“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.   And there 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 2:1-4. 

Jesus prophesied “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:17-18.

So many don’t believe tongues is for today.  Some go as far to say that praying in tongues is of the devil.  While others don’t understand the difference in the gift of tongues and Baptism in the Holy Spirit with evidence of praying in tongues as in Acts 2:4.  Baptism of the Holy Spirit  is a separate experience from the initial Salvation experience.

• “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” Matthew 3:11
• “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Acts 1:5.

If you do not believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues, that is between you and God…not you and me.  As for me, it is too late to tell me any different.  I am Saved by the Blood of Jesus Christ and Baptized in the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues.  However, don’t misunderstand that statement, I’m not any more saved than someone who is not Baptized in the Holy Spirit.  At Salvation, we are Baptized into Jesus; into the Body of Christ.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.   It is entirely possible for backslidden Christians who “have not charity (love)”  to continue praying in tongues.  Someone asked me what language I spoke.  I don’t know, according to this it is of “men and of angels”. 

Because there are apostate and backslidden teachers and preachers who pray in tongues, this does not mean that praying in tongues is of the devil.  “So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.” Ecc. 2:9.  King Solomon, although backslidden, retained his God given wisdom just as many backsliders today maintain their God given tongues.

If we are going to dismiss tongues, we are going to also have to dismiss the rest of the Great Commission of casting out demons and laying hands on the sick (Mark 16:17-18).  In 1 Corinthians 14:18, “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:” Paul boasts of his ability to speak in tongues.  However, he continues on to admonish the Corinthians in verse 26 that even very good things can be used in the wrong way and that there is a time and place for everything.  “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.”

As I wrote yesterday, satan will raise a counterfeit.  There will those who are backslidden that continue to pray in tongues as in 1 Cor. 13:1-3 but I beseech you Brothers and Sisters in Christ, please be careful when calling things of God  as if they were from satan all because of satan’s counterfeit…this is the devil’s purpose.  If you don’t believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues, it is your right to believe as you wish.  However, please be careful of calling those of us who do “babblers’ and demon possessed.  I do not say this because it is offensive to me, even though it may be, but because calling something of God as if it is something of satan is dangerous territory and I worry about your soul.

If you are interested in more information on Baptism of the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues, please visit Baptism in the Holy Spirit .  If you are interested in arguing or debating this, I am not interested.  Please prayerfully consider before attacking.  Just because one does not believe or understand, doesn’t change the Truth of the Word of God.  Seek His Truth through His Word and His Holy Spirit…not mine or anyone else.  – Donna Clark Warren