Can anyone with the Holy Spirit Speak in Tongues?

Recently, I shared with someone that everyone who has the Holy Spirit can speak in tongues.  The person, a long-time minister, replied 'Well, you may be right, but you may also be wrong.'  

I was shocked.  Some of you reading this may be saying to yourselves - well, isn't he correct?  

The answers to questions like these may only be found in Scripture.  This is our authority in all things.  So, let me share with you what the Word itself has to say.  [see John 1:1-14 to understand the scope, source, and authority of the Word]

Let's consider the following two passages:  

Firstly, Acts 10:

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[b] and praising God.

Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

We learn much from this small section of Scriptures!  First, they indicate that the Holy Spirit was poured out.  How did they know?  v. 46 FOR they HEARD them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Next, this was part of the baptism experience - one baptism which includes the washing and remission of sins, as we are buried with Christ, followed or preceded by fire from Heaven which is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and sign to them that they had indeed received the Holy Spirit, the baptism promised by John the Baptist when he said 'there is one coming after who will baptize with fire...' Note, too, that it was done 'in the name of Jesus Christ.'

In fact, it is no secret that the Catholic church changed the rite of baptism from full emersion as well as using Jesus' name.  A quick Google will provide the answer.  It's in their encyclopedia.  It is no secret because they believe that the church has the authority (meaning what they say goes even when it contradicts or changes the Word of God) because as Peter was told when given the keys to Heaven that whatever he said would loose and bind things, roughly speaking, ignoring the fact that not one word of Scripture will go away.  Later we'll address what Peter actually said.  

If that's not enough evidence, let's look at another passage in Acts 19.

1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when[a] you believed?”

They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”

“John’s baptism,” they replied.

4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues[b] and prophesied.7 There were about twelve men in all.

Clearly, these passages support the earlier observations of the events which took place in Cornelius' house, both the practice of baptizing in Jesus' name as well as the baptism of fire whose characteristics include speaking in tongues (vs. a tongue) and prophesying.  Were they disobedient to Matthew 28:19?  No!  God is a spirit.  The Holy Spirit is a spirit. Jesus is the name above all names. If we want to be technical, consider 'in the name of' as being singular - and so we ask 'What's the name?'  Of course, it is Jesus and we are instructed to do all things in His name (Col. 3:17) and we have this record of how the Apostles carry out those instructions properly and fully.

Certainly, there are many, many more.  If truly we are going to be a fellowship which follows the teachings of Scripture, are not the acts of the Apostles, taught by Jesus on how to birth new believers into the church, our starting point and model?  We also observe that there is an urgency to these events.  When the characteristics of belief (and Heaven's rebirth/approval) appear, the rites are performed.  No exception.  Nowhere in Scripture do we see people mulling over their decision to perform these rites once someone believes.  Nor do they argue or vary in how they minister the rites.  It's all done the same way according to Acts 2:38 - by Peter, who held the keys to the kingdom of Heaven! [See, I told you I'd get to this!]  His was the first message of the church age!  And the fruit of his preaching was that 3000 were added to the church that day.  Yes, as we sing, we need another Pentecost!  Fire from Heaven!  

We ought not to be surprised at these things.  Jesus foretold of them when he spoke to Nicodemus indicating that, as you pointed out, the Holy Spirit comes like the wind.  The part you've left off, however, is crucial to our understanding:  'you hear its sound and so it is with everyone born of the spirit.'  [John 3: 3-5] There is some kind of 'sound' evidence when the Holy Spirit comes into a new believer.  We find no exceptions indicated in Scripture where they specifically describe that neither tongues or prophesy were needed or spoken as a result of the believer's awakening.  

How can we ignore the foundation of church doctrine - the very instructions and acts of the Apostles in birthing new believers into the church?  The name of Jesus is the authority.  The Spirit gives life and all its benefits.  Are we equipped to work in ministry and leading other believers if we ourselves have not been obedient to Scripture? 

You may be saying to yourselves - but I've witnessed changed lives and heart healings!  We know from Scripture that Jesus is compassionate.  Did he not heal many?  Were they all saved?  Is God not good and merciful?  Why, yes he is.  Scripture tells us that God may be with us, but it's important that he be in us. [See Romans 8:9 for the warning there.]

I am well aware of the arguments against these teachings.  I've heard from seminary graduates, pastors and their kids raised in the church, preachers/teachers and more... What I always ask, myself first, is have I been obedient to the verses they show me?  And how do they line up, or agree, with the ones I've offered?  Oftentimes, the one arguing has obeyed the ones they've selected, but not, for example, these ones above.  

The fact of the matter is that we are still living in the church age and the Book of Acts is where the church, as an institution and as believers, begins.  

Furthermore, the picture of the church is that each of us has different gifts within the body.  Not everyone can be a hand or an eye, right?  So, isn't it amazing that entire congregations, around the globe and for ages and ages, have been given this same gift, speaking in tongues?  How can this be if it is a gift to some and not others?  Doesn't it make much more sense, however, to understand that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is part of the baptism experience - one baptism - of water (repentance) and fire (promised by John the Baptist, and described by Jesus to Nicodemus in John 3:3-5 as the heavenly rebirth of water and spirit, prophesied in Joel) as we call on the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? And that adopted into his family, recalling the picture of marriage where the bride takes her husband's name, we do this in Jesus' name?  This explanation aligns perfectly with all Scripture.  The reverse, not so much.  This is my testimony as a witness to the salvation of Christ through faith.  We cannot forfeit the glory God has shown us.

So, what is the use in arguing?  It does not change Scripture, does it?  I am at peace because, thankfully, these are not my teachings nor my sayings.  I have shown you the Word of God to which we are committed in our home.  We will follow these teachings and we will share these teachings wherever they are welcome.  If they are not welcome, we understand and are not offended.  

This is Just a Season... in a Safe Place

Sometimes, God has you in a safe place.

Several years ago, I experienced a layoff at work from my position as a marketing manager.  I was unemployed for 15 months.  I thought I was washed up and my career was over.  That said, I was finally able to get hired as an administrative assistant at a local university.  Just after my layoff, my former supervisor suggested that I read a book called 'Reinvention' which was a career advice book about changing careers.  It had some interesting advice, but in my heart, I just didn't think that was the right choice for me.  Change industries, perhaps, but no longer work in marketing or communications?  It was not what I wanted.

As a Christian, I can tell you that I could not see the way forward.  I knew there was a way forward, but I had no clue what the outcome would be or when the season would be over.  I just kept doing what I knew to do to move forward.

So, I did get a job as an administrative assistant.  It was a good job.  I enjoyed both my job and my co-workers.  I embraced new ways of using my skills to help the efforts of the professors and their students:  flyers, department brochure, video/video editing, facebook page, etc.  I had fun!

Then recruiters began to contact me.  What was this?  So, I felt - OK, God is telling me 'Now!  Now I have a position for you - the right team, the right salary.'  Within two weeks I had a new job, great salary and most everyone in the department - particularly the supervisor, were all new hires.

You see, sometimes, God tucks you away in a safe place and closes doors or creates 'weird' obstacles because you aren't meant to stay where he has you.  It is a temporary place.  A short season.

You may find that God has promised to open up a door to work somewhere or even worship somewhere, to marry someone - though you don't know their name - but in each case, you have a clear description of what that situation or relationship will be like.  You've prayed about it and you know God is faithful.  So as you pursue these various options to see which of these is the 'right' one, you may end up in a job where advancement is not an option, ministry opportunity or vision is misaligned, or communications and courting are just more difficult than they ought to be.

I want to tell you, friend, you are in a temporary place for just a season.  It is easy not to recognize your situation as temporary!  But be careful, in this place, you can become frustrated and give up (on your dreams).  I've been there! 

Jer. 28:19 tells us that God knows the plans he has for us - plans to prosper us and not harm us!

So, what do you do?  In that place, be calm.  Look up.  Nod and say to yourself  'I get it.  This is just temporary and what we've discussed is still in the works, but Your timing is perfect!'

Ps 91:2 says 'I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.'

Ps 27:14 says this: 'Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."

Wait upon the Lord.  Do what is right and all you know to do allowing God to show you things, learn from those experiences and when the time is right, he will open that door - blessing you BEYOND what you've asked!

God has done this in my life time and time again.  I hope this testimony encourages someone.  If you are in a place which seems 'not quite right,' maybe you are in a temporary season or place while God is working out with the right resources, the right team, the right environment - for your benefit, according to your prayers.  So, be calm.  Look up.  Nod and say 'I get it.'

Realize, too, that when you depart one situation (and do this without malice and with all grace), people may not wish you well.  They may even curse you, shun you, or disparage your name.  Don't worry about it.  God's got your back - keep doing all you know to do as He is directing and guiding you to do!

Blessings to you!  If this encouraged you, will you please like and share this message?