Re-Kindle the Fire
Speaking in Tongues

10/21/08
1.	Purposes and Benefits
2.	Foolishness to the World
3.	Holy Spirit in the 1st Covenant
4.	Holy Spirit baptism in the New Covenant
5.	Gifts of the Holy Spirit
6.	Power in the Tongue
7.	Mis-Uses of the Gifts
8.	Seek the Giver more than the gifts
9.	How do I “Get it” ?

I want to begin this study by listing the benefits and purposes of speaking in tongues.
Primarily, I hope to stir those who already have the gift.  Secondarily, I realize many people have not received this gift because of misunderstanding, bad experiences, or just ignorance of it. Tongues has been a stumbling block not only to those who haven’t received this gift from God, but also to some who have experienced it! 
I find it interesting that this “least of the gifts” is so opposed by satan! He has stirred up so much confusion on this subject that we ought to study it, now.

Let’s take a fresh look at it from God’s perspective. First of all, you don’t have to have this gift; it’s not necessary for salvation. However, if you just want to be saved and “know no more”, you’re in trouble already. Don’t you want to know what God wants us to do with it? God offered this gift to every believer for a reason. The devil seems to really fight this one, so let’s find out why and what the benefits are for us!

*  Purposes and Benefits of this Gift or Tool

a.	# 1  Praying in tongues is done in faith to praise God and bless God.
b.	 And it edifies us too!
c.	Praying in tongues is via the Holy Spirit with better words than we could ever pick.
d.	It is a sign to us and fulfillment of Scripture! Initially, it is so dramatic, powerful and exciting. Over time, praying in tongues can become plain routine, just as manna got old.
Over the years we ought to remind ourselves that this is a daily miracle!
e.	Praying in tongues can help us when we do not know how or what to pray.
f.	It can be an effective means of shielding our minds when we are under attack or mental strain.	Rom 8:26	1 Cor 14:14-15
g.	Public tongues with interpretation can be edifying to the church, like prophecy.
h.	It can be a sign to unbelievers as in Acts 2:8. In rarely reported situations, foreigners understood a message and realized it was from God.
i.	It is an act of gratitude and obedience to accept something God has offered to us.
j.	Can you think of other benefits?

Let’s look at what God’s word says on some topics that I think will lead you to a better understanding and appreciation of the gift of the Holy Spirit called Speaking in Tongues.
I may refer to it as a tool or manifestation gift to distinguish it from other gifts or fruit.

Foolishness to the World

But so is the gospel message. The carnal person does not understand spiritual things.

Read  	1Co 1:17 - 31 
1Co 1:18  For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God. 
1Co 1:20  . . .  has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 
1Co 1:21  . . . it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe. 
1Co 1:22  Seeing that Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom: 
1Co 1:23  but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumbling block, and unto Gentiles foolishness; 
1Co 1:25  Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 
*  1Co 1:27  but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; 
1Co 1:31  that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

1Co 2:12  But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God. 
*  1Co 2:13  Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Spirit teaches; combining spiritual things with spiritual words. 
1Co 2:14  Now the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.

1Co 3:18  Let no man deceive himself. If any man thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise. 
1Co 3:19  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. 

Gal 3:3  Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now perfected in the flesh?
Gal 3:5  He therefore that supplies to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Mat 25:3  For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them: (Holy Spirit)

Proverbs warns us repeatedly not to be fools, but neither should we worry about appearing foolish for Christ’s sake to those in the world. Let’s be more concerned with pleasing God rather than men.

When the Holy Spirit came on His people 	In the 1st Covenant

Gen 41:38  And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom the spirit of God is? 39  And Pharaoh said unto Joseph

Num 24:2  And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel dwelling according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him.

1Sa 10:10  And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a band of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came mightily upon him, and he prophesied among them. 
1Sa 10:11  And it came to pass, when all that knew him before time saw that, behold, he prophesied with the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?

2Sa 23:2  The Spirit of Jehovah spoke by me, And his word was upon my tongue.

Psa 12:6  The words of Jehovah are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, Purified seven times.

Psa 51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me. 
Psa 51:11  Cast me not away from thy presence; And take not thy Holy Spirit from me. 
Psa 51:12  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with a willing spirit. 
Psa 51:13  Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; And sinners shall be converted unto thee.  14  Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation; And my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 
*  Psa 51:15  O Lord, open thou my lips; And my mouth shall show forth thy praise.   David

Psa 119:171  Let my lips utter praise; For thou teaches me thy statutes. 
Psa 119:172  Let my tongue sing of thy word; For all thy commandments are righteousness.

Psa 126:2  Then was our mouth filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing: Then said they among the nations, Jehovah has done great things for them.

*  Psa 139:4  For there is not a word in my tongue, But, lo, O Jehovah, thou knows it altogether.

Dan 4:8  But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods:

*  Luk 1:64  And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, blessing God.		(Zechariah at John the baptist’s birth)

The Spirit came upon men in the Old Covenant, but they did not seem to keep the abiding presence as we have been promised in the New Covenant.

Notice how the tongue is (tied ) or connected to His coming upon His people.
In His precense, it seems that we need to express praise, singing, prophecy or some expression of how He touches our heart.

When the Holy Spirit comes on believers 	In the New Covenant

We receive the Holy Spirit at salvation, but when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we are filled or overwhelmed in such a way that should be life transforming. The Holy Spirit baptism empowers a believer with gifts and a desire to serve Christ more.

*  Mar 16:17  And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

Act 1:8  But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Act 2:1   And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place.  And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them. 
Act 2:4  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

*  Act 2:11 - 13  Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God.  And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, What does this mean?  But others mocking said, They are filled with new wine.

Act 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."

Act 8:14  When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

*  Act 10:44  While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word.  45  And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,  47  Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? 			Acts 11:15-16

Act 19:5  And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 
Act 19:6  And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7  And they were in all about twelve men.

*  Rom 8:26  And in like manner the Spirit also helps our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered;  27  and he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The 9 (manifestation) gifts of the Spirit are mentioned in detail in 1 Corinthians chapters 12 and 14. These gifts are bestowed as the Spirit wishes after one has been baptized in the Spirit. Scripture tells us to seek the gifts (not for ourselves but for service of the Lord).
 
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit  	(Assemblies of God fundamental # 7)
All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. 
•	Luke 24:49 	Acts 1:4		Acts 1:8		1 Corinthians 12:1-31 
This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth. 
•	Acts 8:12-17 	Acts 10:44-46 	Acts 11:14-16 	Acts 15:7-9 
With the baptism in the Holy Spirit come such experiences as: 
•	an overflowing fullness of the Spirit, John 7:37-39	, Acts 4:8 
•	a deepened reverence for God, Acts 2:43	, Hebrews 12:28 
•	an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work, Acts 2:42 
•	and a more active love for Christ, for His Word and for the lost, Mark 16:20

The Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost   	  (Assemblies of God fundamental # 8)

The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance.        (Acts 2:4). 
The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues, but is different in purpose and use. 				(1 Corinthians 12:4-10)
http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/gendoct_02_baptismhs.cfm

http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/baptmhs_faq_tongues.cfm

1Co 12:1  Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant.
1Co 12:7  Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

1Co 12:10  and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues:

1Co 12:28-30  And God has set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, divers kinds of tongues.   Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30  have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

1Co 13:1  If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.

*  1Co 14:2  For he that speaks in a tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God; for no man understands; but in the spirit he speaks mysteries.  3  But he that prophesies speaks unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation.  4  He that speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the church.   
1Co 14:5  Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
(public gift of tongues)

1Co 14:6  But now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching? 
1Co 14:7  Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they give not a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? 
1Co 14:8  For if the trumpet give an uncertain voice, who shall prepare himself for war? 
1Co 14:9  So also ye, unless ye utter by the tongue speech easy to understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking into the air.

1Co 14:13  Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 
*  1Co 14:14  For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 
1Co 14:15  What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 
1Co 14:16  Else if thou bless with the spirit, how shall he that fills the place of the unlearned say the Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he knows not what thou says? 
1Co 14:17  For thou verily gives thanks well, but the other is not edified. 
1Co 14:18  I thank God, I speak with tongues more than you all: 

1Co 14:19  howbeit in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.  20  Brethren, be not children in mind: yet in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men.  21  In the law it is written, By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers will I speak unto this people; and not even thus will they hear me, saith the Lord. 
*  1Co 14:22  Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to the unbelieving: but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to them that believe. 			Isa 28:11
1Co 14:23  If therefore the whole church be assembled together and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad? 
1Co 14:24  But if all prophesy, and there come in one unbelieving or unlearned, he is reproved by all, he is judged by all;  25  the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.  26  What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 
1Co 14:27  If any man speaks in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that in turn; and let one interpret: 28  but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 
1Co 14:29  And let the prophets speak by two or three, and let the others discern. 
1Co 14:30  But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence. 
       exhorted; 32  and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets; 33  for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, 

The Holy Spirit often manifests Himself in power. If you do a Bible search on the word “power”, you will see how often it shows up.

1Co 4:20  For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.	Luke 24:49
1 Cor 2:4 	Rom 15:19	1 Thes 1:5	2 Tim 1:7

Power of the Tongue

Proverbs is loaded with exhortations to guard our tongue, lips and/or mouth! 
Yielding our tongues to the Spirit is our only chance at taming our tongues.

Pro 18:21  Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Psa 19:14  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in thy sight, O Jehovah, my rock, and my redeemer.

Jam 1:26  If any man thinks himself to be religious, while he bridles not his tongue but deceives his heart, this man's religion is vain.

Jam 3:5  So the tongue also is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire! 
Jam 3:6  And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell. 
Jam 3:7  For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind. 
Jam 3:8  But the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison. 
Jam 3:9  Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God: 
Jam 3:10  out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Mis-use of Gifts are grievious, but do happen

Unfortunately, because God does take back His gifts after He has granted them, we see them abused by those who get blinded by the world or their own ambition. We’ve seen TV evangelists and others go astray. This doesn’t negate the gifts, but rather shows our continual need to rely on Jesus and not ourselves.

Rom 11:29  God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty--never canceled, never rescinded.  (the Message)	

Mat 15:8  This people honors me with their lips; But their heart is far from me. 
Mar 7:6

Mat 15:18  But the things which proceed out of the mouth come forth out of the heart; and they defile the man.

Let’s not let some bad apples dissuade us from seeking the benefits that can come from good gifts. The things of the Spirit are not going to fit into nicely organized compartments.
Yielding control over to Someone else may be a little scary until we learn to trust Him more.

Seek the Giver more than the gifts

I was like Simon who wanted the gift or the power of the gift, when I really needed to just seek the Giver of the gift. Our Father wants to give good gifts to His children. When I relaxed, trusted God, He touched me in a powerful way when I was alone and not expecting it. I waited on Him and He was faithful to touch me. He is a great God and His timing is perfect.

Acts 8:18  When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money 19 and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

I believe that we ought to check our heart and ask ourselves, “Am I willing to do whatever You want, Lord?” We need to seek the Giver of the gift. If we are saved and willing to submit, surrender, yield to the wishes of Jesus, he said ask and it will be given to you.

Matt 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 	 . . . 
11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

How do I get It ?

Search your heart.
Do you want to love and serve Him with all your heart?
Believe the Scriptures that tell you that Jesus will baptize you in the Holy Spirit. 
There are more scriptures than what’s in this study.
Find a time and place where you will not be interrupted. 
You’re not going to hurry the Holy Spirit.
Tell Jesus you want Him to baptized you in the Holy Spirit.
Believe He will do a work in you that you will never forget!  

What if nothing happens? 
We dealing with faith here, right?  Feeling or faith?  Who’s timing?
If you ask your Father in faith and trust Him to deliver, you WILL NOT be disappointed.

Most quotes are from the American Standard Version from the free E-sword.com Bible program.
Some quotes are from Zondervan’s NIV Bible program.
For more bible studies see http://www.geocities.com/sande_3/bibletopics/bibletopics.htm