For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding].
1 Corinthians 14:2, AMPC
I will get right to it: the Bible clearly teaches that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential to the Christian who is to effect a change in the earth today. Notice that Paul told the church at Corinth, “…I speak with tongues more than you all…” and, “…do not forbid to speak with tongues.”
It is unfortunate that many Christians in the United States have been taught that speaking in tongues is obsolete, optional and unimportant, or downright wrong. When we allow the pure, unadulterated, and precious Word of God to hold first place in our lives–even over religious and familiar teaching–we open ourselves up to the purest form of revelation of the Word that God wants to convey.
Of course, solid Biblical teaching is extremely important (for why else would God set teachers in the church?), but not everyone teaching in church circles teaches the Word. We must be absolutely firm on this: no matter who says it, we will receive our revelation straight from God Himself, and His revelation will always line up 100% with Scripture. We must be moved to study God’s Word for ourselves and trust the inward witness of the Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us in the truth.
With all this in mind, I pray my testimony and my experiences with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues will move you deeply to get alone with the Lord and allow Him to open up the Word to you along these lines, so that you receive fresh revelation from the Lord Himself about the tremendous power of speaking and praying in tongues.
This podcast is the first of many in our new series on Tongues and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I pray these episodes will stir up a hunger in you for the deeper things of God, and that you will walk in all the fullness of life and power that He has for you!
Enjoy the podcast!
Photo by Jordan McGee on Unsplash