http://www.goingtojesus.com/tongues-at-spirit-baptism.html
Comment: I have been a Christian for many years now and although I have prayed (as well as being prayed over by others) to receive the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues I have yet to speak/pray in tongues. I want to learn as much as I can about this and hopefully will receive it someday. Thank you and God bless you.
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Hello Marilyn,
Thank you for requesting the book, Speaking in Tongues at Spirit Baptism, from our web site recently. I am part of the work that distributes this book and other Gospel materials to those who are hungering & thirsting for God.
Was the information helpful to you? When you ordered the book, you said you have been praying to receive the holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in tongues. You are in a wonderful position, Marilyn, because if you even have a desire to receive God’s gift of the Spirit, then He wants you to have it. We can only want God because He first wants us. So be encouraged – seek for this experience with all your heart, and you will receive. God said, through Isaiah, “Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth?…shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb?” (Isaiah 66:9)
Please feel free to write me if you have any questions or comments. God bless you, and let me know when it happens to you!
Your servant in Christ Jesus,
Vince
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Dear Vince,
Thank you for your kind email. I really enjoyed the book, however it did raise a question. It would seem that if one doesn’t speak in tongues (by the power of the Holy Spirit) he really isn’t saved. Is that what you are saying? If that’s the case, I’m in big trouble because I’m sorry to say that I still have not spoken in tongues–but I haven’t given up. If you care to elaborate on that, feel free to contact me again.
Thank you and God bless.
Marilyn
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Thank you for writing. I’m very glad to hear back from you.
First I want to clear up the issue of salvation. No one, whether they have God’s Spirit or not, is saved until Jesus returns. Salvation is a future hope for faithful children of God. Remember Jesus said, “He that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.” (Mat. 24:13) And in Romans 8:24-25, Paul talks about the “hope” of being saved. Throughout the Scriptures, salvation from the coming wrath of God is spoken of as a future event. It is possible, and happens quite often, for a Spirit-baptized child of God to turn from the faith, return to sin and be damned in the end. So just because a person receives the holy Ghost baptism does not mean they are automatically saved.
So now to answer your question about the necessity of speaking in tongues. The holy Ghost baptism is most certainly necessary in order to be saved in the end and be with our heavenly Father. Paul said in Romans 8:9, “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” In other words, without the Spirit of God dwelling in a person, that person does not belong to God. The next question is, how does a person know when they have received the baptism of the holy Ghost? As pastor John’s book explains in more detail, every time a person receives the holy Ghost, they are moved by the Spirit to speak in a language that is unknown to them. This can come out as a very clear, heavenly language, or it can simply be “stammering lips” (as Isaiah called it in Isaiah 28:11). In any case, it is the Spirit that causes a person to speak in tongues, it is not something you learn to do.
Please do not be discouraged by these things, Marilyn, because like I mentioned in my previous email, if you have a desire for the baptism of the holy Ghost, God already wanted you to have it before you even knew about it. It is impossible for a person to desire the things of God without God first putting that desire in their heart to receive them. So no, you are not in big trouble just because you haven’t received the Spirit and begun to speak in tongues yet. God knows exactly what you need, and He will show you what you need to do to repent and obey. Go with your feelings, and when you have sought God with your whole heart, you will receive the Spirit. It may also encourage you to read about how others received the holy Ghost. Go to:
http://www.isaiah58.com/holyghostbaptism.html
Also, I would recommend listening to pastor John’s audio teaching series called “What Must I Do to be Saved?” It is on the GoingtoJesus.com web site under “Audio Teaching”.
Sorry this was a bit of a long response, but I hope this helps. If you have any other questions or thoughts, please do not hesitate to contact me. I will be praying for you. Have a great day!
With love in Christ,
Vince