“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth -speaketh unto men- to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, —except he interpret—, that the church may receive edifying.
Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
So likewise ye, —except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood—, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.” - 1 Corinthians 14:1–12 (KJV 1900):
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about -three thousand souls- .” - Acts 2:41 (KJV 1900)
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Biblical Living 101 - The Holy Spirit - Part 4
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Beginning this week we will look at the Spiritual Gifts and the controversies related to them to better understand why there are differences of opinion, and what guidance the Word can give us. In particular, tongues , prophesying & healing ( “sign”/ sensational/ misunderstood gifts ).
There are broadly two major schools of thought... and our camp...3 in all..
1. Cessationists ... who point to this text - 1 Corinthians 13:8–10 (KJV 1900): “ Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. -But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”- - to say that tongues and prophesying ( “sign gifts” ) was only evident INITIALLY to help the new church get its bearings, and check their seals(!)... and is not required any more in this modern age ( now that we have the full counsel of God - both O and N Testaments ) and has therefore “ceased”. Pastoral and teaching gifts are still v much here, miracles are occasional.
We don’t agree for the simple reason that Paul is talking about a time , beyond the church age, when these will no longer be necessary, because we will see God ( who is Charity or Love personified.. never failing ) face to face. Till then, as long as Christ tarries, the mission of the Spirit has not changed, and neither have the gifts.... today’s cessation is a result of unbelief!
2. Full-on Pentecostals who look for speaking in tongues and prophesying as evidence that the person has been fully sealed with the Spirit. They however, do not -usually- check to confirm if the person is -truly- speaking in a tongue or just making sounds at random...
3. We believe that NO gift has ceased, but they are given AS APPROPRIATE and as NEEDED.
Peters sermon on the day of Pentecost resulted in 3000 people being convicted and baptized.... IN ONE DAY! ( that would have kept them really busy all day )Think about it... no worship band, no amplified PA... how do you reach 3000 people with no mic? Answer.. like Cornelius, it wasn’t just his words....
Read it for yourself in the verses preceding this weeks reference. Do you feel an instant and powerful urge to instantly repent and go be baptized? (If you do, you should !) - but for most of us, it doesn’t have that dramatic effect...! Why? Because the Spirit is not using those words to convict us in the same way today... or it’s not needed because you are already sealed! It wasn’t Peters words, it was the conviction brought about by the Spirit that “pricked them to their hearts”.
You can understand it better when you consider ( in the example of Cornelius )... that Peter wasn’t even done talking, and the Spirit descended on the WHOLE HOUSEHOLD — not just Cornelius, and, they ALL spoke with tongues and prophesied. We hope you will agree with us that it was very important for this FIRST TIME TO A GENTILE ...that the apostles were made SURE... it was the Spirit - tongues and prophesying authenticated it - as also in the case of Paul’s Ephesians converts ( confirming it for Paul and them ). The Apostles spoke in tongues too on the day of Pentecost... so surely, the Pentecostals make a good case? Let’s see....
TONGUES
1. Tongues are (usually) not an angelic language ( Private prayer languages are different ). They may be unknown to the speaker... but if it is a Holy Ghost utterance, they or other hearers should be able to interpret. Otherwise .... what is the point of saying something no one understands??? Why would the Spirit give you something to tell people that YOU yourself don’t understand, and so therefore, can’t communicate it?
Let’s look at the very first instance.
“Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in -his own language-. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
And how hear we every man in —our own tongue—, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in —our tongues— the wonderful works of God.” — Acts 2:6–11 (KJV 1900)
Evaluate this text as follows: 1. What language ? Human not angelic.( repeated thrice ) It was UNKNOWN to the SPEAKER, but NOT to the intended HEARER... big principle! 2. What was said? Not gibberish - but The wonderful works of God. 3. Why? So that Peters message would be heard and understood, and the work of witnessing to and baptizing 3000 strangers ( of all cultures ) could be done in a single day.
It’s interesting that we are not told if the 3000 spoke with tongues and prophesied after being baptized.... either ....
(a) it is implied and unnecessary to write or
(b) it was irrelevant. Like Cornelius’ entire household, the Spirit drove people to be baptized, and the apostles were probably too busy managing the baptism logistics to worry about any thing else. —— We never argue from a point of silence in the Word, but it’s interesting to note, and file away.
2. Paul, in our text this week, makes an earnest plea to pray BOTH for speaking AND interpreting tongues. His argument is the same as ours... if you don’t interpret .... what is the point???
3. Paul also gives us a very helpful definition/distinction between tongues and prophesying. “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. He that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.” A priest represents the people to God, but a prophet declares Gods words to the people.
Case in point, this Page. We write in the human tongue of English, but we “prophesy” ( declare Gods Word ) for your edification, BY THE SPIRIT, who opens our understanding and helps articulate it in a manner ( bad jokes,typos and all) so that is HELPFUL TO YOU .. the church of Christ! He does no violence to any writers style and individuality, but the core content is always GUARANTEED to be in line with, and confirmed by, His Word!
So Tongues are a human language & speaking in an Unknown Human language is as miraculous as speaking an angelic one... & it should be possible to interpret what is spoken ( Else why would Paul say it is necessary...to interpret to get the message! ).
For missionaries, they may be given a form of the gift that allows them to quickly acquire language skills and speak in a formerly unknown language... also important in the early mission phases of the church. The Bible, Commentaries, Reference Material, Pastors, Preachers and Missionaries, are now available in every language under the sun. So if the Spirit is deemphasizing tongues at -this stage of
Church development... there is an understandable reason.
It’s also a fulfillment of prophecy - speakers are indeed calling Israelites worldwide with languages unknown to the Jews .. Isaiah 28:11–12: “For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people,To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” and This is the refreshing”; Yet they would not hear.” - Satellite tv and internet is sending Israel the gospel message in every language... Hallelujah!
In conclusion,
A. Speaking in a private prayer language or unknown tongue is a direct Man to God thing. This ability can come upon you at any time.
B. For Man to Man conversations ... unless you want to be considered a barbarian... speak in the listeners native tongue ... or else He/She is not going to get your message!!!! The same is true for utterances to the church....
C. IF God wishes to draw SPECIAL ATTENTION to a particular message, Word of knowledge warning, etc. to the church...He MAY elect to do it by having one member of the congregation say it in a tongue unknown , and another ( who understands ) interpret. Otherwise why would He waste time and energy on it? He is not going to do it just so YOU can impress people with how “Holy” you are!
D. Most of the time, tongues are less helpful, and needful, than evangelizing/prophesying, teaching, exhorting/encouraging, pastoring, leading and making wise decisions. Why don’t we check for those ?
To our Pentecostal friends - People faking speaking in “tongues” are not the ‘droids you are looking for. Your prayer closet language isn’t going to be understood by anyone in the congregation. If you speak gibberish publicly, and/or roll around on the church floor but claim it’s God making you do these things.... be VERY VERY CAREFUL ! - God hates false prophets, and considers lying to be Satanic.... be VERY VERY CAREFUL! You have been officially issued a warning to immediately cease and desist. If, however, your gifts are confirmed as we have said - use them in good health, we pray you be mightily fruitful!
Bottom line: The Spirit does not waste His energy... if He does something, it’s because there is a need for it... the point of ALL the gifts is EDIFICATION of the church... and these weapons in His arsenal are to be viewed with that lens.
If you are a child of God, you WILL receive the Spirit! The gifts are given depending on how He wants to use you. You can use YOUR tongue, and a -known- tongue to prophesy the Good News to the people in your life.... that’s the correct application!
Exodus 4:11–12 (KJV 1900):
“ And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.”
1 Corinthians 14:14–19 (KJV 1900):
“For if I -pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth-, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.”
Hallelujah!