Tongues: The Initial Sign PDF

Chapter Four: Tongues: The Initial Sign We have been trying to build an understanding of the baptism of the Holy Ghost by taking you through the scriptures in a logical progression. We first analyzed to whom the baptism of the Holy Ghost was promised. Then we discuss...

Chapter Four: Tongues: The Initial Sign We have been trying to build an understanding of the baptism of the Holy Ghost by taking you through the scriptures in a logical progression. We first analyzed to whom the baptism of the Holy Ghost was promised. Then we discussed the Bible accounts of who received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Then we analyzed those accounts to see what conditions must be met to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost. And now, the next step in our discussion will be to look at the initial, immediate sign of the receiving of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. As with all matters concerning the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, there are numerous opinions concerning the evidence of receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Some of the “proofs” are: 1. I believe that I have. 2. I like reading the Bible and going to Church now. 3. I witness about the Lord now. 4. The Holy Spirit was automatically received when I believed. The list is practically endless. However, there is one proof offered that has the support of the scriptures that these other ones lack: 86 5. I spoke in Tongues as the Spirit gave utterance. 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.” Acts 10:46 “For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.” Acts 19:6 “The Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues and prophesied.” This is a scriptural response and not an opinion. This is the answer that can be defended by looking in the Bible. And yet, people still ask the question, “Must one speak with tongues as a sign of receiving the Holy Ghost?” As in all things, let’s be like the noble Bereans who, (Acts 17:11), “…received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Paul when writing to the Corinthians told them (2 Corinthians 13:1), “This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” See also Deuteronomy 19:15, One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. And Matthew 18:16, 87  But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. This demonstrates and sets forth the principle of letting the Bible explain the Bible. It is impossible to establish doctrine on the basis of one isolated scripture. Neither can we establish doctrine based on the absence of any scripture. An argument based on silence is not an argument at all. The Bible does not say that the moon is not made of green cheese, but it would hardly be sound biblical preaching to say, “Well the Bible doesn’t refute the idea.” But doctrine can definitely be established on the basis of two or three witnesses. A “Bible doctrine” is a doctrine found in the Bible. It is not just something that pertains to the Bible. If more Churches would understand this, we would all be closer together. Too many people preach a “neat idea” rather than a “thus saith the Lord” and this does nothing but destroy the unity of the faith that we ought to be seeking. So, let’s examine the scriptural response to the question, “How do I know I received the Holy Ghost?” On the Day of Pentecost, the 120 disciples, “…were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance…” (Acts 2:4) Soon a crowd gathered around and “…were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed…” (vs 6-7). All were amazed (vs 12) although some doubted (vs. 12) and some mocked them and said that they were drunk (vs 13). But Peter stood up and preached to them a sermon and told them it was 88 actually the fulfillment of prophecy (Acts 2:16-18; Joel 2:28) “This is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my hand-maidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy” Then he told them, (Acts 2:32, 33) “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all 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.” Peter went on to tell them, (Acts 2:38-39) “Repent, and be baptized very one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” In Peter’s message, the first sermon preached in the Holy Ghost empowered Church, sanctioned by the other apostles who stood with him, several significant doctrines were established for the Church. Among them, the pattern was given for the receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost. How did the people know that something new and exciting was going on? They heard the disciples speaking in tongues. How did the disciples know that this was that which they were 89 supposed to tarry for? They spoke in tongues. It was by the speaking of other tongues that the disciples knew that they had received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. It was by the speaking of tongues that the crowd knew something wonderful was happening. And this holds true not only for every recorded case of Holy Ghost baptism in the Bible, but it is still true for us today. There can be no other standard by which to measure a Bible experience, except by the standard of the Bible. We cannot just label something a Bible experience unless we can find that experience in the Bible. Also, it should be understood that the people did not speak in tongues to receive the Holy Ghost, they spoke in tongues because they had received the Holy Ghost. Speaking in tongues is the result of receiving the Holy Ghost. It is a misconception that is commonly preached by critics that people seek after tongues, or that tongues are a sign of salvation. That is not so. Tongues are a sign of the indwelling of God’s Spirit. This is what is sought after. And after they receive the Holy Spirit, then they will speak with tongues. Another prophecy concerning tongues comes from Isaiah 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.” Peter referred to this prophecy a few days after Pentecost in the Temple when people marveled at the lame man being able to walk. He preached to the crowd about Jesus and then told them, (Acts 3:19) 90  “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” (We will discuss the similarity of Acts 2:38 and Acts 3:19 shortly) Notice, however, despite the presence of tongues, they would not hear. Paul also referred to this prophecy in 1 Corinthians 14:21-22 when he said, “In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that they will not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not:” It is ironic to note that despite the fact that Paul quotes this verse from Isaiah 28: in his discussion of spiritual gifts, that many still try to teach that “with stammering lips and another tongue” refers to the language of the Syrians who conquered the Jews. It is hard to imagine, however, someone putting being conquered by a foreign nation in the same category as “a rest and a refreshing.” Despite the evidence of tongues, there are still people who will not believe. I say “still will not believe” because just as on the Day of Pentecost, there are those who mock, are skeptical and many that obviously do not receive the word, or do not believe. No, things have not changed all that much in the last 2000 years. The question that must be asked, then, is, “What will it take to convince them?” If people will not believe the scriptures, and people will not believe the testimony of people, confirming the scriptures, how then will they ever be convinced of the truth? The Bible 91 tells us that speaking in tongues is used to convince people. Another argument against speaking in tongues today is that on the Day of Pentecost the disciples spoke in languages that were known by the attending crowd, but many times the languages heard in the congregations today are not understood. Although this author has, on many occasions, heard “actual languages” there are many other times that I did not understand the language being spoken. But there is a simple and logical reason for this. On the Day of Pentecost, the attending crowd was composed of many persons of many different nationalities and spoke many languages. That is rarely true in congregations today, and therefore the situation and setting is not the same. And therefore, the speaker may indeed be speaking a “language of men” but no one speaks a foreign language to understand it. Consider your own congregation. How many people speak a European or middle Eastern language? When Peter went to the household of Cornelius, how did the Jews with him know that the Gentiles also were accepted by God? (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.” How else would the Jews have known that the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit? If Cornelius had simply said, “I believe,” would the Jews have accepted them? 92 Probably not. But the evidence of the supernatural utterances convinced them. When Paul came upon some disciples in Ephesus (Acts 19: 1-6) and asked them, “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.” Paul then asked them about how they had been baptized, re-baptized them correctly, prayed for them and laid hands upon them (Acts 19:3-7) And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7 And all the men were about twelve. How did Paul know that they now had received the baptism of the Holy Ghost? He did not re-ask them, did he? He now knew they had. He heard them speak in tongues. In these three cases, there was a clear and definite sign to both the disciples and the people that they had received the Holy Ghost. What was that sign? The fact that they believed? In Acts 8 and 19 there were believers without the baptism of the Holy Ghost, so that 93 is not a sign. The sign that was given was that they spoke in tongues. That is the Bible proof offered. Although, some would argue that in Acts 8 the Bible does not specifically tell us that the Samaritans spoke in tongues when they received the Holy Ghost. But we do know that there was some kind of external evidence. We read in Acts 8:17-18, “Then laid they their hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the Apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money.” Once again, what was it that Simon saw? It could not have been further miracles and signs; he saw Phillip doing those (Acts 8:13). No, he saw and heard something (Acts 2:33) that convinced him. He saw and heard them speak with tongues. Also, there are some that would argue that this is not Holy Ghost baptism, but some kind of conferral by the apostles. But that violates the context of the scriptures. It is not valid to argue that because the apostles prayed and laid hands on the Samaritans and the Ephesians that this was not Holy Ghost baptism. We have already cited Hebrews 6:1-2 on this matter, but as a further consideration, two questions should silence that argument. Q. Who was promised to be the one who gave the Holy Spirit? A. God (Joel 2:28), Jesus (Matt. 3:11). The Holy Spirit was not given by or from the Apostles. The Bible 94 records what Simon saw and said, but does not record his observations intending to build a doctrine from it. Q. From where did the Holy Ghost come? A. Heaven. God poured out His Spirit (Joel 2:28) The Spirit fell on them at Pentecost and at Cornelius’ house (Acts 11:15). But as yet, and the key word is “yet”, had not fallen on the Samaritans (Acts 8). But after the apostles prayed for them, they received the Holy Ghost. Since God is the giver of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit was poured out from Heaven, and the promise was that God would pour out of His Spirit upon all flesh, where does the Bible offer any room to doubt that the Samaritans in Acts 8 or the Ephesians in Acts 19 received the baptism of the Holy Ghost? One thing is still evident; and that is that the receiving of the Holy Spirit is still not an automatic, unconscious experience. For the believers in both instances had not received the Holy Ghost since they believed. Even if people want to deny that these are examples of Holy Ghost baptism, they still have to admit that there will be an evidence when one “simply” receives the Holy Ghost after they are believers. To deny that these are examples of Holy Spirit baptism then does not free them from the error of false doctrine; it forces them to find another false doctrine to explain away their lack of experience. And the majority of these false doctrines are contrived without the aid of any existing scripture. Terms such as “ordinary measure” and “symbolic granting of redemption” are not found in the scripture and therefore the doctrines connected with them should be re-examined and discarded. 95 Still, many people wish to contend that because the Apostles laid their hands on the people and prayed for them, that this is not the baptism of the Holy Ghost, but a conferral by the Apostles. However, there are plenty of Bible precedents to show that God works through his disciples and yet, it is still the Lord doing the deed. Who parted the Red Sea, God or Moses? Who caused the walls of Jericho to fall, God or Joshua? All people admit that God performed these supernatural wonders. But when asked who gave the Holy Ghost to the disciples, men will say that the Apostles gave them the Holy Ghost. This is just one more example of God working through men. There is another example of the Lord doing something through his Apostles that parallels this fact. We learn in John 3:26, “And they came unto john, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou bearest witness, behold the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.” John 4:1-2 tells us, however, “When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples.)” Here Jesus is given the credit as the Baptizer, although He did not actually do the baptizing. Although the disciples did the actual baptizing, since it was by His authority and direction, He was the one whom men said was baptizing more men than John. So, this same principle can be applied in the case of the Samaritans and the Ephesians. God pours out the Holy Spirit. It is 96 God who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. The Apostles may have laid hands and prayed, but it is still Jesus who gives the Holy Spirit. This is also demonstrated in James 5:14-15, “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” Compare this with Mark 16:18, “…they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover…” Do these verses teach that the person has a miraculous power within himself, as many preach and teach, or do these verses teach that God works through His people? When Peter laid hands on the lame man at the gate of the Temple and the man was healed, how did Peter explain it? First, he asked them (Acts 3:12), “Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? Or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we made this man to walk?” Then he preached about Jesus and told them (Acts 3:16), “And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong.” The next day, before the rulers, elders and even the High Priest, Peter said (Acts 4:9-10), 97  “If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole: Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.” In all things, let us remember that it is God who decides who is to be healed, and who is to receive His Spirit. It is not the will of man, but the decision of God. He is sovereign. The argument that it was the Apostles conferring on them the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands just does not stand up to even cursory Bible examination. Again, consider these things: If the Ephesians of Acts 19 did not receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost, why did they speak in tongues? If the Samaritans of Acts 8 did not receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost, what did Simon see when they received the Spirit? The language and context of not only these chapters, but of the entire book of Acts should convince an honest seeker that it was the baptism of the Holy Ghost that was received. Then we have the example of Saul (Paul). The Bible does not tell us that Paul spoke in tongues the moment he was filled with the Holy Ghost, but we do know that Paul said (1 Corinthians 14:18), “I thank my God I speak with tongues more than ye all.” So, we know that Paul spoke with tongues. And it is certainly most logical to assume that like the other Apostles, he too began to speak in tongues when he first received the Spirit. (I have also heard the theory 98 expounded that Ananias told Paul that he was to be baptized and that Paul received the baptism of the Holy Spirit after he was baptized in water. But this view also lacks any scriptural proof and thus, can be rejected.) Must All Speak with Tongues? Some will also contend however that since it does not say in every place that the people spoke in tongues when they received the Holy Ghost, that not everyone will do so today, either. But understand this: The Bible does not have to include all the details, all the time, for something to be true. Remember, out of the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established (2 Cor. 13:1). When Jesus sent the Apostles out on the Great Commission, he told them (Mark 16:16-17), He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; He spoke about baptism and tongues. In John 3, Jesus told Nicodemus, “…Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Jesus went on to say, “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” 99 Notice Jesus spoke about baptism, receiving the Spirit, and that there would be a sound heard by every one that is born of the Spirit. On the Day of Pentecost, the Bible does not tell us that the 3000 that were added to the church received the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues, but what happened? The people just saw the 120 receiving the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues. Peter just finished explaining that what they saw and heard was the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. He preached about Jesus Christ, and said that Jesus had shed forth that which they saw and heard, and then told them that the promise was extended to them also. The conditions for receiving the Holy Spirit? Repent and be baptized. What did they do? Received the word and were baptized. They must have received the Holy Spirit just the way Peter explained it. If you were told that John held a hammer above his head and when he let go of it, it fell to the ground; and that when Bob held a hammer over his head and let go of it, it fell to the ground; and that when Tom held a hammer over his head and let go of it, it fell the ground; you would not have to have the conclusion repeated each time. One would understand the result if it were said Bill also held his hammer up and let go of it. When the Bible gives three witnesses to an event, the conclusion then becomes the same in all like situations. So, when the Spirit of God is poured out, and people are baptized in the Spirit, what happens? (Acts 2:4), 100  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. It is then your yielding to His control and His presence that is demonstrated by speaking in tongues, and that is why it is so important. If you have the faith to receive the Holy Ghost, but as yet have not spoken in tongues, pray and ask God for this. He will give and you will be blessed. There are many people who would argue that they do not need to speak in tongues to know that they have received the Holy Ghost. They prefer to just “have faith” that they have received the Holy Ghost. However, this not the pattern and example given in the Bible. This argument is actually just an excuse for not having spoken in tongues. “Tongues” are not a rewarding of faith. It is the Holy Spirit that is received by faith. The fact that God has chosen to provide an “external evidence” does not negate faith. It reinforces and supports faith. As already mentioned, there were believers (Acts 8 and 19) that did not have the baptism of the Holy Ghost. But when they did receive the Holy Ghost, descriptive language was used in perfect harmony with other verses of the Bible to let us know exactly what was happening. It must be remembered that the only way to describe a “Bible event” is to show that event in the Bible. If one wants to contend that “he has the Holy Spirit” then he must show that he received the Holy Spirit according to the pattern set forth in the Bible. It’s as simple as that. Remember Jesus said the sound accompanies every one that is born of the Spirit. 101 The point should be obvious: Despite the large number of verses given to the subject of tongues and other spiritual gifts, many people would just arbitrarily try to disregard them, rather than re-examine their doctrines and theology. Question: The Scriptures say that God would pour out of His Spirit upon all flesh (Joel 2:28), so when was the All accomplished that He no longer pours out His Spirit. Question: Jesus said that the sound accompanies everyone who is born of the Spirit (John 3:8), so when did people end being born of the Spirit? Question: Peter says that the promise of the Spirit is to all that the Lord calls (Acts 2:41), so when did the Lord stop calling people? Do you get the point? The promises of God have not ended. After reviewing the five cases of Holy Spirit baptism in the book of Acts, what conclusions and observations can be drawn concerning tongues? 1. We can be certain that in three of the five cases, Acts 2, 10, 19, tongues were the immediate outward manifestation of receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Remember, however, that the Bible only requires two or three witnesses. 2. We can be certain, if we add Paul to this list, that in four out of five cases, the initial manifestation of receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost was speaking in tongues. We know that Paul spoke in tongues (1 Cor. 14:18) so it is a logical conclusion that he began to speak in tongues as 102  did the other apostles when they received the baptism of the Holy Ghost along with the rest of the disciples. 3. We can be safe in asserting that in all five cases, if we include the Samaritans, that all spoke in tongues upon receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Simon saw something that made him aware of the fact that the Samaritans received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Since tongues convinced the Jews at Cornelius’ house, why shouldn’t tongues also convince Simon? Reasons for Speaking in Tongues Many people often ask “Why should I speak in tongues?” or “What is the purpose of speaking in tongues?” It is just a natural trait of man to need an intellectualized answer for everything. If you say, “Because the Bible declares it,” they will still want to know, “Why?” so, here are a few Bible reasons that may help to promote faith: 1. Fulfillment of Prophecy One of the greatest proofs of the Bible is that of fulfilled prophecy. No other religion in the world can lay claim to the fact that events prophesied in their religion have come to pass with unerring accuracy, as can the Christian. In Isa. 28:11-12, we are told, “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.” 103 Look at how each part of this prophecy finds fulfillment in the New Testament Church: With stammering lips and another tongue: Paul refers to this prophecy in 1 Cor. 14:21 when he wrote concerning Spiritual Gifts: “In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people…” This was realized on the Day of Pentecost, with the Samaritans, the Ephesians, Cornelius and his household, Paul, the Corinthian Church; whenever a believer receives the baptism of the Holy Ghost and speaks in tongues, as the Spirit gives the utterance The second part of the prophecy declares this a rest and a refreshing. These words are used in Acts 3:19, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” The third part of the prophecy says, “yet they would not hear.” This is what Paul says in 1 Cor. 14:21. “…and yet for all that they will not hear me saith the Lord.” Despite all of the mentions of speaking in tongues in the Bible there are still people who either totally reject this Bible truth, or seek a way to “explain” what speaking in tongues “really” is. There are books written by skeptics, heretics, psychologists and unbelievers constantly opposing the Word of God on this subject, but that has not prevented God from gloriously filling millions of believers with His Spirit and causing them to 104 speak in tongues, as the Spirit gives them utterance. These critics might just as well walk into a hospital and announce that there is no such thing as pain as to try to convince a child of God that he has not received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. 2. Fulfillment of Promise In the Great Commission given after the Lord was resurrected, Jesus said (Mark 16:15-18), “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues…” Notice what group would have miraculous signs to accompany them. When will people learn that belief is the key to unlock the wonderful power of God? 3. It is an evidence that one has received the Holy Ghost. As already demonstrated in this section, four out of the five examples of Holy Ghost baptism can definitely have “tongues accompanying” attributed to them with a strong argument made for the fifth case. Since this is the pattern that God gave, and the fact that no other sign was given, this is the only Biblical evidence that can be accepted as proof of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. The speaking in tongues then was designed to be a uniform sign from God that people have received the Holy Ghost. 105 4. It is a sign “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.” By speaking in tongues, we show “God in us”. We have already shown many scriptures showing that the in dwelling of the Holy Spirit is Jesus in us, or God in us (John 14:20; 1 Cor. 3:16; Col 1:27; Rom. 8:9). By speaking in tongues, and having God for a brief period of time speak from within us, we know that He is actually there. You know that a person is in a room from hearing the sound that comes from within the room. You know that God is within you from hearing the words of God coming from within you. 5. God is sovereign We must not forget this last point. God can decide what He wants to use or what He wants to do, and it is not our place to question or deny His plan. Why did God choose water as essential for salvation? Why did God make grass green and water clear? Because He is God, that’s why!!! The Bible tells us in 2 Tim. 3:16-17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” 106 Let us believe all of the words of the Lord and accept the Bible truth concerning the baptism of the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues. Also, the argument is erroneously made that tongues are a gift and therefore one does not “have to” speak in tongues. However, this is not quite accurate. Again, quoting Peter, he said, (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. Notice it is the Holy Ghost that is the gift, not tongues. Tongues are the sign that one has received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, not the gift to be sought. “Does one “have to” speak in tongues” is the wrong question. The proper question is, “What happens whe one receives the Holy Ghost?” A Final Thought Why should it be so hard to believe that God can cause a simple little thing like speaking in tongues to happen to his people? It would not be the first time God altered or affected languages. 1. In Genesis 11:5-9, the account is given of how God changed the language of all the people, instantly and permanently. If God could do that, why can’t he cause you to speak in another language for a short period of time? 2. In Numbers 22:21-35, God caused a donkey to speak. If a donkey could be made to speak, why is it so hard to believe that God can cause you to talk in an unknown language for a short time? 107 3. In Isaiah 49:13, the Bible talks about the heavens, the earth, and the mountains singing because God has comforted His people. 4. In Mark 7:31-35, Jesus healed a deaf and dumb man. And vs. 35 says that he spoke plain. Where did the deaf man learn the language except that God gave it to him? 5. John the Baptist said that God could raise up children of Abraham from stones (Matthew 3:9). He made us out of dust. Could he not make us speak a different language? These are just a few examples that show that God can control the very words of your mouth. The pattern given us in the Bible shows that when you receive the Holy Ghost, yield yourself to the Holy Ghost, you will speak in tongues. The Bible and the witnesses declare it. This is the only scriptural proof that can be accepted. 108