Spontaneous and Supernatural Saying
David W Palmer
(Acts 2:1–4 NKJV) When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. {2} And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. {3} Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. {4} And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Throughout Acts, we see Jesus what Jesus continued to do, operating as the Head of the Church—using his disciples, the Holy Spirit, and angels to fulfil his mission. To his true disciples, he delegated the authority to speak his word on his behalf, he clothed them with supernatural power, and he imparted to them his vision and commission. For the disciples, this resulted—among other things—in supernatural seeing, saying, and doing.
On the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon them to clothe them in power, they certainly had supernatural seeing: they saw the tongues of fire. They also had spontaneous supernatural saying: they spoke with “tongues.” In other words, supernaturally by the Holy Spirit’s ability, they were enabled to speak in languages they had never learned. This was a miracle.
Speaking in tongues first allowed them to speak languages that the bystanders from foreign countries were able to understand. In other words, the Holy Spirit enabled them to speak in a way that the people on the street could understand them. Today, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to enable us to speak in ways that the common people and migrants of our day can understand.
The apostle Paul later spelled out other brilliant benefits of the supernatural saying of speaking in tongues:
(1 Corinthians 14:2, 4–5, 14 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. ... {4} He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself … {5} I wish you all spoke with tongues ... {14} For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
From what Paul—speaking on behalf of the Holy Spirit—explained, we see the amazingly supernatural side of speaking in tongues. First, we see that it enables supernatural speaking directly to God. This is a powerful prayer benefit; what we say when speaking in tongues may be a mystery to us as it is not usually understood by the speaker. But to God, it is not a mystery; it is a direct communication from the spirit of a human—with the Holy Spirit’s help—which bypasses the human intellect—so it cannot be corrupted by the flesh or selfishness, etc.
The second benefit the Holy Spirit recorded through Paul is that the one speaking in tongues edifies himself. This may sound self indulgent, but before we can edify others, we need to be edified so we can overflow life, power, and love to them. This truly is an amazing benefit of the supernatural saying of speaking in tongues.
Paul rounds out this passage by saying, “If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.” To me, if tongues is available, it is indispensable. God has provided a way for us to have this supernatural advantage in prayer and self edification. All of which means God’s will being done through the prayer, and others being helped via the edified disciple—who overflows in life-giving ministry.
Another supernatural sign released when speaking in tongues is found here:
(1 Corinthians 14:21–22 NKJV) In the law it is written: “With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” says the Lord. {22} Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers …
I often wondered how this was supposed to work. I even tried speaking in tongues to a non-believer who asked to hear it. I’m not sure if she took it as a sign, but I did it in obedience to
