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Is the baptism in the Holy Spirit What is praying in tongues or
Q Q, praying in the spirit?
•
, a "good" gift?
Yes. God is good. His Holy Spirit is good and His gifts are good. Praying in tongues is a personal prayer language from your spirit
to God (I Corinthians 14:14). In the book of Acts, when the Holy
Jesus said, "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a Spirit came UPON a believer (also called being "filled" with the
father, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will Spirit or "baptized" in the Holy Spirit), one of the first things that
he give him a serpent? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer usually happened is that the person began to pray in other
him a scorpion? If you then being evil know how to give tongues or to prophesy. This same confirmation is true today.
good gifts to your children, how much more will your Praying in tongues is often referred to as the "initial evidence"
heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him." of being baptized in the Holy Spirit.
(Luke 11:11-13)
On the day of Pentecost, the disciples all began to "speak
Throughout the Bible, snakes and scorpions represent evil. If you with other tongues." (Acts 2:4)
ask God for something good -- desiring to grow closer to God,
desiring more of His Holy Spirit and more power to be a witness In the book of Acts, the apostle Peter knew that a Gentile
for Him -- God will not, in turn, give you something evil. family had received the Holy Spirit because he heard them
"speak with tongues." (Acts 10:45-46)
In the Bible, we are encouraged to desire spiritual gifts:
When you ask God to baptize you in His Holy Spirit, ask Him to
"Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts..." help you to pray in this new unknown prayer language.
(I Corinthians 14:1)
Praying in tongues (or praying in the spirit) is an act of your will,
The Apostle Paul said, "I wish that you all spoke in tongues similar to when you decide to pray in your known language.
..." and, "I thank my God I speak with tongues more than
you all." (I Corinthians 14:5, 18) "I will pray in the spirit, and I will pray in the understanding
also. I will sing in the spirit, and I will sing in the
"But earnestly desire the best gifts." (I Corinthians 12:31) understanding also." (I Corinthians 14:15)
"Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts..."
(I Corinthians 14:1)
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