There are many differences between the evidence of tongues and the gift of divers tongues, one of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit. People, confused about the difference, have not gone on to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit after they were saved. Scriptures have been misused, many people deceived about the importance of seeking the Holy Ghost baptism. The Bible is very plain in its teaching on both the gift of divers tongues and the evidence of tongues that first comes in when people receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

In Acts the gifts of the Spirit are not dealt with. The Church was getting underway in great power and manifestations of the Holy Ghost, and the message was: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved (Acts 16:31). Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift [in this case, the evidence] of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call (Acts 2:38,39). On the Day of Pentecost, they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:4). At Pentecost and since Pentecost, everyone who has received the baptism of the Holy Ghost has spoken in tongues.

Those waiting in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost hardly knew what to expect. Through the mighty, rushing wind and the cloven tongues of fire, the Holy Ghost made Himself real outwardly so they could yield for Him to go inside. Everything God has ever done has a purpose. When those in the Upper Room heard the sound of the rushing, mighty wind and saw the tongues of fire, they knew it was what they had been waiting for. They yielded, and the Holy Ghost came in speaking. They all spoke with tongues as the Holy Spirit gave utterance. The Holy Ghost used man’s tongue, man’s vocal organs, but the mind of man was not included in the speaking.

The Holy Ghost baptism in Acts marked the birth of the Church. It wasn’t necessary for the gifts to be taught then, for all embraced all the works of the Holy Spirit. The early Christians, full of the Holy Ghost and the power of God, had miraculous experiences with the Lord. Walking in the light as Jesus walked, they gave forth His love. The evidence of the Holy Ghost, the initial evidence, let people know they were truly baptized. Even onlookers would recognize that a supernatural manifestation had been given.

Tongues as the initial evidence of the Holy Ghost baptism is irrefutable. People have tried to discredit it, and yet millions have been baptized in the Holy Ghost; every one of them spoke in tongues. Man cannot teach people to speak in tongues. The Holy Ghost does His own talking. He is a person.

When the Holy Ghost is speaking, the person’s mind is quiet; it’s the mind of the Holy Spirit controlling the speech. Nothing dangerous is in that. God isn’t dangerous; it’s the devil that is dangerous. Still some people cannot believe that the Lord will take over a holy being, a sanctified tongue and speak in any language He wants. But they believe in devil possession, that the devil can take an unclean tongue and say whatever he wants.

God has all-mighty power. He is able to do far greater things than the devil is able to do. If an evil spirit can possess a human being, give a person all his evil traits so that the person becomes whatever that evil spirit is, certainly the Holy Spirit can possess a child of God and help that one develop as a godly, righteous, holy person, walking just like Jesus walked.

Do all speak with tongues? Paul asks (I Corinthians 12:30). It is a must to distinguish between the evidence of tongues recorded in Acts and the divers kinds of tongues, one of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit. Some people use the question, Do all speak with tongues? to prove that people may or may not speak in tongues when they receive the Holy Ghost. The Bible tells us in II Timothy 2:15, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. The Bible also teaches that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation (II Peter 1:20). In other words, use all the scriptures together on each subject to arrive at the correct meaning. Don’t isolate the single scripture, Do all speak with tongues? and turn it into a doctrine. Some people have done exactly that, distorted the meaning of the Bible by isolating a scripture, failing to take into account the complete meaning that other passages bring to that one verse. They have cheated themselves and others by misinterpreting the Word of God. Many twist the scriptures to their own damnation. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness (II Thessalonians 2:11,12).

It is essential to accept the truth of God. Anyone who will accept all the truth of God will accept the evidence that goes with the baptism of the Holy Ghost. You can’t refute it unless you dispute God’s Word, calling Him a liar.

There is a clear distinction between the tongues in Acts and the tongues in I Corinthians chapters 12-14. For the most part, when referring to the speaking in tongues of I Corinthians 12, 13 and 14, I will use the phrase: gift of tongues. When I refer to the speaking in tongues in Acts, I will call it the evidence. Be careful to distinguish between the evidence of speaking in tongues and the gift of tongues.

Mark 16:17 tells us that they shall speak with new tongues. Those waiting in the Upper Room began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:4). I Corinthians14:2: he that speaketh in an unknown tongue. These expressions are different ways of saying the same thing. The new tongue is new to the speaker; other tongues are other than what one has learned to speak; the unknown tongue is a tongue not known to the speaker. Remember, on the Day of Pentecost, they all spoke with tongues. That Upper Room experience of speaking in tongues as the first evidence of the Holy Ghost baptism has been the pattern, the standard for true believers throughout the entire Church Dispensation.

In the early years of that outpouring of the Spirit on the Early Church, all the power of God was in operation, the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the fruits of the Spirit. Later, people began to fall away. They ceased to use the power of God the way the Early Church had used it in the beginning. To those people the Lord gave wonderful teachings through the apostle Paul. The gifts, no longer taken for granted, had to be taught to the people, and the devil had to be defeated. Just as the Early Church needed the gifts working in the body of Christ to defeat the devil, we need the gifts working today. God wants you to know that He is almighty, that He has all power. He wants to possess you completely.

The gift of divers tongues and the evidence are alike in nature, but with a distinct difference in the way they are used. They are not identical. The chief distinction between them is in purpose and operation. The tongues, dialects, languages are spoken by the same person, the Holy Ghost Himself. It isn’t a different Holy Ghost who operates the gift of divers tongues from the Holy Ghost who baptizes people. There is only one Holy Ghost, and He is a person.

The gift and the evidence both make clear that the Holy Ghost is speaking. The same organs of speech are used for the evidence and for the gift. In each form, the tongues are operated one hundred percent by the Holy Ghost Himself.

When people “teach” others to speak in tongues at will, the Holy Ghost is not speaking; the rattle comes from either self, the devil, or both. It’s dangerous to try to take the place of the Holy Ghost, the third person in the Trinity of the Godhead. Jesus said, I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you (John 14:16,26).

Jesus told His disciples that it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you (John 16:7). It was so necessary for the Comforter to come that Jesus went away to send Him to us. Had Jesus not gone away, the Holy Ghost would not have come. Everyone needs the baptism in the Holy Ghost that Jesus placed so much importance on.

Always keep in mind that the gift of divers tongues, one of the nine gifts of the Spirit, and the evidence of tongues are different in purpose and in operation. First Corinthians 12, 13, 14 give valuable doctrine on the Holy Spirit, teaching us about the spiritual weapons of the Spirit-filled. All nine gifts of the Spirit are great, mighty spiritual weapons for the Church. The Apostles, filled with the supernatural gifts of the Holy Ghost, showed the great power that was needed for the Church, the great power that started the Church.

In Acts 10 is the record of Gentiles receiving the Holy Ghost. As Cornelius, a devout man, was seeking God, he saw in a vision…an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter (Acts 10:3,5). Cornelius did as the angel said. As the men approached the place where Peter was staying, the Lord was giving Peter a vision. At first Peter rejected it, and the vision came again. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them (Acts 10:15,16,19,20). Peter was on his way to preach to the Gentiles.

When Peter reached the home of Cornelius, he told them how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God (Acts 10:38-46).

Cornelius had called many friends and relatives together to hear Peter, and they all received the Holy Ghost. Peter said, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we (Acts 10:47)? They had been baptized in the Holy Ghost the way Peter had been: They spoke in tongues. After they were baptized in the Holy Ghost, Peter baptized them in water.

And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them (Acts 11:2-4). After Peter explained the vision the Lord had given him and the way the Holy Ghost fell on Cornelius and the people gathered with him, Peter said, Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life (Acts 11:17,18).

In Ephesus Paul met some people whom he asked, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied (Acts 19:2,3,6). They had been saved, baptized in water but had not heard about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. When Paul laid hands on them, they received the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues. It was in order. The Scripture does not contradict itself; the contradictions come in people’s minds through false opinions, through things they resent and don’t want to accept.

When I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, I didn’t receive any of the gifts of the Holy Spirit at that time. That came quite a bit later. The Holy Ghost spoke through me, sang through me and it was marvelous. I delighted in it; He bubbled in my life. He was the real, talking Holy Ghost from On High. Totally He possessed me. The Holy Ghost is the one who preached my first sermon through me, ordained me to carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Although it was most wonderful to have the baptism and to hear the Holy Ghost speak through me, I never thought I would have one of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit. I certainly believed in them, but they seemed too far beyond me. Then I received the marvelous gift of divers kinds of tongues. The Holy Ghost would speak and sing through me in all kinds of languages and dialects. It amazed me. He even preached through me in another language; some in the congregation could understand what was being said, but I couldn’t. The Lord preached a whole sermon in Hebrew through me, and I don’t know a word of Hebrew. He has prayed through me in the German tongue. After the sermon, a little German woman came running down to me, excited that I had been praying in German. But when she got to me, I couldn’t speak her native tongue. I simply don’t know German.

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant (I Corinthians 12:1). God wants us to know about spiritual gifts. Some think they are not necessary, but this verse lets us know they are: Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. The Spirit in the gifts of the Spirit and in the evidence of the Spirit is the same. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal (I Corinthians 12:2-7). Some claim the gifts are in the church in general and that an individual cannot have a gift. But the Bible tells us that the gifts are given to individuals. God gave Paul great insight into the working of the Holy Spirit. All these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will (I Corinthians 12:11).

The Lord chooses to whom He will give a gift or gifts. For instance, a person can have the gift of healing, but not have the gift of divers tongues. Everyone who receives the baptism in the Holy Ghost does not receive one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but they all receive the initial physical evidence of speaking with other tongues.

Paul lists the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit: For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit. Not to one church, but to individuals. To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will (I Corinthians 12:8-11). Verse 11 tells us that the Holy Spirit divides the gifts to every man as He chooses. Although the evidence of the Holy Ghost is for every born-again Christian, the gifts aren’t.

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues (I Corinthians 12:28). These wonderful gifts and callings in the lives of people God has placed in the Church, the helps, the governments.

Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? (I Corinthians 12:29,30). I say again, people use this passage to claim it isn’t necessary for all to speak with tongues, that it is not the first evidence of the baptism in the Holy Ghost, that there are many evidences of the baptism other than tongues. Although there are many evidences of the Holy Ghost, there is only one initial evidence: God chose tongues as the sole initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

Here is another scripture used against the Holy Ghost by those who contend tongues have ceased, that they were just for the Early Church: Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away (I Corinthians 13:8). Skeptics don’t say knowledge has gone, just tongues. Do we still have knowledge on Earth? Yes, we do, and we still have tongues. How sad that some people hate speaking in tongues and won’t allow it in their services! There even are preachers who go so far as to proclaim that speaking in tongues is of the devil. Calling the Holy Ghost the devil is blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. Others admit it happens, but they still outlaw it in their church and preach against it. Not until Heaven will tongues cease, giving way to one perfect language.

Paul goes on to say, For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away (I Corinthians 13:9,10). When the perfect is come we will be in Heaven; tongues will have ceased and we will have one harmonious language as Adam and Eve spoke in Eden. Adam and Eve enjoyed perfect articulation, but when sin entered, that ideal speech was lost. Later as man attempted to build the tower of Babel, the one language was changed into many languages. People no longer able to understand one another went their separate ways. The result of sin, the different languages were part of the curse. The incompatibility that comes from not understanding the language of others has caused more wars, discord, dissatisfaction, and separation than any other one thing I can think of, with the exception of sin. People have little or no communication with those who do not speak their language.

In eternity, the prophecies of God will have all been fulfilled and done away with—however, we will have record of those prophecies. The knowledge of this Earth will vanish away, but the knowledge of God, of His Word will live with us for all eternity.

Follow after charity [love], and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God (I Corinthians 14:1,2). It’s the Holy Ghost speaking through us back to God. The Holy Spirit maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:27). Even through groanings, the Spirit will make intercession. For no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries (I Corinthians 14:2). Man’s vocal organs are being used, and his mind is not included. The Holy Ghost is interceding through the person. The Holy Ghost is the one who uses the vocal organs; a thought is not first formed in the person’s mind and then spoken.

He that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort (I Corinthians 14:3). This is the reason Paul said he would rather speak a few words with his own understanding than many words no one could understand. When speaking in prophecy of the Lord, it is in an understandable language, not in an unknown tongue. Paul is talking about winning people for Jesus. This, however, in no wise takes away from speaking in tongues as some would have you believe.

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself (I Corinthians 14:4). If speaking in tongues were of the devil, why would the Bible say that the person is edified who speaks in tongues? To be edified means to be built up, to be helped. Paul says, I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying (I Corinthians 14:5). Tongues with the interpretation is equal to prophecy because both give people understanding.

Paul goes on to say, Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine (I Corinthians 14:6)? In Acts 2:4 when those in the Upper Room spoke with tongues as the Holy Spirit gave utterance, there was no regulation placed on the initial baptism in the Holy Spirit. But Paul is telling us that there is a regulation on the gifts, especially on the gift of tongues. First Corinthians 14 is the regulation chapter on the gift of tongues, not on the evidence of tongues.

In I Corinthians 14:18 Paul writes, I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all. Paul glorified God for the language that the Holy Ghost spoke through him. He placed great value on tongues.

First Corinthians 14: 12,13: Forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. The devotional tongue, spoken around the altar, edifies the speaker and is not to be confused with the congregational tongue that edifies the assembly as a whole. In the devotional tongue at the altar, the Holy Ghost speaks through the individual for that one’s edification, and there is no interpretation. In the congregational tongue, however, there will be an interpretation; the Holy Ghost begins to speak and everyone becomes quiet and listens. It is one message for all, and is meant to be understood.

Paul describes how the congregational tongue is regulated: If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret (I Corinthians 14:27). Paul is not speaking about the evidence, but the gift of tongues. It’s the same Holy Ghost, I say again, but different in operation. In Acts an interpretation was not needed when the Holy Ghost spoke because it was the initial evidence that the person was being baptized. The apostles accepted nothing less.

No matter how much love people show, no matter how much they shout and praise God, they don’t have the Holy Ghost until they speak with tongues. It’s the Bible way, the only way to receive Him. You have not been baptized in the Holy Ghost until He comes in and takes over your vocal organs and speaks in another tongue. Contrast that with the way the gift of the Holy Ghost is to be used in the congregation. Then the most that speak is three—in order, one at a time and with an interpretation. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God (I Corinthians 14:28).

The Lord taught me order. When He gifted me with calling down the Holy Ghost on people, He told me the reason so many people had rejected His baptism was that no order was kept in the church. People got out of control and into the flesh. It frightened others away; they decided it was fanaticism—and it was. They wanted no part of it.

In some churches when the Holy Ghost begins to give a message, people start shouting and dancing, and the message is lost. There is no interpretation. People must become quiet in the congregation when the Holy Ghost is giving out a message, and there is to be an interpretation. Fortunately not everyone in Pentecost is a fanatic, and it certainly isn’t fanatical to receive the baptism in the Holy Ghost or to receive any of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit. We believe in the old-time power. However, we don’t endorse all that people have done in the name of Pentecost. I hate man’s Pentecost, but I love God’s.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal (I Corinthians 13:1). When people talk for the Holy Ghost, it is nothing but a sounding brass and tinkling cymbal. Let all things be done decently and in order, Paul said (I Corinthians 14:40).

If someone comes in who has not been taught the proper order of the Holy Ghost in the service and that one begins to speak out of turn, I stop the person. In church not long ago when a message from the Holy Ghost was being given, a woman began shouting over it. I told her to be quiet; it was my place as a minister. I knew her conduct was not of God, and I let her know she was out of order. Her interference with the Holy Ghost as He was giving out a message was highly improper.

When the real Holy Ghost message is given in my services, I say again, there will be an interpretation. God has gifted me not only with divers kinds of tongues, but with the gift of interpretation. He gives me understanding of what the Spirit is saying. When the Holy Spirit speaks, it is a real language, not some gibberish. I thrill to hear the Holy Spirit, to what He says.

In this final hour, there will be a great reality of the Holy Ghost for the Bride. The gifts of the Holy Spirit will operate—all nine of them—in perfection; and the fruits of the Spirit will be in the midst of the bridal company in a glorious way. The power of the Holy Ghost will work the way it did in the beginning, only now on a greater scale. Without spot and wrinkle, the Bride will go forth to bring in the endtime harvest. Jesus is saying to her, Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee (Song of Solomon 4:7). The Bride tells the Groom Jesus, Draw me, we will run after thee (Song of Solomon 1:4). She is fresh as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners (Song of Solomon 6:10). The Bride today is the devil’s terror. He fears her because she is full of God and without spot, wrinkle or blemish.

Some people think it impossible to be without spots, wrinkles or blemishes. Not so. You will not be caught into Heaven in the Rapture unless you, through the power of the Holy Ghost, get rid of the spots. For the Holy Ghost to change you in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, you will have to be completely yielded to Him.

Peter identifies speaking in tongues as part of the pouring out of the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost: This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh (Acts 2:16,17). We are in the last days of the Church Age and once again it is a pouring-out time.

The Lord spoke to me years ago saying, “You will lay hands on people and they will receive power. After that the Holy Ghost is come.” Thousands have received the Holy Ghost through the laying on of hands. Thousands more have received Him when I called the Spirit down on them. I couldn’t possibly reach everyone in all the multitudes of people in the crusades to lay hands on them, but they received the Holy Ghost when I prayed.

In Uganda, East Africa the Lord gave an outward sign to let people know what would happen when the Holy Ghost came in. He told me to tell them that their lips would begin to tremble; it would be the Holy Ghost seeking to take their tongues over. If they yielded to the Holy Ghost, He would begin to speak. That’s exactly what happened. The preachers were amazed. They stood and watched as thousands and thousands received the Holy Ghost baptism. About three or four times before the service, the Lord had told me how many would be baptized. I didn’t know He would tell the people, too; but the Holy Ghost took me over and before I realized what was happening, He was telling them that 64,574 had been baptized in the Holy Ghost. We were almost in Heaven!

I say again, you must have the Holy Ghost to make the Rapture. If you have not received the Holy Ghost baptism, there is a reason. You are not yielding completely to the Holy Spirit.

The Bride will be yielded to the Holy Spirit. This is the Holy Ghost dispensation; He is here on a divine mission to get the Bride ready for Jesus. When we see the Bride in the types and shadows of the Old Testament, it is always with complete victory. A type of the Bride in the form of Daniel stands unharmed in the lions’ den. In the fiery furnace, the three Hebrew boys represent her in type. The Bride, like the three Hebrew boys and Daniel, won’t compromise; she won’t burn; she won’t bow. Jesus, the fourth man, is with her. The Lord promised the Bride He would be with her all the way.

If you want the Lord to be with you at all times, you will need perfect obedience. It’s required. Without perfect obedience, you are out of step with the Lord. If you stay out of step very long, you will walk away from Him. Doing things Jesus would not do, not acting, talking and loving like Jesus, means you are out of step. But the Holy Spirit is constantly working to keep you in step with Him.

People who fight the baptism of the Holy Ghost are not ready for the Lord to come. They are fooling themselves if they think they are. Don’t let the devil deceive you. In this hour of vision, of the living reality of Jesus, follow thou Him. This is the hour of the greatness of God.

Speaking in tongues, I say again, is part of a definite experience, yet it is not one of the nine gifts. The gifts of the Spirit come later if the Lord desires to give them to a person. Millions have the Holy Ghost who do not have one of the nine gifts of the Spirit.

In different sections of the world, people have received the Holy Ghost although they had not heard of Him before. Every one of them spoke in tongues. One lady lived away from Christian people; she had never heard of the Holy Ghost, but she was seeking the Lord. The Holy Ghost fell on her and spoke in another language through her. Later she met some people who explained what that experience meant. When the Holy Ghost comes in, He will take over your vocal organs and speak whether or not you know anything about Him.

An angel of the Lord came to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, with the news that he and his wife would have a son who would be great in the sight of the Lord. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season (Luke 1:18-20).

Zacharias was struck dumb because of unbelief, but because of their belief those in the Upper Room began to speak with other tongues. Jesus had said that these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they…speak with new tongues (Mark 16:17).

It is evident that miraculous exercises of the Holy Ghost can be the same in a sense and can even fulfill the same purpose and still not be identical. The Lord said that believers would lay hands on the sick and they would recover. This form of healing has the same results as the healing in the gifts of healing. It is the same Holy Ghost. Healing is healing regardless of how it comes about. In the gifts of healing more people are healed, for greater power is in the gifts. Healing is not identical with the gifts of healing which it so clearly resembles. James is not writing of the gifts of healing when he asks, Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up (James 5:14,15). Believers anoint with oil, and the prayer of faith saves the sick: This healing is by the prayer of faith. It’s the same power, I repeat, but the power is greater in the gifts. It takes fasting for the gifts to operate through a person.

Early in my ministry before I received the gift of healing, I prayed for people and they were healed. But they were not healed on the great scale that came after I received that gift. I hadn’t wanted the gifts. I said, “God, give the gifts to others.” I wasn’t rebelling. I knew that to have the gifts I would have to stay away from people, and I loved people. I believed in the gifts and would support anyone who had them. I am careful what I say about God’s work. Criticizing God’s work is blasphemy.

Then I became very ill. I watched my body slowly go down to a skeleton. If I ate, I died deaths; and if I didn’t eat, I starved. But Jesus came to me one night and made me whole. It was a marvelous time that I will relive for all eternity. He lingered to talk with me. “Later,” He said, “you will go on a long fast. When you come out of that fast you will have my power for the healing of the people.” I was scared, but I knew I was going to live. He was telling me the future.

Never had I thought I could fast forty days at a time, that I could go that long without eating, but later I did go on that fast He told me about. There would be no return; I would never be the same. I died completely to Ernest Angley so that Christ could live in me completely. When I came out of that fast, I had the power for healing. In a hurry to get to my next crusade, I knew that the gifts of healing would work. I felt like an Elisha who had just received Elijah’s mantle. My wife, Angel, and I rushed to another state and struck the waters to cry without a doubt, Where is the Lord God of Elijah! The people in that crusade were healed of all manner of sicknesses and diseases. We saw great and wonderful things. And so it went. It is still going. I am traveling to different parts of the world with this great message: Jesus saves, heals and baptized in the Holy Ghost.

To have the gifts of the Holy Spirit takes a very close walk with Him; you don’t really have a life of your own. You must stay separated from the world and yielded to God. What you do for Jesus is what really matters in this last and final hour.

I say again, there is a difference between the gift of the divers tongues of the Holy Spirit and the evidence of speaking in tongues. Divers kinds of tongues is but one of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit. It deserves no more prominence than any other gift. But in Acts, tongues is exalted out of proportion as the evidence of the baptism of the Spirit. Know the difference. Divers kinds of tongues, one of the nine gifts, is not greater than any other gift. But in Acts people everywhere who were baptized in the Holy Ghost spoke in tongues; it was the evidence that the person had received the Holy Ghost. They expected it.

Although there are many similar features between the gift of tongues and the evidence of tongues, it is impossible not to see the sharp contrast in the purpose and the operation. No wonder the Bible tells us to study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (II Timothy 2:15). We need to understand the Scripture, to have an answer when people ask about the Blessed Hope we have within us.

Sometimes we who have the Holy Ghost have not really studied the Word enough to be able to explain it, to separate it from false doctrine for people who are honest-hearted. Never, however, debate. You either have an experience or an argument. You don’t need to protect God; He protects you. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). The Lord looks out for you.

In His great wisdom, the Lord chose tongues as the first evidence of the Holy Ghost baptism so that there would be no doubt when you receive it. Don’t make receiving Him hard; you don’t baptize yourself. You have nothing to do with His speaking. You who are born again do not need to be afraid the devil will give you something instead of the Lord. You don’t belong to the devil. After you have been to Calvary, it’s time to seek the Holy Ghost baptism. He comes into a holy, clean temple. He will only use a holy tongue, holy hands. I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting (I Timothy 2:8).

Come to the Lord; yield yourself to Him. If that tongue is sanctified, holy and the Spirit of the living God is in you, then you are a candidate for the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Jesus said to Peter, Follow thou me (John 21:22). Jesus is saying the same thing to all today: Follow thou me. How did the disciples follow Jesus? They went to the Upper Room. The Lord told them not to leave Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49). The disciples knew He had been crucified and then resurrected. They had watched Him out of sight as He ascended into Heaven, and in obedience to His command, went to the Upper Room to tarry until they were endued with power from On High. When the power fell, they all spoke with tongues.

On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Ghost came to set up His office work. Where was that? Downtown Jerusalem? No, it was in the human temples of about one hundred twenty men and women who yielded themselves to God and believed Jesus. He had said, When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness (John 15:26,27). Suddenly it happened to them. They had the tongue of fire. The Holy Spirit took them over as they opened up to Him.

There isn’t anything else like the tongue of fire to take the Gospel to the world. When I stand before those thousands of people in the crusades, I’m so glad to be there, glad for the Holy Ghost to use me and for the Lord to pour out His power. I spend many, many hours in His presence getting ready to be used by Him. He tells me what is going to happen, where the miracles and healings are. He takes me into visions, and into X-ray visions. I look inside bodies and watch as diseases disappear, melt before the very presence of God. I see the Lord straighten spines. I rejoice as God performs His mighty works. I’m just a witness. He is the one who performs the miracles. He gets all the honor, all the praise, all the glory.

You who are unsaved, wait no longer to give your heart to God. Pray the sinners’ prayer with me: Oh, God! I have sinned against you. I am so sorry! I have come home, and I’m going to serve you, Lord, the rest of my life. I believe the blood of Jesus washes away all my sins. Come on into my heart, Jesus! Come in!

If you meant that prayer, He has come. Praise Him, He is yours!

You who are sick and afflicted, the Bible says, I am the Lord that healeth thee (Exodus 15:26). He is the Lord who healeth all thy diseases (Psalm 103:3). If you have a child who is deformed or sick in any way, believe the Lord who healeth all thy diseases. I have prayed for children who had just part of a brain, and the Lord gave them a normal brain. The doctors don’t know what to make of it. I’m a believer and the Lord is the healer. Lord, I bring the cancer victims, those with heart trouble, diabetes and other diseases, those with AIDS. Lord, there is no case too hard for you. Heal the people today. Heal! Heal! in the name of Jesus. Heal the little ones, Lord! Heal in the holy name of the Lord, the all-powerful name of Jesus.

The healing power is flowing, going into your body if you meant that prayer. Watch yourself get well. Look for all improvements in your body and in your little one. Remember, Jesus said, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth (Mark 9:23).

If you are saved but don’t have this wonderful experience of the Holy Ghost, go on to receive your baptism. Distinguish between the evidence of the baptism in the Holy Ghost and the gift of divers tongues. Do all speak with tongues? All don’t have the gift of tongues, all don’t speak with the gift of divers kinds of tongues, but all who are baptized in the Holy Ghost have the evidence of tongues. The book of Acts covers thirty-three years; during that time, the apostles all spoke in tongues.