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Illustrated Message Overview

Holy Ghost and Refreshing - Message 1 – January 15th, 2023

Let’s start by reading Isaiah 28:11-13; “11 For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, 12 To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” And, “This is the refreshing”; Yet they would not hear. 13 But the word of the Lord was to them, “Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little,” That they might go and fall backward, and be broken and snared and caught.”

Broken, snared and caught. The reason they responded like this, was because their religious studies were very repetitive, very structured, memory recital, that’s how they learned the Old Testament which consisted of the Pentateuch, the Prophets, the Psalms etc., and about God. That’s how the culture worked, line upon line, precept upon precept etc., and by this they memorized the Old Testament. So when this prophecy was fulfilled at Pentecost, some were mocking it and mocking it, some were laughing at it, some found it hysterical. When they saw the disciples come out of the upper room, they mocked them, they were mockers, hysterically laughing, shouting, laughing and maybe even saying here a little, there a little, line upon line, precept upon precept. They were unbelieving with laughter, there was no faith and were mocking the men of God.

Gordon Lindsay says; “This prophecy itself is remarkable, but not less so is the significant place in the book where it is found. Isaiah 24-28 has often been called the little apocalypse. In these brief chapters appears a moving portrayal of the whole scope of events of the end time. They tell of the Great Tribulation, the destruction of the gentile power, the resurrection of the dead, the restoration of Israel, the establishment of the millennial kingdom and the binding of Satan, beside recording other lesser events. But note, the inspired writer does not complete this panoramic preview of events until he records that with these world judgments God would also send upon His people a great blessing. There would be a rest and a refreshing which as we shall see, speaks of the mighty baptism of the Holy Spirit, and the attending phenomenon of speaking in tongues.”

It would seem like the scoffers at Pentecost didn’t know that the scriptures in Isaiah Chapters 24-28 were speaking prophetically for the end time, and didn’t comprehend that they were living the fulfillment of it, or they understood it the wrong way and couldn’t hear it.

Acts 2:1-21, is a fulfilment of Isaiah 28:11-12, and Acts 2:1-21 is broken down into 3 categories;

Acts 2:1-4, the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, where the 120 disciples were gathered in the upper room obeying Jesus’ last commandment to them is found in Acts 1:4-5. It says; “4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Acts 2:5-13, The crowd’s response, (those gathered in Jerusalem for the annual Day of Pentecost), who witnessed the apostles and disciples speaking in other tongues.
Acts 2:14-21, The Apostle Peters sermon opening, where he clearly explains that what the crowds witnessed is a fulfilment of the prophecy given by Joel 2:28-32.

While the majority of people that heard them speak with stammering lips, speaking in their own tongues the wonderful works of God, others in unbelief mocked them and would not hear them speak of the wonderful works of God and it was here that they were mocked, and accused of being drunk as it says in verse 13; “Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.” They thought they were out of their minds, drunk, making a big scene, while others believed as they saw a supernatural event taking place. But just like Isaiah prophesied; ‘they would not hear’, and were the hecklers, mockers, and loud mouths that tried to drown out what was taking place.

This is very important to note that their will always be religious people who have a form of godliness but deny its power, and have hardened their heart to the supernatural and can no longer hear the wonderful works of God any more. It’s the equivalent of being spiritually deaf and dumb, while having the appearance of being a Christian, but not able to hear an interpretation of speaking in tongues, regardless of how accurate the interpretation is, they can’t hear it because the god of this world, Satan, has blinded the minds of the sons of disobedience. You might say that that applies to the secular unbeliever and that it doesn’t apply to the Christian. When Christians disobey Jesus’ last command found in Acts 1:4-5, the god of this world blinds their minds because of unbelief and as a result they can’t hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to Churches and end up backsliding in one form or another.

Let’s read Isaiah 28:13 again; “13 But the word of the Lord was to them, “Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little,” That they might go and fall backward, and be broken and snared and caught.”

This is what it was to them when they heard the speaking in tongues at Pentecost, they mocked them. If you heckle and laugh at the Holy Spirit, His work and gifts, you fall backward, are broken, snared and caught.

A number of Bible commentaries believe that this scripture refers to the Assyrian and Babylonian armies which Israel was continually being terrorized by. However, if you read this in context, which indicates that these four chapters in Isaiah were prophesying about the future of Israel and Messiah’s arrival through the Millennial reign of Jesus, you see the spiritual state of Judah was rejecting Jesus as Messiah, and upon rejecting Him and the Holy Spirit being poured out at Pentecost, what they heard through the stammering lips they scorned and hence, they fell backward, were broken, snared and caught. Since Paul specifically mentioned Isaiah’s prophecy in 1 Corinthians 14:21-22 in which he was teaching them how to use the gift of tongues and all the gifts of the Spirit and that it would bring rest and refreshing to their soul, how could it be thought that the invading armies of Assyria back in Isaiah’s time, would be of a rest and refreshing nature. There is nothing in the midst of terror that brings rest and refreshing. But for the church age, tongues bring rest and refreshing. We’ll continue to look at this as we study.

The true meaning of this scripture then means that the word of the Lord was to them blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, and the same today many Christians mock the speaking in tongues and interpretation and hear it as blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, but in the end, they fall backward and are broken snared and caught by the god of this world, whose sole intent is to rob, kill and destroy their Christian faith. We are obviously in a day and age where Jesus can come back and rapture His Church because of the great falling away of Christians that have and are backsliding from their faith like never before in history, and this is why so many will be left behind to face the seven years of tribulation.

The Apostle Paul says this about the great apostasy in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 says; “2 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of [a]Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of [b]sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits [c]as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”

This is why Isaiah 28:11-13 is an ongoing fulfilment of prophecy from the day of Pentecost to now and until Jesus returns for His bride, the Church, which is all the more reason for Christians to be ready and filled with the Holy Spirit with the same evidence of speaking tongues. The religious will say and do the same thing today that they’re crazy, drunk and they’ll mock, laugh and say they’re drunk.

Gordon Lindsay says; “In considering this remarkable prophecy, let us not what has been called the law of the first mention. This law involves the peculiar fact that when a great truth first appears in the Scripture, the most important phases of that truth are mentioned or touched upon in the passage. In the present instance the following important points are alluded to in the prophecy;

That the fulfillment of the prophecy would take place in its fullness just before the end of the age. (Notice that it is associated with the great end-of-the-age prophecies.) Those are of Isaiah 24-28.

It seems like we’re in a time like never before that it’s gotten so perilous, men and women have become perilous especially in the last two to three years. Perilous times have been escalating.

2 Timothy 3:1-7 talks about these end-time perilous signs of the return of Christ; “3 But know this, that in the last days [a]perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, [b]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

The phrase, ‘a form of godliness but denying it’s power’, means they’re religious in some way or another, but deny the power of the Holy Spirit. The phrase, “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” is the same of what Isaiah said, ‘line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little’, always learning, meditation, memorizing, but never coming to the knowledge of the truth, and rejecting it instead. These end time scoffers say the same about those who speak in tongues today, they’re drunk, they’ve lost their minds.

2 Peter 2:18-22 tells of more deceptions and false teachers that will creep in, that will speak against the Pentecostal movement, speaking in tongues, speaking against the baptism of the Holy Spirit and other teachings; “18 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who [a]have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of [b]corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into [c]bondage. 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”

When Peter says that the latter end is worse for them than the beginning…he’s again alluding to what Isaiah wrote, “That they might go and fall backward, and be broken and snared and caught.” This is called backsliding.

This is all the more reason why it’s so important to be baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, so that you can overcome and not backslide into the last day sins and end up outside the kingdom of heaven along with countless others that have backslide from the day of Pentecost until now.

Gordon Lindsay says;

“That speaking in tongues will be a special means by which God will reach the people of that day.”

Different kinds of tongues and interpretation of tongues are two of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit that God is using to minister to believers in this very hour as was used in the early Church.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 says; “4 There are [a]diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works [b]all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by [c]the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”

As we read earlier that on the day of Pentecost, the gift of different kinds of tongues were given by the Holy Spirit to declare the wonderful works God to many nationalities in their own languages. Interpretation of tongues is a form of prophecy that reveals what is being spoken in tongues, and is for the edification of the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 14:1-5 says; “14 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; [a]for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.”

We can see that the prophetic gift is not greater than tongues when the tongues are interpreted, the church receives edification and this gift is then equal with the prophetic.

Isaiah prophesied about the gift of tongues and interpretation and the different kinds of tongues that God would use to speak to both believers and unbelievers. He calls them stammering lips and another tongue guarantees that rest and refreshing would be the result of speaking in tongues.

Gordon Lindsay continues saying;

3.That with the speaking in tongues there would also be stammering lips, inferring that the utterances at first may be halting and broken, before the clear flow of the language takes place.

4.That this phenomenon of speaking in tongues will be directly associated with a special refreshing and rest that a God will give to His people – a blessing which is none other than the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

5.That despite the manifestation of this divine phenomenon, many will harden their hearts and reject it, and in turn they will be rejected of God. The extreme danger of such unbelief is shown in verses 12, 13; “Yet they would not hear. But the word of the Lord to unto them, precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, and there a little, that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.”

Again, Isaiah says in 28:11-12; “11 For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, 12 To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” And, “This is the refreshing”; Yet they would not hear.”

To them it was blah, blah, blah, and saying, you’re drunk, hysterically laughing at the unintelligible language that it was to them. There will always be religious mockers in the crowd like there were with Peter and the disciples in the upper room, who grieve the Holy Spirit, who have a form of godliness but void of Holy Ghost power. They don’t want to hear. Religious hecklers and scoffers who have studied religion all of their lives yet unable to come to the knowledge of the truth on the baptism in the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues.

How many of you know that God is not mocked but what a man sows, he shall reap? God is not willing that anyone perish and spend eternity separated from Him. But it’s what a man sows, that he will reap. If you mock the Holy Spirit, you’re going to reap something. If you’re going to laugh at preachers and mock them, you’re going to reap something from God. It’s you’re own doing, not God’s doing, it’s you’re doing. If you grieve the Holy spirit, you’re going to reap something.

How many Christians today have chosen not to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church regarding the gift of tongues, and as a result are backslidden, no longer attend church, no longer take communion, no longer pay tithes, and the keeping of the Ten Commandments has become a game of hit and miss, rather than about conviction of sin and the righteous judgement to come.

There is no true rest and refreshing for Christians, who are mockers, scoffers, hecklers and laughers that have rejected the baptism of the Holy Spirit. There is no rest and refreshing for them and it’s their own doing and when they stand before God, they can’t blame it on anyone else but themselves. But there is rest and refreshing for those who receive Jesus’ last command to speak in tongues, who are operating in supernatural Holy Ghost power, tongues, interpretation, on par with the prophet when they’re interpreting their tongues, they’re building themselves up in their holy faith, they’re able to sing songs in the Spirit, this is the promise of Jesus, and Isaiah prophesied about these 800 years before it happened on the day of Pentecost in the upper room. That is a very long time to be telling people this was coming. Isaiah saw it as clear as day and God fulfilled it.

What are you going to deliver, Christian? Are you going deliver faith in God’s word in what Isaiah and Peter and the disciples at Pentecost delivered? Are you going to deliver and speak the wonderful works of God? It’s your choice, choose life, choose to speak in tongues, choose to interpret your tongues, choose to interpret someone else’s tongues as the Holy Spirit enables you, choose to speak the word of the Lord to the body of Christ. Choose this day who you’re going to serve. Don’t plug up the wellspring of the Holy Ghost with fear, doubt and unbelief. Are you going to cap off the well with a big fear stone, a big unbelief stone, a big doubt stone? If you do that, it’s inevitable you’re going to fall backward, stumble, be broken and fall. Deliver the word of the Lord, preach the word, deliver the word…I sound like a parrot but it needs to be repeated.

Let it be like Jeremiah and the word to him was like a fire shut up in his bones and he couldn’t help but speak. Let the Holy Ghost and fire fill you. Deliver, deliver, deliver, speak, speak, speak, look at your mockers and just speak, don’t be intimidated regardless of how educated they are, don’t back down, don’t back down, stand up, stand up to the Goliath, stand up to the wicked leaders that are mocking you, don’t bow the knee to the wicked religious leader. Let them throw you into the furnace of fiery affliction. Let them do what they do naturally, behaving like their father the devil. You need to stand like never before. You have to preach now like never before. You have to speak in tongues like never before, you have to prophesy like never before, preach and teach like never before.

Illustrated Message Overview

Speaking in Tongues Belongs to the Church – Message 2 – January 22, 2023

Reason #2 why Christians should speak in tongues, is found in 1 Corinthians 14:21, where the Apostle Paul quotes from Isaiah 28:11-12, declaring that the New Testament speaking in tongues is a fulfillment of what Isaiah prophesied 800 years before it took place on the day of Pentecost in the upper room where the apostles and disciples of Christ were baptized with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

Gordon Lindsay says;

“2. THE NEW TESTAMENT DECLARES THAT SPEAKING IN TONGUES IS A FULFILLMENT OF THIS OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECY.

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.’ 1 Cor. 14:21”

Let’s revisit a section from last weeks message to help clear up any teaching that refers to Isaiah 28:11-12 as a prophecy for Israel in the time period that Isaiah was prophesying in.

A number of Bible commentaries believe that this scripture refers to the foreign languages of Assyrian and Babylonian armies which Israel was continually being terrorized by. However, if you read this in context, which indicates that these four chapters in Isaiah, chapters 24-28, were prophesying about the future of Israel and Messiah’s arrival through the Millennial reign of Jesus, you see the spiritual state of Judah was rejecting Jesus as Messiah, and upon rejecting Him and the Holy Spirit being poured out at Pentecost, what they heard through the stammering lips they scorned and hence, they fell backward, were broken, snared and caught. Since Paul specifically mentioned Isaiah’s prophecy in 1 Corinthians 14:21-22 in which he was teaching them how to use the gift of tongues and all the gifts of the Spirit, and that it would bring rest and refreshing to their soul, how could it be thought that the invading armies of Assyria back in Isaiah’s time, would be of a rest and refreshing nature. There is nothing in the midst of terror that brings rest and refreshing. But for the church age, tongues bring rest and refreshing.

How many people can use true rest and refreshing today?

Gordon Lindsay says;
“The prophecy mentioned in Isaiah was not overlooked in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul, when discussing the various gifts of the Spirit in his epistle to the Corinthians, referred to that prophecy and pointed out that it foretold the coming of the gift of tongues to the New Testament Church. He added that the prophecy also mentioned one of the great purposes of the gift – that it should be a sign to unbelievers. In other words, it would be the means of arresting the attention of unbelievers to the reality of the supernatural gospel.”

1 Corinthians 14:20-25 says; “20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature. 21 In the law it is written: “With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” says the Lord. 22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are [a]out of your mind? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25 [b]And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.”

This scripture is often used to discourage Christians from corporately speaking in tongues, but this is not what Paul is saying, but rather is declaring that tongues are a sign to the unbeliever, in that when followed up with prophetic interpretations, unbelievers are then ministered to and are convinced and convicted by all that is being said in the prophetic interpretation, and as it says in verse, “25 [g]And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.”

The tongues and interpretation are what brings conviction to the unbeliever. The more sure word of prophecy is God’s word that we stand on, not on someone’s experience. God’s word in Isaiah 28 and 1 Corinthians 14 is the more sure word of prophecy, it’s infallible and outweighs anything a person could offer or think.

Paul previously said in this verse, “5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; [a]for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.” This reveals clearly that speaking in tongues is not a sign for believers but rather is a normal part of Christian fellowship and when interpreted, is on par with prophecy for edification of the church body of believers.

There are Churches that will not allow corporate prayer and worship in tongues without an interpretation, and fail to believe, that just as it was for those on the day of Pentecost who heard the apostles speaking in tongues declaring the wonderful works of God in their own languages, will happen today in corporate prayer and worship meeting while Christians are speaking in tongues. It is the norm for unbelievers to think Christians are out of their minds when they hear them speak in tongues, but when Christians are declaring the wonderful works of God in the unbeliever’s own language, without having learned their language, this then becomes a sign to them and as a result are also convicted and convinced by all what was said to them in their own native language. Christians declaring the wonderful works of God in foreign languages that they never learned was not a one-time event, but from Pentecost until today, testimonies can be heard about unbelievers who heard the gospel preached in their own language by someone speaking in tongues, and as a result believed and became a Christian. None of this is new, it is still going on today and will continue until Jesus comes.

This is why Paul is making it clear that as Christians we need to not be immature in regards to understanding that speaking in tongues is just a normal way that God ministers to both unbelievers and believers. Mature Christians don’t grieve the Holy Spirit by speaking in tongues and are not concerned about whether unbelievers think that they are out of their minds, because that is just the normal behavior of non-believers until what is being spoken in tongues becomes a sign, and thus the secrets of their heart are revealed; and so, falling down on their face, they will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

Christians have to keep in perspective that an unbelievers father is not God, and therefore we can only conclude that their father is the god of this world, Satan, and they will behave like their father the devil until the gospel is unveiled to them in a supernatural way, such as hearing the gospel in their own language spoke to them by someone who doesn’t speak their language or having their mail read thru tongues and interpretation the areas in their life that only they would know about.

Mature Christians are not as concerned about image, but are rather concerned about not grieving the Holy Spirit, and they are not ashamed of speaking in tongues as prompted by the Holy Spirit to do so, because they are led by the Spirit and not by the flesh and are more concerned about obeying God and allowing the Holy Spirit to work thru them to reach unbelievers. In order for unbelievers to fall on their face and worship God and report that God is truly among you, they need to hear Christians speak in tongues and interpret them. They are not going to hear if Christians are not going to speak, so keep in mind that grieving the Holy Spirit by unbelief as a Christian, is as much a fulfillment of Isaiah 28:11-13 as it is for unbelieving non-Christians.

Gordon Lindsay says;

“Paul further noted, however, that despite the startling impressiveness of the sign, there would be those who would not believe it, nor the prophecy which foretold its coming. Nevertheless, speaking in tongues was foretold in prophecy; and, therefore, it belongs to the Church.”

Tongues originated from the church, it belongs to the church, it started in the church, it’s going to end in the church. You can’t stop it, it started on the day of Pentecost, continues to now and will continue into the future. Nothing is going to stop the Holy Spirit from baptizing Christians and have them speak in tongues, nothing or no-one, no one is going to stop speaking in tongues and interpretation, no matter what they try, they can’t stop it and can’t put the fire out. The fire started at Pentecost and continues on today, it’s the flame of Holy Ghost fire that cannot be put out!

Regardless of whether Christians or unbelievers don’t believe in speaking in tongues, it belongs to the Church, and is as much of a fulfilment of prophecy now as it was at Pentecost. The gates of hell, thru unbelief, will not ever prevail against it, and Jesus will build His Church with or without a Christians endorsement on speaking in tongues. Jesus does not need your endorsement, Christian. Theologian, Jesus does not need your endorsement on it. It was endorsed in the Book of Acts, signed by Jesus Himself; He sent it, He said it would come, the Comforter came, filled them, they spoke in tongues and prophesied. If a Christian is not willing to obey God in regards to receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, God will simply raise up someone else who won’t grieve the Holy Spirit, regardless of how unqualified they are, for God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. There are a lot of pastors that have disobeyed God by rejecting Jesus’ last command to be baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, and they will be removed by God and replaced with Christians that are willing to obey Him and preach the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues as the only evidence.

In 1 Samuel 15:22-26 we read about the prophet Samuel delivering the word of the Lord to King Saul in a time of war, but Saul never obeyed Samuel’s command by not destroying all of the enemy, to keep nothing alive but destroy it all. So Samuel said this to King Saul; “22 So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of [a]witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.” 24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. 25 Now therefore, please pardon my sin, and return with me, that I may worship the Lord.” 26 But Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.”

Apparently, according to Isaiah 28:11-13, it’s a very serious sin to reject the baptism of the Holy Spirit, not only does a Christian not experience true rest and refreshing, the last commandment of Jesus for them found in Acts 1:4-5 is mocked by them by not obeying it, and ultimately, they backslide in one way or another and are broken, snared and caught. You may say, that’s an Old Testament story of King Saul’s disobedience to God, it’s understandable the judgments that came on him. After all, it’s Old Testament. But let’s look at the New Testament where we read in Hebrews 10:26-29; “26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?”

If you’re treating your walk with God and what Jesus did on the cross, a common thing, you’re trampling God underfoot and insulting the Spirit of grace. When you reject the baptism of the Holy Spirit, who are you insulting but the Spirit of grace. Who else are you insulting but Jesus? By not obeying His last command that He gave you, you’re insulting what He did on the cross by disobeying Him. You’re not seeking out the baptism of the Holy Spirit like He commanded in Acts 1:4-8.

Jesus knew what you needed in order to stand and be a Christian. He knows what you need. Don’t lean on your own understanding. He knew what His disciples needed and He knows what you need. You may say, I haven’t trampled the Son of God underfoot, but have you rejected the baptism of the Holy Spirit which was the Son of God’s last command to His disciples? You insult the Spirit of grace, the Holy Spirit, Jesus and God the Father. You insult God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit by rejecting His last command to you. It’s a commandment because He knew that you would need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, be baptized in the Holy Spirit, to speak in tongues and to have power over the devil. Without it, you are powerless and ultimately and inevitable you will backslide in one way, shape or another. Not because God isn’t for you, not because Jesus doesn’t love you, it’s simple because you rejected what He sent you and what you needed to overcome the devil with. The very thing He sent you to help you be commandment keeper, to be able to stand up when everyone else is bowing the knee – which by the way, there has been a lot of knee bowing by pastors and teachers in the past 3 years to the secular politicians and health officials. And why are they and have they bowed the knee, if you check them out, you’ll find that they haven’t been filled with the Holy Ghost and power.

King Saul was more concerned about saving face with the people than he was about obeying God, and it not only cost him his kingship, but also his life and his salvation. Who are you going to obey today, pastor and Christian? Are you trying to save face with the religious community or your congregation? Are you going to be a God or man pleaser? King Saul bowed the knee and it cost him his life because he was more concerned what the people thought and said. He was immature in the very place where he needed to be mature. Those who reject the baptism of the Holy Spirit are immature in their walk with God. They’re immature. They might be seasoned in ministry but are immature in their obedience to God. They’re more concerned about being people pleasers and not God pleasers. That’s why Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14:20-21; “20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature. 21 In the law it is written: “With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” says the Lord.”

It's time to grow up, pastors and Christians, it’s time to grow up and mature, instead of behaving immature and rejecting the Holy Spirit.

I’d like to quote this again from Hebrews 10:26-29; “26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?”

If you receive the knowledge of the truth of salvation, about being baptized in the Holy Spirit as Jesus commanded, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sin. So if you’ve received it, you’re good, but if you receive it partially, you’re not good; you can’t half-step it by receiving salvation but reject the baptism of the Holy Spirit’s plan and power by speaking in tongues. You can’t divide this up. Just like it was costly to King Saul, it will be costly to you if you reject this Holy Spirit baptism and insult the Spirit of grace. When you say to Jesus that you’re not going to fully obey Him, regardless of what He did on the cross, you’re trampling the Son of God underfoot and calling it a common thing. Why receive Jesus as Lord if you can’t obey Him in all things? It’s a serious question. The baptism of the Holy Spirit was part of the package of salvation, it was and is an all-inclusive deal. It’s one thing to not know about the baptism in the Holy Spirit, as mentioned in Acts 19:2, it’s another thing to know about it and reject it. However, the men in Ephesus in Acts 19:2 after hearing about the baptism in the Holy Spirit, received it gladly and spoke in tongues.

What makes this very relevant is that it’s about obeying Jesus in all things. Many think King Saul went to heaven – or Paradise – but he didn’t. God rejected him, that’s why he sought out a witch. But you’ll say that Samuel told him that he and his son would be with him in Paradise after they’d die in battle the following day? No, King Saul was talking to a witch and she was drawing up an evil spirit that was impersonating the prophet Samuel, a demon was talking to them. How many pastors have prophets who are under them who have demon spirits and are prophesying lies, propping them up in their sin? Lying about the future, but the Lord is going to remove them out of the pulpit. The lying false prophets are telling you the future is great, the ministry will flourish and prosper but God is about ready to take you out of the pulpit and will replace you with someone who will preach on the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Pastors, you have to obey the word of the Lord and stop surrounding yourself with false prophets who are prophesying lies to you, and if you can and if there is still time, to go back and seek out the baptism in the Holy Spirit and ask Jesus to forgive you and pray like you’ve never prayed before, seek His forgiveness. But if you have insulted the Spirit of grace to the point of blasphemy, there is no hope for you as you’ve accounted the works of the Holy Spirit to be that of the devil, there is no hope for you.

Remember, you’re not indispensable, God will resist you because of pride and find someone else who will fully obey Him in everything. You may say that that sounds harsh – that God would send someone to hell for rejecting the baptism in the Holy Spirit – but is it? Remember, it’s not God who condemns you, but your own actions that condemn you. It’s not God’s will that you spend eternity separated from Him, but you can’t insult the Spirit of grace and get away with it, you can’t speak evil of speaking in tongues and get away with it.

If you haven’t gone too far, repent and turn back. You don’t want a seat in Hades with King Saul and all the other wicked kings who decided to do their own thing and disobey God. Don’t think the judgement is any less sever for pastors and Christians who have disobeyed God under the New Covenant written with Jesus’ blood. It’s stricter under the New Covenant. You may say, where is grace in all of this – if you reject the baptism in the Holy Spirit, you’ve insulted the Spirit of grace.

Again, the New Testament declares that speaking in tongues is a fulfillment of this Old Testament prophecy, whether you believe it or not, that is what Paul the Apostle said, regardless of whether you believe that Isaiah 28:11-12 was prophesied 800 years before Pentecost, regardless if you believe it, Paul said it was a fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy. Regardless if you believe it and obey it, this came from the Apostle Paul and he’s the one reminding pastors and Christians today. Isaiah was not a false prophet, not like the false prophets that many pastors have surrounded themselves with today who have led them down roads of destruction to get you to reject the baptism in the Holy Spirit and reject speaking in tongues. The very thing you need to be able to pastor and lead the people is the baptism in the Holy Spirit. You can’t overlook what the Apostle Paul said. There are 19 more reasons why you, as a Christian, Should Speak in Tongues!

Illustrated Message Overview

21 Reasons Why Christians Should Speak in Tongues – Jesus Said It, That Settles It

Message 3 – February 5th, 2023

The 3rd reason why Christians should speak in tongues is found in the great commission, where Jesus clearly states that if you are a Christian believer, you will speak in tongues, and it will be one of the signs that determine the genuineness of being a believer as opposed to being a religious individual that claims to be Christian but is not truly born-again. There are many people today that are claiming to be Christian but don’t have the signs that identify them to be true disciples of Christ, and as a result are not even a part of a Christian Church fellowship, and are walking is serious deception to even call themselves Christian and lay claim to being His disciple.

When Jesus commissioned His disciples, it began with a rebuke for their hardness of heart for not believing that He had risen from the dead and had appeared to certain disciples, Mary Magdalene and another also named Mary that bore this testimony to them. This is a clear indicator that these disciples of Christ still had to walk out their Christian faith in Him and that there would be signs, as listed in Marks account of the commission, that would follow them that don’t allow hardness of heart to hinder their call to fulfill His commission for their lives. These eleven men allowed unbelief and hardness of heart to hinder their faith to believe in His resurrection, and this was the first thing that Jesus spoke to them about. It shows that had he not rebuked them for their unbelief, they may have continued in it and not fulfilled His commission as stated in Mark 16:14-18.

Mark 16:14-18 in the Amplified Bible says; “14 Later, Jesus appeared to the eleven [disciples] themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He called them to account for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen [from death]. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 He who has believed [in Me] and has been baptized will be saved [from the penalty of God’s wrath and judgment]; but he who has not believed will be condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well.”

Those are Jesus’ words written by Mark, who even though was not of the eleven disciples, is commonly believed to have traveled with Peter as his interpreter, who journaled all of what Peter told him, that his mother was the Mary who owned a home in Jerusalem where the early church gathered and that he was also Barnabas’ nephew. He was also known as John Mark.

Unbelief and hardness of heart can hinder a person from not only fulfilling the call of Christ on their lives, but also, unbelief will not allow the supernatural signs to operate in their lives such as casting out devils, speaking in tongues, walking in divine protection and seeing the sick healed as a result of their prayers. This is why we have people who claim to believe in Jesus and call themselves Christian, but can not fulfill His commission on their lives and stubbornly reject the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, which is what Christ commanded His disciples to tarry for until they received it in the upper room on the day of Pentecost. The commission of these eleven men and disciples, could have never been fulfilled without having received the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, and this is why today many a person that Christ has called to be His disciple, is not fulfilling the commission of Christ on their lives. It is all rooted in unbelief and hardness of heart that has them resemble the religious appearance of being a Christian without the signs that follow a true disciple.

Let’s take some time and simply look at who it is that said speaking in tongues would be a sign that would follow a Christians life that has not allowed unbelief and hardness of heart to not receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

It says in John 1:1-5 in the Amplified Bible; “1 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word ([a]Christ), and the Word was with God, and [b]the Word was God Himself. 2 He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. 3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being. 4 In Him was life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines on in the [c]darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it].”

Those who reject the baptism in the Holy Spirit are walking in darkness, they’re unreceptive to it. When a believer rejects the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, they are rejecting the very deity of Christ Himself, who is the Word of God, that commands His disciples to wait until they are baptised with the Holy Spirit and fire. Many a Christian thru unbelief and hardness of heart have aborted the commandment of Christ to be baptised in the Holy Spirit and fire, and as a result, are not fulfilling any of the great commission in their lives. To some it has become religious tradition, to others they’re at least preaching the gospel but there are no signs following their preaching.

We read in the following scripture about the promise of the Holy Spirit coming and it quotes Jesus’ words, this Jesus who we just read about, the Word of God, was God Himself, and that nothing was created without Him. These are just as powerful words as any other words Jesus spoke.

Acts 1:4-5 says; “4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Acts 1:8; “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [c]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Jesus new that in order for His disciples to fulfill the commission, they needed to first and foremost to obey His command to wait in Jerusalem until they were baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire power. Jesus never made it an option for His disciples to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and fire, it was not up for discussion or something to be debated over, it was a commandment to His disciples that required their unconditional obedience, and without it they would not be able to fulfill all of the commission found in Mark 16:14-18.

Gordon Lindsay says the following;

“Next, Jesus commanded the Church to make disciples of all nations, that those who believed the gospel would be saved and those who rejected it would be lost.

So far, the evangelical Church is in agreement. But observe, this is not all of the Great Commission. Christ at the same time spoke of certain signs which would identify true believers. Among these signs are those mentioned in the 17thverse. “In My name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues.”

Healing the sick and casting out demons are signs which are to follow believers. But also included is the sign of speaking with new tongues. That Christ should have included the speaking of tongues in His Great Commission emphatically calls attention to the importance of the sign.”

Once again, if Jesus said it, that settles it. There is only one other option, and that is to disobey what He requires of you to not only be His disciple but be able to fulfill the same commission He gave His disciples. Without being baptized in the Holy Spirit and fire with the evidence of speaking in tongues, a Christian risks ending up on a broad and wide religious road to hell, that is paved with good intentions, and in the end is full of could ofs, would ofs, and should ofs, that were never fulfilled because of the lack of Holy Ghost power.

Selective hearing is not an option when it comes to the commands of Christ found in the Holy Bible, and the only way that a Christian is going to be able to walk a straight and narrow road and fulfill Christs commission is to wait until they receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire with the evidence of speaking in tongues. It all comes back down to who Jesus is that commands you to obey Acts 1:4-5, He is not only the Word of God, but also the author of eternal salvation to all that obey Him, Hebrews 5:9. Underline and make it bold – to all that obey Him.

Let’s take a look at the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:16-20. Matthew’s account is different yet sheds a commanding light on what Jesus said. We know Mark wrote what he was told about because he wasn’t one of the eleven, but Matthew who was also known as the tax collector, had first hand recollection of Jesus’ command. It would seem like Mark was an investigative reporter that got the accounts from a few of the disciples first hand. The fact that the Great Commission has different things in their accounts, doesn’t discredit one or the other, it simply solidifies the veracity of what Jesus taught.

So Matthew recounts this in Matthew 28:16-20; “16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [b]Amen.

Did you catch that phrase, ‘some doubted’? Mark specifically noted that Jesus rebuked them for their ‘unbelief and hardness of heart’, but Matthew simply says, ‘some doubted.’ Maybe Matthew still stung from the rebuke and didn’t want to embellish the fact of how Jesus rebuked them because they didn’t believe the report from the two Mary’s that Jesus had risen from the dead.

Mark got the information from some of the disciples of what happened but Matthew chose not to be so detailed. Since Mark’s mother also hosted the church in Jerusalem at her home, maybe the conversations around the breaking of bread talked about what Jesus had done to the eleven. Just speaking from the imagination, maybe Mark rubbed it in a bit about the rebuke that all the eleven had received. They could have allowed pride to settle in and this was a continual reminder of what had happened to them. The same happens today, maybe it’s the ‘us four and no more club’ or ‘the us eleven, the 120 and the no more club’, or like being the ‘charter members’ of a club.

Again, Mark maybe being more investigative, writes clearly from the accounts that he had heard of what Jesus had said, he points out clearly what Jesus had commissioned the disciples to do the following; “15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preachthe gospel to all creation. 16 He who has believed [in Me] and has been baptized will be saved [from the penalty of God’s wrath and judgment]; but he who has not believed will be condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well.”

Mark wasn’t the one who got rebuked for unbelief and hardness of heart, Matthew did along with the others.

In Matthews account of the commission, there is no mention of speaking in tongues, but in verse 20, Jesus requires those who become Christians to observe all things that He commanded the 11 disciples to do, so it very clear that Acts 1:1-4 applies to us today as it did for the early church, and was not limited to only those who were baptized in the Holy Spirit and fire in the upper room. This is why Christians have to get rid of selective hearing of the Holy Bible and realize that what Jesus taught His 11 apostles and early Church disciples is required of us as much as it was of them.

There are three areas that the devil seems to fight the most in a Christians life, which are faith in Bible scriptures that support; 1) divine health, 2) divine prosperity and 3) speaking in tongues. Some Christians have believed the lie that God is the author of sickness, poverty and that speaking in tongues is of the devil.

What they are saying is that God afflicts His children with sickness and poverty and that the devil is the author of speaking in tongues, which ironically, is the very thing that God uses to build up and edify Christians and brings rest and refreshing to them. There is nothing deeply spiritual about being sick and impoverished and what father or mother would afflict their children with sickness and poverty and then remove all possibility to be healed and prosper for the rest of their lives. That in itself is very twisted thinking, but a lot of Christians believe this lie about their Heavenly father.

I like Mark’s account of the commission because it brings Christians into accountability and specifically lists what is to follow, but then Matthew says; ‘20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you’.This goes beyond Mark’s list, but includes the words, all things.

Matthew’s account brings a sense of deeper accountability into obeying ALL Jesus’ commands which included what was said in Acts 1:4-8. Matthew takes things to a whole other level. Whereas Mark, coming in later in the game, had some catching up to do, but pulled up the account of the commission from the apostles where they had to admit, we didn’t believe the women when they told us that Jesus had risen from the dead, we were in unbelief, hardness of heart and were backsliding. Aren’t you glad when Jesus points out to you your hardness of heart and unbelief. That’s why He sent the Comforter, the Holy Spirit to help you, to baptize you with fire, to be able to speak in tongues, to build yourself up by praying in tongues. It’s a no-brainer as to why the devil wants to shut down speaking in tongues, because if he can do that, he can shut down your communication with God, you won’t be built up and edified and you won’t be able to edify the body of Christ.

In Luke 11:9-13, Jesus says the following; “9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for [a]bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Keep asking, seeking and knocking until you receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. I like the idea of being able to walk in God’s divine protection, God’s divine health and have God’s divine authority over the devil’s kingdom of darkness, and I especially like to speak in tongues and receive res t and refreshing from the Holy Spirit. This is not to say that there won’t be afflictions because the devil comes to rob, kill and destroy, but we have authority over him. Whatever area the devil is challenging you in regards to protection, prosperity and health, you have authority over him. This is a promise in the great commission. You don’t have to accept the devil’s assault on your life. It’s time to stop accrediting the works of the devil of sickness, death and poverty, to be the works of God and it is never a good time to accredit that speaking in tongues is of the devil, for this is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and is unforgivable. The devil always twists God’s word, he’s a liar.

Jesus says this in Matthew 12:31-32; “31 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.”

So in conclusion, let’s agree that Jesus who is the Word of God, said in His Holy Bible that Christians that are baptized in the Holy Spirit and fire will speak in new tongues, and that because Jesus said this, it is not up for discussion or debate, and does not need mans theological endorsement to approve it, because it already was approved and endorsed by Jesus in Acts 2:1-4 to be a sign of having been baptized in the Holy Spirit and fire. Jesus said it, that settles it.

Illustrated Message Overview

21 Reasons Why Christians Should Speak in Tongues – All Spoke in Tongues

Message 4 – February 12th, 2023

The devil has been deceiving to the body of Christ by saying that speaking in tongues is of him. But today, again, we’ll expose the lie and prove him wrong. It’s a new addition, a flag post, new territory taken today in battle, in spiritual warfare, where Jesus is our Commander and Chief, who helps us win our battles in the spirit realm that must be won, which has been won and will be won.

Reason #4 reveals that all spoke in tongues at Pentecost. Luke 24:44-49 says the following; “44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. 46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, [a]and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city [b]of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

Some Christians, need to have Jesus open their understanding that they might comprehend the scriptures about being baptized in the Holy Spirit. Some Christians, when their understanding is open need to simply obey and tarry in whatever town, city or country they live in, stay in a place of worship until they receive power from on high. You, Christian, need this more than you think you need it.

Jesus opened their understanding of what was written in the scriptures that pertained to His death, resurrection and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit that they would soon receive in Jerusalem where they would be endued with power from the Holy Ghost. It’s Jesus alone who opened their understanding and it was not of their own academic or scholastic achievement thru the study of the scriptures, but rather a supernatural unveiling of truth that was given them. I believe the same unveiling takes place today as Bible scriptures are studied, but the only difference is that Jesus is unveiling truth by the Holy Spirit who is our Helper.

Jesus says this in John 14:15-18; “15 If you love Me, [a]keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another [b]Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”

It continues in John 14:25-26; “25 These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 But the [a]Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

Jesus wants to give you peace today, He wants to give you the Comforter and Helper who will lead you into the truth in the Word, who will remind you of truth that Jesus has spoken in His Word.

John 15:26-27 continues; “26 But when the [a]Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.” The Holy Spirit will testify of Jesus through you.

Jesus continues in John 16:5-15; “5 But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He [a]will take of Mine and declare it to you.”

Jesus gave plenty of understanding about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit that was needed to not only comfort them in His absence, but would also lead them into truth as they obeyed His words to “tarry in the city [b]of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” It’s interesting to note that what Jesus spoke to His 12 apostles prior to His death was not fulfilled until the day of Pentecost, and it was not some exclusive gift to only the 12, but rather all of the 120 disciples that were baptized in the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. There was nothing exclusive about it being only for the 12 disciples, but it was for all who would believe.

In John 7:37-39 Jesus says this again about the promise of the Holy Spirit; “37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those [a]believing in Him would receive; for the [b]Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. These words were spoken while Jesus was alive, prior to his death. 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those [a]believing in Him would receive; for the [b]Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”

These words were spoken while Jesus was alive, prior to His death, and after He rose from the dead and had not yet ascended to His Father and was glorified, He visited His disciples. We read this in John 20:19-23 where He commissioned them; “19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were [a]assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Even before Jesus ascended to heaven, He had the ability to defy the natural elements to simply pass through them. Walk through walls, doors, and just appear! Amazing! Some Christians need Jesus to walk through their locked doors and walls that they’ve built up, where they’re in fear, lacking faith in what He said. It’s obvious that the disciples were in unbelief of His resurrection and didn’t have faith in what He said that He would do, let alone to receive the power and baptism of the Holy Spirit.

It’s here that the disciples are born again but are not baptized in the Holy Spirit and fire, which was to come as they obeyed His command found in Acts 1:4-5. We’ve read it many, many times, but we’ll read it again because this is what Jesus said about the promise from the Father to send the Holy Spirit. It says; “4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

This clearly shows that being born again of the Holy Spirit and baptized in the Holy Spirit are two separate occurrences, where the one was given while He was alive, and the other after He ascended and was glorified. These words which Jesus spoke to His eleven apostles spread to the other disciples which then totaled 120 born again believers who also obeyed His words to tarry until they would all be baptized in the Holy Spirit and fire.

Acts 2:1-4 says; “2 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all [a]with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them [b]divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Gordon Lindsay says;

“The charter members of the Early church were those 120 who obeyed the Lord’s command to “tarry in Jerusalem” until they were “endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). These 120 believers included the apostles, perhaps the seventy, Mary, the mother of Jesus, and certain others. “These all continued in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren” (Acts 1:14). Then came the day of Pentecost. As they were in the upper room praising and blessing God, suddenly the Holy Spirit fell upon them and each person began to speak in another tongue!”

Each person spoke in another tongue. There was no order to this meeting as they were all speaking in tongues. There was no Book of Corinthians by Paul to teach the church the order and tongues and interpretation! All of these early church Christians spoke in another tongue at the same time!

The Apostles and disciples were born-again and received the Holy Spirit prior to Pentecost, but this was not the baptism of the Holy Spirit which Jesus spoke about because He had not ascended to be glorified in heaven, and they could not receive it until then. This ought to motivate born again Christians to realize that there is more of the Holy Spirit that is needed for them to receive, and that they are just as in need of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire, with the evidence of speaking in tongues, that the Charter Members of the early Church needed. These scriptures clearly show that speaking in tongues is for all Christians that are willing to obey Him, receive it and just as they prayed and asked Jesus to come into their body and be born-again of His spirit, they can receive the additional baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire and speak in tongues.

Gordon Lindsay says;

“Notice that as they were filled with the Holy Spirit, the apostles spoke in tongues. Mary, the mother of Jesus, spoke in tongues. Besides these, more than a hundred others spoke in tongues. Here is the original pattern of receiving the Holy Spirit – with the infilling, each person speaks in another tongue as the Spirit gives utterance.

This supernatural visitation in Jerusalem drew a multitude of people together. Their wonder was turned to sheer amazement as they heard the 120 disciples speaking in various tongues, including their own native languages. This phenomenon caused them to give serious attention to the sermon preached by Peter, who explained the meaning of what had happened. A revival broke out that day and before night, 3,000 souls accepted Christ. Much could be said concerning this epochal event. But the point to be made in connection with our study is that each one of these original believers spoke in another tongue as he received the Holy Spirit.”

One can only assume that all of the 3,000 new Christians also were baptized in the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues, because that was the phenomenon that got their attention to be saved and what was what Jesus had promised and commanded them to receive.

So if all the Charter Members of the early Church obeyed and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire and spoke in tongues, what makes a Christian exempt from not obeying Jesus as they did? Christian, what would make you exempt? Could it be that those who have heard this teaching and rejected it are not born again, but are religious and have all the appearance of being a Christian, and the Holy Spirit is not able to open their understanding of the scriptures? I’ve met a lot people that call themselves Christian that are religious but are not born again, they talk the talk, but have rejected this fundamental commandment of Christ to be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

So my conclusion is that a person can call themselves a Christian, and have all the religious external appearance of a devout Christian, but yet not be born again of the Holy Spirit. When a person is truly born again, they obey Christ in everything, and don’t grieve the Holy Spirit by rejecting the baptism of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus walked thru the walls into a locked room and breathed on His disciples, they received the Holy Spirit and were born again, not only because of His supernatural demonstration of appearing to them in a locked room, but rather it was Himself being unveiled to them as being the way the truth and the life.

It’s only when a person receives the Holy Spirit and is born again that Jesus can then open up their understanding in the scriptures to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire with the evidence of speaking in tongues. So, if it’s true that all the Charter Members of the early church spoke in tongues, what would make a Christian think that they are exempt of the same baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire, and if Jesus required it of the early Church, why would He make an exception today? If it was required of the early church members, it’s required now, nothing has changed, it’s the same baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence to be speaking in tongues.

If you are born again and have never heard about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, I pray that Jesus would open up your understanding of these Bible scriptures so that you can receive the same baptism of the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues. Speaking in tongues is the norm for a born again Christian, it’s part of the Heavenly Charter of Rights and Freedoms found in the Holy Bible and we have privileges to it as a citizen of heaven on earth, and no one, except yourself, can hinder you from receiving it, it’s a God given right to a truly born again Christian.

Illustrated Message Overview

21 Reasons Why Christians Should Speak in Tongues – Tongue Talking Gentiles

Message 5 – February 26th, 2023

The fifth reason of why Christians should speak in tongues is that the first Gentiles to be saved received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. If you’re a Gentile that speaks in tongues, it’s a sign that the Holy Spirit has been poured out in you, showing that you’ve been engrafted into the Vine – Jesus Christ. A simple example could be that Jesus left the 99 – or the original Jewish believers who were not only born again, but filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and spoke in tongues – and went and found Cornelius, a Gentile who feared the God of the Jews, and baptized him and his family in the Holy Spirit and they too all spoke in tongues. Nothing is impossible for God. Preach to the Gentile, and today, a Gentile could be one who believes in God, but does not know that they must be born again by repenting of their sins and receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Go, preach the gospel, you were not baptized in the Holy Spirit to get caught up in just a charter member club of Christians.

The first Gentiles to be saved and speak in tongues were of the household of Cornelius who was a devout believer in the same Jewish God whom Peter and the Charter Members of the early Church believed in prior to born again themselves, but he and his household were not born again of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was no respecter of persons, and even within his own Jewish religious people, regardless of their heritage, He required that they all must be born again of His Holy Spirit to enter the Kingdom of heaven. The same rule would obviously apply to the non-Jewish Gentiles who believed in the Jewish God, but according to Peter and the early Church members, Gentiles could not be born again, never mind be baptized in the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues.

What happened to the household of Cornelius not only removed the wall of religious privileged mindsets from the Jewish members of the early Church, but it proved that speaking in tongues was the sign that the Gentiles received the same baptism of the Holy Spirit that the Charter members of the Church received on the day of Pentecost. Regardless of the supernatural set-up of the events thru an angelic visitation, and visions from God, it was speaking in tongues that convinced the Apostles that the Gentiles were not only born again, but also baptized in with the same Holy Spirit. Let’s look at the supernatural events that in themselves were not enough evidence to convince the early Church Members that Gentiles could become born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit.

Gordon Lindsay says;

“5. The First Gentiles to be Saved Received the Holy Spirit and Spoke in Tongues. The story of Cornelius, of how his household was saved and how they received the Holy Spirit, holds a prominent place in Acts. Although even the apostles did not understand this; it had been God’s intended plan that not only Jews but Gentiles should share in the blessings of the New Testament dispensation, obtained through Christ’s death and resurrection. In accordance with this purpose an angel of God appeared to Cornelius and said to him, “Thy prayers and they alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter”, (Acts 10:4,5).”

Acts 10:1-8 says this; “10 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian [a]Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave [b]alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. 3 About [c]the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” 4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord? “So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. 6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He[d] will tell you what you must do.” 7 And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. 8 So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.”

It's important to keep in perspective that regardless of the supernatural visitation granted by God to Cornelius, and how he is deemed to be devout man of prayer, who feared God, and gave alms to those in need, he and his household were still Gentiles that could not enter the kingdom of heaven unless they were born again of the Holy Spirit. You would think that he and his household would have the favour of God to enter heaven, but no so according to Jesus’ words spoken to a Pharisee named Nicodemus who was a ruler of the Jews.

We read about that story of Nicodemus in John 3:3; “3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Jesus was no respecter of persons, Jew and Gentile are both in need of the same born again experience and the same baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, and if the Gentiles were only born again of the Holy Spirit, it would have not been enough to convince the apostles and church members in Jerusalem.

As devout as Cornelius was, he wasn’t born again, regardless of how God fearing he was. God even said that Cornelius’ alms giving and prayers were a memorial to God! That’s powerful. But he was a Gentile believing in the Jewish God, not accepted into the Charter Member club of the early church, not able to go into the temple to worship. But God, with other plans for the Gentiles now, supernaturally sends an angel to him to ultimately reveal to him the plan of salvation through Jesus and for him to receive the power of the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Let’s look at another supernatural event that took place which would have by itself not been enough to convince Peter that the Gentiles could be born again.

It says in Acts 10:9-15 the following on Peter’s trance and how God is supernaturally setting the stage for Gentiles to now enter the kingdom of heaven; “9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about [a]the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” 15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has [b]cleansed you must not call common.”16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.”17 Now while Peter [g]wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate. 18 And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there. 19 While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. 20 Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”

The vision that Peter had was followed up by a clear word of the Holy Spirit that revealed to him what was going to take place and what he was to do. Regardless of all this supernatural operation of the Holy Spirit, where he falls into a trance and sees a vision, and also received a word of knowledge about the three visitors, this in itself would not be able to convince him or the other apostles and church members of the early church that the Gentiles could be saved as they are, it would take the evidence of speaking in tongues to convince them.

Acts 10:21-23 continues to says; “21 Then Peter went down to the men [h]who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.” 23 Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.”

Peter didn’t question their visit because he had already received this word of knowledge in the trance what God wanted him to do. He was obedient to that word. Peter was really walking on water here, he was really stepping out in faith. Jesus was calling him to get out of the safe net or boat he was in, that Peter deemed as safe and secure, still following the religious practices of the Jews to stay away from Gentiles.

Once again, you would think that Cornelius who was a just man, who fears God and has a good reputation amongst all the nation of the Jews, and is receiving divine instruction from a Holy Angel would have been enough to guarantee him to enter the kingdom of heaven and not have need of being born again and baptism of the Holy Spirit, but apparently not so.

Peter meets Cornelius as it continues in Acts 10:24-33; “24 And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. 28 Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?” 30 So Cornelius said, [i]“Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your [j]alms are remembered in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. [k]When he comes, he will speak to you.’ 33 So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”

There are many Gentiles today who believe in God, but haven’t received Jesus as Saviour nor been baptized in the Holy Spirit because no one has told them. That’s why it’s important to not be blinded to not preach when you meet someone who says that they believe in God, you have to preach Jesus and for them to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Jesus is leaving the 99 to save the one. It’s maybe not the best type and shadow but it gives a concept of people today who have faith and maybe believe in Jesus, but they haven’t received Him as Lord and Saviour.

It’s so obvious that this is a move of God upon two men; Peter who needed God to confirm his supernatural direction to enable him even enter the house of a Gentile, and after entering may have seen that Cornelius’ Gentile devotion to the Jewish God may have even outweighed the Jewish faith that Peter had prior to being born again. Regardless of all the devotion of Cornelius and his household, relatives and close friends, they were in need of being born again, and without it, they could not enter the kingdom of heaven, and Peter knows that if it was required of Jews to be saved, the same is required of these Gentiles, so he proceeds to give a clear understanding of Salvation found only in Jesus, and that whoever believes in him would receive remission of sins.

Acts 10:34-43 continues with Peter preaching to Cornelius’ household; “34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the [l]children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom [m]they killedby hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised upon the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission[n] of sins.”

Jesus gave His life for the Jew and Gentile alike, but this was the first time that a Jew preached to a Gentile about salvation being in Jesus Christ. What we read was the shortest salvation message to the first Gentile! It is interesting though that in the three years of Jesus’ ministry all around Israel, that this Centurion never seemed to have heard of Jesus like other Romans did. Jesus’ name had fame in the whole country, some loved Him and others hated Him. If this centurion had heard of Jesus, he probably would have repented, but it seems like he hadn’t heard the good news of what Jesus preached although he believed in the Jewish God.

So in this story with Cornelius, let’s suppose that when the Gospel is preached by Peter and if the altar call was given him, all would have given their lives to Jesus, but here wasn’t even an altar call! Nonetheless, God not only gives them salvation, but as we read in the following verses, they receive the same baptism of the Holy Spirit that the 120 Charter members, which included the apostles, received on the day of Pentecost. Without even an altar call to receive salvation and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, they receive it all at once when the Holy Spirit falls on them.

Acts 10:44-48 continues to say; “44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And [o]those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.”

Gordon Lindsay says the following;

“This opening of the Kingdom of God to the gentiles and their receiving the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues thus became a pattern for other gentiles. Moreover this occurrence was exactly the same as that which happened to the Jews at Pentecost. Peter reporting back to the other apostles said, “And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them as on us at the beginning, (Acts 11). Both Jews and gentiles had now received the Holy Spirit. And both groups spoke in tongues when they received!”

If Peter would have visited with Cornelius’ household and simply lead them in a prayer of salvation and even by faith of their confession, baptized them in water, it would have never been enough to convince himself, the apostles and church members that the Gentiles were genuinely born again. So it took speaking in tongues to be the very thing that in itself was the only sign that they had been genuinely saved and baptized in the same Holy Spirit, and regardless of all the supernatural events that lead up to it, it would have never convinced anyone in the Church that the Gentiles were truly born again.

This is why the Holy Spirit took over the meeting and not only saved the Gentiles but baptized them in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues at the same time. So, this clearly shows that speaking in tongues is not some exclusive one-time event that took place on the day of Pentecost, but is available to anyone who believes in Jesus and is born again of His Holy Spirit. There’s no record of them having prayed the prayer of salvation prior to being baptized in the Holy Spirit, but the Gospel was presented and it’s obvious that they simply believed and in doing so God filled them with the same baptism of the Holy Spirit, because it says; “46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”

So we conclude that another reason why we as Christians should speak in tongues, is that the Gentiles spoke in tongues just like the apostles and disciples did on the day of Pentecost. So if it was made available to the Gentiles, it is available to all who believe in Jesus and are born again of His Holy Spirit or as it was in the case of the Gentiles who were born-again and baptized in the Holy Spirit at the same time, either way, the evidence of speaking in tongues is the same outcome, nothing has changed, past, present and future, Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever, Amen. Jesus said I change not, I am who I am and will watch over My word to perform it.

Illustrated Message Overview

21 Reasons Why Christians Should Speak in Tongues – Message 6 - “Spiritual Ignorance”

March 5th, 2023

The devil wants to keep Christians ignorant to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, to the knowledge of speaking in tongues, to keep you unknowledgeable and uneducated in the Bible. How he goes out of his way to keep you ignorant, not as in rude, but as in not knowing. He goes out of his way to make you ignorant to God’s word and so long as he can keep you ignorant you’ll not receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit in your life. So long as he can keep you ignorant, you are not going to speak in tongues. So long as he can keep you illiterate as to what God wants you to say, you will not prophesy. So long as he can keep you ignorant to the gifts of the Holy Spirit as listed in 1 Corinthians 12, you won’t operate in them. He likes it when whole churches are ignorant to the truth of what God has to say and loves to see congregations illiterate to God’s word who have no knowledge about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. But, that’s not God’s will for you today. God’s will is that you come out from being ignorant and become knowledgeable and educated as to what God’s word has to say, to study to show yourself approved a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Just like the prophecy that came forth today; study, study, study, get into God’s word. Don’t remain unknowledgeable to tongues and if you are, find out what it says in the Bible. With so much technology today, you are without excuse, you will not be able to stand before God and say, I didn’t know. Don’t stand before Him like that, get trained in the word.

Reason #6 as to why Christians should speak in tongues is that the Apostle Paul spoke in tongues and wrote 1 Corinthians 14 , an entire chapter on speaking in tongues .

Gordon Lindsay says the following;

“What significance has Paul’s experience to us? The apostle said he was to be a pattern for all Christians who should afterward believe in Christ. ‘Nevertheless, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them who should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting’ (1 Timothy 1:16).

That Paul, whose life was to be a pattern to all believers, spoke in tongues is one more reason why all Christians should speak in tongues.”

1 Corinthians 14:18 in the Amplified Bible says; “18 I thank God that I speak in [unknown] tongues more than all of you;”

The Apostle Paul is saying this, who also said he was a pattern for all Christians to follow. Therefore since he spoke in tongues more than all the Corinthian church whom he was writing to, there is no reason that you shouldn’t follow that pattern.

Paul was not in the upper room with the apostles and disciples when they all were all baptized in the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues, however it’s obvious that Paul not only spoke in tongues more than anyone else, he also wrote about the operation of the Gift of tongues and interpretation in 1 Corinthians 14. So a part of Paul’s life that is to be a pattern for Christians to follow is speaking in tongues. Why is it that this pattern which is to be followed, has been removed in part or totally from most denominations, and replaced with a rational, natural understanding of Paul’s teachings on tongues and his claim to speak in tongues more than any one else?

Revelation 22:18-19 says the following in the Amplified Bible as a warning to anyone preaching about removing anything from the Bible or adding to it; “18 I testify and warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book [its predictions, consolations, and admonitions]: if anyone adds [anything] to them, God will add to him the plagues (afflictions, calamities) which are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from or distorts the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away [from that one] his share from the tree of life and from the holy city (new Jerusalem), which are written in this book.”

That sounds harsh, but is it? When you add or take away from God’s word – any part of it – which applies to 1 Corinthians 12 & 14, the Holy Spirit can’t operate in your church. I would say you fall into what we just read in Revelation. You may say that it only applies to the book of Revelation, no, it is talking about the whole Bible. The book of Revelation in and of itself is not complete without the whole Bible.

As you can see, there is no room for natural, rational understanding of the Bible teachings on speaking in tongues, that would enable a Christian to add to or take away what is already written by God in the Bible thru His holy prophets, apostles and evangelists.

When Paul is talking about speaking in tongues more than anyone else, he is not talking about tongues and interpretation, but rather speaking in tongues for personal edification – that which you receive as a sign of being baptized in the Holy Spirit – praying to God and worshipping Him in the Holy Spirit’s language. It’s not saying that Paul didn’t operate in the gift of tongues with interpretation, because more that likely he did.

There are tongues for personal edification, and there are tongues and interpretation of the tongues that are for the edification of the Church body of believers, and the gift of tongues is on par with prophecy when interpreted. This is why in Church services when everyone is praying and worshipping in tongues, that the Gift of tongues are spoken louder and are to be then interpreted so that the church is edified. It’s your duty to wait on the interpretation.

1 Corinthians 14:14-19 continues with this; “14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. 16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? 17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.”

Paul is not talking here about tongues for personal edification, which is often heard in corporate prayer and worship services, but he is talking about the Gift of tongues that require interpretation in order that the church body can receive edification.

That’s why Paul says clearly in verse 18 “18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.”

Paul is saying that he speaks in tongues for personal edification more than all others, but would rather speak in tongues that are then interpreted and prophesied, in order that the Church can be edified and built up. This is not saying that he does not speak ten thousand words in tongues in Church, but that he would rather operate in the Gift of tongues and interpretation so others can be spoken to by God. Paul knew the importance of praying and worshipping in tongues, as well as he knew the importance of speaking in tongues and interpretation that are on the same level as prophecy and were not to be forbidden in Church. So if speaking in tongues are not such an important part of every Christians life, then why does Paul devote and entire Chapter of 1 Corinthians 14 to teach on the subject? If it’s not important for you to speak in tongues, Christian, why did he devout an entire chapter to teach on it?

It continues in 1 Corinthians 14:20-25 saying that tongues are a sign to unbelievers; “20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature. 21 In the law it is written: “With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” says the Lord. 22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are [a]out of your mind? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25 [b]And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.”

How many people today are not hearing what the Spirit of the Lord is saying? They’ve chosen not to. They’ve chosen to remain ignorant, to turn off teaching on the gifts of the Holy Spirit and tongues, they’ve chosen not to study, they’ve turned a deaf ear.

Many think that what Paul is saying in verses 22 and 24 are contradictory, if he’s talking about the same thing. What Paul is saying here are two different forms of prophesying; the one in verse 22 is prophecy without tongues, and the one in verses 24-25 is about prophecy as a result of interpretation of tongues, that’s why it’s a sign to unbelievers. Saying otherwise is saying that Paul is contradicting himself about the same subject of prophecy, because in one, prophecy is not for unbelievers and in the other prophecy is for unbelievers, so it’s pretty easy to conclude that one is straight up prophesying and the other is tongues and interpretations that are prophetic words that are a sign to unbelievers.

The devil would like to keep you ignorant and uninformed where you’re not even operating in the gifts.

Again, verses 24-25 says; “24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25 [b]And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.”

This is why the gift of tongues and interpretation (prophecy), are such an important part of church, because they minister to both believers and unbelievers.

1 Corinthians 14:26-33 continues; “26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for [a]edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.”

This is not talking about corporate pray and worship in tongues, this is talking about the gift of tongues that require an interpretation after they are spoken in a service, and they are delivered louder than the prayer and worship in tongues, when given, those who are corporately praying and worshiping in tongues will become quite while respectfully waiting on the interpretation to be given.

Verses 29-33. “29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of [b]confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”

These scriptures are not talking about prophetic interpretation of tongues, but rather is addressing those who are prophets in the Church. They prophesy in the language that is being spoke in that church and culture. This is why it is of utmost importance to have knowledge of God’s word. That’s why pastors have closed their churches to these gifts because they simply don’t have true knowledge of it and the blessing and importance that it is to their church. Pastors and Christians alike can’t afford to be ignorant of what the Bible says about the gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:37-40 says; “37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But [a]if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.”

It’s noteworthy that Paul doesn’t say, if anyone is rude, no, he says, if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. If you choose to be ignorant, it’s your choice, but Paul plainly laid out the role of tongues (for edification), tongues and interpretation (which is prophecy) and prophecy itself. Paul made the knowledge available. You may think that sounds harsh, because in the prior chapter 13, he talks about love, and although this verse sounds brash or brazen, it’s because of his love for the church, he’s being straight up with the Corinthians, as well as the rest of the churches, right up to us today. Don’t turn a deaf ear today and be ignorant. Regardless of who the preacher is in your church pulpit and what he’s teaching, you don’t have to stay in that ignorance. No matter what your family has said, or anyone else for that matter, you can come out from among them; you can get the knowledge, study, get filled with the Holy Spirit, speak in tongues and find a church which does allow tongues and all of the Gifts of the Spirit to be in operation…it’s your choice. Don’t remain ignorant because that isn’t God’s will for you.

In verse 37 Paul refers to what he has written to be the commandments of the Lord Jesus, and he follows up by saying; “38 But [a]if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.,” which if you were to be real, the majority of Churches today have rejected or misinterpreted these commandments of the Lord and have remained ignorant regarding speaking in tongues, and as a result the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are not in operation as spoken of by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 where it says;

“12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that[a] you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb[b] idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus [c]accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are [d]diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works [e]all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by [f]the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”

Again, this is talking about the gifts of the Spirit, the gift of tongues and the gift of interpretation of tongues.

Paul not only knew that what he was writing were the commandments of the Lord, but Paul spoke in tongues, and this was the indicator that he at some point received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. We know that he was filled with Holy Spirit and healed when Ananias prayed for him, but there’s no record of him speaking in tongues then. He had three days to get right with God and Jesus! Paul got born again during that three day period of fasting, sanctification, separation unto God, he was a changed man, but he wasn’t filled with the Holy Spirit nor was he baptized in water. However, we can maybe conclude that Ananias must have heard him speak in tongues, for there was enough evidence to convince Ananias to proceed and baptize Paul in water, who just three days earlier was on a campaign to destroy Christianity. As in our last message, what the apostles, disciples and early church members looked for from converts to Christianity, was speaking in tongues, that was the convincing proof of their salvation. That’s why Ananias was seeking proof that when he laid his hands on him as Jesus had commanded him, that Paul would speak in tongues. He knew that Paul was a Christian killer…he needed to see proof of his conversion, and tongues was the proof.

Either way, Paul made it clear that at some point he spoke in tongues and obviously on a regular basis for him to say that he spoke in tongues more that any one else in the Corinthian Church. Speaking in tongues was just the norm for Paul and the early Church members, and we now have another reason why all Christians should speak in tongues, and just as normal as it was then, it is the norm today for a Christian to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire and speak in tongues. Nothing has changed. The same one that filled Paul is the same Holy Spirit that will fill you. The same evidence of speaking in tongues with Paul will fill you with tongues. The same gifts of tongues spoken in 1 Corinthians 14 that was in operation in the Corinthian church will be evidenced in you too. All the Gifts of the Holy Spirit that Paul talked about in 1 Corinthians 12 can be in operation in you. Chose not to be ignorant, deaf, and dumb of these gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit.

To read the prophecy from Sunday’s service, click here.

Illustrated Message Overview

21 Reasons Why Christians Should Speak in Tongues – 25 Years After Pentecost

Message 7 – March 26th, 2023

Reason #7 is that over 25 years after Pentecost those who received the Holy Spirit spoke in tongues! The Apostle Paul came across other believing Jews in Ephesus who had not even heard of the Holy Spirit. How is it possible that they did not hear when John the Baptist spoke clearly about Jesus and about how He would send the Holy Spirit and fire on their lives? Maybe these 12 men were youth when they heard John preach and like many youth today, they were not really listening even though they were baptized in water. How could they not have heard what John spoke about in Jesus sending the Holy Spirit? One could speculate many things as it doesn’t specifically say, but doesn’t it seem odd to you that they had never heard about the Holy Spirit?

John specifically said in Matthew 3:11; “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

How did these 12 miss that? Maybe they were older men, well seasoned in scripture, but deaf and dumb in the spirit, to the things that were spoken, they chose to hear only what they wanted to hear. The Prophet Joel and Isaiah prophesied about it; how did they miss that? Or maybe they were converts of John’s disciples, but the part of salvation through Jesus and the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire was omitted or lost in translation perhaps and only half the message was presented to them. Many questions.

How many are in churches today that are not paying attention to the prophecies that are being spoken or even listening with their spiritual ears what the message was about? They could leave the church and not even know what the sermon was about – it’s because they heard words and were fulfilling the duties as a church-goer, but were deaf and dumb in the spirit to what was being preached. So maybe we shouldn’t be too surprised about these 12 men should we, even they too called themselves believers. They heard about Jesus, but never really heard, did they? The word of the Lord went forth, but it didn’t really touch their hearts to make an impact to remember. How many today continually hear, but don’t listen? How many have allowed other things to distract them or they have sincerely never heard about the baptism in the Holy Spirit?

Gordon Lindsay says this;

“Over 25 years had passed since the day of Pentecost. Paul had come to Ephesus on one of his many missionary journeys. Upon meeting some disciples of that city, he asked, “Have ye received the Holy Spirit since ye believed?” Perhaps their lack of spiritual power prompted this question; at any rate their answer showed that they knew nothing about the experience. They replied, “We have not as much as heard whether there be any Holy Spirit.” Upon further inquiry, Paul found that they knew only about John’s baptism.”

The absence of the spiritual power gifts operating in a Christians life is the main indicator or barometer that people are not baptized in the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues. There is no authority of the believer nor demonstration of power. When Paul visited the disciples of John the Baptist at Ephesus, not only were they not baptized in the Holy Spirit, they were not born again, and regardless of how devout they were as disciples of John the Baptist almost 30 years earlier, they obviously missed out on the teachings of Jesus whom John prophesied about. These disciples of John heard that Jesus was coming, but never heard from him personally, they were believers but were not born again, they had faith in what John said about Jesus, but never received Jesus as Lord of their lives to be born of His Spirit.

This story of Paul is in Acts 19:1-7 and in the Amplified Bible and it says; “19 It happened that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul went through the upper [inland] districts and came down to Ephesus, and found some disciples. 2 He asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed [in Jesus as the Christ]?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he asked, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Paul said, “John performed a baptism of repentance, continually telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, [to confidently accept and joyfully believe] in Jesus [the Messiah and Savior].” 5 After hearing this, they were baptized [again, this time] in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in [unknown] tongues (languages) and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all.”

They had to be baptized in the name of Jesus as John’s baptism wasn’t enough, and then Paul does something else, he lays hands on them to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit…and they spoke in tongues!

There are many people today who have grown up believing in Jesus but have never become born again, and as a result, have never been able to be baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not able to operate in their lives. Believing in Jesus is one thing, but receiving Him as Lord of your life is another thing. Jesus Himself made it very clear that for a person to enter the kingdom of heaven, it is required of them to not only believe, but also become born again of the Holy Spirit. Religiously believing in Jesus, no matter how devout it is, will not in and of itself grant you entrance into the kingdom of heaven, you must become born again by receiving the enduring word of the Lord Jesus, who spoke about your body becoming the temple of the Holy Spirit. It was not until the disciples of John were water baptized again, only this time in the name of Jesus, that they were born again and then after received the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues and prophesied.

They were a fulfillment of what John said in Matthew 3:11; “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit [a]and fire.”

So even though they themselves apparently never heard this teaching from John, God’s arm was not too short to fulfill it in their lives and His arm is not short to fulfill it in the day and age we are living in, the prophecy is the same now as it was then, nothing has changed. These 12 men did not know that they had to be born again by receiving Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, which then allowed them to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 1:23 in the Amplified Bible says; “23 for you have been born again [that is, reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] not of seed which is perishable but [from that which is] imperishable and immortal, that is, through the living and everlasting word of God.”

No matter what is trying to blind a Christian from this truth, no matter what is trying to hinder it regarding the baptism in the Holy Spirit, the word has not changed.

1 Peter 1:3-5 in the Amplified Bible also says; “3 Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant and boundless mercy has caused us to be born again [that is, to be reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] to an ever-living hope and confident assurance through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 [born anew] into an inheritance which is imperishable [beyond the reach of change] and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are being protected and shielded by the power of God through your faith for salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time.”

We are in the last days and God continues to pour out His Spirit on all flesh. He wants you filled with the same baptism in the Holy Spirit that came at Pentecost, that these 12 received, that all the early church received – to speak in tongues, to prophesy and to operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. You need the baptism in the Holy Spirit like you’ve never needed it before. It’s not a word to be rejected and turn a deaf ear to, or to put aside and blanket it with other doctrine. You need the baptism in the Holy Spirit more than the air you’re breathing, more than the car you’re driving, more than the house you’re living in, more than the job you have, more than education, more than all the money in the bank that supplies all your needs, more than the clothes on your back and the jewelry on your hands, ears and wrists, more than the expensive beautiful clothing that makes you look so attractive – you need the baptism in the Holy Spirit more than anything else. It’s not that these are not important but without the Holy Spirit, there is no value to them. These are dark days and darker days are coming on the earth, nothing else will see you through. Everything I just spoke of will perish, but the Holy Spirit will not perish.

Jesus talks about the new birth in John 3:1-10 (Amplified Bible) says; “3 Now there was a certain man among the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler (member of the Sanhedrin) among the Jews, 2 who came to Jesus at night and said to Him, “Rabbi (Teacher), we know [without any doubt] that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs [these wonders, these attesting miracles] that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh [the physical is merely physical], and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be surprised that I have told you, ‘You must be born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified].’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be possible?” 10 Jesus replied, “You are the [great and well-known] teacher of Israel, and yet you do not know nor understand these things [from Scripture]?”

That is quite a rebuke that Jesus gave Nicodemus. How many educated, religious people today, even Jews (because that’s who Jesus addressed), are not understanding the new birth. It's amazing that Nicodemus who was a religious ruling member of the Sanhedrin among the Jews could not understand what Jesus was saying about becoming born again, yet Peter who was a Jewish common fishermen understood clearly what it meant to become born again of the Holy Spirit. This shows you that it’s not what you know but who you know that makes the difference between being a religious believer in Jesus and being a follower of Jesus as Lord of your life.

Could not making Jesus Lord of their lives be the reason why so many Christians are not baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking tongues? I believe that it is possible to believe in Jesus and not be born again of the Holy Spirit, and that this is why entire churches are full of religious believers that have not made Jesus Lord of their lives. It all comes down to one question, is Jesus Lord of your life? The disciples of John the Baptist at Ephesus not only believed, but they made Jesus Lord of their lives and as a result received the same baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues that the 120 disciples of Christ received in the upper room on the day of Pentecost 25 years earlier.

Let’s look at what Jesus says about His required Lordship.

Luke 6:46-49 in the Amplified Bible says; “46 “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not practice what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and obeys them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 he is like a [far-sighted, practical, and sensible] man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and yet could not shake it, because it had been securely built and founded on the rock. 49 But the one who has [merely] heard and has not practiced [what I say], is like a [foolish] man who built a house on the ground without any foundation, and the torrent burst against it; and it immediately collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”

What are you building your life on today, Christian? Are you just believing – it’s time to receive Jesus as Lord and the baptism in the Holy Spirit. I believe Christians that have not obeyed Jesus to be baptized in the Holy Spirit are as the foolish man we just read about, and they will not be able to stand while persecuted and many will fall away from even believing in Jesus in order to save their lives. Christians are very deceived to think that they will not have to give an account on the day of Judgment for being ashamed of the words that Jesus taught His disciples to obey about receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in new tongues. Build your house upon the Rock, who is Jesus, who said you’d be able to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, and speak in tongues which is what you need to be able to stand. When things continue to crumble around you, you’ll be able to speak in tongues, prophesy, lay hands on the sick to see them healed, cast out devils – you’ll still be standing, you won’t throw the towel in but will stand because of what Jesus said in His word.

Jesus says in Luke 9:23-26 in the Amplified Bible; “23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. 24 For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake, he is the one who will save it [from the consequences of sin and separation from God]. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed [here and now] of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and the glory of the [heavenly] Father and of the holy angels.”

You don’t want to stand before God the Father ashamed of Jesus, ashamed of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, ashamed of speaking in tongues, ashamed of the gifts and works of the Holy Spirit – accrediting them to be of the devil, you don’t want to do that. You want to stand before Him in power, in agreement with Him through His Son Jesus Christ, having fulfilled the call on your life. No matter the persecution that comes, you want to stand before Him, saying, I’ve done all I can do, so I’m just going to stand, speak in tongues, prophesy…and continue to stand until Jesus comes. When the devil hits hard, speak in tongues all the more, don’t back down, speak words of edification over yourself, your family, the church, build yourself up in the spirit by speaking in tongues. Prophesy, prophesy and prophesy a hope and a future over your life.

Gordon Lindsay says the following;

“We have now noted four instances, and in each case those who received the Holy Spirit spoke in tongues. Is it apparent that a pattern is emerging? The 120 received the Holy Spirit – all spoke in tongues. The gentiles received the Holy Spirit at the house of Cornelius – they spoke in tongues. Paul received the Holy Spirit – he spoke in tongues. The men at Ephesus were filled with the Holy Spirit – they spoke in tongues.

In the mouth of two or three witnesses let every word be established. Here are four instances in which people received the Holy Spirit, and in each instance the recipients spoke in tongues.”

Nothing has changed in the Word of God. The prophecy of John the Baptist hasn’t changed about Jesus baptizing you in the Holy Spirit and fire, the prophecy that Jesus gave in Mark 16 about speaking in tongues for His believers – has not changed. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever, He can’t change. He doesn’t revolve around your world, you’re to revolve around His world. You’re to lay down your life for Him, to pick up your cross and die to yourself and things that are hindering you from receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit. It doesn’t matter what material possessions are out there, do not allow them to hinder the baptism in the Holy Spirit in your life, regardless how many doctrines there are against the baptism in the Holy Spirit and tongues, stop them in their tracks. Quote the word of God, declare what is written in the word, purpose to get baptized in the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues and fulfill what John the Baptist and Jesus prophesied about. Don’t settle for a counterfeit. You need this baptism to be able to stand in these last days, to walk upright, don’t deny the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Stand before God with clean hands and a pure heart, having done everything to do, stand, hold the line and stand. Look at the devil that’s attacking your life and hold the line. Whatever you see happening in your family as real as it may be, hold the line and stand and speak in tongues. Stand firm on the Rock of Jesus and build your house on the firm foundation which is Jesus Christ!

Click here to read the prophesy from church.

Illustrated Message Overview

21 Reasons Why Christians Should Speak in Tongues – Simon the Sorcerer Saw Them Speak in Tongues, Message 8 – April 2, 2023

Reason #8 shows the fifth solid explanation to speak in tongues. In Samaria, a revival previously took place by the preaching of Philip the evangelist, where the people had experienced miraculous healings in their bodies, as well as deliverance from evil spirits that possessed many of them, but the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues they didn’t receive until later when Peter and John came and prayed for them. The scriptures we are about read show clearly that all of those converts of Philip were baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

Acts 8:4-8 recounts the story in Samaria; “4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. 5 Then Philip went down to [a]the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed, and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.”

The new church was being persecuted by Saul (Paul) in Jerusalem, and hence, was scattered everywhere, and that’s where Philip the evangelist comes on the scene as the Holy Spirit led him to Samaria. He’s the first one we read about who held evangelistic campaigns, which also fulfilled the great commission to preach the gospel in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.

It continues saying; “9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practised [b]sorcery in the city and astonished the [c]people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his [d]sorceries for a long time. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.”

You would think that in the natural they had no need of any thing else, after all, they received salvation, and many were healed and delivered from demons that possessed them, and great joy was in that city as a result, so what more could they possibly have need of? Well apparently, as great as the ministry of Philip the Evangelist was, according to the Apostles, it was missing one thing, and that was the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

Simon the Sorcerer was so impressed with the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit that operated thru Philips ministry that he too believed in Jesus and was baptized in water, but it wasn’t until he both heard and saw people receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit thru the laying on of hands by Peter and John, that he was willing to not only become a Christian but thought it would be possible to purchase this gift of the Holy Spirit that could give him the same power to lay hands on people to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit which he both heard and saw the evidence. There was hard evidence that the baptism in the Holy Spirit was administered by the laying on of hands. It was different from the healings, miracles, or hearing a demon come out of someone or a testimony of someone becoming born again – it’s what Simon saw and heard.

Acts 8:14-25 continues; “14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” 24 Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.” 25 So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.”

So just what exactly did Simon see and hear by the ministry of Peter and John that was different from all the signs, wonders and miracles he had witnessed thru the ministry of Philip? For there is no written mention of speaking tongues to be the evidence of being baptized in the Holy Spirit, and it’s obvious that Simon had already seen and heard the supernatural testimonies prior to Peter and John’s ministry? So what did he see and hear when they laid hands on the people that was different? What he saw and heard was the same thing that Peter and John did not hear about operating in the ministry of Philip, which was the evidence of speaking in tongues that followed the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Peter and John heard about salvations, healings, miracles etc., but they didn’t hear about them speaking in tongues.

Gordon Lindsay says the following;

“Nothing is directly said here about speaking in tongues, but notice what happened. A sorcerer by the name of Simon had attended the revival and had become interested – though apparently he supposed the whole thing to be just another kind of sorcery, perhaps something like his own. The healings and miracles impressed him, yet not to the point that he would part with his money. But when he saw Peter and John lay hands on the people so that they received the Holy Spirit, he considered this such great magic that he was willing to give money for it. Peter gave him the scathing rebuke he deserved for this gross impiety as to suppose he could secure the gift of God through payment of money.”

There are Christians that believe that they have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit because they have both witnessed and experienced signs, wonders and miracles in their own personal lives and ministries, and that the absence of speaking in tongues is not the lack of evidence, but rather, the evidence is found in signs, wonders and miracles that follow the preaching of the Gospel. We have to keep in perspective that prior to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit that was given on the day of Pentecost, the disciples of Christ already both witnessed and operated in signs wonders, miracles which followed their ministry. A good example of this can be found Luke 10, when Jesus had sent out the 70 disciples to preach in His name and they returned with Joy over the fact that the demons were subject to them by using Jesus’ name to drive them out of people.

Luke 10:17-20 says; “17 Then the [a]seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” 18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but [b]rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

Your joy today, Christian, is that your name is written in heaven and that ought to keep you on a straight and narrow road. Remember that these disciples were not baptized in the Holy Spirit that both Jesus and John the Baptist had prophesied about, but they had miracles, signs, wonders and deliverance.

Luke 10:9 says; “9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’”

So if the disciples were already healing the sick, and casting out demons in Jesus’ name prior to Pentecost, it is not valid proof which insures that a Christian is baptized in the Holy Spirit, and the only conclusion that a Christian has truly received the same baptism of the Holy Spirit that the 120 received on the day of Pentecost, is that they are speaking in new tongues. A person cannot pull the ‘power-gift card’ scenario, saying that because signs, wonders and miracles follow them as they preach and evangelize that they’re baptized in the Holy Spirit. The truth of the Word must follow, and just because these manifestations are occurring, it does not mean a person is baptized in the Holy Spirit. Yes, these signs ought to follow every Christian, so it’s not diminishing them at all because that is also what Jesus commanded, Acts 10:38.

If the Apostles in Jerusalem concluded that the revival taking place in Samaria thru Philip the Evangelist did not have the baptism of the Holy Spirit, regardless of all the signs, wonders and miracles taking place, how is it that a Christian can conclude anything contrary to the fact that speaking in tongues is the only evidence of being baptized in the Holy Spirit? If the Apostles operated in signs, wonders and miracles prior to being baptized in the Holy Spirit, how can that be the sign that you’re filled with the Holy Spirit? You can’t, because the evidence of this baptism is speaking in tongues.

Prior to Philip becoming an evangelist, his first ministry service was distributing food to widows and all the logistics that would entail, and one of the requirements that qualified him for this job was he had to be full of the Holy Spirit, so obviously he spoke in tongues because this was what the Apostles believed in and saw later missing in Philips ministry as an Evangelist. Philip wasn’t laying hands on the new Christians to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, otherwise Peter and John wouldn’t have needed to come and do that.

Acts 8:14-17 says; “14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”

It doesn’t say that Philip was not qualified, or didn’t have that ability to pray for the people to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, but it does seem odd that it took Peter and John to come and minister the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and not Philip himself, after all it was required of Philip to be filled with the Holy Spirit to wait on widows so you would think it would have been at the forefront of his evangelistic ministry. It took seasoned Apostles to see what was missing in his ministry to Samaria, and they wasted no time to step in and uphold what Jesus commanded of them to teach. Maybe Philip was deferring to the Apostles to allow them to do that, but it really doesn’t seem plausible.

Jesus says in Matthew 28:19-20; “19 Go [a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [b]Amen.”

That’s what Peter and John were doing and that’s precisely what they didn’t see in Philips ministry.

Mark 16:17-18 says in the Great Commission; “17 And these signs will follow those who [a]believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they[b] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Casting out demons and speaking with new tongues go side by side.

If they had already received the baptism in the Holy Spirit based on the gifts that were in operation, Jesus would have told them that they were good to go, but obviously they weren’t good to go. Apparently, Philip’s ministry wasn’t good to go regardless of all the miracles happening and the fact that Philip himself spoke in tongues. The Samaritans needed it also, so much so that when Simon saw this supernatural manifestation of tongues, he wanted to buy it. Simon was still a rebel with evil intentions in his heart. For anyone to think they’re baptized in the Holy Spirit based on power gifts alone in operation is erroneous. Tongues is the evidence.

Tongues was the evidence that Simon the sorcerer saw even in his stubborn, obstinate heart who was poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity. Simon was impressed with what Philip did but was more impressed with what Peter and John did because he saw and heard fellow Samaritans speak in tongues.

Acts 1:8 says; “8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [a]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The disciples might have said, ‘I’ve got power already Jesus, I have signs following the preaching of the gospel in Your name. Why do I need this baptism and why do I need to speak in tongues?’

I can only assume that after the new saints in Samaria were baptized in the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues, that Philip then would have prioritized to pray for his converts to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and fulfill what Jesus commanded and required of him. A shift probably took place in his priorities as maybe they got off track, even though it was a priority for him to have the baptism in the Holy Spirit to minister in the food distribution program. The Apostles knew what to do because they had Jesus’ words ringing in their ears and their hearts will still burning within them. Philip wasn’t one of the 12 disciples, he didn’t hear Jesus’ last word to the disciples after the three years they had been with him. The true outpouring of the Holy Spirit is what was needed for the Samaritans to maintain their salvation, healing, deliverance etc.

The Apostles knew from personal experience that without the baptism of the Holy Spirit, that the Christians at Samaria would not be able to stand on signs, wonders and miracles alone, but they needed what Jesus promised them, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire, and speaking in tongues which is the full Gospel of Christ, and the power of God to salvation. It’s one thing to be saved, healed, delivered from demons and another to be saved, healed, delivered from demons and then baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire, because it’s the Holy Spirit and fire alone that keeps a Christian saved, healed and delivered from demons. This is why so many Christians are backsliding like never before, the house is swept clean, but it is not filled with the Holy Spirit. One would argue that they have Jesus in them once they believe, because they’ve become born again, is that not enough? Apparently not according to the Apostles and the word of God.

Luke 11:24-26 in the Amplified Bible says; “24 “When the unclean spirit comes out of a person, it roams through waterless places in search [of a place] of rest; and not finding any, it says, ‘I will go back to my house (person) from which I came.’ 25 And when it comes, it finds the place swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in [the person] and live there; and the last state of that person becomes worse than the first.”

One could ask, are you saying that before a person becomes a Christian that they have a demon? Yes, I’m saying that, because if their father is not Abba Father, God, their father is the devil, John 8:39-59 and John 3. What’s your motivation before you became a Christian, regardless of how good you were? You’re motivation came from the devil and upon salvation, some need more deliverance than others depending what they’ve opened up their life to. That’s why if you die without being born again, you’re separated from God for eternity in hell with your father the devil. A house that is swept and put in order is salvation, but not Lordship. A person can believe, but He isn’t Lord until you obey Him in everything, and rejecting the baptism in the Holy Spirit shows Jesus isn’t Lord in every area of their heart. Everything has a great appearance, but Jesus clearly said that if the house isn’t filled, the demon brings seven other demons with him and the end of that person is worse than the first.

This makes so much sense as to why there is such a great backsliding going on today, a departure from the faith, Christians who are believing but not obey what Jesus commanded them to obey. The demons have come out, maybe they’ve experienced healing in their body and it shows that God is touching their lives, and God may very well be touching their lives, and they may very well be sincere in their heart to ask Jesus to become Lord. They’re giving up habits and cleaning up their temple, but when it comes to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they reject it, the very thing they need the most. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is the very thing they need to keep on the straight and narrow road, the very thing the Apostles knew they needed regardless of all the power that was operating in their lives, they knew themselves they needed the baptism in the Holy Spirit, they needed to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Could this be why so many Christians are not in fellowship any longer? That’s why I say to you, put a guard over your fellowship, when Christians reject the baptism in the Holy Spirit, what are they operating in? Rebellion. What is that akin to? Witchcraft and sorcery. That’s exactly what Simon the Sorcerer was involved in. He had all the appearance of being a Christian, he had the opportunity to get filled with the Holy Spirit himself because it doesn’t say he did get filled after Peter and John’s swift rebuke to him. All we hear is that Simon the sorcerer got in a lot of trouble because he thought he could purchase the Holy Ghost and tongues.

Let’s read in 1 Samuel 15:22-23 about the Prophet Samuel’s conversation with King Saul when he disobeyed what God had commanded him to do regarding the destruction of the Amalekites; “22 So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of [a]witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.”

You have to be obedient to all of the Lordship requirements in your life, just as Peter, John and all the Apostles did. Peter and John knew that the Samaritans needed the baptism in the Holy Spirit to keep them standing and to keep them on the straight and narrow road. Obeying the voice of the Lord has not changed from when Jesus spoke it to His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they received power from on high. To obey Jesus’ last command is more important than the sacrifices you’re making as a Christian. It was more important to Peter and John to obey and leave the Apostles in Jerusalem to go to a revival, which had the appearance of not needing any power, but they knew that these men and women would not be able to stand the test of time which would come upon them, regardless of their salvation, healings and deliverance from demons, without the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire.

Your obedience to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit is more important than what you deem to be Christian service, sacrificial service. Don’t try to sacrifice things to the Lord that would replace the baptism in the Holy Spirit – it doesn’t work like that. All your sacrificing will amount to zero and it’s rebellion to God’s word, which is equal to witchcraft. It’s costly to be rebellious to the word of God like it was to King Saul.

It’s not God’s will that you get off the straight and narrow after you’ve been born again and even healed, He wants you to continue in it, but He won’t interfere with you as He’s given you a free will regardless of how much you believe in Him, He still gives you a free will. Your free will may go against His will, but it won’t be His fault on judgment day for your eternal destination but yours. Don’t be stubborn to the commandments of Jesus. We read what the consequences are. Don’t be stubborn about tongues, the gifts of the Holy Spirit and His manifestation. You don’t want to stand before God as a rebellious, stubborn Christian. You want to stand before Him with clean hands and a pure heart having obeyed all He commanded you to do. Your only good choice is to obey Jesus’ last commandment to be baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues; you need it like the Apostles and the Samaritans did to be able to stand in these last days because without it, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll stumble and fall backward in one way or another and that rebellion will take over. Like a dog returning to its vomit or a sow after being cleaned to wallowing in the mire, so is one who falls back, 2 Peter 2:21-22. It’s no different than your house (you the temple) being swept clean with salvation, but if you don’t receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit and let Him fill you to overflowing and continually, the door is left open for the devil to return and wreak havoc, to plunder, steal, kill and destroy.

Don’t put off what you can receive today until tomorrow which is the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Peter and John didn’t wait to go to Samaria, because they saw something was missing in the preaching, regardless of all the power they saw, they saw the preaching on the baptism in the Holy Spirit was missing. Peter and John personally knew that they themselves were not going to be able to stand the test of time without being obedient to Jesus’ last words and receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire with speaking in new tongues. They knew the Samaritans and everyone else they preached to needed the same thing. The baptism in the Holy Spirit makes everything else valuable in your life like I said last week.

The Book of Revelation 3:20 says that Jesus stands at the door and knocks, waiting for the person to open the door to come in, but the devil doesn’t knock and ask permission to come in, he returns with seven more wicked demons and does a house invasion to those who have everything in order, yet have rejected the baptism in the Holy Spirit. You see, the power that you needed to have authority over him…you rejected, and he comes in to plunder your life through, false doctrine, temptations, backsliding, sickness, diseases etc.

The very thing you need the most is the baptism in the Holy Ghost!

Click here to read the prophecy from Sunday’s service.

Illustrated Message Overview

21 Reasons Why Christians Should Speak in Tongues – Clear the Runway, and Let the Holy Spirit Land, Message 9 – April 23rd, 2023

Reason #9 is that speaking in tongues is a gift from God to the church. Just like your salvation was free, speaking in tongues is also free.

The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 the following; “7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by [a]the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”

We must remember that these gifts are given as He – the Holy Spirit – wills, not as you will. It’s out of your control, it’s as the Holy Spirit wills that His gifts will operate. It’s time to get out of the way and let the Holy Spirit do the work in whomever He choses. Get out of the way, clear the runway, and let the Holy Spirit land. Open the door of your heart today, don’t close it, don’t control it, let the Holy Spirit fill you today.

The gift of speaking in different kinds of tongues is not the same as the tongues that the disciples received on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:4, and diverse tongues are interpreted by someone who has the gift to do so, and they are a language of the Holy Spirit that is heavenly and not earthly. In Acts 2, the devout Jews from every nation under heaven heard them speak about the wonderful works of God in their own languages and we can conclude that all the 120 disciples spoke in these nations languages that they never learned or understood.

Those who have the Gift of speaking in diverse tongues, will speak in a language that is often but not always different from the corporate prayer or worship in tongues that is for personal edification, and diverse tongues are for the Church to be edified and built up by the follow up of someone interpreting what was spoken.

Gordon Lindsay says the following, although I don’t necessarily agree with a portion of it. It’s not that I don’t agree with his teaching in general because he’s a very gifted man and has great knowledge of God’s word, but in this one area, I don’t understand why he’s saying what he’s saying and how he ended up saying it. I have some ideas, but I’ll let the Word speak for itself.

He says this;

“This is to be differentiated from the gift of the Holy Spirit as recorded in Acts 2:4 which is for every believer and is for his own edification (1 Cor. 14:4). The gift of speaking in tongues (one of the nine gifts), is to be activated or used before the Body or the Church. And not everyone who receives the Acts 2:4 experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit is called or qualified to minister the gift in public. Instances in churches of misuse by persons, who of their own desire and volition began to speak in tongues have occurred. These only bring reproach on themselves and cause interested hungry-for-God individuals to react negatively.”

The Gift of speaking in diverse tongues are given to Christians as the Holy Spirit wills in a Church service and is not limited to operate thru the same individuals who have the gift, because if that were the case then the Holy Spirit would not be able to minister in diverse tongues and interpretation if that person/persons were not in the Church service. The Holy Spirit does not revolve around you, you revolve around the work of the Holy Spirit. When He wants to move, get out of the way, move, clear the runway, and let the Holy Spirit land. Verse 11 says; “11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”

It’s not as you will even if you have the gift of speaking in diverse tongues or you interpret them. It’s ok for the Holy Spirit to move on someone else in your church service, because it’s He who is moving. I know pastors have the ‘chosen few’, that they allow to speak under the unction of the Holy Spirit. They’re kind of like ‘dedicated individuals’ who prophecy, speaks in diverse tongues and interpret them, but nobody else speaks. Why is that? Just provoking some thought today.

Why is it that when the Holy Spirit wants to speak, that He can only land on a couple of individuals? Could it be that the Holy Spirit is under your control? In other words, the only two individuals the Holy Spirit speaks through are the ones that you’re allowing the Holy Spirit to work through, and if the Holy Spirit wants to work through another individual, He can’t, because that individual is not allowed to speak, until they give you a ‘pre-approved’ prophecy.

I would have to disagree with Gordon Lindsay where he says that not all Christians that have been baptized in the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues are not called or qualified to speak in diverse tongues. Why? It’s because the gifts are given as the Holy Spirit wills, not as the Pastor, deacon or church leader wills. Get out of the way, let the Holy Spirit land on whomever He chooses to land and let them speak. You have prophets already that can judge what they’re saying – that’s what the word of God says. Let them speak, let them interpret and let the prophet’s judge.

Limiting the Holy Spirit to operate thru certain ‘gifted individuals,’ often leads to a very controlled church atmosphere that the Holy Spirit is not able to distribute the gifts as He wills. This is part of the reason why today we have certain prophets speaking in diverse tongues and interpretating lies over church leaders and their congregations that never come to pass, and the Holy Spirit is not able to speak the truth as He wills thru other individuals in the Church. What qualifies or calls a Christian to speak in diverse tongues and interpretation of tongues is the Holy Spirit Himself and should never be limited to a select few individuals. Stop disqualifying those individuals in your congregation today, they’re already qualified because of the Holy Spirit, how much more qualification does one need? Tongues are on par with the gift of prophecy when they are interpreted, and the word that is given is to be judged by the prophets, not the board of deacons. If you already have prophets in your church who you know God’s hand is on, let the ‘new kid on the block’ or the different person on whom the Holy Spirit wants to speak through, and let the prophet’s judge the word. See and encourage all the gifts to work through all your congregation, not a select few.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:5; “I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; [a]for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.”

1 Corinthian’s 14:26-33 talks about order in Church meetings; “26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for [h]edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of [i]confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”

How are Christians to learn if you don’t let them speak and you hold them back? An example would be if someone starts speaking in diverse tongues, and there are three that step up to interpret it, let them interpret and then let the prophets judge the interpretations. If the interpretations are of the flesh, let the prophets or pastor sit down with them and teach them so that they can learn and encourage them in their gift.

So if speaking in diverse tongues and interpretation of them are to be judged by the Prophets, why would a Church require a prophecy to be given ahead of time in order for it to be allowed to be spoken publicly? And if the interpretation of diverse tongues are on par with the gift of prophecy, how are they able to give the interpretation ahead of time with out having yet spoke in diverse tongues already? It sounds a bit controlling doesn’t it.

When the interpretation of diverse tongues is not judged by other prophets, the prophet is able to speak lies and not be held accountable when what they spoke does not come to pass, and they will simply continue speaking into existence what is not of the Holy Spirit, with one lie after another, that they themselves honestly believe to be true. Sadly, it’s happening today in the body of Christ.

Speaking in diverse tongues and interpretation of tongues are gifts of the Holy Spirit for the Church body, and need to be operated in the Church as the Holy Spirit wills. If they are not allowed to, it’s a pretty clear indicator that the Pastor is operating in what I would call the, ‘Man of God Syndrome’, where the gifts of the Holy Spirit are to operate thru him only and a few select ‘yes’ men that are on board with him.

On the flip side, there are Pastors and their congregations which believe that the gift of tongues ceased with the Apostles, but according to the Apostle Paul they are very much a part of the Church body now as it was then where he says in 1 Corinthians 13:8-10; “8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is [a]perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.”

Gordon Lindsay says;

“Despite tradition to the contrary, God has never withdrawn these gifts from the Church. The only Scripture even offered in an effort to substantiate such a position is that found in 1 Corinthians 13:8; “Whether there be tongues, they shall cease.” It is contended by some that this statement means tongues have already ceased. The context, however, clearly shows this is not the meaning. Paul is referring to the time “when that which is perfect is come” (1 Corinthians 13:10).

Paul adds that “prophecies shall be done away” and “knowledge shall vanish away” when that which is perfect is come. As anyone knows, we have not come to perfect knowledge, neither have we entered the perfect age. Until that time we shall need prophecy, knowledge, speaking in tongues, and all the other manifestations of the Spirit.”

It’s pretty clear that the perfect has not yet come, for we are not made perfect until we see Jesus face to face, and until then, He has given us the Gift of speaking in diverse tongues and interpretations to operate thru church members as the Holy Spirit wills to do so, for the building up and edifying the Church. Speak in tongues as the Holy Spirit wills, prophecy and interpret the diverse tongues as the Holy Spirit wills. Move out of the way, Pastor, and let the Holy Spirit land on individuals in your church today, let the power of the Holy Spirit land on individuals whom He choses to land on even if He by-passes the ‘two chosen’ ones. Let the Holy Spirit speak and let the prophets judge, don’t grieve the Holy Spirit. Clear the runway, the Holy Spirit is about to land.

Illustrated Message Overview

21 Reasons Why Christians Should Speak in Tongues – Talking the Talk

Message 11 – June 11th, 2023

In message #9, we not only spoke about how speaking in tongues is a gift from God to the Church body, but we also spoke about the speaking in diverse tongues (different languages of the Holy Spirit), and the gift of interpretation of those tongues. So today we are going skip #10 entitled God Has Set Diversities of Tongues in the Church, and go to reason #11 entitled, He Who Speaks in Tongues Speaks to God.

1 Corinthians 14:2 says; “2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.”

You speak mysteries, regardless if the gift of interpretation isn’t in operation, you speak mysteries, but if there is interpretation, then the mysteries would be revealed. This is the prayer language you receive when you’re baptized in the Holy Spirit. It doesn’t matter at all whether or not you understand tongues, that’s not the purpose of it. It is to be a mystery; it shouldn’t bother you. In all my time of being a Christian and speaking in tongues it hasn’t bothered me or have I questioned the mysteries that I’m saying. Out of my belly flows rivers of living water, a language and languages that I never learned. It’s a mystery!

Speaking in tongues is one of the Holy Spirit’s ways of communicating with God via the born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit vessel where He dwells, and it is not a one-time event upon being baptized in the Holy Ghost, but rather an on-going day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, and second by second communication between the Holy Spirit and God. But you’re the vessel, Spirit filled Christian. You can be obedient and speak to God, or if not, grieve the Holy Spirit. How many Christians have been baptized in the Holy Ghost, spoke in tongues once yet don’t allow themselves to speak in tongues again, thus grieving the Holy Spirit who is wanting to communicate to God with the use of their tongue? The Holy Spirit needs your tongue. You can pray in your mind in tongues, although that’s a bit difficult, but once you open up your mouth and even pray under your breath – there is a lot more going out to say. With your mind you’re not using your physical tongue, and that’s why speaking in tongues has to be verbal – loud, quite or under your breath. I love the aspect of the Holy Spirit taking over my tongue to speak to God, whether it’s in a quiet time, walking down the street, driving the car, sitting with the dogs; there is no reason why you can’t pray in tongues wherever you are at.

For a lot of Christians, it’s just the norm to use their tongue to gossip on a daily, hourly, minute by minute, second by second basis, and grieve the Holy Spirit that once spoke in tongues thru them, but no longer is allowed to, and as a result, their hearts speak out of their mouths that which does not edify themselves or any one else for that matter. You would think that if a Christian was baptized in the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues, they would want to continue praying and singing in tongues, instead of gossiping, and allow their tongue to be used by the Holy Spirit to build up and edify and not by the devil to pull down and destroy. It’s not only gossiping with the tongue, but speaking words that do not line up with the Word of God and are negative, corrupt, idle chatter and void of the Spirit.

What’s even worse is that there are people who call themselves Christian and have rejected the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues and as a result, have not only grieved the Holy Spirit, but have no control over their tongue at all and no matter how much they claim to be a Christian, their gossiping tongue says otherwise and is a witness against them that they are not even born again of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 4:29-32 says; “29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary [a]edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, [b]clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

James 1:26 says; “26 If anyone [a]among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”

You can see why the Holy Spirit wants the use of our tongues so as that it will not be idle, full of gossip and slander. There are times that you will have to show restraint to speak loudly, but you can always speak under your breath. The Holy Spirit wants your tongue to be redeemed and use it for God’s glory and your edification.

James 3:6-10 says; “6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of [a]iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of [b]nature; and it is set on fire by [c]hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the [d]similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.”

Don’t think for a minute that you won’t be accountable for the words of your mouth. Jesus says by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned, Matthew 12:37. Better to pray in tongues than to speak out deadly poisonous gossip, slander, cursing, swearing and idle talk. When the temptation comes to gossip, swear or slander, just start praying in tongues. Let the Holy Spirit take over your tongue. God wants to be spoken to by the Holy Spirit that lives in you. God is waiting for you to give the Holy Spirit your tongue.

I believe one of the main reasons why Spirit filled Christians do not allow the Holy Spirit to continue to communicate thru them in tongues to God, is that they’ve preferred to yield their tongues to gossip and idle words instead of the Holy Spirit. What is more important, the Holy Spirit communicating to God thru a Christians tongue or a demon spreading gossip thru a Christians tongue?

Praying and singing in tongues keeps a Christian walking in the spirit and not the flesh, and this is why a Spirit filled Christian can’t lean unto their own understanding, just speak in tongues, and if the devil tempts them to gossip with their tongue, just pray in tongues, and if he tells them, it was a waste of time, then pray for twice the amount of time in tongues.

Romans 8:26-27 says; “26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession [a]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

Gordon Lindsay says;

“Many people wonder about God’s purpose in speaking in tongues. Here is one reason, sufficient if it were the only one. He who speaks in an unknown tongue speaks to God!

At the time of conversion, God speaks to us in our language and says, “You are now a member of My family.” But when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit we are able to speak, as it were, to God in His language – a language that no man understands except God.”

It really doesn’t matter what a Christian is praying about in tongues, they don’t have to be in-the-know about it, because it’s okay to not be in-the-know about everything. Praying in the Spirit has nothing to do with them anyways, it’s the Holy Spirit communicating to God, they are just the vessel He is using, they don’t need to be privy of what is being said, but just pray in tongues. It’s your job to allow your tongue to pray in tongues. It’s so understandable why Christians that have rejected the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking tongues to go out of their way to gossip about those who speak in tongues, and discourage new believers from it, because they believe it is for the good preservation of sound doctrine, therefore it doesn’t matter if they gossip, the ends justifying the means. It shows that a Christian can use their tongue for evil and grieve the Holy Spirit’s communication with God, or they can use their tongue to allow the Holy Spirit to have His way and communicate to God. Your life isn’t your own, the Holy Spirit came to live inside of you, like a new landlord and the rules are different. The old landlord had you walking in the world and the flesh, but the new landlord is cleaning up your heart and He wants your tongue to edify yourself and the body of Christ. Out with old in with the new.

Proverbs 18:21 in the Amplified Bible says; “21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.”

Jude 17-21 in the Amplified Bible says; “17 But as for you, beloved, remember the [prophetic] words spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They used to say to you, “In the last days there will be scoffers, following after their own ungodly passions.” 19 These are the ones who are [agitators] causing divisions—worldly-minded [secular, unspiritual, carnal, merely sensual—unsaved], devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up on [the foundation of] your most holy faith [continually progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], pray in the Holy Spirit, 21 and keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously and looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ [which will bring you] to eternal life.”

Christians can yield their tongue to speak life or death, pray in tongues and allow the Holy Spirit to have His way, or grieve the Holy Spirit by yielding to the flesh and bear the consequences of their words. Life and death are in the power of your spoken words, and this is why it’s so important to pray in tongues, and not hinder the Holy Spirit’s communication with God, and you can be sure that the Holy Spirit does not pray in the flesh, and the devil does not know what the Holy Spirit is praying thru a Christian, he’s in the dark and is not privy to understand what is spoken in tongues.

Gordon Lindsey says;

“If God chooses, He can give us a language that not even the devil can understand. Here is a means of comunion with God which neither man nor demons can intercept. In time of war, nations have codes for secret communication. Sometimes the enemy is able to break this code, but we may be sure that not even the devil can break God’s code!”

1 Corinthians 14:2 says; “2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.”

When the devil tells you that your prayers in tongues are a waste of time, it’s a pretty clear indicator that he has no understanding of what is being said and he obviously is aware of the results of praying in tongues, or he would not have gone out of his way to try and shut it down.

The Christian that is baptized with the Holy Spirit and prays in tongues, has the guarantee that the devil does not understand what is being prayed in tongues, and that they have the mind of Christ and are taught by the Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. The Christian is not in the dark when they’re praying in the Spirit, you’re in the light. Only if the Holy Spirit wills, that He’ll reveal to you and give you the interpretation to what is being prayed.

1 Corinthians 2:12-16 in the Amplified Bible says; “12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the [Holy] Spirit who is from God, so that we may know and understand the [wonderful] things freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak of these things, not in words taught or supplied by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual thoughts with spiritual words [for those being guided by the Holy Spirit]. 14 But the natural [unbelieving] man does not accept the things [the teachings and revelations] of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness [absurd and illogical] to him; and he is incapable of understanding them, because they are spiritually discerned and appreciated, [and he is unqualified to judge spiritual matters]. 15 But the spiritual man [the spiritually mature Christian] judges all things [questions, examines and applies what the Holy Spirit reveals], yet is himself judged by no one [the unbeliever cannot judge and understand the believer’s spiritual nature]. 16 For who has known the mind and purposes of the Lord, so as to instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ [to be guided by His thoughts and purposes].”

Christians that speak in tongues have the advantage and this is why the devil goes out of his way to stop it from happening, so pray in tongues at all times if possible and don’t grieve the Holy Spirit.

So some serious questions for a Christian to ask themselves are;

Have I rejected the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues?
Do I gossip about those who do speak in tongues?
After being baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, have I stopped praying in tongues and grieved the Holy Spirit’s communication with God?

These questions need to be answered by each Christian.

Illustrated Message Overview

21 Reasons Why Christians Should Speak in Tongues – The Self-Improver

Message 12 – June 18th, 2023

Reason #12 is that the believer who speaks in tongues edifies himself. Isn’t that a good enough reason to speak in tongues? You’re being edified personally by the Holy Spirit. The world seeks after self-improvement, but what better way to be self-improved, built up and edified than by speaking in tongues by the Holy Spirit. It’s ok not to look to the things of this world to be built up and edified, it’s ok to not look for self-help programs, but look to the Holy Spirit alone and find self-edification, self-improvement by speaking in tongues alone.

The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:4 the following in the Amplified Bible, Classic Edition; “4 He who speaks in a [strange] tongue edifies and improves himself, but he who prophesies [[a]interpreting the divine will and purpose and teaching with inspiration] edifies and improves the church and promotes growth [in Christian wisdom, piety, holiness, and happiness].”

You get a good dose of joy by praying in the Holy Spirit! When a Christian that is not baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking tongues, hears another Christian praying in tongues, they will often view it as a waste of words because they themselves receive no understanding or edification from what is spoken, but what is really being revealed to them is that spirit of me, myself and I syndrome (lovers of self), which is so prevalent in the secular non-believer, and is also prevalent in non-spirit-filled Christians.

Philippians 2:3 says in the Amplified Bible, Classic Edition; “3 Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].”

I believe that being a lover of self is the root problem as to why Christians are not baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, and Jesus himself makes it clear that in order to be a Christian, they have to die to being a lover of self and obey Him in everything.

Jesus says in Luke 9:23 in the Amplified Bible, Classic Edition; “23 And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [[a]disown himself, [b]forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, [c]refuse and give up himself] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [[d]cleave steadfast.”

So from what 1 Corinthians 14:4 says, we can conclude that praying in tongues is for personal edification of the Christian that prays in tongues, and it doesn’t matter that anyone else understands what he or she is praying. It’s only when the Gift of tongues and interpretation are in operation that the Church can receive understanding, and this is a separate work of the Holy Spirit. This does not imply that praying in tongues without interpretation is unacceptable, otherwise Paul would have never said the following in 1 Corinthians 14:5; “5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; [a]for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.”

Paul is simply stating that speaking in tongues is good for personal edification, but the Gift of tongues and interpretation is good for edifying other believers, and that both the edifying of self is good but the edifying of others is better. This is why in Spirit filled Churches it’s acceptable to corporately pray and sing in tongues for personal edification, but when the gift of tongues and interpretation are in operation where a tongue is spoken louder and then interpreted, the whole body of believers is then edified and built up by the spoken word of the Lord thru the interpreter.

Gordon Lindsay says;

“Here is something the man on the outside usually does not understand. He hears someone speak in tongues, and he cannot see any blessing in it. This is not surprising, for the Apostle Paul declares speaking in tongues is not for the purpose of edifying the listener. (We are not referring to certain unusual manifestations of the gift as that which happened on the day of Pentecost and resulted in the conversion of 3,000.) Speaking in tongues is a spiritual exercise designed to edify the speaker. For this reason Paul taught that speaking in the assembly, unless accompanied by interpretation, was to be discouraged.”

Paul is not discouraging Christians from speaking in tongues, but rather speaking in the Gift of tongues without any interpretation, and this is where many a Christian has twisted this scripture to discourage corporate praying and singing in tongues in Church and unfortunately, grieved the Holy Spirit from building up and edifying Christians individually as well as corporately as a church body. Not rightly dividing the word of God leads to false teaching that grieves Holy Spirit from not be able to baptize Christians with the evidence of speaking in tongues so that they can receive personal edification, which is needed to live a holy life and not become self-centered but rather God-centered.

2 Timothy 2:14-15 says in the Amplified Bible, Classic Edition; “14 Remind [the people] of these facts and [solemnly] charge them in the presence of the Lord to avoid petty controversy over words, which does no good but upsets and undermines the faith of the hearers. 15 Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.”

Romans 12:1-2 says; “12 I beseech[a] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your [b]reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

A lot of Christians are in need of renewing their minds with the truths taught in the Bible about speaking in tongues, and get rid of the false teaching that has hindered them from receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and being personally built up and edified by God thru speaking in tongues.

We are living in a time where like never before, self-improvement is #1, and in order for you to do this it requires you to conform yourself to the image of this world, which is contrary to what the Bible says is obtained by speaking in tongues. If you want to improve your self-image – speak in tongues, if you want to edify yourself – speak in tongues, if you want to build yourself up – speak in tongues. Don’t look to the world for your self-improvement, although they say they have everything to improve your life, it’s a lie, it’s temporary.

The reason the Apostles of Christ were able to not conform to this world, and not be concerned about self-improvement by secular means, was that they continually received it from the Comforter when they spoke in tongues. I believe a lot of Christians today have put their trust in what the secular has offered to improve themselves, instead of obeying what the Lord Jesus said would alone edify and improve themselves. The world says that looking after yourself is #1, where as Jesus said you’re to deny yourself of every right and privilege that exalts itself above His Lordship in your life. How many times have you heard the saying, ‘how are you going to help others if you can’t help yourself?’ Christian, you might have to give up some of your rights and self-help programs.

In Matthew 16:24-26 Jesus says in the Amplified Bible, Classic Edition; “24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [[a]cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also]. 25 For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [life everlasting]. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life [his blessed [b]life in the kingdom of God]? Or what would a man give as an exchange for his [blessed] [c]life [in the kingdom of God]?”

So honestly, Christian, what could and can this world offer you today that can replace what Jesus has already offered you? You might want to reexamine what you’re trusting in to improve your self-image, what you’re trusting in to build yourself up and edify you, to give you joy.

Gordon Lindsay says;

“Naturally until a person speaks in tongues he cannot understand how it can be a blessing to him, or how he is edified by it. But once he receives the Holy Spirit, he finds the experience carries with it a rich spiritual blessing. It is a supernatural experience he never forgets.”

I can only imagine the amount of self-improvement programs that are taking place in our Christian churches. They probably come in every shape, size and category under the sun and have probably been transferred from the world into the church in some way, shape or form in order to improve your image. It’s probably cost the church a lot of money in the midst of it all – only to have been sold a lie, when they could get it simply by obeying God’s Word and speaking in tongues.

Christians that reject the baptism of the Holy Spirit in exchange for what the world has to offer them for self-improvement, reminds me of Esau who sold his inherited birthright for temporal satisfaction of his hunger. You may think that’s way over the top…I haven’t done that. Haven’t you? What about your birthright to being baptized in the Holy Spirit? Have you sold that birthright in exchange for the image of this world and what they have to offer you?

Genesis 25:29-34 tells us the story of Esau in the Amplified Bible, Classic Edition; “29 Jacob was boiling pottage (lentil stew) one day, when Esau came from the field and was faint [with hunger]. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, I beg of you, let me have some of that red lentil stew to eat, for I am faint and famished! That is why his name was called Edom [red]. 31 Jacob answered, Then sell me today your birthright (the rights of a firstborn). 32 Esau said, See here, I am at the point of death; what good can this birthright do me? 33 Jacob said, Swear to me today [that you are selling it to me]; and he swore to [Jacob] and sold him his birthright. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils, and he ate and drank and rose up and went his way. Thus, Esau scorned his birthright as beneath his notice.”

Born again Christian, have you scorned your birthright to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and is it beneath you? Have you chosen to build and edify your image through the world and be satisfied in the world and be conformed to the image of this world having rejected what Jesus commanded you to receive as your birthright – to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and fire with the evidence of speaking in tongues, which would build you up, edify you, strengthen you, give you joy, give you an image of godliness, to strengthen your self-image?

Hebrews 12:12-17 says; “12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. 14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or [a]profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.”

There are Christians that have gone so far as to not only reject the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, but have accredited the speaking in tongues and gifts of the Holy Spirit to be that of the devil, blaspheming the Holy Spirit, which can not be forgiven when committed. You may not necessarily say the devil’s name, but if you say that speaking in tongues is not of God, well then if it’s not of God – who is it of? There is only one other even though you’re not mentioning his name. Repent if that’s the thought and intent of your heart.

Jesus says in Luke 12:10 the following; “10 And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.”

Christian, don’t sell out your born again birthright to be baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, where you alone can only find true comfort, rest, refreshing and self-improvement that nothing in this world can compare with. Nothing in this world compares to what Jesus has said would bring total self-improvement and self-edification which is none other than speaking in tongues. You can be confident with the image that Christ gives you, by renewing your mind with the washing of the Word and by speaking in tongues. Don’t settle for second best.

Click here to read the prophecy from church.

Illustrated Message Overview

21 Reasons Why Christians Should Speak in Tongues - Religious Grievance

Message 13 – July 9th, 2023

Reason #13 is that Paul said, “I would that you all spoke with tongues” (1 Cor 14:5). This Paul the Apostle, the most persecuted Apostle, think about it; he wants you – speaking to the church which is still alive today – to speak in tongues.

He says this in 1 Corinthians 14:4-5 in the Amplified Bible; “4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church [promotes growth in spiritual wisdom, devotion, holiness, and joy]. 5 Now I wish that all of you spoke in unknown tongues, but even more [I wish] that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater [and more useful] than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he translates or explains [what he says], so that the church may [a]be edified [instructed, improved, strengthened].”

Paul is saying that he wishes that you would speak in an unknown language that edifies yourself and speaks to God in a language that only He understands. This is not the gift of tongues and interpretation, which He clearly points out is for the edifying of the Church. It’s important not to get these 2 types of speaking in tongues confused to be the same, because in doing so, no one would pray and sing in tongues and be personally edified and built up, and the communication between the Holy Spirit and God is then grieved and not allowed to speak at all without a prophetic interpretation. Grieving the Holy Spirit is so serious that it puts a Christian at enmity with God, you don’t want God to be your enemy. We read even in the Old Testament by the Prophet Isaiah the following; Isaiah 63:10; “But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; Therefore He changed into their enemy, and He fought against them.” You don’t want God to be your enemy.

I believe this is one of the main reasons why the Holy Spirit has left so many denominations, which once allowed praying and singing tongues for personal edification, but now don’t even have the gift of tongues and interpretation operating for the building up and edifying the Church. So when one isn’t allowed, the other can’t operate either.

Jesus said this in John 16:12-15 (Amplified Bible); “12 I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear [to hear] them now. 13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future]. 14 He will glorify and honor Me, because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Because of this I said that He [the Spirit] will take from what is Mine and will reveal it to you.”

So Jesus Himself is telling His disciples that when He is gone, the Holy Spirit will guide them into all truth, speak whatever He hears from the Father about Himself and prophecy what is to come. So if the Holy Spirit is grieved by not allowing the body of Christ to pray and sing in tongues, it would be understandable that the Gift of tongues and interpretation would eventually cease to operate in the Church. Order in the Church with regards to the operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is important, but what is more important is not to grieve the Holy Spirit by not allowing the Church to pray and sing in tongues for personal edification, because it’s from the Baptism of the Holy Spirit that a Christian prays and sings in tongues, and if this is not allowed to operate individually in corporate settings, it’s guaranteed that tongues and interpretation will eventually fade out and the Holy Spirit will find a body of believers where He will not be grieved.

Gordon Lindsay says;

“Where an unlearned person might disturb the order of a religious service through his lack of wisdom, there is no such difficulty presented when he is edifying himself. If he feels like speaking in tongues for several hours, it is all right and no harm is done, but rather good. Indeed, Paul found the gift highly profitable in his devotions and prayer life. He said, “I speak in tongues more than ye all.” “I will pray in the Spirit, and I will pray with the understanding.” Generally, speaking in tongues is not for the edification of listeners; it is for the edification of the person himself.”

Again, this is not the gift of tongues, rather the gift of tongues received upon the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Paul knew the importance of not grieving the Holy Spirit, otherwise he would have not said in 1 Corinthians 14:5; “Now I wish that all of you spoke in unknown tongues.”

Jude 20 (Amplified Bible) says; “20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up on [the foundation of] your most holy faith [continually progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], pray in the Holy Spirit.”

The Apostle Paul also says in Romans 8:26-27 (Amplified Bible) about our victory in Christ when we speak in tongues; “26 In the same way the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words. 27 And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes [before God] on behalf of [a]God’s people in accordance with God’s will.”

That is the victory that the devil would want to take away from you by a religious spirit. He doesn’t want you to be led by the Holy Spirit but by a religious spirit, a facsimile of the real thing, which will never satisfy you, regardless of how much you go to church, how good you are with your money, or how good you are in all your ways when it comes to charity, donating your time to missions, service, working in the church, prayer meetings, religious service etc.

Acts 10:44-48 (Amplified Bible) says; “44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who were listening to the message [confirming God’s acceptance of Gentiles]. 45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them talking in [unknown] tongues (languages) and exalting and magnifying and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 “Can anyone refuse water for these people to be baptized, since they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” 48 And he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay there for a few days.”

Years after Pentecost, this was the same Holy Spirit baptism to the Gentiles. There was no prophecy, tongues or interpretation here, it was simply the evidence that tongues were the sign of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. This is a good example of speaking in unknown tongues in a corporate setting where no interpretation was required, which shows even more that Paul, in 1 Corinthians 14, is talking about two different types of tongues, one for personal edification and another for edification of the church body. It’s important to not confuse the two and the religious spirit would like exactly to do that.

Paul also says in 1 Corinthians 12:27-28 (Amplified Bible); “27 Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function]. 28 So God has appointed and placed in the church [for His own use]: first apostles [chosen by Christ], second prophets [those who foretell the future, those who speak a new message from God to the people], third teachers, then those who work miracles, then those with the gifts of healings, the helpers, the administrators, and speakers in various kinds of [unknown] tongues.”

These various kinds of unknown tongues are what Paul is talking about in 1 Corinthians 14, and to say otherwise is false teaching that has grieved the Holy Spirits ability to individually edify the believer in corporate settings, and also corporately edify the body of Christ thru tongues and interpretation. It’s no wonder that the Holy Spirit has left these denominations and has found other Churches to not only baptize Christians in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues for personal edification, but is also able to operate in tongues and interpretation so that the church body can be built up and edified. The Holy Spirit will not stay long in a church that is grieving Him, but will show up to those who are seeking and desiring Him.

Colossians 3:16 (Amplified Bible) says; “16 Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Spiritual songs are singing in tongues. So, what would possess a Christian to stay in a Church that does not permit them to be baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues found in Acts 2, or does not allow them to corporately pray and sing in tongues, and does not allow them to speak in tongues and interpretation found in 1 Corinthians 14, or does not allow them to operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit found in 1 Corinthians 12?

What would possess them? It’s a valid question. I say it’s a religious spirit, a spirit of religion that has them bound to routine, ritual, structure and tradition. One could justify themselves by saying that their grandpa taught against the baptism in the Holy Spirit, their father taught against it and so they will also. Similar to what Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and scribes about in Mark 7 regarding the man-made traditions (religious spirits) that they were living by. These traditions always got in the way of their receiving Jesus and what He taught. This religious spirit goes so far to say that the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues is of the devil – which is blasphemy – accrediting the works of the Holy Spirit to be that of the devil. You may want to repent of entertaining that religious spirit today, you want to be filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues.

This is the truth of God’s word. Let the truth of 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 with Acts 2 be the truth that sets you free to receive this mighty baptism in the Holy Spirit. Let the baptism in the Holy Spirit be the rest and refreshing that’s been promised to you by speaking in tongues according to Isaiah 28:11-12. If your church does not allow the baptism in the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues or any of the other gifts to be in operation, find another one that will. You don’t want to stand before Jesus on judgement day having believed a lie because you believed false teaching. Religious spirits drive you but you won’t have peace and joy in the Holy Spirit until you’re speaking in tongues.

Click here to read the prophesies from the church service.

Illustrated Message Overview

Reason #14 is; “Speaking in Tongues is Equal to Prophecy, if Interpreted.”

It’s no wonder the religious community would not want you to speak in tongues today. It’s no wonder that they would like to remove the very gift of prophecy and the gift of the prophet right off the map if they could, to convince you that that all ceased with the Apostles. Because if they can get you to believe that lie, they’ll be able to convince you that speaking in tongues ceased. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. They don’t like the idea that you’re aware that the tongues and interpretation that you’re speaking is on par with prophecy. So if they can eliminate the prophetic office and gift, they can stop the following scripture, but don’t let them do it.

1 Corinthians 14:5 in the Amplified Bible says; “5 Now I wish that all of you spoke in unknown tongues, but even more [I wish] that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater [and more useful] than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he translates or explains [what he says], so that the church may [a]be edified [instructed, improved, strengthened].”

Religious spirits don’t want you to be instructed, improved and strengthened by the Holy Spirit alone. The religious spirit wants you to be 100% dependant on the religious individual that’s in the pulpit. They call it the “Man of God Syndrome”. As I’ve said before, if they are such men of God, why do they travel around with body guards? Why do they need a body guard if they are a man of God, if they are operating in such Holy Ghost power? Even when Elijah was verbally harassed by a group of youth who mocked him, a bear came out of nowhere and killed them all. Who needs body guards with that kind of power. Both the Old and New Testaments are full of testimonies of God protecting His children.

Interpretation of tongues is on the same level as prophecy, equal to it, although for the most part interpreting tongues is speaking present tense whereas prophecy is, for the most part, speaking of future events to unfold.

Gordon Lindsay says; “Although speaking in tongues is principally for private edification, it does have some very important uses. Speaking in tongues is speaking of mysteries in the Spirit. This, being unintelligible to the audience, is not edifying to them, unless there is some way by which those mysteries may be interpreted. Occasionally the unknown tongue is in the native language of someone present, and he can tell what has been said. Usually, however, there is no one present who understands the tongue which is spoken. For this reason God has also placed the gift of interpretation in the Church. If either the one who speaks in tongues, or another person present is able by the Spirit to interpret the message given, then the Church is edified. These two gifts functioning together are equal to the gift of prophecy.”

It’s no wonder the religious community would like you to remove the office of prophet from your life. If they can convince you that the office of the prophet does not exist anymore – how can you go back and stand on scripture? You’ll have nothing to stand on. If the office of the prophet is removed, even when prophecies are delivered – regardless if they are by tongues and interpretation or regular prophecies – they’d go right over you’re head because they’ve convinced you that the office of the prophet and apostle doesn’t exist anymore.

Ephesians 4:7-16 talks about Spiritual Gifts; “7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” 9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also [a]first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the [b]edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

I notice the order of ministry gifts does not start with Pastors, but rather Apostles, then Prophets, then Evangelists, then Pastors, and then teachers. It’s no wonder many religious communities and denominations want to remove Apostles, Prophets and Evangelists out of the picture, so that the Pastor has them under his feet and he’s in first place. He wants to be head of all of the five-fold ministries lined out here with no accountability to the other Holy Spirit gifts. Just putting it out there for thought.

This shows that the office of Prophet is second in line to the office of Apostle, and it is Paul the Apostle who wrote the book of Ephesians, who along with the rest of the Apostles, held offices that obviously knew their need for the office of the Prophet to build the early church, otherwise Paul would have listed Pastors next in line, but he didn’t, if the order was rewritten, the office of prophet in most churches today would probably be found as the last gift in line, or not at all on the list. Can’t you see how much the office of the Apostle and Prophet disrupts the religious spirit and denominational structure? Because as long as the office of the Apostle, Prophet and Evangelist are there, they’re not the head.

Oddly enough, it’s not the Pastor that is to judge prophecy or tongues and interpretation, but rather it is the office of prophets that judges these gifts in operation, but for the most part today these gifts are strictly controlled or are not allowed to operate at all because the Pastors have set themselves up as judges of prophecy instead of allowing the prophets to do their job that helps to maintain order in Church meetings. Now, if you’re a pastor and have the gift of prophecy and tongues and interpretation, you have every right to judge, but if you’re not in a position where you can say, I’m a prophet, or I have the gift of tongues and interpretation, there is no right for you to judge and you need to leave that judging up to the prophets.

In 1 Corinthians 14:26-33 the Apostle Paul talks about order in Church meetings; “26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for [a]edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of [b]confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

Do you notice that Paul doesn’t say deacons, board members, pastor etc., to judge – he says other prophets are to judge? So the prophets when prophesying, or those giving tongues that need interpretation, need to do so in an orderly way, so that the church is edified and not confused.

The ‘others’ referred to in verse 29, are the other prophets, and if the interpretation of tongues is equal to prophecy, and are operated according to the order required, there is no need for a word of the Lord to be pre-approved by the Pastors, and if the Pastor is a prophet as well, his judgement of prophecy is not to be the final say, but is together with one of the other prophets who are to judge. This is why pastors have shut down the offices of Prophets in their churches in order that they alone can maintain total control in church. The interpretation of tongues is so vital for church growth that not only is it equal to prophecy, it is to be judged by prophets, and as we read earlier in Eph 4 :11-12, the office of Prophet falls next in line to the Apostle and not the Pastor, and when the voices of the Prophets operate in order with what is found in 1 Corinthians 14:26-32, the Church is built up and edified, and are protected by the judgement of the prophets from false prophecies and interpretations of tongues given in Church services.

Gordon Lindsay says;“It is evident that the person who gives a message in public in the unknown tongues must be very sensitive the Spirit’s leadings. Though there may be exceptions, the person will rarely find the Spirit leading him to break into amesage while it is being preached. Nor will the Spirit prompt him to give a message while another person is giving one (see 1 Corinthians 14:23). Prophets may only speak one at a time (1 Corinthians 14:31). They will watch for that time in the service when an appropriate moment occurs for the giving of a message. If the time is properly chosen, the whole audience senses God is speaking to them. In this way the Church is edified. And, of course, if there is no interpreter in the Church, they will remain silent. “But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.” (1 Corinthians 14:28)”

The reason why there needs to be order with tongues and interpretation is so that the Church body can be edified and built up, and if Pastors require the interpretation of tongues before the tongues are even spoken, it’s getting the cart before the horse, it doesn’t work that way. The Holy Spirit speaks in tongues first, then it is interpreted, and if there is no interpreter, the person speaking in what they perceive to be the gift of tongues is to remain silent and return to speaking in tongues to himself and God. This is why in Church services that Christians will pray and sing in tongues and some else will speak in tongues very loud above the rest of the Church, and then it is interpreted by someone what was said in tongues, and if there is no interpretation, let them return to praying and singing in tongues to themselves and God.

Some denominations have interpreted 1 Corinthians 14:28 to mean that it’s unacceptable to pray and sing in tongues corporately without an interpreter, but what this scripture is referring to is the gift of tongues and interpretation for building up and edifying the Church and not tongues for person edification and communication with God. Instead of allowing the Prophets to judge the interpretation of tongues, some Pastors have thrown the baby out with the bathwater and don’t allow the gift of tongues and interpretation to operate at all, and as a result, what I call “The Man of God Syndrome” is in total control and the gifts of Holy Spirit are grieved.

Gordon Lindsay says; “Although speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues are to be exercised only according to scriptural order, those gifts do have a definite place in the Church and should be encouraged. “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.” (1 Corinthians 14:26)

So if interpreting tongues is on par or equal with prophecy, and they are operated in an orderly manner in the church, why is it not allowed to operate in most Churches today? Could it be that maybe it takes the attention off the Pastors and doesn’t fuel “The Man of God Syndrome”? As we read earlier in Ephesians 4:11-16, the purpose of the five-fold ministry is not to fuel “The Man of God Syndrome,” but is as we read in verses 12,14; “12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the [a]edifying of the body of Christ,… 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,”

The five-fold ministry gifts are to be operating in the body of Christ as a whole and if interpretation of tongues is equal to prophesy, that makes it one of the five-fold ministry gifts. So speaking in the gift of tongues is to be operated in and not grieved by “The Man of God Syndrome”, that eventually leads to Christian immaturity, being tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.

So long as Christians are lied to and kept in the dark about being baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues and the gift of interpreting tongues, there will be no true fulfillment of verses 15-16 which says; “15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

The following scripture lists an orderly account of ministry gifts, which we can again see that Prophets come right after Apostles, which reinforces that if interpreting tongues is equal to prophecy, this gift needs to be in operation in the Church for their edification.

1 Corinthians 12:27-31 says in the Amplified Bible; “27 Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function]. 28 So God has appointed and placed in the church [for His own use]: first apostles [chosen by Christ], secondprophets [those who foretell the future, those who speak a new message from God to the people], third teachers, then those who work miracles, thenthose with the gifts of healings, the helpers, the administrators, and speakers in various kinds of [unknown] tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal].”

I closed on this scripture just to show you that I don’t see Pastor in this list. Can’t you see how religion has gone out of its way to remove the voice of the prophet, because if it comes right down to it, the pastor has to be accountable to what the prophets are saying. If religion can get rid of the voice of the prophet, it will get rid of you speaking in tongues and interpreting them and since we know that tongues with interpretation is equal to prophecy, then that would make you a prophet. No wonder they want to shut the voice of the prophet up, because if they can shut up their voice, they can control you and shut you up, especially if the interpretation is judged by the pastor only – which for the most part – probably is. I doubt if many pastors are consulting with the prophets about the word given, especially if it goes against their religious vision for the church.

Like the Kings under the Old Covenant, they had accountability to what God was speaking to them through the prophets. How much did they persecute the prophets when they spoke in the Old Covenant because it went against their religious agenda. They were persecuted by the politicians of the day. Why? Because it went against their political agenda. Why are they doing it today to prophets, preachers and teachers? The secular is repeating the same thing today. But today we’re prophesying what God’s Word says. The Bible is a more sure word of prophecy, more sure than anything you could say, it validates what you say when you prophecy. If it doesn’t line up with the word of God, it’s a lie, regardless of the person it’s coming through, because religion wants to shut the office of the prophet down.

I sound like a parrot in repeating myself, but it needs to be repeated. Religion wants to control and shut down the prophetic voice, it doesn’t want to be accountable to the voice of the prophet at all who is speaking into their lives, whether it be for telling the future or for personal edification. Don’t let religion shut you up today, Christian, pray in the Spirit, deliver the tongues as the Lord sees fit, operate in the interpretation. Don’t be intimidated today by religious spirits and stay in the word of God, speak it, don’t go to the left of right. It’s no wonder the prophets are not speaking today, and the religious spirits are speaking lies which want boring and dead religion, traditions of men. But Jesus is fresh, He has fresh words of edification for the church, if He wants to reveal to you what the Prime Minister is doing in his bedroom, behind closed doors, when he’s consulting with other ministers or world leaders in secret, He’ll do it. He did it the days of old and He’ll do it now. He’ll reveal to you what’s going on behind the scenes with the politicians, He’ll warn you about things coming down the pipe that might affect you. That’s the job of the Holy Spirit, to lead you into truth, for His name’s sake, not your name’s sake. God does not change, He operates in the same way, He hasn’t changed, He prophesies in the same way, He hasn’t changed. Do not try to change what God’s word says, stand firm, be strong, look the religious spirit in the eyes and say, no. Submit to God and His word, resist the devil and his lies and he will flee.

Click here to read the prophesy from the church service.

21 Reasons Why Christians Should Speak in Tongues – Intercession for the Saints Message 15 – Aug.13

Reason #15 is this; One May Pray in the Spirit Through the Unknown Tongue.

Ephesians 6:10-18 in the Amplified Bible says the following; “10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. 11 Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. 13 Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. 14 So stand firm and hold your ground, having [b]tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart), 15 and having [c]strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. 16 Above all, lift up the [protective] [d]shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all [e]God’s people.”

We’ll talk in a bit about the correlation between the armour of God and praying for the saints, so it’s of utmost importance that these verses, 10-17 and verse 18 are not separated. The Apostle Paul knew the reality of spiritual warfare and the reality of prayer for the saints in the Spirit. He’s telling Christians, the church, to at all times be clothed with the full armour and at all times to pray in the Spirit for the saints, they go hand in hand.

Romans 8:33-34 says; “33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”

Jesus is now at the right hand of God interceding for the saints, for those who are born again of the Holy Spirit, and His communication with God the Father on behalf of the Church body is priority #1. Often you hear that soul winning in #1 and that the ministry of the saints is #2. Reality is that you can’t have soul winning without the saints or five-fold ministry and those empowered by the Holy Spirit. That’s why Jesus is making intercession for the saints, non-stop, He’s communicating to God about us – that’s amazing to have Jesus communicating to God on your behalf. You think it may be all over, but Jesus is saying that it’s just beginning.

So without His continual intercession, there would be no Church body of believers left on earth. He has preserved a remnant of believers that are restraining the kingdom of darkness – satan – from taking over everyone on the earth, possessing them for his agenda, and it’s by the intercession of the Saints who are baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues that Jesus uses as vessels to intercede in unknown tongues for the Church. Jesus is in heaven at the right hand of Father God interceding for you, you’re on the earth with the Comforter – the Holy Spirit - praying in tongues for the saints. The number one purpose for the baptism of the Holy Spirit was for the birth of the church and the continual growth of the church with His power. As Paul taught, we’re to continue to pray for the church in tongues, interceding on behalf of the church in tongues. Nothing has changed since the birth of the church until today.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 talks about the great apostasy; “2 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of [a]Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of [b]sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits [c]as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the [d]mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only [e]He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

This sounds familiar today, strong delusion, just as it was for the early church, today however, there is an amplification of it through all forms of media.

There are times when the Holy Spirit will have you intercede, (pray) in tongues, without any understanding of your prayers, and it is the Holy Spirit praying on behalf of the Church body, who is the restraining force on earth that hinders Satan from taking it over. So, spirit filled Christian, your job is to pray in tongues for the body of Christ. Jesus is coming back, but in the mean time you are to intercede for the church, so that means that there might need to be a shift in your prayer life to make it a priority.

Paul explains this so clear in Romans 8:26-27; “26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession [a]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

The groanings are of the Spirit – tongues – not the language you speak as your first tongue or even other languages that you’ve learned or know.

Gordon Lindsay says;
“In the above Scripture the apostle tells us none of us know how to pray as we ought. But we have a powerful ally in the Spirit of God, who will, if permitted, make intercession “for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Moreover since the Spirit of God always knows the mind of God, He will always pray according to the will of God.

But how does the Spirit pray through us? We may be sure that the Spirit seeks to help us whatever is the manner in which we pray. This, however, is not what the apostle here is speaking about. It is evident he is referring to prayer in the Spirit through the unknown tongue. In such case the Holy Spirit prays through the believer. Paul says he will pray with the Spirit and with the understanding – both ways. It is good to pray with the understanding, but it also is good to pray with the Spirit. When we are at a loss for words to express ourselves in prayer, the Spirit will, in the unknown tongue, take the need and lift it up to God.”

Once again, what’s your priority Christian? Your priority is to pray for the body of Christ, yes, pray for the unsaved souls, but make it a priority to pray for the church, pray that more be baptized in the Holy Spirit that they can pray more effectively for the church.

If a Christian rejects the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, their intercession is made in their own understanding, and this is why their prayers become repetitive, and are often full of rational and reasoning that involves more self-will to be done rather than God’s will be done. It’s very understandable why the devil has gone out of his way to convince Christians that the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues was only for the establishment of the early Church and is not for Christians today.

There is a great falling away of the Church that will take place before Jesus returns and I believe it’s going to happen as a direct result of Christians having rejected the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

Again in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 it says; “2 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of [a]Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of [b]sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits [c]as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”

Jesus gave His Church the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues so that they can pray the will of the Father in tongues and not fall away, backslide and be left behind to face seven years of tribulation after He returns to rapture His Church. It’s very important for Christians that speak in tongues to allow the Holy Spirit to pray thru them in tongues the will of the Father for the Church body of believers, and we know that Jesus is at the right hand of the Father making intercession on our behalf, so regardless of whether a Christian understands what they are praying, Jesus understands and that’s all that matters. Jesus understands your tongues, He understands what the Holy Spirit praying through you in communication to Him. It’s not you interceding but the Holy Spirit, He’s using your tongue as the vessel or instrument to pray God’s perfect will for His children.

Romans 8:28 continues saying; “28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

This is the promise Christians have as a result of being obedient to pray in tongues, not only do all things work out for their good, they will fulfill His purpose for His call on their lives, so it’s a win, win situation to pray in tongues, you never loose, it’s the best way to pray.

1 Corinthians 14:2 says; “2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.”

When it comes right down to it, you don’t need to understand what you’re praying – you’re praying mysteries that Jesus fully understands. It’s like a mysterious conversation between the Holy Spirit and Jesus who is at the right hand of the Father, you just have the tongue to pray it thru.

We read in Ephesians 6:18 at the beginning which says; “18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—"

So after having put on the full armour of God as laid out in Ephesians 6:10-17, we are then required to fulfill Ephesians 6:18 and pray in the Spirit, which is tongues, and regardless of whether a Christian has put on the whole armour of God, if they have rejected the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, they are not able to pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and even though they are fully armed, the devil knows that they don’t have the Holy Ghost power if they are not able to pray in tongues, and this explains why so many Christians have backslidden, and are now a part of the great falling away mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2.

Religion can clothe a Christian in the armour of God where everything looks good on the outside, but there is no Holy Ghost power on the inside without being able to pray in tongues, and the devil knows eventually you’ll drop your guard in one way or another, be it the belt of truth (personal integrity, moral truth), the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart), the preparation of the Gospel of peace (facing the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news), the (protective) shield of faith, the helmet of Salvation, and the sword of the spirit, (the word of God). The devil doesn’t mind a Christian being all clothed in religious armour, but he does mind if a Christian is clothed in the full armour of God and is praying in tongues at all times for the Saints. He minds that a lot. He does mind when you fulfill the scripture that requests you to pray in tongues for the body of Christ, the saints.

Jude 20-21 says the following; “20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

So long as Christians are praying in tongues for the saints that make up the Body of Christ, the restraining force of their prayers by the Holy Spirit’s power keeps the devil from taking over all the earth. It’s your prayers and intercession in tongues that is keeping that from happening. It’s no wonder why he’s gone out of his way in Christian churches today to remove - by lying about - speaking in tongues. He knows that when you get the understanding of praying in tongues he’s defeated.

We know Jesus defeated him at the cross 2000 years ago, but speaking in tongues is a big reminder that’s keeping him at bay and where he can’t prosper as he wishes in his wicked ways. What is prospering, is the church, the gates of hell cannot prevail against the church. Why? Because you are the restraining force – tongue talking Christian. You’re the one that’s restraining this from happening, from the kingdom of darkness trying to take over. We see a lot of the kingdom of darkness operating through many leaders today, but you are the restraining force, you who speak in tongues, because you’re praying the perfect will of the Heavenly Father when you pray for the church in tongues. To be clear, it’s not that you don’t pray with the understanding for the church but when you pray in tongues, you’re praying the perfect will of Jesus by the power of Holy Spirit.

I don’t know about you, but it’s difficult to pray in English, or whatever your native tongue is, all day long, but I find it very easy to pray in tongues throughout the day, even if it’s under my breath, whether I’m driving, working, walking down the street or exercising. Say to Jesus, Jesus I’m going to pray for the church and then start praying in tongues, and then the Holy Spirit prays through you, you’re the vessel.

People don’t like the word possession, well, the Holy Spirit came to live inside of you, so He controls you now, so let Him take control of your tongue, He’s going to do a far greater job than you when it comes to praying for the church. Because Holy Spirit does not pray amiss, He’s not in the flesh, He prays accurately and knows the need of the church. He knows the needs of our church, of Christians in our community, of those who want to be baptized in Him. He’ll baptize them wherever they’re at, whether in church or outside the church. He baptized me in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues when I was on the bus, in a public area, after I left the church after being baptized in water. Ever since then I’ve spoken in tongues and will continue to.

I’m glad we’re getting more understanding that there is an intercession for the church by praying in tongues. Pray in tongues for Christians and churches in your community. Preach the Gospel obviously, share the faith, but Jesus according to His word, wants intercession going up on behalf of the church, the restrainer, the restraining force. Prioritize the church, make it #1, put your needs and even for salvation of souls after that. Holy Spirit knows exactly what the church body needs, so prioritize that.

21 Reasons Why Christians Should Speak in Tongues – Supernatural Sign For the Unbeliever, Message 16

August 20th, 2023

Reason #16 is that Speaking In Tongues Is A Sign To Unbelievers.

Jesus says this in Matthew 12:38-42; “38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign (attesting miracle) from You [proving that You are what You claim to be].” 39 But He replied and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation [that is morally unfaithful to God] craves and demands a [miraculous] sign; but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah; 40 for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up [as witnesses] at the judgment against this generation, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now, something greater than Jonah is here.”

A wicked and adulterous generation seek for signs, according to what Jesus says here to the religious leaders of the day who were sceptical and mostly unbelieving that He was the Son of God. Jesus said that He’d be in the belly of the earth – dead – for three days and nights and would then rise again! That’s the powerful sign that Jesus would give them that He was the Son of God! Now, the sign of a Christian is that they speak in tongues. It’s a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Many rejected the sign of Jesus’ death and resurrection, just like many Christians today reject the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence speaking in tongues as a sign.

The Apostle Paul says this about tongues in 1 Corinthians 14:21-22 in the Amplified Bible; “21 It is written in the Law, “By men of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, and not even then will they listen to Me,” says the Lord. 22 Therefore, [unknown] tongues are [meant] for a [supernatural] sign, not to believers but to unbelievers [who might be receptive]; while prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people] is not for unbelievers but for believers.”

Speaking in tongues is just like breathing air to the Spirit filled Christian that has been baptized with the Holy Spirit, and to them it is just the norm and is not a sign but is rather clear evidence that they received the same Holy Spirit baptism that the Apostles and Christians received in the upper room on the day of Pentecost.

The prophet Isaiah spoke about how speaking in tongues would be rejected by many Jews and Christians and how they would view it as, (merely monotonous repetitions), and as a result would backslide, (stumble backward, and be broken, ensnared, and taken captive).

We read this in Isaiah 28:11-13 in the Amplified Bible; “11 Indeed, the Lord will teach this people [in a more humiliating way] By [men with] stammering lips and a foreign tongue, 12 He who said to them, “This is the place of quiet, give rest to the weary,” And, “This is the resting place,” yet they would not listen. 13 Therefore the word of the Lord to them will be [merely monotonous repetitions]: “Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, Rule upon rule, rule upon rule, Here a little, there a little.” That they may go and stumble backward, and be broken, ensnared, and taken captive.”

How many Christians are looking for rest and refreshing yet they don’t want the baptism in the Holy Spirit and reject it. To them, tongues is nothing more than fleshly babbling, gibberish, and not necessary.

Speaking in tongues is a supernatural sign to unbelievers, and regardless of there being no understanding of what is being said, they will see and hear clearly that God is speaking to His Church in a foreign language of the Holy Ghost. While some Christians are rejecting the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, and recognise it as monotonous repetitions of blah, blah, blah, there are unbelievers that are able to see it as a supernatural sign of God.

Gordon Lindsay says;

“Although some resent the speaking in tongues, there are many who can testify that they were first spiritually awakened by the manifestation of this sign. They did not understand all about it, yet they sensed God was in it. Others, perhaps, heard a message in tongues with the interpretation which followed, and they knew it was God’s voice speaking to them.”

One thing I notice as a continuous theme throughout the Bible, is that God opposes the proud and accepts those who are humble, and will often use the foolish things of this world to confound the wise, and in this case, the (humble) unbelieving non-Christian has more faith in speaking in tongues than the (proud) believing Christian who rejects it as monotonous repetitions that makes no sense. Isaiah 28:11-13 is an ongoing prophecy that is being fulfilled in non-Christians and Christians today, and this is often why non-Christian unbelievers who hear speaking in tongues are becoming born again, baptised in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues and are out-running the Christians who have rejected it and are backsliding as a result. The humble are passing them with the baton running the race with fervor to the end to receive the prize.

Speaking in tongues is a sign to unbelievers and some will reject it and view tongue talking Christians to be out of their minds, but God delights in those that see it as a sign and will pour out His Holy Spirit on them, and raise them up to be used for is His Glory. He’s just looking for those who will take Him at His word and obey what it says. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Speaking in tongues is one of the signs mentioned by Jesus that would follow those who believe in Him. Mark 16:17-18 says; “17 And these signs will follow those who [a]believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they[b] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

You notice that all of these signs are to follow all Christians, and will, if Christians will take Him for what His word says, and stop selectively hearing of His word only. You can hear the word and not be a doer of it.

Gordon Lindsay says;

“Paul, quoting from Isaiah, declares that speaking in tongues is a sign to unbelievers. The prophecy adds, however, that many will not believe nor accept the sign as a divine phenomenon. But as they reject it, God rejects them. So declares the prophecy. Nevertheless, there are many who have heard the speaking in tongues and through this sign have turned to God.”

It all comes down to this; that some reject the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, and some accept it and as a result speak in tongues, as God is no respecter persons. He is just looking for those who will take Him at His word and obey what it says.

I firmly believe that Christians who reject speaking in tongues are selectively not doing what is written in the Bible, because it’s so obvious that not only is it a sign to unbelievers, it’s one of the signs that are to follow all believers’ lives.

Selective doers of God’s Word have a love walk problem with Jesus. Jesus promised the Helper in John 14:15-18; “15 If you love Me, [a]keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another [b]Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

James 1:22-25 in the Amplified Bible says; “22 But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. 23 For if anyone only listens to the word [a]without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets [b]what he looked like. 25 But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but [c]an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].”

How many Christians went to church today but can’t remember what the message was about. The god of this world steals the word immediately and blinds their minds to the truth they just received, by the cares of this world, their family, their jobs etc.

When Jesus is talking about the Spirit of truth coming, He’s talking about the baptism in the Holy Spirit. He’s telling them, the disciples and us today, that He’ll give them something more than what they had right then. The unbelieving won’t receive the Holy Spirit because they don’t believe in Jesus.

As Christians, we have to give an answer to unbelievers if the signs that Jesus said in Mark 16:17-18 are not following our lives. Keep in mind, that verse 18; “they[b] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them,” is speaking of accidental incidents with snakes and poison and does not imply that you intentionally pick up snakes and drink poison to prove a point. We read about the Apostle Paul being bitten by a viper on the Island of Malta, but he shook it off and was not poisoned or harmed. Acts 28:1-6.

We’re not talking about tempting God by being snake handlers or drinking poison on purpose. We’re not to tempt God. God’s protection is on your life and if you innocently come across a snake and it bites you, we know what God’s word says about healing. Or if you unawares drink something deadly, God’s word says it won’t harm you.

If Jesus says that speaking in tongues is a sign that follows a believer, then the unbeliever is entitled to an answer as to why a Christian does not speak in tongues. The reason why most Christians don’t speak in tongues is that they never obeyed Jesus’ last command found in Acts 1:4-5; “4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

This was fulfilled in Acts 2:1-4; “2 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all [a]with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them [b]divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Not obeying Jesus will not only affect a Christian’s life, but also the lives of unbelievers that are in their world on a day-to-day basis. I believe that this is why on the day of judgement there will be a fulfillment in many Christians lives of what Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23; “21 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

It’s interesting that He doesn’t mention speaking in tongues. We know that casting out demons are done by Christians who are not Spirit filled and who don’t speak in tongues. The disciples themselves were casting out demons and were performing many signs and wonders before the day of Pentecost when they were baptised in the Holy Spirit and received the tongues. It’s very serious in that there is a real grieving of the Holy Spirit by disobeying God. There is lawlessness that takes place by grieving and rejecting the Holy Spirit’s baptism. There is an independent, stubborn act of pride by being unteachable, not willing to receive stammering lips and to not receive speaking in tongues. It’s far too humbling to them. There is a pride factor to them who reject what the Prophet Isaiah was prophesying about.

Lawlessness is being a hearer of God’s word and not a doer of it. You can hear God’s word and not do it by selectively bypassing the scriptures we read today – all of them. You can even bypass Jesus’ command that He gave in the great commission that we read in Mark 16:17-18; “17 And these signs will follow those who [a]believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they[b] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

You can’t selectively choose one sign above the other. You can bypass what Isaiah said and can say that he’s not talking about us today. It’s a specific prophetic word to the Jews and Christians alike because Paul specifically references it in his letter to the mainly Gentile Corinthian church when he’s teaching them about tongues.

Let’s read Isaiah 28:11-13 in the Amplified Bible again; “11 Indeed, the Lord will teach this people [in a more humiliating way] By [men with] stammering lips and a foreign tongue, 12 He who said to them, “This is the place of quiet, give rest to the weary,” And, “This is the resting place,” yet they would not listen. 13 Therefore the word of the Lord to them will be [merely monotonous repetitions]: “Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, Rule upon rule, rule upon rule, Here a little, there a little.” That they may go and stumble backward, and be broken, ensnared, and taken captive.”

There is a backsliding that will take place to those who reject the baptism in the Holy Spirit willfully. There is a rest and refreshing that Christians need by speaking in tongues. Sinners will see and hear it as a sign, that God is speaking to the church when they hear someone speaking in tongues as we read in 1 Corinthians 14:22; “22 Therefore, [unknown] tongues are [meant] for a [supernatural] sign, not to believers but to unbelievers [who might be receptive];”

The sinner repents as this sign is speaking to his heart, he sees the supernatural act of God on the tongues and interpretation that he needs to get right with God, to be born again and be filled with the Spirit and speak in tongues too. God accepts the humble but resists the proud.

Lawlessness is being a hearer of God’s word and not doing it. Lawlessness is grieving and rejecting the Holy Spirit by disobeying Jesus’ command to receive Him – to receive tongues – that He wants to give you but by being in this state of lawlessness, you live your Christian life in your own strength. As a result, you go backwards instead of forward . But the sinner who hears tongues and receives it as a sign from God, repents and runs the race, bypassing the backslidden Christian. Like Saul the sinner, the persecutor of the church, becoming Paul the Apostle, outran all the rest, with more persecutions too. God will raise up whoever He wants, He wants a humble person to become a Christian and accept His commands, accept what He requires of them, accept what Jesus commanded of His followers to speak in tongues.

As we said in last weeks message, it doesn’t matter if you understand tongues – it’s supernatural – it’s a mystery. It’s your part to be obedient to Jesus.

To be truthful, if Christians don’t get the supernatural in the church, they’ll turn to the world to get it; fall into mysticism, eastern meditations, yoga, witchcraft and on and on. God created us to operate and live in supernatural power. Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to live supernaturally, to speak in tongues like the early disciples and church did, nothing has changed, it is for you. Hopefully you can see this today. It’s a supernatural walk with Jesus, not a natural, reasoning walk. You don’t have rights and privileges to reject what Jesus commanded you to do and receive. He knows what you need to overcome the devil with in this world, otherwise He would not have commanded His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they had been endued with power from the Holy Spirit – it’s a supernatural walk with Jesus.

There’s a young generation that the Holy Spirit is moving upon because there has been a generation that have rejected this baptism, because God will bypass the proud and give grace to the humble sinner. He’ll bypass those who too proud to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues and stammering lips, yet the sinner, who knows he’s a sinner that needs a Saviour and who knows he needs Holy Spirit power and the Helper to live a victorious Christian walk. He knows that speaking in tongues is a supernatural sign, he wants Jesus to be Lord of his life, he wants that supernatural touch from God.

Christians, it’s time to humble yourself and receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit and receive the supernatural sign of speaking in tongues. You don’t want to be on the list of people who have said, Lord, Lord…and not having done the will of the Father. God will continue to use the foolish things of this world to confound the wise as God sees the heart. Go forward, don’t fall backwards to be broken, ensnared, and taken captive.

21 Reasons Why Christians Should Speak in Tongues – Supernatural Sound from Heaven, Message 17

October 8th, 2023

Acts 2:5-11 says the following about the crowds response when they hear the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.

“5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own [a]language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and [b]Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”

Verse 6 says; “When this sound occurred”, so what was the sound? It was a supernatural event. In the movies it’s depicted as actual wind blowing their hair and clothing all around. But is that what the Bible says? No, it was just ‘the sound’ which maybe sounded like a Category 5 hurricane – who knows, but it was enough to cause many in the city of Jerusalem to come running to the sound.

Acts 2:2; “2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.”

First of all, what the people heard was the sound of a mighty rushing wind that was coming down on a certain location where 120 disciples of Christ were praying in the upper room. Unless you are a storm chaser, most people run the opposite direction of mighty rushing winds, which indicates that there was no wind involved, only the sound of it occurred. This was a supernatural sound from heaven that was the power of the Holy Spirit that had no need of any physical manifestation of a wind, it was the sound of wind only, which lead those dwelling in Jerusalem right to the Upper Room where they then heard the disciples praying the wonderful works of God in each persons language.

It’s always depicted in the movies about the Book of Acts that it was a windy move of the Holy Spirit, when in fact it was the sound of wind only, a supernatural sound of wind without the wind. Just imagine it for a minute, hearing the sound of a rushing mighty wind without seeing the physical manifestation or feeling the wind itself. This is what those foreigners heard at first from wherever they were in Jerusalem at the time that drew them to investigate this sound of a stormy wind without the wind itself. You can only imagine how this appeared in the natural, they had never in all their lives witnessed such an occurrence, but what occurred next when they arrived at the Upper Room far superseded the previous supernatural event.

Verse 6 “And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own [c]language in which we were born?”

Verse 12 says; “So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” 13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

Gordon Lindsay says;

“The effect on unbelievers of speaking in tongues is multiplied many times, when, as sometimes happens, the language used is known to one or more of the listeners. Such occurrences have not been infrequent. In almost every such instance the listener was amazed and astonished to hear a message in his own tongue from the lips of one who he knew had never learned the language.”

Jesus says to Nicodemus in John 3:5-8 says; “5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

When a person is born again it is a supernatural event that cannot be tracked in the natural, however the sound of the mighty rushing wind could be heard to have come from heaven down to earth right to the Upper Room where the disciples were gathered. If this is what took place on earth, can you only imagine the sound of it being released from Heaven which is a supernatural realm, to earth, being the natural realm. It was sent from a supernatural realm to a natural realm. This explains why therewas no physical evidence of wind, only the sound of a might rushing wind, for had therebeen the physical evidence, it would have had all Jerusalem running for their safety. But instead, they ran to the sound of Heaven where they heard the wonderful works of God spoken to them in their own languages by the Disciples that never spoke their languages.

This is why Christians that are baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues sometimes speak in various tongues, different dialects, that are foreign to them but are the fluent language of someone else that are hearing the wonderful works of God, which shows that this was not just a one time event but is an on going work of the Holy Spirit today.

Gordon Lindsay says;

“It is to be observed, however, that the gift of languages which amazed the multitude on the day of Pentecost did not take the place of preaching. Peter preached in the ordinary language of the country, after his audience had gathered. It is necessary for the missionary to learn the language of the people, else he could not preach with the understanding. However, God may on occasion do the Unusual. A few instances have been reported in which a person has been enabled to regularly preach in a foreign language without learning it by natural methods. Such instances, however, are rare.”

Romans 10:14-21 talks about Israel rejecting the Gospel; 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who [a]preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18 But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.” 19 But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says: “I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.” 20 But Isaiah is very bold and says: “I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.” 21 But to Israel he says: “All day long I have stretched out My hands To a disobedient and contrary people.”

Here we see that the majority of the Jews would reject the gospel of Jesus, and still do. They reject Jesus as Messiah and in doing so, the Gentiles – known as the foolish nation – received gladly the news of Jesus Christ.

On the Day of Pentecost, they were following their rituals and what was required of them by the Law to do, they were not seeking the baptism in the Holy Spirit. But God showed up, got their attention, the 120 received the gift of tongues and power of the Holy Spirit. However, there were a lot of those in Jerusalem who did not receive...because like Isaiah said, they were disobedient and contrary to what they heard. They accused them of being drunk with new wine, they mocked and scorned them. The same thing still happens today when they hear Christians speak in tongues. They say it was a one-time event...but it wasn’t. Holy Spirit is still baptizing those who are hungry and giving them new tongues and languages.

How are the people going to hear unless some one preaches to them in their own language the good news about the Gospel, and all the more reason to speak in tongues in Church or Evangelistic settings, so that if need be, someone who does not understand the language of the preacher may hear the message preached in their own language by someone praying in tongues.

There will always be those who mock speaking in tongues who are even born again, but just like it says in the verses20-21, “20 But Isaiah is very bold and says: “I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.” 21 But to Israel he says: “All day long I have stretched out My hands To a disobedient and contrary people.”

It could be said of Christians today who say that they don’t need to be baptized in the Holy Spirit nor speak in tongues – sounds like a disobedient and contrary people. This is why it’s important for Christians to pray in tongues, and allow the Holy Spirit to minister the wonderful works of the Gospel to those who are not only foreign in language but are foreign to the Gospel message of salvation.

Again, verses 16-17 say; “16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18 But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.”

That sound – the sound of Pentecost – of diverse tongues, has gone out to the whole earth. There are Christians today who have not believed the report about speaking in tongues found in the word of God, and God is revealing the gospel and baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues to those were not even seeking it, and they are in turn by passing those in ministry who have not obeyed the full Gospel of being baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

Gordon Lindsay says;

“It was an event of this nature which astonished the people on the day of Pentecost. Some of them had come from distant lands and spoken in languages they knew were totally unfamiliar to the Galileans. Yet here each man heard them speaking and glorifying God in his own tongue.

Those some of the mixed crowd who had gathered scoffed and accused Peter and the apostles of being drunk, a multitude believed as the result of what happened that day. Some three thousand accepted Christ, were baptized, and admitted into the newly formed Church.”

All of Jerusalem heard the sound, but only three thousand believed. We have to keep in mind that those who heard the sound from heaven were God fearing Jews, some of them mocked what they heard, while others received the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38-41says; “38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the [a]remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this [b]perverse generation.” 41 Then those who [c]gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”

It all comes back down to being grateful for what God has given, having gratitude for what Jesus said He would send to them. The 120 disciples and the 3,000 God fearing Jews had what would be called a great attitude and were thankful for not only salvation, but the gift of the Holy Spirit that was freely given with the evidence of speaking in tongues. There were also those God fearing Jews who were not thankful, and as a result rejected God’s Salvation and speaking in tongues of which they said the disciples were drunk with new wine.

Here are a few testimonies of what we’ve preached on today taken from The Apostolic Papers of The Azusa Street revival. Vol.1 No.1records this; “RUSSIANS HEAR IN THEIR OWN TONGUE. Different nationalities are now hearing the Gospel in their own "tongue wherein they were born." Sister Anna Hall spoke to the Russians in their church in Los Angeles, in their own language as the Spirit gave utterance. They were so glad to hear the truth that they wept and even kissed her hands. They are a very simple, pure, and hungry people for the full Gospel. The other night, as a company of Russians were present in the meeting, Bro. Lee, a converted Catholic, was permitted to speak their language. As he spoke and sang, one of the Russians came up and embraced him. It was a holy sight, and the Spirit fell upon the Russians, as well as on others, and they glorified God.”

Vol.1 No.2 says;

“One young girl received the baptism Friday night and she spoke in German. God sent us a German to interpret. He said he could understand everything perfectly. Sister Jennie Eans has also received the German language, and speaks it very fluently. Sister Garr improves every day in her Tibetan and Chinese. O, how I praise God that He ever gave us this wonderful experience of the baptism with the Holy Ghost.”

So, do you have an attitude of gratitude? Are you grateful for what Jesus did, are you grateful that He sent the Holy Spirit to baptize you so you can speak in tongues? This baptism hasn’t ended, it’s still going on for those who have ears to hear.

Click to read the prophetic word.

Child-Like Faith, Message 18, October 15th, 2023

As the prophecies came forth at church today, we were reminded that we need to become as children before our Heavenly Father. Not being childish but child-like. There are so many things that want to hinder Christians to operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, so many vain imaginations hinder Christians from flowing in the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 18:3 in the AMPC Bible says; “Truly I say to you, unless you repent (change, turn about) and become like little children [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving], you can never enter the kingdom of heaven [at all].”

1 Corinthians 1:27also says; “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;”

Reason #18 of 21 Reasons Why Christians Should Speak in Tongues is taken from Isaiah 28:11 which we covered in Reason #1 (which you can read in our archived messages). What is emphasized more though here, is the issue of having child-like faith, not being childish, but becoming child-like.

Isaiah 28:11-13 says; “11For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people,
12To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” And, “This is the refreshing”; Yet they would not hear. 13But the word of the Lord was to them, “Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little,” That they might go and fall backward, and be broken And snared and caught.”

So for this Overview, we’ll put in the full chapter by Gordon Lindsay and share some thoughts on it.

Gordon Lindsay says the following;

“18. GOD SAID THAT WITH STAMMERING LIPS AND ANOTHER TONGUE HE WOULD SPEAK TO THE PEOPLE.

"For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people" (Isa. 28:11). When the prophetic word in Isaiah 28 mentioned speaking in tongues, it also included the sign of the stammering lips. This sign has often been a stumbling block to certain people. But note the prophet admitted it would be! He declares, "That they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken" (verse 13). Verse 14 shows that religious rulers would be numbered among the scornful. They cannot understand any purpose in speaking in tongues and certainly they see no place for stammering lips. The stammering lips is a stumbling block and a snare to them.

"If it is of God," say they, "would it not come forth perfect and in full bloom at once?" They do not realize that even as a child learns to speak, so the first utterances of those who speak in tongues may be with stammering lips. And likewise as the child learns to speak fluently so the person who stammers will as he yields to the Spirit, come forth speaking in a clear tongue.

In this very prophecy (verse 9) the Lord likens the development of spiritual experience in a believer to that of a child. For a time the child is on the breast. He can only take milk His first words are halting and imperfect. Later he is weaned and develops in wisdom and utterance. The scornful person sees only imperfection in the lives of those who speak with stammering lips. But God sees them not as they are, but as they will be. Though they are weak, imperfect, still on the breast, He sees them as they will be when they reach perfection. Here we make an observation of value to those who desire to receive the Holy Spirit. Some people come close to a scriptural experience but fail to fully enter in. They hear themselves begin to speak in stammering lips and become fearful. They think, "Maybe this is just me." They are partly right It is their own lips and voice speaking. But it is the Spirit who is giving the utterance. That is the way it was on the day of Pentecost They began to speak in tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Therefore, when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, do not fear. Do not quench the Spirit nor stifle the stammering lips. Let God have His way. It is God's way. As you learn to speak as He gives utterance, and as you yield to His Spirit, you will find the stammering lips change to a beautiful fluent flow of language.”

To be baptized with the Holy Spirit, one has to lay aside a religious, pious, self-centered mindset and become as a child. Jesus even told Nicodemus that he must be born again to enter the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus was a teacher of the Jews, with all the Pharisaical knowledge, saturated in tradition, yet, he had to become child-like to be born again. He had to lay aside all pretense and religious pride. Christians need to take baby steps, so to speak, to speak in tongues, a humble, unpretentious heart. Just like when one is born again, it’s done it humility, so it is with receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with child-like faith.

Religious spirits hinder a person from receiving this beautiful gift from our Heavenly Father.

We read in The Dake Annotated Reference Bible the following about Isaiah 28:11-13;

“vs. 11, Hebrew, laeg, a buffoon or clownish jester; foreigner; mocker; stammerer. From laag, to deride, imitate a foreigner; speak unintelligibly; mock; stammer; laugh. The idea here is that since the drunkards of Judah regarded the messages Jehovah had sent them by the prophet as only adaptable for children, He would teach them in a manner they did not like and give them knowledge through the language of foreigners as a sign of their unbelief. Paul used this passage speaking of the gift of tongues in the church as a sign to unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14:21-22). The word “stammering” does not mean that the language would not be real and genuine but that the people hearing it would not understand it (vs. 11;33:19). These Hebrew words are translated mockers, mock, laugh, to scorn, ridicule; and have or hold in derision. All this points to the experiences of the book of Acts, especially to those of the 120 who were baptized in the Spirit on the day of Pentecost and spoke in other languages as the Spirit gave them utterance. This was in fulfillment of Isaiah 28:11, etc. They became an object of mockery, laughter, scorn, and ridicule, and were accused of being drunk on new wine.

vs. 12, God not only predicted the spiritual exercise of speaking in various languages by the Holy Spirit, as fulfilled in Acts 2,10,19; 1 Corinthians 12-14, but He also predicted that men in general would not hear or be open to such exercise during the time it was to happen (vs 12). That this refers to N.T. spiritual experiences is not only clear from Paul’s application of it to the church in 1 Corinthians 14:21-22, but also from the fulfillment of v.16 (quoted by Peter and others in the N.T.), in connection with Christ in N.T. times, as the Stone and foundation of the church. Thus, the speaking with stammering lips and another tongue does not refer to judgment upon Judah by a foreign nation, such as the Assyrians and Babylonians who were to teach them certain lessons, but to spiritual experiences which would be rest and refreshing to all who would hear in the church age.”

vs. 13, This refers to the stumbling of Judah over the new religion, doctrines, and spiritual experiences that the Messiah (the Stone and Foundation of vs. 16) would bring to men. Judah would not hear but would rather go contrary to these things, falling backward like a drunken man, and be broken.

The message was to the drunkards of Judah and Ephraim; through their rejection of the gospel, as foretold here, they themselves were to fall backward and stumble at the Messiah, the stumbling Stone and live in darkness and be destroyed.

Hebrew, shabar, to break off; break in pieces; be crushed. Judah and Ephraim were broken off because of unbelief in Christ and the gospel (Romans 11:7-29). They were not broken by falling upon the Stone, they were crushed by the Stone falling upon them.

Judah was snared and taken into captivity among all the other nations because of rejecting Christ (Mt. 23:37-39; Lk. 21:20-24; Romans 11:25-29)”

We see that because the majority of the Jewish people rejected Jesus as Messiah, they would be scattered, which they were, but to those who believed, they’d not only be born again but were to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit which would be evidenced by speaking in stammering lips – other tongues. But to do so, they had to receive it with child-like faith.

Are we supposed to grow in maturity in our walk with Jesus? Yes, but we need to do it with a humble, child-like disposition and attitude.

Christian, you need to reject the religious spirit which is unchildlike but is cynical, wary and skeptical. Become like a child to receive all that Jesus has for you today.

Click to read the prophecies from Sunday’s Service.

Holy Spirit R-n-R, Message 19, October 29th, 2023

How many people today need to be refreshed? The global population is looking for rest and refreshing by any means possible. Yet it has already be given to us in the person of the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, way to many are rejecting Him, not only by rejecting the salvation through Jesus Christ by becoming born again, but by rejecting the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Many of the messages in this series have alluded to Isaiah 28:11-13, the prophecy that Isaiah gave regarding the outpouring of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in stammering lips – other tongues – that God would give not only to Israel, but to all who believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

Today, we read Reason #19 in which rest and refreshing is brought to the forefront again. This rest and refreshing is through the person of the Holy Spirit, who when He comes, He speaks and He speaks in other tongues through the life of the Christian who has received His baptism.

This is what Gordon Lindsay says;

19. SPEAKING IN TONGUES IS THE REST AND REFRESHING PROMISED FROM THE LORD.

"For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest by which ye may cause the weary to rest, and this is the refreshing; yet they would not hear" (Isa 28:11,12).

The Spirit of the Lord must have been speaking of something of great importance when He said, "This

is the rest by which ye may cause the weary to rest, and this is the refreshing." It is evident this is a

reference to the preceding verse. Is therefore that rest and refreshing speaking in tongues?

Speaking in tongues in itself could not be that rest and refreshing. The Holy Spirit is a person. When He comes, He speaks. This manifestation and presence of the Holy Spirit thus becomes the great blessing, the great rest, the great refreshing. And this is another proof that the infilling of the Spirit is

accompanied with speaking in tongues. For the latter could not be the refreshing unless it were accompanied by the presence of the Spirit.

Thus it was that Peter, immediately after the day of Pentecost when the Early Church was in the flush of its great Pentecostal experience, called the people of God to repent and receive the blessing “the times of refreshing...from the presence of the Lord.”

“Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord...” (Acts 3:19).

Let no one minimize the experience of speaking in tongues, for it indicates the presence of the Holy Spirit, who has come to make His abode in the believer’s life.”

We live in a world and society that drives us to look for our rest and refreshing in the things of this world, whether it’s vacations, holidays, sports, wealth, riches etc. It applies not only to non-Christians, but Christians also. Not that those things in and of themselves are wrong but people are rejecting the person – Holy Spirit – who satisfies all that their heart is longing for. How many have heard, or maybe you’ve said it yourself after coming back from a vacation in some beautiful place, that you need a week to recuperate after your holiday. It’s true. We know that God has given us all things to enjoy but we can’t rely on the external to bring rest and refreshing. Holy Spirit’s refreshing is daily, His rest is daily and by praying in other tongues as He gives freely to you, you can tap into that rest and refreshing at any moment of the day, you don’t have to wait until the weekend to sleep in, go for a long drive or whatever else it is that you perceive will bring that into your life. When you know the person of the Holy Spirit and have been baptized by Him, the tongues He gives you will flow out of your belly like fresh water and will rest your weary soul.

Here are a couple of points that Gordon Lindsay makes in Reason #1;

“4. That this phenomenon of speaking in tongues will be directly associated with a special refreshing and rest that God will give to His people – a blessing which is non other than the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

5. That despite the manifestation of this divine phenomenon, many will harden their hearts and reject it, and in turn they will be rejected of God. The extreme danger of such unbelief is shown in verses 12,13; ‘Yet they would not hear. But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.”

For the Christian, true refreshing, daily refreshing and rest, comes through the person of Holy Spirit. Knowingly and willfully rejecting the baptism in the Holy Spirit doesn’t end well for the Christian, there are consequences. In other words the probability of even falling away from the faith in one way or another, is higher for those who reject the baptism in the Holy Spirit. A Christian will start looking for other things in the world to bring fulfillment, rest and refreshing. This is something that God clearly speaks through the prophet Isaiah.

Don’t reject this gift any longer, receive all that Holy Spirit has to give you.

Click here to read the prophecies from October 29th, 2023.

Forbidden Words - Message 20, Nov. 5th, 2023

In Reason #20, Gordon Lindsay emphasizes what Paul teaches to not forbid Christians to speak in tongues in church and personally. We taught on this in-depth in Reason #6 which you can read.

Gordon Lindsay says the following underscoring this important verse in #20;

“20. Paul Commanded the Church That They Should “Forbid Not to Speak With Tongues” (1 Cor. 14:39).

The Apostle Paul, in summing up his instructions on speaking in tongues, charged the Church to ‘forbid not to speak with tongues.” Paul knew there were problems connected with this exercise of the gift in the assembly. He knew undisciplined persons would sometimes misuse the gift, even as they had done in the Corinthian church. Indeed, in his letter Paul gave several admonitions against abuses that could have an adverse effect. Yet he did not consider these possible dangers sufficient cause to rule out speaking in tongues. In doing so the Church would suffer great loss. Rather he admonished those who had charge of the services to guide them with discretion. To those who spoke in tongues he showed they must also have the love of God, else their speaking would be as ‘sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal” (1 Cor. 13:1)”

Yet after giving this warning, instead of, in any way, deprecating speaking in tongues, he rather goes on to give detailed instructions on how the gift can be the blessing God intended it to be in the Church. He then closes his remarks with the final word, “Forbid not to speak with tongues.” He who therefore will not allow this manifestation in the Church violates the direct commandment of the Scripture, and labels himself as an ignorant man.

“But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:38-40).”

You may have heard the phrase, ‘ignorance is bliss’. But spiritual ignorance is not bliss in the Church. There is no safety for the Christian who chooses to be ignorant concerning the teaching on the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, by turning a blind eye or covering their ears when the topic is brought up. We see that for maybe the last 20-30 years, that the church became seeker sensitive, started to refrain teaching on the Book of Acts, the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, the gifts of the Spirit and erroneously using Paul’s teaching to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 12-14 as a reason not to allow tongues in church. They perceived that it was just to messy, so they wouldn’t allow it because they didn’t want to offend anyone. This is absolutely false teaching in doing so and Gordon Lindsay phrased it well that although there may be undisciplined persons in the church who don’t understand or are babes in Christ, speaking in tongues must be done in churches. Paul in his boldness, after all of the teaching he gave to the Corinthian church, both in person and through his letters, he states these emphatic words, “if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.” There is no excuse.

This is where the church is today after 2000 years of the Bible boldly declaring that tongues is for the church yet after all of that, Christians still choose to be ignorant. It’s really a travesty and a stain to the false teachers and pastors in the pulpits. Such great spiritual loss has happened in the church and that’s probably why Paul told the Thessalonian church and also Timothy that a great apostasy would transpire in the last days (1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 2). In the last days, the church for the most part would be void of the Holy Spirit, void of power, void of fire to be able to stand in the day of trail, they wouldn't be able to overcome and would be led by false teachings.

In the midst of that, scorning and scoffing would come to those who speak in tongues, from not only when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost, but even until today. Yet Psalm 2:1-4 says the following; “Why do the [a]nations [b]rage, And the people plot a [c]vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed,[d] saying, 3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision.”

Just as God the Father looks down from heaven and laughs at His enemies, so we, His children, can laugh at our enemies, those who are enemies of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. God made a public display of satan by defeating him through His Son, Jesus Christ, at the cross where Jesus triumphed over him. As Christians who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, who speak in tongues, satan’s assaults are even harder because of the power of speaking in tongues and the power of Holy Spirit in us. That’s the fire and power that’s been given to us which gives us authority to trample him and bind him in the name of Jesus.

It’s no wonder why satan tries over and over again to shut down speaking in tongues in the churches, but we can laugh at him, scorn his attacks because Jesus said in Luke 10:19; “Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.”

Isaiah 54:17says; “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.”

The Christian who knows their authority in Christ Jesus and is baptized in the Holy Spirit, has the authority to condemn judging words against them. It’s true. You don’t just role over when the enemy attacks you through the words of people, but you bind the devil in Jesus name and you condemn the spoken words against you, you don’t condemn the person, but the words which they may utter against you. Many religious Christians speak evil of those who speak in tongues, but you can condemn the power of those words. Proverbs 18:21also says; “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Galatians 6:7-8 in the Amplified Bible says; “Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked [a]by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and [b]that only is what he will reap. 8 For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

God is not mocked by mockers. His word is yes and amen. Choose not to be ignorant regarding the baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues and watch what He will do in your life.

Click to read the prophecies from the church service.

Click here to read Reason #6 entitled “Spiritual Ignorance”.

Contrast Between the Tower of Babel and Pentecost, Message 21, Nov. 12th, 2023

We rap up this message series with a very interesting topic that many may not have thought about and that is, the confusion of languages at Babel. It is very clear that God is infinitely beyond our comprehension of languages. He used languages to bring confusion at Babel and He used languages at Pentecost to bring people together. Let’s read what happened at the tower of Babel.

Genesis 11:1-9 says; “11 Now the whole earth had one language and one [a]speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. 3 Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and [b]bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” 5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6 And the Lord said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. 9 Therefore its name is called [c]Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.”

This story sounds familiar to what is going on today with the globalists agenda to unite everyone under a one world government, religion and currency, and if they could, they would have everyone speak the same language by the means of artificial intelligence. The unity of the people building the Tower of Babel was so powerful that nothing they proposed to do would be withheld from them, and the Lord knew that in order to stop this building project, they must not be able to understand one another. So He gave many languages to the people all at one time that forced them to be scattered throughout the whole earth. It doesn’t say if it was to groups of people or to every person, but they weren’t able to understand one another. This was a supernatural event which created individual people groups, that over the years, developed into what we now have as the United Nations, who speak different languages but with all our artificial intelligence, are able to once again unite to set the stage for a one world religion, currency and a government which sets the stage for the Antichrist world leader, who will eventually set himself up as God.

What they didn’t succeed at though at the Tower of Babel, they’re giving it one more shot. How many know though that they won’t succeed. So long as the church is here, the tongue talking Christian, they’re not going to succeed.

Gordon Lindsay says the following;

“At the Tower of Babel God sent judgment on the builders by confusing their tongues (Gen.11:5-9), and for their impiety they were scattered over the face of the earth.

On the day of Pentecost, God set in the Church the speaking in tongues so the peoples from the nations which had been scattered might hear and understand the wonderful works of God. Among these were “dwellers in Mesopotamia, the very land where the Tower of Babel was built! (Acts 2:9)”

Acts 2:1-13 says the following;

“2 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all [a]with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them [b]divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own [c]language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and [d]Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” 13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

Hearing the wonderful works of God supernaturally spoken to them in their own languages by the disciples who did not speak their languages, was an act of God to unite these people groups to not only be born again of the Holy Spirit but also receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

Acts 2:38-47 says; ““38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the [a]remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call. 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this [b]perverse generation.” 41 Then those who [c]gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ [d]doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and [e]sold their possessions and goods, and divided[f] them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added [g]to the church daily those who were being saved.”

Verse 38 is the key scripture here; ‘38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the [a]remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ What is the gift of the Holy Spirit? Speaking in tongues. What did it involve; repenting and receiving. Many Christians need to repent and receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit today.

It’s no wonder that the devil is fighting so hard to keep Christians from being baptized in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues, for it is what has and is uniting people from every nationality to become Christians and operate in the same gifts of the Holy Spirit that the early Church operated in with Holy Ghost power.

So long as there is a remnant of Christians that speak in tongues, there will always be the reminder of the Church that Jesus began to build in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and was then established on the Day of Pentecost in the book of Acts, with Jesus being the chief cornerstone. It’s quite something to sing in tongues in a large church setting with people of different nationalities, singing in the same tongues of the Holy Spirit in one accord, singing in a language that none of them had to learn in a language school.

Gordon Lindsay says;

“At Babel the builders were confounded and forced to cease building their pagan temple.

At Pentecost, God began building a new structure, the Church of the living God, Jesus being the chief cornerstone.

The Tower of Babel was left unfinished. Stones prepared for it were never set in place, and today that once vaunted tower lies in total ruin on the deserts of Babylon, a monument to the folly and presumption of man.

The edifice which was built upon what happened at Pentecost is still being built today. And the stone (Christ) which would have been set aside “is become the head of the corner.”

“This is the stone which was set at nought of your builders, which is become the head of the corner” (Acts 4:11)”

The Globalists are trying very hard to drown out the voice of the Christians that speak in tongues, and are desperately trying to replace it with a one world religious voice that is void of the power of the Holy Spirit, and is antichrist in its agenda to propagate the lie that all faiths lead to the same God, which goes contrary to what Jesus Himself said in the following scripture.

John 14:5-7; “5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” That rules out all other religions. Jesus is the only way to heaven, good works won’t get you in either. It’s only being born again by the Holy Spirit.

The antichrist spirit in its agenda working through the World Economic Form, the Globalists, the one world religion to propagate the lie that all faiths lead to the same God, goes contrary to what Peter says in Acts 4:11-12; “11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

If you have not be born again of the Holy Spirit and Jesus is not Lord of your life, the wrath of God abides on you today, no matter how religious you are. Do not believe the lies that are being propagated by religion.

The antichrist spirit in its agenda working through the World Economic Form, the Globalists, the one world religion to propagate the lie that all faiths lead to the same God, goes contrary to what Johnsays in 1 John 5:10-12; “10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. 11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has [a]life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

These are four of many Bible scriptures that declare that there is only one way to Heaven and that is thru Jesus, and this is the same Jesus that baptized His disciples in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. So long as Christians are speaking in tongues and operating in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, the one world religion cannot be established in its fullness, and this is why great persecution is coming to Christians that speak in tongues. They’re not too considered about Christians who are nominal, they’re concerned about those who speak in tongues, because they are the ones who are the reminder of the fall of Babylon, the fall of the Tower, the stop and desist plan by God. God confused them and will continue to confuse them in their global unity plans.

Gordon Lindsay says;

“On the wall of the palace of Babylon, the hand-writing written in another tongue spelled Babylon’s doom; “Thou art weighed in the balances and found wanting.” The handwriting on the wall today is the speaking in tongues, again pronouncing the doom of religious Babylon.

Thank God for this gift. It has become one of the great channels by which man is united to his God. “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God.”

This is what happened to King Belshazzar when he took the gold and silver vessels that his father, King Nebuchadnezzar pillaged from his overthrow of the temple in Jerusalem, which Belshazzar used to party with. The vessels had been in storage until that night when the King made a terrible mistake in his pride and arrogance using them for fleshly purposes, toasting his gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone. He was blaspheming the God of Israel. But God, used a foreign language, a language that none of his astrologers, soothsayers and wise men could interpret. God used Daniel to interpret the writing and it was like the type and shadow of tongues and interpretation that would be given to the Church thousands of years later.

Christians, you shouldn’t push the envelope when you reject the writing on the wall about the baptism in the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues, tongues and interpretation, tongues for a special word of the Lord for you by an interpreter. Are you any different than from King Belshazzar? Do you outshine him because of your belief in Jesus, yet reject tongues? Every time a Christian speaks in tongues, it reminds the demonic one world religion that they can’t succeed in rebuilding a tower of Babel which they consider the doom of God.

Christian, the writing is on the wall today, if you’ve rejected the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, you need to repent, stop hardening your heart to His word.

Speaking in tongues and operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit are the writing on the wall today that exposes the one world religion for what it really is, a lie, that cannot be followed by tongue talking Christians, because every time they open up their mouths and speak in tongues, it is a continuous reminder that Jesus is alive with a supernatural demonstration that far exceeds all other religions. There are many Christian denominations that do not permit speaking in tongues or the gifts of the Holy Spirit to operate in their Churches, yet will support the globalists one world government and religion. It’s a separation of the wheat and the chaff today, true Christian believers from false religious believers.

The writing is on the wall today, Christian, you can’t reject what Jesus did when He sent the baptism in the Holy Spirit and look at it as a one time event or that it is not relevant for you today. It’s a lie. I can’t emphasize it enough that the one world religion, and the globalist agenda is exactly what Babel represented, it’s no different. They want to make a name for themselves, pride – it’s about themselves. I’m more and more convinced that if you call yourself a Christian but reject the baptism in the Holy Spirit, you’re not truly born again. If you’re truly born again, you’re not going to reject the baptism in the Holy Spirit because you will want all that God has for you.

In the coming days, don’t be surprised that those who you thought were strong in the Lord are not as strong as you thought they were. You can have a religious belief in Jesus, but when push comes to shove and it’s going to affect your life, are you going to stand? Jesus’ disciples obeyed Him, to wait for the Holy Spirit, and they received Him with joy! So you should receive the Holy Spirit, with joy, tongues, with joy!

Don’t align yourself with a global agenda that doesn’t want you to speak in tongues. If you can come together with all world religions, right now being spear-headed by the Pope, and think that is normal and spiritual and pleasing to God, you’re very much mistaken. 1 John 4:1-3 says; “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.”

You need to test the spirits and not align yourself with this agenda. Also, the lie of the devil is to say that speaking in tongues ceased with the disciples and that you don’t need to speak in tongues. Speaking in tongues, as we have read today, is Jesus building His church the way the Heavenly Father planned it would. He confused the world at Babel, He’s given tongues now to build the Church, Jesus’ church, His body, His plan, His purpose. Will you be persecuted? Yes, because it’s a continuous reminder that Babylon has fallen, the demonic agenda of one-world global control will not be able to fully achieve it’s goal.

2 Peter 2:18-22 talks about the deceptions of false teachers; “18 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who [a]have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of [b]corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into [c]bondage. 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”

This clearly shows that you can be a Christian, have a genuine belief and repentance of your sins, but that also you can fall away, backslide, just as the Proverb says of the dog and the sow, to go back to filthiness of the flesh. You can backslide by the deception of false teachers. If you reject the baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues, you need to repent today. Unfortunately, if you believe that speaking in tongues is of the devil, you’ve then blasphemed against the Holy Spirit in which there is no forgiveness, at all, Mark 3:29.

Don’t let it be said of you like Peter wrote in the scripture above; “21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.” It was a holy commandment from Jesus that was delivered to the Apostles to go and wait in Jerusalem for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

It’s your choice today to get out of the way and let Jesus be Lord of your life. The disciples did know when they were waiting in the Upper Room that what they would receive, tongues, fire and power, would change the world, they just obeyed Jesus’ command and they received. It’s that simple. But when it did happen and they started to speak in tongues and prophesied, Peter immediately knew that it was a fulfillment of prophecy and declared it in Acts 2:14-18.

The Babylonian empire, the Roman empire and many more up to and including today with globalist one world agenda, all had and have the same goal; dominance, conquering the world, me, myself and I. We know what happened to King Nebuchadnezzar, King Belshazzar’s father, he landed up in the wilderness for seven years, becoming as a beast, eating grass like an ox, growing hair like feathers and fingernails like birds claws because of his overweening pride and lofty position until he repented and only then his kingdom was restored to him. King Belshazzar after seeing the writing on the wall was killed that night because he refused to repent, two different outcomes.

Desire to speak in tongues as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:5; “I wish you all spoke with tongues...”

The tower of Babel was all about their empire, speaking in tongues is for the building of the church, the body of Christ. What they failed at and will continue to fail at, you will do by speaking in tongues and will build the church for an everlasting kingdom. Jesus said that He would build the church and the gates of hell would not prevail. All persecution will only cause more growth to the church. The baptism in the Holy Spirit by speaking in tongues will give you power.

I’m not ashamed to of the gospel because it’s the power of God unto salvation, I’m not ashamed of speaking in tongues because it’s what Jesus said I would do, I’m not ashamed of about prophesying a future because that’s what Jesus said I would do, I’m not ashamed to lay hands on the sick and see them recover because that’s what Jesus said I would do, in His name, I’m not ashamed of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that He said I would operate in because He said He would operate through me by the Holy Spirit. If you’re ashamed of speaking in tongues, you need to repent and receive what Jesus commanded you to receive.

Click here to read the prophecy from church.

21 Reasons Why Christians Should Speak in Tongues

Book by Gordon and Freda Lindsay

Messages 1-21

Illustrated Message Overview

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Illustrated Message Overview

21 Reasons Why Christians Should Speak in Tongues – Intercession for the Saints Message 15 – Aug.13

21 Reasons Why Christians Should Speak in Tongues – Supernatural Sign For the Unbeliever, Message 16

21 Reasons Why Christians Should Speak in Tongues – Supernatural Sound from Heaven, Message 17

Child-Like Faith, Message 18, October 15th, 2023

Holy Spirit R-n-R, Message 19, October 29th, 2023