Don't let anyone tell you that when you receive the holy Spirit you don't have to speak in tongues.
You certainly do not have to speak in tongues, but when you receive the holy Spirit you will speak in tongues.
The Kingdom of God is not in your head, therefore you cannot reason away something so simple yet a lot of Christians are scared of it.
I've heard many say to justify themselves that love is the evidence, or joy etc.., these can be results of any good thing, even the world experinces joy, love, peace. But the speaking of an unknown tongue eludes those who THINK they have the truth. But because they SAY they see, their sin remaineth, I am talking about Christians.
My Mom & Dad spoke in tongues when they received the holy Spirit but never spoke again. The Apostles spoke in tongues on the day of Pentecost, but it doesn't say any where else that they did again, we don't hear any thing more on the subject until Paul picks it up again with "I thank God that I speak in tongues more than you all". This gives us reference that there are those who continue on speaking in tongues whether it be in the manner of men or of angels.
But we shouldn't be afraid of the refreshing that God has ordained.
When my spirit was down one day, the holy Spirit said, "speak in tongues for a while, refresh yourself", and I was refreshed. It was like a battery being recharged.
Someone mentioned John R Rice not speaking in tongues. I have read quotes in John Rices book he denies the speaking an in unknown tongue, so it would be natural for someone like him to NOT to speak in tongues because he doesn't believe it's for today.
Strange isn't it. Just before the LORD dies He says, "It is finished", yet we have this wierd theology that after His resurrection things that HE has established in the Church He does away with them because it was for that day and not ours.
So that tells me something about the men who have thought that way and are thinking that way today, that Paul said in, 2Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
So what was old? What was before the Cross!
What is new? What came after His resurrection!
So who says anywhere that that which is new has been done away with? I only read that which is old has been put away.
Those of you who reject the speaking in an unknown tongue, you should keep silent because you really don't know what your talking about. This is one of those judge not lest you be judged issues. Look at old Wigglesworth, claimed he had the holy Ghost, argued with those who believed in it and wound up speaking it. Praise God.
I am only going to give you two scriptures one from the Old and one in the New.
Isaiah 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.Isaiah 28:12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: [b]yet they would not hear.[/b] and they still are not hearing. So anyone who rebutts the speaking in an unknown tongues is someone who has not yet heard, and can claim to have the holy Spirit until your blue in the face, you ain't got it. This site talks about taking a stand on the old ways, lets stand for it all and leave the things we don't understand to the LORD, after all, He is the only one who can open or shut our understanding.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Notice Peters words in this command. Now notice this verse which Pete is saying the same thing.
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you.
Remember what old Paul said, "If any man hath not the Spirit of Christ he is none of His". The Spirit of Christ and the holy Spirit is one in the same.