Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, AND forbid NOT to speak with tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:39
Please note; some words in the following scriptures I have capitalized and underlined for emphasis but are not capitalized and underlined the same way in the King James Version of the bible.
One of the most controversial subjects I have come across in the church is the gift of tongues. Although I very seldom ever attended church as a child, I was considered of the Baptist faith as I grew up. At last count, as far as I have heard, there are now over 250 forms of Baptist churches with different beliefs! How can something like that be when the bible says; One LORD, One Faith, One Baptism in Ephesians 4:5?
Shortly before Jesus went to the cross, he spoke to a religious man named Nicodemus about the plan of salvation that was soon to come. In John chapter 3, Jesus told Nicodemus that he MUST be born again. John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he can not see the Kingdom of God.
Notice that in verse 3 Jesus mentioned Nicodemus could not SEE the Kingdom of Heaven, but, we see Him use a different word as He confirms this to Nicodemus in verse 5.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Another very important verse we see here as Jesus speaks with Nicodemus is verse 8. John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but can not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth; so is everyone that is born of the Spirit.
Please don't forget that this conversation with Nicodemus was BEFORE Jesus was crucified and BEFORE the Day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2!
If we move to Acts chapter 2 we see the fulfillment of the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. 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 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.
If you were to continue on in Acts chapter 2, you will see the water baptisms also begin at this time. Although there were water baptisms under the baptism of John, prior, to Jesus being crucified, we now see and new time of baptism taking place in Acts 2:38 where the formally coward Peter is now preaching boldly and setting the New Testament plan of salvation! Peter commanded the surrounding crowd to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins in verse 38 and he also gave details as to whom this promise is for in the following verse. Acts 2:39 For the PROMISE is unto you, and to your children, and to ALL who are AFAR off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
The book of Acts, which is the beginning of the New Testament plan of salvation, is filled with people from all races receiving this very same experience!
In fact, in chapter 8 we even see a man named Simon that saw something so powerful happening that he wanted to purchase the gift of laying on of hands to give the Holy Spirit from the apostles! Although that was not a good idea on Simons part as we read, none the less, we do see that Simon SAW something taking place that was very obvious to him at the time!
In many if not all churches, you will hear the well known verse from Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.
Plain and simple! Either He is, or He isn't!
When a baby is born in the natural, what is the first thing it does as it is born? We all know the baby cries out!
In the same way a new born spiritual baby will cry out as he or she received the New Testament new birth experience as we see ALL believers throughout the Book of Acts received. Speaking in tongues is NOT something that men in the church can teach you but it is exactly as the bible explains it! It is a Gift from GOD! and when you receive it you will NOT be trying to speak in tongues but on the contrary you will more than likely find yourself trying to stop!
The bible also says in Hebrew 11:6 But without faith it is IMPOSIBLE to please Him; for he that cometh to God MUST believe that He is, and that He IS a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
Shortly before Jesus went to the cross, he spoke to a religious man named Nicodemus about the plan of salvation that was soon to come. In John chapter 3, Jesus told Nicodemus that he MUST be born again. John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he can not see the Kingdom of God.
Notice that in verse 3 Jesus mentioned Nicodemus could not SEE the Kingdom of Heaven, but, we see Him use a different word as He confirms this to Nicodemus in verse 5.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Another very important verse we see here as Jesus speaks with Nicodemus is verse 8. John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but can not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth; so is everyone that is born of the Spirit.
Please don't forget that this conversation with Nicodemus was BEFORE Jesus was crucified and BEFORE the Day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2!
If we move to Acts chapter 2 we see the fulfillment of the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. 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 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.
If you were to continue on in Acts chapter 2, you will see the water baptisms also begin at this time. Although there were water baptisms under the baptism of John, prior, to Jesus being crucified, we now see and new time of baptism taking place in Acts 2:38 where the formally coward Peter is now preaching boldly and setting the New Testament plan of salvation! Peter commanded the surrounding crowd to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins in verse 38 and he also gave details as to whom this promise is for in the following verse. Acts 2:39 For the PROMISE is unto you, and to your children, and to ALL who are AFAR off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
The book of Acts, which is the beginning of the New Testament plan of salvation, is filled with people from all races receiving this very same experience!
In fact, in chapter 8 we even see a man named Simon that saw something so powerful happening that he wanted to purchase the gift of laying on of hands to give the Holy Spirit from the apostles! Although that was not a good idea on Simons part as we read, none the less, we do see that Simon SAW something taking place that was very obvious to him at the time!
In many if not all churches, you will hear the well known verse from Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.
Plain and simple! Either He is, or He isn't!
When a baby is born in the natural, what is the first thing it does as it is born? We all know the baby cries out!
In the same way a new born spiritual baby will cry out as he or she received the New Testament new birth experience as we see ALL believers throughout the Book of Acts received. Speaking in tongues is NOT something that men in the church can teach you but it is exactly as the bible explains it! It is a Gift from GOD! and when you receive it you will NOT be trying to speak in tongues but on the contrary you will more than likely find yourself trying to stop!
The bible also says in Hebrew 11:6 But without faith it is IMPOSIBLE to please Him; for he that cometh to God MUST believe that He is, and that He IS a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.