Tongues vs. Prophecy pt. 2
1 Corinthians: Order in the Church • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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The church at Corinth had an issue with speaking in tongues. This issue was they were not exercising this gift in accordance with the will of God.
Paul is proposing in this passage that if they were to desire any gift, it should be prophecy, since prophecy would edify, build up everyone in the church.
Something we’ve mentioned in passing a few times regarding the modern day usage of tongues speaking, some claim tongues is a special prayer language that God gives to us at salvation, read 1 Cor. 14:14
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
Question:
Question:
Does this teach that tongues are a special heavenly prayer language? A language that is your own private language which only you and God can understand?
We will now seek to answer this burning question:
What About a Private Prayer language?
What About a Private Prayer language?
“Analogy of Faith” is a term which means simply, “The Bible cannot contradict itself”
Paul had just made the case in the verses leading up to verse 14 that tongues are not profitable without an interpreter. In the true exercise of this gift, not even the speaker can understand what is being said.
To say that it is OK to pray in an unknown tongue as a “prayer language” would be to ignore the principles Paul has already taught.
At this point I want to quickly go through the next several verse, building on what Paul has already said.
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
This verse teaches that praying in an unknown tongue is “unfruitful”. It is unfruitful because the person speaking in the tongue evidently does not understand it.
15 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. 16 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? 17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
It doesn’t matter what is being said or sang if those around you cannot understand! How can someone say Amen if they don’t understand you?
The word “unlearned” refers most possibly two categories of people:
Unsaved Greeks/Gentiles unfamiliar with the church and it’s spiritual gifting
New converts who are still learning and may not have been exposed to the spectacular gifts. **Most likely interpretation when compared with verse 23.**
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
Let me be clear, Paul did in fact speak in tongues. We know from history that he was an educated man who spoke multiple languages…something he had learned. He could communicate in almost any place he went with just his natural language skills (skills he learned from study and practice), but look at his response in 1 Cor. 14:19-20
19 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. 20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
Paul understood that in a chruch service it is far more pleasing to God to speak in a way all that hear you are able to understand, than to try to wow them by speaking in some language they don’t understand.
Now let’s discuss...
The True Purpose of Tongues v. 21-25
The True Purpose of Tongues v. 21-25
If tongues are less important than prophecy, if they are not a special prayer language, what is their purpose?
They are a fulfillment of Scripture!
11 For with stammering lips and another tongue Will he speak to this people. 12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; And this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
Notice the words, “this people”
The reference is to unbelieving Israel…God says the gift of tongues will be a sign to unbelieving Jews!
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
Plainly here Paul teaches that tongues are a sign to those who do not belive…not those who do!
Question:
Question:
If this is the case, then why do most modern day practices of tongues speaking take place in churches among believers?
Chew on that...
Tongues is for unbelievers, but prophecy is for believers!
Why?
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
Imagine if a new convert came to our church and brought with them their unsaved friend. The come in while the choir is singing, the announcements are being made, and when I begin to preach I begin speaking in some unknown tongue, and not just me, but everyone in the church! The reaction of those guests would be: “Y’all are crazy!”
Compare this reaction with 1 Cor. 14:24-25
24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
Prophecy, preaching, exposition of the Scriptures, brings conviction of sin and salvation to the lost. It also serves to encourage and build up those who are new in their faith. It is not that tongues could not do these things, just that they could not do them on the same level with the same reach.
That is the true purpose of tongues, next we move to...
Regulations to Follow v. 26-40
Regulations to Follow v. 26-40
Paul’s writings are nothing if not practical. When it comes to the exercise of tongues it is no exception. He gives some basic advice on how this gift is to be used.
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
Everyone has a part in the service, but not to the point that the service is disorganized and haphazard.
Tongues was to be limited in a service to no more than three, and then not all speaking at the same time.
AND! If there was no interpreter, then no one was to speak in tongues! Period.
Well, what about prophets?
29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Two or three prophets could exercise their gift because there was no need for an interpreter and everyone present would benefit.
Prophets did still not have free reign. They were to speak one at at time so that everyone could easily learn.
Look back at 1 Cor. 14:32-33
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Paul encourages the prophets to be in control of themselves. Evidently this gift could be exercised in the flesh as easily as in the Spirit. They were urged to be sure they were speaking when they were supposed to, and saying what they were supposed to.
Verse 33 is important. God is not the author of confusion. The prophets messages had to match one another, as well as not be in contradiction to the rest of Scripture.
WARNING: CONTROVERSY AHEAD!
WARNING: CONTROVERSY AHEAD!
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
It is believed by most scholars that the restrictions placed on women in these verses had to do with tongues.
Dr. J. Vernon McGee said plainly, “If you take the women out of the tongues movement, it would die over night.”
The Bible is clear that women are not to hold an office in the church where they are in authority over men, this would include preaching/teaching roles…again, what about the modern charismatic movement? It is full of women pastors. They are in disobedience to the Word of God.
Here is an interesting thought...
Here is an interesting thought...
1 Corinthians 14:36–38 (KJV 1900)
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
Was Corinth the only city in the world where the truth could be found? This rhetorical question was Paul’s response to some anticipated protests.
Paul quieted the “spiritual zealots” by reminding them that his writings were commandments of God. NO longer could they claim to be ignorant, Paul had properly educated them on the usage of Spiritual gifts.
Closing thoughts:
Closing thoughts:
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
Covet to prophesy - be zealous toward this gift which has the ability to benefit everyone.
Forbid not to speak with tongues - so long as the guidelines established above are followed. Paul leaves us with the key verse to understanding, not just chapter 14, but the entire book… “Let all things be done decently and in order.”
Take Away:
Take Away:
This long section on the confusion of tongues is now closed.
Paul has laid out the specifics of this practice - he did not forbid in his day, because it still served a purpose, but he certainly taught that this gift would one day cease to function.
Here is the heart of the issue: the Corinthian church was divided over many things. Tongues was just another on the list of divisions. The only way to settle these divisions is realize that God is a God of order and that He demands all things be done decently and in order.
It was true at Corinth, it is true here as well.