Baptism of Fire! 18 Decrees that Activate the Gift of Speaking Tongues
Baptism of Fire
What God Says
It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. There were in all about twelve men (Acts 19:1-7 NASB).
I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11 NLT).
Today’s Insight
The newly converted disciples in Ephesus had only experienced John’s baptism and had not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Like them, after making a decision to follow Christ many years ago, I was not aware of the baptism of the Holy Spirit found in the fullness of Christ. I repented of living my life independent from Jesus, but I still had addictions, illnesses, and anxiety episodes that required medication. I desired to live the abundant life that Jesus promised, but I did not know how.
One day, I heard a message preached at a small church about the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire found in Matthew 3:11. Upon hearing this message, I had a revelation that Jesus is our Savior and baptizer in the Holy Spirit. When the invitation was made to leave our seats and walk to the front to receive prayer for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, I knew I needed this fire to burn up the enemies I couldn’t break free from. I received prayer through the laying on of hands, and I began to speak in another tongue—more like a two-syllable sound that could have easily been discounted. However, I knew I received something, because I felt a peace I had never experienced before. After the meeting, I immediately realized that I was able to stay in the room during the entire service with- out anxiety pushing me to exit early. Later that night, my newly found gift of the Holy Spirit would be tested.
That night, as I lay in bed about to fall asleep, I was jolted awake by an overwhelming anxiety attack that felt like someone was choking me. Gasping for breath and paralyzed with fear, I suddenly heard a loud voice commanding, “Speak in tongues and watch what I will do.” Mustering all my strength, I obeyed, and as the two-syllable sounds flowed from my lips, a powerful wind surged through my bedroom. I watched in awe as dark, shadowy figures were swept out of the room, leaving me in a profound peace. Since that extraordinary night, I’ve never experienced another panic attack.
Speaking in tongues is not a strange or obscure ritual limited to a few Christian denominations; rather, it is a profound and supernatural gift from the Holy Spirit available to all believers. This gift brings numerous benefits, such as personal edification, a deeper spiritual connection with God, and enhanced authority in prayer. When embraced and used, speaking in tongues can transform one’s spiritual life, providing a powerful means of communication with God and fostering a stronger, more intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit, who always glorifies Jesus.
Declarations
Acts 19:1-7, Matthew 3:11, Acts 8:16-17, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1-4, Romans 8:26-27
“When I speak in tongues, the Holy Spirit intercedes for me with divine understanding, helping me in my weakness and aligning my prayers with God’s perfect will.”
“Through the gift of tongues, my spirit communicates directly with God, bringing me comfort, guidance, and a deeper sense of peace and purpose.”
“Today, I receive a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire that ushers in freedom from every spiritual enemy in my life.”
“I am open to receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit, just as the disciples did, empowering me to live a life of faith, power, and purpose.”
“I embrace the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, allowing the fire of God to fill me with strength, wisdom, and a deeper connection to Jesus.”
Daily Risk
Take time today to ask Jesus to baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire. When you receive Jesus to come into your life, you now have access to the fullness of Christ. Jesus is your Savior and baptizer! Ask Jesus to send the Holy Spirit to fill you with the fullness of Christ! Journal your encounter with God, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Believe by faith that you have received. Ask for a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit daily. Do a biblically based study on the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer
I acknowledge that I need Jesus Christ in my life, and I confess my sins, asking for Your forgiveness. Heavenly Father, I also ask for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Just as You empowered the disciples, I pray that You fill me with Your Holy Spirit, granting me the gifts and strength to live a life that honors You. Let Your Spirit dwell within me, guiding my steps and deepening my faith, and giving me greater authority and power over darkness, sickness, and confusion. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen!
Tongues As a Sign to Unbelievers
What God Says
Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14:22 NKJV).
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:4 NKJV).
And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” (Acts 2:6-12 NKJV)
Today’s Insight
This diversities of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:28) is a supernatural flow of the Holy Spirit that goes beyond our intellect and gives us an endowment to speak in other languages. This incredible endowment by believers has been used as a sign to unbelievers not only in the book of Acts, but also in revival history as well as the present.
We have read countless stories from the Azusa Street Revival of 1906 where people documented believers supernaturally speaking in other languages. This supernatural sign led them to go as missionaries to the nations! As these new missionaries were sent out from Azusa, they found themselves preaching the gospel in the dialect of the land perfectly!
In the 1990s there was a man by the name of David Roberson who understood the power of speaking in tongues. During an interview on a TV show he began to pray in tongues in the middle of the interview. What he didn’t know was that there was a woman from Germany who was watching and understood everything he said because he was supernaturally speaking in German! Come on, Jesus!
It’s not by our might or by our power that God advances His Kingdom in the earth, but is by His Spirit in us! Hallelujah! Let’s open up our hearts to this gift by decreeing these promises over our lives.
Declarations
1 Corinthians 14:22, Acts 2:4,6-12
“I declare that I have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak in different languages as He gives me the utterance as a sign for those who do not believe.”
“I open up my heart today for God to use me in this gift to declare the praises of God.”
“Today I choose to believe that God will use me for His glory so that I can show the rest of the world He is alive and He is who He says He is!”
“I declare that this supernatural endowment from the Holy Spirit will be a sign to unbelievers that will open up their hearts to the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
“I say today that since I have been filled with the Holy Spirit anything is possible!”
Daily Risk
Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a word for someone who speaks in a different language than you do. Start by praying with them in tongues and see what happens as you do.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for giving me every good and perfect gift. I open up my heart today to be used in any way that brings Your heart joy. Amen.
Tongues for Interpretation
What God Says
Now I wish that all of you spoke in unknown tongues, but even more [I wish] that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater [and more useful] than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he translates or explains [what he says], so that the church may be edified [instructed, improved, strengthened] (1 Corinthians 14:5 AMP).
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:7-10 NIV).
Today’s Insight
Paul the apostle in 1 Corinthians 14:5 is encouraging the church to not only pray in tongues alone, but to ask God for interpretation for the edification of the Body of Christ. This specific manifestation of tongues is normally presented in a public assembly, accompanied by an interpretation by the same person or another. As someone gives a message in an unknown tongue, that person or another knows by revelation what is being said and then releases it as a prophetic proclamation in a tongue that it is understood. In addition, interpretation of tongues is a gift given to an individual in a divine moment for a specific purpose that brings the hearers closer to Jesus. One who releases the interpretation must do so by faith and faith alone. Let’s activate this gift by speaking these decrees over our life.
Declarations
1 Corinthians 14:5, 1 Corinthians 12
“I declare that when an unknown tongue is released in a public assembly, I will activate my faith to release the interpretation so others can be blessed by it.”
“I say today that my heart is open to move in the gift of tongues and interpretation.”
“When an unknown tongue is released by another, I declare that I am available for the Holy Spirit to use the interpretation so that others can be edified and brought closer to Jesus.”
“I declare that I have the gift of tongues and interpretation to simply explain what’s being said by the Holy Spirit.”
Daily Risk
Next time someone gives an unknown tongue in a public assembly that you’re attending, quickly respond by releasing the interpretation by faith.
Prayer
Thank You, Lord, that You continue to fill me up daily with Your presence. Lord, feel free to use me as a vessel of love to those around me. Lord, I give You permission to give me tongues and its interpretation so that I can be a blessing to Your people and bring glory to Jesus. Amen.
Tongues of Intercessional Groanings and Edification
What God Says
He who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself (1 Corinthians 14:4 Modern English Version).
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God (Jude 20-21 NASB).
Today’s Insight
The last of the diversities of tongues that I want to discuss are tongues for personal edification and intercessional groanings. Both tongues for edification and intercession require a partnership with the Holy Spirit by our own initiative. We can use these supernatural languages hour after hour as we desire. These two types of tongues accompany the baptism of the Holy Spirit. As we are immersed in the Holy Spirit, it is then that we are equipped with these supernatural prayer languages. As we partner with God by opening up our mouths, letting this supernatural language flow, unlimited power is released and the fire of God within us is ignited at a whole new level.
The word edify in the Greek means to build a house or to erect a building. When we pray in the Spirit, a supernatural building is being erected within us to contain the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In other words, if you want to grow in the anointing, pray in tongues often! As we pray in the Spirit, our capacity enlarges for a greater measure of glory to be manifested. Miracle power and authority to cast out demons and move big mountains come as a result of praying in the Spirit. Praying in the Spirit is the access point to receiving and connecting to the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Again, when we pray in the Spirit, a superstructure is being built to make room for greater measures of anointing.
I have made it a habit to pray in tongues all through- out the day. Doing this has launched me into new levels of glory and revelation that I never even knew existed. Oftentimes, we think that praying in the Spirit has to be loud and demonstrative to be effective, and I would like to suggest that is simply not true. I pray quietly under my breath throughout the day knowing that it is getting the job done.
The apostle Paul exhorted the church to pray with- out ceasing, but unfortunately much of the church has ceased to pray. I believe that praying in tongues is a way for you and I to engage in prayer throughout the day, connecting with the Spirit of God.
The Bible says, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” ( James 5:16 NKJV). I believe that praying in the Spirit continuously is what makes our prayers effective. Miracles are being unlocked and mountains are moving as we pray in the Spirit. I noticed several years ago when I started to pastor, that engaging the church in corporate prayer (praying in the Spirit together) released great glory and manifested miracles among us. This, I believe, is one of the secrets to walking in power and revival glory.
Another thing I want to bring to your attention is that when we pray in this type of tongue, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us according to God’s plan and is making intercession for our calling. Isn’t that amazing! When we partner with Him by opening up our mouths and praying in tongues, the God of the universe prays His perfect will for us (Romans 8:27)! Not only for you, but your family and friends as well!
Stepping Into the Spirit Realm of Revelation
The apostle John, while having a heavenly encounter, said: I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia” (Revelation 1:10-11 NKJV).
The early church fathers understood the power of praying in tongues. I believe that the apostle John stepped into the spirit realm as he engaged in his heavenly prayer language. Every time you and I decide to pray in tongues, it activates and opens up the spirit realm of revelation to us. If we want to grow in revelation, we must pray often in the Spirit!
The Bible says that the Holy Spirit within us searches for the deep things of God and makes them known to us (1 Corinthians 2:10). We need to understand the deep things of God if we are going to access greater realms of glory and divine wisdom for this hour. Even in the day to day, God will download specific wisdom and instruction that may be needed for the hour at hand. As we pray in tongues, we are actually speaking the wisdom of God in a mystery even though we don’t understand it at the time. As we speak forth this precious wisdom in mystery first, the Holy Spirit draws it out and makes it known to our minds so that we can take action according to God’s divine plan (1 Corinthians 2:7). This revelatory wisdom may come to you immediately or it could come later at just the right time.
It is a daily habit of mine to pray in the Spirit often. As I do this, I know that not only am I being edified within my inner man, but I also know that my inter- cession is releasing supernatural answers on behalf of myself and those I love. I also do this every time I am about to minister because often I’m not sure what direction to take. As I engage my spirit in prayer, the Lord always comes with revelation and manifests His presence. Now, let’s make some decrees today to partner with what God has said concerning this!
Declarations
1 Corinthians 14:4, Jude 20, 1 Corinthians 12
“I declare that I am a prayer warrior who prays without ceasing, moving heaven and earth to see God’s Kingdom advanced!”
“I choose today to make it my good habit to pray in the Spirit often so that my inner man will be strengthened.”
“I declare that as I pray in the Holy Spirit my faith is growing day by day.”
“I decree that when I pray in tongues, signs, wonders, and miracles are released in Jesus’ name!”
Daily Risk
Every day for at least the next 7 days, pray 20 minutes or more in tongues. During these 20 minutes do not pray in English, only in tongues. Write down any thoughts that come to mind during this time.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for this most precious gift. Help me, Lord, to live a life of prayer. I choose today to pray more so that my life can be edified for Your glory. Amen.
