As we begin studying the Holy Spirit, I have spent much time searching out scriptures on the speaking of tongues and praying thusly. The reason is, this seems to be one of the most misunderstood parts of His Ministry. There have been many things taught with misunderstanding about the speaking of tongues. To simplify this teaching, let me reveal the two different types of tongues the Holy Spirit directs in the Church.
We find the prayer language that is given when one is baptized in the Holy Spirit, in 1Corinthians 14:2 (Amplified), which says, "For one who speaks in an (unknown) tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the (Holy) Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things (not obvious to the understanding)."
No one can give interpretation of this language and say, "Thus says the Lord..." to the people. This is not God speaking to men, through the Holy Spirit, but it is the Holy Spirit speaking through your spirit to God and revealing mysteries to you through the Holy Spirit.
1Corinthians 14:27-8 (Amplified) says, "If some speak in a (strange) tongue, let the number be limited to two or at the most three, and each one (taking his) turn, and let one interpret and explain what is said. But if there is no one to do the interpreting, let each of them keep still in church and talk to himself and God."
One language is to be interpreted in edifying the Church and the other language has one interpreter because it's your spirit seeking wisdom from God. 1Corinthians 14:2 speaks about an unknown tongue and 1Corinthians 14:27 speaks about a strange tongue with an interpreter. One is unknown because it's the language of the spirit realm and the other is a strange tongue because it's strange to the hearer and is spoken in tongues from the Father to an individual. The gift of interpretation is also "Given by the Holy Spirit as He chooses, to edify the Body of Christ."
Both are gifts of the Spirit (if you will), because until you were filled with or baptized in the Holy Spirit, you could do neither. Unknown tongues is simply the new language of the new man given to speak to God. The other language or "strange tongue" is God speaking to His family through the Holy Spirit and man's born again spirit.
Paul said in 1Corinthians 14:18-19 (Amplified) that, "I thank God I speak in (strange) or unknown tongues (languages) more than any of you or all of you put together. Nevertheless, in public worship, I would rather say five words with my understanding and intelligently in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a (strange) tongue (language)." The reason for Paul's saying this is found in Verse 2 which says, "For one who speaks in and unknown tongue, speaks not to men but to God."
Paul didn't say we're not to speak in the unknown tongue, but if we do so, then no one would understand us. Paul said he'd rather speak five words with his understanding, rather than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. If he was speaking to God in an unknown tongue, then he would be edified, but no one else would be. In Verse 4 Paul says, "He who speaks in a strange tongue edifies and improves himself."
If a man stood up in church and said (in the language of the people or country), "Jesus dies for your sins," then these five words would edify the whole church and not himself alone. Don't confuse the difference in the prayer language of the born again spirit and the gift of tongues with interpretation of tongues to the people. You will rob yourself of one the greatest parts of the new birth if you misunderstand the difference between the two. You will be robbed of the ability to speak mysteries to God and to receive the answer to some of your most complex trials in life. These are obviously not mysteries to God, but to you. The Holy Spirit will give you insight and wisdom in your spirit (that will be revealed to your mind) to walk in.
This new language is for the new man who has been born again in the Holy Spirit. It bypasses your intellect and reaches into the realm of the Spirit Who has all the answers for your walk here on earth. We've been able to only pray according to our own intellect and now by speaking in tongues, we can reach beyond that and actually pray with the Mind of Christ.
The same is true concerning other things in the Holy Spirit's ministry and works. He is the One Who gives or distributes these gifts as He will in order to profit and benefit the whole Church. Mark 16:17-18 (Amplified) says, "These attesting signs will accompany those who believe, in My Name, they will drive out demons, they will speak in "new languages" they will pick up serpents, and (even) if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them, they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well."
Although these are "signs" of the Holy Spirit living in people, they are not the "gifts" of the Spirit listed in 1Corinthians 12. These are what Paul wrote through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, saying, are for "Those who believe." The question then, is, DO YOU BELIEVE?
I know people who don't believe in speaking in tongues, but they do believe in laying hands on the sick. I also know people who don't believe in laying hands on the sick, but do believe in casting out devils. All these supernatural signs are the work of the Holy Spirit Who now lives in the new born man's spirit. Even Jesus said, "It's not Me, but the Father in Me that does the work." Isn't the Holy Spirit the Father? Of course, He is. Why then would it be any different for Him to work through you?
Don't confuse the work of the Holy Spirit with the ministry gifts of the Holy Spirit. He gives these gifts (and all are gifts), as He wills for the profit or help of everyone. It's simply God's nature to help all who need help. He doesn't always wait for an Apostle to who up in order to heal someone. He is capable of using anyone who "Will believe in His Name," according to Mark 16:17.
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