The voice of Excellence

Prince Handley

HOW VOCAL GIFTS OPERATE


  Now that you have studied more about the baptism in the Holy Spirit, let us review and, at the same time, study some extra benefits of this wonderful gift of God.

  The baptism in the Holy Spirit makes you a candidate to receive one or more of the "gifts" of the Holy Spirit. (Read about them in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.) Three of the nine gifts may be categorized as "Vocal Gifts", which are as follows:

  • Kinds of tongues
  • Interpretation of tongues
  • Prophecy


   These gifts of the Spirit operate through you to enable you to: 1. Do God's work;  2 .Help other people; 3. Live in victory; and, 4. Build up the brotherhood of the believers. Now we will study how they operate.



KINDS OF TONGUES


    Different kinds of tongues, or the ability to speak with strange languages, is different than praying in tongues, or praying in the Spirit. All who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit have the privilege and the ability to pray in tongues; however, not all have the "gift" of tongues.     

    The gift of tongues is given to provide a message from God:

  • To a group of two or more believers (a church);
  • To individuals who are Christians; or,     
  • To unbelievers.


    Once I was called to another city to pray for the wife of the General of the Armies of Chile, South America. Another person was interpreting for me in Spanish while I spoke English. After showing several scriptures to the lady concerning how to know Christ, I led her in a prayer through the interpreter.

    I was filled with joy as she received Christ as her savior, and I started speaking in tongues. When she heard me speaking in tongues, the Chilean lady said to my interpreter, "He is speaking ancient Aramaic." I told the interpreter, "Tell her I cannot speak that language; but God is giving her a sign to build her faith."

     Earlier that day, in another city, I had been speaking in tongues in a home, and a visitor in that home said, "That man spoke in Aramaic." God gave two different people that day - in different cities - a SIGN through tongues to help them:  1. Build their faith, and 2. Believe the works of God!



INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES


    Interpretation of tongues is the ability from God to explain - or, interpret - the message in tongues. It is usually a dual gift used in conjunction with kinds of tongues. Sometimes the message in tongues and the interpretation in tongues may come through different people.

    When God's purpose for tongues is as a sign to unbelievers, there is NO need for interpretation because the unbelievers will understand the message in their language. [1 Corinthians 14:22].

     When God's purpose for tongues is as a message to the Church, it should be exercised by one or two people - at the most by three - and in turn, (or order, one after the other); one person should interpret [1 Corinthians 14:27-28]. If there is NO interpreter, let the person speaking in tongues be silent in the Church, and let him speak to himself and to God. Let all things be done decently and in order.



PROPHECY


    Prophecy actually means to speak forth God's Word. Prophecy is not just teaching or preaching, although a teacher or a preacher may also be a prophet; prophecy is a "gift" given by God for edification, exhortation, and comfort. In other words, for help and encouragement... to build up.

    The New Testament teaches that you are to desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy (I Corinthians 14:1). The prophet Joel said 770 years before Christ, that "in the last days your sons and your daughters shall prophesy." (Joel 2:28.)

    Be sure prophecy is based upon the Word of God. Isaiah 8:20 says, "To the law and to the testimony [the Bible]: If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."  Judge prophecy according to the Word of God.

    The same practice should be true of tongues and interpretation. There should be no contradiction with the Holy Bible.  Also, never seek direction from prophecy.

    If God has been speaking to you previously (in your heart) about a certain thing, then maybe all you need is a confirmation by one prophecy.

    If you are not sure God is speaking to you about a matter, wait and God will reveal his will to you:  first, in you spirit, and then possibly by confirming it "in the mouth of two or three witnesses" with prophecy.  However, get your direction from God, not people! Psalm 27:11 says, "Lead me in a plain path, O Lord, because of my enemies."


    "If you need help with direction or guidance, go to this section:How to Hear from God.Also, you may want to read the book,  Decision Making 101: Know For Sure  by Prince Handley.


    Study the following sections to learn:



    Read this book to learn more about the Holy Spirit: How to Receive God's Power with Gifts of the Spirit.



HOW VOCAL GIFTS OPERATE