Bible Studies

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What is all the confusion with the body of Christ today about tongues. It's no wonder that the apostle Paul teaches far more on the subject of tongues, than he does on any other singled out subject! I have noticed today that there are so many in the church today claiming to have spiritual tongues, but yet not knowing the knowledge of tongues. I would just like say: that something smells fishy about that. Most people when they think of the word tongues, they automatically think about "tongues of angels"(heavenly language). Not considering the other types of tongues taught about in the NT. Please know that my intentions here is not to take away from the truth; but to help gain a deeper understanding of the truth. I understand that this subject may hit home hard for some. You see tongues in the heavenly language sense is not something that you habitually practice, nor is that even biblical! Rather something you exercise through the power of the Holy Spirit. Keep this in mind: you either posses something from God or you don't! You cannot twist God's arm into giving you something, because you went out of your way with practice. God freely gives, "dividing to every man severally as he will". That is why it's called a gift! Forming a false habit instead of the genuine thing, is not the proper way of receiving from God. The apostle Paul shows us the way, by saying,"Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift",(2 Corinthians 8:4). Praying and "coveting earnestly the best gifts",(1 Corinthians 12:31), is the way you should expect Holy Spirit gifts from God! So with that being said; let's get deep into God's word and find out what He teaches about tongues. First off, let us note: that there are three (the number of witness) types on tongues. In which we will begin with the order starting with Jesus' teaching.
1. For signs.
2. Divers kinds of tongues(various kinds of landuages).
3. Unknown tongues.

1.When I was twelve my Dad took me to an R.W. Shambach revival in Houston,TX.. Now at that time I never knew much about Jesus Christ and nothing about the Holy Spirit whatsoever. It was that night that I received Christ in my life through an alter call. Shortly after that, Mr. Shambach came off the stage and at that time it seemed like the crowd parted, like the Red sea. All I remember at that moment was him speaking with authority and coming straight towards me. Keep in mind there was around 5,000 people there. So that seemed a little strange to me that he came straight to me with everyone else around and me being at the back of the building. Long story short, he touched my head and when he did I fell out on the ground. Unusual utterances came out of my mouth. NOTE: I had no control over them. And I remember that I could hear around me; but it was like putting my ear to a wall and listening to people talk in the other room; only hearing the base in their vocals. Well Jesus teaches about this particular experience with tongues in,(Mark 16:16-17): "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues". In order for me to have spoke in "new tongues" that night I had to first: believe which was my salvation prayer and the acceptance of Christ in my heart. Then I had to be baptized which came by the laying on of hands from the man of God. "Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost",(Acts 8:17). It was at that moment that I spoke in tongues as for a 'sign' of my Holy Spirit baptism for those around me to witness. This shows the evidence that you are baptized in the Holy Spirit, just as casting out of devil's and so on does. If you receive the free gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, than you too will speak in this heavenly language as a "sign" of your baptism. I also want to add, that this could also mean foreign languages as well, because Jesus told us to go into all the world preaching the gospel, casting out devils, healing the sick, raising the dead and speaking in "new tongues". Impossible if you could not speak the language of the land! As for my case it was heavenly language for a 'sign'.
2.This next tongue is one that many confuse with the heavenly language. It is one that must not be confused, yet understood. Let me first just say; that the Greek meaning for the word 'tongue' means (language). Also the Greek meaning for the word 'divers' means (various). Remember that the NT was written in the Greek. Ok, keep that in mind as we go over this study. On the day of Pentecost in the book of Acts, the Spirit "appeared unto them cloven tongues like 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, as the Spirit gave them utterance",(Acts 2:3-4). You will then read in v.5; "And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now here is the understanding to this particular type of tongue. "Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born",(Acts 2:6-8)? This is obviously foreign language being taught here. Further on the apostle Paul tells us about the gifts of the Spirit in:(1 Corinthians 12:7-10). Remember the definitions that we went over above? When he speaks about the "divers kinds of tongues" in v.10; he is not talking about heavenly language tongues; yet is saying in the Greek: various kinds languages. "Though I speak with the tongues(languages is plural) of men and of angels",(1 Corinthians 13:1). This is the same gift poured out on the disciples on the day of Pentecost! It's no wonder that Paul said:"I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all". Why? I will tell you why. Because the Lord knew that Paul strongly needed that gift of 'various kinds of languages', or "divers kinds of tongues

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