davidbu@loowit.wr.tek.com (David E. Buxton) (02/14/91)
1 Cor 14 Acts 2
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Where: Corinth Jerusalem
Speakers: Church Members Apostles
Audience: Church Members Unbelievers of many Nations
Form: Thanksgiving Preaching
Function: Devotional Evangelism
Real Languages? Foreigners Alienated Foreigners could Understand
Interpretation: Interpreters Required On interpreters Required
Comprehension: Linguist Paul not understand Foreigners did understand
Objective: To demonstrate the Spirit To convert unbelievers
Result: Unbelievers Alienated Unbelievers Converted
Edification: Only Self Edification Edification of new Converts
Importance: Minimal Of major importance
It is clear that Acts 2 is a genuine speaking in foreign languages. At
times, in reading 1 Corinthians 14, I get the distinct feeling that Paul is
trying his best to not put the Corinthians down while trying to lecture them
with the best tact at his disposal: Self edification rather than the church
(vs 4). Of less value than the music of lifeless instruments (vs 7,8). No
better than speaking into the air if not understood (vs 9). Rather than
spending your time on a gift that even foreigners cannot understand develop
those gifts that build up the church (vs 10-12). Five intelligible words
are worth more than 10,000 words of this tongues (vs 19). Unbelievers will
accuse you of being out of your minds and of what value is that (vs 23)
Paul, I believe in exasperation, says - ok, if you must, then here are some
basic rules of orderliness (vs 26-38). Tactfully he refuses to forbid it
(vs 39).
Paul ranks the gifts of the Spirit in 1 Cor 12:8-10:
Wisdom
Knowledge
Faith
Healing
Miracles
Prophecy
Discerning Spirits
Tongues
Interpreting Tongues
Church Appointments 1 Cor 12:8-10:
Apostles
Prophets
Teachers
Miracles
Healing
Helpers
Governments
Tongues
Interpreters
In this next text, tongues is not even mentioned: "But the fruit of the
Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control. . . . " (Gal 5:22,23)
Paul urges that we strive for the greater gifts, stating clearly that
tongues is not one of them (1 Cor 14:31). To me it is clear that there are
far more important gifts of the spirit to seek after without taking my
chances with something that Paul so tactfully down plays. Too many cling to
the gift of tongues as an authenticator of their experience, to authenticate
that they are saved. I see no Biblical basis for such presumption. One
work of the Holy Spirit is to turn the derelict despicable sinner to Jesus
Christ. There is no salvation here until the sinner responds. I question a
supposed manifestation of the Spirit in people who find that their salvation
is authenticated and sufficient, where their search for truth trails off.
We can know that He works upon our hearts when our hearts are continually
turned towards repentance, the "I die daily" experience, and we have an
eagerness for truth that cannot be quenched. These are indeed works of the
Holy Spirit according to the Bible.
Could it be that Jesus was specifically warning that speaking in tongues or
prophecying does not prove that you are saved?
""Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of
heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. "Many will say
to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name,
cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' "And
then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who
practice lawlessness!' " -- Mat 7:21-23 (NKJ)
Paul ranks prophecying above the manifestation of tongues. And here we see
that even prophecying proves nothing for salvation if we are not obedient to
what He would have us to do - note that the keep of God's law is clearly
implicated here to be a part of doing the will of the Father.x7mx@vax5.cit.cornell.edu (02/19/91)
<Something was written to the effect that tongues as we know today should be deemphasized. The contrasting passages from Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 14 (12?) were mentioned.> I do not intend to boost the value of the gift of tongues. I myself do not have them, thought I would like to try. The point I would like to mention is the use of the contrasting passages. There is every possibility that those bystanders were themselves given the gift of interpretation of tongues. I find this explanation entirely plausible (remember "those men are drunk!" spoken by others?). Also, praying in tongues serve a useful role of allowing active prayer when the person runs out of imagination or is too tired to think up new phrases. Tongues serves as an aid to prayer which is what I think Paul means when he says self edification. Chris