TONGUE IN CHECK. 1 Corinthians 14:1-39

Transcription

1 TONGUE IN CHECK 1 Corinthians 14:1-39

2 A Summary Of Views On The Gift Of Tongues The Continuationist View Tongues have continued in today s church as they have in the Book of Acts The Cessanionist View The spiritual gifts of tongues have ceased as a normative experience as the New Testament was complete. The Open, But Cautious View Typically non- Charismatic but is open to the possibility that tongues can still exist today.

3 The Gift of Tongues was not: a special language for worship and prayer that only God and angels understand a primary means of evangelism a permanent authentication of the baptism of the Holy Spirit in every believer

4 The Gift Of Tongues Was For: the authentication of Apostles and their message (Eph 2:20; 3:5; Heb 2:3-4) the confirmation of the spoken word (Mark 16:17-20; Heb 2:3-4) the witness to unbelieving Israel (1 Cor 14:21; Cf. Isa 28:11-12) - tongues is a sign to Israel in their unbelief

5 Possible meaning of Perfect in 1 Cor 13:10 The death of a believer The eternal state The completed New Testament Canon Christ s second advent The maturing of Christ s body through the course of the church age F. David Farnell, When Will The Gift Of Prophecy Cease?, Bibliotheca Sacra,150, April-June, 1993

6 Why I Believe The Perfect Is The New Testament incomplete (revelation) that would be completed (NT) If Second Coming of Christ, was Christ s First Coming was incomplete? The context is about incomplete revelation and knowledge, to insert a new doctrinal point would seem forced Not one usage of teleos (used 80x in other ways) is used of rapture, 2nd coming, millennium or eternal state Neuter adjective to agree in gender with noun it modified. Nothing in text that modifies, so it s open to interpretation. Jesus needed masculine adjective, the perfect could not be Jesus Perfect was related to the partial (v.9) which was prophesy and knowledge The dim mirror (1 Cor 13:12) is incomplete revelation which was hazy, the completed Scripture is the clear and completed picture ( face to face )

7 Larry Pettegrew, p. 186 Incomplete Knowledge Partial gifts of revelation Child s knowledge Unclear as in a mirror Partial knowledge Full Knowledge Completed New Testament Adult s knowledge Clear as face to face Full knowledge

8 A Case for Cessationism (Tom Pennington Strange Fire Conf) Unique role of miracles End of the gift of Apostleship Foundational nature of New Testament Apostles and prophets Nature of miraculous gifts Testimony of Church History Sufficiency of Scripture New Testament rules for the miraculous gifts

9 Perspectives from History Before the 20th century, the Church did not practice the gift of tongues Tongues were only mentioned in earliest New Testament books: Mk 16:17; Acts 2:4; 10:46: 19:6; 1 Cor The last recorded miracle in Scripture was 58 AD when Paul healed Publius father in Acts 28:7-10 Ephesians and Romans, later epistles, not include sign gifts From AD when Revelation was completed (final book), there were no miracles recorded There were no more apostles after John and the need for temporary gifts was over

10 1. The Pursuit Of Gifts That Edify 1 Corinthians 14:1 1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

11 2. The Problem Of Uninterpreted Tongues 1 Corinthians 14:2 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.

12 3. The Priority Of Prophecy (that edifies the Church) Over Tongues (that edifies self) 1 Corinthians 14:3-5 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

13 4. The Plight Of The Confusion With Tongues 1 Corinthians 14: 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?... 9 So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. 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.

14 5. The Purpose For Interpreting Tongues 1 Corinthians 14: Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 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.

15 6. The Prominence Of Maturity 1 Corinthians 14:20 20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

16 7. The Penalty Of A Sign For Israel 1 Corinthians 14: In the law it is written: With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; and yet, for all that, they will not hear Me, says the Lord. 22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.

17 8. The Procedure For Practicing Tongues a. Remember that each spiritual gift must bring edification (26) b. Regulate only 2 or 3 tongue speakers per service (27a, 29) c. Restrict only one tongue speaker at a time (27b) d. Rest after each revelation that it can be interpreted (27c) e. Remain silent if there is no interpreter available. (28) f. Reapply these principles to the gift of prophecy (29-33)

18 9. The Prohibition For Women Speaking In Service 1 Corinthians 14: 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. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

19 10. The Principle Of Submitting To God s Word & Procedures 1 Corinthians 14: If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write 39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

20 Corinthian Procedure For Tongues Charismatic Practice Of Tongues (1 Cor 14) Pursue love & prophecy that edifies (1) Pursue speaking in tongues Tongues is a spiritual gift of language (2) Prophecy edifies the Church (3-5) Don t confuse with unintelligible gibberish (6-12) Tongues must be interpreted (13-19) Be mature in exercising gift (20) Tongues is a sign of judgment (21-25) No more than 2-3 speaking at a time (26-33) Women prohibited to speak in tongues (34-35) Follow a precise procedure in service (36-39) Tongue is an ecstatic speech Tongue edifies self Speak a heavenly language no man understands Tongues mostly is incomprehensible Tongues is a result of maturity Tongues is a sign of Spirit filling The whole congregation can break out in tongues Women encouraged to speak in tongues publicly Respond emotionally, not orderly