By Timothy W. Burnett
As we continue in this study, it will be shown that these saints will be people who have met the simple condition for righteousness, which is to be filled with holy spirit. In Romans 10:9-10 we learn that with the heart people believe that God raised Jesus from the dead unto righteousness. Please note that the saints referred to in Revelations should not be confused with the born-again saints referred to in the Epistles. Remember that those who are born-again during the administration of the grace of God will be in heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ during the period of time recorded in Revelations (See 1Thessalonians 4:13-18, 5:4).
How do we start speaking in tongues? Acts 2:4 provides the basic underlying information for the answer, "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." The words "the Holy Ghost" are translated from the earlier known Greek words that read "holy spirit," and the words "the Spirit" in context refer to God Himself. Based on the context of Romans 10:9-10 they were filled with holy spirit because they were believing with their hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead.
Note the chronology of Acts 2:4. First, they were filled with holy spirit. Second, they began to speak in tongues. It is impossible for anybody to speak in tongues except they first are filled with holy spirit. 1Corinthians 12:7-10 reveals nine different ways to benefit from the manifestation of holy spirit. One of them is to speak in tongues. Except people are filled with holy spirit first, they cannot speak in tongues.
In Acts 2:4, the word "speak" comes from the earlier known Greek word, "laleo." This word meant to speak without reference to the words spoken. It simply referred to the mechanics of speech including use of the tongue, lips, jaw, airflow and vocal chords. This fit perfectly with the use of "tongues" which meant languages that are foreign to the person speaking. God is simply teaching us that the simple mechanics of speech is how we start speaking in tongues. Once we start speaking, then God starts giving the words. This scripture contradicts a common belief about speaking in tongues, which is that people must be first given the words from God, before they are spoken. According to rightly dividing of Acts 2:4, just the opposite is true. First people begin to speak, and then God gives the words. This fits a basic truth found in 1Corinthians 14:32, "And the spirits [spiritual gifts] of the prophets are subject to the prophets." This includes the gift of holy spirit. Just as we control when to start and stop speaking in our own languages, so also can spirit-filled people start and stop speaking in tongues at will.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, God so lovingly set it up so that anybody who believes with the heart that He raised Jesus from the dead can be filled with holy spirit. And He made it equally as simple to lay hold of holy spirit in that they can open the mouth and begin to speak in other languages even as God gives the words.
Home