Paul’s Preferred Practice in Prayer
from The Truth Church
Bishop Riggen begins by reading 1 Corinthians 14:1-20, emphasizing Paul's statement in verse 5: 'I would that ye all speak with tongues.' He clarifies that Paul is not referring to the gift of tongues (a public, interpreted message for the church), nor the evidential tongue (the initial sign of receiving the Holy Ghost), but rather devotional or personal prayer in tongues. The bishop stresses that the evidential tongue is the biblical proof of being born of the Spirit, citing John 3:5-8 (hearing the sound of the Spirit) and the pattern in Acts 2:4, 10:44-46, and 19:6. He argues that speaking in tongues is meant to continue because God would not give detailed instructions (1 Corinthians 12-14) for a practice that would cease. The core of the message focuses on three benefits of devotional tongues from 1 Corinthians 14: (1) It is a private conversation with God (v. 2), speaking mysteries in the spirit. (2) It reveals God's hidden wisdom and deep things (1 Corinthians 2:7-16), connecting believers to the mind of Christ. (3) It edifies or builds up the believer's faith (v. 4), as Jude 20 confirms that praying in the Holy Ghost builds up one's most holy faith. Bishop Riggen urges the congregation to pray beyond mere repetition of syllables, ensuring their tongue is truly a language given by the Spirit, and to embrace this practice for spiritual growth and revelation.
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