{"id":7433,"date":"2024-05-25T14:36:45","date_gmt":"2024-05-25T21:36:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/?p=7433"},"modified":"2024-05-25T14:36:46","modified_gmt":"2024-05-25T21:36:46","slug":"tongues-are-worth-bothering-about","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/tongues-are-worth-bothering-about\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cTongues\u201d ARE Worth Bothering About!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

by Pastor Jack Hayford<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are few subjects that excite more curiosity, interest, joy, animosity, debate or doctrinaire posturing than \u201cspeaking with tongues.\u201d To even address it may raise the question, \u201cWhy do you bother with this?\u201d Some feel to avoid \u201ctongues\u201d is safer; fearing they will be thought other than scriptural, sensible, truly practical or even sane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My answer is that on all four of those issues, \u201cbothering\u201d is worth it, because \u201cspeaking in tongues\u201d: (1) is scriptural (predicted by Jesus and practiced by the apostolic Church; (2) is sensible (when biblical teaching is observed); (3) is practical (valued in much of today\u2019s Church); and (4) is sane (neither gibberish nor mindless).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why I bother<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My private practice of praying both \u201cwith the understanding,\u201d and \u201cwith the Spirit also\u201d (I Corinthians 14:15) is rooted in my discovery of their intensely practical benefits. In fact, to my view, it is precisely the value of this exercise that occasions the adversary\u2019s \u201csmoke screening\u201d the subject. He uses debate and dogmatism on both sides of the issue to try to preempt people \u201cbothering,\u201d because he knows how \u201ctongues\u201d can ignite intercession, enrich private prayer and enlarge personal worship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, I keep \u201cbothering\u201d (a) by bringing teaching at appropriate times [e.g., see my book, \u201cThe Beauty of Spiritual Language\u201d; and (b) by mentoring pastors. Other \u201cbothering\u201d occurs, like the time it took to be involved with a denominational group studying how to preserve and present this value in their movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seeking to avoid bigotry<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The commitment of these denominational leaders (Pentecostal) impressed me as they evaluated their stance on \u201cspeaking with tongues\u201d (especially as it related to a believer\u2019s initial experience of being \u201cfilled with\u201d or \u201cbaptized in\u201d the Holy Spirit). Their quest to avoid apparent bigotry or dogmatism, while passionately maintaining the value of \u201cspeaking with tongues,\u201d evidenced that they feel as strongly as I do about two things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. That \u201cspeaking with tongues\u201d is a spiritual resource\/benefit intended for and available to every born-again believer who will ask for and open to it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. That these benefits are so great, every pastor ought to be equipped to teach, inspire and lead in ways that advance a life of \u201cSpirit-fullness\u201d that includes an ongoing exercise of these Spirit-given languages.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Of great concern with the group was over any doctrinal statement regarding \u201cspeaking with tongues\u201d that may employ verbal formulas that, however unintentionally (a) feed rather than clarify confusion and debate; (b) sidetrack focus on the benefits of \u201ctongues\u201d; and (c) have evolved to now substitute church dogma for biblical terminology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What I liked best about working with these leaders was the absence of any attitude of \u201ccopping out.\u201d No one was seeking an escape from the stigma of being \u201cspeakers with tongues,\u201d but rather they wanted to advance the values and the biblical intention for this experience. But they know they are vulnerable to being misunderstood by any Pentecostals\/Charismatics who would see any reevaluation of their own doctrinal statements as heretical (especially in the wording of speaking in tongues as \u201cthe initial physical evidence of a believer\u2019s \u201cBaptism in the Holy Spirit\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The irony here is that even with their history and existing statements of faith, many Pentecostal and Charismatic churches already \u201cback down\u201d on the issue. This is not always due to an embarrassment over the subject, but because many leaders lack practical training for teaching\/leading people to an understanding and experience in the practical benefit of \u201cspeaking with tongues.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Yet the bottom line is that those who fear a recast doctrinal statement would erode convictions in their group labor with a moot point. So often, the majority of their own people aren\u2019t practicing their doctrine anyway! So critics have no just footing for berating these \u201cconvinced and practicing\u201d leaders who are seeking a means to clarify Bible terminology and focus on the values and pursuit of \u201cspeaking with tongues\u201d for their biblical benefits. Not only is their no risk in such reevaluation, there is much to be gained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    My own pastoral practice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For ALL the years of my ministry, I have practiced, taught, and led people to expect to \u201cspeak with tongues\u201d when they receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. But beginning 30 years ago, I found immeasurable gains in the results of my teaching when I started focusing on \u201ctongues\u201d as a \u201cbenefit available\u201d as believers open to Jesus, the Baptizer with the Spirit. I found people ceased feeling saddled with the burden of manifesting tongues \u201cas a proof,\u201d as they warmed to God\u2019s Word and sought Jesus\u2014seeking HIM for \u201call the fullness\u201d of blessing He offers. Thus, the focus moves from \u201ctongues\u201d to worship; from doctrinal requirements to practical benefits. (I do note how this attending benefit continued in the Church. See Acts 10:44-48; 19:1-6.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The result has been that eight-five to ninety percent of our members receive these truths, open to Jesus the Baptizer, are \u201cfilled with the Holy Spirit\u201d and also \u201cspeak with tongues.\u201d This fruit has abounded, even though our doctrinal statement does not have an \u201cinitial physical evidence\u201d clause; instead reading that, when receiving the Baptism with (or fullness of) the Holy Spirit, \u201cthe believer may have every reason to expect His incoming to be after the same manner\u2026 as in Bible days\u2026the Holy Ghost fell on them as on us at the beginning\u2019\u201d (Acts 11:15).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We passionately minister in a way that people not only desire to be \u201cfilled with the Holy Spirit,\u201d but with unsurprising consistency receive the beauty of spiritual language for their prayer, worship and intercessory life. This approach has also removed the liability of our appearing to invalidate the spiritual status of Christians who do not speak with tongues. God has blessed with fruitfulness this movement from \u201cdemanding a sign,\u201d to \u201cteaching a value;\u201d yet virtually all to whom we minister do willingly open to and do \u201cspeak with tongues.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I offered a brief for use in the discussion of those inviting my participation. It summarizes biblical\/theological issues\u2013\u201cdoctrine\u201d that issues in practical pursuits. We have verified that such an approach isn\u2019t \u201cbacking down\u201d nor does it \u201creduce\u201d anything, for we\u2019ve seen tens of thousands (a) open to Jesus\u2019 command to \u201creceive the Holy Spirit\u201d (John 20:21), and (b) also receive the Spirit\u2019s enabling with supernatural languages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So, again, I have \u201cbothered\u201d\u2014but for a reason. I deeply believe the Holy Spirit is seeking to bring broadened understanding today, with an approach that will help even more to open fully to this aspect of believing life. Seeing Paul\u2019s affirmation, \u201cI thank God I speak with tongues more than all of you,\u201d would seem reason enough for all to lay aside doubt and hesitancy\u2014and for every leader to live, teach and encourage this practice (I Corinthians 14:18).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    At its very beginning, the whole Church received this resourcing: \u201cThey were ALL filled with the Holy Spirit AND began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.\u201d I don\u2019t think God was thereby obligating us to repeating a \u201cproof,\u201d but that He was presenting us with an abiding benefit\u2026 all of us. As you review what I offered that committee, I would welcome knowing what you think. That is, if it seems worth \u201cbothering.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Regarding \u201cThe Baptism With The Holy Spirit,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    WE HOLD \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u2026THAT Jesus\u2019 multi-faceted ministry notably features His role as the One who \u201cBaptizes with the Holy Spirit\u201d (John 1:33), and that this is revealed as a distinct and separate ministry from His role as \u201cThe Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world\u201d (John 1:29);<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    THUS, we distinctly minister Christ as both\u2014our Savior from sin, and as our Baptizer with the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u2026THAT being filled with (or baptized in) the Holy Spirit is an experience distinct and separate from a person\u2019s regeneration; and while one\u2019s new birth and baptism in the Holy Spirit may chronologically occur in immediate proximity, these experiences are neither simultaneous or synonymous (Acts 9:17; 10:44-48).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    THUS, we receive the promise of the \u201cseal of the Holy Spirit\u201d as offered after we believe (Eph. 1:13), and do not see new birth and the baptism with the Holy Spirit as one and the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u2026THAT the Day of Pentecost ushered in the timeless \u201cpromise of the Father\u201d Jesus prophesied, saying they would be \u201cbaptized with the Holy Spirit\u201d (Acts 1:5); that the continuing purpose of this baptism is to provide spiritual power for living, serving and bearing witness to Christ; and that this baptism is accompanied by supernatural signs\u2014an expectation that continued in the early Church as confirmation of Holy Spirit\u2019s fullness, presence and power (Acts 10:46; 11:15-18).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    THUS, we are unswerving in our passion for pursuing this experience to which Christ calls and commands us to receive, that we might be enabled to minister His life, truth and power to our world; and we are unequivocal in our expectation of the Holy Spirit\u2019s manifestation of signs \u201cas at the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u2026THAT since the NT text commonly links believer\u2019s speaking with tongues to their being \u201cfilled with\u201d or \u201creceiving\u201d the Holy Spirit, we expect this facet of the experience as (a) a worthy expression of praise to God (Acts 2:11); (b) fulfilling one of the signs Jesus said would characterize believers (Mark 16:15-19); (c) timelessly available (Acts 2:4; 10:44-48; 19:1-6); and as (d) continually nurturing and practical (I Corinthians 14:3; Jude 20).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    THUS, we urge every believer to receive the blessing of speaking with tongues that the multiple benefits of this Holy Spirit-enabled resource may edify their daily life; thereby prayerfully drawing on the Spirit\u2019s power that Jesus\u2019 promised \u201crivers of living water\u201d may continually flow out of a life filled with, praying in, serving by and witnessing with supernatural ability (John 7:37-39).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u2026THAT the NT clearly distinguishes between (a) the \u201cgift of tongues\u201d as a public exercise not granted to all believers (12:10, 30) and always to be accompanied by an interpretation (I Corinthians 14:5, 26-33); and (b) the benefits of speaking with tongues \u201cto God\u201d (I Corinthians 14:2), enabling prayer, praise and worship (I Corinthians 14:14-18) as well as spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:18-20) and self-edification (Jude 20).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    THUS, we do not confuse the public gift and the private exercise of the spiritual language, maintaining liberty with order regarding \u201ctongues\u201d in our congregational life, and constancy with fervor regarding \u201ctongues\u201d in our devotional life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u2026THAT the actions of the apostles reveal the early Church\u2019s priority for seeing believers initiated in Holy Spirit fullness (His being \u201creceived\u201d or \u201ccoming upon them\u201d); that converts not yet having received were taught and ministered to in ways that assisted each one to desire and receive this experience (Acts 8:14-19; 19:1-6).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    THUS, we place great importance on teaching and leading believers to seek Jesus for their own experience of the baptism with the Holy Spirit, and to desire, expect and welcome His incoming \u201cas at the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u2026THAT the truth and passion seen in God\u2019s Word is the source of our zeal in urging every believer, when they seek Jesus as the \u201cBaptizer with the Holy Spirit,\u201d to open to \u201cspeaking with tongues as the Spirit gives utterance\u201d (Acts 2:4); not as a requirement to verify one\u2019s experience or spiritual worth, but as a biblical expectation for each of us\u2014a grace intended as an abiding part of our daily walk in the life and power of the Spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    THUS, we are not passive over ministering the fullness of the Holy Spirit or in teaching the desirability of speaking with tongues\u2014a priority but not a pursuit requiring \u201ctongues\u201d as a proof, but as a dimension provided for every believer as a daily resource in Christ (I Corinthians 14:18).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    AND THUS WE CONCLUDE\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    That our quest and our expectation regarding teaching and leading believers into the fullness of the Holy Spirit is rooted in God\u2019s Word: (1) as we call every believer to \u201creceive the promise of the Father,\u201d and be \u201cbaptized in the Holy Spirit\u201d; and (2) as we invite all who are filled with the Spirit to freely expect to speak with tongues, teaching that what is initiated \u201cas at the beginning\u201d is not experienced as a climax, but received as a commencement\u2014intended to begin a \u201cwalk in the Spirit\u201d (Gal. 5:16, 25); and to launch a pathway of continually being \u201cfilled with the Holy Spirit\u2026giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ\u201d (Eph. 5:18-20).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Copyright 2014 by Jack W. Hayford, Jack Hayford Ministries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n