Matt22:37-39
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Bibles Guidelines for speaking in Tongues
1 Thess.5:19-21 “do not quench the Spirit. do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.”
1 Cor.14:39 We are not to forbid or say it is wrong to 'speak in tongues. With this as our theme lets look at how tongues are to function.
1 Cor.14:2 “For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God.” Paul states the fact that if the tongue is unknown to the speaker and to those who hear it; is a mystery. Vs. 4 He edifies (pride) only himself of which the gift is not functioning for its purpose. Vs. 5 He wished that all spoke in tongues but more so that they prophesy, for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks in a tongue unless he interprets, that the church may receive edification.” This is the purpose of gifts to build up the body.
1 Corinthians 14:4 He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the church. This is a spiritual building up of the individual, which one of the possible meanings is that Paul is explaining that the person with the tongue understands the meaning, of the particular “tongue” spoken but “the church,” the congregation, does not until it is interpreted.
Paul says for it to be significant it must communicate, it must be a language vs.11 therefore if I do not know the meaning of the language I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.” It must be understood for edification; love will benefit others. This is why in vs.13 Paul says to pray that he may interpret.
Both tongues and prophecy were to be limited in number and done in order. They are not to be done collectively by the Church. Though some claim this i s a prayer language. If so it is to be be silently practiced.
There must be an interpreter present vs.27-28 “If anyone speaks in a tongue let there be two or three at the most, each in turn and let one interpret, if there is no interpreter let him keep silent in the Church and let him speak to himself and to God,” as vs.4 says “one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself.” Notice, there is order as each speaks in turn. There must be a known interpreter present if you are to speak it out loud. If no interpreter is present then you are to speak to yourself and keep silent in the Church or pray that you may interpret. This shows it was a language since it needed translation. To not do this would bring confusion. 1 Cor.14:23: “Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?”
V.10-13 “There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.”
Here Paul identifies tongues as a language spoken in our world. So a tongue can be an ancient language but it is one mankind spoke.
V.12-13 “Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.” The one speaks in this other language should pray to interpret it or make sure there is someone among them who can interpret it.
1 Corinthians 14:14 “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.” To pray in an unknown tongue, means that the “tongue” the person is speaking is an unknown language to them in prayer. To know what the spirit is saying it must be interpreted.
V.15 Here Paul compares praying and singing in another language. I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with understanding,and “I will sing with the spirit” (a tongue) and I will also sing with understanding.” they are to sing with the understanding (the interpretation can be known to one who spoke a tongue).
V.16 “Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit” If you pray for some one they need to hear an interpretation or how would they agree? (say amen).
Vs.19 “ Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding that I might teach others also than 10,000 words in a tongue.”Paul is addressing not being able to interpret when someone is speaking. It is contrasted with I’d rather communicate one sentence than go off with a whole lot of gibberish which no one understands. (Which is often what we see today isn't it?).
1 Cor. 14:23-25 “Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.”
Paul puts an ungifted person (uninformed) with a charismatic in the same category. The people who have the gifts of the spirit should exhibit them in such a way so that the unsaved will become convicted and want to be saved and the ungifted will also want to desire the gifts to honor God. But when they see what goes on today it is the very opposite. We should pursue the gifts to be used but not have their usage obstruct the giver of the gifts.
1 Cor.14:33-34 “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.” (could be a reference to women in the assembly exercising gifts, speaking in tongues?) This is the rule of conduct for the churches.
1 Cor.14:37-40: “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.” Paul admonishes the church that if some thinks of themselves as spiritual persons they will follow his instructions and act spiritual by obeying. This is a command from the Lord, not just his opinion. If not, he can continue to be without the right knowledge and continue exercising gifts and he is then unspiritual. “Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.
“God is a God of order not disorder, if the gifts are not practiced the way the Apostle Paul states then they are out of order."
http://www.letusreason.org/pent3.htm
1 Thess.5:19-21 “do not quench the Spirit. do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.”
1 Cor.14:39 We are not to forbid or say it is wrong to 'speak in tongues. With this as our theme lets look at how tongues are to function.
1 Cor.14:2 “For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God.” Paul states the fact that if the tongue is unknown to the speaker and to those who hear it; is a mystery. Vs. 4 He edifies (pride) only himself of which the gift is not functioning for its purpose. Vs. 5 He wished that all spoke in tongues but more so that they prophesy, for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks in a tongue unless he interprets, that the church may receive edification.” This is the purpose of gifts to build up the body.
1 Corinthians 14:4 He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the church. This is a spiritual building up of the individual, which one of the possible meanings is that Paul is explaining that the person with the tongue understands the meaning, of the particular “tongue” spoken but “the church,” the congregation, does not until it is interpreted.
Paul says for it to be significant it must communicate, it must be a language vs.11 therefore if I do not know the meaning of the language I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.” It must be understood for edification; love will benefit others. This is why in vs.13 Paul says to pray that he may interpret.
Both tongues and prophecy were to be limited in number and done in order. They are not to be done collectively by the Church. Though some claim this i s a prayer language. If so it is to be be silently practiced.
There must be an interpreter present vs.27-28 “If anyone speaks in a tongue let there be two or three at the most, each in turn and let one interpret, if there is no interpreter let him keep silent in the Church and let him speak to himself and to God,” as vs.4 says “one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself.” Notice, there is order as each speaks in turn. There must be a known interpreter present if you are to speak it out loud. If no interpreter is present then you are to speak to yourself and keep silent in the Church or pray that you may interpret. This shows it was a language since it needed translation. To not do this would bring confusion. 1 Cor.14:23: “Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?”
V.10-13 “There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.”
Here Paul identifies tongues as a language spoken in our world. So a tongue can be an ancient language but it is one mankind spoke.
V.12-13 “Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.” The one speaks in this other language should pray to interpret it or make sure there is someone among them who can interpret it.
1 Corinthians 14:14 “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.” To pray in an unknown tongue, means that the “tongue” the person is speaking is an unknown language to them in prayer. To know what the spirit is saying it must be interpreted.
V.15 Here Paul compares praying and singing in another language. I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with understanding,and “I will sing with the spirit” (a tongue) and I will also sing with understanding.” they are to sing with the understanding (the interpretation can be known to one who spoke a tongue).
V.16 “Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit” If you pray for some one they need to hear an interpretation or how would they agree? (say amen).
Vs.19 “ Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding that I might teach others also than 10,000 words in a tongue.”Paul is addressing not being able to interpret when someone is speaking. It is contrasted with I’d rather communicate one sentence than go off with a whole lot of gibberish which no one understands. (Which is often what we see today isn't it?).
1 Cor. 14:23-25 “Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.”
Paul puts an ungifted person (uninformed) with a charismatic in the same category. The people who have the gifts of the spirit should exhibit them in such a way so that the unsaved will become convicted and want to be saved and the ungifted will also want to desire the gifts to honor God. But when they see what goes on today it is the very opposite. We should pursue the gifts to be used but not have their usage obstruct the giver of the gifts.
1 Cor.14:33-34 “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.” (could be a reference to women in the assembly exercising gifts, speaking in tongues?) This is the rule of conduct for the churches.
1 Cor.14:37-40: “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.” Paul admonishes the church that if some thinks of themselves as spiritual persons they will follow his instructions and act spiritual by obeying. This is a command from the Lord, not just his opinion. If not, he can continue to be without the right knowledge and continue exercising gifts and he is then unspiritual. “Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.
“God is a God of order not disorder, if the gifts are not practiced the way the Apostle Paul states then they are out of order."
http://www.letusreason.org/pent3.htm
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