Are prayer tongues the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

Are Prayer Tongues The Evidence Of The Baptism Of The Spirit?

Should Every Believer Speak In Prayer Tongues?

●Is There Such A Thing As The Gift Of Prayer Tongues?

●What is the baptism of the Spirit?

CHAPTER 7

Is There Such A Thing As Prayer Tongues?

This will be the beginning, along with a couple of questions which are to follow in the upcoming chapters, of the most contentious questions of this study. I use the word contentious, because this topic can cause a discussion to degenerate into what I would call a battle royal. This is a term used in wrestling. If you don’t know what this means, then look it up on the internet.

I can truly identify with someone who feels this way, because I believe the reason why many of us become argumentative concerning a doctrinal perspective is because this is what we have been taught. Another word this is all we know. Anything that we hear which is contrary to our learned belief system is considered by us to be false doctrine. And not only so, but the person conveying it is considered as being a false teacher. Let me give you an example of a struggle I had concerning one of the teachings of the Catholic Church, which resurfaced when I became a born again Christian.

The following is a chronology of my Catholic faith.

When I was a baby, I was baptized in water, which according to Catholic theology causes a child or adult to become a child of God or a son of light. First comes repentance, then comes water baptism which effects the forgiveness of sins; and then as a consequence comes the gift of the Holy Spirit. The symbol water with the reality of the Holy Spirit allows a person to enter into the kingdom of God. This is the baptism that now saves us. The sacrament of water baptism is the sacrament of regeneration. The child of God is freed from the power of darkness; is liberated from sin; and is brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God.

At age 7, I attended catechism, which helped me to become aware of the basic truths of the faith. A further receiving of instruction prepared me to receive certain of the 7 sacraments, which are ceremonies that point to what is sacred, significant, and important. After which, I received my first communion, which is when the bread and wineis that which nourishes the disciple with Christ’s literal body and blood for his transformation into Christ. Later, between the ages of 8-12, I was confirmed. This is a sacrament in which the Holy Spirit is given to those already baptized in order to make them strong and perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ. Eventually, I became an altar boy for a brief period of time. I went to church on Sunday; on occasion went to confession; observed the 6 days of obligation throughout the year; and lastly I participated in the requirements of the two church fasts of Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

One of the teachings, which resonated with me, was that a Catholic was to keep the Ten Commandments.

The Ten Commandments are as follows.

Exodus 20:1-17

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Thou shalt not kill.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Thou shalt not steal.

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Many years later after having become a born again Christian I began attending a non-denominational church. Every once in a while I would hear the word “commandments” such as in accordance with the following verse.

Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: (Acts 1:2)

Immediately, I would think that what this verse was saying was that Jesus through the Holy Spirit had given the Ten Commandments to the apostles whom he had chosen. But what this word really meant in this context was the following.

Before Jesus ascended these were the commandments which he conveyed to them.

1. To remain in Jerusalem for the promise of the Holy Spirit.

They were to wait in Jerusalem so that they could receive the indwelling Spirit.
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:4-5)

2. To preach the gospel to every creature.

They were to travel everywhere over the earth and make a public proclamation of the gospel (good news) to every person.

Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.(Mark 16:14-15)

3. To teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Suggested Reading: Matthew 28:1,5-7,19-20

After the disciples received word that Jesus was risen and would meet them at a particular place in a mountain of Galilee they went forth and found him there. Jesus told them to go forth and teach (to proclaim the truth about Him) all nations. And those who believed in who he is and what he has accomplished should be baptized in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Water baptism was not only used to initiate converts into the faith, but also to signify that the union of the three names indicated that the Son and Holy Spirit are co-eternal and co-equal with the Father. The newly converted should then to be instructed in those things (the truths) that the disciples were commanded by Jesus.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in (into) the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20)

The argument that I am trying to convey is this. If a Christian has been taught that there is such a thing as a prayer tongue, then this is what they believe, end of story. It probably took me five years before realizing that in most cases in the book of Acts, the epistles, and the book of Revelation where the word “commandments” appear that this was not talking about the Ten Commandments. Whatever your belief system is concerning whether there are prayer tongues or not I hope you can read what is written in this study in a calm objective fashion. If you notice your emotions boiling over ask God the Father by means of the ministry of the Holy Spirit to provide you with tranquility and clarity of mind along with divine peace.

So, the question we are attempting to answer is, is there such a thing as prayer tongues?

Another question we could also ask is this, is there such a thing as the gift of tongues being expressed during prayer?

In regard to prayer tongues we will attempt to address this by opposing views, one which believes that there is a classification of tongues known as prayer tongues while the other view says that no tongue is classified as a prayer tongue, singing tongue, worship tongue, etc. but what is being expressed is the gift of tongues whenever and wherever by means of the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

We are going to look at various scripture sections where: a title; scripture sections; content; questions; and responses will appear. So let’s begin.

What do the words “divers kinds of tongues” mean?

The gifts of the Holy Spirit “divers kinds of tongues”

Suggested Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; Romans 12:1-8

There could be as many as 15 different gifts of the Spirit. Two of these gifts are the gift of tongues and the gift of the interpretation of tongues. Is there such a tongue that is not considered as a gift of the Spirit that has a particular classification such as; a prayer tongue, a singing tongue, a worshiping tongue, etc.?

It’s interesting to note that in 1 Corinthians 12:10 we find the words “kinds of tongues”. I didn’t include the word “divers” because this was not in the original manuscripts.

What is meant by the words “kinds of tongues”?

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

There Is Such Thing As Expressing The Gift Of Tongues In Prayer

●The words “kinds of tongues” mean variety of tongues.

●If someone believes that “kinds of tongues” mean variety of foreign languages, then this would indicate that different foreign languages could be spoken by the exercise of the gift of tongues in different places by speakers under the prompting of the Holy Spirit, who did not know the language, but when interpreted, both the speaker and hearers would understand what was being said.

●If there is prompting by the Spirit to express the gift of tongues during group prayer make sure there is an interpreter. Otherwise, speak this tongue to yourself quietly and inwardly.

●If someone believes that “kinds of tongues” mean ecstatic utterances then this could mean that different ecstatic utterances could be declared in different places whereby both the speaker and hearers would not be able to understand these sounds.

There Is Such A Thing As Prayer Tongues

●The words “kinds of tongues” mean of a different class. Another word there are tongues that were used for specific purposes such as for prayer, during singing, during worship, etc. Therefore we could say that there are such things as prayer tongues, singing tongues, worshiping tongues, etc.

Was the apostle Paul advocating the use of tongues during private or corporate prayer?

The Room Of The Unlearned “if I pray in an unknown tongue”

1 Corinthians 14:14-17

The apostle Paul has been contrasting the exercise of the gift of tongues and the gift of prophecy in relation to the idea of edification. He instructed those that have the gift of tongues to make sure before they exercise it that another believer may be able to interpret it.

He follows this up by using himself as an example of exercising tongues during prayer. He said that if he were to exercise tongues when he was praying, then his human spirit under the prompting of the Holy Spirit would pray (speak forth mysteries), but his understanding (intellectual faculties) would be unfruitful (receiving no benefit). So if he was going to pray in his human spirit, he would also want to pray with the understanding, another word with an explanation of what was said, which would require an interpreter.

Likewise, if he were to exercise the gift of tongues during an assembly of prayer and there was no interpreter present, even though God would be blessed by the exercise of it, those who are in the periphery, the unlearned (those who were not acquainted with the language), would not be able to say Amen (give assent or agreement) to what was being conveyed.

For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
There Is Such Thing As Expressing The Gift Of Tongues In Prayer

●The apostle Paul said that if her were praying alone and the Spirit prompted his human spirit to exercise the gift of tongues without an interpreter, then his understanding (intellectual faculties) would be unfruitful (receive no benefit). His desire in this regard would be to pray (bring forth mysteries) in his spirit with the understanding (of knowing what was said). In order for this to be the case someone who has the gift of interpretation would need to be present in order to understand what was being conveyed.

●In a similar sense Paul said if you are engaged in group prayer don’t exercise the gift of tongues unless there is an interpreter.

There Is Such A Thing As Prayer Tongues

●A prayer tongue was exercised by the apostle Paul during the times when he prayed alone.

●Paul also exercised a prayer tongue during an assembly of prayer.

Even though this next section will not add to the discussion as to whether there are prayer tongues, I thought that I would address the idea of what many of the believers I have spoken with claim to be their main reason for wanting to pray with tongues.

Keep Silence In The Church “edifies himself”

1 Corinthians 14:2,4,28

The scriptures clearly indicate that a believer, who exercises tongues with or without an interpreter will be personally edified. However, there should be some distinction as to what this word means for those who exercise it for themselves, and what this word means when this is exercised in the midst of any company or assembly.

The idea of edification as it relates to the believer exercising tongues alone without an interpreter, let’s say while in personal prayer, conveys the idea of being intensely roused and completely absorbed with divine things, but destitute of clear ideas about them. This believer is able to speak unto God in the sense that his human spirit is enabled to speak, by means of the Holy Spirit, mysteries, which only God is able to understand.

On the other hand the idea of edification as it relates to the exercising tongues with an interpreter is that those in the periphery including the speaker will be edified (built up; benefitted) by what they have heard, which is no longer a mystery (truth that was not before known, and that might be of the utmost importance).

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. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.(1 Corinthians 14:2,4)

And by the way sometimes if the Spirit is prompting a believer to exercise the tongues while in the church assembly and there is no interpreter available then they will be asked to speak it to themselves silently and inwardly. The point being emphasized here is if whether a believer is exercising this tongues during prayer alone or during worship service where no interpreter is available they will be edified however, only in the sense of experiencing the confirmation that he/she was the individual object of God's grace and able to offer praise to God17possibly leading to a general sense of exhilaration and euphoria in their feelings.

But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. (1 Corinthians 14:28)

If you notice I did not use the words gift of tongues or prayer tongues in this declaration. I left it up to you to sort this out. Is there a difference between the tongue which is exercised during group prayer or when praying alone?

Well what do you think, is there such a thing as a classification of tongues such as a prayer tongue, a singing tongue, a worship tongue, etc. or is there what is called the gift of tongues which can be expressed during personal prayer, group prayer, singing, worship, etc. as long as there is an interpreter in order for the speaker and hearers to receive edification.

CHAPTER 8

What Is The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit?

The easy answer is, it depends on who you ask. The answer to this is not as easy as one may think. There are two views as to exactly what does the baptism of the Spirit refer. Before we can even try to sort this out we will need to understand some terminology. Without this the understanding of this topic will be confusing.

What is regeneration?

By the washing of regeneration:

Titus 3:5

Regeneration refers to the new birth, being born again, being made a new person, being born of the Spirit. This takes place when an unbeliever repents and believes in Christ and as a result receives the impartation of divine life in the person of the Holy Spirit.

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5)

This brings us to the next question.

Could an Old Testament saint become regenerated (born again, born of the Spirit)?

No, because the sin issue had to be addressed first. Someone had to come and pay the penalty owed to the justice of God because of Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden, otherwise heaven would remain closed to all mankind. When an Old Testament saint believed in God when He revealed Himself to him/her they didn’t go to heaven, but to a waiting (holding) area in hell call Paradise or Abraham’s bosom.

So how would one describe the relationship of the Holy Spirit to the person who believed in God (Yahweh) in the Old Testament?

And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon him:

Suggested Reading: 1 Samuel 9:1-27; 10:1-10

When the children of Israel were demanding that a king be placed over them, God told the prophet/judge Samuel, that He would send a man from the land of Benjamin to meet him at the gate of the city the following day at the same time. This man would become Israel’s first king. Sure enough, Saul arrived at the gate at the appointed time, where he met Samuel. Samuel showed him the word of God, anointed him to be the king, and told him to undertake a journey, where at some point, he would meet up with a company of prophets, at which time the Spirit of the Lord would come upon him, and he would prophesy with them.

What does it mean that the Spirit would come upon him?

And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. (1 Samuel 10:6)

The words, “come upon thee,” refer to the Spirit rushing upon him; coming mightily upon him; or passing upon him as fire does when it breaks out and spreads. Another way to describe this occurrence is to say that the Spirit was “on-resting”. The on-resting Spirit does not refer to the Spirit’s indwelling, which began on the day of Pentecost.

And by the way the on-resting Spirit could be removed because of sin. An example of this is in regard to King David, who after having committed adultery with a woman named Bathsheba along with having her husband murdered he prayed to God that He would not take the Holy Spirit from him.

Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. (Psalm 51:11)

Now you might be wondering, why did I introduce regeneration (which relates to the indwelling Spirit) and the on-resting Spirit as something we should keep in mind in regard to the baptism of the Spirit? I introduced both the indwelling and the on-resting Spirit in order to help us better understand the meaning of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. You might ask, how can this help? As you will notice next there is one verse that I believe contributes to the differences in meaning of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Let’s go to the book of John and take a look at this verse.

Receive ye the Holy Spirit:

Suggested Reading: John 20:22-31

Following Jesus resurrection he appeared to Mary Magdalene, who was told by him to give this news that he was risen to the disciples. At a certain time later while the disciples were gathered together for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst. He proceeded to show them his hands and side and then he made a statement, which depending how it is interpreted will determine how the leadership of a church will explain what the baptism of the Spirit means.

And when he had said this, he breathed on them (apostles), and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: (John 20:22)

Some commentators would suggest that the word “breathed” is analogous to the breath of God in the creation of man, when God breathed ruwach °Elohiym into man’s nostrils the breath of lives and he became a living soul. As the breath of God in the first creation meant physical life, so the breath of Jesus Christ in the new creation meant spiritual life.

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7)

There are two views in regard as to how literally the word “breathed” is to be taken in relation to the words “Receive ye the Holy Ghost”. One view says that this breathing is the literal sending of the indwelling Holy Spirit into the life of each of the disciples. If this was the case, then each of them would be regenerated or born anew at this time. The other view says that this breathing was literal, but not in the receiving of the indwelling Holy Spirit, but rather in the sense of the influence that would come upon them, and the source of that influenceon the day of Pentecost. Another word the disciples were given a limited awareness of the knowledge, understanding, and empowerment that would take place at Pentecost. In this case the Spirit would still be considered as “on-resting” them at this time.

These two views not only will perpetuate two different perspectives as to the meaning of the baptism of the Spirit, but in one them the use of what is called prayer tongues will surface. As you will see some who advocate the exercise of this tongue will use it an indicator as to how to tell whether a person is truly saved.

Before we attempt to answer the question, are prayer tongues the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, let’s come up with a meaning for the baptism of the Spirit based on the two views which were generated above?

View #1: is based on the literal interpretation of the words “breathed” and the words “Receive ye the Holy Ghost”.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit refers to the receiving of the power (filling) of the Holy Spirit, which sometimes occurs simultaneously with the receiving of the indwelling Spirit, and which at other times occurs after the receiving of the indwelling Spirit.

View #2: is based on the literal sense in relating to an influence or awareness in regard to the words “breathed” and the words “Receive ye the Holy Ghost”.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit refers to the receiving of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which occurs simultaneously with the filling of the Spirit.

What is the difference between the indwelling of the Spirit and the filling of the Spirit?

Weekly Messages: http://bit.ly/1N9SHdX

Website: http://www.makingtheonerightchoice.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamesrondinone/media

Facebook Author Page: http://on.fb.me/1Q0MJ3w