Paul Washer on Tongues | Is it for today? 

2:00 It is impossible to live the Christian life without the Holy Spirit.

This is actually a video, not merely a picture. Paul Washer has trained himself to give a sermon while stonefaced staring daggers into one particular audience member's soul. Incredible.

It honestly took me way too long to figure out this was a still frame picture. Got a good laugh outta that.

I am so glad that I grew up in a home and church where all the gifts of the Holy Spirit operated. Since my early childhood I heard and saw it manifested, and I saw the positive results. I read in Paul's letters to the Corinthian church, and I see that there are times when somebody speaks in a tongue, and someone else gives the interpretation. In my Dad's church in Windhoek in my teens (late 1950's to 1961) , there was a humble, simple lady who was a very dedicated prayer warrior. The gift of tongues frequently operated through her. One Sunday morning there was an Italian gentleman visiting us, but few people knew that his mother tongue was Italian. After the sermon the lady referred to above spoke in tongues, and when she finished one of the gentlemen stood up and gave the interpretation. After church the visitor said to the person whose guest he was: "That lady spoke Italian fluently, and the gentlemen gave a perfect translation". Bur neither of them could understand or speak Italian. There is an excellent book called "They speak with Other Tongues" (by John Sherrill, a sceptical journalist who was contracted by a consortium of news media to investigate and proof to be false, the speaking in tongues by the Charismatic people). In the book he describes his investigations and how he ultimately accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour, was baptized in the Holy Spirit and experienced the speaking in/with other tongues himself which enabled him to conclude the book from an "inside" perspective. The book was first published in 1964 and updated a number of times. The latest E-copy is available at Amazon Books. One of the testimonies in Sherrill's book that I remember was that of a Jewish rabbi who was visiting the US, where he attended a church service of a charismatic group. At the conclusion of the sermon an invitation was given for people who needed prayer to come forward. This was totally strange to this rabbi but he felt a very strong desire to go forward, and as he stood there in front of the pulpit, a stranger came and stood behind him, laying his hands on the rabbi's shoulders and started talking to him in fluent Hebrew. Not only that, but he addressed him with "You, Rabbi so&so (using his full name and surname), son of Rabbi that&that (quoting his father's names) ... and went on to give him a very detailed message that he needed to hear then. After the message was delivered, he turned around and thanked the man in Hebrew, wanting to know how he knew his and his father's names, only to find out that the man did not know his and his father's names, and could not speak one word in Hebrew, he said he was just "praying in tongues". During 1974, long before cellphones were known in our country(South Africa) I was suddenly, late one afternoon, compelled by the Holy Spirit, to pray urgently; I immediately went down on my knees but found that I could not pray in my mother tongue, since a strong anointing of the Holy Spirit came over me, and for about 15 minutes I was glued to my knees while the unknown language just rolled over my lips. I was sufficiently educated in these matters (having been baptised in the Holy Spirit 15 years prior to this experience) to know that the Bible teaches that sometimes the Holy Spirit intercedes for us (through our prayers) and that He prays according to the perfect will of the Father, so I did not hold back, I just let it flow. About 15 minutes later it stopped abruptly and I could rise and joined my wife at the supper table. The next day we visited a very dear spiritual brother of mine, and we barely sat down, when he related to me the near-death experience he had the previous afternoon, a struggle for life when a small piece of bone he swallowed inadvertently during his meal, got stuck in his throat, causing his air pipe to choke. His wife could not get it out, and as it was after hours, she rushed him to the medical doctor's residence in the small mining town where they lived. There was no one home so she rushed him to the hospital about 3 km (about 1.85 miles) away. He said at that time he had to steady himself against the walls of the hospital passage, in order to stay on his feet,since he was beginning to lose consciousness. His wife shouted down the passage: "The doctor!!! Please, we need the doctor urgently!!!" and a nurse replied: "Madame, doctor is off duty, he's not here". Realising that God is now their only hope, she put her one hand on his shoulder (NB, she did not slap him behind his back) and called with a mixture of desperation and authority: "In Jesus' Name!!!" and the needle-sharp points of the piece of bone lost their grip, and the bone popped out of his throat like a marble that was spat out. When we compared "notes" we found that the time when his ordeal started and ended, checked 100% with the times that I was instructed to pray, and when I suddenly felt relief and stopped praying. Often I spend long periods of time praying in tongues, feeling spiritually uplifted and I am convinced that is what Paul referred to in his letter to the Corinthians: after teaching them how they should apply the gifts of tongues and interpretation in an orderly manner during their services, he said "I thank God that I pray more in tongues than any of you". I am confident that he did no boast about being used by the Spirit in the services more than anyone else, he was referring to long periods of praying in tongues during his private prayer time. I am not the only one in modern times who experience spiritual upliftment when praying in tongues, I've heard many testimonies in that regard. It is a powerful "tool" (with all due respect) available to us, and we will be depriving ourselves from many blessings if we say to God "No thank you Sir, I don't understand it and I don't think it is necessary for today" (as if we know better than the Holy Spirit Who wants to help us overcome).

I met an old Christian lady during a mission trip, who was raised and lived in a farm in Mexico all her life. Her and her family had very little education and only knew how to speak Spanish. She also didn't know how to read in English or Spanish. I heard her one night praying in her room in perfect English with no accent. He prayer moved me because it was all directed to God in praises and thanksgiving. I asked her later how she learned to speak English so well. She said she never learned..her prayer in English was her prayer language to God.

Jesus saved me outside of church and I knew not what had happened to me. It was a mystery. I found it in the Bible that I'd been born again. Then He baptized me in the Holy Spirit and gave me the gift of tongues and others. Again I had to find it in the Bible not understanding what it was. That was 40 years ago. One of the words I often said was"yeshua". I would pronounce it emphasized like "YESH-ua" with the yesh being emphasized. We'd been married 14 years and doctors said we could not have children. Jesus promised us a son however and I was praying in tongues one day and He gave the interpretation saying my wife was pregnant. She was. She put our sons name in a baby book and he was born eight and a half months later. He's 36 now, a man of God. Jesus Christ the same yesterday today and forever. Never never let religion tell you what God doesn't do anymore. He's unchangeable.

When I went forward to receive the gift of tongues, I felt because of my own church's teaching that tongues ceased, or worse, were "the devil's babbling that will have you unknowingly curse God", I was very apprehensive. As I went forward, I specifically prayed "God, if this isn't of You, I don't wish to receive it. If it's your will, I gladly will." The lady who prayed for me first prayed against any interference by the devil. Then told me as she prayed for me, to just thank & praise God aloud for all He's done for me. It was a calm, quiet time of prayer...I thought how embarrassed the lady and my son who accompanied me would be when nothing happened: but all of a sudden a torrent of words came from my mouth, and no one more surprised than me. From that time I wanted more of the Word, to praise God more...it certainly wasn't of the devil. And as I said, I asked God to protect me from false teaching.

“For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.” ‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭14:2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The problem is people put limitations on God

I can pray in tongues. l build myself up praying in tongues. While l did evangelism work in Spain l met a Finnish guy whom l spoke Finnish with for an hour. l read to him out of a Finnish Gospel of John. He grabbed the Finnish Gospel, opened to a page, asked me questions, l answered, in Finnish, he listened, nodded his head slowly, asked another question and l gave him another answer. Twice he burst out laughing as the Holy Spirit must have said something very funny to him. Twice he looked away from me, shocked, as he sank down in his chair, looking as if l had addressed the deepest secrets of his heart. At the end of an hour he stood up, shook my hand, said to me in ENGLISH!!!, ''Best sermon l ever heard.'' Witnessed by half a dozen other believers. Yes, Mr Washer. Tongues for prayer and tongues for preaching are still here today. lt was after praying IN tongues that l entered into the flow of SPEAKING to someone in HIS TONGUE. The Holy Spirit is wonderful. Today.

You’ve come too late to tell me speaking in tongues is not around today. I grew up around it from six years old, always went to church but never did it myself. After I was married, at 38 years old, I was praying alone in my house while my wife was out with family. I wasn’t seeking the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Rather, I was praising God after hearing the denial of the existence of God on Public Radio. I felt such remorse for hearing people trying to explain away his creation of all things with the lie of evolution. As I worshipped him with everything I had I began speaking in a language I didn’t know. It went on for some time and even as I was speaking, my mind was amazed as I could think detached from the words I was saying. I thought, “How amazing. Is this really happening? This is the infilling of the Holy Spirit!” After that night, I have done it many times. It makes me feel so clean and relieves my worries and fears. Please don’t discount it or fear it. Speaking in tongues is one of God’s greatest gifts and should be sought and experienced by every Christian.

I was singing and praising The Lord alone at work in 2006 , suddenly my heart was so overflowed because Tha Holy Spirit was there , that I started saying things I can not understand. It happens when I praise and pray and God wants to. Not to be yelling at churches and showing off but between you and God. Peace !!! One more thing very important : Your salvation doesnt depend on speaking tongues. It depends on your repentance and accept Lord Jesus as your saviour and Lord and forsake sins ( praying and fighting ) to be close to God.

This is the problem with today's church to much separation. The Bible is truth you either believe all of the Bible or none!!! Can't choose to believe what you choose to pick. May Jesus speak to us all and bring unity in Jesus name amen!!

As a born again Christian I grew up in a Church that taught that the gift of speaking in tongues had ceased...At that time, I believed that to be true. But, almost 20 years ago I desired to surrender my life more completely to Jesus Christ, and much to my amazement I received the gift of tongues. The tongues I speak are phonetically distinct, individual languages with different intonations, and accents etc....They sound like languages from all over the world!...Definitely not gibberish!! Sometimes tongues can be faked, but no one can convince me that this gift is not very real today! It can sometimes feel very lonely to have a spiritual gift that is so misunderstood, and causes so much fear and confusion within the Body of Christ. My prayer is that God would reveal His Truth to all Believers. God Bless!

Paul washer is a passionate man of God. However, this is where we deviate and because of his training and I know that tongues is for today! there’s definitely a difference between Christians who are baptized in the Holy Spirit and speaks in tongues and those who do not! Speaking in tongues has revolutionized my prayer life and opened my eyes to the supernatural way of the Holy Spirit to the glory of Jesus Christ my blessed Saviour!

I have always liked Paul Washer, this is one of those instances. I agree with him. However, a missionary friend of mine was given tongues as a missionary in a mountaintop unreached people group. He was conversing with the tribal leader and they were both speaking , but hearing each other in their own language. The community accepted Christ that day. Tongues/Languages do occur among those God is using for the spreading of the Gospel. Beyond that, I have serious doubt.

As a young girl seeking God earnestly with tears and hunger I began to speak in tongues. To say that it is not for today is not true. There was a distinct time in my life of profound stress. I had prayed for weeks and the weight was still there. Then one night I started praying in tongues, I don't know what I said but immediately the weight lifted. How tragic that this gift from God is not encouraged in all Christian churches.

As a matter of full disclosure, I speak in tongues. First, let me say that I appreciated the non-hostile tone of the presentation. Too many Christians lack the decorum to allow for a loving dialogue. Second, let me point out one issue I had with the comment regarding tongues being a human language. 1Corinthians 14:2 refutes that often used argument against present-day​ tongues. It is clearly not a "missionary language tool." The Apostle Paul is quite clear "For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit." Another verse within the same chapter, verse 14 tells us that tongues is not just for use in the congregation, but is also useful in a believer's prayer life. Going back to verse 4, Paul reminds us that speaking in tongues can build up the beiever.

Whenever you hear this question, you know for sure that whoever is asking it does not speak in tongues.

Talk about this all the time. It’s a language; an actual language like in Acts as Pastor Washer mentioned. I’m 200% agreement on this!

Wow, you are a wise man Paul. I believe the Lord will reveal many great things to you. God Bless.

Apostle Paul said in 1Cor.14 - He who speaks in tongues (prayer in tongues) speaks not to men but to GOD for no-one understands him. "However in the spirit he speaks mysteries". (1Cor.14:2) - Paul said that he who speaks (prays) in tongues edifies (builds up) himself and he who prophecies builds up the church! (1 cor.14:4). AMEN! - He also said he wishes that "you all" would speak in tongues, but even more that all of them would prophecy.(1Cor.14:5) - He also said that in praying in tongues the spirit of a man prayes indeed (he thanks well!) but his understanding is fruitless. (1Cor.14:14) - He said he prayes & sings with the spirit but also prays and sings with the understanding. Here is two types of prayer and singing. (1Cor. 14:15) - And Paul said he thanks God he speaks with tongues "more than all of you."! How much is that! And in the context this seems to mean his PRIVATE PRAYER LIFE, not the church meetings. (1Cor.14:18-19)

All of the gifts if the spirit are for today , but you MUST be born again !

I do believe the Gifts of the Holy Spirit have not ceased the church is the same from the book of Acts people don’t fast don’t pray don’t stay away from sin how are we going to see the supernatural power when we don’t do what it takes to see his glory

God bless you Pastor Washer for you have a genuine heart and all that you do for his Kingdom I get encouraged by your sermons.Thank you.

I received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost when I was 13 yrs old, I'm now 64... I still have it today. The unknown tongue is our prayer language that satan can't interpret. The world didn't give this to me and the world can't take it away.

Missing out on so much my friend. Love Paul Washer, but he’s missing out. The apostle Paul said “I speak in tongues more than you all!”

He who speaks in a tongue doesn't speak to man but to God for in the spirit he speaks mysteries

I speak in tongues. Often, I am overcome with the need to speak in tongues, as if I'm praying for some urgent need.

It is rare to find any clarity on the topic of Biblical "tongues" found in the N.T. There seems to be huge resistance for most leadership to read the Bible and just teach what is found there. Let's start with a quote from Paul the Apostle; " I speak in tongues more than you all." evidently the implication is 1)Paul spoke in "tongues", 2) he could have spoken in"tongues" in public and private, 3) Paul gave specific teaching on how to handle each instance. For more detail just read the Bible.

Baptism of the holy ghost is straight from Jesus Christ.. speaking in tounges is very true!!!

When I have got saved in 1982 , I was 18. I attended a local church. One day I noticed some worshippers raising their hands and praying in another language. As someone who had no knowledge of the Christian life I found this quite perplexing. I remember walking to the front row of the church to Mavis who had led to me Christ, asking her to please explain this phenomenon. She and another minister led me to a side room and began to explain this from the Bible. I saw what they showed me and I said that if this is real then I want it. They said they can’t give it to me themselves but it is the work of the Holy Spirit. I said I absolutely believe the Word, so right there we just prayed a simple prayer and immediately I felt this moving within me moving up from what seems my middle and bubbling up and I just opened my mouth and this language just poured out - not some babbling - but clearly a concise language. I could not stop speaking it all day. I had this joy rushing through me that I had never experienced before. I was afraid to stop in case it went away. The next morning I woke up fearing it had gone - but again I opened my mouth and I simply continued speaking in tongues and today in 2018, I can still speak in tongues. Some people only look for experiences but I discovered a love for the gospel, I realised how contaminated my sinfulness is, how wonderful His grace is, I love doctrine -I don’t like modern happy clappy lightweight church. I speak in tongues for my edification in my prayer life. I am thankful to God for His great mercy towards me and I believe that He determined that I be baptised in His Spirit , speaking in tongues because of the huge battles I was going to face and I needed a clear and tangible comfort of His presence to carry me through. The question is: Is tongues for today? It is for me.

Love the honest sounding comments, but still this speaker misses key texts such as 1 Cor 14:2. Tongues is a language spoken to God, not men. Or 1 Cor 14:14, my spirit prays but my mind does not understand.

You can not get much clear than what Apostle Paul said below. 1 Corinthians 14:2 (NKJV) For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

January 15, 1961 at 9:15pm. God knocked my socks off and it is as real to me in 2019 as it was then. The Experience puts all the debate to rest instantly.

I wished he would give a plain and simple answer instead of over 7 minutes ambiguity.

Paul, the first time I listened to one of your videos I thought about Apollos. You are a good persuader of Christian values. Yes, I speak in tongues. I never tried to speak in tongues. I never speak in tongues to confuse the devil or say the same thing whenever I speak in tongues. If someone asked me to prove it, I would be afraid to attempt to try and do something that I normally do by the utterance of the Holy Spirit. I agree with you. I have seen and heard some strange ideas about speaking in tongues. I'm confused about them also. But, I believe that one day, you, when you least expect it, will begin to speak in tongues!

Tongues are for today. They are real languages. Tongues fall into two categories - (1) devotional which is for personal edification to operate in as you see fit or as prompted by the Holy Spirit and (2) public which is to edify those that hear it, tongues with interpretation AS THE SPIRIT WILLS. There is the INITIAL infilling in Acts 2:4 and the REFILLING in Eph. 5:18.

Speaking in tongues is a precious gift from God!

Your video just popped up on utube today. You are truly a man if God! I watched the one where you preached at the youth conference in Alabama. Such a powerful message. I pray that you will continue to put your videos out on utube. I don't know of any pastor, etc. that is truly touched by the Lord as you are. Thank you and may the Lord continue to use your voice to reach the world. God speed.

I grew up to hear my mama and grandma speaking in tongues. They both had the "gift of tongues." I don't understand the videos title. I didn't know there was a "need" for tongues; like an expiration date. I mean, "tongues" aren't fashionable, or mainstream like, "hey, check this out," type thing. Nor is it something to go to college to learn. It's called a "gift" for a reason. You know. You're GIVEN this GIFT by GOD. It's not a talent. Its very REAL and I'd be careful if I were Paul Wash-up, mocking what "he's heard" of talking in tongues.

I KNOW that tounges are still for today because my sister spoke tongues and she didn't even notice and I felt the Spirit's presence even stronger as she spoke. And before she did speak tongues, I also spoke in tounges and didn't notice until later that I was told.

95% of my Church pray in tounges. We have had many healings in our church, we had many brothers come to my church and heal people have healed many all because of the Holy Spirit.

Amen! A preacher that is speaking the truth.

my story in short. Raised Pentecostal, parents wanted us kids to speak in tongues. We did but we wondered if it was real. We didn't want to fake it and it was a concern. Later in life I attended a evangelical church at night, where no one knew me, if felt freer there to raise my hands and do what ever I felt in worship. It was not my regular church. One night I was there and the worship was strong and I had my hands up and was very open. The minister said the Holy Spirit was there. I really wasn't listening too much. Then I felt a warm wind that almost pushed me back into my seat (I was standing) and speaking in tongues just came out of me, I had control but I didn't want to stop it. From then on I knew it was real I can't deny it. I don't know if it is a phonetic language as I don't understand it, or if it is just a way to get our mind out of the way so the Holy Spirit can pray for us, thru us spiritually, instead of mentally.

Thank you, Paul. At least you are open-minded about the gifts of the Holy Spirit if used right. 1 Cor. 14:39-40. If you read all of chapter 14, you will see that tongues are for the edification of the church, the body, not a language that others must understand, verse 4,5,14,15 and 22. Verse 2 is an excellent one to meditate on. In verse 18, Paul thanks God that he prays in tongues more than any of them. I received the gift of tongues 47 years ago. I use it in my private time when I don't know what to pray. Of course, the word tells us to seek all the gifts, yet, the greatest gift of all is LOVE. 13:13. God bless.

I agree with Paul Washer. I believe that tongues exist, even though they are often used wrongly today. My mother, a really biblical woman of the Lord, speaks out of her heart in tongues to the Lord when she is joyful at times. She also has beliefs aligning with true biblical theology (even reformed theology, in regard to repenting and believing and the fruits of our lives being evidence we have been saved). Scripture says that it's only good to speak in tongues in church with an interpreter for people to understand it, so I think that's where we fail sometimes in the Christian churches today. However, I cannot deny that this gift still exists. Many people seem to use it wrongly, but that does not mean that it doesn't still exist today. I hope you are blessed!

I used to judge those who speak in tongues but then I went to a church retreat and a church elder specifically prayed that i would speak in tongues. I felt the anointing so strong but I can control my tongue and i can totally understand what I would be saying though it comes out as a different language. Despite this, I remained skeptic so at one time, i prayed to the Holy Spirit to allow me to speak in French, Italian, Chinese and Japanese. He enabled me to speak and that made me realize that the gift is real. All you need to do is ask and pray from the Lord. I still have this gift (expressed in humility and I sometimes speak in tongues when I pray to God). I believe that the Lord gave me this gift for a reason, not just to prove His power, but to serve as a witness that God's same power demonstrated in the early believers is still at work in our generation and even much greater than what their generation had seen.

The holy spirit is real he conduct him self as he pleases

"Always learning, but never coming to the knowledge of the truth" 2Tim3:7

I was a new Christian when I was invited to attended a Church service. When the preacher prayed people are slain and speaking strange language i am laughing saying they are crazy. But when he came near me and raise up his hands i feel like fire in my body and i begun to speak in tongues. So by that time i received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

WONDERFUL! I could jump and down over this short clip. EXCELLENT and I see the same things in the local churches. Tongues have not ceased Biblically but what I see most of the time in churches and from leaders, they are not speaking a language. "Baa baa baa baa baa baa" is not a language but even some pastors walk around 'praying' like this. We don't have the gift to preach to sheep even though we are called sheep. Myself, I know its a language/ different languages. It's not repetitive. One pastor in Florida at my church was intently watching me in a prayer service. I opened my eyes and caught him staring at me and listening intently. He said, "That's Cheyenne" He had the lineage and knew the language himself. I can tell of other times, personal accounts I can testify about that 'tongues' is real and for today. We have fakers in the Body of Christ that babble to cover for their positions of power in the local church who are expected to speak in tongues but if they aren't filled with His Spirit, then something else is filling them. In that environment I see other blasphemy going on they explain away by twisting scripture to their benefit, that is, to perform to an audience, many of whom are laying on the carpet in the front of the church. When confronted, you become an enemy to the spirit leading them and they begin false accusations and false prophecies toward you. They have no victory when they get up off the floor. No chains broken. No healing testimony, and you'll never find anyone who had hands laid on them in prayer fainting and falling forward or backward or any other way. In Scripture, there are two cases of falling as dead men or fainting or unable to stand. Enemies of Christ and those who experienced a miraculous encounter with the King in His actual presence with a lifechanging cannon worthy testimony. The only thing that has ceased in much of the Body of Christ is following Him and obedience and you will suffer persecution from the world and religious types for doing it.

If you ever heard someone speak in tongues and then interpret, when called upon to do so, in a church meeting, and you heard it done correctly, you should never wonder if this "is for today."

Paul Washer is so hard on himself, it has made him such a good person.

My sister was serving at and orphanage in Mexico last year and knew only basic Spanish phrases, and had a child come up to her and ask who Jesus was. She was able to explain the gospel to her in Spanish, using phrases she knew she had never been taught before. I believe this was an outpouring of the Holy Spirit - whether or not it’s “tongues”, I don’t know.

I go to a Pentecostal church and I have heard tongues once. After worship, a man just stood up and started speaking in what sounded like another language. After he sat down another man then got up and started speaking in English interpreting what was said. This was about 10-15 years ago and I was amazed as a kid.

"Is my Opinion " he said. Pay attention people, I listen to his teaching and he's right on getting close to God . But about spiritual experiences he doesn't believe or know.

Absolutely God equipped us to preach the gospel to all men in their own dialect.

Many of you who commented seem to think that Paul Washer said that tongues aren't for today. He never said that. He even said it himself that he cannot say with certainty that tongues have ceased, but he also said that when he reads about tongues in the Bible that he doesn't see that today. But he never said that they have ceased.

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In MY NAME shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with NEW TONGUES; (Mark 16:17). This is what Jesus said and this is what has been fulfilled in my life for the Glory of Christ.

Amazing testimonies and stories about this gift from brethren around the world concerning this gift thanks and Godbless. Jesus is Lord alone no one else. He is the way the truth and life no one else. Trust Jesus alone not man because man faileth but Jesus don't. Seek the word of God for your answers rather than relying on your own emotions the flesh cannot understand or comprehend the things of the spirit and rather than listening to what people say concerning this. Research for yourself find and seek the truth yourself not from others for surely they will fail and u don't wanna be decieved by them and fall away. The word of God is the only truth and nothing else!.

Thank you brother Washer. I just wonder those who argue that they have the gift of tongues, where was this gift from the days of the apostles until the 20th century when charismatics were born?

I can't really say that speaking in tongues or any gifts of the Holy spirit has ceased today. (John 14:12) however as a pentecostal Christian, I don't speak in tongues. I believe if God has given a person the gift of the spirit to speak in tongues, then I won't be in the position to forbid. As for me, I will be careful not to try to fake the gift of the spirit with the ability to speak in tongues if I don't have it.

“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭14:1-4‬ ‭

That happened in our church. Sarah brought her middle Eastern boyfriend and heard our Pastor speak in a tongue that was in his native language and sure enough wanted Jesus and got born again.what a testimony

PAUL SAID WHEN I SPEAK IN TONGUES MY SPIRIT PRAYETH BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS UNFRUITFULL. You can't have it both ways... the scripture says on the day of Pentecost that the apostles spoke in tongues and everyone heard them in their own language... the miracle was that they all heard in different languages at the same time. I have been baptised in the Holy Spirit for many years and pray in tongues often...many times I receive the interpretation of the message... the very fact that it is called an UNKNOWN Tongue should clue you in... these bible teachers today make things much more complicated then they are... Jesus said in Mark 16 that one of the evidences of the Christian life would be that the believers would speak in tongues... I choose to believe that Jesus is right instead of these men... if you are sincere and you ask God he will fill you with His Spirit and give you the gift of tongues... all else is merely fear!

God bless my Brother Paul Washer, I hadn't heard any of his sermons or teachings up to about a month ago, since hearing such a truth filled God filled teachet, I find it hard to listen to others. Now I glorify GOD for that, not Brother Paul, that being said, thank you dear Brother for what you said here about "Tongues" very helpful and also confirmed some of what I thought as well.

When I was on an African crusade when I was 20 (44) two of the girls who lived there in the village got malaria. My friend who was your typical American race car driver had a dream the night after to pray for them. He did and they were immediately healed. He was in shock and has never forgot that. When we go God shows up. I have been in many supernatural situations in my life. God has always been faithful. You can’t dismiss it or you an act like the religious leaders who told Jesus that he cast out devils by the devil and Jesus aid that it was blasphemy. Apostle Paul - “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭14‬:‭37‬-‭40‬ ‭KJV‬‬ Again Paul washer is a lovely man of God and I can’t wait to meet him some day.

Biblically this is what I read : Speaking in tongues in Acts = proclaiming the Gospel for salvation. Very powerful in mission fields. Speaking in tounges in I Corinthians = edification of the church (if there's no interpreter, better to it privately for self edification. . If there is an interpreter, the whole Church is edified.) I received the gift of tounges before I understood what the gift was all about. First time I experienced it, I felt that my tongue was moving on its own, I tried to cover my mounth because sounds started to come out. Then it become louder, so many words (non repetitive), but the only word I could understand was every time I was mentioning the name Jesus. I was aware of what was happening, but certainly it was not by my own volition. It was coming from within. Then my hand and arms felt like there were a cloud of static electricity surrounding them. All the while I was worshipping my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ from my heart.

You will never see Grace attacking the Law, but you will always see Law attacking Grace.

When I worship my holy Father, I speak in tongues. That is the biggest gift of our holy father. I can't express the experience which I have while worshiping in tongues. My friends,my cousin brother and even the church, where we serve and worship our Lord, worship our Lord Jesus Christ in tongues.. My beloved brothers and sisters in christ Jesus, I urge you to ask this wonderful gift from your father and this gift must be given to you by him.

I completely agree with this and I have been saying the exact same thing for years. The occurrence of “tongue speaking” today is very different than how it occurred in the Bible. And because God is the same today, yesterday, and forever He is very consistent. He will do the same thing in the same way so that you know it is Him. I think people today are caught up in emotion and hyper-spiritualism and are forcing and manipulating and “move” of God, I worry for the church and it’s people today.

The list of gifts are listed in the Bible. One is speaking in tongue.

Of course tongues is for today is for today, it is a gift of the Holy Spirit all the gifts are for today. They are in the Holy Spirit and He distributes them. Read 1 Corinthians 14. If the Word says it who are we to disagree?

I have been a follower of Christ for many years and for quite a few years I have used tongues in my personal worship and relationship with God, and I know personally, others also who do.

I grew up Reformed Baptist. When I was 9, God spoke to me audibly in a heavenly language that I simultaneously knew what was said (I had the supernatural gift of "interpretation" of an unknown language) - I was still anti Tongues until 10 years later when through re-reading the Scriptures I realized what had actually happened to me. This explanation of tongues - he defines his theology by EXPERIENCE (lack thereof) and NOT out of a heart to "earnestly desire" spiritual gifts... Our experience should be guided by the Word, not the other way around. I was so theologically brainwashed even experiencing the supernatural I couldn't realize what was happening was 100% in God's Word (blindness to God's Word can leave you powerfully blind to Spiritual experiences). Tongues is clearly - when reading Acts and Paul together, not exclusively a phonetic human language, and it is for today (unless you cross out large sections of Scripture as "not profitable..."). Therefore our response should be as commanded in Scripture... earnestly desire spiritual gifts (including tongues)... especially Prophecy (hearing God's voice, for yourself and others).

The answer is very short, Tongues are for today whether we understand it or not.

I love Paul: it is not a hard question, though. Tongues are a gift from God. Folks who pray in tongues do it almost exclusively in the privacy of their homes, between God and themselves.

This is so true i have been crying out to God to really help me on this. And all glory is His it is only through His word that has enligntened me, if it is not biblical base there is a danger to it. That's why i needed to break out from the sytem of the church where i grew up and been influenced with . I still attend the church but i made to a point that i don't take any mans word just because they have a platform to stand on.i always confirm and affirm it with the word of God and He will bring enligntenment and peace that will transcend beyond all understanding. All glory is His

I have experienced praying in toungues. And its the real speaking in toungues that Paul was talking about "enlighten the mind (He who speaks in a [strange] tongue edifies and improves himself 1 Corinthians 14:4 AMPC But I do it according to the leading of the Holy Spirit, not when I want. Every time I follow Him like that my inner being will be edified. Especially when I'm in a severe battle I don't know what to do and don't see things clearly.. after praying like that the Holy Spirit will show me clearly what the devil is trying to do, what I can do and have pefect peace. There are countless times that praying in toungues led by the Spirit has taken me out of troubles when I don't know how to pray anymore. Other times He will give words and things to pray or explanation of Scriptures or answwr to what Im asking about, very clearly.. some other times He told me to quit pray in toungues and if I continue it will be just me .. not toungues anymore and its no use. There are false toungues too.. I think many people just babble to prove that they speak in toungues, when some of them even don't have the Holy Spirit.. but it doen't mean true toungues dont exist. For a long time I was troubled by those babbling people and doubt toungues.. but now no more. I experienced true toungues and also know that false toungues come from the devil. I hope that this benefit some one and you not be cheated by the devil.

I’m so thankful that God gave mr Washer the gift of teaching. Such an eloquent answer to a hard question.

What will happen if a person who doesn't believe in speaking in tongues can be baptized in the Holy Spirit and start speaking.will they tell..?I was baptized at a very young age 14 years old.The Holy Spirit taught me himself.I came to understand when I was about 20 plus that thats baptism in Holy Spirit.Initially I couldn't discuss with anyone because it was strange.finding out that it's one of the spiritual gifts.strengthened me .

A good example of a humble man who prays in the Spirit can be found at the channel "Last Days" - he has a video "Pray with me for 40 minutes" This man's faith has been a tremendous blessing to me.

Excellent response. Some are too far off in "experience" and some have "no grounding in the word." We should be constantly praying for greater and greater manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Yes, we should....and we should stay in the word of God, always.

Hopefully one day God gives him this wonderful and uplifting gift. We should pray for him :) The only real argument he made was that he hasn't personally seen Biblical tongues, but I suspect that has to do with his circle of friends. I think if you are uncertain about whether someone is really speaking in tongues, a good test is the fruit it produces in their life and whether they are growing closer to God. Don't let the wacky groups put you off the real thing.

i also believe in tongues for evangelism. these are the tongues Paul washer is talking about. there are different kinds of tongues.

The examples of tongue in Acts is not the only type of manifestation of tounges... The tongues Paul spoke of in First Corinthians, he said he would do it even if it was only between him and God and that his mind would be unfruitful. He would do it even if no one else was around to hear it! And his mind would not know what he was talking about! So if he doesn't know what he's saying, whether it's an actual phonetic language that he cannot speak or understand or some Divine Heavenly language is irrelevant. He will not know what he's talking about. Yet his spirit will be praying! This is very simple scripture that it takes a determined stubbornness to ignore. I don't mean that to be condemning at all. At least not necessarily. The stubbornness could be out of a legitimate ignorance, but it doesn't negate what the Bible so simply says.

One day I believed Jesus as the scriptures said, and was humbled by realising I'm a sinner. I asked Jesus for a drink, just a drink of His Living Water. The next thing that happened was that Jesus baptized me in my room with the Holy Spirit and rivers of living waters flowed from my belly, just as it is written! I spoke in tongues fluently; the flow of the language matched the overflow of the rivers flowing out of me, in a sense. I was also delivered from something that caused me to sin at the time. That was the first time I experienced the Power of the Holy Spirit. I will never forget this. I am yet to experience the kind of tongues that supernaturally allow me to speak another's language, but don't write of this heavenly language; I sure cannot, now that I've drunk from that Well.

Who was the rap artist at the end? And seriously, thank you for posting this. I came out of the Word of Faith/ Charismatic Movement, and was wondering about tongues. I been reading through the Bible again with new lenses it feels like, and so far what I’ve been reading, I couldn’t agree more with Paul Washers conclusion here. I been seriously questioning it, and want an honest relationship with God, no funny business. I stopped “ praying in tongues” , and it was hard for me because I was drilled in it, because I wanted the truth. I feel this really helped. I been praying for answers in this area. I want to know God in a sincere way.. it’s been a journey and I’m really thankful for amazing men and women of God :)

The Word is true, it is what the Bible says and I know that Tongues are for today, as it was, it is and it will be until the Lord returns. Praise God. I pray in tongues and I believe that Jesus is the same Yesterday, Today, and Forever.

I can relate to every word that is spoken. It is spoken in the simplest of terms that anyone can understand.

Paul wants a harder question?? I think that was a tough question for him. When you give your thoughts on scripture or in this case God’s gifts, first off you want to make all effort to satisfy God. Comparing the manifestations of God’s gift of tongues in another Christians lives with God’s word and saying it doesn’t line up is dangerous. Answer should’ve been similar to Apostle Paul saying “V39 ... do not forbid speaking in tongues” would be a safer answer. ... and also Paul W. by-passed it but now has to also explain V2 “ uttering Mysteries in the spirit”??

absolutely right. I agree. but still there are people who really speaks as it is given in acts 2.

The man said in his conscience (the Holy Spirit imbued spirit) he cannot deny tongues of the Holy Spirit. He’s right. Go home people, the Holy Spirit tongues are real and have not ceased.

Thank you Pastor for giving out your thoughts on this. Just a question. Do you preach and teach the baptism of the Holy Spirit with tongues as proof of the baptism? According to Acts 2 ?

We are in the 21st century and people still claim they have never seen the gift of healing while there are many men of God with the gift worldwide. Ever since Katherine Kuhlman, TB JOSHUA, Apostle Arome Osayi etc

Paul talks about speaking in tongues for strengtening your inner man.

I love brother Paul. Just a brother you can’t help but love

@t In this link you can find out about: 1. The difference between the Dorea gift and the charisma gift 2. The purpose for Dorea gift and the purpose for charisma gift 3. It is important to differentiate the two : Dorea is for oneself, Charisma is for the church or to profit others 4. Why is receiving the Holy Spirit (dorea gift) is important to salvation 5. What does 'sealed on the foreheads' in revelation means in connection with the Dorea gift 6. Please message the fb page if you have any enquiries. I won't be answering any questions in this youtube link because too many comments and it is easy to get lost. May God open our hearts to His words! Amen!

Love this logical explanation. Not taking liberties away from scripture.