Ready for a long read? Well, it won’t be found in this post. My thought is short and to the point.
When challenged with the question, “Do I have to speak in other tongues when I am baptized in the Holy Spirit?”, I, in turn, love to respond with the question, “Don’t you mean to ask, do I get to speak in other tongues when I am baptized in the Holy Spirit?” After pausing for a minute to allow my question to penetrate their spirit, I then follow up with, “Why wouldn’t you want to speak to God in a language from heaven?” (1 Corinthians 14:14). “Why wouldn’t you want to have the ability to build yourself up as you pray in other tongues?” (Jude 20). “Why wouldn’t you want to touch heaven in a way that isn’t humanly possible?” (1 Corinthians 14:2). “Why wouldn’t you want to worship God in a powerful, supernatural way?” (1 Corinthians 14:15). “Why wouldn’t you want to remove biases and prejudices as you intercede for others?” (Romans 8:26-27). “Why wouldn’t you want to be in good company as you join the ranks of the mother of Jesus, the apostles, and those in the first Church who spoke in other tongues?” (Acts 1:13-14; 2:4).
In answering the aforementioned questions, it is easy to see why the Apostle Paul stated, “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all.” (1 Corinthians 14:18). Have to?” I’m thankful that I can respond with a resounding “get to!”
Good morning Pastor Billy,
That’s a good question, do we ” have to ” go to church? I used to tell my children Josh & Kelsea that we “get to “go to church today and worship with our church family when they would ask that question. Jennifer and I love and miss you guys.
The “have to” question about speaking in other tongues once one is baptized in the Holy Spirit is an age-old question. To me, everything changes once the question becomes a “get to” question. Thank God that the “get to” is available to every believer!
It could also be stated as “is it required”? Which is a different avenue to consider in light of 1 Corinthians 12:29-31 HCSB
[29] Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all do miracles? [30] Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in other languages? Do all interpret? [31] But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way.
Jack, a super short answer to what could and should be a much longer response to the question posed in your reply, the answer is “yes”. Again, super short, we see directly in Acts 2:4, 10:45, 19:6 that in every case, the believers spoke in a heavenly language when they were baptized in the Holy Spirit. The aforementioned verses in 1 Corinthians 12 refer to something entirely different than the three scriptures that I mentioned. The scripture in 1 Corinthians 12 taken out of context has caused much confusion in the body of Christ. In chapter 12, Paul shares about spiritual offices “apostles, prophets, and teachers” and then he goes into spiritual gifts. The answer to all of the questions posed by Paul is obviously “no”. Without question, we know that offices and gifts are given by the Father “severally as He will” (1 Corinthians 12:11) We know of many who stand in various offices while others don’t. We know of many who flow in different gifts of the Spirit while others don’t. But, we see in 1 Corinthians 14 that Paul wishes believers to pray in other tongues. Again, to make what needs to be a long(er) explanation into something much shorter, there is gift of Tongues (one of the nine listed by Paul) that is accompanied by the gift of Interpretation and a kind of Tongues available to every believer – same in essense, different in purpose. I will do an entire post on this subject in the days to come.
Bro. Billy:
I so appreciate the avenue that your ministry has continued. Yes, I believe it is important for our kids and youth to be more conscious of the Word of God today, more than ever. I fully believe that Joel 2 is happening in our time and that a great revival will occur first in our kids and youth. The Problem that I see is that not all pastors’ see that this is where the last great revival is coming. You are in my Prayers. God’s Grace and Blessings on you and your wife.
Tommy, thank you for your response. When talking about an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon children and youth, I love, love, love emphasing that God said, “I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and YOUR sons and YOUR daughters shall prophesy…” (Joel 2:28, the capitalization of the word “YOUR” is mine) and then later “For this promise is unto you , and to YOUR children…” (Acts 2:39, again, the capitalization of the word “YOUR” is mine). Like you, I know that God didn’t put words in His Word to satisfy a word count. Each word was strategically included. So, I know that we can declare that God wants the children/youth in OUR personal home and ministry to be filled with His Spirit. And, Vickie and I love being a part of seeing this happen through our meetings and writings. God bless you!!!