In Acts, we are told that on the Day Of Pentecost approximately one hundred and twenty (120) persons praying in one accord, waited in the upper room as Jesus had told them to. (Acts 1:13-15) "And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty)..."(NKJ).

Many denominations teach, that it was on this day that mankind received the Holy Spirit. This is not the case. After Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, He returned to visit the Apostles. We are told in John 20:22 (obviously, prior to the Day of Pentecost in Acts), that Jesus Christ "breathed on them (the Apostles), and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit".

(John 20:19-22) "Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, 'Peace be with you.' Now when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, 'Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.' And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained" (NKJ).

What happened on the Day of Pentecost? The Apostles and ALL the people who were waiting in one accord, WERE FILLED with the Holy Spirit (without measure) and began to speak in tongues. They ALL received the FIRE BAPTISM, that our Father had promised and John the baptist spoke of in Matthew 3:11, "I (John) indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire" (also see Luke 3:16) (NKJ).

In Acts, we are told "Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each (120 persons) of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (NKJ)

Joel tells us, and Peter confirms, that in these days, "the last days", God says, "I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT ON ALL PEOPLE". Theologians agree that the days after Christ's resurrection are the "last days"; and most theologians agree that we are now at the "end" of the "last days", thus we have entered the "end times/end of time". Though Joel does not specifically refer to speaking in tongues, Peter's interpretation of his own gift (speaking in tongues) on the day of Pentecost, was that he had indeed received this gift from the Holy Spirit, and that the gift was what Joel spoke about.

Joel lists several manifestations to be expected upon receipt of the Holy Spirit; however, he did not list "speaking in tongues". Why? "Speaking in tongues" is the ONLY MANIFESTED gift God gave New Testament Christians, that He had not already given Israel. Again, "I will pour out my Spirit on ALL people. Your Sons and daughters will PROPHESY, your young men will see VISIONS, your old men will dream DREAMS." (*) All three gifts - dreams, visions, and prophesy - were manifested in the Old Testament.  Israel, as a nation, partook in these gifts. Speaking in Tongues, was God's gift to New Testament believers ONLY. [(*) Actually, even the gifts not mentioned in this list, normally associated with the New Testament had been given in some form to Israel, in the Old Testament.]

We have learned that "SPEAKING IN TONGUES" follows believers, and it is a gift of the Spirit. It is a gift; but it is also the expression of the Holy Spirit (in you), and something we should want. We also understand, that the following are physical manifestations of the Holy Spirit's presence. According to Peter, after receiving the Holy Spirit, we can expect to do one, or all, of the following:
SPEAK IN TONGUES
PROPHESY
SEE VISIONS
DREAM DREAMS
CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD AND RECEIVE SALVATION
Of course, we know that this is just the beginning of the many gifts the Holy Spirit brings us. Elsewhere in the Bible, other gifts are discussed.

Unger's Bible Dictionary says the following, "Finally, there was the impartation to them of a new strange power to speak in languages they had never learned. It was because they were filled with the Holy Spirit that this extraordinary gift was exhibited by them. Not only did the Spirit enable them thus to speak, but even the utterance of words depended on His divine influence-- THEY SPAKE "AS THE SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERANCE."

Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines "speaking in tongues" as follows:
"The Spirit-given ability to speak in languages not known to the speaker or in an ecstatic language that could not normally be understood by the speaker or the hearers.

One of the most noticeable differences between the Old Testament and New Testament gifts, is in how they were received. In the Old Testament, the gifts were usually received on an individual basis (i.e. a prophet spoke the word of God). Speaking in tongues, however was received by ALL waiting in ONE ACCORD, in ONE PLACE, at ONE TIME. In other words, they were all together, in one accord. Numerous times, when speaking of His Body, Jesus Christ has told me all believers will be brought into ONE ACCORD, in ONE PLACE, at ONE TIME. This ONENESS is His Body, and without it there would be no Body! God has told me that He will accomplish this through supernatural means. For me, this will be the greatest miracle He has ever performed.

Tongues Of Fire...
Unger's Bible Dictionary says the following about "TONGUES OF FIRE", or the "Fire Baptism", "(glossai hosei puros): The reference in this topic is to the marvelous gift of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost [Acts 2:1-13]. After His resurrection the Lord bade His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until He should fulfill to them the promise of the Father, and until they should be clothed with power from on high [Lk 24:49]. Acts 1:8 repeats the same gracious promise with additional particulars: 'But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." These were probably the last words our Lord spoke on earth before He ascended to the right hand of God.........".  Because we "witness" by speaking, we know that the "power" is the Word, who is Christ <Rev 19:13>, flowing through God's Holy Spirit: "ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem

Unger's goes on to say, "The promise of a new power coming from the divine Spirit, giving not only comfort and insight into the truth; but fresh powers of utterance of some kind, appears often in our Lord's teaching. The disciples were to take no thought of what they should speak, for the Spirit of their Father would speak in them [Matt. 10:19-20; Mark 13:11]. The lips of Galilean peasants were to speak freely and boldly before kings. In [Mark 16:17] we have a more definite term employed: 'They will speak with new tongues.' It can hardly be questioned that the obvious meaning of the promise is that the disciples should speak in new languages that they had not learned as other men learn them."

"After this external phenomenon there ensued the internal filling with the Holy Spirit of all who were assembled. The immediate result was that they began to speak with other tongues." (Unger's)

You Are Speaking The Language Of Men and Angels...
Paul later says that "speaking in tongues", is speaking the language of "men and angels". (1 Corinthians 13:1-2) "If I SPEAK WITH THE TONGUES OF MEN AND OF ANGELS, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal." (NAS). We understand from these verses, that speaking in "TONGUES" is the language "of men and angels" (and of course God, who speaks all languages).

Upon receiving Him, THE WORD, and through His verbal intercourse with us, we are BORN and reproduced in His image, in the Word. We receive a NEW LANGUAGE; and we literally become a FAMILY MEMBER OF and WITH GOD. As a child of God, we are appropriately, by His Will, given the language of our NEW country/NATION; we are given Him. When we receive Him, living in us, we receive A NEW CREATION, a NEW WORD, a NEW LANGUAGE: THE LANGUAGE OF MEN AND ANGELS, AND GOD!!!!

By Him We Cry (Speak) ABBA...
Paul goes on to say in Romans, "those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry (SPEAK), 'Abba, Father'. The Spirit HIMSELF testifies WITH OUR SPIRIT that we are GOD'S CHILDREN. Now if we are children, then we are heirs-- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory" (Rom 8:14-17).

The first time I cried out "Abba", I was speaking in tongues and had no idea what I was saying. Because I had said it so many times, while praying in the Spirit (tongues), I looked it up. I was thrilled to read in Vine's Expository Dictionary Of Biblical Words, "Abba is the word framed by the lips of infants, and betokens unreasoning trust." Vine's further says, ‘Abba' is a personal name, in contrast to ‘Father'. The two, ‘Abba' and ‘Father', are often used together; and when this occurs they "express the love and intelligent confidant of a child". I of course know now that Jesus Christ was the first to say, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will" (Mark 14:36; NKJ). We are told in Galatians, "because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father" (Gal 4:6; KJV).

We Do Not Know How To Pray...
Romans 28:26-27 says, "the Spirit also helpeth our (*)infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Rom 8:26-27; KJV)

We DON'T KNOW "WHAT WE SHOULD PRAY FOR"; AND THE HOLY SPIRIT INTERCEDES IN OUR BEHALF, WITH OUR FATHER! Wow! The Holy Spirit searches your heart, determines what is best for you, and then prays for you, to your Father, ACCORDING TO YOUR FATHER'S WILL. God is praying to God, FOR YOU. I heard one pastor say it this way, "The Holy Spirit and your spirit come TOGETHER; AND TOGETHER they come against your "infirmities".

The Holy Spirit comes together with your spirit, and prays to your Father in your behalf "with groanings which cannot be uttered". TOGETHER, the Holy Spirit and your Spirit pray against your: "FEEBLENESS (of MIND OR BODY), Disease, Infirmity, Sickness, Weakness; Strengthless(ness), Feeble(ness), Impotent(cy)." At the same time, the Holy Spirit prays for you (in order that your infirmities be defeated) to receive the "POWER OF GOD", which is His "BODILY VIGOR, STRENGTH, and CONFIRMATION In SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE and POWER. This POWER CAUSES you "TO STAND" righteous in our Father's eyes. The Holy Spirit ABIDE(S) in you, APPOINT(S) you, is in COVENANT with you, ESTABLISH(S) you, and HOLD(S) you UP".

Some will say, "It is the Holy Spirit, in you that does these things, and you are receiving His benefits.  It is not necessary to "speak in tongues" in order to receive the Holy Spirit's gifts."  True; but when you allow the Holy Spirit to SPEAK through you "with groanings which cannot be uttered", He is leading you in prayer, and literally speaking for you, to our Father. The BENEFIT of speaking in tongues, and the reason I believe God gave us this gift, is because (as the Bible says), "WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO PRAY FOR!"  God, by His OWN WILL, gave us the gift of "PRAYING in tongues", for things we need, and know nothing about: for things we do not know we need. Because His ways are "higher" than ours, it is impossible for us to know how to pray correctly. For example, I did not know what to ask for, in order that I become as He is - His image. But, through His Spirit in me, leading my spirit in prayer, I am learning. Often, when praying in the Spirit, I hear multiple words in English, and understand what I have prayed. Most often, I am not praying for myself, BUT FOR OTHERS, including other Christians, and world situations and places. Not only does the Holy Spirit take my "infirmities", and completely destroy them, He uses me, to SPEAK HIS WORD out into other situations.

One has to ask, why speaking in the language "of men and angels" has received such negative comments from some religions, and of course, mankind in general? Satan DOES NOT want you speaking in tongues, which is the Holy Spirit speaking through you. The Holy Spirit is the GIFT, and the reason satan is so against you speaking in God's language is obvious, isn't it.

Speaking in tongues, EDIFIES the speaker...
Nelson's Bible Dictionary tells us that in "1 Corinthians 14, Paul deals more specifically with the gift of tongues and its exercise in the church..... "(speaking in) tongue(s) is not an intelligible language, for it cannot be understood by the listeners. Therefore, a parallel to the gift of tongues is the gift of interpretation. The gift of tongues is used as a means of worship, thanksgiving, and prayer."

By speaking through you, the Holy Spirit is building "your Temple". (1 Cor 6:19-20) "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. (NKJ)

As we read in #5 (above), the Holy Spirit, speaking through you, is personally addressing YOUR infirmities, correcting you and (*)chastising you. Remember, "when we are judged, we are (*)chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world" (1 Cor 11:32; NKJ). The Holy Spirit receives answers to His prayers, in your behalf, because He is praying within the perfect will of God. As each stone (individual) is perfected, so is the final temple which is Christ's Body. "And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: 'My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. (Heb 12:5-8; NKJ)

You will not be perfected into His image without chastisement (tutoring, education, training, discipline), and you can not be COMPLETED without the other members of His Body. I have often wondered how those who do not hear God speak, receive "chastising"?

His BODY is His Temple, the Church, which is His Bride. Each stone in the temple, is a member in His Body, the Bride, and each must be PERFECT. Only God Himself can lead and guide you into perfection. We received the Holy Spirit in order that this transformation may take place.  He wants you to SPEAK and LISTEN TO HIM. HE IS THE WORD.

When speaking through you, the Holy Spirit is not only building you into His "temple", but He is also building the Temple of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is His Body. He is constructing the permanent BRIDE/FAMILY/HOME/CHURCH/TEMPLE of God. Praise God!

We Receive His UNDERSTANDING And KNOWLEDGE...
Nelson's Bible Dictionary says, "Apparently the only possibly direct reference in the OLD TESTAMENT to speaking in another tongue or language is found in [Isaiah 28:11]".

(Isa 28:9-14) "Whom will He teach knowledge? And whom will He make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk?.... "For with stammering lips and ANOTHER TONGUE HE WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, to whom He said, 'This is the (*) rest with which you may cause the weary to rest' and, 'This is the refreshing'; yet they would not hear" (NKJ)

Did you notice, that it is God HIMSELF who is speaking with "stammering lips and ANOTHER TONGUE", to the people He will "MAKE TO UNDERSTAND THE MESSAGE", and to "WHOM HE WILL TEACH THE KNOWLEDGE". Again, we see that speaking in "tongues" is not YOU SPEAKING, but God speaking to and through you. He does this in order to teach you HIS KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING. How can God teach you KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING when you do not seem to understand the language He is speaking in? He is teaching your SPIRIT MAN. Your new mind/His mind in you has been given the ability to comprehend God's words, through His Spirit in you. "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For 'who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?' But we have the mind of Christ. And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?" (1 Cor 2:14-3:3; NKJ)

I speak in tongues often. I believe with all my heart, that speaking in tongues gives you a much deeper understanding and fellowship with God, than you would otherwise have. I believe He PREPARES you to receive His NEW KNOWLEDGE by speaking in tongues to, and through your Spirit Man first. He administers the preparation necessary for His KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING to be both accepted and understood, by that which was/is of the old world. Your old mind must be transformed into the New, into the reality of God.

Simply put, if you do not speak in tongues, your spirit man receives God's Word from the outside/exterior/PHYSICAL. By speaking in tongues, you receive His UNDERSTANDING and KNOWLEDGE straight into your spirit man, spoken DIRECTLY through the Holy Spirit in you - SPIRIT to Spirit. Either way, we pray in His name, that you will receive transformation into His image, which is His nature in you. But, without a doubt, I say speaking in tongues will accelerate this transition, and INCREASE the magnitude of His understanding and knowledge, in you.

In 1 Cor. 14:21, the Apostle Paul later applied Isa 28:9-14 to speaking in tongues. Let's look at 1 Cor. 14:21, and investigate some of the word's definitions.

(1 Cor 14:20-22) Brethren, be not (*) CHILDREN in (*)understanding: howbeit in malice be ye (*)CHILDREN, but in (*)understanding be (*)men. 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 [IS 28:11]. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. (KJV)

Inserting Strong's definitions, we have the following: "Brothers, do not be [half grown infants and immature Christians] in your [feelings or sensitive nature, and mind]. In evil, [act as NON-SPEAKING babies]; but in [the feelings or sensitive nature, and mind] be [complete in labor, growth, mental and moral character, and OF FULL AGE; A MAN WHO IS PERFECT (of perfection)]. In the Law it is written, 'By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to Me,' says the Lord. So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to unbelievers; but prophecy {is for a sign} not to unbelievers, but to those who believe" (NAS).

Paul did not say that the believer should not speak in tongues, or that the believer who speaks in tongues gains nothing. When he says that tongues is A SIGN for "them that believe not", he is referring to a "gathering of people"; and the influence speaking in tongues (by the believer) has on the non-believer. Remember, elsewhere, Paul says speaking in tongues is, "speaking the language of men and angels"; "I wish you all spoke with tongues"; "while exercising this gift, the individual addresses God not man; and the result is to edify himself"; and "Thank my God, I (Paul) speak with tongues more than you all" (1 Cor 14:18); KJV).

Speaking In Tongues Causes God's REST and REFRESHING...
Paul repeats Isaiah 28 (in Hebrews), saying the LORD said "Therefore I was angry with that generation, and said, 'They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known My ways.' So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My (*)REST.'

Notice that the word "REST", when literally translated, is "(specifically) MATRIMONY; hence AN ABODE, or home". Knowing New Jerusalem is the Lord Jesus Christ's Bride (Rev 21:2, 9-10), and that REST is defined as "MATRIMONY", please look at the following verses. Begin to UNDERSTAND His KNOWLEDGE, concerning His REST:

(1 Chr 23:25) "For David said, "The LORD God of Israel has GIVEN REST to His people, that they may dwell in Jerusalem forever" (NKJ); and the LORD says:  "For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not REST, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called (*) Hephzibah [MY DELIGHT IS IN HER] and thy land (*) Beulah [TO BE MASTER, HENCE TO MARRY]: for the LORD DELIGHTETH in thee, and THY LAND SHALL BE MARRIED. For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee. I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, and give him no REST, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth" (Isa 62:1; KJV).

Paul warns us in Hebrew's, "Beware, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today.... As it has just been said: ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.' Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his REST if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief. Therefore, since the promise of entering his REST still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it (the REST). For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. Now we who have believed enter that REST... Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.'... There remains, then, a REST for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's REST also RESTS from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that REST, so that no one will fall by following their example of unbelief." (Heb 3:12-4:11)

What "UNBELIEF" is Paul speaking of? He is referring to (Ex. 20:1-22) Israel's day of Pentecost, when all of the people of Israel heard the LORD's (Jehovah's, the ETERNAL SELF-EXISTENT's) audible VOICE give them the ten commandments; and out of fear they refused Him. "AND GOD SPOKE ALL THESE WORDS, saying: I AM the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt,.... Then they (the people) said to Moses, "You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said to the people, 'do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin. So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was. Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: 'You have seen that I HAVE TALKED WITH YOU FROM HEAVEN" (NKJ).

In Deuteronomy 4:7-12, the verses in Exodus are confirmed, "And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day?.....(12) And the LORD spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. YOU HEARD THE SOUND OF THE WORDS, BUT SAW NO FORM; YOU ONLY HEARD A VOICE" (NKJ).

As we read above, Paul says, "Beware (See to it), brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God". How is it that Israel "turned away from the living God"? Paul explains this saying, "For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet and the VOICE of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore.... But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem (the Bride), to an innumerable company of angels (Heavenly Host), to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men (*) MADE PERFECT, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also Heaven." (Heb 12:18-29; NKJ)

Israel denied the LORD'S voice out of "unbelief". They did not believe that they could hear His voice and live. They did not have faith in God Himself to PRESERVE THEIR LIFE. They did not understand that He gave them life, in the first place. They did not trust Him to do what was best for them. That was the "test" Moses spoke of.

[For more information, concerning the LORD speaking in audible voice to the nation of Israel, see Christian and Jewish (Hebrew) Day Of Pentecost]

When Israel believed their lives were in jeopardy, they chose not to "trust in" and receive the voice/Word of God.  They refused Him, who is the Word. The LORD is His "VOICE", which is the Word spoken.

By hearing His voice, we receive divine instruction, and begin to mature into His image.  Thus, we no longer walk dependent on false god's or idols (anything that we believe meets our needs, rather than God, i.e. money, job etc). We only cease from our own works, when we have complete trust and faith in God to "meet all our needs" (not wants, needs). Until we are as a child, willingly accepting all of God's will and obediently content with what He gives us (in the time He gives it to us), we are WORKING OUR WORK, and have not entered into His REST.

For years Christians have argued over the acceptable Sabbath Day.  Is it Saturday, or is it Sunday. Many Christians identify the Sabbath with the seventh day of re-creation in Genesis, others with the resurrection day of Christ.

It is TODAY, which is every day. It is the STATE OF your SOUL/MIND/HEART, which is in complete faith in Him. Through God's "raising you up", as a parent "raises up" a child, you are in a state of INTERMISSION ("suspension" and "pause"). Webster's defines "intermission", as follows: "A temporary suspension or pause". We "pause from" (cease) from our own work (dependence on the work of our hands), and depend on His work in, and for us.

• Interesting to note, that "Selah", a word commonly written in Psalms, and not fully understood by the Christian community, means "suspension (of music), i.e. a pause".

The words "take up" in the following verses, are defined by Strong's Concordance Of The Bible, as follows: "to lift up; ... keep in suspense (the mind)", or to keep the mind suspended; (by Hebraism) to expiate (*TO MAKE AMENDS FOR: ATONE) sin". [* Webster's Dictionary]

• (Matt 16:24) "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him DENY HIMSELF, and TAKE UP [keep his mind suspended by/through the; make amends for (atone) sin] his cross, and follow me. (KJV) [also Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23]

• (Mark 10:21) "Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up [keep your mind suspended by/through the; make amends for (atone) sin] the cross, and follow Me." (NKJ)

When Jesus tells us to "take up" His cross and follow Him, He is making a direct reference to the condition, or state of FAITH He places our mind in when we obey Him. He is saying, take up My cross and DENY yourself dependence; make amends for sin. Allow your faith in Me, to meet your needs, and thus allow your mind to be SUSPENDED in an existence free from all worry.

You are physically in the world, but spiritually "not of this world". You spiritually "sit at the right hand of the Father with Jesus Christ, and yet remain (physically) here on earth. You are suspended between Earth (physical) and Heaven (spiritual). You have entered His REST/God (which is forever; "(*) time out of mind") TODAY (which is "(*) a space of time"). [(*) The definitions for these words are from Strong's Concordance, and both definitions are taken from the Hebrew.]

Paul says " For he that is entered into His REST, he also hath CEASED FROM HIS OWN WORKS, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into THAT REST, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief (Heb 4:10-11).

It is our "tongue" that needs to be baptized, and the FIRE BAPTISM (in part) is a baptism of the "tongue". We must be given "new" tongues, because as God tells us in James 3:2-10, "For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so THE TONGUE IS A LITTLE MEMBER AND BOASTS GREAT THINGS. SEE HOW GREAT A FOREST A LITTLE FIRE KINDLES! AND THE TONGUE IS A FIRE, A WORLD OF INIQUITY. THE TONGUE IS SO SET AMONG OUR MEMBERS THAT IT DEFILES THE WHOLE BODY, AND SETS ON FIRE THE COURSE OF NATURE; AND IT IS SET ON FIRE BY HELL. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. (NKJ)

God has established a goal, and is accomplishing this goal through giving Believers' the gift of "speaking in tongues", His language. His goal is not only to give mankind salvation, (this was accomplished by Jesus Christ), but it is to turn each individual into the image of Himself/His Son. In order to do this, He MUST CONVERT your tongue; thus TURNING your whole Body, and Jesus' whole BODY of members toward Himself. The BODY of Christ must be pure and unblemished. This BODY of Holiness and Purity can not "BE"/exist, as long as "the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity". ("The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell"). God has given us the gift of "speaking in tongues" so that we speak with "NEW (Freshened) TONGUES" (Mark 16:17). We are given this new language so that we do not stumble in the WORD; and therefore BECOME PERFECT just as He is.

This is why John the Baptist said "(Matt 3:11) "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I... He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and Fire." (NKJ) [and Luke 3:16].

In the Old Testament, the LORD (Jehovah; Eternal Self-Existent) continually manifests as FIRE, and speaks from fire. Below are just of a few of the many verses that verify this:

• (Exod 3:2-7) There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight-- why the bush does not burn up. ‘Do not come any closer', GOD SAID. ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground....(7) THE LORD SAID, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering" (NIV); (Acts 7:30-33) "And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush. When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the LORD CAME UNTO HIM, SAYING, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold. (KJV)

• (Deut 5:24) "And you said: 'Surely the LORD our God has shown us His glory and His greatness, and WE HAVE HEARD HIS VOICE FROM THE MIDST OF THE FIRE. We have seen this day that God speaks with man; yet he still lives. (NKJ)

• (IKing 18:24) Elijah said, "Then you call on the name of your gods, and I WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD; AND THE GOD WHO ANSWERS BY FIRE, HE IS GOD." So all the people answered and said, "It is well spoken." (NKJ)

• (Deut 4:24) "For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God" (KJV).

• (Deut 9:2-3) "a people great and tall, the descendants of the Anakim, whom you know, and of whom you heard it said, 'Who can stand before the descendants of Anak?' Therefore understand today that the LORD your God is He who goes over before you as a consuming fire" (NKJ).

• (Exod 13:21-22) "And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light..." (KJV).

In the New Testament, the first manifestation of the Holy Spirit's promised arrival was "tongues of fire": "They saw what seemed to be TONGUES OF FIRE that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them" (Acts 2:3-4; NIV).

Why "ALL LANGUAGES"? We are told in Genesis 11:1-9 that, "Now THE WHOLE EARTH HAD ONE LANGUAGE AND ONE SPEECH. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. Then they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth." But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. And the LORD said, "INDEED THE PEOPLE ARE ONE AND THEY ALL HAVE ONE LANGUAGE, AND THIS IS WHAT THEY BEGIN TO DO; NOW NOTHING THAT THEY PROPOSE TO DO WILL BE WITHHELD FROM THEM. ‘COME, LET US GO DOWN AND THERE CONFUSE THEIR LANGUAGE, THAT THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND ONE ANOTHER'S SPEECH.' So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth." (NKJ)

We are a people in Jesus Christ's name; and we are scattered all over the earth.  However, God has given us a UNITED language so that we may become ONE. When you speak in His language (the language of men and angels), you are speaking as the Holy Spirit leads you, about things that concern God, and His nation/family.

Did you notice that the LORD said "indeed the PEOPLE ARE ONE AND THEY ALL HAVE ONE LANGUAGE, and this is what they begin to do; NOW NOTHING THAT THEY PROPOSE TO DO WILL BE WITHHELD FROM THEM." In other words, they could do anything they wanted to. There is SPIRITUAL POWER in our words, if they are spoken in agreement: whether in agreement with God, man or satan. This is why God tells us, our "tongue is a fire", "a little member that boasts great things", and that "it is a world of iniquity" "set on fire by hell" (James 3:5-6; NKJ). This is why satan continually tries to speak through men and women; and this is why God has given us ONE language that is spoken by the will of the Holy Spirit (God Himself).

This is also why ALL WILL be brought into ONE ACCORD, at ONE TIME, in ONE PLACE, by Him. We will ALL be brought back into the purity of His Word. He is the Word.

In order to be "entrusted" with the GIFT of speaking in tongues, you must first receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, and MUST ALSO receive the Holy Spirit. It is after all, the Holy Spirit who speaks through you.

In our "Hear God Speak and Write To You - GUIDELINES", I wrote: "Your first step in hearing God speak to you, is to RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR, AND ALSO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT. The Bible tells us that we do receive Jesus Christ and the Father, at the same time. (John 14:23) Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, AND WE WILL COME UNTO HIM, AND MAKE OUR ABODE WITH HIM. (KJV). God is all three (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) in ONE; but some religions/churches are very vague about who the Holy Spirit is, and what His function is.

Almost from the start, I heard both Jesus Christ and our Father speak to me through the Holy Spirit (in me). This is acceptable to me because the Bible is quite clear that all three are one. Again, Jesus says (John 14:10) ‘Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.'" (NIV); (I Jn 5:7) "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." (KJV)

I was given a booklet, or tract, by my friend, and it contained instructions on how to receive the Holy Spirit. I did as the book suggested: I prayed directly to Jesus Christ, asking Him to ask His Father to give me His Holy Spirit <Jn 16:23-24; James 4:3; Acts 1:14; James 1:17>.

I then suggest today, that you enter into praise saying the name of (1)"Abba", or "Jesus", for example, until the Holy Spirit takes complete control of your mind, heart and mouth and speaks through you. At the same time relax, and meditate on how wonderful your Father and Lord Jesus are, and about their love for you; and how much you love them. This causes your mind to relax as your heart is prepared by God Himself so that you come into submission to the internal voice of the Holy Spirit more easily.

I have learned over the years, that one of the main reasons the Holy Spirit is given to us is so that we can enter into High Praise. High Praise is the Holy Spirit Himself praising our Father through our mouths, as opposed to the praise we speak coming from our own heart and mind. High praise allows God to speak to God through a man, woman or child. It is the praise that causes your transformation into the image of God’s nature. Why? Because God is internal and discerns what it is you truly need as opposed to what you think you need to please God.

Years ago, the booklet I read said to pretend to speak in a (any) foreign language, which I did. Almost immediately the Holy Spirit took over and began to speak out loud in various languages {tongues} through my mouth. However, a friend recently suggested using the name of Jesus in praise until the Holy Spirit begins to speak. This pleased God’s Spirit within me, so I now teach this. This suggestion has been used by my friends denomination forever (?), and I feel most people will feel more comfortable using God’s name while praising God.

Please notice that in the following verses the Holy Spirit is praising God our Father as He spoke through the believers mouths:

The same little book, or tract, that I read so many years ago, said to pray for "interpretation of tongues". That day I did not hear God speak through me in my native tongue, or interpretations", however, within the next year I began to sporadically hear God speak to me in my native tongue without first speaking to me in tongues, or foreign languages. I remember the first time I heard the Holy Spirit of God speak to me from within. He said "I love you".

The Bible says pray for "interpretation of tongues". I developed the habit of asking for "interpretation", just prior to praying in tongues.

Speaking in tongues is Biblical, and beneficial to each individual's growth. I believe, that it also shows God that you completely trust Him to take you into His Spiritual realm.... It wasn't until recently, that I realized (through the Holy Spirit) that My hearing Him in English, is a result of receiving the "interpretation" I had prayed for. The "interpretation" was to be a continual process - daily guidance."

Speaking God's Divine Word, speaking in the Spirit, is to have the Spirit of God speak through you. You become (as the world calls it) "a channeler" for the Holy Spirit of God. Spirits, other than the Holy Spirit, do attempt to speak through humans. We see how Jesus addressed this problem in the following verses:

(Mark 1:24-26) "Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him; and when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not. (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) (KJV)]. For more information on how to be sure it is the Holy Spirit, and not another spirit, speaking through you, see our article "Hear God Speak To You - GUIDELINES", on this Web Site.

There is only ONE Holy Spirit. REMEMBER, in the Bible it tells us that the antichrist will enter a man. One of the main reasons for doing this, is in order to have easy access to the physical realm of mankind. The first time it was a snake; in this day, it will be a man. This is why, God warns us not to participate with soothsayers, psychics etc.

Though the following is not meant to be a complete study on the Holy Spirit, I believe it is necessary to understand who the Holy Spirit is and what He does, when discussing the gift of "speaking in tongues". Jesus said the following:

(John 14:16-26) "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another [(*)COMFORTER] Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- "the Spirit of (*)truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. "I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU ORPHANS; I WILL COME TO YOU. "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. "At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.......BUT THE (*)COMFORTER, WHICH IS THE HOLY GHOST, WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, HE SHALL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS, AND BRING ALL THINGS TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE, WHATSOEVER I HAVE SAID UNTO YOU. (KJV)

(John 16:7-15) Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. AND WHEN HE IS COME, HE WILL REPROVE THE WORLD OF SIN, AND OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND OF JUDGMENT: Of sin, because they believe not on me;..... I HAVE YET MANY THINGS TO SAY UNTO YOU, BUT YE CANNOT BEAR THEM NOW. HOWBEIT WHEN HE, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, IS COME, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH: FOR HE SHALL NOT SPEAK OF HIMSELF; BUT WHATSOEVER HE SHALL HEAR, THAT SHALL HE SPEAK: AND HE WILL SHEW YOU THINGS TO COME. HE SHALL GLORIFY ME: FOR HE SHALL RECEIVE OF MINE, AND SHALL SHEW IT UNTO YOU. ALL THINGS THAT THE FATHER HATH ARE MINE: THEREFORE SAID I, THAT HE SHALL TAKE OF MINE, AND SHALL SHEW IT UNTO YOU. (KJV)

There should be no question in your mind at this point, that you WANT the Holy Spirit (if you haven't already received Him). We are promised that He will teach us all things. He is the NATURE of Jesus Christ in you; and He is the force that changes you into His image as He washes you with regeneration (giving you a chance to start over and anew).