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NASB | Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 2:4 And they were all filled [that is, diffused throughout their being] with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (different languages), as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out [clearly and appropriately]. |
Subject: what is the importance of tongues? |
Bible Note: Good post, brother Ed! I appreciate your balanced and honest discussion of this often divisive topic. You asked the question "I wonder how many can honestly say they can pray and know that they know they have touched the very heart of God and that because of this God has responded?" I think it is important to remember that God does not accept the person for the prayer's sake, but the prayer for the person's sake. We see that in our recent discussion of Hebrews 11. Second, we can only expect that our prayers are heard when we are in a state of reconciliation with God. Jesus Christ is our intercessor. (See Revelations 8:3 and Isaiah 56:7.) Third, once we are reconciled to God, walking in submission and obedience to Him, we know our prayers are heard because of the assistance the Holy Spirit. "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts crying, Abba, Father." (Galatians 4:6) Fourth, we can know we are heard when our hearts, minds, and actions are fully committed to the Lord. "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord." (James 1:6-7) Fourth, we can know that our prayers will be heard when we pray according to God's will. (Luke 11:2) This seems obvious when you imagine trying to persuade God to do something contrary to His will! There are other things we could say about effective prayer, such as the importance of husband's relationship with their wives (1 Peter 3:7) and not praying to have things to fulfill the desires of our fallen nature (James 4:3). When we talk about praying with knowledge, we can all benefit in the forum. The tongues thing will probably always bring disagreement with it. There is so much we can learn from the Scriptures in which we do not disagree. The topic regarding the basics of prayer would seem to be one of them. Thank you for your post, Brother Ed. In Him, Doc |