The Records of Speaking in Tongues – part 3

In this third installment we are going to look at the conversion of the Apostle Paul. His Hebrew
name was Saul and he was very influential in the realm of Judaism. As a Pharisee Saul (Paul)
was in one of the highest positions in all Israel, yet he could only think about punishing
Christians for their belief.
Acts 22:3-5 (KJV)
3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet
of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous
toward God, as ye all are this day.
4 And I persecuted this way (Christianity) unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men
and women.
5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received
letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem,
for to be punished.
Philippians 3:4-7 (KJV)
4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath
whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the
Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law,
blameless.
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
But one day Jesus Christ met him on road to Damascus….
Acts 9:1-22 (KJV)
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went
unto the high priest,
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way,
whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a
light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou
me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is
hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
To kick against the pricks is a figure of speech. In the lands of Mid-East and the Orient the
farmers use oxen to plow with and in their hand they would have a stick (prick) long enough to
reach the hind legs of the ox. While they were plowing it the ox decided to kick, the farmer
would hold the pointed end of the stick behind the kicking leg of the ox so ox would hurt himselfon the stick. This is what Jesus Christ was referring to. Paul was kicking against God and Jesus
Christ and the thing that he was doing was hurting himself.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said
unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led
him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a
vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire
in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that
he might receive his sight.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done
to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name
before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
There is great learning here for all who will to believe. There is teaching in some Christian
Churches that only bishops or elders can minister healing. Well either they’re wrong or God is
wrong because God told a simple Christian disciple to go and minister to Paul. Every born again
believer has the ability to minister healing to others. The only thing that slows them down is the
lack of knowledge and the will to do it.
Ananias had a problem with what God told him to do! I would, too, since Paul was going around
and arresting Christians for what they believed and here Ananias is supposed to go and minister
to Paul in the name of Jesus Christ. Instead of going out and talking to the neighbors or other
Christians, instead of going to the Christian leadership he takes it up with God. If people could
only do that one thing this whole World would change. If you have a problem with the Word
take it up with God!
So God explains it a little further and Ananias does what God told him to do.
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said,
Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent
me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
In the Eastern Culture when a person calls you brother he means it! He will take care of you as if
you were his brother. He won’t cheat you, he won’t steal from you and he will protect you like a
brother.The other thing here is that the only reason that Ananias would have called him brother is
because God showed Ananias that Paul had been converted and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith,
and arose, and was baptized.
19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the
disciples which were at Damascus.
20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called
on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto
the chief priests?
22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus,
proving that this is very Christ.
It doesn’t say in this record that Paul spoke in tongues, nope it doesn’t. However, in I
Corinthians Paul says…
1 Corinthians 14:18 (KJV)
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
The greatest Apostle the World has seen and he said “ I speak in tongues more than ye all!” Whether
you are a simple disciple or leadership in the Church wouldn’t it behoove you to speak in tongues?