Personal Testimonies  

Jesus told His disciples that His believers would be able to speak in new tongues (Mark 16:17). Even though man cannot understand these tongues, they are a way of communicating with God. For when we pray in tongues, we speak to God and not to men (1 Corinthians 14:2). Wouldn’t you like to experience the joy of receiving the Holy Spirit and the speaking of tongues in the True Jesus Church?

Below are a few personal testimonies of receiving the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues:

“For Everyone Who Asks Receives...” —by Heny of Banjarmasin, Indonesia

In 1984, my family and I were baptized in the True Jesus Church. I was a teenager then. I did not understand the importance of religious education. I was not keen to go to church. As a result I did not know the teachings of Christianity. Believers used to visit me. After each visit, I would attend a service or two, but would stop after that.

When I was in my first year at college, I started to seek for God. I learned that I needed to receive the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of my salvation. But I did not know how to pray for the Holy Spirit. I became worried. A friend I spoke to invited me to attend a charismatic church. I went. Much to my delight the talk was on how to pray for the Spirit. The speaker said that the Holy Spirit would fill me if I prayed with my hands raised and face lifted, saying “Hallelujah.” When the pastor laid hands on me, I fell backwards. But I felt no Holy Spirit filling me. I stood up and felt a little ashamed. I watched the others praying. There was a boy who fell backwards onto the floor. He was shouting in agony and was foaming at the mouth. I went home utterly confused.

I related the incident to a religious education teacher in the True Jesus Church. When I heard his explanation, I felt ashamed before God and our brethren. So great were my feelings of guilt and shame that I cried instantaneously. I went home and prayed, asking for the forgiveness of God.

The following morning, I felt my guilt and shame lifted. I thanked God for answering my prayer, and for His reassurance of His love. God is indeed merciful and ever ready to forgive.

In 1988, I attended a students’ spiritual meeting at the True Jesus Church in Jakarta, Indonesia. On one of the nights, I had a dream. In the dream, I was praying in a field. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew, accompanied by a loud sound. I swayed slightly but remained upright. Due to the strength of the wind, my body and tongue vibrated. I had the same dream twice. It was strange. The following morning, I went to church with the confidence that I would surely receive the Holy Spirit. I prayed with faith and great fervor. When I uttered “Hallelujah,” my body and tongue suddenly started vibrating. I could neither control my tongue nor understand the words uttered. I was crying out of tremendous joy, for the Lord had answered my prayer.

I am convinced that the Lord Jesus truly loves His children. We must believe that our prayers will be heard by God and ought to persevere in our prayers. Our God is indeed a living God!

(extracted from Manna issue 23, 1994, p. 41)

The Calling of God—by Constance Lin of Los Angeles, USA

Hallelujah! I thank God for His immense grace that enables me to relate my personal testimony of how Jesus called me to enter His fold. With His tender love and abundant mercy, my Lord Jesus Christ weaved the scarlet thread of salvation through my life. May all glory be given to the holy name of Jesus, our Almighty God in heaven.

In October 1987, I was brought to the True Jesus Church at Telok Kurau, Singapore. Immediately upon crossing the threshold of the gate, I sensed an overwhelming peace that hovered in the air. Strangely, I felt that I had come home. It was my first encounter with the entire congregation praying in tongues and it sounded to me as if many angels were conversing joyously. When I first sang the melodious hymn 296, tears welled up in my eyes as I beheld the church partaking the Holy Communion. I was deeply touched by the love and kindness that was manifested among the brothers and sisters in the church.

My third visit to the church occurred during the evangelical services in December 18–20, 1987. I pondered over the underlying messages inherent in the various sermons concerning salvation. On the last evening of the evangelical services, there was a special prayer session for the Holy Spirit. Those who wished to receive this precious heavenly gift were to step forward for the laying of hands by elders and deacons. I went forward and knelt down humbly. I did not know how to pray, and kept repeating “Hallelujah, praise the Lord!” Nevertheless, deep within my heart, I was calling out to God, “O God! What is the Holy Spirit that I am praying for right now? Are You the Holy Spirit? Please bestow on me this gift so that I may believe in You completely.”  

Suddenly, a tremendous power descended upon my being and immediately my heart was set aglow by flames of indescribable joy! A channel of space was carved out between heaven and earth while I could feel God embracing me ever so tenderly in His bosom of love. The oil of the Holy Spirit kindled the inert spirit within me, and the meteoric flames of God set my soul ablaze to white heat. Immense joy came forth like torrential tidal waves that sprang from the depths of my heart. My body began to shake involuntarily, and my tongue rolled away in a language foreign to me. It dawned on me that God had answered my simple prayer as my inner eye was opened to the mysteries of the Holy Spirit. Praise our Almighty God!

(extracted from Manna issue 25, 1995, pp. 41–42)

It is our earnest hope that all who have yet to receive the Holy Spirit be not discouraged, but to continue to pray with faith and perseverance. Please come and study the truth with us at the True Jesus Church, and share with us the spiritual joy of receiving the Holy Spirit! May all glory be given to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ forever and ever. Amen.