Tongues the Initial evidence
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Why Tongues?
Because its with the tongue that man praises God or curses God. The Tongue is the control point of man. death and life are in its power With the tongue a mans body soul and mind is directed. Since the Body is the Lords then the voice of man must declare the one true God who created him.
A man is converted that is born again when he is born of water and Spirit (John 3:16). Baptism is apart of the death burial and resurrection of the believer into the new life called the New birth. In the following examples we see TONGUES of fire appearing as souls are born again through the conversion experience the new birth.
Salvation coming to the Jews
- The Jewish Pentecost. In Acts 2:1-4, the The spirit came as a mighty wind and there appeared unto them tongues as of fire. But the only unique manifestation on that day of Pentecost was the talking in tongues, not the wind and fire. The sign that they had received the Holy Ghost, speaking in other tongues.
Salvation coming to the Gentiles
Acts 10:44-46 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. The sign that they had received the Holy Ghost, speaking in other tongues. Both Jew and Gentiles bore the evidence that of other tongues.
- Salvation coming to the Ephesians
Acts 19:6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. The sign speaking in other tongues.. and prophesy. The conclusion: The initial evidence is speaking in tongues.The many “manifestations” of the Spirit accompany this event. but the manifestation is not the initial sign. The manifestation of Fire, or tongues of fire (Acts 2:3),is not an evidence it is that which accompanies the sign. The manifestation of prophecy is not an evidence it is that which accompanies the sign. The sound of a rushing, mightywind (Acts 2:2) is not an evidence, it is that which accompanies the sign.
The Sign is Tongues. Tongues is what we see in every case. One’s tongue is the voice of one’s Spirit. When a man has the Holy Spirit his word or tongue speaks a different language. This then is an inner transformation known as the new birth. Its an internal change, and just as a babe come out of the womb with a cry so too the new creation, child of God comes forth with a new tongue, a new cry. His cry reveals he is born of the Spirit (John 3:5).
- CONCLUSION: Speaking in tongues (Acts 2, Acts 10, and Acts 19) is the initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Ghost which accompanies salvation (John 3:5)