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WORSHIP IN SPIRIT *AND* IN TRUTHAnother stumbling block people create for themselves is in assuming that the "gift" of tongues, and speaking in tongues as the sign of receiving the Holy Ghost are synonymous- they are not. Are tongues ONLY a spiritual "GIFT OF" the Spirit? First we must define what a "gift OF the Spirit" is- "now there are diversities of gifts... given to every man TO PROFIT WITHAL..." -1 Corinthians 12:4-7. So, if "the "gifts (plural) OF the spirit" were GIVEN TO PROFIT WITHAL, i.e. the whole Christian body, are tongues ALWAYS used ONLY for the edification of all the body of Christ? Or are there other purposes as well? "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue SPEAKETH NOT UNTO MEN, BUT UNTO GOD....He that speaketh in an unknown tongue EDIFIETH HIMSELF I would that ye all spake with tongues....FOR IF I PRAY IN AN UNKNOWN TONGUE MY SPRIT PRAYETH, but my understanding is unfruitful I WILL pray with the spirit (i.e. tongues), and I will pray with the understanding ALSO....FOR THOU GIVEST THANKS WELL, BUT THE OTHER IS NOT EDIFIED. I thank my God I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had RATHER speak......with my understanding......If any man speak in an unknown tongue....let one interpret....But if there be no interpreter....LET HIM SPEAK to himself, AND to God" -1 Corinthians 14. "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him MUST WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT and in truth" John 4:24." So we see that tongues ARE NOT ONLY used for the edification of the whole "body" body of Christ. Now let's put two scriptures together- "*IF* I pray in an unknown tongue *MY SPRIT PRAYETH*, but my understanding is unfruitful I WILL pray with the spirit (i.e. tongues), and I will pray with the understanding ALSO....for thou givest thanks well" TOGETHER WITH- "and they that worship him MUST worship him in SPIRIT AND in truth" John 4:24 & 1 Corinthians 14. So then, when tongues are spoken between a man and God (ie- NOT interpreted), it is NOT for the edification of the body, it is therefore NOT the "gift of tongues"!!! Do you see that? For in that case, tongues, when NOT interpreted, are used for communication between an individual and God, and is done in prayer, for "thou GIVEST THANKS WELL", but it is NOT "to profit withal". Furthermore, Jesus said- "It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer" -Matthew 21:13. Put that together with- "IF I PRAY in an unknown tongue MY SPRIT PRAYETH" and "they that worship him MUST worship him in SPIRIT AND in truth" and "But if there be no interpreter... LET HIM SPEAK to himself, AND to God." This combination of scriptures, makes praying in tongues EVIDENCE of worshipping in Spirit. And worshipping in Spirit IS A MUST. How then can anyone forbid a person from praying to his God, in the Spirit, in the church??? "Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and FORBID NOT to speak with tongues" -1 Corinthians 14:39. How then can anyone say that tongues aren't essential? Tongues (again as the Spirit gives the utterance) are ONLY essential, IF worshipping God in the Spirit is essential- which it is! Jesus said so Himself- "they that worship him MUST worship him in SPIRIT AND in truth" John 4:24. And Paul explained that praying in tongues IS to pray (worship) in Spirit- - "IF I pray in an unknown tongue MY SPRIT PRAYETH" 1 Cor. 14:14-15. Now, the things I mentioned about "artificial respiration" apply here also. A dog wags it's tail when it is happy, true enough. But just because you take a dog's tail and wag it, doesn't necessarily make the dog happy. If you pray in the spirit, you will speak in tongues, as God gives the utterance. If you make yourself speak in tongues, you've done yourself no good. 1- SCRIPTURES ON TONGUES |