SPEAKING IN TONGUES
AND HOW TO RECEIVE THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST

Gala 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

John 14:16-18 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you

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

Acts 2:32-33 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

The Baptism of the Holy Ghost is for everybody! Never are we told that only some believers are supposed to have it while others never will.

• The Holy Ghost makes a believer's song something you can feel!

WHY TONGUES?

I. Speaking in tongues is the INITIAL evidence that you have received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Acts 2.4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

• And speaking in tongues must continue the rest of your life.
• It is like a stream that should not dry up.
• It is initial evidence only, and should not be considered as evidence of a continual Christian life.
• Many things start coming afterwards as we grow, and after we first receive the Spirit and have already spoken in tongues, tongues are not to be looked upon as the evidence of the Spirit, period. As far as evidence of God working, though, tongues are initial evidence of Spirit Baptism only, although tongues themselves are for prayer to God as well. We say this because some might think tongues in a Christian's life proves they are serving God acceptably, which may not be the case.
• A person can later become quite wicked and continue to speak in tongues. Such a person is not an example of a christian simply because one speaks in tongues.
• Fruit of the Spirit are ongoing evidences of the true christian, not tongues.
• The initial evidence of Tongues only pertains when one initially receives the Spirit Baptism.

I Cor 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him, howbeit in the spirit the speaketh mysteries.

I Cor 14.4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself;


• Edify means to BUILD UP.
• It is divine communication with the Lord.



1 Cor 14.14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

• It is your spirit that prays.
• You human spirit is filled with His Spirit when you receive the Holy Ghost.
• What is it's value? IT EDIFIES! ! ! Builds you up in God.
• It is a supernatural means of communicating with God.



Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues,

• Tongues is one of the signs following all believers.
• Tongues is not just for a few people, but all who believe.

III. "TONGUES" IS THE EVIDENCE THAT GOD IS IN A PERSON

• People may get angry, who have received the Spirit, but that only means they were not in deep prayer that day!
• That does not mean they do not have God's Spirit.
• Though God is in a person, that person still has flesh and blood and is Subject to temptation.
• God does not give His Spirit only to people that are flawless.
• The Spirit is given to help us over our weaknesses.
• And we know one has just received the Holy Ghost when they first speak in tongues.
• Tongues are not an ongoing sign that people have the Spirit, since the fruit of the Spirit tell us that.
• But tongues occur as the first sign a believer has the Spirit.



Acts 10:45-46 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

IV. PRAYER IN TONGUES MAKES FOR PURE PRAYER

I Cor 14.14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

• When you are praying in tongues, it is God's Spirit praying with your human spirit. In those times, selfishness cannot enter into such prayers because OUR understanding is not involved.

Rom 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.

• We all know how to pray. But the point is what do we pray for?
• Some people pray for themselves and friends.
• What about other needs we are not aware of?
• Spirit causes us to pray for them.
• Missionaries were in Africa and hired a boat to go to another location. Storm hit after they arrived. They either had to sail normally and risk the capsizing or else sail close to shore and risk reefs. The owner said he'd rather risk reefs. They went and suddenly, at about 1:00 am, by the reefs, the boat was lifted and carried over the reefs! They got back home, and a missionary they met a week later asked them if they had trouble the past Monday. They asked why? The person said they woke up at about 1:00 am and began praying with a burden in the Spirit for somebody in groanings and tongues. "I had the impression you were in trouble. "
• If this happens to you, pray in tongues until you feel praise start after a while. The prayer will be answered.

• One man woke early in the morning and felt need to pray. He began praying in tongues for an hour until he felt praise come. Then he had a dream. He dreamed a man was dead in a room while he was talking to a doctor. The doctor said your brother is dead. The man responded, "No. God raised him" The doctor said, "Okay I'll show you!" And the dead man was alive and breathing!
• He seen his brother when he got home and the brother told him he almost died while he was away. The man said, "I know."

V. PRAYING IN TONGUES HELPS OUR FAITH

Jude 1.20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith praying in the Holy Ghost,

• It does not give you faith, but helps faith.
• It takes faith to speak what God gives you to speak.
• It takes faith to speak in tongues.

VI. IN CHURCH YOU MUST NOT PRAY LOUDLY IN TONGUES

Many Pentecostals do not realize that Paul taught that in public worship, where sinners are present, we should not speak aloud in tongues!

I Cor 14:2-4 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. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself, but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

I Cor 14:18-19 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

I Cor 14.23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues and there come in those that are unlearned or unbelievers will they not say that ye are mad?

1 Cor 14.27-28 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself; and to God

VII. SPEAKING IN TONGUES IT REFRESHES YOU

Isa 28.11-12 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest, and this is the refreshing. yet they would not hear.

WHAT YOU MUST KNOW IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST

I. The Holy Ghost is already in the world.

• Many people believe we must "tarry" for the Holy Ghost due to...

Luke 24.49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you. but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

• Spirit is already poured out into the world.
• It was poured out 2000 years ago. It is here now.
• It is up to you whether you will receive it or not.
• You do not beg God for it. That is doubt.
• Faith shouts. Unbelief Begs.

II. It is for all who REPENT and who really want to serve God

Acts 2.38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

• Some think they EARN the Spirit
• Some people think we must be perfect before God will give us His Spirit.
• Spirit came to make us live better, not AFTER we are already living better.
• It is a GIFT. You do not EARN gifts.

III. EXPECT TO RECEIVE THE SPIRIT WHEN HANDS ARE LAID ON YOU

Acts 8:18-20 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

• God has given people the gift of laying on of hands for people to receive the Spirit or healing.
• That person cannot give you the Spirit.
• They help you increase your faith to receive it.
• It is ultimately in your hands.
• You must want it and not believe you have to earn it.

IV. YOU MUST UNDERSTAND WHAT SPEAKING IN TONGUES IS

• God does not take your tongue and make you speak words.
• You do not let your tongue go limp and think God will supernaturally move it.



Acts 2.4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance..

• They spoke in tongues. The Spirit gave them the utterance.
• Utterance is ability to speak clearly
• But they spoke.

Acts 10.44-46 While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

Acts 19.6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.

I Cor 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all.

I Cor 14.2 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.

I Cor 14.27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.


• Never does the Bible say the Holy Ghost speaks in tongues.
• We do the speaking.

V. DO NOT FEAR GETTING ANOTHER SPIRIT, AS SOME TEACH

• You must not be afraid of getting something other than what God wants you to have when you come for the Holy Ghost.

Luke 11:11-13 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

VI. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE THE SPIRIT WITH YOUR MOUTH SHUT

• So many stand quietly, wondering why they do not receive the Spirit.
• You must be worshipping with your voice.
• Since we will speak with tongues when we receive the Spirit, you must be already speaking in worship.
• You cooperate with the Spirit.
• That means you must speak the words He gives you to speak.
• The supernatural part is not the speaking but what is spoken.
• You will seem like you want to say something.
• Not just "blah, blah, blah" but actual words.
• Your lips and tongue will feel like speaking a language, and you must move them to speak it.
• When you start speaking, keep speaking until it gets clearer and you begin to know it is other tongues.
• You will know it when it comes!
• Utterance
• Some feel their jaws tighten and tongue feels thick. Their lips flutter. The Spirit is moving upon you. He is prompting you to speak. But you must speak.
• Some hear the words in their hearts. They seem to bubble up until you begin to speak them out.
• It is like drinking in the Spirit.



Eph 5:18-19 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

VII. THOSE PRAYING FOR A PERSON SHOULD BE ONLY ONE OR TWO

• Do not crowd around a person who wants to receive the Holy Ghost.
• It confuses the person and sometimes scares the person.
• Do not shout in their ears.
• Do not pound their backs.
• If you pray out loud with the person, pray in tongues, or quietly in your own language.

VIII. YOU MUST NOT BE SELF-CONSCIOUS AND NERVOUS THAT PEOPLE WILL LOOK AT YOU

• Your self-consciousness will not allow you to be free and open in your heart to receive the Spirit.
• Otherwise your heart will be "nervous" and "closed".
• Get mind off everything and anything except receiving the Holy Ghost.
• You will not receive it if your mind is on other people watching you. you must desire the Spirit more than anything else.
• True desire will cast out all other thoughts.
• SAINTS, DO NOT PRAY ALL NIGHT WITH SOMEONE TO GET THE HOLY GHOST.
• IF THE PERSON IS OVERLY SELF-CONSCIOUS THEY WILL NOT RECEIVE IT.
• Within five or ten minutes, if the person is not receiving it yet, then that person is missing something. They are either begging too much, expecting God to make their tongue move or are fearing people looking at them and are too nervous. And they cannot get the Spirit that way, anyway.

• Worship, if you are seeking Spirit Baptism.
• Use your voice.
• Do not be insecure. He loves you so much!