Baptism in the Holy Spirit - Speaking in Tongues - Its Purpose

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S peaking Tongues - Its Purpose

The Bible evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues.

Of the nine Gifts of the Holy Spirit enumerated in 1 Corinthians 12, speaking in tongues is the only one unique to the New Testament.

1 Corinthians 14:2,4,5,14,18, 39 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. I thank my God, I speak in tongues more than ye all. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

When a person speaks in tongues, he speaks to God (mysteries) and edifies himself (he builds himself up). When he prays in the spirit, his mind does not know the words he is speaking. They are not words he has learned. They are words engineered by the Holy Spirit.

In order for a person to build up others, he must first be built up himself. One of the methods God has chosen for this is speaking in tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

Isaiah 28:9-13 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

The rest is how the weary are rested and refreshed.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Hebrews 4:9,10 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

The true sabbath lies not in the observation of a day, but in the receiving of a Person, namely Jesus Christ, and now more specifically, the Holy Spirit.

A colleague of mine asserts, "I would rather speak in tongues for ten minutes that go on a two week vacation." This is the true rest of God.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me ...