The Apostle Paul had just said that if, in an assembly of the saints, all speak in tongues, will not an unbeliever present think you are all crazy. He continues to explain himself: “But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believes not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: and thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth” (1 Corinthians 14:24-25).

Prophecy, on the other hand, is when we speak out in a common language what God has revealed to us. If many then speak out spiritual revelation (1 Corinthians 12:8-10), it will surely connect with someone’s deepest, hidden need. That’s what real prophecy does. I receive more praise for words I’ve spoken “by accident” than what I’ve prepared. And I can’t take credit for what the Lord says through me.

Did you notice the excitement in Pastor Stine this weekend when he referred to Elder Jim Otis’s comments during the Communion meditation Jim led? Jim had no idea he was confirming for Pastor Stine the word he had prepared to share. It brought life to Pastor Stine. That’s the kind of “coincidence” that spiritual gifts bring.

And this doesn’t just happen for believers, it happens in the presence of unbelievers, as well, opening their hearts to the gospel. The end result of opening spiritual gifts is that the unbeliever will fall “down on his face and will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth“.

That’s ministering in power. Let’s fill our private time in prayer in the Spirit, and our public time together with spiritual ministry that breaks through “accidentally”.

Tags: accident, prophecy, spiritual gifts

“If therefore the whole church comes together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad? (1 Corinthian s 14:23).

When I was about age 18 there was a Christian man where I worked. He asked me to go to church with him in Hicksville, Ohio. So my girlfriend and I got dressed up and went with he and his wife. The worship was the same songs I was used to in the Church of Christ and what she was used to in the Lutheran Church, but perhaps a little more lively, and they had guitars! But soon the minister announced that it was time for prayer. At that point every person in the room, with a loud voice, began speaking with words that sounded like mumble jumble to us. People were shouting and getting really emotional. We both sat really still, but it scared us. We had no idea what we had gotten ourselves into. It did not draw us closer to the Lord, it scared us away. We never returned.

I’m not sure, but it must have been a Pentecostal Church and they were probably praying in their prayer language. As I read the scriptures, it was probably a good thing. But, from the perspective of unbelievers, we thought they were way too radical for us. We never considered this might be God. If there was prophecy present, I can’t recall. All I remember is never wanting to go back to that wild place.

I think we get the idea of what was happening at the Corinthian Church that motivated Paul to make this statement. They were probably getting real serious with the Lord in prayer in a big public meeting and scaring everyone away before the Holy Spirit could grab their hearts. Sometimes we must be real careful with spiritual gifts, because ministry is always about helping others take their next steps toward Him, and not about our own experience. Its what we give away that comes back to us. People will not invite their friends to a place that will embarrass them.

Tell us about your early experience with others praying in tongues.

Tags: evangelism, spiritual gifts, tongues

“In the law it is written, ‘With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me’, says the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:21). When Paul refers to the “law” he is referring to the Mosaic Law, the detailed standard God gave to the people of Israel through the prophet Moses. It usually refers to the first five books of the Bible (Genesis-Deuteronomy), but sometimes refers to the entire Old Testament.

In the present verse he quotes from Isaiah 28:11-12, not really from ‘the law”, but from the Prophetical books. Isaiah was describing what it would be like when the Messiah comes and reveals Himself to man. Isaiah predicted that God would speak to His people through “men of other tongues and other lips”, yet the people would not hear or listen. God is speaking this through much heartache.

Paul uses this Old Testament scripture to prove that God predicted this outpouring of the Holy Spirit involving speaking with other tongues. There are many other Old Testament scriptures where the Law, the Prophets, and the Poetical books predict the coming of speaking in tongues, without explaining it in greater detail. Only when the event finally came to the church did people look back and begin seeing what God had intended with these hints of coming things. Paul is tying the Old Testament with this New Testament experience.

The Old Testament confirms what God is doing today in this new spiritual experience. This was not a surprise to God; He planned it.

Tags: prophecy, spiritual gifts

Paul had just thanked God that he spoke in his prayer language more than any of the Corinthian believers, “Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understand, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue” (1 Corinthians 14:19).

So, Paul wasn’t teaching that speaking in tongues was wrong or bad, because he did it more than they. He is talking about Agape love expressed in the church setting, with many others around. Five words that give hope and life are more valuable to others than ten thousand words that no one understands.

Now, he makes it clear here that he is referring to “in the church“, meaning not the building, but in the assembly of the saints. When the saints assemble together, its got to be about others, not ourselves. By yourself, ten thousand words in tongues will release many bondages as we speak to God in the spirit. But, in the group setting, we constantly work to inspire each other. So, we pray that we may interpret our prayers, to the benefit of others.

Note also that he says, “that…I might teach others also“. Here is the key to Paul’s understanding of spiritual gifts. He wants to teach others about God. So, we all have a similar responsibility when it comes to spiritual gifts, a spiritual responsibility.

Tags: spiritual gifts

“I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all” (1 Corinthians 14:18). Paul said in the previous verse (v. 17) that when praying in their prayer languages, the Corinthians were thanking God well. Paul wasn’t saying in our current verse that, comparatively, he spoke in tongues more than anyone else. He, rather, was thankful that God had given him the freedom and opportunity to devote his life to spiritual ministry and praying in his prayer language was a major part of that.

Paul spoke on several occasions about praying without ceasing. With so much to do in the world, how does one pray without ceasing? The answer is to make our attitude such that prayer becomes a part of our everyday lives. Instead of thinking to ourselves, we think to God. And God responds by giving us ideas and insight we would not normally have thought of. Combine that concept with praying in our prayer language where the spirit inside me prays to the Holy Spirit, and we have a powerful prayer life that releases great spiritual gifts.

He says this in contrast to those in the Corinthian church who thought they were more spiritual if they spoke much in tongues in a public meeting. The gift of tongues is direct communication with God and is not for the purpose of impressing other people with our depth of spirituality. As a matter of fact, some of the most immature Christians I have known spoke with tongues. It is not a measure of your spiritual maturity at all. It is the power to become mature as we seek God. But if we turn inward and use these gifts without the Agape love for others, it can become dangerous and prideful.

So, don’t be afraid to use that gift powerfully in your own life.

Tags: spiritual gifts, tongues

“Else when you shall bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupies the room of the unlearned say Amen at your giving of thanks, seeing he understands not what you say?” (1 Corinthians 14:16).

Here is the difference between speaking with our spiritual language and speaking with the understanding: who understands it? If you’re speaking to God, there needs to be no interpretation. But if there are people in the room who don’t understand, and we are motivated by love (1 Cor. 13), then we never leave our guests hanging…we interpret for them.

I remember being in other cultures where I didn’t understand the language. Usually, someone would sit by me and quietly interpret what the speaker was saying. Some of those foreign nationals can preach pretty well, but I could receive nothing from it unless someone interpreted for me. When the message was interpreted into English, it made perfect sense and I was blessed like everyone else. As an outsider, I needed someone to interpret. So it is with spiritual gifts.

Paul is advising these Corinthians that they needed to stop rambling on in their personal prayer languages in front of non-believers who received nothing from it. They needed to “Pray that you may interpret” ( 1Cor. 14:13) for the benefit of those in the room.

I’ve been criticized by some for not being more charismatic (gifted) in our church. But, what does it do if people on the fringe of believing get scared away just before they “get it”? I’m more concerned for the lost getting salvation than the saints getting blessed. If you want more exercise of spiritual gifts, come to our prayer meetings at the church. That’s where we are speaking to God and not man. That’s where vocal spiritual gifts are exercised. Besides, I need you praying in the spirit for me.

Tags: amen, spiritual gifts