"Pentecost Sunday” reminds us of the first time that the Holy Spirit "came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and filled all who in the house where they were sitting. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2: 2-4).

Today it is still necessary to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit just as the first 120 received with "speaking in tongues”. Speaking in tongues is the evidence to receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit even today (Acts 2:4).

Jesus refers to tongues as "new languages” (Mk. 16:17) and Paul describes tongues as "speaking in international languages” (1 Cor. 12:10). "Speaking in tongues” are old English words for "speaking in languages" that are real languages spoken today or sometime in the past. There are over 6,500 languages spoken today.

This Gift of the Holy Spirit is God’s "new communications system”. When used publicly, the messages can be interpreted by people who speaks the actual language or from someone who has the "gift of Interpretation of languages” (1 Cor. 12:10). When speaking in tongues privately or alone. the Holy Spirit will edify (heal) us (1 Cor. 14: 4) and explain "the mysteries in the Spirit; (1 Cor. 14: 2).

With the Spirit-given language, prayer is no longer a "guessing game”. This is the reason Paul instructs us, "Pray at all times in the Spirit (tongues- Holy Spirit given languages) with all prayer and supplication (Eph. 6:18). Paul teaches that there should be no more than 2 or 3 messages in the tongues languages with interpretation in any worship service where there are unbelievers or they will think you are crazy/mad (1 Cor. 14:23).

When a person does not use the gift or gifts of the Holy Spirit, the result is that fear will develop in them. Timothy had a problem of fear develop in him because he was not praying in his tongues language every day. Paul told him how to get rid of his fear: 

"Hence I remind you to stir up/rekindle the Gift (charisma) of God that is within you through the laying on of hands for God did not give us a spirit of fear (timidity, cowardice) but a spirit of power and love and a sound mind” (2 Tim. 2:6–7).

According to the book of Acts, the gift of speaking in tongues (languages) is the first gift of the Holy Spirit that is given when a person receives the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4, 8:14; 9:17; 19:1 Cor. 14:18; Act 10:45; 19:6). Speaking in tongues is necessary. James reminds us, "no human being can tame the tongue - a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (Jas. 3:8).

The Holy Spirit "tames the tongue” by giving us "self-control” (Gal. 5:23). Then we can be effective "witnesses” for Jesus (Acts 1:8). If you haven’t had your own "Personal Day of Pentecost” with the "signs following” (Mk. 16:17– 20) or need help to stir up the Gift of tongues, please contact me or come to one of our meetings and you can experience your Day of Pentecost.

The gift of tongues is for everyone! (Acts 2:21,37-38; 10:34–35)

c. 2014, GWEA