Today is, of course, Pentecost Sunday. We celebrate the significance of the day discussed in Acts chapter two.
I am going to keep this short and sweet as I feel a need to post something on the topic, but can’t devote the afternoon to it.
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4)
So, here’s what happened. Jesus’ disciples were all gathered to pray. Jesus had instructed them to do so. Not just the 12, but all of them. Like 120 of them.
Then this big wind blew through the room. Like a rushing mighty wind. Loud, powerful.
Then a pillar of fire appeared in the room and separated into smaller fires. These floated over the top of each person there and kind of glowed over them. Sort of lit them up.
And with that, Holy Spirit filled them. Like He came and lived in them. And since they were already Jesus’ disciples, this was more than just being saved. In fact it was to give them boldness.
Then it says right there that they spoke “with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance”. What does that mean?
Later, (read farther) they came out of the room they were in and a bunch of Jewish people were in town that were from other countries and they heard them speaking other languages. So then these other people started recognizing the languages as foreign words from their own countries. They “heard” them speaking of the wonders of God. In other words, they were supernaturally worshiping God with a language they didn’t even know.
Does all tongues have to be in a real language that others recognize? No. It still happens, but it is not proof that your “tongues” are real.
Do you have to speak in tongues to prove the Holy Spirit is in you? No. The Holy Spirit becomes a part of you when you give your life to Jesus. But the increase of Holy Spirit that we talk about here is more than just salvation. It is the next step in drawing closer to God. All the references of this have the evidence of speaking in tongues. They are not all a recognized language, but they are consistently there.
Scripturally, yes there should be speaking in tongues (AKA, prayer language). But it doesn’t always come right away. It doesn’t always manifest that way. And by no means will it be forced upon someone. But it should become a part of your prayer time. Sometimes (as in my own case) speak what you think the words are (even if it’s gibberish). This will help you to overcome the doubt part of it all.
The mysterious ways of God are without number. Seek more from Him. Be willing to let Holy Spirit speak through you. We are told to ask for more. Don’t be stubborn and refuse it because you don’t understand it or someone else advises against it.
This is, Scripturally, a part of how God works. Don’t allow anything to get in your way of getting all God has for you!
-Matt
