Receiving the Baptism of the Holy Ghost; is something like steering a simulated car on a video game, for the first time, with a joystick. You’ll seem to be all over the place and out of control. God pours out His essence, His power into you and what comes out is an utterance in tongues that is beyond your control. There is no greater joy and peace, than that which comes with water baptism in Jesus’ name and receiving the Holy Ghost; as evidenced with the speaking of tongues. That first infilling of God’s power is unique. But God did not intend the speaking of tongues to be just a one time experience. The apostle Paul spoke in tongues often as part of his personal prayer and worship to God.
1 Corinthians 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
Paul’s comment here is about his own personal prayer life. In his prayers, praying or speaking in tongues was a part of his own personal praise and worship to the LORD. Members of most apostolic churches will praise and pray in tongues during a typical worship service. This is not a public display, but a personal expression and is usually not hear beyond the person next to them and God. We know that this is what Paul is speaking about because he addresses the public prophesying in tongues separately. Paul said that he would rather speak five words with understanding than ten thousand in an unknown tongue.
1 Corinthians 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
Just recently in our congregation, there were tongues and interpretations. There is clearly a difference between praise /worship/praying in tongues and public preaching or prophesying in tongues. In my experience, public prophesying in tongues, from God, stops a church service and most of the time happens during the worship part of the service. When it is of God, a spontaneous hush comes over the congregation just as one person will begin to speak in tongues. This is usually followed by a second and sometimes a third proclamation in tongues. Then God gives the interpretation through an individual. It may be the last person who spoke in tongues or it may be someone different. If there is no interpretation, the speaking in tongues was not from God and should not have been spoken before the entire congregation; drawing everyone’s attention (verses 27 & 28 below).
1 Corinthians 14:27-33 ESV (27) If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. (28) But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.
The speaking in tongues, when from God is usually a seamless speaking of two or three that is interpreted by another; there is always an interpretation. It comes across authoritative and moves in the hearts of all. In my experience; there have been very few public tongues and interpretations that were questionable. A spirit led congregation will sense a fraud in their spirit and an astute pastor will take such people aside and instruct them.
Continuing in verse 29 through 33 below, we see additional instructions given by Paul. There need not be tongues and interpretation for God to speak/prophesy through someone publically; but no two people are to speak simultaneously. Each is to speak in turn. Our bishop was present at a service were two people spontaneously prophesied. Instructions were given later that when that happens, both should stop speaking to avoid confusion. The spirit of a prophet is still under the control of the prophet; and they are to exercise wisdom and faith.
(29) Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. (30) If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. (31) For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, (32) and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. (33) For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,
Nationally renowned children’s evangelist, Vicki Oliver, describes the Baptism of the Holy Ghost to little children as, “You get to talk to God in your own special language.” Truly the utterance in tongues is an expression of our heart than is beyond our own words. There are no limits put on the praying and speaking in tongues as an expression of our worship before God. It is not just an anointing at baptism, but a special means of worship and praise as we continue in and renew that initial anointing. One pastor tells his congregation on a regular basis that he prays in tongues every night as the last thing he does before going to sleep. The more speaking in tongues is practiced the more it becomes part of us.
Expecting God to fill us with the Holy Ghost should be a daily expectation! Ask for the Holy Ghost daily and God will give to you daily.
Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
If you are a new convert or have fallen out of the daily practice of praying in tongues, it can help to create a worship environment through using the praise music that you hear at church. There are many free web resources to find worship videos. The Indiana Bible College posts many of their worship videos on YouTube. You will find a link to one below. After a while, praying in tongues will become automatic and natural. It is part of being a skilled prayer warrior. God gave us this awesome connection to Him. He wants us to remember daily who we are and the power that He has given us and continues to give us; but we must continue in the anointing.
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