousand souls repented that day, came to Christ and were baptised.

Among the Gifts of the Spirit the apostle refers to in 1 Cor 14:2, Speaking in Tongues:
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

One of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit is the Speaking in UNKNOWN Tongues, and as Paul explains is for self edification, or/and if interpret is for edification of the Body of Christ.

Praying in Tongues, being a Gift of the Spirit, enables the believer to pray for the unknown, because it is the Holy Spirit praying through us according to the will of God and His knowledge of all things. Therefore the prayer as directed by the Holy Spirit is always in time and right on target.

For more detail regarding the need for any follower of Christ to receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, please read the writing at:

http://achristiancounselor.com/hspirit.html

In the service of the Master,
Minister Dr. Trudy Veerman

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