In today’s Christian circles, the term "unity" is frequently spoken of, little understood, and seldom truly put into practice. Natural man cannot make unity happen. As individuals totally yield and submit to the Holy Spirit, He joins people’s hearts together. God has designed a way for us to practically surrender our spirit, soul and body to the Holy Spirit—glossolalia, or speaking with other tongues. When we speak with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, we are declaring the mind of the Holy Spirit.

Unfortunately, the tongues issue has often brought division rather than unity. Some believe that glossolalia ended during the days of the Bible. They close their minds to the intimacy and humility that comes with speaking in tongues. Others may simply be confused by what tongues are all about. The apostle Peter had to dispel some confusion the first time the Holy Spirit manifested Himself in glossolalia. He explained to the multitude that had gathered for the Feast of Pentecost that what they were witnessing was the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. Jesus’ followers were yielding to the personality and power of the Holy Spirit and speaking wonderful works of God. Some scoffers mocked, but many heard the magnificence of a glorious God.

Many brethren misinterpret speaking in tongues as some type of benchmark of maturity. Obviously, this brings dissension in the church.

Understanding and practicing speaking in tongues are vital steps in bringing healing and restoration to the Body of Christ. The reprinted material by Dr. Howard Ervin in this booklet blows away the smoke of misinterpretation that clouds the mind.

Dr. Ervin graduated from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary and earned his doctorate at Princeton Theological Seminary. His understanding of Scripture and the anointing of the Holy Spirit is revealed in his essays compiled in the book This Which Ye See and Hear. Dr. Ervin explains how tongues bring humility, power and unity to the Body of Christ. He writes in a scholarly, reader-friendly manner to equip the saints to fulfill their ministry by surrendering to the Holy Spirit.

In his essay "The Community of Pentecost," Ervin writes,

"Pentecost produced unity. The biblical record declares that ‘they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers’ (Acts 2:42). Even more explicit is this summary: ‘And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul’ (Acts 4:32).

"The ‘Pentecostal’ experience is not divisive. The gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit are not sectarian. Specifically, tongues, or glossolalia as they are otherwise known, are not schismatic. One cannot look objectively at the evidence of Scripture and arrive at any other conclusion. The Pentecostal experience fostered community, not disunity.

"The Pentecostal visitation upon the apostolic fellowship in Jerusalem produced a unity of‘heart and soul� ’

"As a matter of record, a sectarian spirit did not reveal itself until Peter returned to Jerusalem to relate the workings of the Holy Spirit among the Gentiles. Then it was that a contentious spirit surfaced within the brotherhood. Aroused at the news from Caesarea,‘they that were of the circumcision contended with him, saying "Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them"’ (Acts 11:2-3). Observe carefully that it was not the ‘Pentecostal’ experience that provided the catalyst for sectarian controversy in the Christian community. It was not tongues that fueled strife in the Jerusalem assembly. It was the legalism of a sectarian faction that abetted schism."

God is bringing restoration and unity to the Body of Christ today. This comes as we totally yield to the person of the Holy Spirit and release His spiritual language in our lives.

Ironically, many believers practice the mechanics of glossolalia but do not allow the Holy Spirit to change some of their man-made doctrines that divide the church today. For example, their eschatology (view of end times) keeps many of them in bondage and brings strife and confusion to the Body of Christ.

Please open your heart and mind as you read Dr. Ervin’s essay, "The Signs of the Pentecostal Visitation." If you have never experienced speaking with other tongues, the Holy Spirit can use this writing to further empower you in your walk with the Lord. For those of you who practice glossolalia, surrender all of your agendas and preconceived ideas to the Holy Spirit so that He can bring you into line with the mind of the Father.

A. Wilson Phillips, Senior Pastor