You are welcome to another edition of Insights from Gods Word, a Bible study programme that is committed to sharing Gods Word by allowing the Bible to speak for itself. Beloved, i greet you in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I want to thank the Lord so much for how far He has brought us. Today, we bring our study on the gift of tongues to an end. The caption for our study today is: The gift of tongues: Part 3. In this study, we are going to examine what Paul says in 1Corinthians 14, and try to compare that with what is happening in most Christian churches today. Because the passage we are considering today is quite a long one, i will not be analysing it verse by verse as i usually do, but i will try to bring out the strong points that will enable us to obtain a clear understanding of the chapter. The seemingly confusing verses in 1Corinthians 14 have been verses 2 and 14. The contents of these two verses are as follows: 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. To begin an analysis of these texts, i want to first bring out the fact that the word UNKNOWN ( as used in the KJV) or STRANGE (as used in the NIV and TEV) are not found in the original manuscripts of the Bible. The word in the original is simply tongue which means language. These words UKNOWN or STRANGE were fixed into the texts by the translators; in their bid to come up with a meaningful translation of the passage in question. However, in this case, these insertions have done more harm than good. They have successfully created the apparent confusion and misunderstanding regarding Pauls words in 1Corinthians 14. Despite the insertion of the words; unknown or strange however, there is still a lot of good information in the passage of 1Corinthians 14 that enable us to obtain a clearer understanding of what Paul wanted to communicate to the church in Corinth. Once again, the verse 2 of 1Corinthians 14 reads: For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. This passage has been explained in various Christian circles to support the babbling of unintelligible ecstatic utterances, commonly reffered to as speaking in tongues. However, a close examination of the text in the light of the entire passage of 1Corinthians 14 bring out a different picture. Friends, the tongues that Paul describes in 1Corinthians 14, basically refers to recognized foreign languages that were spoken by some members of the Corinthian church at church meetings. These foreign languages were not understood by most indigenous members from the city of Corinth because they had not known or studied them before. Beloved, in 1Corinthians 14, Paul was basically saying to the members of the Corinthian church, that when someone stood in front of the church to speak in a foreign language, he or she must find someone who will interpret whatever that is being said. If this is not done, members of the church will not understand whatever that is being said, even though the speaker may be communicating some important truths of God in his or her mother tongue. As an illustration, lets imagine a situation where a chinese preacher is invited to preach to an English speaking congregation. What do you think will happen if the preacher is unable to communicate in English? The church is likely to find a translator for him or the appointment will be cancelled. This is because even though the preacher may preach the best sermon ever, the congregation will not be edified as they will not understand a word from such a preaching. Friends, the illustration above presents the exact situation that was taking place in the Christian church at Corinth. This situation was largely due to the high number of foreign nationals who visited the church in Corinth. The ancient city of Corinth was renowned for its two international seaports. The city was undoubtedly a trade centre which attracted foreigners from various parts of the world. Evidently, the high influx of foreigners entering into the city on a regular basis had an effect on the Christian church in town. Some of these foreigners, i believe, wanted to share with the Corinthian church, various testimonies of Gods leading in their lives, others wanted to share important Bible truths and yet others wanted to sing to glorify God. (1Corinthians 14:26) With most of these things going on in foreign tongues or languages without an interpreter, the service of the church soon became chaotic and disorganized. Church members became naturally concerned as they did not understand exactly what was being communicated during church services. What even compounded the problem was when some native members of the Corinthian church also began to speak at church in foreign tongues so their companions will know they have the gift of communicating in other foreign languages. This issue needed immediate attention. In fact, it was to address this situation; among other things, that Paul wrote his first letter to the Christians at Corinth. The contents of the entire passage in 1Corinthians 14, give strong support to the explanation i have given above. Let us consider some of these verses: 14:6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and i will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and i will sing with the understanding also. Friends, if you have ever being taught a prayer or song in a foreign language ,that you have not known or studied before, then you are likely to appreciate Pauls words in verses 14 and 15. You may say such prayer or sing in this foreign tongue alright, but the problem is that your understanding will be unfruitful. You are not likely to follow such prayer or song with your mind or heart as you will do in a language that is very clear to you. Moreover, when this situation happens at church, then it becomes very difficult for the congregation to respond with an Amen, which means let it be so. The verse 16 reads: 14:16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? 14:17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 14:I8 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. In verses 18 and19, Paul challenges the church members in Corinth that he can speak in more foreign languages than any of them. Yet, in the church, he will speak with words that everyone will understand so the members will be edified. Paul is justified to make this challenge because as a travelling evangelist, he had come to know and learn several languages than any of the church members at Corinth. In the verse 20, Paul continues: 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice ber ye children, but in understanding be men. 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are UNLEARNED, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? (emphasis added) 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath anrinterpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by TWO, or at the most by THREE, and that by COURSE; and let one INTERPRET. (emphasis added) 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order. Beloved, from what we have studied from the Bible so far, it is clear that the type of tongues that Paul describes in 1Corinthians 14 is nothing more than an understandable human language. The focus of Pauls message was to restore order in the service of the Christian church in Corinth. Paul advised that the church should not forbid members to speak in tongues. (1Corinthians 14:39) In other words, the church should not prevent members with foreign tongues to also share their thoughts with the church body or members. However, such foreign tongues must be controlled as God is not the Author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (Corinthians 14:33) Thus, to restore order in the service of the Corinthian church, the apostle Paul gave the church these clear guidelines: If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Beloved, the words of Paul in the text above are very clear. If there are members who will want to speak to the church in foreign tongues or languages, the church must give opportunity to two or at most three at a time. Moreover, such members must speak one after another, with each person making use of an interpreter. Friends, like other important Pauline epistles, the passage of 1 Corinthians 14 has been misterpreted in various Christian circles to support the babbling of untelligible ecstatic utterances, commoly referred to as speaking in tongues. However, from the clear teaching of Scripture, we can conclude without any doubt that the tongues described in 1Corinthians 14, is a normal human language that can be spoken with clarity and understood. It is not some unknown gibberish or angels language that some Christians will want to make us believe, albeit, without any tangible Scriptural support. It is true that some Christians will still want to argue that the babbling of these unintelligible utterances is actually a heavenly prayer language. Such Christians support this idea with Pauls words in 1Corinthians 13:1. The text in 1Corinthians 13:1 reads: Though i speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, i am become like sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. Beloved, there is nothing in this text to suggest that the tongues Paul describes in 1Corinthians 14, is actually some angels language that is unknown to man. The passage in 1Corinthians 13 is basically about the importance of charity in the use of spiritual gifts. Paul is basically saying that even if he speaks with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, all that is useless. This point is supported by the verses 2 and 3 of 1Corinthians 13. The verse two reads: And though i have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though i have all faith, so that i could remove mountains, and have not charity, i am nothing. In other words, Paul is saying that even if he is able to do all the above and have no charity, all that is useless. Of course we know that Paul did not understand all mysteries. Neither did he possess all knowledge nor have enough faith to remove mountains. Yet, Christians who further this idea will want us to believe that Paul actually spoke in some unknown angels language. Beloved, the clear fact from the above reasoning is that, Pauls words in 1Corinthians 13:1 cannot be used to justify the babbling of these unintelligible utterances, commonly referred to as speaking in tongues. Friends, the Bible clearly admonishes us, that in Gods church, all things must be done decently and in order. We are also given the clear warning, that God is not the Author of confusion. Yet, what we see in various Christian circles, is the direct opposite of this clear teaching of Scripture. The mass babbling of unintelligible ecstatic utterances by church members, commonly referred to as speaking in tongues cannot be traced to what Paul has said in 1Corinthians 14. Moreover, amazing recent phenomena such as church members being slain in the spirit, drunk in the spirit and laughing in the Spirit cannot be traced to any Bible source. The sheer noise, commotion and self degredation that are associated with these manifestations show that these recent phenomena are in direct contradiction to Pauls words in 1Corinthians 14. In fact, based on what we have studied from Gods Word so far, these manifestations cannot be from the Holy Spirit. Beloved, as in the case of the apostles in the book of Acts, the baptism of the Holy Spirit imbues Gods people with spiritual gifts, power and boldness to proclaim the gospel of Christ. The baptism of the Holy Spirit enables Gods people to develop the fruits of the Spirit. That is, the Holy Spirit enables the children of God to develop Christian virtues such as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, GENTLENESS, goodness, faith, meekness and TEMPERANCE. (Galatians 5:22-23) (Emphasis added) Beloved, the baptism of the Holy Spirit does not lead Gods people to lose their mind and engage in bizzare activities. Contrary to this, people become gentle, temperate and sound, when the Holy Spirit comes upon them. For instance, in Luke 8:26-40, Luke narrates the account of a violent demon possessed man who wore no clothes and abode only in tombs. However, when this man had been delivered from the unclean spirits by Christ, we find that instead of a violent self degrading spirit controlling him, a calm and gentle Spirit now resided in him. When the Gadarenes came to find out what has happened, they discovered that the former violent lunatic was now clothed, and in his right mind, sitting at the feet of Jesus. Beloved, the invitation of God in Scripture is Come now, and let us reason together... (Isaiah 1:18) God wants us to use our mind. My dear friends, the true Spirit of God does not lead us to do things that take away our self dignity. The true Spirit of God does not force Gods children down to the floor, wallowing and muttering because they have been slain by the spirit. The true Spirit of God does not force Gods children to the ground when a supposed man of God raises his hand at them. The true Spirit of God does not lead Gods children to do bizzare things in the name of being drunk in the spirit. The true Spirit of God will not lead Gods people into mass laughing and falling at church, as they lose control .This new idea that postulates that people must lose control under the aunction of the Holy Spirit cannot be traced to any Bible quotation. Beloved, the truth is that speaking in tongues (contemporary glossolalia) together with these new manifestations, are being sold by the devil into virtually all religions. Alongside other supernatural activities such as miracles, healings, trances, noise and frenzy, speaking in unintelligible tongues can be found in indigenous tribal religions of Africa ,independent spiritual churches in which Christianity is combined with pagan practices, Mormonisn, Hinduism and Buddism. Beloved, the fact that these recent phenomena we see in Christendom, are also found in other non - Christian religions should make every child of God think twice about these issues. I wish i could show you videos about how the same manifestations we see in Christendom today are being practiced in the various religions of our world. Beloved, the only way we can discern truth from error is to go to the Bible. As children of God, we are supposed to study the Bible, understand it, and live by it. God wants us to use our mind and not to depend on our senses, emotions and feelings. This is because in these end times, Satan is going to use various new phenomena that have no solid biblical support ,coupled with a lot of miracles, signs and wonders to give people a false sense of the presence of the Holy Spirit. (2Thessalonians 2:9-12) My dear friends, based on the plain and clear teachings of Scripture, i believe with all my heart that the spirit of Satan is behind these manifestations that we see in most of Christendom today. I know it has been hard for a lot of you to have read to this point. Someone made this remarkable statement: Hurt me with the truth. Dont comfort me with a lie. I believe this quote carry the same message as the words of king Solomon in Proverbs 27:6. The message there is: Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. I will rather have you know the clear thus saith the Lord, than water down the truth whereon our salvation hinges. I know there are many of Gods faithful children who have been deceived to accept this falsehood. I know some of you have been babbling in these unintelligible tongues thinking the gift is from the Holy Spirit. I know its going to be hard to realize that what you have cherished so much is not from the Lord and will have to let it go. I want to encourage you by revealing that many people accross the globe have come to this point ,and have chosen to rather follow Bible truth than go ahead with their emotions. You can choose to follow the Bible today. You see, the true Spirit of God will never let you down. If you are confused about all this, why dont you honestly ask God to show you the right way in prayer? He will not dissapoint you. Exhortation: And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. (Matthew 6:7) But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. (2 Timothy 2:16) Stay tuned and never miss any of our upcoming Bible study sesssions. Have a blessed day and keep shining for King Jesus. Maranatha!!! To join our growing Bible study class, just send a hello to our whatsapp number +233243105287. You will then be receiving our Bible studies right on your mobile phone. Do not hesitate to send us your Bible questions, prayer requests or issues requiring direct counselling. From: Samuel Nyarko Speaker/Director, White Throne Media
Posted on: Fri, 07 Nov 2014 03:02:15 +0000
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