Speaking in Tongues

In today's churches, especially Pentecost and AG denominational Churches, only if you speak in Tongues does the congregational members recognise that you have the anointing of the Holy Spirit. This has become a normal practice to recognise anointing of Holy Spirit through speaking of tongues in India and its spectacular revival in the past few decades or so.

In the congregation where I took water baptism, they conducted a class in which the elder woman who conducted the class taught the attendees to get the anointing by speaking of tongues as early as possible.

*What is Anointing of Holy Spirit?*

Let us turn to our Bibles and see some of the recorded scriptures.

Jesus says speaking in Tongues as one of the signs of a believer. But that's not the only sign.

Mark 16:17 In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Mark 16:18 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.

On the Pentecost day when the disciples have assembled the Holy Spirit descended on them as a split fire tongue and they started to speak in different languages. When they started to speak in different languages, the people who had gathered there were amazed to see how these could speak in their native language, despite these being from Galilee or Israel. The Gospel was preached to these visitors by the speaking of Tongues. (Read Acts 2)

*Only if you are baptised in water, holy spirit baptism will be given - incorrect doctrine*

Some church elders are of opinion that Only if you are baptised in water, holy spirit baptism will be given. Let us see what happened in the house of Cornelius when Peter was sent to evangelise to the gentiles, for the first ever time, as recorded in the Acts 10. Peter seeing that the people gathered speaking in tongues, after they heard the Gospel and accepted Jesus as Christ, says Lets not withold water baptism to these believers.

Citing this incident, do we say that we should not get water baptism without anointing of Holy Spirit? Same way stating that "

Only if you are baptised in water, holy spirit baptism will occur" is an incorrect doctrine.

In my life, before the water baptism I got the anointing of Holy Spirit. (Without even knowing what is anointing and tongues, I have asked for the anointing and got it. In the water baptism class mentioned above, about 30 believers were there to take the baptism and only 3 of us had holy spirit anointing)

*Who shall be anointed?*

Some doctrines state that only Believers will get Anointing. This also is found to be incorrect through another incident.

First king of Israel Saul, was rejected by the LORD and Samuel was commisioned by the LORD to anoint David as the king of Israel. After this the kingship of Saul did not go immediately. When the Philistines waged war against Israel David kills Goliath and the people sing exalting David over Saul. This makes Saul to be angry with David and at many times David escapes and runs away to save his life. In one such escapade, David foes to Ramah and meets Samuel to tell him all that happened to him. While he was with Samuel, Saul sends his servants to bring David. However the servants when they came near the place where Samuel and David were residing, the spirit of prophecy descends on them and they started to prophesising. Saul sent 2 more set of servants and same result. Then Saul himself comes to meet. He is also not spared.  The spirit of prophecy descends on him as well. It is recorded that he tore his garments and for one day and night he kept on prophesying lay on ground.

So when the LORD decides, he can anoint anyone. Be it Saul, or his servants.

*Is speaking in tongues in the congregation correct?*

Let us see what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14

9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

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.

16 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?

17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

God only knows why these are not preached in the churches. Probably this is hidden to them

Also see verse 22

Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

Woah... Speaking in tongues is a sign to them that believe not!

In verse 23

If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

So Children of God, if someone in the congregation speak in tongue, interpretation is as important as speaking in tongue. If interpretation is not there, what result does it give? Nothing.

*Tongues In my life*

If LORD fills me with tongues, when I am praying with someone, he is able to make me understand the meaning.

If he makes me to speak in tongue in my personal prayer, and doesn't make the meaning understand to me, then he makes me to pray for something I need not know.

*Talking same words as tongues*

Some people remember the words they spake when the anointing was given and repeat them. This is an incorrect way. LORD might have used that tongue prayer for a specific reason and remembering that and praying is just from your flesh.

Remember Jesus' warning: Don't pray with useless words

*Speaking in tongues in the congregation*

Some believers think that if I don't speak in tongues congregation might think that I am not anointed and hence speak in some delerium words. This is absolutely incorrect.

In some churches pastors and worship leaders ask the congregation to speak in tongues and worship the LORD. This also is not biblical.

I Cor 14:27-28 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Hence speaking in tongues is not the only gift of God. Let us not make that Speaking in tongues is the Anointing. LORD is able to anoint who he wants to Anoint.

So if the Holy Spirit leads you to speak tongues or interpret tongues or prophesy, obey to the command. Wherever he makes you to speak in a congregation of two or three, request the LORD to explain the tongues.

However DONOT take that speaking in  tongues or prophesising are the only gifts of anointing.

May the LORD bless you and lead you in all truth. Amen.