Speaking in Tongues Demonstrated

[cyberjosh]

Bob,

I recently PM'd this to John Zain, and it is applicable to everyone concerning this discussion so I will share it below:

Lastly you asked, "How do explain the H.S. baptism being tied in with tongues?".

This I believe is easy to understand when we look at what accompanies speaking in tongues each time they are uttered. It is the filling of the Spirit which enables the believer to speak in tongues, and filling is not a one-time thing and happens multiple times to the Church and the Apostles all throughout Acts saying "and they were filled with the Holy Spirit". The issue is that, as promised, at Pentecost they were Baptized with the Spirit but when the event is described we are shown the Spirit's accompanying filling. Acts 1:5 shows us the promise of the coming baptism of the Spirit, but when we read the fulfillment in the next chapter we do not see an accompanying term "baptism" or "baptized", but rather:

“they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4)

We are of course to assume that they were indeed baptised in the Spirit as promised, but that is an inward change, and what we are shown here is the accompanying filling, to express externally what had happened to all as a testimony (the purpose of tongues is for testimony to unbelievers - 1 Cor. 14:22) of the Spirit who now indwelt them as promised for all believers upon salvation, and once the Holy Spirit had already taken up residence in them He then filled them. We today as Christians are all indwelt by the Spirit, but I think we would agree that at every moment we are not "filled" with the Holy Spirit. At Pentecost they were baptized and filled, and they spoke in tongues that day because of the Spirit's magnificent filling.

God Bless,

~Josh
​

My understanding of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is that it is related to regeneration as in Romans 6:3 and 1 Corinthians 12:13 and that they do not speak of a different Baptism than was given at Pentecost and which was prophesied by John the Baptist about Jesus (see also Acts 19:1-6, for the HS being related to baptism and salvation). I explore this more in my paper "The Purpose of Baptism". Feel free to PM me your email address so that I can email you my paper if you care to read it. Your thoughts and feedback on it would be most welcome.

-Josh

​

 

[John Zain]

John Zain asked: "How do YOU explain the H.S. baptism being tied in with tongues?".
Answer:
This I believe is easy to understand when we look at what accompanies speaking in tongues
each time they are uttered. It is the filling of the Spirit which enables the believer to speak in tongues ...
Your thoughts and feedback on it would be most welcome.

My research revealed that 3 times in Scripture the baptism with the Holy Spirit
is accompanied (and confirmed) by speaking in tongues.
1 of these 3 times, it speaks of the Holy Spirit "filling" believers.
2 of these 3 times, there is NO mention of any "filling", and these follow:

11 – The evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit baptism:
“… the Holy Spirit fell upon all those (Gentiles) who heard the word
… the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
For they (Peter and his companions) heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter asked, ‘Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be
baptized (in water) who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’
And he commanded them to be (water) baptized in the name of the Lord.“ Acts 10:44-48

14 – Another occasion where believers received the Holy Spirit baptism:
“… they (the Ephesian disciples) were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul had laid hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came upon them,
and they spoke with tongues and prophesied …” Acts 19:5-6
Here, water baptism preceded the Holy Spirit baptism, but in point 11 the reverse was true.

 

[Nick]

Thanks cyberjosh, that was helpful.

 

[cyberjosh]

My research revealed that 3 times in Scripture the baptism with the Holy Spirit
is accompanied (and confirmed) by speaking in tongues.
1 of these 3 times, it speaks of the Holy Spirit "filling" believers.
2 of these 3 times, there is NO mention of any "filling", and these follow:

11 – The evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit baptism:
“… the Holy Spirit fell upon all those (Gentiles) who heard the word
… the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
For they (Peter and his companions) heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter asked, ‘Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be
baptized (in water) who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’
And he commanded them to be (water) baptized in the name of the Lord.“ Acts 10:44-48

14 – Another occasion where believers received the Holy Spirit baptism:
“… they (the Ephesian disciples) were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul had laid hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came upon them,
and they spoke with tongues and prophesied …” Acts 19:5-6
Here, water baptism preceded the Holy Spirit baptism, but in point 11 the reverse was true.

Are you suggesting that one can speak in tongues and NOT be filled with the Spirit? I would think that to exercise any gift of the Spirit one has to first be filled with the Spirit to accomplish it. This holds for prophesy and other gifts like teaching as well (and they are not always "spectacular"). The description of those two events is the same as at Pentecost, why would we think they were not filled as well? I believe it is simply assumed and implied in the latter two accounts. If not then what good was the filling at Pentecost if the results were no different?

Also I believe I can prove my point as to the saving/regenerating nature of the Baptism of the Spirit as relates to your second Scripture in Acts 10. When Peter recounted the events of Acts 10 to the Jews in the following chapter, Acts 11, he said:

"17Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?"
18When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, "Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life."

What they outwardly manifested was evidence of their internal change and regeneration, essentially salvation, and the Jews realized this. This "life" spoken of is the new life in Christ, a.k.a being "born again" and made a new creature and inwardly being given the "new man", regenerated by the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit fell on them, they became new creatures. They were graciously saved by God's grace apart from works. For the Jews, they also saw the corporate implications that the Gentiles had been "grafted in" to God's people. Paul made the point later in Galatians that there were neither Jew nor Gentile in Christ, but the two were made one. This reality can be seen on the individual level as they are incorporated into the whole body in 1 Corinthians 12:13 where is it shown that upon salvation and regeneation that the individual believer is "baptized" into the larger Body of Christ, by which Jew, Gentile, slave, and free are all made part of the Body, having already passed from death to life in Christ.

This is evidence of salvation, and I believe it is impossible apart from the Baptism of the Spirit. There is only ONE baptism (Ephesians 4:5), and it is not water baptism - for water baptism does not save or regenerate you (this is the whole point of my paper). I believe the Baptism of the Spirit is the true saving baptism by which we are regenerated and incorporated into God's people. This is what happened for Cornelius and the Gentiles in Acts 10 and Peter and the Jews made witness to it in Acts 11:18 when they realized that when the Holy Spirit came upon them they were saved, granted the "repentance that leads to life". This I believe is the true Baptism of the Spirit. And that is also why Peter could not deny them water baptism, for they had already manifested the inward changes that they were born again (so why deny the external sign as witness to the fact?).

God Bless,

~Josh

 

[Bob Carabbio]

Be interesting to read -

rcarabbio@yahoo. com will get it to me.

 

[Bob Carabbio]

Consider:

Are you suggesting that one can speak in tongues and NOT be filled with the Spirit?

Absolutely. Hey - consider that Caiaphas the High priest was used by the Holy Spirit in the Gift of Prophesy at a time when he was plotting to murder God's son.

Oh - and is "Hebrew" - "tongues" for an A$$??

The "Gifts of the Spirit" aren't related to the person "manifesting them", and all through the Old Testament when NOBODY was indwelled by the Spirit, the gifts were still completely present. They're all about the "Power of God", and say NOTHING WHATSOEVER about the person through whom they flow. (that's what 1 Cor 12 is all about).

 

[cyberjosh]

Re: Be interesting to read -

rcarabbio@yahoo. com will get it to me.

Just sent it.

 

[cyberjosh]

Re: Consider:

Absolutely. Hey - consider that Caiaphas the High priest was used by the Holy Spirit in the Gift of Prophesy at a time when he was plotting to murder God's son.

It's possible, but it doesn't mean the Spirit was absent, even if just to stir the utterance (as he did King Saul), else it would be entirely man-made. I don't think I'm "on to nothing" so-to-speak because the filling is for a purpose. See the questions I addressed to John Zain. Also please see the two posts I addressed to you before that. Your responses to those would be much appreciated.

Oh - and is "Hebrew" - "tongues" for an A$$??

I have no idea what you just asked.

The "Gifts of the Spirit" aren't related to the person "manifesting them", and all through the Old Testament when NOBODY was indwelled by the Spirit, the gifts were still completely present. They're all about the "Power of God", and say NOTHING WHATSOEVER about the person through whom they flow. (that's what 1 Cor 12 is all about).

You are right that no one was indwelled by the Spirit (at least not the promised new covenant indwelling, any abiding was temporal even with Kings and prophets - yet David could say "do not take your Holy Spirit from me") but the Spirit was certainly with them and often is said to "rush" upon people to fulfill his will. We all know the story of Saul being filled with the Spirit, although the Spirit ultimately left him. Men do not utter supernatural things apart from the supernatural.

God Bless,

~Josh

 

[Bob Carabbio]

Re: Consider:

"I have no idea what you just asked."

What I remind folks who "speak in tongues" and are used in the gift of "Prophesy" (as I have been) -

WHEN you've spoken in tongues that you didn't understand - that were UNDERSTOOD by somebody present, and the message understood by him saved his life - you've accomplished nothing more that Baalam's A$$ did in the old testament - and IT wasn't either "indwelled by the Spirit", or even human.

"Men do not utter supernatural things apart from the supernatural."

True. But the Spirit can come on anybody (Christian, Non-Christian, bird, fish, A$$ - whatever) and minister through them. Simple as that.

 

[Sparkey]

...

This is evidence of salvation, and I believe it is impossible apart from the Baptism of the Spirit. There is only ONE baptism (Ephesians 4:5), and it is not water baptism - for water baptism does not save or regenerate you (this is the whole point of my paper). I believe the Baptism of the Spirit is the true saving baptism by which we are regenerated and incorporated into God's people. This is what happened for Cornelius and the Gentiles in Acts 10 and Peter and the Jews made witness to it in Acts 11:18 when they realized that when the Holy Spirit came upon them they were saved, granted the "repentance that leads to life". This I believe is the true Baptism of the Spirit. And that is also why Peter could not deny them water baptism, for they had already manifested the inward changes that they were born again (so why deny the external sign as witness to the fact?).

God Bless,

~Josh

Wait, you mention "the TRUE baptism" of the Holy Spirit.
Really?

Just to set things straight, the issue at hand was whether gentiles could be baptized in water or not. Were they saved? Peter argued that they were saved and that this was demonstrated by God Himself. He said that "they" had been filled with the Holy Spirit (like as we in the beginning). They then agreed with the evidence that Peter had presented. He gave conclusive evidence when he said, "FOR I saw them speak in tongues."

The analysis and conclusion I understand you to say asks me to believe something that is not true. Josh, you've said, "when they realized that when the Holy Spirit came upon them they were saved, granted the 'repentance that leads to life'. This I believe is the true Baptism of the Spirit."


Pardon me saying what you already know but when we are guided to search the Scriptures in order to prove something that we assume to be true, and not to discover the truth, we are in danger of missing critical information. Peter contended with the Jewish Brethren that they (Jews) could not deny them (Gentiles) water baptism, because of what he knew. He knew that God had accepted them as His Children and that water baptism could not be denied [by man]. Peter argued that since the Gentiles had been baptized in the Holy Spirit (just the same as they were on the day of Pentecost) it was concluded. The HOLY SPIRIT is HOLY and can not be given to dogs. The Spirit of God is Holy, holy, holy - there could be no way for this to have happened if they had not been accepted by our Father. If the sacrifice at the cross did not take away their sin, how could they be indwelled by the Spirit of God? Can there be fellowship between Spirit and unrenewed? Can new wine be put into old wineskins? Certainly not.

Now, after due consideration, let us turn our thoughts toward a conundrum that is presented by the belief that all are filled at the time of salvation. If this were the case, why would Jesus tell his disciples to wait for 50 days for the "Promise of the Father" ---when He had just spoken to the thief, while he was on the cross???

Really? Do we want to admit doctrine that says essentially that Jesus granted more favor to the thief than he did to Peter and the 119 others who obeyed His command to wait?

Josh, do me a favor, please. Look at the scripture that references this topic with an idea of defining synonymous terms. Try to prove that when Peter mentioned the words, "Promise of the Father," and "Baptism of the Holy Spirit," and "Gift of the Holy Spirit," and "When the Holy Spirit came upon them," and other such descriptive terms that reference the experience (internal or external) God was speaking (through him and others) about the same thing.

This is in essence what Peter said - when he first spoke of the events of Pentecost:

• These men aren't drunk! This is [synonymous to] what the Prophet Joel spoke of...
  
  then later...
• This is what I saw with the Gentiles - it was the SAME as what happened to us at the beginning [of the Day of our baptism of the Holy Spirit, when the Promise of the Father was delivered to us].

There is no need to reply to me directly because I am trying to guide you studies in a way that will help your understanding of some controversial teachings. The Gift of the Holy Spirit, yea, the 'Promise of the Father' was a major event. It was heralded by the Jewish Holy Days and celebrations, prophesied of old, promised and delivered to man, not when Jesus spoke to the thief on the cross, not when he told his followers to wait but later.

If we were only speaking of the Salvation event and not the "real" promise - it would have been presented to us by God in other way.

~Sparrow


PS
Please note though that I am not arguing that you in particular have not been given the Promise of the Father, NOT saying that you have yet to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. That's between you and God and not any of my beeswax. The only contention that I bring to this discussion is against the thought that all men are given the "gift of the HS" at the time of their salvation. Clearly this is not the case and there are two distinct things being spoken of. I'm humbly asking that you try to prove what I believe is being taught by the Holy Spirit right here, even now.

 

[cyberjosh]

I was just about to gently bow out of this conversation with some concluding thoughts, because I have several on-going Bible studies that I am trying to dedicate my time to (and it's too much to juggle at one time), one of which is on the Holy Spirit and indwelling vs. regeneration operations of the Spirit between the OT and the NT, which I am exploring in this book: God's Indwelling Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testaments. Some of my thoughts on that issue can be found here. I have many additional things to consider right now, but I sincerely do not believe the Pentecostal idea that one must receive a "second baptism/experience" after salvation to be true, and certainly even it it were so that it wouldn't be only manifested in tongues (the least of the gifts of the Spirit - why not prophesy, a word of knowledge, or miracle working as well?). God, for example, has given me I believe the gift of teaching, which is exercised at specific times (as is any gift) - it doesn't mean I'm an apostle or that all my ideas are correct, and I also have had the personal revelation of God in my life and the work of the Holy Spirit in me (see my post here) to provide me power (dunamis) which is the same kind of power that all Christians are given to live the Christian life, cast down strongholds, sanctify themselves by God's Spirit, and exercise gifts of the Spirit.

The issue seems to be that those who believe in a second experience cannot tear themselves away from aspect of "giving of power" by the Holy Spirit, but for them given only to a select few who have this second experience, whereas a thorough study of every occurance of the word power (dunamis) in the NT (as I have done, and stated in the post I gave a link to above) will show that the word is commonly used for power that all Christians have from God and are even expected to use to persevere in the Christain life. The power is connected intrinsically to being in Christ, not to some "higher anointing". This I believe is undeniable, and I believe that John Zain conceded the point of all Christians having such power from the Spirit on the last page here (although we have not agreed on the tongues aspect yet).

However, with all that said and me being busy with other studies, though I was about to back out now, I saw that sparowhawke has just left me a post that I would like to reply to before I leave.

I hope everyone understands though that I am very sincere about this issue and that I have dedicated much time to this specific study of the Holy Spirit, of which my paper on the Baptism of the Spirit is only a small evidence of. We may have a different view on what the Scripture says about this issue, but I find it harder to justify that the Scripture speaks of "two" Baptism(s) of the Spirit, one in 1 Corinthians 12:13 and one at Pentecost which is a "higher/second annointing", than to understand them both as aspects of the same Baptism of the Spirit.

Those are my thoughts in a nut shell. I've left you all with plenty of materials to mull over (my paper, several posts, references to other threads, etc.) even once I leave the current discussion. Perhaps I will return once I have completed my more comprehensive (OT and NT operations of the HS) study on the Holy Spirit with a renewed understanding of what the Scriptures say on this matter. And Sparowhawke, I will respond to your post when I can get back to it.

God Bless,

~Josh

 

[cyberjosh]

Hey, I've never asked this before but it's worth a shot. I'm not sure if any of you have a knack or desire for writing, but could those who differ in their undertsanding of what the Scripture says on this issue with me consider writing a paper of their own trying to tie all the important Scriptures on this issue together and explain how they all work together as a unified whole? I find that helps me absorb things better (which is why I write papers on important topics like this), and I think I best relate to others ideas when read from a paper. If someone can show how all believers are given power, yet some power is reserved for another filling/baptism/experience, and can show how it relates to passages having to do with salvation, regeneration, and incorporation into the Body of Chirst (because we wouldn't want to leave anything out, now would we?) such as with Scriptures in Romans 6:3 and 1 Corinthians 12:13, I would much appreciate the effort!

Often forums present a platform for misunderstanding and going in circles with discussions, and it is hard to present systematic arguments/thoughts on the fly when posting directly online anyway. Perhaps a more thought-out paper on how all those Scriptures pertaining to the Spirit tie together would be beneficial for everyone.

Any takers?

P.S. As I said I have other studies going on, so you can take your time with writing any such paper if you decide to do so.

God Bless,

~Josh

 

[John Zain]

Hi Josh,

Acts 11:
15 And as I (Peter) began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them Gentiles),
as upon us at the beginning.
16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said,
‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
17 If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed
on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”
18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying,
“Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

"as upon us at the beginning" ...
refers to the Day of Pentecost when they received the baptism with the Holy Spirit,
which was accompanied by speaking with other tongues (Acts 2:1-4).

In Acts 2:37, the Judean Jews wanted to know how to receive this same experience.
This included the "gift" of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) and the "promise" (Acts 2:39)
which was the baptism with the Holy Spirit (see Acts 1:4-8).

No one receives the baptism with the Holy Spirit
without being born again at the same time or previously.
In Acts 11 above, Peter is just stating:
"If they received the Holy Spirit baptism, they certainly must have been saved also."

Note:
I suggest that people look at the chart in Post #2 here ...
http://www.christianforums.net/f17/baptism-holy-spirit-scriptural-study-31052/
to see how all of these factors tie in together,
i.e. every time one of these events occurs, all of the several factors are not mentioned,
but they are all part of the same package.

 

[cyberjosh]

That's great John, I agree with you. I suppose the only issue I have yet to Scripturally determine and settle for myself is whether or not the baptism of the Holy Spirit always occurs at the same time one is born again (what I currently lean toward) or if it can occur afterward, as you said "No one receives the baptism with the Holy Spirit without being born again at the same time or previously." I do hold that some of the events in Acts were during an inagural and transitional period, and that some events aren't necessarily typical of how believers today will always receive the Spirit (such as with the Samaritans, etc). Thank you for the Scripture study reference to that other thread. I might use it in my on-going study on the Spirit some time soon.

God Bless,

~Josh

 

[cyberjosh]

Sparrowhawke,

I think I will PM you so that I do not side track this thread, and somethings I think I can clear up just by clarifying my position. However as to your last comment, "The only contention that I bring to this discussion is against the thought that all men are given the "gift of the HS" at the time of their salvation," I do have to disagree if by this you mean Christians are not given the Spirit, because the giving of the Spirit is the indwelling that marks one of the major differences in the New Covenant from the Old Covenant. We know from John 7:38-39 that the Spirit is to be given to all believers ever since Christ was glorified, and we also know that the Scripture says, "Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His" (Romans 8:9) and "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you" (vs. 11). So we certainly know that the Spirit is "given" to all believers. Perhaps you were refering to something else concerning the Spirit, but different terminology is required because all believers are given the Holy Spirit. There are of course more Scriptures to make that point but the ones I listed here should be sufficient.

P.S. I will PM the rest of my response.

God Bless,

~Josh

 

[Sparkey]

Thanks, Josh, but there is no need for your response.
May the Lord bless you in your studies, my friend. Godspeed.

 

[cyberjosh]

Thanks, Josh, but there is no need for your response.
May the Lord bless you in your studies, my friend. Godspeed.

May God bless you as well. Thank you my friend. May the Lord enlighten my understanding on these matters.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Joshua

 

[John Zain]

Hey, I've never asked this before but it's worth a shot. I'm not sure if any of you have a knack or desire for writing, but could those who differ in their undertsanding of what the Scripture says on this issue with me consider writing a paper of their own trying to tie all the important Scriptures on this issue together and explain how they all work together as a unified whole?
Any takers?

Okay Josh, I'm game to do the doctrines of baptisms (Heb 6:2).
It should be done by the end of the week.

 

[gideon3213]

Let me share my testamony of how I got baptised in the Holy Spirit: and how it affected my life:
we started attending a Pentecostal Church. Faith chapel. (I believe that the Pastors name was Bobby Dool) I will never forget the first time I walked into that church. I was eleven years old. (The year was 1973; just a few months before I turned twelve. I don’t remember what month it was.) And we were late for church. As we walked into this small church in a bad part of town, I sensed a presence of love there that I had never felt before. They would sing there songs and at the end of them they would sing in what sounded like other languages. I later learned that they were singing in “tonguesâ€. And for the first time in a long time, I felt as though I were loved by someone. Although I could not see Him. That was my first encounter with God. We kept on going to the church every Sunday. The Preacher preached hellfire and brimstone messages, and he literally scared the Hell out of me. When he gave the alter call I went forward and confessed as many sin’s as I could remember. I asked God to forgive me for breaking His laws based upon the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for my sins. I invited Jesus into my heart as my Lord and Savior. And surrendered the rest of my life to serving Him. All of a sudden I felt real clean inside, and I felt this tremendous love fill every cell of my body. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life! (This happened on May 10, 1973, eight days before I turned twelve.) Our pastor said that we needed to read the Bible everyday if we wanted to grow. And that we needed to share our faith with others. For Jesus said that …â€whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. (Matt 10:32-33) NKJV

But reading the Bible proved to be a chore. And sharing my faith with others was a very difficult task. But I forced myself to do it. Then about 4 weeks later, I was at Church and the Preacher was talking about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Now for the last two months I had been hearing people speak in tongues, interpret tongues, and prophecy. And I knew that what ever they had I did not yet have. And I wanted it. So when the Preacher gave the alter call. I went forward. I remember what happened next just as if it happened yesterday. The preacher came up to me and asked me if I wanted to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. I said “Yesâ€, He said that you receive the Baptism the same way I received Christ. And then he asked me if I believed that I would receive the Holy Spirit when he laid his hands on me and prayed for me to receive the Holy Spirit. I told him “yesâ€, Then he said according to your faith so be it unto you. In the name of Jesus Christ receive the Holy Spirit. And as he said that, he laid his hand on my forehead. And I felt an intense wave of love enter into my head and ‘roll’ through my body like a wave. It went down to my feet and came back up. And as it came back up through my chest to my neck and mouth I just started speaking in tongues. At first it was just a sentence that I said over and over and over again. But the more I spoke it the more sentences the Holy Spirit added too it. I spoke in tongues for two weeks straight. I went to bed speaking in tongues, woke up speaking in tongues, and all through the day I was speaking in tongues. I could not stop speaking in tongues! I did not want too either. Every day I was filled with an intense love. I was in heaven! And everything else about my life changed too. I was delivered from smoking, (I had no withdrawals whatsoever.) lying, (I can count the number of lies that I have spoken since then on two hands.) stealing and every other bondage you can think of. I was made a new creation. A new being with a brand new clean slate. The Bible became a living book. The words just seemed to jump off from the pages and into my heart. And sharing my faith became just as natural as breathing air. There was no more fear! Although I often got punched for preaching the gospel to other’s, that did not deter me. The Glory of God just came on me even stronger. I had a lot of zeal, but not a lot of knowledge. (I now have both.)

There have been 4 occasions over the last 39 years in which the Holy Spirit gave me the inerpretation of the tougues that I had spoken in: 2 of them were awsome praise and worship of God. 2 of them were messages to other believers.
There was one time when I was working with a mexican, and I hit did something to hurt myself and instead of cussing; I spoke in tounges. The mexican that I was working with heard me and told me that I had just spoken in perfect spanish! I have no idea of what I had said: so I asked him to tell me. He refused too as he was convinced that I knew spanish. I had to explain to him what the gift of toungues was, and that I had no idea of what I had said. He eventually came to believe me and as a result many of the mexicans became christians.

There are many other things that I could tell you about the power of the gift of toungues; but this is long enough already.

God bless.