26. The Epistle of 1Peter 4:10

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1 26. The Epistle of 1Peter 4:10 The Gifts of the Holy Spirit Pt.8 (6/20/18) For the last few weeks we have been studying the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We have looked at the lists that Paul gave in 1Corinthians 12 and Romans 12. Three of the more prominent gifts prophecy, tongues and the interpretation of tongues are mentioned in 1Corinthians 12 but focused on in detail in 1Corinthians 14 where Paul devotes the entire chapter to them. 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NKJV) 1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. The gift of prophecy Last week, we spent some time clarifying the difference between the gift of prophecy and the office of a prophet. The word prophet comes from a Hebrew word that literally means to bubble forth but the idea was you were speaking on behalf of another. Of course, the word is used most often in the Bible of someone who was a spokesman for God unless of course the person was a false prophet. 1

2 Now, as we said last time, we make the mistake of thinking that prophesy is only foretelling or predicting the future and certainly, that was part of what a prophet did when God sent them to speak on His behalf. But most of what the prophets did when they spoke for God was simply to declare His words to His people. In other words, most of their ministry consisted not in foretelling but in forth-telling or speaking forth the Word of God. Therefore, anytime a teacher teaches the Bible or a Christian shares Scripture with someone they are acting as a prophet (a spokesman) for God in the broadest sense of the word. But the main difference between being a prophet and a Christian exercising the gift of prophecy is one is an office or divine appointment from Jesus (New Testament prophet Eph.4:11); while the other is a gift of the Holy Spirit. A prophet spoke the inspired and infallible word of God which in the O.T. resulted in death (stoning) if they said anything in the name of the LORD that didn t come to pass. (Deut.18:20-22) 2 Peter 1:20-21 (NLT2) 20 Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet s own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God. Whereas a Christian who exercises the gift of prophecy isn t inspired in the sense that their words are infallible (nor do we stone them if they say something that doesn t work out to be from God). But that doesn t mean we simply accept what they say as being from God either we are commanded to hold them accountable how? 2

3 1 Corinthians 14:29-33 (NKJV) 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 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 the churches of the saints. Notice that Paul says in v.32, the spirits (human spirit the will) of the prophets are subject to the prophets. In other words, God doesn t take you over and speak through you against your will. Your voice doesn t change, and you don t go into some kind of trance as you mindlessly and robotically speak for God. God places the words in your mind and you, by faith, simply speak the words that God has laid on your heart that is exercising the gift of prophecy. Paul is telling us that those who exercise the gift of prophecy are still in control and can even refuse to speak forth what He has placed on their heart and often Christians do refuse to speak. And the reason they don t speak is not because of rebellion, but because of doubt that what s on their heart is really from God and so they don t speak it for fear of saying anything in His name that isn t from Him. In verse 3 Paul goes on to tell us the purpose of the gift of prophecy in relation to the Body of Christ 1 Corinthians 14:3 (NKJV) 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 3

4 Edification to build up and encourage Exhortation to instruct, correct, or rebuke with the intent to move you to action Comfort to sooth, to remind that God is still on the throne and that He loves you and hasn t deserted you Most of what is said when Christians are exercising the gift of prophecy in the local church will be encouraging in nature but not all. If an earthly father never corrected his children, it would be harmful and unloving and they would grow up to be rebellious, unproductive and lawless. On the other hand, if the father was always on their backs, quick to tell them when they messed up but never encouraging them when they did right (or when they tried to do right but failed) there wouldn t be much closeness in the relationship. So, God has given us a healthy ratio one-third exhortation and two-thirds encouragement (more or less). In other words, in a gathering of believers (Spirit-filled not excessively carnal) when the gift of prophecy is being exercised you can expect to hear more comforting and loving words from the Father and fewer get with it prophecies. When the gift of prophecy is truly being exercised by the Holy Spirit it will never be condemning I m tired of you and your sin, if you don t start measuring up I will disown you Valid prophecy will never be harsh and condemning of believers although it may be firm and even take the form of a mild rebuke if necessary. 4

5 Can it ever be futuristic or predictive in nature? Absolutely, although that is not what its main purpose is (v.3). Tell Chuck s story of coming to take over Calvary Chapel ( Living Water p.155-6) And one more thing when the gift of prophecy is being exercised it never deals with new revelation in the sense of new doctrine 1 Corinthians 14:6 (NKJV) 6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? Notice in v.6 how Paul separates revelation from the gift of prophecy. He does that because the gift of prophecy doesn t reveal new doctrine from God. If someone was called to the office of an apostle (like Paul) or the office of a prophet they did speak doctrinal revelation from God. But as we said last time, the offices of apostles and prophets passed off of the scene (came to an end) when God finished giving to them and speaking thru them the New Testament Cannon of Scripture. Now let me show you one of the ways this gift was used in the early Church 1 Timothy 4:14 (NKJV) 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 5

6 The early church had a practice of praying over someone, laying hands on them to receive the gifts of the Spirit then a word of prophecy would come forth and declare from God what gifts God had given them and what He was calling them to do in the way of ministry. Now this brings up an important point don t ever go out and do something just because someone who claims to be speaking on behalf of God tells you to. God will never speak to you through someone else about His will for your life without confirming it to you directly in some way. Often God will use someone to confirm something He has been speaking to your heart about or to get you praying about some course of action or new ministry but He will never direct your life solely on the words (prophecy) of someone else. Once again, we are told in 1Cor.14:29 1 Corinthians 14:29 (NKJV) 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. Many Christians in Word of Faith churches tell us that we should never challenge or judge someone s words when they are prophesying. They say that to do so is touching the Lord s anointed and that is something we must never do! Psalm 105:15 (NKJV) 15 Saying, "Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm." 1 Samuel 26:11 (NKJV) 11 The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD'S anointed... 6

7 While it s true that David didn t physically touch Saul he did verbally rebuke Saul. (Comment) Those preachers and teachers that are telling us not to hold those who claim to be speaking on behalf of God accountable for what they say by comparing it with Scripture is unbiblical and has led to a lot of false doctrine coming into the church. We are commanded in Scripture to judge what is being said on behalf of God whether it s coming from the pulpit or the pew. We are commanded to be Bereans (Acts 17:11) and to test all things and to hold firm to what is good (from God 1Thess.5:21). We test or judge whether a prophecy is from God by holding it up next to what God has already revealed in His Word. Another way to test if someone is really speaking on behalf of God is to wait and see if it comes to pass. As we have already seen, not everyone who says, Thus says the Lord is really speaking on behalf of God. Many people will try to get their weird ideas and doctrines accepted in churches by attaching God s name to it so be discerning! The gift of tongues 1 Corinthians 14:2-5 (NKJV) 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and 7

8 exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. The gift of tongues is a wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit, but it is also the most controversial, and wherever there is controversy there is division. Unfortunately, today we see many churches and Christians dividing over the gifts in general but over the gift of tongues in particular. This is really sad given the fact that Paul began this whole section on spiritual gifts with 1 Corinthians 12:1 (NKJV) 1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: Ignorance breeds controversy and controversy breeds division. That s why right in the middle of his teaching on spiritual gifts Paul stops to teach on love in chapter 13. What is the gift of tongues? Speaking in tongues is the supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit to communicate to God in a language you never learned and do not understand. It can be a modern language or dialect that is spoken somewhere in the world today. It can be some ancient language or dialect that has long since died out along with the culture that spoke it. 8

9 Or it can be a heavenly language 1 Corinthians 13:1 (NKJV) 1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels The Greek word used most often in the N.T. which is translated tongues is the word glossalalia which comes from two Greek words glossa ( tongue ) and laleo ( to speak ). So, the word glossalalia literally means to speak in tongues or to speak in languages which could be earthly or heavenly. This phenomenon first took place on the Day of Pentecost Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV) 1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. There are two manifestations of the Holy Spirit that are being poured out on the disciples one is visible and the other is audible. They heard the sound of a mighty rushing wind and they saw the tongues of fire that appeared over each of their heads. These two manifestations were never repeated again when someone was filled with the Holy Spirit they were unique to the Day of Pentecost. They signaled the beginning of a new age the Church was born; the Church age had begun. 9

10 But what is mentioned in v.4 that is repeated constantly in the book of Acts is the phrase, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18 be continually being filled ) This was the important thing that happened back then and that continues to this day the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Church and made available to all of God s people. Peter, on Pentecost, quoting from Joel 2:28-32 said this Acts 2:17-18 (NKJV) 17 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. No more would the Holy Spirit only come upon certain individuals as He did in the O.T. and only then for a certain period of time but now as Jesus said the Holy Spirit, once poured out on all people, would abide with Christians forever. (John 14:16) Acts 2:4 (NKJV) 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. It says they began to speak in languages they had never learned as the Spirit gave them utterance or as the Spirit gave them the ability and prompted them. In other words, the Holy Spirit didn t take them over where they became like helpless puppets that He then spoke through against their will. (Explain) What is the purpose of the gift of tongues? Tongues is both a prayer language and a praise language both are directed at God not man 10

11 1 Corinthians 14:2 (NKJV) 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. In charismatic circles certain traditions have developed and spiritual phrases have been coined that are not really biblical for example the phrase, a message in tongues. Nowhere in the Bible will you find a phrase like that because God never gives us messages or speaks to His Church in tongues. And yet so often in charismatic and Pentecostal churches when someone speaks in tongues someone else will stand and give the supposed interpretation and it is often something like My little children, harken to My voice or Thus says the Lord to His Church This is not an interpretation of tongues although it might be the gift of prophecy in operation. (1Cor. 14:2) But this idea that God gives messages through tongues (languages never learned) to others has led non-charismatics to say that if God is still giving the gift of tongues to Christians then why doesn t He give it to the missionaries so that they won t have to spend years learning the languages of the people they are being sent to preach the gospel to? The problem with this is that both the charismatics and non-charismatics are demonstrating an ignorance as to what the gift of tongues is all about and its purpose in the lives of Christians. 1. The gift of tongues is first of all for the purpose of prayer it is a prayer language. 1 Corinthians 14:14 (NKJV) 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 11

12 This would lead many to say, How can praying in a language I don t understand be useful in prayer if I don t know what I m saying how can I know what I m praying for? That s the point sometimes we don t know what to pray for in a given situation. Romans 8:26 (NKJV) 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Not the same as the gift of tongues but the same principle) Give examples of this Someone else would say Well then, if praying in tongues is perfect because it comes from the Holy Spirit who knows exactly what needs to be prayed for in a person s life or in a given situation then why don t we just pray in tongues all the time? Because then I would never know when God answered my prayers which would mean I would never be built up in my prayer life or know when to praise and thank God for His answers. Philippians 4:6 6 Don t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything, and don t forget to thank God for His answers. And that s why Paul said in 1Corinthians 14:15 1 Corinthians 14:15 (NKJV) 15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit (in tongues), and I will also pray with the understanding 2. Secondly, the gift of tongues is for the purpose of praise it is a praise language. 12

13 Acts 2:4-11 (NKJV) 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God." (Praise) It s important to understand that these tongues were not used to preach the gospel they were languages directed at God for the purpose of praise. After the crowd said, What does this mean or what s going on here? Peter then stood up and preached the gospel to them in a language he knew, and they knew probably Greek or Aramaic. 1 Corinthians 14:14-17 (NKJV) 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. 16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? 17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified. What is the purpose of praising God in a language we have never learned? We ll study that next time. 13