sf234 - The Purpose And Practice Of The Gift Of Tongues (1 Corinthians 14 20-28)
1 Corinthians 14:20-28
Introduction
In this passage Paul first reviews the primary purpose of the gift of languages and then gives the procedure, or guidelines, for its proper use.
The apostle has just pointed out that even the true gift was inferior to prophecy and teaching, because it was not primarily intended for edification of the church, though edification came when what was spoken was translated or interpreted (14:5).
It was therefore true, technically, that the gift of translation, a distinct gift from speaking in tongues (12:10, 30), was the edifying gift.
Earlier in the letter Paul makes it clear that tongues-speaking was not an evidence or proof of the baptism of the Holy Spirit: “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body” (12:13).
Every Christian is baptized by the Holy Spirit, but not every Christian is given the gift of tongues (12:30).
He appeals to the Corinthians to be mature in their thinking. And mere children in the practice of sin, quite the opposite of what they really were.
In the context of his teaching on gifts and specifically the gift of tongues Paul sets forth the purpose of and practice of the gift of tongues.
1A. The Purpose of the Gift of Tongues (14:20-22)
1B. To evangelize the lost
Mentioned three times in Acts…
Acts 2:4-13 – The Day of Pentecost
Acts 10:44-48 – The conversion of Gentiles
Acts 19:1-10 – The conversion of the disciples of John the Baptist
2B. To edify the saints (1 Corinthians 14:1-5)
Beware of the danger of pride (14:36-38)
Remember the priority of communication (14:6-12)
3B. To educate the Jews (14:20-22)
Tongues came as a judgment sign to the unbelieving Jews.
Isaiah 28:11-12 For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, 12 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.
This prophecy was partially fulfilled in 586 BC with the Babylonians and then finally fulfilled in 70 AD with the Romans
Tongues came as a sign of God’s choosing a different people.
The gift of tongues was a sign that God would no longer work through one nation, and favor one people.
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
2A. The Proper Practice of the Gift of Tongues (14:23-28)
Remember the Corinthians were saved out of the depths of sin. Guidelines for speaking in tongues - to discourage them from speaking in tongues
1B. Paul warns concerning the improper practice of the gift of tongues (14:23-25)
Unbelievers will be confused by the misuse of the gift of tongues. (14:23)
Unbelievers will be convinced, convicted, and ultimately converted by the proper practice of the gift of prophecy. (14:24-25)
2B. The practice of the gift of tongues, indeed of all spiritual gifts, must edify the Church (14:26)
Edification (oikodome) literally “house-building,” the construction of a house
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
3B. No more than three shall speak in a given service (14:27a)
4B. Only one at a time (14:27b)
5B. There must be an interpreter (14:27c-28)
Application
Many would contend that based on 1 Corinthians 13:8 that the gift of tongues had a built in stopping point and that being the destruction of the Temple in AD 70 and the close of the canon.
Certainly we can see that based on these criteria much of what is practice today is in direct contradiction to the Bible.
1 Corinthians 14:20-28
1A. The __________ of the Gift of Tongues (14:20-22)
1B. To _______________________ the lost.
Acts 2:4-13 – The Day of Pentecost
Acts 10:44-48 – The conversion of Gentiles
Acts 19:1-10 – The conversion of the disciples of John the Baptist
2B. To ___________ the saints (1 Corinthians 14:1-5)
Beware of the danger of pride (14:36-38)
Remember the priority of communication (14:6-12)
3B. To ______________________ the Jews (14:20-22)
Tongues came as a judgment sign to the unbelieving Jews.
Isaiah 28:11-12 For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, 12 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.
This prophecy was partially fulfilled in 586 BC with the Babylonians and then finally fulfilled in 70 AD with the Romans
Tongues came as a sign of God’s choosing a different people.
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
2A. The Proper ____________________ of the Gift of Tongues (14:23-28)
1B. Paul warns concerning the improper _______________ of the gift of tongues (14:23-25)
Unbelievers will be confused by the misuse of the gift of tongues. (14:23)
Unbelievers will be convinced, convicted, and ultimately converted by the proper practice of the gift of prophecy. (14:24-25)
2B. The practice of the gift of tongues, indeed of all spiritual gifts, must ______________________ the Church (14:26)
Edification (oikodome) literally “house-building,” the construction of a house
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
3B. No more than _______________ shall speak in a given service (14:27a)
4B. Only ______________________ at a time (14:27b)
5B. There must be an ___________________________ (14:27c-28)