I Will Not Leave You Comfortless -- I Will Come to You - PART 95

In previous posts, we saw that through the laying on of hands by the Apostles Peter and John, the gift of the Holy Spirit was given to the believing Samaritans. Although the scriptural record does not explicitly state that the Samaritans spoke in tongues when they received the Holy Spirit, we are able to assume that because of the number of other examples cited in the Bible whereby tongues accompanied the entrance of the Holy Spirit into believers, that it was an occurrence with the Samarians too. 

We should also note that this was not uneventful occasion. If we read the scriptures we note that Simon, a sorcerer was compelled to offer the apostles money, hoping to obtain the same gift as was being manifested. In response to Simon's request, the apostles told Simon that his money should perish with him if he thinks for a moment that money could buy the gift of the Holy Spirit.

As a sidebar to this conversation, gifts of the Holy Spirit include the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit of Jesus, where He says, "I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you."  But in relation to the gift of tongues, it is a topic that has admittedly been much debated among religious institutions. Questions have come forward including whether it is reasonable in the 21st century to assume that believers today could still speak in tongues. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. One of the favored verses used by institutions for opposing the gift of tongues is the scripture that states tongues will cease.

Unfortunately, it is only this portion of the verse that they rely on. In so doing, they withhold the rest of the verse which of course mention ‘when” tongues will cease. That is, "when that which is perfect will come." These institutions also forget that tongues were as a sign. Not to them that believe but tongues were given as a sign to those that don’t believe.

He or she that speaks in an unknown tongue, whether it be tongues of men or angels, or a completely unknown tongue is not speaking to men. No, they are speaking to God. The person praying is praying to God in a spirit language. Although his or her understanding of what he or she is praying about is unfruitful, at least in their natural mind, speaking in tongues represents a pouring out of one's heart to the Lord.

Put another way, in the spirit one is speaking mysteries. Even though the praying believers' understanding is unfruitful, the praying believers are being edified in spirit. For assuredly the believer rightly knows that God knows what is on their mind when they pray. Often, the believer quietly prays in spirit and at times he or she prays also with her natural tongue of understanding. 

What then is the exhortation of the scripture, that believers who have the Holy Spirit gift of tongues should cease to speak in tongues. Indeed, believers ought to continue praying quietly in the spirit until the need of the spirit rests. For God who hears and sees in secret shall reward openly. At the same time, the gifted believer should pray to receive the gift of interpretation that accompanies the gift of tongues, in order that the believer’s understanding will be nourished.

"For in the spirit, the believer was speaking mysteries." Paul the apostle to the gentiles expressed that he spoke with / in tongues more than all the ones he was addressing . And as a crescendo, the scriptures also state that believers should not be forbidden to speak in tongues. How do the scriptures put it? Desire spiritual gifts because every good and perfect gift comes from Jesus, the true God as a son. The same God who Himself Fathered us at Calvary. God as a son sacrificed Himself for His children. In other words, God loves His believing children. Stand in the Offering plate!