George M. Logsdon

April, 2000

Speaking In Tongues 

(PartI)

Before I begin this teaching I would like to encourage the reader to get a copy of “Receiving the Holy Spirit Today” byDr. Victor Paul Weirwille published by American Christian press. This book explains in greater detail the Holy Spirit field and all the “ins and outs” of receiving the holy spirit. It is from this book that I received great assistance in writing this teaching.

Speaking in tongues is a believer's God given ability to pray perfectly in a language unknown to him -- this could be the language of men or of angels. (When I refer to believers, I am referring to Christians who believe that the Bible is the Word and Will of God.) The language that the believer speaks is not a language that has been taught to that individual; but a language that is given to that person by God. God doesn't possess him in order for him to speak -- God NEVER possesses people. That believer speaks in tongues by his own will. To speak in tonguesis the external manifestation of the internal reality of the presence ofthe holy spirit. It is proof in the senses realm that you are God's son or daughter, born again of the spirit of God. It is proof that you have "Christ in you"

Col. 1:27

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

When someone speaks in tongues she is reminded that she is filled with heavenly power. It is proof that there is nothing that a man cannot do (as long as what he does is according to the Word and Will of God).

Speaking in tongues proves that we are ready foranything and equal to anything that we may come toe to toe with in our lives;because God has infused His strength in us which is "Christ In" ability.

Philip. 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Can all born again believers (Christians) speaking in tongues?   If that believer knows what Speaking in Tongues is and how to manifest, then that believer absolutely has the ability to do so.

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;

Every place in the Book of Acts where the holy spirit was received and was made evident in manifestation the initial manifestation was speaking in tongues.

Acts 2:4...and began to speak with tongues, as the spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 10:46...For they heard them speak with tongues...

Acts 19:6....and they spake with tongues...

Why speak in tongues? Because speaking in tongues is God's will for his people.

1 Cor. 14:5

I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

That God truly desires for us to speak in tongues is made apparent here. To edify means to build up. Speaking in tongues builds us up. Speaking in tongues (with or without interpretation)is the only one of the nine manifestations of the holy spirit that promises to build us up, to strengthen us spiritually, so that we may enact the power of God in our lives. What gets built up, however is the spirit which abides within us,not our minds. Our minds cannot even understand what we are speaking. Speaking in tongues builds up our spiritual lives. This is the point of speaking a language that is not understood.

1 Cor. 14:14

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

John 3:6

That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the spirit is spirit.

1 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.

All things that are received by the five senses; seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching are fleshly. They are in the senses realm. The Bible is in the senses realm and thus can feed your mind. However, it does not feed your spirit. Only speaking in tongues feeds your spirit. Our fleshy body requires physical food, meat, fish fruit etc. Our spirit requires spiritual food -- speaking in tongues. Like physical food does for the body, spiritual food helps our spirits to be strong --free from infirmities. Infirmities are weaknesses -- spiritual, physical,or mental. Romans Chapter Eight addresses all of these infirmities.

Romans 8:26-27

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. [27] And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

When a person speaks in tongues that person's spirit is in direct communication with God. Speaking in tongues is a way for youto say to God all those things you wish you could say if only you could find the words to speak. It puts into words between you and God those feelings and thoughts that you can not explain. It speaks to God those secret things that you would never otherwise reveal. When you pray in the spirit, whichis speaking in tongues, your prayer is never selfish because your understanding is not part of the equation. When we pray with our understanding some selfishness gets involved and our prayers sometimes go against God's will. When we pray by the spirit it is always according to God's will and therefore our livesare blest.

That is why we call speaking in tongues perfect prayer.

We have learned that speaking in tongues builds you up (1 Cor 14:4). It is speaking to God divine mysteries (1 Cor 14:2). It is perfect prayer (Rom 8:26,27).

Speaking in tongues is also speaking the wonderful works of God.

Acts 2:11

Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Speaking in tongues magnifies God! It makes God more living and real in our daily lives.

Acts 10:46

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

Speaking in tongues gives thanks well. There is no better way to say thank you to God than by speaking in tongues.

1 Cor. 14:17

For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

Speaking in tongues is the spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are the sons of God, born again of the spirit of God.; heaven bound and all hell can't stop us from getting there.

Romans 8:16

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

It is a sign for the unbelievers.

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;

It is rest to the soul.

Isaiah 28:11-12

For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.[12] To whom he said, This is the rest where with ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

When will speaking in tongues cease? When Jesus Christ returns.

1 Cor. 13:8-10

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. [9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. [10]But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

It is evident that there are many benifits to speaking in tongues.  Let me expound upon a few of the many benefits. Sometimes we can't seem to get someone off of our minds.  Everything we do brings us back to thoughts of them, or we wake up in the middleof the night with thoughts of them in our minds.  That's the time to speak in tongues for them.  That's what is meant in Rom 8:26,27.That when we speak in tongues for someone it is intercession for them. We pray on their behalf.  Therefore speaking in tongues is giving. We can give simply by praying for someone. God's Word says that when we give we receive..... So we want to speak in tongues much for people.

Luke 6:38

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Romans 8:26 also says that speaking in tongues helps us overcome our infirmities. Speaking in tongues also cements in our minds our relationship with the heavenly Father, God. Whereby, we might develop a close personal relationship with Him as a Father and son or like a daughter with her Daddy.

Romans 8:15

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Galatians 4:6

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

Abba literally means Daddy. When you speak in tongues you are literally crying out Daddy, Daddy!

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