Holy Ghost, being saved and speaking in tongues

[Susie Woods Wells]

I have been told many different things in regards to the holy ghost, being saved and speaking in tongues. Someone told me that if you were truly saved then you will speak in tongues. Another said that all people will not have the same spiritual gifts. If I have never spoken in tongues does that mean I do not have the holy spirit of God? If I have never spoken in tongues does that mean I am not truly saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ our Lord? Can someone help to clarify this confusion.Do I have the holy spirit even if I have never spoken in tongues. I have been saved and baptised but yet have never experienced the gift of speaking in tongues.

[Moomins]

Susie, please be assured that speaking in tongues is not a sign that you are truly saved. Speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift, we are all given different spiritual gifts, some are given music or preaching. Not all of us realize or find our spiritual gift/s, but we all have the potential to find them and use them for the golry of Gods kingdom. Some say that Gods gifts to us are spiritual gifts, our gift to God is using them. Please read the passage below

1 Corinthians 12 (The Message)

Spiritual Gifts

1-3 What I want to talk about now is the various ways God's Spirit gets worked into our lives. This is complex and often mis-understood, but I want you to be informed and knowledgeable. Remember how you were when you didn't know God, led from one phony god to another, never knowing what you were doing, just doing it because everybody else did it? It's different in this life. God wants us to use our intelligence, to seek to understand as well as we can. For instance, by using your heads, you know perfectly well that the Spirit of God would never prompt anyone to say "Jesus be damned!" Nor would anyone be inclined to say "Jesus is Master!" without the insight of the Holy Spirit.

4-11God's various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful:

wise counsel

clear understanding

simple trust

healing the sick

miraculous acts

proclamation

distinguishing between spirits

tongues

interpretation of tongues.

All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when.

I hope this helps
love
moomins

[Susie Woods Wells]

Thank you so much for these scriptures. This makes me feel much better. God bless you.
Susie

[Larry]

I Cor 12:31 & 13:1-13 is the anchor. Whatever spiritual gift you possess, you should cultivate love. If someone tells you you must speak in tongues to be saved, not only are they adding a "work" to God's free gift of grace (which is of course incorrect), but they also are not displaying "love" which Paul so aptly stresses. Ignore whoever is telling you this lie and rely on what the Bible says about salvation.

Larry

PS

There is no evidence in the Bible that Jesus ever spoke in tongues, or that every apostle spoke in tongues.

[Susie Woods Wells]

Larry, thanks for this scripture. You know my spirit was telling me this is not right and it isn't exactly what I had read in the bible but some peoples interpretations may differ from time to time so I was truly wanting confirmation by other christian brother and sisters in which I did receieve. Thank you. You and moomin have been very helpful. Thanks again.
Susie

[GREG ROBY]

u mention that YOUR SPIRIT WAS TELLING U THIS IS NOT RIGHT AND ISNT WHAT U READ.. what did u find out was not right about believing that one will speak in tongues WHEN the Spirit FIRST COMES INTO THEM... so im asking are you saying that the HOLY SPIRIT is telling u that this is not right? cause if so i just want to know what isnt right... this topic is so controversial its causing people to argure and fight over it.. obviously i believe u will speak in tongues but i would love to believe u dont u can recieve the spirit and wont have the evidence of speaking in tongues as confirmation.. i have alot of friends who havent spoke in tongues but believe but at same time i dont want to tell them they have spirit just because they believe... so we must make sure.. and from what i read in scripture there is plenty of scriptures that SHOW thta people will speak in tongures when FIRST RECIEVE HOLY SPIRIT.. acts 2, 8,10,19.. question is this DID THE APOSTLES AND 120 speak in tongues when they FIRST RECIEVED HOLY GHOST.. the answer is yes... so why would we expect anything different? we would have to prove that in acts 2, 8, 10,and 19 that those groups of people already HAD THE SPIRIT BORN AGAIN BEFORE WE SEE THAT THEY SPOKE IN TONGUES... but u will see they all when the FIRST RECIEVED THE SPIRIT THEY ALL SPOKE IN TONGUES.. FIRST THE 120 IN ACTS 2, THEN FIRST GENTILES(WHICH REPRESENT US) ALL SPOKE IN TONGUES, and then those in ACTS 19 (aproxiamtly 30yrs after pentecost) in a whole different place spoke in tongues when FIRST RECIEVE HOLY GHOST.. in acts 2:39 it says this promise of holy spirit is for ALL AFAR OFF, AS MANYAS GOD WILL CALL.. what was he referring to? the promise of recieving holy ghost right? and those people knew others recieved holy ghost because of what they seen and heard(acts 2:33

[GREG ROBY]

there is no evidence that Jesus ever spoke in tongues, but that is complete error to say that apostles didnt speak in tongues.. look at acts 2:1-4. was all the apostles there? secondly even though Jesus never spoke in tongues did HE EVER SAY anyone would speak in tongues? i think u know the answer to that.. and just because LOVE is the most important thing does not nullify the truth about speaking in tongues.. i find it amazing how so many peopel deny THE POWER of God when HE chooses to show is power by having THE SPIRIT give utterance when a person recieves Holy ghost.. the problem is many peopel have not spoke in tongues so they try to dis prove it... ITS IN THE BIBLE PEOPLE... why are you scared of it... and many peopel debate this truth by saying SATAN is making peopel do it... wow be careful .. when Jesus was casting out devils the same blind people contributed it to satan.. and guess what it was blaspheme.. the only thing u could not be forgiven for.. so if God is really the one speaking in tongues through peoople by His Spirit and people dont bleive it or attribute it to satan then someone is going to hell.. now to finish this i say.. its ok to beleive what u believe but USE SCRIPTURE FOR WHY U BELIEVE WHAT U BELIEVE.. if there is any error someone should be able to show it to u by using THE SAME SCRIPTURES U USED.. so i ask u when u use the corithian scriptures where is say DO ALL SPEAK IN TONGUES? the answer is obviously no.. but i ask you was he referring to THE GIFT OF TONGUES used IN CHURCH to give a message and MUST HAVE INTERPRETER?.. now with the rules or instructions paul gave about this gift look at ACTS 2, 8, 10, 19 when those people spoke in tongues and tell me if it is something different... i hope u see that it is.. cause it couldnt of been the gift of tongues USED FOR SPEAKING MESSAGE THAT NEEDED INTERPRETER.. cause in every instance those people spoke AT SAME TIME, DIDNT HAVE INTERPRETER, AND SPOKE AT SAME TIME.. must be a different USE FOR TONGUES HUH... yeah it was USED TO SHOW THEY NOW RECIEVED SPIRIT.. now am i in error saying that..

[Charles Burwell]

Dear Susie

I can truly relate to your situation because I received the Lord in a Pentecostal church that taught if you don't have the
'baptism in the Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues' , that you just weren't saved. Fortunately the Lord delivered me from that church.

Moomins and larry have given some excellant information concerning this but I would like to add just a little to the discussion. I always like to start with Jesus' words to understand what He thinks .
In John 13: 34,35 Jesus says " A new commandment I give you, that you love one another , as I have loved you, that
you also love one another.
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

It seems that Jesus concidered true disciples (saved) as those who loved one another as He loved them.

As Moomins mentioned , speaking in tongues is one of the 'gifts of the spirit' ; and "HE decides who gets what, and when."

One other observation I would like to add is an idea I read about either in a book by Spurgeon or Tozer. They stated that the true evidence of the indwelling of the Spirit of God is the manifestations of the 'fruit of the Spirit' in our lives;
Galatians 5:22-23 " But the fruit of the Spirit" is love , joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness , gentleness , self-control. Against such there is no law."

The writer also mentioned , as I'm sure you have probably experienced, that the " gifts of the Spirit" are sometimes claimed but not truly possesssed. I attended a charismatic church one time that invited you to come into a room in back of the church to 'learn to speak in tongues'. I went back to see what it was about and it was a little frightening because the Lord brought to mind the scripture about speaking in tongues " as the SPIRIT gave them utterance". (Acts 2:4)

Please don't misunderstand me , I'm not saying that all 'speaking in tongues' is of the flesh I'm just saying that the more sure evidence of salvation in our lives is the manifestation of the ' fruit of the Spirit' . One of which , as previously mention is having the love of Jesus towards one another.

I will close with one last scripture from 2 Peter 1:5-8: But also for this very reason, giving all diligence,add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
to knowledge self control, to self control perserverance, to perserverance godliness,
to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I have learned to seek the 'giver ' of the gift and not so much the 'gift' because when we are setlled in the knowledge of His grace, He will manifest Himself though us in the way He chooses , but our salvation must always proceed , and never be completed , by any 'gift of the Spirit.'

God bless you as you become grounded in His word and seek to serve Him in His place of service for you.

in his service

[Susie Woods Wells]

Thank you for the scripture and the advice. This also helped me a lot. I feel your right about me seeking God first and let the gifts come as they may. Thanks for reminding me of what jesus said about the fruits of the spirit too.

[GREG ROBY]

acts 2, 8, 10, 19 all scriptures that show these people FIRST recieved spirit all spoke in tongues.. did the apostles ever say that speaking in tongues was a sign of peopel recieving holy spirit? acts 10:45; 11:14-18; acts 15:8. did Jesus ever say speaking in tongues would be a SIGN that someoen is a believer? Mark 16:15-17. and as far as others saying spiritual gifts i do beleive there is a gift of speaking in tongues IN THE CHURCH.. speaking in tongues IN CHURCH MUST have an interpreter. 1 cor 12 and 14.. now look at the instructions.. must have an interpreter and 2 at most 3 can speak.. they must speak one at a time... go back at those scriptures i gave u and i PROMISE u will see that more than 3 was speaking at same time.. and never had interpreter to intrepret messsage for anyone... SO THEREFORE scripture proves there must be DIFFERENT use of speaking in tongues... so can Jesus or does Jesus STILL USE speaking in tongues as a sign that one has recieved the holy spriit? to deny that the scriptures dont PROOF that TONGUES WAS USED TO PROVE ONE HAS JUST RECIEVED HOLY SPIRIT is to deny truth just to fit around what peopel believe to make others feel better... in any case refer to scripture.. i believe if one ever wondered if they had holy spriit then i would say they must not have spirit. cause YOU WILL know for sure the first time Spirit comes in you TRUST ME.. God is powerful.. wont have to wonder.. go to youtube.com and type in BAPTISM OF HOLY SPIRIT.. my name on there is BrothaMinister.. follow all 4 parts and pray about what i preach on there and u see for ur self if its biblical.. God bless. the promise of HOLY SPIRIT IS FOR ALL.. be patient GOd keeps His promise.. must seek the power.

[GREG ROBY]

awesome presentation. was just curious what made u leave the penecostal church.. since u attended there and they taught u must be baptized in holy spirit did u ever experience that.. u said u RECIEVED THE LORD in a pentecostal church i was wondering what do u mean by that? and since u was DELIVERED what was the error that u realized in that teaching? i do believe that the fruits of Spirit mentioned n GAL 5:22 is great evidence of spirit that dwells in you.. JUST HAVE ONE POINT ABOUT THAT.. are those fruits that you wont realize until a time period? those are fruits that must develope and actually wont be noticable until later on.. so did the apostles have to wait to see those fruits before they determined that God has granted someone repentance... couldnt teh apostles tell right no spot IF SOMEONE Has RECEIVED THE SPIRIT? how did they know for sure? in acts 8 why would PETER AND JOHN have to come down and pray for them to recieve Holy Spirit AFTER THEY WERE BAPTIZED AND SAID TO BELEIVE... in acts 19 WHY WOULD PAUL ASK IF THEY RECIEVED HOLY SPIRIT ( SINCE THEY BELIEVED)? how did they know if and when they did? these are questions u must answer if u use the gal 5:22 to back your reasoning.. scripture tells us to PROVE ALL THINGS.. we can only do it with scripture and it can never contradict other scriptures. so the question is did Jesus ever USE SPEAKING IN TONGUES TO PROVE SOMEONE JUST RECIEVED HOLY GHOST... if the answer is yes, then what makes us think He doesnt do that anymore... is there scripture to back it up... thats all..

[Susie Woods Wells]

Are you saying a person who does not utter any type of tongues is not truly Saved? Not truly born again through Faith in Jesus Christ? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. The Gift from God is eternal life through Faith in Jesus Christ our Lord. Whosoever believes in Him should not parish but have ever lasting life....I thought the spirit of God lives in all who Accept Him but your saying the spirit of God will make you utter some sort of tongues otherwise we just Think we are saved? Is that what your saying?

[LT]

Here is a hymn that A.B. Simpson wrote. Simpson is the founder of the organization that Tozer was a part of.


HIMSELF
By: A. B. Simpson

Once it was the blessing,
Now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling,
Now it is His Word.
Once His gifts I wanted,
Now the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing,
Now Himself alone.

Once 'twas painful trying,
Now 'tis perfect trust;
Once a half salvation,
Now the uttermost.
Once 'twas ceaseless holding,
Now He holds me fast;
Once 'twas constant drifting,
Now my anchor's cast.

Once 'twas busy planning,
Now 'tis trustful prayer;
Once 'twas anxious caring,
Now He has the care.
Once 'twas what I wanted
Now what Jesus says;
Once 'twas constant asking,
Now 'tis ceaseless praise.

Once it was my working,
His it hence shall be;
Once I tried to use Him,
Now He uses me.
Once the power I wanted,
Now the Mighty One;
Once for self I labored,
Now for Him alone.

Once I hoped in Jesus,
Now I know He's mine;
Once my lamps were dying,
Now they brightly shine.
Once for death I waited,
Now His coming hail;
And my hopes are anchored
Safe within the vail.

Lord Bless,
LT