A New Tongue

They will speak with new tongues. .....(Mark 16:17)

Those are the very words of Jesus. He had just delivered a mandate to his disciples to go everywhere preaching his resurrection. Among other things, He said a sign of those who believe in Him is that they will receive ability to speak in a new tongue. On the surface when one looks at this statement, we may want to assume that Jesus meant, instead of vulgar languages, we will begin to speak words of grace.

Remember he was raised from the dead before speaking those words and the holy spirit was not yet given. However, on the day the holy spirit was given, we discovered that the disciples of Jesus really spoke in a new tongue, but not a known tongue. This must be the new tongue Jesus had earlier told them about. When the 120 people who were in the upper room were filled with the holy spirit, they all yielded to the Spirit by speaking in new language they never learnt.

That must be the sign Jesus was speaking about. If it were just a change of language or words, then there was really nothing peculiar about it. However, the event on the day of Pentecost that drew the attention of thousands of people in Jerusalem, both Jews and non-Jews, that led to the salvation of 3000 souls after Peter's preaching must be the sign Jesus talked about.

Moreso, when we look critically at the other signs that Jesus said will follow a believer, they all carry the element of the supernatural. Nothing looks ordinary in laying hands on the sick and they recover from that sickness. Or to be without hurt after consuming a deadly substance. Taking up serpents or casting out devils. When you imagine the authority given to you to cast out devils in Jesus name, you won't think less of speaking with new tongues. That is the supernatural power of God at work in a believer.

Have you ever wondered why this singular sign is what marked the beginning of the new testament church of Christ. Have you wondered why speaking in New tongues is an evidence of the coming of the Holy Spirit in a person. It shows there is more to this singular sign than we might presently be aware of. Only when we give ourselves wholly to this experience do we come into better understanding of its operations in and through us.

A sign usually carries a message that it points you to. Jesus spoke clearly that the way to know those who have believed is that they spoke in a different language. Speaking with tongues therefore is a trademark for the believer in Christ Jesus. Speaking with tongues is not luxury for us who have believed, but it is us identifying and manifesting our nature as believers.

Every believer in Jesus thus should speak with tongues as a sign that we have believed. Just the same way every new born child will cry as a sign of life, our vocal cords too must give way to show we are now born again. Your salvation experience and the first time you speak with tongues should not be far apart. You should not get saved and then after 5 years of salvation begin to speak with tongues. Biblical evidences show we can have both experiences the same moment.

One that comes to mind is the incidence at Cornelius house. Cornelius had not heard the gospel to be saved, but was instructed by an angel to invite Peter the Apostle to come preach to him. While Peter was still preaching, the Holy Ghost fell on all who heard his preaching. With no special meeting held, no special prayers prayed or hands laid on anyone, they all began to speak with tongues and prophesied. Cornelius household was a gentile family that had not heard the gospel of Jesus. But while listening to Peter preach, they believed and received the Holy Spirit. Acts 10: 1-48.

It's good we also know that the only condition anyone needs to meet to speak with new tongue is to believe in Jesus. How powerful is our faith in Christ Jesus which not only saves us but also gives us a new language. In this commonwealth of Zion we have come into, our mode of communication is spiritual only known by us and our father. This speaking is done in the name of Jesus, a secure line of communication.

People must know us as folks who not only believe in new tongues but practice the speaking regularly. Its our sign, its our trademark. It's our way of showing we believe in Christ resurrection. We must carry this sign everywhere we go announcing Jesus power in us. When we do, we consistently live in consciousness of our new identity in Him and give expression to it.

If you have not made Jesus Christ your Lord and saviour, then this life we speak of beyond you and eternity is bleak. We urge you, don’t wait another moment. Make up your mind and say this prayer:

“Dear God, I ask you to forgive me all my sins and make me anew. I believe that Jesus died for me and you raised him up on the third day, I confess that He is Lord now and forever. I accept your son, Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour.”

Congratulations! Now that you are born again, look for a Bible believing church to attend that you might know what he has provided for you.