Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues – How Tongues are to Benefit

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues – How Tongues are to Benefit notes. Scriptural salvation was not complete in the apostle’s interpretation until there was a presence of the promise of the Holy Ghost from the Father. His presence was acknowledged by the person speaking in tongues. For this reason tongues were extremely desirable by the believer. Those already speaking in tongues wanted to hear tongues from a new believer, thus assuring the salvation process. A new believer wanted to speak in tongues, assuring they had received the promised Holy Ghost.

WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues – How Tongues are to Benefit

by Delbert Young

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues part 3 sermon notes. Scriptural salvation was not complete in the apostle's interpretation until there was a presence of the promise of the

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues – How Tongues are to Benefit

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, Acts 8:15-17, 1 Corinthians 14:21, Acts 2:4, ACT 19:1, Acts 19:3-6, 1 Corinthians 12:7-10, 1 Corinthians 14:2, 15, Jude 1:20, Ephesians 6:18, Romans 8:26, 1 Corinthians 14:15, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 14:4, Jude 1:20

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (KJV)

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (KJV)

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (NIV)

3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.

4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete. (NIV)

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues – How Tongues are to Benefit

This is our third lesson on Scriptural tongues. Without a doubt, the spiritual weapon of tongues has been the most attacked of all the weaponry given to the believer. We want to continue grasping the truth about tongues. To begin with, we studied two main points in lesson #1 about tongues. In brief, we learned that tongues are for self-edification. No other gift of the Spirit builds the believer, as does tongues. Tongues build and also restore the believer.

Also, we studied how contemporary dispensational doctrine is used by the enemy to destroy tongues. Jesus said it was expedient that he go to his Ascension. The reason was to send back the Holy Ghost. He did ascend. He did send back the Holy Ghost, and that Spirit has never been removed nor stopped. Contemporary Dispensationalism says otherwise.

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues – How Tongues are to Benefit

In our second lesson, we learned that tongues were and are a Scriptural part of salvation. If tongues were missing from the lives of believers, their salvation experience was questioned. When a believer had properly repented and experienced proper baptism, Peter said, they shall receive the Holy Ghost and tongues. Once tongues were witnessed, the presence of the Holy Ghost was recognized in their life.

Naturally, the enemy does not want the believer edified or restored, to have the power of the Holy Ghost, or to experience total salvation. Thus, the enemy wars against tongues.

The Weapon Of Tongues 3

Tongues Are Desirable In The New Testament Scriptures

When one of the elements Peter spoke about (repenting, water baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost) was not present in a person declaring they were a believer, the statement was questioned and investigated. In the apostle’s interpretation, Scriptural salvation was not complete until there was a presence of the promise of the Father. That presence was acknowledged by that person speaking in tongues. For this reason, tongues were extremely desirable to the believer.

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues – How Tongues are to Benefit

Those already speaking in tongues wanted to hear tongues from a new believer, thus assuring the salvation process. A new believer wanted to speak in tongues to assure themselves they had received the promised Holy Spirit.

Of course, this is not the case today in most churches. In most cases, just getting them to pray a “prayer after me” is sufficient. That simply is not Scriptural.

Philip at Samaria

In Acts chapter 8 we are given a lesson by Philip going to Samaria. Philip preached the kingdom (Acts 8:12). Philip water baptized men and women in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:12). The apostles heard about the move of God in Samaria. Upon investigation, they found something missing–the promise of the Father. How did they know the promise was not there? They sent Peter and John to Samaria to adjust the situation (Act 8:14). The Scripture says,

Acts 8:15-17 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues – How Tongues are to Benefit

Something was missing in the salvation experience of those Samaritans. That missing was the receiving of the Holy Ghost. They believed in Jesus. Also, they believed in the kingdom. Furthermore, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. But, the Samaritans had not received the Holy Ghost. If they had properly repented and experienced proper baptism, they should receive the Holy Ghost. Peter and John went to investigate why they had not. Peter and John prayed for them. It was a serious desire of the apostles that these receive the Holy Ghost, and they did receive him.

So, what if we followed this concept today? Specifically, what if you heard someone had repented and had been water baptized but had not spoken in tongues? In view of this, what if you went to them and said you need the Holy Ghost, evidenced by tongues?

Hence, what would be the response of most people today? The enemy has done a wonderful job convincing believers that tongues are not for today or that they are not necessary. That simply is not Scriptural. If Peter and John were here today, they would visit most churches and pray that they would receive the Holy Spirit and tongues.

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues – How Tongues are to Benefit

Why Tongues And The Holy Ghost

People ask, “Why did the Lord use tongues?” My answer is, “I do not know why the Lord did it that way. I do know that whatever He used Satan would find a way to defile it.” For one thing, I have heard some say God used tongues because the tongue is a most unruly member of the body (Jam 3:8). By using tongues the Lord tames the tongue.

Paul said tongues fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 28:11. Paul said,

1 Corinthians 14:21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

I do know this. When I find people speaking in unknown tongues in the scriptures, I find the Holy Spirit present. I find believers. There is no doubt the person is a believer. I find someone who wants to experience the presence of God.

The Purposes Of Tongues

When I hear someone speaking in tongues, I know one of four things is happening. The scriptures teach several purposes for tongues. The person could be receiving the Holy Ghost, giving a message in tongues, praying in tongues, or singing in tongues. Or, the person could be activating the weapon of warfare, praising God, and being edified.

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues – How Tongues are to Benefit

Always at the receiving of the Holy Ghost

The first scripture we find where people spake in unknown tongues is Acts 2:4.

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:4 is the first use and becomes the seed truth of receiving the Holy Ghost. It would be like the first grain of corn. Future corn seeds may be hybrid but will continue to have the characteristics of the first grain of corn. Every experience of receiving the Holy Spirit will have the seed form which is tongues. Speaking in tongues at the receiving of the Holy Ghost is found in Acts 10:45-46 and Acts 19:6.

Though tongues are not mentioned in Acts 8, tongues are obvious. A person speaking in tongues was proof to the apostles that the believer had received the Holy Spirit. If tongues did not manifest, questions were asked. We will look at one such situation.

The apostle Paul was visiting the churches. He came to the city of Ephesus. Acts 19 gives us the details. As he came into the city, he met twelve believers, or so they said and thought.

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues – How Tongues are to Benefit

Acts 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

Paul noticed something wrong, which prompted him to ask what would be an offensive question today. Paul asked, “Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?” Today, people would say, “Well, of course, I received the Holy Spirit. I prayed the sinner’s prayer, and I got it all at one time. What do you mean by asking me if I have the Holy Ghost? Of course, I have the Holy Ghost!”

How would Paul have known they had not received the Holy Ghost? What did he see or not see that prompted him to ask such a question? Obviously, there were no tongues. Believers enjoy praying in the Holy Spirit. Believers enjoy singing in the Holy Spirit, and believers enjoy simply talking to God in the Holy Ghost. This was not happening with these people.

As Paul began questioning them they said they had not heard akouo (Strong’s #0191)–been taught or told–about any Holy Spirit. Isn’t that the same today? Most disciples have not been taught about the Holy Spirit. What they have heard and told is obviously in error.

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues – How Tongues are to Benefit

Paul didn’t stop working with these people. Proper repentance and proper baptism should bring the receiving of the Holy Spirit (Act 2:38). Paul asked another question.

Acts 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.

Paul questioned their water baptism. First, he questions their salvation experience by asking, “Have you received the Holy Spirit.” Next, he questioned their water baptism. Can you imagine if someone did that today? Paul is inferring that they were improperly water baptized. Today such a remark would be like taking a stick and poking a hornet’s nest full of hornets.

Those at Ephesus were obviously very repentant – adjust their minds to receive spiritual truth. They did not get upset or angry at these questions. They were repentant and were seeking the Lord’s truth. It was true. They were improperly water baptized.

In the New Testament, everyone who is baptized is baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Some would say, “You are Jesus only if that is how you baptize.” No, that is not true. The Scripture teaches the trinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. That is what I believe, but everyone water baptized in the New Testament was ALWAYS baptized in the name of Jesus. Look and see for yourself. These at Ephesus (and many today) had not been correctly baptized.

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues – How Tongues are to Benefit

Paul explained to them the baptism of John and the baptism of Jesus Christ. Then, after they understood, they were baptized again or properly baptized.

Acts 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Now, they had properly repented and been properly baptized. They should be able to receive the Holy Ghost.

Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Paul was now satisfied. That was what he was looking for and awaiting to both see and hear. Believers should speak in tongues and minister prophetically. These twelve and Paul were now ready to minister to Ephesus, which is exactly what the remainder of Acts 19 is about. Scripturally, tongues are always present at the receiving of the Holy Ghost.

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues – How Tongues are to Benefit

The Gift Of Tongues

Speaking in a different tongue is listed as a manifestation of the Spirit and operates as a gift in the body. Without tongues and interpretation, a church is cheating itself from experiencing one of the ways the Lord speaks to his sheep (Joh 10:27).

1 Corinthians 12:7-10 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 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

The working of the gift of tongues and the gift of interpretation of tongues work together. Both tongues and the interpretation can come from the same person or from two different people. The operation of the gift of tongues and interpretation of tongues is explained in detail in 1 Corinthians 14. The gift of tongues is for the corporate service and is equal to prophetic ministry when interpreted (1Co 14:5).

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues – How Tongues are to Benefit

The Weapon Of Tongues

Prayer

The Scripture clearly instructs us to pray in an unknown tongue. This would be the tongue (language) received at the time of receiving the Holy Spirit. This does not require an interpretation.

1 Corinthians 14:2 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.

1 Corinthians 14:15 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.

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues – How Tongues are to Benefit

(TLB) 1 Corinthians 14:15 Well, then, what shall I do? I will do both. I will pray in unknown tongues and also in ordinary language that everyone understands, I will sing in unknown tongues and also in ordinary language so that I can understand the praise I am giving; 

Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. (NIV)

How can we have so many scriptures that instruct us to pray in tongues (Spirit) yet say it is not for today? What a strange people we are! When this aspect of tongues is utilized, the person is not speaking to another person. The person is speaking to God (1Co 14:2, see previous). It is spirit to Spirit and needs no interpretation. The only tongue that needs an interpretation is the tongue given in a corporate setting. No interpretation is necessary at receiving the Holy Ghost or when praying.

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues – How Tongues are to Benefit

The apostle Paul said he would pray in the Spirit and in the understanding (1Co 14-15). That means that when he prayed, he would pray in both. He would pray in his language for a time and then pray in the spirit for a time. This is a wonderful way to pray. Once experienced, it is difficult to pray using only understanding.

There are several types of prayers. Ephesians 6:18 teaches that though there are many types of prayers, they all should be done in the spirit, i.e., tongues. To emphasize, when we pray asking the Lord for something, we should pray in tongues.

Similarly, when we pray for one another, we should pray in tongues. Equally, when we don’t know how to pray, we should pray in tongues. We should pray in tongues in all prayers and supplications for all saints. That is what Paul means when he says, “…pray in the spirit” (1Co 14:2; 14-15).

Jude says we build ourselves up by praying in tongues (Holy Ghost).

There is no method of self-edification like tongues. It does something inside of us that stirs and ignites. I heard Dr. Bill Hammon say that tongues are likened to the starter motor on a huge bulldozer. The starter motor begins running first and then cranks the huge motor that powers the dozer.

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues – How Tongues are to Benefit

Tongues build us up as we pray in the Holy Spirit. It cranks up the motor. It is a wonderful thing to do prior to a praise service. I love to get our congregation praying in tongues before we begin praising the Lord. It gets us started so we can activate the power of the Holy Spirit in our service. We bulldoze right over obstacles and go directly into the presence of God! What a weapon!

Romans 8:26 teaches us how to pray when we are not exactly sure how we should pray. We are to pray with groanings which cannot be expressed in our natural language. This is praying in tongues. The spirit intercedes for us through tongues. This way our prayers are always on target.

Tongues are a mighty weapon of warfare through prayer. It is sorrowful that we have allowed the enemy through Dispensational doctrine to take the mighty weapon of God away from us.

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues – How Tongues are to Benefit

Singing And Praise

1 Corinthians 14:15 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.

1 Corinthians 14:15 Well, then, what shall I do? I will do both, I will pray in unknown tongues and also in ordinary language that everyone understands, I will sing in unknown tongues and also in ordinary language so that I can understand the praise I am giving (TLB)

Singing and praising in the spirit (tongues) can actually be a song to the Lord from our spirit. The truth is you don’t know what you are saying, and no one else knows what you are saying. Actually, you don’t care what you are saying because you are in another dimension. Comparatively, you are in the heavenlies. Be as it may, you are singing to God (1Co 14:2) directly with your spirit. It is a pure a praise as one can give. It bypasses the mind and goes directly from our spirit to God.

Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues – How Tongues are to Benefit

The apostle Paul must have had a great singing voice. Have you ever heard anyone sing a tongue to someone and then interpret that tongue by song? It is marvelous! And I have experienced it many times. To be sure, I can’t sing very well, but I love to be sung to.

However, I love watching others being sung to. I experience the awesome presence of God. Paul teaches us to do this. He says to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to one another (see previous scriptures). We can also do this to ourselves. Paul said to sing to yourselves. I can sing a spiritual song to myself. Of course, a person can’t do this if they don’t believe in tongues.

Singing in tongues is a marvelous weapon of our warfare. So many never experience this wonder.

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues – How Tongues are to Benefit

Edifying Self

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

Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Tongues are the gift of the Spirit for self-edification. Of course, this gift is used to witness the fact that a person has received the Holy Ghost. By all means, it is used to bring a word from the Lord in a corporate service with interpretation. Equally important, it is used to self-edify the believer.

We can actually build ourselves up on our most holy faith by speaking in tongues! The enemy does not want you to do that. He will deceive you and lie to you. Don’t let him. Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you cannot experience what the believers in the Scriptures experienced. Enjoy the presence of the Holy Ghost. Enjoy your tongues!

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues – How Tongues are to Benefit

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues 3 sermon notes

Holy Ghost and Scriptural Tongues – How Tongues are to Benefit

Other Related Sermons:

Hungry for God – How to Experience Holy Spirit Baptism

Scriptural Tongues 2 Weapon notes

Come Holy Spirit but Why Tongues?

What Does Praying In The Spirit Mean? notes

Praying In Tongues Audio

Scriptural Tongues 1 Weapon notes

Also see:

Sermons Change The World

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