Speaking in Tongues in Acts Essay

up speaking a new language” (pg. 194): all words from the Bible. They had created a language

Gromacki’s book is comprised of fifteen chapters. The book focuses on the personality, deity, and symbols of the Holy Spirit. Six chapters are dedicated to the various aspects of the Holy Spirit’s ministry. There is a chapter that focuses on the baptism of the Holy Spirit as well as one that discusses what it means to be indwelled and filled by the Holy Spirit. The gifts of the Holy Spirit as well as speaking in tongues are covered in the book. Each chapter is divided by headings and these headings are separated into sub-headings. Theses headings and sub-headings keep the reader focused on what the chapter is about. The book ends with a discussion of the future of the Holy Spirit.

Acts of the Apostles chronicles the rapid advancement of the Gospel by way of the gift of the Holy Spirit. “The Holy Spirit in the Acts of the Apostles: The Charismatic Community in Mission” takes into account the narratives succeeding Pentecost including Spirit Baptisms from Samaria to Ephesus (Acts

The Gifts of Prophecy and tongues are still important Gifts that the Holy Spirit uses within us today. Prophecy is a message inspired by God and used to encourage, strengthen and build up people in their faith by the Holy Spirit, 2 Peter 1:20-21. It’s a way for God to communicate to His people however we must be aware at how people translate prophesy’s because it must show the love of God, Corinthians 13:2. Acts 2:4 shows us the power of tongues and that when we are filled with the Holy Spirit we are able to connect to God on a spiritual level and communicate and worship Him. However, Paul gives the church a warning saying that it is better to prophesize in church than to speak in tongues, because if there is no one to interpret the tongues then it would introduce an element of confusion where prophecy is a more effective way to lead non-believers to God 1 Corinthians 14:24-25.

Prophetic utterances started in Port Glasgow, Scotland. In 1830 speaking in unknown tongues started with a female. When tongues came forth in the middle of a message, she was taken to a small room where she finished delivering the message in tongues. After that happened, the gift of speaking in tongues frequently was displayed in public. People started going to the church to witness this phenomena. Irving authored articles in Fraser’s Magazine stating that the messages were orderly and interpreted. They were delivered in a high key with an eloquence that resembled a noble chant rather than oratorical speaking. He believed they had the sound of the old cathedral chants similar to those practiced in the past at St. Ambrose, a Catholic Church. All who witnessed the experience noted that it was stirred up and delivered by a supernatural

I believe that Luke wrote the book of Acts to allow Christians to see the early history of the Church. Also, it was the place in the bible where to Holy Spirit arrived. The Holy Spirit is first mentioned when the Lord tells His people that He will send The Holy Spirit soon. Then later after Jesus told them that He was sending the Holy Spirit to guide the disciples, the Holy Spirit came. When the Holy Spirit came the Disciples, they were able to experience God on a whole new level. It allowed them to preach the gospel with much more power because it wasn't them speaking, it was God. Luke's purpose in writing the book of Acts was to make clear of what the early church history looked like and the arrival of the Holy Spirit. It was also written

But only when they received this power that Comes from God. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts1:7)

Before Jesus left, He said to his disciples, "You tarry in Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." And He said, "You will receive power after that when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And then you will be my witnesses, in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and to the utter-most parts of the earth."

Many say the faith experience of this first apostolic group was unique; however, the other accounts in Acts also display distinction between conversion and baptism in the Spirit. (Acts 8, 19), although they may occur with little to no time separation in some instances (Acts 10).

Tongues (v4) indicates language and the communication of the Good News. The good news in v4 was that people spoke in other languages as the Spirit gave them utterance. This was a supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit and certainly gained attention from Jews who were from different native countries and cities. All nationalities who were in Jerusalem recognised their own language being spoken.

Pentecostalism originated in 1901 in Topeka, Kansas. A woman named Agnes Ozman claimed to become baptized with the Holy Spirit of God, and she started to speak in an unknown “tongue”. After this event occurred, multiple events like these occurred in other places. This practice of Pentecostalism was an addition to the Holiness Movement. In 1906, in Los Angeles, California, there was more documentation of “tongues” being spoken. Having the experience of speaking in other languages is called glossolalia. At the Azusa Street Mission, blacks and whites gathered together for worship, which spread the early Pentecostal Movement. During this time the

Spirit baptism has been an important topic in the Church for a really long time and while we discuss this topic we always have several questions rising about this issue. Churches have different perspective about the way they address the issue. The common question which arises with this topic are that, some of the Churches claim that spirit baptism is demonstrated after receiving the gifts of tongues and the other issues which often raises is that its relation with the word.

Also in Acts when the Apostles where filled with the Spirit they started to speak in languages.” This is absolutely important because without language we could not receive the intended message as set in motion by God.

As we look into the scriptures of Acts 2:1-11 we see the things that took place on the day of Pentecost. “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord and in one place.” (Acts 1:1) Not only had the people began to gather together in one place but they were all in one accord and all were there for the same purpose all agreeing on the same thing. “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.” (Acts 2:2) Imagine sitting in a room when suddenly a rushing mighty wind fills the room. When we think of the force of hurricane type winds entering the room in which we are sitting we would not be able to even fathom how it would be.

One of the catechism we have today as followers of Christ is, do we all speak in tongues? The veracity is, we do not all speak in tongues. Among believers, the custom of when an individual is born-again, spiritually leaders gravitate to laying their hands on the individual, praying for them, that the Holy Spirit will baptize them. This act is an experience found of when Peter and John were sent to Samaria. Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost (Acts, 8:15-17, King James Version). During our born-again experience, with the laying of hands, we can forthwith receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as Cornelius experienced. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, (Acts, 10:44-46, King James Version). On the other hand, we can receive the baptism of Holy Spirit after our born-again experience and the laying of hands. Personally, I did not receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit instantaneously. It wasn’t