Rebecca’s Well: The Speaking In Tongues Phenomenon (1 Corinthians 12:1-14;40)

My Story – Part 1

On Sunday Morning, October 15, 2006, following the powerfully inspired preaching of the Reverend Phillip E. Terrell, son of Pastor E.H. Terrell, Jr., New St. John AME Church, Virginia Beach, Virginia; there was an awesome manifestation and outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The congregation was ecstatic with praise and deliverance.

I spoke publicly in an unknown tongue (1 Cor. 14:2)
I had never done this before in church, so no one was aware of this dimension of me. But some years ago I was given the gift of tongues, and subsequently, I have prayed or sang in the spirit privately.

But on this Sunday, the Holy Spirit fell on me in great force and utter control, compelling me to external expression directed to God, but neither understood by the church nor by me. The words or sounds were prayer and praise. They were not clear meaning and gave the impression of something mysterious. I tried but could not hold back the flow of speech.
I understand 1 Corinthians 14:27-28, that if a person speaks in an unknown tongue and there is no interpreter, he should keep silence in the church.

I didn’t know what I was saying, so the church certainly couldn’t know and probably thinks assuredly that something really is wrong with me now. Particularly, since I was “Slain in the Spirit” (at the altar) while reading “The Prayer of Humiliaiton” during Holy Communion Serivce, September 3, 2006.

Subsequent to this spiritual progression, I was led by the Spirit into the Scriptures for explanation to set down in writing, for my own learning, as well as for those in the church who may wish to know more about spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1-14;40), especially divers kinds of tongues and interpretation of tongues.
“To the praise of the Glory of His Grace.” (Eph. 1:6)

Rebecca R. Rivka