Acts 2:1-4
“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.”
INSIGHT
-When the day of Pentecost came and the disciples were gathered, the Holy Spirit came upon them mightily and they received the gift of speaking in tongues. About ten years later after this occurrence, Paul went to Ephesus to preach the gospel and found some disciples and asked them if they received the Holy Spirit when they believed. When they said no, he placed his hands on them and the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied (Acts 19:6). Jesus calls us to come to Him and drink from the rivers of living water that flow from within us, by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39). From these scriptures we see that, when one believes in Christ, he/she is born of the Holy Spirit and is able to speak in tongues. The gift of tongues can also be administered by an apostle or servant of God who has the same gift. Most importantly, the Holy Spirit gives us the gift of tongues as He wills, when we desire it.
PRAYER
Oh, sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done marvelous things. His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. The LORD has made known His salvation, His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises. We praise You Holy Spirit and welcome You into our lives, reign in our hearts we humbly ask You. Impart in us Your most precious gift of speaking in tongues and Your entire church; that we may always minister unto You in prayer and praise. Thank You Holy Spirit for this far that You have brought us, You have done marvelous things in our lives. We submit our lives into Your hands, take control of our lives. All glory, honor, power, authority, salvation and praise belongs to You Jesus, now and forever. Amen
1 Corinthians 14:1-5
“Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 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. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.”
INSIGHT
-The gift of speaking can be misinterpreted or might sometimes become undesirable to those who may view it as balderdash or probably do not understand its vitality. We should realize that the gift of tongues is of prime importance as the Lord dedicates this whole chapter to enlighten us about it. We are called to pursue love and desire spiritual gifts. Since we know that Jesus summarized the law to love, we are reminded to look at the spiritual gifts with the same lens. According to apostle Paul, it is desirable that all men speak in tongues for self edification but much more; prophecy for the good of the body of Christ. These gifts are like spiritual light bulbs that shine and illuminate God’s divine purposes. Before one receives the gift of speaking in tongues, he/she must desire it and hold fast love. In 1 Corinthians 13:1 we see that, “if I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal”. When we desire to speak in tongues from our hearts, the Holy Spirit imparts in us this gift according to the multitude of His grace. As we speak in tongues, we do not speak to men but to God. These are divine secrets or mysteries that only the Holy Spirit Who is within us can reveal.
PRAYER
Our God and Father we humbly come at Your feet seeking Your mercy. We humbly ask that You forgive us all our trespasses and wash us with Your precious blood. Create in us clean hearts Oh Lord and renew a steadfast spirit within us. Do not cast us from Your presence and do not take away Your Holy Spirit from us. Restore unto us the joy of Your salvation and uphold us by Your generous Spirit. Fill us with the gift of speaking in tongues Holy Spirit and if You wish; that we may prophecy. May we always dwell in love as You have called us that we may accomplish our purposes here on earth. Be with all those who are sick, in prison, those who lack food, shelter and clothing, those who are mourning the loss of their loved ones, those who are struggling in marriages, relationships, businesses and in other areas; that You may grant us all rest. You have called us to be the salt and the light of the world Lord, fill us with Your light so that many can see You through us. May we decrease as You increase Jesus. We trust in You Lord with all our hearts, walk with us in this journey of faith. Amen
Acts 10:45-47
“And 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. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? ”
INSIGHT
-It was astonishing to Peter and the other Jews how Cornelius the centurion and his family and friends were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. Peter inquired of the people whether anyone opposed their baptism, having received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Like Cornelius and his household, we note that the gift of tongues allows us the opportunity to magnify God and appreciate Him as the King of kings and Lord of lord’s and our only God. Since we are all in Christ Jesus and there is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, nor is there male and female (Gal 3:28), we all have the privilege to speak in tongues as the Holy Spirit wills. Like Cornelius, we are reminded to pray earnestly and perform works of righteousness through alms giving, and when we draw closer to God, he will draw near us.
PRAYER
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom Lord, Your dominion endures throughout all generations. Great are You our Father and greatly to be praised. Your greatness is unsearchable and Your dominion endures to all generations. We extol You our God and King and bless Your name forever and ever. Every day we will bless You and praise Your name, forever and ever. Lord You uphold all who fall and raises up all who are bowed down, remember us with mercy Father. Give us generous hearts and teach us how to pray and praise You in tongues. Thank You Jesus for Your sacrifice on the cross for the purpose of our redemption from sin. Thank You for Your eternal love and grace upon us. Thank You for Your gift of salvation upon our lives and our loved ones. You have united all tribes, people and nations through Your merciful love, thank You for giving us Your Holy Spirit to dwell in us, empower us and help us always. Fill us with Your grace Holy Spirit that we may speak in tongues and partake of Your glorious gifts; as You wish. Lord You are good and Your mercies endures forever. Holy Spirit You are good and Your righteousness is everlasting. Father You are good and Your love endures to all generations. Amen
Mark 16:15-18
“He 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 accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in 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.”
INSIGHT
-During the great commissioning after Jesus had risen, He gave His disciples specific instructions to go into the world and preach the gospel. Those who believed in Him and be baptized, would be accompanied by supernatural signs like speaking in tongues, driving out demons, picking up snakes and nothing will harm them. Since we are disciples of Christ; we too have the opportunity to preach the gospel especially to those around us; that they may believe and be saved. Those who do not believe in Jesus unfortunately; will come to eternal condemnation. The Holy Spirit comes into our hearts when we believe and are baptized, and we receive these supernatural gifts. God gives us the gift of salvation; that came through Jesus Christ. Salvation of the body that brings about healing, and salvation of the soul that leads to transformation and eternal life. The Holy Spirit enlightens and empowers us through His fruit and gifts so that we may operate efficiently and accomplish His divine will. We are also called to praise God in spirit and in truth in our daily walk of faith.
PRAYER
Thank You Holy Spirit for Your divine direction, love, care and purpose upon our lives. Thank You for the privilege that You have given us to dwell in Your presence. We humbly ask that You grant many among us, our family members, friends, colleagues and the whole world, the gift of salvation, that they may believe in You and be saved. Guide us always Holy Spirit in the way we should go and enlighten our steps of faith. Instill in us supernatural gifts, talent and abilities for the furtherance of Your kingdom. Our Father who art in heaven; hallowed be Your name; Your Kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from evil; for thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory; forever and ever. Amen
1 Corinthians 14:20-22
“Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature. 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. 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.”
INSIGHT
-God speaks to us through the gift of tongues, but it may occur as a sounding gong if not interpreted. It is one way that God reveals His divine purpose to us. From the Old Testament, we also find that Moses was instructed by God to instruct Aaron what he should say to the people and that he shall be like God to Aaron (Exodus 4:16). John 10:34, reveals Jesus’ words saying,”Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”‘? Therefore, those who bear the gift of speaking in tongues reveal God’s message to many. It is vital then that we become babes in malice and mature in understanding, seeking God’s wisdom in all matters.
SUMMARY
It can be noted that little prominence has been given to the gift of speaking in tongues during the present time. Although the whole chapter of 1 Corinthians 14 has disclosed the importance of speaking in tongues, only a handful desire it. According to apostle Paul, we should all speak in tongues and much more prophecy (1 Cor 14:5). Further, before we ask for any spiritual gifts, we should pursue love. Since these gifts have a supernatural impact on our lives, love safeguards the interests of the bearers, and those of the beneficiaries. For one to speak in tongues, he/she must desire it from the heart and the Holy Spirit gives us without partiality. Matthew 7:11 tells us that, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” The holy Spirit gives us these gifts as He wills. When the day of Pentecost came, the disciples were gathered in one place, and the Holy Spirit came upon them mightily and they spoke in tongues. In the same manner when Simon Peter was sent to minister unto Cornelius the centurion, the Holy Spirit came upon him, his family and friends, and they spoke in new tongues. Many among the Jews were astonished at this having the notion that Gentiles were excluded from the commonwealth of God. Christ in His merciful love died for us so that through His grace we may become one in Him. As Christians and disciples of Jesus Christ, we have been instructed to go into the world and preach the gospel and baptize all those who believe. Those who believe will receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and they will speak in tongues, and nothing will harm them. But those who will not believe, remain condemned. The gift of tongues helps us to magnify the Lord like Cornelius and his people, speak directly to God, pray without external hindrances since very few can interpret, we pray by the help of the Holy Spirit Who sees our hearts, it causes self edification etc. It is therefore prime to dwell in love and desire spiritual gifts, and the Holy Spirit will grant us this gift as He pleases.
PRAYER
Thank You Holy Spirit for the gift of life and the far that You have brought us. You have been with us and in us, we that You for Your presence in our lives. We sing praises to You Lord, for You are the King of all the earth. We sing praises to You Lord, for You reign over all the nations. We sing praise to You Lord, for You are sited at Your holy throne. We sing praise to You Lord, for You are the Most High and worthy of all our worship. We are the flock under Your care Lord, sustain us merciful Father. Fill our hearts Holy Spirit with Your fruit and gifts and empower us with Your everlasting love. Help us to appreciate the gift of speaking in new tongues and impart in us this most precious gift Holy Spirit. All our trust is in You Lord give us the gift of wisdom and journey with us according to Your will. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forever more. Amen