1 Cor. 14 - "Prophecy and Tongues"
This is in the NT, so in my understanding, it should still apply to today. We are under the same everything that Christians were of that time.. Unlike the OT, where our relationship with God and stuff is really different, right.
Prophecy: a prediction about the future said under divine inspiration.
V1. Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
- Prophecy is God's message spoken through human words, so there is room for mistake. (That's what my Bible footnotes say, I don't know if I believe that. If God inspires it, it can't be wrong. What about the Bible being inspired by God, and it can't have mistakes or else that defeats it's whole purpose.)
[Side note: I always wondered if all Christians were supposed to be able to perform miracles, cuz they have the Holy Spirit, and that's what accomplishes the miracle eh?
1 Cor 12:27-29
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
It doesn't answer the question! Haha. Do they, or don't they?? My Bible footnote says no.]
V3-5. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
I guess God wouldn't give spiritual gifts that didn't benefit His kingdom. They're not for himself, they're for the people to better see Him I think. So that says plainly that speaking in tongues (language of God, that people can't understand [yo, if two people were speakin' in tongues beside each other, could they understand the other one?] ) But maybe it's a deeper, more intimate way to praise God.
But then there's prophesying, which is directed to other people and not at God. Paul says he wants all these people to speak in tongues, so it seems like a choice thing.. 1 Cor 12:31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
That's kind of big. So we should be striving to get them. Not that we earn them necessarily, but are given them. What does that mean I'm supposed to do?
These studies always lead me to more questions than answers. I guess I'll try to get my questions answered better.
1 Cor. 14:6-12
6Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. 12So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.
It sounds like speaking in tongues is not necessarily a good thing, and we shouldn't really do it because it doesn't serve any purpose. The purpose should be to build up the church.
1 Cor 14:13-14
13For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
Speaking in tongues is your spirit speaking. That reminds me of that verse (Romans 8:26) where it says that the Holy Spirit prays for us with groaning. That's really powerful to me. I think that's along the same lines of that language of God and the angels (1 Cor 13:1), tongues. That's probably a beautiful sound. But the person speaking's mind is unfruitful. It's like their body is turned off and their spirit, not necessarily the Holy Spirit takes over. Huh, interesting. That's kind of key to what I was trying to figure out.. So you don't just believe what people say when they're speaking in tongues, not that you can understand them, haha, cuz it's of them and not God.
14:19
But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
14:22
Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.
So if you have the gift of speaking in tongues (what benefit is it?) then I guess you can do that with God in private. But prophesying seems to be a useful gift in convincing non-believers (v.20-25).
Matt 7:21-23
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Just cuz they prophesy in Jesus' name doesn't make it true.. How do you know then?
1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
How do we test the spirit? I'm not sure what they're referring to by spirit actually. Footnote says to see the difference between the Holy Spirit and demonic spirits. And only some people have the gift of discernment to tell what the source of the prophecies are (1 Cor. 12:10). Ok, ok, I'm following.
1 Thessalonians 5:20-21
Do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything.
Again.
1 Cor 13:8
As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.
I've heard a few people say that this verse means that speaking in tongues and prophesying will end. It was definitely used in the NT times, but maybe now they aren't around anymore. So what are these people doing then? Faking it? Maybe we're not at that time yet? They say it "ceased after the apostolic age of the early church."
Getting somewhere.
No comments:
Post a Comment