The Power of Speaking in Tongues: The Language of Your Spirit

When the Day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place, and suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and they began to speak with other tongues. On the Day of Pentecost, the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Church. This was the fulfillment of Christ’s promise, “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence” (Acts 1:5). How do we know people were baptized with the Holy Spirit? They began to speak with other tongues (Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6).

Speaking in tongues had never happened before and couldn’t because the day of Pentecost could not fully come until after the resurrection of Christ. This is one of the greatest events in history. It’s the day the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Church. It was also the fulfillment of Christ’s promise, “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence” (Acts 1:5). How do we know people were baptized with the Holy Spirit? They began to speak with other tongues (Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6 ).

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4).

What is speaking in tongues? The Apostle Paul had much to say about speaking in tongues. He spoke in tongues and taught much about praying in tongues. He taught praying in tongues was:

SPEAKETH MYSTERIES

“For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.” (1 Corinthians 14:2)

EDIFYING HIMSELF

“He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself… “(1 Corinthians 14:4)

YOUR SPIRIT PRAYING

“For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. “ (1 Corinthians 14:14)

TONGUES OF MEN AND ANGELS

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels…” (1 Corinthians 13:1)

The tongue is used for speaking. Without a tongue you would be mute and unable to form words. The baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues is a supernatural event that connects your tongue to your spirit.

All language is an assembly of words that form communication. Praying in other tongues is such a language. Speaking in an unknown tongue is your spirit having a direct conversation with God. Scripture declares, “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people” (Isaiah 28:11).

PRAYING IN TONGUES

There was a certain man named Cornelius. The Bible says he was a praying man that loved God and gave much alms to help the poor. The Holy Spirit sent Peter to minister to him and his household. When Peter arrived, he declared, “Of a truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (Acts 10:34-35). As Peter ministered the Word to the people, something amazing happened. Scripture says,

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days” (Acts 10:43-48).

TONGUES IS A SPIRITUAL GIFT

Something similar happened in the Apostle Paul’s ministry when he found certain Disciples at Ephesus. After meeting them he asked them a very important question, “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost” (Acts 19:2).

This meeting was twenty years after the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on those gathered in the Upper Room.

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4)

GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Those meeting with the Apostle Paul had not heard about the gift of the Holy Spirit, they were only baptized in water. Then Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came on them, and they spoke with other tongues and prophesied” (Acts 19:6).

Paul also encouraged the Corinthian Christians to continue the practice of speaking with other tongues in their worship of God. He urged them to speak in tongues in their individual prayer life as a means of spiritual edification, or building up. The Bible says, “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself” (1 Corinthians 14:4).

Paul also stated in First Corinthians 14:14, “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.” Notice he said, “My spirit prays.”

The Amplified Bible reads, “My spirit [by the Holy Spirit within me] prays.” God is a Spirit. When you pray in tongues, your spirit is in direct contact with God, who is a Spirit.

Praying in other tongues is a spiritual language and the highest form of communication available to you. It won’t help you renew your mind, but it will help you pray effectively. When you pray in an unknown tongue your spirit, not your mind, speaks directly with the Holy Spirit. Learn to take full advantage of this marvelous gift.

© Your partner,

Apostle Jonas Clark
www.jonasclark.com