"Do Not Forbid Speaking In Tongues"

[dave c]

HEALING SHELTER MINISTRIES #123e Written 21MAR08 http://groups.msn.com/AHealingShelter/welcome.msnw

No Wonder: Part Five—“Do Not Forbid Speaking In Tongues”

by dave c

First Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. 4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying (NASV).

“Paul teaches that speaking in tongues is an inferior gift that causes confusion and so it should be discouraged, if not prevented altogether.” “Scriptural ‘tongues’ is the speaking of a human language that is unknown to the speaker, but understood by the listener.” “Tongues is one of the ‘fireworks gifts’ that ended with the death of the last Apostle.” “The ‘tongues’ being spoken today are gibberish and not of, or for God.” I frequently hear some form of these statements being taught by non-Pentecostal ministries. While these teacher-preachers use verses from Acts and Chapter 13 of First Corinthians to establish their arguments, I seldom hear them reference Chapter 14. And when Chapter 14 is quoted, the verses are pulled out of context and interpreted in a manner that props up a priori theological positioning, rather than being presented in a straightforward, expository fashion.

Paul does spend all of Chapter 13 of First Corinthians expounding the superiority of love over all other attributes, whether they are gifts of the Spirit, or fruit of the Spirit. Paul does tell us that prophesy is greater than speaking in tongues—just as love is greater than charity (13:3). Because it is inferior to love, does that mean we should stop being charitable? Of course not. And so it is with prophecy and tongues. In Chapter 14:1-5 Paul tells us that speaking in tongues is for communicating with God, it is for the edification of the speaker, and that he wishes we all did it (not just the Apostles). He also tells us that, yes, speaking in tongues is gibberish to the human ear—but not to the speaker’s spirit, nor to God. These verses clearly establish that not all manifestations of the gift of tongues is for speaking to someone with whom you do not share a common language.

13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also (NASV). Now we have Paul describing a third facet of speaking in tongues. The first is having someone hear a speaker talking in his, or her, language, although the speaker is unfamiliar with that language (Ac 2:6-8). The second is “gibberish” that makes no sense to any human mind, but that communicates between a person’s spirit and God; i.e., a private prayer language (1Co 14:2). Third, there is a ‘tongue’ spoken amidst a congregation of believers that should be interpreted as a prophetic “forth-telling” from God. Paul then goes on to tell us that he will pray and sing with the spirit (his prayer language and/or an utterance yet to be interpreted) and that he will also use his rational speech to praise and worship God.

18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; 19 however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue (NASV). Again, Paul is not saying that we should not speak in tongues (obviously, he spoke in tongues—a lot), rather he is saying that within the context of a congregational meeting, the emphasis should be on intelligible preaching, teaching, praying, and praising.

26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; 28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God (NASV). Here, Paul tells that, for the assembly to be edified, there should be psalms (hymns/songs), teachings, revelations, tongues with interpretations, and all in good order.

Finally, in verse 39 we read: Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. 40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner (NASV). Clearly, the individual or corporate rejection of speaking in tongues is not a matter of Paul specifically, nor Scripture generally, teaching against it; rather it is a matter of inadequate information, or by choice, or because of doctrinal attitudes. “One who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries...I wish that you all spoke in tongues...I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also...I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all...When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification...do not forbid to speak in tongues.” Amen.

[one love]

I read this quickly but if i understood this correct which I may not have because i have not slept but

DaveC said:

he wishes we all did it (not just the Apostles).

who were these people?????

Acts 10:44-47

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
KJV

[dave c]

One Love,

I'm not sure I understand your question...but the "you" that Paul is addressing is covered by his introduction to his letter:

1 Cor 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ--their Lord and ours (NIV).

This indicates to me that when Paul says "you" in this letter...he is talking to "us" because we fall within the category of "all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ". As a consequence when he says "I wish that you all spoke in tongues", he is saying that he wishes that we all spoke in tongues.

Does that answer your question, or am I misunderstanding?

God bless and keep you, friend,
dave c

[oletimer]

Dave-C;

It would held in reading your post if you would space between verses and comments. Would make it easer for me to read. Thanks