Is it a must to speak in tongues if you are filled with the Holy Spirit?
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Asked October 31 2013
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Sayialel Ole Pasiany
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Ann Hamisu
My knowledge about this question is that all Christian can and should speak in tongues. Mark 16:17 shows that anyone who believes in Jesus name can speak with a new tongue. Thank you
Tony Medley
We are born again of the Spirit. It is God who in His wisdom and mercy saves a soul, we are dead until He regenerates us and can do nothing. We are totally passive in conversion, God breathes into us His Holy Spirit which gives us new life, that new life has the fulness of God through Christ, therefore he is filled with the Holy Spirit the moment he is born again. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." John 3:6 When we are born of the Spirit we are free from sin as the scriptures say in Gal. 4:28-31. "Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. ---- " Eph. 1-14.
In answer to the question "How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit?" If you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, you must be filled with the Spirit for no one can savingly believe without being filled with the Spirit.
Tongues were just one of the special gifts given to the apostles and early Church for its planting and training.
JOHN PERRY
It also talks about baptism....then why didn't Paul proclaim this was needed to be full in Spirit instead he said this....
For it has been made clear to me, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions and wrangling and factions among you. 12 What I mean is this, that each one of you [either] says, I belong to Paul, or I belong to Apollos, or I belong to Cephas (Peter), or I belong to Christ. 13 Is Christ (the Messiah) divided into parts? Was Paul crucified on behalf of you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 Lest anyone should say that I baptized in my own name. 16 [Yes] I did baptize the household of Stephanas also. More than these, I do not remember that I baptized anyone. 17 For Christ (the Messiah) sent me out not to baptize but [to evangelize by] preaching the glad tidings (the Gospel), and that not with verbal eloquence, lest the cross of Christ should be deprived of force and emptied of its power and rendered vain (fruitless, void of value, and of no effect).
JOHN PERRY
This extreme position has been used and wrecked many believers' faith. I know, I was their counselor who helped restore their faith in Christ.
Arnold Hoffman
Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:7, 8 NASB). The Word tells us to be imitators of Christ. I believe that everything that has come to pass, is the same yesterday and today and forever. Thank you Father God for your Word.
Charmaine Tomè
The Baptism of the Holy spirit, with the evidence of speaking in tongues (Acts 2:1-4), is not the same as the gift of speaking in tongues as in 1 Cor 12.
BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Math 3:11 ; Mark 10:38 ; Rom 8:26).
It is promised to ALL believers (Acts 2:39). Baptism of the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues is for ALL who desire it.
The gateway to all the gifts of the Holy Spirit in 1 Cor 12 is the very first gift of speaking in tongues that manifested on Pentecost in Acts 2:4, shortly after their baptism, the gift of speaking in tongues manifested when they spoke languages not known to them but to others (v 8-12). We ALL need the Baptism of the Holy Spirit so that we can receive power and the spiritual gifts in 1 Cor 12. Note the difference: The 9 gifts in 1 Cor 12 is given as the Spirit wills (Not for all) but Baptism with the evidence of speaking in tongues is for ALL who desires it (Acts 2:39). I personally speak in tongues because of the Baptism (Acts 2:1-4)but I do not have the gift of tongues as in 1 Cor 12. All men are partakers of the divine nature of a new birth (2 Pet 1:4), but that does not give them power. It is only as they receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and THEN some of the gifts in 1 Cor 12 that they receive such power!! Tongues as in Baptism cannot be understood or interpreted, but tongues as the gift in 1 Cor MUST be interpreted. www.naomiministries.com or email for more info : naomiministries@live.com.
Gene Savage
Don’t get hung up on why some Christians can ‘speak in tongues’ while others cannot. Seek the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5). I once saw Kenneth Copeland and Rodney Howard Brown supposedly ‘speaking’ in tongues while telling jokes to each other! It was the most disgraceful thing I have ever witnessed. I was saddened that they made such a spectacle of it. Remember, speaking in tongues is something the Holy Spirit does, not something that you do! When the Holy Spirit has something to say, I guarantee that those who are present are going to hear it! If he gives you that gift at that moment then use it, and continue always to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh.
Randy Buchanan
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit should follow the patterns established in the book of Acts, meaning reception of the Baptism will be accompanied by tongues or prophecy.
Also, the Pentecostal Baptism is to continue as long as God is calling people to salvation, Acts 2:38-39.
For those who believe tongues is a gift relegated to the apostles Paul makes clear this is not so.
Romans 1:11 tells us spiritual gifts are given to the Church so they may be established or secure in their spirituality.
1 Cor 1: 4-8 shows the gifts are meant to be functional within the Body of Christ until the second coming of Jesus.
Paul in 1 Corinthians 12-14 points out the benefit of tongues and prophecy and how they are to be applied in their proper contexts.
First, tongues is primarily for prayer unless interpreted so the church can be edified.
Second, tongues are never to be forbidden.
Third, Paul desired the Corinthian believers to speak in tongues.
Fourth, Paul taught prophecy or prophetic utterances are the primary gifts to be used in the local church.
Have there been inappropriate uses of these gifts? Yes! This happens mostly with immature believers who have not been taught the Biblical teachings regarding regulation of these gifts.
Final thought, 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 the answer to Paul's questions should be YES! Every believer can manifest any of the gifts according to the will and unction of the Holy Spirit. These gifts are also given by Jesus as the signs of believers.
Barry Halloran
I feel sorry for people who believe it necessary, too have to speak in tongues.
Tongues do not authenticate salvation. Salvation is instant (& invisible). For many years, I felt it was a priority. But after listening to good teachers: Chuck Swindoll, John MacArthur & others; I realized I was following incorrect teaching. The living water is not "tongues" It`s the indwelling of the Holy Spirit...
Sibongile Sehlake
I think we lose the meaning of gift, a gift is not a must but the giver gives a gift willingly as he deems necessary. A person cannot give you a gift s/he knows you cannot use or you do not need. As Christians we forget our mandate to take the gospel to the world and let God provide with the necessary resources required for the situation.
Cegal Reams
THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
I would ask that you look at the most detailed chapters on the gifts of the Holy Spirit and how they were to be used, which would be I Cor.12, 13, and 14. Then look at 1 Co 13 starting with verse 8 Paul states( regarding the Spiritual gifts),... But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
1Co 13:9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
1Co 13:10 But when that which is perfect(complete) has come, then that which is in part will be done away. What was Paul referring to when he said "that which is perfect(or complete) shall come." 2 Tim. 3:16-17 says 2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
2Ti 3:17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Once we were given the complete Word of God as we have now, what reason would there be for those Spiritual gifts. Paul writes to Timothy that we can be complete with the scriptures that God has now given us.
Jennifer Rothnie
In II Tim 3:17 the word is 'artios' - prepared to function.
http://biblehub.com/greek/739.htm
It speaks to efficiency in the here-and-now because one is prepared, not to a completed end.
In I Cor 13:10, the term is telios. Telios refers to completion or an end, and to some extent the process/stages towards reaching that consumation or end.
Further context from the passage describes exactly what 'end' is in view:
"For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." I Cor 13:12
We shall see 'face to face' - do we now see Jesus face to face? No - we still see Him 'dimly', through revealed Scripture, by His Spirit, in His works, etc.
We so not see Jesus in a more physical way than Paul did. We shall 'know fully' - do we know everything about God and have complete unity on every aspect of scripture? Do we have 'more intimate' relationships with Christ than Paul had? This 'end' Paul speaks of is after the Ressurection! (Job 19:26)
"Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away." I Cor 13:8
Are we really in a time where knowledge, prophecy, and tongues have all passed away? (Rev 11:13, Hab 2:14, etc.?) Scripture itself is knowledge!
"Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues." I Cor 14:39