just a random question about men of God

a thought hit me and i thought id ask it here so her eit goes!

does any know whether Brother Leonard Ravenhill spoek in tongues or brother Keith Daniel, Brother Conlon carter or Paul Washer

these are my favourite pastors that i enjoy listening but in all the their prayers ive never heard speak in tongues.

its not a must know answer just curious

Having heard David Ravenhill speak this past Saturday I would say that Leonard Ravenhill did speak in Tongues. David scolded the church in general for limiting the Holy Spirit and being afraid someone would speak in tongues and said his dad would never have done that... u can hear the sermon, it is on the front page of sermon index.

I heard that David Wilkerson spoke in tongues, not sure about Carter Conlon. I assume brother Carter does. But I can't equivocate these two men knowing they preach in Time Square Church. It's not surprising though if men were filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues, but not everyone has this gift according to 1 Cor. 12.

In Christ,

- Michael Liao

hmmm yeah those are good questions
I think if they did they would keep it on the downlow for the sake of the people they serve.....

what IS interesting is that David Ravenhill served at IHOP for a good while! (random fact) while were at it

Now what would be super awesome is if Mark Driscol, John Piper, John Maccarthur and Francis CHan spoke in tongues

Then we would have so much less division =)

Then we would have so much less division =)

AMEN TO THAT.

i just heard that David Ravenhill it was an awesome message.

you know what caught my ears though? was the fact that he didnt get born again until he was 18 that caught me by suprise

:) That's good, Krispy. :)

hi, i heard bro. ravenhill say that everyone needs to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and get everything that comes with it.jimp i have often prayed with him and have never heard him utter glosalalia.wish i could spell.

From my own perspective on tongues. I have been around the phenomenon and I have not seen it produce anything fruitful in the lives of those who I have been close to. In fact it has caused some to go off the deep end on issues. I don't see tongues used in scripture alot except for extreme cases and Paul on touches on it briefly but doesn't seem to emphasize it in my reading as if a christian has to have it.

When a christian emphasizes speaking in tongues to another christian, exactly what are they saying to their fellow christian?
I have been told it is all about power-really? There was a time that I supposedly spoke in tongues and was egged on by others to keep it going. I had no more power than when I spoke in my own language. I eventually stopped because it seemed more of a game than something of spiritual significance

There is a reason why some of these preachers listed by the original posted don't speak in tongues.

Just my thoughts.

Mrgal220 wrote:
does any know whether Brother Leonard Ravenhill spoek in tongues or brother Keith Daniel, Brother Conlon carter or Paul Washer

He Lives in Me
https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=2089&commentView=itemComments

To any naysayers, the message is NOT about speaking in tongues (probably only two min long out of a sixty min sermon), it's about all the glorious things that God had done in Carter's life to bring him to where he was at that time (of the sermon), so if you want hear of the wonderful things of God, please listen to this message! If God did it for Carter, He will do it for you if you're willing to "Lord, send me!"

God bless you,
Lisa

Krispy wrote:
Why does it matter? All of the men mentioned preach the Word of God boldly... they speak truth. According to Paul's writings that is MUCH more important than speaking in tongues.

Why dont people get concerned about the gift of hospitality or the gift of helps?

We truly are a generation that seeks miracles, are we not?

God bless you, brother,
Lisa

hi, i would like to tell you that 45 years ago as a baptist evangelist who was having problems with the lust of the flesh or really of the eye, iquit preaching so i would not disgrace the ministry and christianity as a whole and went back in business.i was hassled by many christians and even told that i had committed the unpardonable sin.one night while i was weeping and confessing my sin to the Lord i said to the LOrd"i am not a very good christian in fact i am not worth a crap as a christian and Lord i need special help to live what i believe and i began to speak in tongues like a river with never having been in a pentacostal church.after God emersed me in His Spirit i have seen many ,many miracles and thousands saved and filled and am still praising Jesus for His mercy and grace toward me.jimp does that make me better than you?no...it just made me better than me.

DEADn wrote:
From my own perspective on tongues. I have been around the phenomenon and I have not seen it produce anything fruitful in the lives of those who I have been close to. In fact it has caused some to go off the deep end on issues.

The gift of tongues is not a phenomenon, it is a gift from the Father above to those who believe He is giving gifts today!

And two: the gift of tongues does not make people go off the deep end. If someone goes off the deep end, then that was a chink in their armor that has always been there. And the devil gets people to say, "Oh the common denominator MUST BE the gift of tongues," when the common denominator is actually "US," our flesh and not submitting our worldly things to God.

And thirdly, I don't know the people you know but I'm quite sure that through out my life, I've caused people to say, "That there gift of tongues in her life is not fruitful so therefore it can't be good." And for that I apologize but only God knows about our fruit from it. Just as your not perfect, those who speak in tongues are not perfect either.

God bless you,
Lisa

Lisa

According to your words this seems very close to you? In my experience most of those who speak in tongues are usually in pentecostal churches. I began going to the AoG church after I became a beleiver. I grew up Lutheran so this was a BIG BIG BIG change. I heard tongues on my first visit. Scared me but I stayed to understand what that was. Inquiring minds.

I say phenomenon because it is a spiritual expression. All spiritual expressions are phenomenons because they are not of this world. It cannot be explained by natural means. Christians call some of them gifts but they are also phenomenons as well.

The people I knew who spoke in tongues some were in leadership as well as the average person. Yes, they were not all perfect but I didn't perceive anything in them that matured them as a christian as a result of speaking in tongues. Whether it was answered or unanswered prayer or studying the bible. Unless I was too blind to notice it. Tongues is said to be another prayer language at one point.

I came to a point where I decided that if God 'baptizes' me with tongues then so be it. I will yield to it BUT as I have told others who speak in tongues- though you speak with tongues of angels and can prophesy- if you do not have love than you are nothing. Tongues can quickly be akin to just sounding brass in the ears of most unless God gives an interpretation yet more people will respond to love than they will someone speaking in tongues.

It's amazing to me that only in America do we discuss these things. I'm sure believers outside of this country don't ever really discuss things such as this. Take Christ for who He says He is. God is alive and well and His word will stand forever. i know godly men and women who don't speak in tongues as well as those who do. It is a gift... God Bless all those who have it and God Bless those who do not. Your still saved none the less:-). The secret place is where He truly operates.

Brother Krispy, most times we stand on opposite sides of the issues! Hopefully still loving Christ though?! This is not a blanket statement for every single person in the universe but I see the other side of your argument that I don’t think ENOUGH people ask the Lord for the gift of teaching His precious Word and there is so much garbage out there because they haven’t asked.

I truly believe that if a child of God asks his Father for the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues and BELIEVE that it is for them Biblically, he or she will receive it! I honestly believe in ANYTHING we ask the problem lies in the following verses in James 1:5-6…

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask IN FAITH, with NO DOUBTING, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

When we waiver with questions, “Maybe God doesn’t want me to be a teacher and I’m not in His will by asking…” or “Maybe God doesn’t want me to speak in tongues” or “Maybe I’m part of the ones that Paul talked about that ‘not all speak in tongues’ and it isn’t for me….” no wonder no one receives. My Bible says to “Come boldly to the throne of grace,” with confidence that if it’s in the Bible, I want it! I don’t want the Father withholding ANY good thing from me!! Ask, seek and knock!!! Only believe!

I hope this is understandable and that my passion has not alienated you.
God bless you brother!!!
Lisa

OH!! PS:

Secondly, there is not one scripture that claims that tongues is given to anyone who asks for it. I challenge anyone here to show me one.

Lisa you wrote:I truly believe that if a child of God asks his Father for the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues and BELIEVE that it is for them Biblically, he or she will receive it

__________

I did ask, I prayed, for hours at a time praying and waiting on God to give me this gift of tongues. I was told I did not really believe so I began to doubt my walk with the Lord. I prayed harder. I cried and pleaded with the Lord for this gift of tongues because all around me said it was my fault that I had not received it. That I did not have faith, that I did not truly love the Lord. I kept confessing over and over again but still nothing. I was devastated. I stayed up long hours on my knees praying and asking God to give me the gift of tongues. I was told that i should just start making up words and that it would come and that the Holy Spirit would take over and give me the gift of tongues, but even that was all just self. It was a very devastating time for me because I felt as if I had failed God in some way. This went on for a long while, months passed and then finally God just opened my heart to see that I had been desiring this gift more then I desired HIM.It has become a prize almost to be had. The Lord in His love and mercy showed me that HE was enough for me and that I did not need to chase after other things. I just needed to keep my focus on JESUS.

I have heard other pray and even sing in tongues, it is very beautiful. I can see that these brothers and sisters love the Lord deeply. I do believe the gifts of tongues is still given to whom the Lord chooses but to say that anyone who asks will receive it... well that can just set people up for a great deal of hurt. God chooses to give what HE knows is best and fit for each believer. I do not think it makes any of us better or less just that we are being shaped and molded to be a part of the body and to do a work according to HIS will. Some are given tongues all according to God's will and desire for them.

I know this is important to you Lisa and I am glad God has chosen to use you in this way.

God Bless you
maryjane

MaryJane

I wonder that within your comments do you think there is a bit of fundamentalism that caused you to doubt your walk with God?

I have been told things such as 'You are not yielding enough' or 'Just yield' or 'Just let it go' type of thing and it really made me wonder if I was doing something wrong. How much more could I have yielded at that time without maybe passing out, lol. I tend to contribute it to a kind of religious fundamentalism because I DID NOT do it rather than maybe God bringing conviction to me to repent of something or maybe God has other plan at that time.

Sometimes it seems that we can start out in the Spirit and end up trying to work it out in the flesh in the name of God and then get discouraged when nothing happens.

I agree with Krispy. Mark of a man of God is being filled with Spirit and having the fruits of Spirit which is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22).

Regarding the gifts of the Spirit, when I prayed for it God answered me saying that I need to have fellowship and become a part of Body of Christ and share the burden of other parts. Gifts are given to Body of Christ not to individual persons. So if you are not part of a body of Christ and is not interested to be subjected to authority of a Body then you will never get a gift.
By being a part of a body of Christ I don't mean just going to a Church physically and attending sessions without knowing who is sitting next to you.

I truly believe that if a child of God asks his Father for the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues and BELIEVE that it is for them Biblically, he or she will receive it! I honestly believe in ANYTHING we ask the problem lies in the following verses in James 1:5-6…

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask IN FAITH, with NO DOUBTING, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

MaryJane,

It sounds like you’ve given up, please don’t. The prayers you have prayed did not end when you gave up. The Lord has heard your prayers; hang to the fact that God wants you to receive His precious Holy Spirit and the gifts that come along with it.

Did you read Jimps testimony? He wasn’t even seeking and he received. Do not give up; the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for you as well as gift of divers tongues! Plus eight others if you want them!

God bless you, MJ!
Lisa

PS: Email me if you want to. I would love to converse with you more on this!

Deadn wrote:I wonder that within your comments do you think there is a bit of fundamentalism that caused you to doubt your walk with God?

__________

No i don't think that was the issue at the time. I really think it had more to do with the fact that I was attending a Vineyard church at the time and sadly there were those around me who believed strongly that if you did not speak in tongues then you were not baptized in the Holy Spirit. To them this was proof of a true baptism in the Holy Spirit and since I did not speak in tongues they determined that I must be doing something to hinder God in this area of my life or that I did not truly want it. I went through a lot of stuff back then but it was a long time ago and I was much younger then now I know where I stand with the LORD and am thankful for HIS care and provision in growing me to where I am today.

Sounds as if maybe there were/are those around you who may have been saying some of the same kinds of things to you. I was told on many occasions to just let go, I was even told to just show God how badly I wanted it by uttering sounds and making up words. I was told that God would see this as an act of faith on my part and then the Holy Spirit would take over and I would get the gifts of tongues. I spent hours late into the night on my knees praying and speaking made up words all in an effort to some how prove to God that I really did want His gifts for me. IT was all self, and as such I later spent time repenting for this.

Lisa you wrote: Do not give up; the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for you as well as gift of divers tongues! Plus eight others if you want them!
____

Lisa thank you for your kind words. You have a very loving heart I can tell. I just have to correct a small misunderstanding though, I did not say I was not baptized in the Holy Spirit. I was and have felt the LORD presence on many occasions. I have been healed by the LORD and spent wonderful times in praising and worshiping my LORD JESUS. I just do not speak in tongues and honestly that is ok. IF someday GOD chooses that I should then I know that I will but for today just being able to know HIM, to sit at HIS feet and listen to HIM is enough. For me the gift are wonderful blessings but the true desire of my heart is knowing JESUS the person. I was a sinner, lost and wretched living for self but HE chose to die for me so that I might have life! I think that is pretty awesome and just causes me to love HIM all the more. So the gifts are great but knowing JESUS as my LORD is the true desire of my heart and what I seek after. To know JESUS and to pour out that love HE gives me on all those around me is a pretty wonderful gift too :)

Thank you both for letting me share here with you.
God Bless
maryjane

brother gators52

i for one am from london england not from america secondly i asked this question not for the purpose of discussion but to see other believers view on other than those of my own church so this is why i asked.

i asked this question because of 1 major thing that i have noticed with my church i for for 1 im from a pentecostal background and the one thing i have noticed is that in my church when a preacher or someone says lets pray the first thing they do is pray in tongues. now i DONT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE GIFT OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES, but in my church it seems like this is one of the main focus and some people have asked me this question plenty of times '' do you speak in tongues?'' and when i have said NO they have reacted like i am not spirit filled but i for one in my heart believe that being spirit filled doesnt mean u speak in tongues (someone correct me if i am wrong)
i know alot of people who speak in tongues but are living in sin.
i in prayer would rather speak words of worship and praise to God that i understand and quote scripture but in my church they pray in tongues and maybe be say a few words. this troubles me because being a youth pastor when i bring new believers to my church for fellowship they usually feel out of place because they dont speak in tongues. for example this past summer i was used by God to lead one of my cloesest friend to christ and i can bare witness that from the moment he confessed and we prayed and shared the word for hours days and weeks he life was changed.
but when i brought him to my church he started doubting himself and doubt that God had really filled him with the spirit and he's argument was if God has filled me with the spirit then why dont i speak in tongues or why cant i see visions or why dont God speak to me . this troubled me much because i knew he was wrong i knew that God by his mercy and love had saved him because he had become a new creation in christ..
but then as i was praying a thought came to me that most of my favourite pastors and men of God that i litsen to i have never heard them speak in tongues. brother Ravenhill brother keith daniel brother paul washer and etc so thats why i asked this question please forgive me if you was under the impression that i asked for ANYOTHER reason.

'' do you speak in tongues?'' and when i have said NO they have reacted like i am not spirit filled....

i was used by God to lead one of my cloesest friend to christ and i can bare witness that from the moment he confessed and we prayed and shared the word for hours days and weeks he life was changed. but when i brought him to my church he started doubting himself and doubt that God had really filled him with the spirit and he's argument was if God has filled me with the spirit then why dont i speak in tongues or why cant i see visions or why dont God speak to me

http://illbehonest.com/Has-the-Gift-of-Speaking-in-Tongues-Ceased-Tim-Conway

Here's a video to help you with that. Many times the enemy can use that whole "do you speak in tongues" question to get a believer trapped in condemnation over whether one is Spirit-filled or not. May this video help you to confront these lies.

Wow the topic of tongues causes so much controversy.
While were on this subject I think I will share my testimony when it comes to tongues perhaps this will help people on bothsides:

Around 4ish months after being genuinely saved...I was desperate for God, I had nothing left. I would read my bible every day (not understanding a good portion of it, but the Lord would reveal somethings)I was at the bus reading the first part of Ephesians about what the believer has in Christ and suddenly I felt in the inmost part of me a welling of ...wonder, joy, amazement. I thought to myself "God is showing me a little of what heaven is going to be like"

It started to well up and I want to speak...and out came whispers of tongues. I thought I was crazy at the time and that I was somehow forcing myself to do it..so I tried to stop...and I STOPPED but then I could continue when I wanted (its says in 1 Cor 14 the spirit of prophets is subject to the control of the prophets). The welling passed and I thought to myself "that was pretty cool" I had always heard of speaking in tongues never had an opinion on it. I did believe in it thought...after all it is in the bible. I didnt think much of it, I just thought it "normal" and I sorta forgot about that incident didnt/ couldnt speak in tongues after but didnt really seek after it. I had no clue about how these things work I thought it was a "one time" deal.... 2 months after I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit....it came upon me a conference where there was an ungodly altar call taking place with a powerful counterfeit spirit manifesting. I had no clue at the time of course being a new believer still struggling and protected by God's grace to the spiritual warfare at hand..I felt a strong sense of spiritual impressions on my heart that grew stronger and more burden some..God was opening my "eyes" to the Spiritual....suddenly the feel was so strong...like a flood of power rushing and over taking me to the point where I COULD NOT CONTROL (I think when believers first receive Spirit they cannot control either..ex Acts 10,19) I started to prophecy "YOU MUST PRAY YOU MUST PRAY the King is Coming the King is Coming!"

It lasted for about 10 seconds and then boom it was gone and I had people looking at me like I was a crazy maniac.....I was sorta confused because they didn't seem to get my message from God but then extremely scared and freaked out and emabarrassed when I realized the situation I was in....

Basically after that I start to get persecuted from my conservative church circle which believes that you can know your spiritual gifts by taking a fleshly written test..and took out prophecy in the list...

SO BACK TO TONGUES sorry needed to explain that first...
AFTER THAT I could speak in tongues while in private prayer in desperates the whispers would come out....I was still thinking I was crazy mind you but it would HELP so much!
As my faith grew the whispers started to become actual sounds and syllables and one day when I was super desperate in prayer I start to sing in tongues and I WAS FINALLY FREE like before I was trapped but I could actually WORSHIP!
It continued to develop even after that...it was hard for my body to adjust to the new sounds that are not in the english language such as glottal stops.. the HKAAA sound that is found in middle eastern languages....

My friend at the time (now girlfriend) was also growing in the Lord ..I shared about my experiences with tongues with her and she started to want the gift. Though I thought she was beautiful without it! I could never imagine her speaking in tongues but....7 days later my JAW DROPPED when she started to speak in tongues!!!! She is probably one of 5 people I know in all the network of churches I am a part of that does...

Honestly I believe speaking in tongues is for the edification (most of the time) for the individual believer.

Paul says
" I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you."
I corth 14:18

From this I think that he used it A LOT lol and was thankful for it!

I find it is so much more difficult to focus yourself on the Lord and connect in the place of prayer without tongues. Its like what would take maybe 10-15 minutes of personal prayer to quite soul to get it with tongues I can get there in 1-2 minutes....

So I really do admire people who PRAY without tongues! It is beautiful!

Its hard to explain but yeah it helps IT ENCOURGES me to keep going wow so many times I have felt like giving up and sinning but when I chose to speak in tongues and just believe...like God has given me grace!

The problem with tongues is that the effect is internal for the believe so that in pentecostal circles people are going off in tongues and they are really connected to God but to others....they cant get connect and see it as foolishness.

This is why SPEAKING audible words of exhortation is needed in church..so that the WHOLE body gathered can feed off of it as written in 1 Cor. 14 .....

I believe that when we dont follow God's Word and diverge from it we miss His full intended blessing when we gather.
I see it from both sides since I go to both a "Pentecostal" church at my campus and SUPER CONSERVATIVE Chinese Church as well.......

The pentecostals get deep understanding and revelations and GRACE but they push people away and cause other believers to fall in the process.... as they I would say selfishly sing and speaking tongues without any control as written in 1 Corth people saved and no saved think they are crazy

The conservatives are welcoming to people who are skeptics but are really dead to the point where it makes me want to run away because THEY'RE ZOMBIES (except that I love them and want them to be ALIVE) there is no life and people get caught up in the HEAVY religious spirit till the point where they are so unbelieving and works oriented they cannot receive grace.....

thats my 2 cents...lol

In Christ
Evangel

hi, the gift of tongues is not what we are talking about. it is the second blessing of being emersed in the Holy Spirit that is evidenced by a prayer language in millions of those who have had this experience around the world starting with the apostles and mary in the upper room to those in the house of cornelius etc. that which we see and HEAR.if you being a good father will give good gifts how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy spirit to those who ask Him. have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? this is not a point for arguement but let us all get along and work to turn the world upside down together. some of us need more help then others for we are weeker vessels.jimp

Sree wrote:
You have confused gifts with fruits. A man of God should have fruits of Spirit and Wisdom is one of it. If you seek Godly Wisdom, you will get it. But gifts are something given according to the will of Holy Spirit. You cannot decide that you will become a preacher and ask God to make you one. He might have had a better plan for you for his glory. Ultimately we all want to do things for his glory and not for us. If it is for us then we will all want to be a preacher because that has greater visibility. But how many of us seek the gift of giving or gift of Faith which are hardly visible but equally important to God.
Sister, God knows what gift to give you to utilize you for his glory. May be if he had made me a preacher then Iwill fall in pride so he dint make me one.

I believe the Lord looks for those who ‘dare to believe,’ ‘dare to ask,’ ‘dare to knock,’ and/or ‘dare to seek.” James tells us that we have not because we ask not. That’s all I’m just trying to say.

I don’t believe that our relationship with Christ is a static one; and brother, what are the possibilities of what we could have if we believed that we could ask?

God bless you, my friend,
Lisa

I believe the Lord looks for those who ‘dare to believe,’ ‘dare to ask,’ ‘dare to knock,’ and/or ‘dare to seek.” James tells us that we have not because we ask not. That’s all I’m just trying to say.

I don’t believe that our relationship with Christ is a static one; and brother, what are the possibilities of what we could have if we believed that we could ask?

God bless you, my friend,
Lisa

I don't think you are wrong. I have seeked for gifts before but I prayed for a gift that will save me from discouragement because of the losses that I went through due to my faith. I have not prayed for any specific gift.
But I don't have a scripture supporting that a person cannot pray for a specific Gift. So no way can I say that you are wrong.

Sree wrote:
I don't think you are wrong. I have seeked for gifts before but I prayed for a gift that will save me from discouragement because of the losses that I went through due to my faith. I have not prayed for any specific gift.
But I don't have a scripture supporting that a person cannot pray for a specific Gift. So no way can I say that you are wrong.

About the baptism, people receive Him differently; I prayed for almost a year to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and when He was poured out on me, I wasn’t even at church. The pastor prayed for another woman at church who had a baby and the Lord spoke to her and said, “Go home and pray in tongues over your baby.” She went home and while rocking her baby, she obeyed and received. And Jimp received while he was praying too! Carter Conlon received the baptism at the prison he was visiting (I think). Derek Prince received the baptism before he even knew there was a baptism in his barracks in the desert during WWII (he had only been saved for two weeks)!

To everyone who has tried and supposedly failed, don’t close that avenue off to the Lord, just be open to Him when you are in your secret prayer closet and when you feel a Holy presence in your room, open your mouth and start thanking Him. I’ve found with some people when I’m praying for them that when they feel that holy presence they clam up and shut their mouths because they think God is going to force them to speak in tongues; no, He isn’t!! Just open your mouth and begin thanking Him for His presence that He even visited you; and perhaps that will be the day or maybe it will be another day! But we know that His presence is holy and peaceful and strengthens us for another day to seek Him!

God bless you brother and everyone else who desires more of the Lord, don't give up on Him!
Lisa

Lisa

I have a quick question for you...do you believe as do some that speaking in tongues is proof of Baptism of the Holy Spirit? Do you believe that if I person does not speak in tongues that they are not filled with the Holy Spirit and that they have not been baptized by the Holy Spirit??

Just trying to understand what your thoughts and belief on this are...

God Bless
maryjane

by MaryJane
Lisa

I have a quick question for you...do you believe as do some that speaking in tongues is proof of Baptism of the Holy Spirit? Do you believe that if I person does not speak in tongues that they are not filled with the Holy Spirit and that they have not been baptized by the Holy Spirit??

Just trying to understand what your thoughts and belief on this are...

I'm sorry, I've been out of town to church!!! But no, I do *(NOT) adhere to "you must speak in tongues" as proof of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. And no, I would never tell someone that because they don't speak in tongues they are not filled or have not been baptized with the Holy Spirit.

I am passionate about the gift of tongues because I know how it's blessed me and even others and I would love to see someone else be blessed too! I am passionate about the gift of prophesy as well because that has been a blessing in my life too!

I'm sorry if my zeal has put a damper on anything, I have only meant to encourage anyone in seeking the gifts that they are for today and for our edification and to be more like Jesus.

God bless you,
Lisa

"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."(1Cor.12:4-11)

"Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way."(1Cor.12:27-31)

I just wanted to bump this b/c I made a correction to my above statement! It's what I get for typing fast because I had been out of town most of the day and was heading to bed to work ALL day today (where there is no computer access)! I'm sorry for the mistake.

God bless,
Lisa

About the baptism, people receive Him differently; I prayed for almost a year to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and when He was poured out on me, I wasn’t even at church. The pastor prayed for another woman at church who had a baby and the Lord spoke to her and said, “Go home and pray in tongues over your baby.” She went home and while rocking her baby, she obeyed and received. And Jimp received while he was praying too! Carter Conlon received the baptism at the prison he was visiting (I think). Derek Prince received the baptism before he even knew there was a baptism in his barracks in the desert during WWII (he had only been saved for two weeks)!

To everyone who has tried and supposedly failed, don’t close that avenue off to the Lord, just be open to Him when you are in your secret prayer closet and when you feel a Holy presence in your room, open your mouth and start thanking Him. I’ve found with some people when I’m praying for them that when they feel that holy presence they clam up and shut their mouths because they think God is going to force them to speak in tongues; no, He isn’t!! Just open your mouth and begin thanking Him for His presence that He even visited you; and perhaps that will be the day or maybe it will be another day! But we know that His presence is holy and peaceful and strengthens us for another day to seek Him!

Lisa, gifts and baptism in Holy Spirit are totally different. Even if a person speak in Tongue I would still not believe the person is filled with holy spirit if I don’t see the fruits of the spirit in the person.
Baptism in Holy spirit, is when you receive the Holy spirit. I had my moment too. But a person needs to walk continuously with God to be filled with the holy spirit. Not every one who is baptized in Holy spirit are filled with it now. They either have their have their Christian life standstill (happy with just receiving) or backslidden.
I don't believe in talking publicly about the gifts I received. Neither do the men of God I know. All I know is if the gifts are not used to build the body of Christ then it is not serving its purpose.

Sree wrote:
Even if a person speak in Tongue I would still not believe the person is filled with holy spirit if I don’t see the fruits of the spirit in the person.

Thirty years ago, I’m sure there was a LOT of people at church who would not have given me the baptism of the Holy Spirit! So I’m (thankful) that God saw something in me and had hope that I would get better (more mature) with His presence in me than I would without His presence.

Brother, I don’t have all the answers (for how others behave), I can only testify to what I’ve seen the Lord do in me but I’d like to ask that (when God has given the Holy Spirit to someone), “How can we call unclean what God has called clean?”

God bless you,
Lisa

*** Words in () are my edited words – for more clarity.