Tongues of The Holy Spirit
Seek the Truth with all your heart.
Why would it serve as a sign that someone has just been saved, that they should speak in an unknown tongue? It is because speaking in tongues is an indication that one has been filled with the Holy Spirit, together with the GOD-given ability to pray in a Holy Spirit inspired unknown spiritual language; which is individual to each person.
The unknown tongue - language - dialect - being supernatural; is a form of communication, when alone in prayer, which allows communication with GOD to flow on beyond natural understanding; unknown to the speaker, but known, together with its purpose, to GOD and HIS Holy Spirit. Sometimes the Holy Spirit may enable you to speak in the foreign language of the other person – not understood by you.
Praying – speaking – in an unknown tongue is communicating with our FATHER’s Holy Spirit in the Spiritual realm.
One’s tongue could be one of any of the thousands of languages and dialects since ancient times through to the present; or a variation with which The Holy Spirit has imbued you.
Tongues result from being filled with the Holy Spirit and being urged to speak in a spiritual dialect which is understood by The Holy Spirit. This is a very positive step, since the first step in prophesying, is to hear YHWH's - GOD’s - voice, and then having faith to speak according to what one hears or is led to say.
When you discern GOD’s Holy Spirit prompting you to do or say something, it is very important to do so immediately - without delay. Don’t wait for confirmation – you already have HIS message.
I, and many Christians – Believers - I have discussed it with, have experienced the urging to flow on in prayer beyond our exhaustion of praying in our natural language. It is beyond our prayer of understanding. It deepens our communication, our relationship, and becomes a natural Spirit led dimension in our communication with Jesus and GOD. When you exhaust your prayer in your natural language but know there is more in your heart, spirit, and mind to express; tongues become a natural flow-on giving you communication beyond your own understanding; and giving you a sense of fulfilment.
One becomes conscious of the difference in people’s relationship with GOD, between those who have this gift – this extra dimension – and those who do not. When in a church where tongues are not accepted; one can determine the flatness of something missing – like walking into a room full of ‘flat batteries.’
Did Jesus pray – speak - in tongues? We don’t know, but we do know that He often spent all night in prayer – communicating – with His - and our – FATHER – Abba YAHWEH. We do not know any details of His communication; but all night is a long time, so part of that communication could have been in a spiritual tongue.
Jesus, before He ascended home to heaven, did not say anything about tongues; but He did tell the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until He and the FATHER sent the Holy Spirit; and on its dramatic arrival forty days later the disciples all had the experience of speaking in tongues. Those tongues were heard by the many people present, in their own languages.
Are there counterfeit tongues? Yes there certainly are – Satan counterfeits everything of GOD. We can use GOD-given discernment to detect false tongues through a noticeable discomfort in one’s spirit.
I have asked GOD many times to confirm that my tongue is from HIM, and to take it away from me if it is not. Every time GOD has confirmed that it is from HIM.
When you – maybe after some time – pray in tongues, you realize that you have broken through; like crossing the River Jordan into the promised land. The fog has lifted and you have a clearer view of things than you thought was possible. You realize that you have entered that special dimension where you are, at long last, in touch with The Holy Spirit. You have truly added GOD’s Holy Spirit to your Word-relationship with HIM.
It becomes evident in each other’s eyes, when you can see that the lights are truly on. The Holy Spirit completes the dimension of your relationship with GOD by adding true joyfulness – fulfillment - over-riding – superimposing – rounding off – the legalistic – partly presumptuous – partly theoretical - relationship of dry obedience.
Introduction of tongues.
John 16:7 Jesus said: “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” Verses 13-15 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own, He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify Me because it is from Me that He will receive what He will make known to you. All that belongs to the FATHER is Mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from Me what He will make known to you.” From this point on the Holy Spirit took over from Jesus as the communication between the people and the FATHER and Jesus, and tongues became the spiritual – spirit to Spirit – connection with the GOD-head.
2 Corinthians 3:5-6 ‘Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from GOD. HE has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant – not of the letter but of the Spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
The answer to Shaul's – Paul’s - questions are as follows:
1 Corinthians 12:29-30 ‘Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.’
Some people are given some of these gifts, but others are not. None of these groups is superior to any other.
1 Corinthians 13:1 &12 ‘If I speak in the tongues of men or angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.’
‘If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a clanging cymbal.’
Shaul - Paul - tells us that love (KJV version: says charity) is the greatest of all of the spiritual gifts. As GOD is love (1st John 4:8, &16) Paul essentially tells us that without love, none of the other spiritual gifts mean anything at all.
It seems natural that tongues of angels may not be understood by humans.
The speaking and praying in unknown Tongues is a much debated, confused, rejected, and misunderstood phenomenon. It is a grace gift from GOD. It is a wonderful way of staying connected with The Holy Spirit. Many people in the church including many pastors, do not understand the gift of tongues, and even mock and reject this gift.
Observant tongues-speaking Christians can discern the difference between those who do and those who do not; which is parallel with the difference between a person who is filled with The Holy Spirit, and one who is not.
The gift of tongues edifies, strengthens, and encourages; and those who have it attest to this.
Satan usually increases persecution when you are filled with GOD’s Holy Spirit; but you have the authority, in Jesus’ Name, to command him to withdraw.
Mark 16:15-18 ‘Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My Name they will drive out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.’
Some things must never be done by way of testing GOD.
Luke 11:9-13 Jesus said: “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. For everyone who asks receives, and whoever seeks finds, and whoever knocks it will be opened. If a child asks for bread from any father among you, will he give them a stone? Of if they ask for a fish, will he give them a serpent instead of a fish? Or if they ask for an egg, will he offer them a scorpion? 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.”
Confidently and expectantly ask GOD through Jesus to enable you to pray in unknown tongues.
Tongues are unique to each individual person, just as finger prints, and eye retinas are unique. There has never been, is not now, and never will be, anyone who has the same tongue as anyone else.
The Holy Spirit came upon believers five times as recorded in the Book of Acts, and they all spoke in tongues.
The original introduction of tongues:
Acts 1:8 Jesus said: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth.”
Acts 2:1-12 ‘When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem GOD fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?” Parthinians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism;) Cretans and Arabs; we hear them declaring the wonders of GOD in our own tongues. Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
It clearly appears that GOD gave them the supernatural ability to hear the tongues in their own language. The tongues, known or unknown, would have been impossible to hear and understand as individual languages, while they were all being spoken at the same time.
Acts 8:14-24 ‘When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of GOD, they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of GOD with money. You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before GOD. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that HE may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”
Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”
The only instantly obvious sign that they had received the Holy Spirit was most likely to have been speaking in tongues of the Holy Spirit, which were unknown to humans but known only to GOD. It is, of course, totally wrong to offer money for any of GOD’s gifts, which represents a wrong spirit in the person making the offer.
Acts 10:44-46 ‘While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising GOD.’
Acts 19:4-7 ‘Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance.” He told the people to “believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus; when Paul placed his hands on them, the Hoy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve of them in all.’
1 Corinthians 2:4-16 ‘My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on GOD’s power.
We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of GOD’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that GOD destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the lord of glory.
However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived;” the things GOD has prepared for those who love HIM -- these are the things GOD has revealed to us by HIS Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of GOD. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of GOD except the Spirit of GOD. What we have received is not the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from GOD, so that we may understand what GOD has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. ‘The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of GOD, but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgment:
“For who has known the mind of the Lord that we may instruct HIM?”
But we have the mind of Christ.’
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 ‘Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each one just as He determines.’
1 Corinthians 13:1 & 8 ‘If I speak in the tongues of people and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease, where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.’
This happens when Jesus returns to firstly resurrect the dead in Christ, those who died – having Christ in their hearts – then He changes, in an instant, believers who are still alive. All will be given their eternal – immortal - perfect new bodies which will be taller than we are now.
1 Corinthians 14:1-33 ‘Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to GOD. Indeed, no one understands them, they utter mysteries with their spirit. But everyone who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. Whoever speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but whoever prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. Whoever prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.’
‘Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church. For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.
(This only applies to an unknown tongue spoken in church meetings; NOT when the person is on their own and GOD alone can hear.)
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. Otherwise when you are praising GOD in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say “Amen” to your thanksgiving since they do not know what you are saying? You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.
I thank GOD that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. In the Law it is written: “Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for unbelievers, not for unbelievers. So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand, or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everybody is prophesying, they will be convicted of sin and are brought under judgement by all, as the secrets of their heart are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship GOD, exclaiming, “GOD is really among you.”
What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All these must be done for the strengthening of the church. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two or at the most three should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to themselves and GOD.
Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For GOD is not a GOD of disorder but of peace – as in all the congregations of the LORD’s people.’
This is all clearly saying that in tongues one is personally speaking to GOD, no one else understands them. They are edifying themselves in speaking spiritually to GOD; which is also a wonderful way of continuing in prayer when one has run out of words to pray in one’s understanding.
But, of course, in the church, no one understands them, so speaking in unknown tongues in that situation is futile and out of place. Every person has a different tongue, and each is their unique identification. Tongues adds a deeper dimension to one’s relationship with GOD. It enables you to talk to GOD about aspects of HIS will that are hidden from your understanding.
Satan cannot understand unknown tongues, but he can counterfeit tongues, and each person needs discernment and wisdom to observe and know what is of GOD and what is not. There will be a discomfort in your spirit if it is not of GOD.
Praying in unknown tongues edifies us and enables us to pray mysteries in the Spirit above and beyond our understanding, enabling us to continuously rise higher and build ourselves up in higher and stronger faith. Tongues are a gift of power from GOD to enable us to pray at a spiritual level, which adds and opens up a new facet, expands the dimension of prayer, and the level of relationship with GOD.
Everyone who prays in tongues agrees that it creates added dimension to their relationship and prayer level with GOD.
1 Corinthians 14:39-40 ‘Therefore my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting way.’
Jude 1:17-21 ‘But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own un-GOD-ly desires.” These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in GOD’s love as you wait for the mercy of our lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Keep yourselves in GOD’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.’
The believers in Paul’s day must have been thrilled when he told them about the benefit of praying in other tongues. By praying in other tongues and obeying the promptings of GOD, they turned the world upside down. By allowing the Holy Spirit to bear them up in their weakness they prayed beyond their knowledge and helped bring forth a move of GOD such as this Earth had never seen. Praying in tongues builds you up spiritually so that you are strong enough to do what GOD has called you to do.
Proverbs 16:1 ‘To mankind belongs the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.’
If you pray daily in other tongues, GOD can prepare you for challenges in advance so that you will never be without an answer.’
Peter, on the day of Pentecost, got baptized in the Holy Spirit, started speaking in other tongues, and suddenly, instead of weeping in the shadows because he had denied Jesus, he was standing in front of thousands of people boldly preaching the gospel. Instead of being dominated by the weakness of his flesh, he was walking in the spirit and acting confidently on his heart’s real desire, saying no to sin and yes to the move of GOD.
One can see why the devil hates people praying in tongues, because he does not want you to be doing what Peter did; however you will be empowered if you commit to praying in the spirit every day, and obeying the promptings of GOD. Satan cannot understand tongues of the Spirit.
It gives a happy flowing communication with GOD, which one can turn to at any moment, between daily appointments, involvements, business and social meetings. It even helps with clarity in decision making.
Isaiah 28:11-12 ‘Very well then, with foreign lips and strange tongues GOD will speak to this people, to whom HE said, “This is the resting place, let the weary rest;” and, “This is the place of repose,” but they would not listen.’
When we are in intense prayer and we exhaust our words of understanding, we need a dimension to be available, to enable us to change gears, and ‘plough’ onwards while we are in that depth of flowing communication with GOD. Tongues enable this.
When we want to go beyond our natural prayers, we can turn to Psalms and pray from those which give glory, praise, and thanks to GOD, of which there are many, such as Psalms 92, 93, 95, 96, 100, 103, 104, 134, 138, 148, and 150. When we feel an additional desire - need - to go deeper, we can do so in our own Spirit led tongue.
Pray in other tongues and walk in the Holy Spirit Who will teach you and refresh you. Overcome the temptations Satan has placed in your life to hold you back.
Romans 8:26-28 ‘In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He Who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for GOD’s people in accordance with the will of GOD. And we know that in all things GOD works for the good of those who love HIM, who have been called according to HIS purpose.’
Wordless groans are a type of passionate praying for when we cannot find words to relate to situations such as an urgent request, desperation, or emotional difficulty.
Acts 10:44-48 ‘While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising GOD.’
‘Then Peter said, “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.’
Acts 19:4-6 ‘Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance, He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus. On hearing this, they were baptised into the Name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.’
1 John 3:21-24 ‘Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before GOD and receive from HIM anything we ask, because we keep HIS commandments and do what pleases HIM. And this is HIS command to believe in the name of HIS Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us. The one who keeps GOD’s commands lives in HIM, and HE in them. And this is how we know that HE lives in us: We know it by the Spirit HE gave us.’
Jude 1:20-21 ‘But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in GOD’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.’
Ephesians 6:18 ‘And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests (supplications). With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.’ (Saints are the true living Christians; NOT the ‘sainthood’ which is bestowed on selected dead people.)
If you don’t know what to pray, pray in the Spirit and you will be praying the perfect prayer. Tongues are prayer overflow. You can only pray so far or so effectively in your own language, tongues allows you to continue praying mysteries in The Spirit.
As a child of GOD, stepping into this glorious liberty of tongues of the Spirit, can provide many benefits, including the following:
Speaking GOD’s language in your own unique tongue.
Opening up precious dimensions beyond human understanding.
Praying for unknown things - GOD’s Spirit can apply your prayer to whatever present need there is, in keeping with HIS will. HE knows about situations that we do not.
Magnifying GOD.
Interceding for other people or nations.
Building up your relationship with GOD.
Helping your weaknesses.
Accessing other gifts.
Nothing will be withheld.
Enabling continuity of prayer beyond your own natural language when you run out of what to pray and yet knowing there is more in your spirit that you want to pour out.
There are many, many stories of people suddenly being prompted to pray in tongues, not knowing why at the time, but later finding out the reason as to why they had been supernaturally led to do so. Here are two:
A pastor was praying in tongues during his reflective time walking along the cliff top of a beach, around midnight. While doing so two unrelated faces appeared separately to him, and he was wondering why. He did not know their names, one a man and the other a woman, but he knew they were regulars at his meetings. Two weeks later he was able to find out from each of them what the reason was. At that precise time the woman was in bed with a man who was not her husband, and was about to commit adultery, she suddenly was urged to avoid doing so and jumped out of bed. The man was about to take a suicidal overdose to end his life; he also suddenly came to his senses and threw the tablets into the lavatory. GOD, knowing all things, had used the pastor’s praying in tongues, to intervene in these two situations.
A woman and one of her daughters at different addresses, were separately urged to pray in tongues, without knowing why. They later found out the reason from the other daughter, who, at that precise time had been walking on a narrow track with a long sheer drop to where waves were breaking onto rocks; she slipped and fell over the side and a very short way down she was stopped by something, and quickly found something that she could hold onto and pull herself back to the track. When she looked down to see what stopped her, there was nothing but a sheer drop. This was another magnificent intervention by GOD in providing an angel to save her from what would have been a fatal fall.
Genesis 11:1 ‘Now the whole world had one language and a common speech.’
Bible scholars have reasoned, by elimination of factors, that this was not a presently known language.
A very good talk about tongues. 22 minutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omJ64XuEnMo
I have included the following dialogue to show that not all are closed-minded about ‘Tongues.’
Hi Christopher, Do you still believe in 'Speaking in Tongues'? as most Adventists ridicule the Pentecostal understanding of speaking in unknown languages or 'gibberish'? as they call it? I'm a little confused, because the Bible seems to indicate that 'Tongues' is not just 'another language as we all speak on this earth' but something different... and that there are 'different' forms of 'speaking in tongues'?? in God's word; I think the most important thing is to 'Test the Spirits' to see if they are in harmony with the 'Law and Testimony'? but not to despise any 'True Gift of God' including the 'Gift of Tongues' (whatever that may be???) God bless, and love your Internet Site! 
Gary S. JUL 9, 2019, 12:10 PM
As still a member of the Reform Church I believe Christians should have NO part in War or getting involved with Politics this side of the Cross (Henceforth.... My Kingdom is NOT of THIS World) along with Closed Communion within the ranks of those who profess the Present Truth ie. One True Fold who are separate from Ecumenism. As to Unity amongst True Adventists, I believe it will cross all denominational barriers and be based on Evidence- based Truth on All Points, and that God is working with All kinds of People types right across the Globe and that His Spirit guides us to connect with these Sincere Open minded individuals who are willing to Grow in Knowledge and Truth and finally come into Harmony on all Basic Scriptures!?? Gary S. FRI 9:38 AM
Hi Christopher, Ron Huey and I read through your Study on Tongues and it seems like Sound Doctrine that will hold up to any solid Scriptural Investigation. It's about time we agitated this subject right across the board of Adventism as Time is marching on especially with Sunday Laws and World conditions falling into place with Last Day Events. Have you read Dennis Smith's book, 'Spirit Baptism and Deliverance'? Very eye-opening regarding, not so much 'Tongues Speaking' as 'Miracle Healing', but thoroughly Bible and Spirit of Prophecy based. We need the Pentecostal Outpouring, which can happen with each one of us on an individual basis. (Too late to pray for the Latter Rain if we haven't received the 'Early Rain'??) Gary S. FRI 8:14 PM
‘Ecumenism’ is the Catholic Church’s effort to combine all denominations.
The ‘Early Rain’ and the ‘Latter Rain’ are explained in some length in the following link: https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/1968/01/early-and-latter-rain