They Shall Speak With New Tongues: Difference - Pastor Matthew Woodward

·53 min·5 clips

Pastor Matthew Woodward declares Jesus promised every believer would speak in new tongues, not just the apostles or super spiritual.

This episode is a sermon by Assistant Pastor Matthew Woodward titled 'They Shall Speak With New Tongues: Difference'. It is the second lesson in a series on tongues, following a lesson on 'Evidence' and preceding one on 'Benefits'. Woodward opens by stating Jesus' promise in Mark 16:17 that believers shall speak with new tongues, emphasizing it is for all, not just a select few. He reviews the previous lesson, noting that in Acts, speaking in tongues is the immediate sign when believers receive the Holy Ghost. Woodward then introduces the core distinction of this lesson: the difference between speaking in tongues as the initial evidence of Spirit baptism and the gift of tongues Paul discusses in 1 Corinthians 12-14. He asserts these are not the same, and confusion between them leads to misunderstandings. The sermon walks through scriptural passages, starting with a review of Acts 2 (Pentecost), Acts 10 (Cornelius' household), and Acts 19 (Ephesian believers) to establish tongues as evidence. Woodward addresses the Samaritan revival in Acts 8, which doesn't explicitly mention tongues but implies a unique sign for Spirit baptism. He poses the question of what evidence exists if not tongues, critiquing alternative views like feeling God's presence or water baptism. The second half focuses on 1 Corinthians 12-14, where Paul discusses spiritual gifts. Woodward lists common verses used to object to tongues, such as 1 Corinthians 12:30 ('Do all speak with tongues?') and 14:19 (preferring five words with understanding over 10,000 in tongues). He explains these refer to the gift of tongues for public edification, not the personal prayer language. Woodward clarifies that Paul is not against tongues but advocates balance in church gatherings, ensuring interpretation for messages and including understandable speech for unbelievers. He highlights Paul's personal practice of praying in tongues more than all, yet preferring prophecy in public. The sermon concludes by reiterating the distinction: every believer will speak in tongues at Spirit baptism and should continue as a prayer language, but not all will operate in the public gift of tongues. Woodward ends with a prayer for more people to receive the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues, encouraging the congregation.

As heard by us

A clear Pentecostal defense of tongues today, held alongside Paul's concern for ordered worship.

This single-episode review presents a firm Pentecostal reading of tongues as a continuing sign for believers, tied to Mark 16:17 and the recurring pattern in Acts.

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Why you'd press play

Press play when you want a confident Pentecostal case for tongues that also cares about order in public worship.

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