I want to ask every born-again believer who is a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ (“Christ” meaning “Holy Spirit anointed Messiah”); I want to ask every preacher, everyone in leadership position, every person—do you speak in tongues? Why not? Please, ask yourself this question. Take some time and examine yourself. Be perfectly honest with yourself. Why have you not received the power of the Holy Spirit and spoken in tongues?
Did not Jesus say, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils, they shall speak with new tongues”? Jesus said these signs, for all the unbelieving world to see, shall follow them that believe. Mark 16: 17 (italics mine)
Did not the apostle Paul agree with Jesus when he wrote to the Corinthians that tongues were a sign to the unbeliever, showing a supernatural God at work bringing light, life, liberty and power to the lives of people for the glory of the name of Jesus. Paul quoted a prophecy from Isaiah 28: 11-12 showing that this grace and sign was of God. 1 Corinthians 14: 20-22
Did not Peter stand up on the day of Pentecost and explain to the unbelievers that what they were hearing was the fulfillment of a prophecy from Joel 2: 28-32. He said, “These are not drunk, as you suppose…this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel.” The speakers were the people who believed the Word. The onlookers were the unbelievers. Acts 2: 15-21 NKJV
Acts is the recorded history of the early church in the Bible. Did not believers show this sign throughout the book of Acts? Acts 2, Acts 8, Acts 9, Acts 10, Acts 19—in every instance, covering a span of about the first twenty years of the church, the sign was given. Simon saw something in Acts 8. In Acts 9, it is not specifically stated that Paul spoke in tongues, but he told the Corinthians that he did speak in tongues, “more than you all. 1 Corinthians 14:18 NKJV
Let’s just reason together for a moment. If God has a supernatural means of power and communication that He wants to impart to all His children, do you really think He would then do away with it, withhold it, or offer it to just a few? Jesus clearly stated: “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:13 NKJV
The Holy Spirit is not mute! He has His own language! He speaks through a vessel. We see this throughout the book of Acts. He groans in every believer to express the word and voice of God out into the world (Romans 8: 26, 27). Any vessel who believes, and opens their mouth wide, God will fill it (Psalms 81:10). He will express Himself in His own way and language. Do I have any believers? Will you yield and receive God’s power? Why not?
