The Bible is clear that this wonderful gift has divine purposes. What are they?

Paul Walker in the Spirit-filled Life Bible (Thomas Nelson, 2018) lists eleven (p. 1944), and I add one more:

1.. The gift unique to the church (1 Cor. 12:28; 14:21), while other gifts were also in the Old Testament, like miracles, and prophecy and healing;

2.. Fulfillment prophecy (Is. 28:11; 1 Cor. 14:21);

3.. Witness to the resurrection and glorification of Jesus (John 16:7; Acts 2:26);

4.. Sign of Spirit-immersion-baptism;

5.. Self-edification (1 Cor. 14:4; Jude 20);

6.. Church edification with interpretation (1 Cor. 14:5);

7.. Communication with God in private worship (1 Cor. 14:15);

8.. Intercession through us (Rom. 8:26; 1 Cor. 14:14; Eph. 6:18);

9.. Rejoicing in the Spirit (1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:18-19);

10.. Rest and refreshing (Is. 28:12; Is. 14:21)

11.. Confirmation of the preached Word of God (1 Cor. 14:22; Acts 10:44-46);

I add:

12.. When the believer does not know how to pray in his first language, Spirit-inspired language is the perfect prayer and praise since the Spirit is the one praying and praising through the mind of the speaker (see Walker’s eighth point).

Peter will proclaim in Acts 2:38-39 that this outpouring is for them back then and for all who are far off into the future and spread around geographically—you and me. He will learn later that Cornelius, a Gentile (non-Jew), will receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit with a Spirit-inspired language (Acts 10:34-35). Acts 2:1-4 can happen to us, either exactly the same or in modified form, tailor made for us. The point: Spirit-immersion-baptism is for us too.

How does this post help me grow in Christ?

I wrote the following in another post. It is so important that I repeat here.

The Spirit launches you out. Picture it this way.

Imagine that you are in a big international airport. You have two ways to get to your next flight. You can take the conveyer belt or walk next to it. You sensibly choose the conveyer belt, and you even walk on it while it is moving forward. The belt and motor driving it empowers, carries, and propels you forward. This is like Spirit baptism-immersion and Spirit-inspired language. Not the same thing, though often connected. Others who chose to walk without the conveyer belt are moving forward, because they have been born again, but you enjoy faster progress because you have been baptized-immersed with power in the Spirit.

If you got your prayer language, use it! You will be propelled forward in your walk with God and service! If a sin or habit keeps holding on, then regularly using your Spirit-inspired language will loosen its grip on you because your spirit is built up and your Spirit-inspired prayers work its way to your flesh and withers away besetting sins.

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