#1515 Run It's Course

 

Love never fails, but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child. When I became a man, I did away with childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 13 But now abide faith, hope, love—these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13: 8-13 LSB

Warning - To hopefully avoid some confusion here, let it be understood that these posts are part of an ongoing conversation between me and a friend, who is Pentecostal but who I also believe to be a brother in Christ. There is no disrespect of people intended. This will include posts #1511 to #1515.

What is it continued

It is something that "will cease": This is where we get the word cessationist from, people who believe that tongues would stop and even have in regards to the gift seen in the early church. It is no more an invention of John Macarthur then the doctrines of predestination and election were of John Calvin. It's in our Bible and needs to be understood through careful examination.  

Now, our Pentecostal and Charismatic brothers and sisters tell us that the gifts have never ceased yet, so the when is future, and they will cease in the future. And some of them say it will occur when the perfect thing comes that is mentioned in verse 10. And that’s still in the future, they tell us. Others say – and I heard this this week. A very prominent pastor and Bible teacher said that “All the gifts have already ceased, all of them. There are no spiritual gifts today.” That’s the other extreme.

The Charismatics, they’re all in; this particular person believes they’re all out. And then there are some who say, “Some are in and some are out.” Which is correct? Well, let’s look at the Bible and find out because it has a way of revealing those kinds of things. Incidentally, I might add that Charismatic people who say they're all in often give this argument. They say, “There's not one verse in the Bible that says tongues have ceased. And since there’s not one verse in the Bible that says tongues have ceased, that settles it for us. They haven’t.” They’re right about the fact that not one verse says that. That’s true.

But do you want to hear something interesting? There is not one verse in the Bible that says God is three in one. Is He? Yes. That’s not a very good argument. To argue that something is true because the Bible doesn’t say it is weak. And to argue that you need a statement in one verse to prove a point is weak, because there are many things in the Bible that are indicated to us by the totality of Scripture rather than any one given statement.

For example, you can’t take one single, simple Bible verse and drop it in front of a Jehovah’s Witness that says, “Jesus is 100 percent God, 100 percent man at the same time in an indivisible oneness.” But that is the essence of the God-Man, isn’t it? But we’ve got to go all over the place, finding little bits and pieces of the theology of Christ to put together the total portrait. So that’s not a good argument to use. They – they should have some other argument if they – if they want to defend that point and perhaps they do have other arguments.

So we have on the one hand, “They’re all in, they’re all out; some in, some out.” Well, let’s go into verse 8. We know they're all going to cease sometime, they’re all going to be rendered inoperative. Now, I want to notice – have you notice one thing, right off the bat, that’s very important. The apostle Paul and the Holy Spirit make an immediate distinction between tongues and prophecy and knowledge. And they indicate here – the words that are used, that tongues will cease at a different time than prophecy and knowledge. Very important point.

There is a clear indication at the very beginning, as you look at the verse, that they’re going to cease, but not at the same time. And I’ll show you why I say that. Notice the phrase, “They shall be done away.” With prophecies, it says “They shall be done away.” Or “they shall be rendered inoperative,” or “they shall be abolished,” or whatever your version says. It’s the first verb right after prophecies. Then the – the last one in verse 8, “whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away.” Vanished away, be rendered inoperative, be ended or whatever your Bible says. Those two, the one on prophecy and knowledge, are the same verb in the Greek.

Now, don't get lost. You may not know much Greek, but hang in there and you’ll understand the point I’m making. The verb, for you Greek students, is katargeō. It is the first and the third verb. It is used with prophecy and knowledge. It is not the verb used with the word “tongues will cease.” That's a totally different word. Now, when we see that, we know immediately that there is a purpose in the mind of the Holy Spirit for making a distinction in those terms, and we want to understand what it is.

Katargeō means “to be made inoperative.” It is a very, very important thing for us to understand. To be made inoperative. Prophecy will be done away; knowledge will be done away. And, incidentally, they are translated different in English. They're the same in Greek. But the word used with tongues in the middle of the verse, Tongues, they shall cease, is a totally different word. It’s the word pauō. PAUO, if you wanted an English rendering. And that word means “to stop.” That’s it, “to stop.”

So the first distinction that is very interesting in the verse, is the distinction between two kinds of Greek words, which gives us a little different feeling for what the Spirit of God is saying about prophecy and knowledge, and what He’s saying about tongues. And I would just add this. The second thing is that they are different voices. Now, voice in the English – you have to reach way back now, some of you. You remember there’s two kinds of voice. What are they? Active and passive, okay.

The first and the third verb, katargeō, with prophecy and knowledge, are passive. They're passive verbs. Now, my English teacher told me that when a passive verb is in a subject, the subject – or in a sentence, the subject what? Receives the action. So something is acting upon the subject to stop it. Now, notice again, and I’ll clarify. It is a passive. “Where there be prophecies, they shall be done away.” In other words, something is going to come and stop prophecy. It’s a passive verb. Prophecy will be acted upon by some other force to stop it. It’s the same in knowledge. Knowledge shall be acted upon by some other force to stop it. Now, we even know what it is.

Look at verse 9. “We know in part,” that’s the knowledge; “We prophesy in part,” that’s prophecy. “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” And there's the same word, katargeō, again. What is it that’s going to come and stop prophecy and stop knowledge? The perfect thing, right. It says it. “When that which is perfect comes, it will stop knowledge and prophecy.” So we know what it is; it’s the perfect thing.

Now, what is the perfect thing? Some people say it’s the Bible when it was finished. Some people say it’s the maturing of the church; some people say it’s the rapture; some people say it’s the second coming, some people say it’s the – it’s the end of the millennium. Next week, we’re going to find out which because I can’t get into that. I don’t have time. I’ve got to get this done before the rapture, because then you’ll know everything and you won’t need me, see.

All right, I Corinthians 13. Now, we know then that prophecy and – and it’s very interesting to notice that only prophecy and knowledge appear in verse 9 and tongues don’t appear anymore, because only prophecy and knowledge are stopped by the perfect thing, see. But notice the word relative to tongues. Tongues shall cease. That is not a passive. In fact, the verb is an intransitive verb. It couldn’t even be a passive. It couldn't – there's is no way. What it – what you're talking about here is tongues shall stop. And it isn’t an active either. It is, in the Greek, a middle voice, and the Greek middle is reflexive.

In English, we would say this. Active, “I hit the ball.” Passive, “The ball hit me.” If we had a middle voice it would be this. “I hit myself.” It’s reflexive. And in the Greek, it – it gives an emphasis to the active. It really says this, “Tongues will stop by themselves.” That’s the meaning of the middle voice in Greek. Tongues will stop by themselves. Intense action of the subject. In fact, the Greek Old Testament, which is known as the Septuagint, uses the middle form of this verb, pauō 15 times. And every time, it means to complete, to stop, to be finished, to be accomplished, to come to an end. It has a – it’s a finality. It means that’s it. It’s over, it’s ended, it’s complete, it’s accomplished, it’s spent, it’s done. And the – and the middle gives it the reflexive. All by itself, it ends. That’s it. - J Mac from Sermon on 1 Corinthians 13:8

I believe tongues ceased as well, that it disappeared towards the end of the Apostolic age. I believe this was to give precedence to the written word, and that historically miracles have been seen to come as they did with Moses on a grand scale, then depart, then on a smaller scale we see Samson, then a larger scale the ministries of Elijah and Elisha. Cessationist do not believe that there are no miracles, in fact they put precedence on the greatest miracle, that of the new birth. We also note that John the Baptist was a prophet who performed no miracles, but introduced Jesus, Who performed an untold many miracles, far more than the examples that were recorded. This was followed by His disciples in that age. For example, I don't believe people receive revelation anymore that is on the authoritative level of Scripture. There are many fringe groups who do, including people that say they have talked to God while walking around with Him in heaven, but their accounts do not match with Scripture, and if they insist that they are receiving direct messages from God to give to the church, if that's true then that's canon too. I don't believe them, and I do believe the Scripture to be sufficient. When it came to healing as a gift, I see that Jesus disciples had that, yet later Paul is told that God's grace is sufficient when he seeks healing for a thorn in the flesh, and Paul tells Timothy to take some wine. While that is less spectacular, it is also providential, and beautiful, that even in our fallen state, God has provided different abilities and capacity even in unbelievers, to be doctors, to be scientists, and make wonderful discoveries about His creation and to the benefit of others. I think the Greek that J Mac points out above is brilliant as to why we don't see tongues operating as we did in Acts 2, but do still see preaching. I think you are getting a little tired of John though so I will defer to the perspectives of some other godly men in the history of the church. 

B.B. Warfield writes, “Miracles do not appear on the pages of Scripture vagrantly here and there and elsewhere and differently, without any assignable reason. They belong to revelation periods and appear only when God is speaking to His people through accredited messengers declaring His gracious purposes. Their abundant display in the apostolic church is the mark of the richness of the Apostolic age in Revelation. And when this Revelation period closed, the period of miracle working had passed by also as a mere matter of course.” Scripture leads us to expect the end of the miraculous gifts because of the unique role that miracles have always played, as the validation of someone who spoke God’s own words. - BB Warfield from A Case for Cessationism by Pennington

…14He will convey to you a message by which you and all your household will be saved.’ 15As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as He had fallen upon us at the beginning. 16Then I remembered the word of the Lord, as He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’… Acts 11: 14-16

You come to the second occurrence that’s recorded in the book of Acts. In Acts 11:15 when Peter reports on the gift of tongues that was given to Cornelius and his household after his conversion, this is what Peter says in Acts 11:15. “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning.” It’s the same thing. Peter says it’s exactly what happened to us. So what happened in Cornelius’ household is exactly what happened at Pentecost, and what happened at Pentecost is clear. - Pennington

You see this come to its climax in the book of Hebrews. Turn with me to Hebrews chapter 1, verse 1, “God after He spoke long ago to the fathers and the prophets in many portions and in many ways, our Old Testament, in these last days,” an expression the Jews had for the times of the Messiah, “in these last days He has spoken to us in His Son.” God’s last word is His Son and those whom He appointed. That’s why when you come to chapter 2 verse 1, the writer of Hebrews says, “For this reason,” because of who this message comes from, “we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard.” And he goes on to argue that if the penalties for disobeying the first covenant ministered by angels was severe, how much more severe to disregard this new Covenant message by the Lord Himself? Far superior to angels.

Verse 3, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” Now let me remind you that this book, the book of Hebrews was written almost certainly just before the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in 70 A.D. That gives you a time frame. I want you to notice how the writer of Hebrews refers to the miraculous. He says it was first, that is the message of salvation, this final word from God, it was at first spoken through the Lord—there’s generation number one, the Lord Himself. Then there’s a second generation in this verse, “It was confirmed, that message was confirmed to us by those who heard.” There the Apostles. The writer of Hebrews is putting himself in a third generation, us. And he says of the second generation, the Apostles, “God also testifying with them…not with us…both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.” Already before…just before 70 A.D., the writer of Hebrews is saying that was then, this is now. That was something the Lord and the Apostles did and we witnessed.

So in the chronological flow of the inspired New Testament history of the church, you find that even before the Scripture was complete, the miraculous gifts had already begun their decline. The miracles that were intended to confirm the apostles and their message had already began to die out. That’s the reality of the New Testament historical record.

When we leave New Testament history, we discover that the testimony of the church after the New Testament era, was exactly the same, in both what was taught and practiced. It was that the miraculous gifts ceased with the Apostles. Here are just a couple of examples from different periods of church history. Here’s John Chrysostom, the great exegete in the 300’s. This whole place, speaking about 1 Corinthians 12 and the gifts there, is very obscure but the obscurity is produced by our ignorance of the facts referred to and by their cessation being such as then used to occur but now no longer take place. Augustine, writing in the late 300’s, early 400’s, said, “In the earliest times, the Holy Spirit fell upon them that believed and they spoke with tongues which they had not learned as the Spirit gave them utterance.” That thing was done for a sign and it passed away.

Fast forward to the Reformation, Martin Luther writes, “This visible outpouring of the Holy Spirit was necessary to the establishment of the early church as were also the miracles that accompanied the gift of the Holy Ghost. Once the church had been established and properly advertised by these miracles, the visible appearance of the Holy Ghost ceased.”

John Calvin, “The gift of healing, like the rest of the miracles which the Lord willed to be brought forth for a time, has vanished away in order to make the preaching of the gospel marvelous forever.”

Jonathan Edwards writes, “Of the extraordinary gifts, they were given in order to the founding and establishing of the church in the world, but since the canon of the Scriptures has been completed, and the Christian church fully founded and established, these extraordinary gifts have ceased. Charles Haden Spurgeon says, “Those earlier miraculous gifts have departed from us. B.B. Warfield writes, “These gifts were distinctly the authentication of the Apostles. They were part of the credentials of the Apostles as the authoritative agents of God in founding the church. Their function thus confined them to distinctively the apostolic church and they necessarily passed away with it. The miraculous working which is but the sign of God’s revealing power cannot be expected to continue and in point of fact, does not continue after the revelation of which it is the accompaniment had been completed.” - Pennington A case for Cessationism

3. He adds a plain intimation that the fondness then discovered for this gift was but too plain an indication of the immaturity of their judgment: Brethren, be not children in understanding; in malice be you children, but in understanding be men, v. 20. Children are apt to be struck with novelty and strange appearances. They are taken with an outward show, without enquiring into the true nature and worth of things. Do not you act like them, and prefer noise and show to worth and substance; show a greater ripeness of judgment, and act a more manly part; be like children in nothing but an innocent and inoffensive disposition. A double rebuke is couched in this passage, both of their pride upon account of their gifts, and their arrogance and haughtiness towards each other, and the contests and quarrels proceeding from them. Note, Christians should be harmless and inoffensive as children, void of all guile and malice; but should have wisdom and knowledge that are ripe and mature. They should not be unskilful in the word of righteousness (Heb 5 13), though they should be unskilful in all the arts of mischief. - Matthew Henry Commentary on 1 cor 14 verse 20

And then I was curious about how Gotquestions.org would define Cessationism and here is an excerpt:

The Apostle Paul predicted that the gift of tongues would cease (1 Corinthians 13:8). Here are six proofs that it has already ceased:

1) The apostles, through whom tongues came, were unique in the history of the church. Once their ministry was accomplished, the need for authenticating signs ceased to exist.

2) The miracle (or sign) gifts are only mentioned in the earliest epistles, such as 1 Corinthians. Later books, such as Ephesians and Romans, contain detailed passages on the gifts of the Spirit, but the miracle gifts are not mentioned, although Romans does mention the gift of prophecy. The Greek word translated “prophecy” means “speaking forth” and does not necessarily include prediction of the future.

3) The gift of tongues was a sign to unbelieving Israel that God’s salvation was now available to other nations. See 1 Corinthians 14:21-22 and Isaiah 28:11-12.

4) Tongues was an inferior gift to prophecy (preaching). Preaching the Word of God edifies believers, whereas tongues does not. Believers are told to seek prophesying over speaking in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:1-3).

5) History indicates that tongues did cease. Tongues are not mentioned at all by the Post-Apostolic Fathers. Other writers such as Justin Martyr, Origen, Chrysostom, and Augustine considered tongues something that happened only in the earliest days of the Church.

6) There are indications that the gift of tongues has ceased. If the gift were still available today, there would be no need for missionaries to attend language school. Missionaries would be able to travel to any country and miraculously speak any language fluently, just as the apostles were able to in Acts 2. As for the gift of healing, we see in Scripture that healing was primarily associated with the ministry of Jesus and the apostles (Luke 9:1-2). And we see that as the era of the apostles drew to a close, healing, like tongues, became less frequent. The Apostle Paul, who raised Eutychus from the dead (Acts 20:9-12), did not heal Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-27), Trophimus (2 Timothy 4:20), Timothy (1 Timothy 5:23), or even himself (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). The reasons for Paul’s “failures to heal” are 1) the gift was never intended to make every Christian well, but to authenticate apostleship (2 Corinthians 2:12; Hebrews 2:4); and 2) the authority of the apostles had been sufficiently demonstrated.

The reasons stated above are reasons cessationists believe the miraculous sign gifts have ceased. It is important to remember, though, that cessationists believe God still continues to work through the other gifts of the Spirit. According to 1 Corinthians 13:13-14:1, we would do well to “pursue love,” the greatest gift of all. If we are to desire gifts, we should desire to speak forth the Word of God, that all may be edified. - GotQuestions.org

It has been an interesting break from my normal studies, but I think it's important to discuss what divides us as well as what unites us. As someone's t-shirt read.

#1514 1 Corinthians 14 Part 4 You Say, What Is It

 

Pursue love, yet earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and encouragement. 4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 But I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. And greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he translates, so that the church may receive edification.

6 But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching? 7 Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? 8 For if the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9 So also you, unless you utter by the tongue a word that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of sounds in the world, and none is without meaning. 11 If then I do not know the meaning of the sound, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me. 12 So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church. 1 Corinthians 14: 1-12 LSB

1 Corinthians 14: 5 

Warning - To hopefully avoid some confusion here, let it be understood that these posts are part of an ongoing conversation between me and a friend, who is Pentecostal but who I also believe to be a brother in Christ. There is no disrespect of people intended. This will include posts #1511 to #1515.

V.5 But I wish that you all spoke in tongues - This was one of my favorite verses when in the Pentecostal movement, as if it was a proof of what I was doing, and as if what I was doing was defined herein. Paul also uses this same hyperbole in regard to a gift he has that many don't, celibacy. Moses also wishes that all could prophesy though we know that all are not given this gift equally, and will contest that the canon is sealed so no one going about today claiming that gift, in reference to foretelling, is legit. I think all should profess, should forthtell, share the gospel, call men to repent both in our words and also by having that modeled in our deeds, but not everyone is called to teach in general assembly. All the cults have "prophets", Christian cults are those that use terms familiar to us. They say Christ, but it is another, the Word of God is insufficient on it's own for them, they usually focus heavily on a few topics, like eschatology, healing, the Sabbath, tongues, and all receive extra Biblical revelation. They always bring their own definition of faith, and most have started by someone receiving a vision, a word, an experience, some special gnosis. 

…6I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. 8Now to the unmarried and widows I say this: It is good for them to remain unmarried, as I am.… 1 Corinthians 7: 6-8

…28Joshua son of Nun, the attendant to Moses since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!” 29But Moses replied, “Are you jealous on my account? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would place His Spirit on them!” 30Then Moses returned to the camp, along with the elders of Israel.… Numbers 11: 28-30

But let's ask some basic questions here:

1. Who is Paul talking to? Answer: A church located in Corinth. This was a city where a lot of cultures, languages and peoples intersected. My father refers to himself as a Corinthian Christian, tying this to the very bad doctrine of the carnal Christian. He goes to this book to justify antinomianism, failing to see that Paul's call to this church was not only to correct them, but to have them mature so that they would also correct.

2. Why is he sending this epistle to them? Answer: The church was very carnal, influenced heavily by outside culture, and was struggling with immorality to such a degree that it would make pagans blush. There was also division over leadership, division and misunderstanding regarding the gifts, and a lot of self seeking arrogance. 

…11My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: Individuals among you are saying, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?… 1 Corinthians 1: 11-13

…18Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. 19But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only what these arrogant people are saying, but what power they have. 20For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.… 1 Corinthians 4: 18-20

1It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. 2And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and have removed from your fellowship the man who did this? 3Although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present.… 1 Corinthians 5: 1-3

On pg. 728 of photo you sent me the commentator says for verse 4, "This has sometimes been called self-edification" and therefore understood as something pejorative." I would say from the overall context of the epistle that would not be a difficult interpretation to come to. He continues, "but Paul intended no such thing. The edifying of oneself is not self-centeredness, but the personal edifying of the believer that comes through private prayer and praise." In the note or reference 444 below, it states, MacArthur, 372, "whose biases intrude on his interpretations, considers it sarcastic here." I would point out that the same could be said of this man's commentary, it reads from a Pentecostal position. I do believe there are things that work toward our own self edification, cause us to grow, like hearing of sound preaching, the reading of the word, private prayer, but whereas this man would seemingly recognize the flux of this being about edification, and rightly points this out, yet he thinks " 'mysteries' that mysteries that are not understood even by the speaker can edify, the answer lies in what is said later (vv. 14-15) Contrary to the opinion of many, spiritual edification can take place in ways other than through the cortex of the brain." That is a self defeating statement, everything is processed in some measure, engaged in some way by the brain, with or without self control. When I thought I was speaking in tongues, "I thought", so I had notions or beliefs that were held by my mind regarding it. Were they sound? No. He seems quite positive that verses 14 and 15 come to mean that I do both kinds, like sometimes I pray without understanding and sometimes with, but again, if we go back to edification, it wasn't edifying if it could not be understood by the hearers, so what sort of edification is derived by the speaker, in "private prayer language" if he doesn't understand. I think this is better expounded as both, that I pray in the spirit with understanding, then it is fruitful. And verse 16 brings back to the body again, so it doesn't seem to be making the man's point.

…14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16Otherwise, if you speak a blessing in spirit, how can someone who is uninstructed say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?… 1 Corinthians 14: 14-16

THOUGHT - I fear much of modern music appeals more to the emotion than to the mind. One could almost get a degree in theology by studying the great old hymns, which engage the mind with deep Biblical truths about God. Sadly, such is not always the case with modern catchy choruses. I recall reading a testimony of many people coming to faith in Christ at the playing of a hymn Arise My Soul Arise. Ira Sankey records in his book, My Life and the Story of the Gospel Hymns, the following account of the amazing power of the gospel as articulated in this song: "I have a record," said a Wesleyan mis­sion­ary la­bor­ing in the West Indies, "of two hun­dred persons, young and old, who re­ceived the most di­rect ev­i­dence of the forgive­ness of their sins while sing­ing 'Arise, my soul.' The con­ver­sion of the great­er num­ber of these per­sons took place while I was a mis­sion­ary abroad." I tried to get a worship leader of a large church to consider using this hymn but sadly he declined, even when I sent him the original story from Ira Sankey's book (see below)! So much for engaging the mind!!! - Precept Austin

Believer's Study Bible - Paul reaffirms his own intention both to sing and to pray with his full understanding, as well as with the Spirit. The Corinthians were reveling in ecstatic experiences. Paul maintains that it is far better to proceed in prayer and song with understanding and points out that the accompanying leadership of the Holy Spirit is present. - BSB quoted in PA

So now, without the bias of saying that Paul is wishing that they all spoke in a private prayer language in verse 5, lets ask the next question, what is tongues?

1. It is a sign for unbelievers. How? In Acts 2 they all heard the Apostles speaking in many different languages. Now, many Pentecostals and other continuationists will say that the contrast with Paul's correction about tongues and unbelievers, the uninitiated, occurs because of the lack of order, that too many are speaking at the same time, out of turn. But in Acts 2 there were many languages represented, but also understanding. We will naturally come to the corrections by course, and it can easily be seen though that whether by many or few, Paul also adds and let the other interpret. It is interpretation, putting it into the form that can be taken up, received and evaluated by the mind, that makes it accessible, useful. Otherwise it is self edifying like any of the people that chant and put themselves forward as gurus, or the Pharisees with their phylacteries. It is also worth noting that Paul's prescriptions to order also kill the fake form of tongue that I operated in, but only when people insist on the interpretation, then it becomes prophecy which is to the edifying of believers, or silence, which kills the babblers. I have seen and read about pagan examples where there was ecstatic babble followed by someone giving an interpretation. That could easily be faked, and there's no denying for the Bible student that there are plenty of false prophets, even those who claim to represent Christ or go so far as to say they are Christ. 

…21It is written in the Law: “By strange tongues and foreign lips I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to Me, says the Lord.” 22Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. 23So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who are uninstructed or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?… 1 Corinthians 14: 21-23

And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues like fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 So they were astounded and marveling, saying, “Behold, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we each hear them in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the district of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.” 12 And they all continued in astonishment and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others, mocking, were saying, “They are full of new wine.” Acts 2: 1-13

2. It is one of the gifts given for the common good. Again we are taken back to one of the main themes, edification of the body. 

…6There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people. 7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit,…

…9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines.… 1 Corinthians 12: 6-11

3. It was not something that everyone could do or was meant to do. Again, the body, it's not all mouth.

…29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.… 1 Corinthians 12: 29-31

4. It was inferior to prophecy. Tongues had to be interpreted to be edifying, otherwise the edification would appear to be purely euphoric or self-aggrandizing. If you interpreted it then it became prophecy, but also allowed for it to be evaluated. What is the message? Is this in the same Spirit that we were taught? Is it another gospel? Even if you used the gift, which I believe the true gift to be a known tongue that was unknown to the speaker, it needed to be interpreted for the benefit of all, even if it had reached a singular target who spoke in that language. In the same vane, I take my children to hear the Word taught at church, and I pay attention to what the preacher proclaims, I evaluate it against other Scripture, and what is taught most plainly and clearly. If I differ with the pastor and think him in err even after much study, prayer and reflection, I go to him privately and discuss the matter. If it is not an essential doctrine like the deity of Christ, God's right over His Creation, justification by faith etc., then we politely agree to disagree and then I correct it with my kids at home, showing them why I disagree based on Scripture. If it is an essential doctrine, and he is unwilling to change his mind, digs his feet in and embraces error, continues to defend such error, then we part ways. The Scriptures are sufficient for all these things, Sola Scriptura. 

…15From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.… 2 Timothy 3: 15-17

What did it look like? In Acts 2 we have the clearest picture of the gift, and Luke gives this account after Paul's writing, but nowhere do we see mention of a private prayer language. In fact we never see that example, yet people believe it to be inferred based upon their biases in trying to define the practice of uninterpreted, unintelligible speech. We have another example of tongues in Acts 10, and the context of this chapter is the receiving of the gentiles into the faith. It was a sign to the Jewish believers that the Holy Spirit had come to the gentiles, a very difficult thing for them to accept. I don't think this was gibberish here either, for they heard them praising God. If it was gibberish then it would have had the same effect spoken of in 14:23 where everyone would have thought the speakers "mad". From everything I have read in Scripture thus far it is hard to see the case for another type of tongues, another gift of tongues that is a prayer language, or what we see in the charismatic church. The most beautiful miracle associated with tongues was that the people of Acts 2 heard Peter's message and were pierced to the heart, they received the greater miracle, that of being born again. We lose sight of this, that every time a sinner repents and trust solely in Christ, something powerful has happened, no less than when Jesus called, "Lazarus, come forth." That is the miracle I want to see over and over again, sinners coming to Christ.

34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. Acts 10: 34-48

1While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the interior and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2and asked them, “ Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” “No,” they answered, “ we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3“Into what, then, were you baptized?” Paul asked. “The baptism of John,” they replied.…

…4Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.… Acts 19: 1-6

…25I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. 26I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.… Ezekiel 36: 25-27

#1513 1 Corinthians 14 Part 3 That Sound

 

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified. 1 Corinthians 14: 1-5 

1 Corinthians 14:3

Warning - To hopefully avoid some confusion here, let it be understood that these posts are part of an ongoing conversation between me and a friend, who is Pentecostal but who I also believe to be a brother in Christ. There is no disrespect of people intended. This will include posts #1511 to #1515.

Although it is not indicated consistently in some translations, the distinction between the "tongue" and the plural "tongues" is foundational to a proper interpretation of this chapter. Paul seems to use the singular to distinguish the counterfeit gift of pagan gibberish and the plural to indicate the genuine gift of a foreign language. It was perhaps in recognition of that, that the King James Version translators added consistently the word "unknown" before every singular form. The implications of that distinction will be noted as appropriate. Against the backdrop of carnality and counterfeit ecstatic speech learned from the experience of the pagans, Paul covers three basic issues with regard to speaking in languages by the gift of the Holy Spirit: 1) its position, inferior to prophecy (vv. 1-19); 2) its purpose, a sign to unbelievers not believers (vv. 20-25); and 3) its procedure, systematic, limited, and orderly (vv. 26-40). J Mac Study Bible notes 1 Cor. 14:2

V. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening - Verse 2 leaves off with no one understanding the one who speaks in a tongue, that they utter mysteries by the Spirit. I think we give them the benefit of the doubt and say that it is a known tongue, the person has the gift of tongues, which means languages, which could be understood but no one here understands it, and there is no one to interpret. Even with it being the actual gift it is clearly and pointedly stated to be less valuable than prophecy, why? If you look at the thrust of Corinthians this is a very carnal place, blended with pagan practices, they are calling themselves a church and so Paul is correcting them as such, certainly there are some believers there in various stages of maturity, but mostly everyone seems to be self absorbed. The gifts were given to the edification of the body, not just any body, but Christ's body, but here everyone is in a competition to be perceived as spiritual and the gifts are about them rather than about edifying the church.   We have a lot of snow flakes here, and I think they are a good representation of the modern charismatic movement and fringe movements throughout the ages. Let me be clear though, while they all have this same desire to be the mouth and no one wants to be the feet, I find this in every denomination. In reformed circles I find name droppers and we all go on much about our libraries, but so what, have you applied what you read? Have you taken those great old writers and held them and their works up to the light of Holy Scripture? Are you just wanting to be considered an intellectual? Do you use the pulpit to push forth your agenda or to proclaim the truths of God? Will you take care of Christ's least, the sheep that cannot repay you, that he tells us not to take a selfie with to post on Facebook showing people what great philanthropists we are? A pastor could use his gift of forth telling, of being a good teacher and speaker, yet be in love with the sound of his own voice, and no real shepherd at all. He may use it for connections, to obtain wealth, to get book deals, to see his name in memes, avoid having a physical job, all to the edifying of himself and not the body.  And crazy as it is, yet the man who prophesies, even for his own glory, if it is a faithful witness to Scripture, it is still more useful for the edification of the body than tongues. Even Balaam said what God said, but in the end was more akin to a Judas. I have come under conviction during a sermon where the truth was expertly expounded upon, even changed my course of thinking, but sadly found that person years later to be one whose life did not match up with the truths he so eloquently espoused. 

... he utters mysteries in the Spirit : As indicated in the note on Romans 8:10, it is an interpretive decision as to whether to understand this as a reference to the Holy Spirit or the human spirit. The fleshly, or carnal, Corinthians using the counterfeit ecstatic speech of paganism were not interested in being understood, but in making a dramatic display. The spirit by which they spoke was not the Holy Spirit, but their own human spirit or some demon; and the mysteries they declared were the type associated with the pagan mystery religions, which were espoused to be the depths that only the initiated few were privileged to know and understand. Those mysteries were totally unlike the ones mentioned in Scripture (e.g., Matt. 13:11; Eph. 3:9) which are divine revelations of truth previously hidden. See notes on 1 Cor. 12:7; Eph 3: 4-6). J Mac Study Bible note on 1 Cor. 14:2

V. 3B Encouraging and comfort - I don't want to overstate the obvious here, but if I come to learn and someone babbles at me, or I have a question about what they believe, and they answer in a tongue I can't understand, it's useless. I think we are pretty much agreed there though. The thrust so far is to the edifying of the body, which is one of the great themes of 12, 13 and 14. When I was a charismatic I would always accuse J Mac of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit for saying that what I was doing was not of the Holy Spirit, yet it never occurred to me that such is a two edged sword. I have seen people writhing on the ground, have been in churches where 10s if not hundreds were all "speaking in tongues" at the same time. Where a "prophet" interrupted the service almost weekly in order to give a message from God. I have spoken with a "preacher" in Ormond who did not study for his Sunday messages but waited on God to deliver them to him. "Usually', he said, 'they come in the shower the night before," but this time the Holy Spirit was withholding the message to get the minister to trust him, to increase his faith. Then, all of the sudden, in the middle of much talk about nothing, he stomps the stage like someone would do on WWE wrestling, and he shivers, then says, thank you, Lord. He received the message he said like a bolt of lightning, what that must have done to his poor body, and I guess the stomping of his foot was the following thunder. Jesus did not like acts done by the power of the Holy Spirit being attributed to Beelzebub, yet we seem to have very little trepidation about assigning things to Him that go against His own inspired word. Elijah didn't cut himself, chant or dance about like a mad man to call down fire. We hear Jesus pray to the Father and it is always in an understandable language. So when we test the spirits, is it the spirit of the man who is born again, is it of the Holy Spirit who gives this new birth, or is it the spirit of the man's flesh, or even worse, demonic? There is a great test here, does it edify the body? Does it match the fruits of the Spirit? What of self control and the spirit of the prophet being subject to the prophet?  No where do we find a test of  "because I said so, I know a guy, I heard about, I felt, or even saw", no, to each it is asked, what did he or she say and does it match Scripture, the same about stories and feelings, they are subjective and no true bar, and what did you see or experience? Again, does it align with Scripture and or are you trying to say it does by pulling things out of their context, away from the Author's intent?

…16Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”… John 21: 16-18

30He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters. 31Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the one to come.… Matthew 12: 30-32

…22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.… Galatians 5: 22-24

V. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church - Easy to see the contrast here of edification, but some would like to go to this and claim that the section confirms a prayer language, yet the context is edification of the body, abuses and misunderstanding of the gifts, and this within the broader sense again of the corporate body. But okay, this is your prayer language, so what does Paul say about that contextually? Is it a gift to help you grow spiritually through the inner groanings of the spirit, to build you up in the faith? That doesn't seem to fit here and for Paul's direction to Timothy we find things that all start through and are accessed by the mind. Understanding seems more critical than feelings. How are we to gauge this prayer language if you don't know what you're saying? Maybe you are different, maybe you pray indiscernibly and then God gives you the understanding, but that was never the gift I was taught of in the Pentecostal movement, and again I ask, what's the point? There, the teachers seemed to bypass the mind, go straight for the persons feelings and impose their will upon the mind to accept that this was a proof to the mind that something was real. It's like the song "hold on to that feeling", but I would contest that the bypassing of the mind is confirming another spirit. It is like playing Just As I Am at church, and the preacher pleading with people to walk forward, and then someone feeling something and coming forward, yet not knowing or understanding later why they came forward, but can only articulate that they felt something. I did that when I was young, tv commercials reach for that, I work at a place that taps into your feelings and emotions through experiences, and it's fun, but it doesn't form a basis for some great Biblical truth, it doesn't inform me as to the Christian life. I would have to say God's word is greater, and it should be had with the understanding. 

…13Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.… 1 Corinthians 14: 13-15

I regard it as a great part of my calling in the ministry to emphasize the priority of the mind and the intellect in connection with the faith; but though I maintain that, I am equally ready to assert that the feelings, the emotions, the sensibilities obviously are of very vital importance. Martin LLoyd Jones from pg. 109 of the book Spiritual Depression It's causes and Cures.

One of the most striking things that conversion does is to take us out of some horrible pit, some miry clay and establish our feet upon a rock, and establish our goings and to put a new song in our mouth. Feelings are meant to be engaged, and when the gospel comes to us it does involve the whole man. It moves his mind as he sees its glorious truths, it moves his heart in the same way, and it moves his will. Martin Lloyd Jones pg. 111 Spiritual Depression It's causes and Cures.

1Of David. I give You thanks with all my heart; before the gods I sing Your praises. 2I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else. 3On the day I called, You answered me; You emboldened me and strengthened my soul.… Psalm 138: 1-3

How then do we face this kind of position? The first thing the Apostle lays down is the question of authority. That must of necessity come first. These perplexities and problems are not a matter of feelings or of experience, and they must never be judged merely by results. False teaching can make people very happy. Let us be quite clear about that. If you judge only in terms of experience and results you will find that every cult and heresy the world or the Church has ever known will be able to justify itself. Martin Lloyd Jones pg. 182 Spiritual Depression It's causes and Cures.

Brian Bell - Paul deals with the 2 major objectives for the church: 1. The edifying of the believers! 2. The conversion of the unsaved! (1 Cor 12:25) This is the 2-fold purpose of the church,…let no church forget it! This chapter also shows what we should find when we go to church! (1) Teaching and preaching (1 Cor 14:3); praying and singing (1 Cor 14:15). A worship service should lift up the Lord & build up the saints, not puff up the participants!... Before the Scriptures were complete, Gods message came through the prophets. “So the prophet came & ministered the Word, until the Word came to minister prophecy.”(Swindoll) Prophesies doesn’t have to mean foretelling the future, but it is the speaking forth of the mind & counsel of God, or the will & message of God. - Precept Austin

Morris on KJV's "unknown" tongue - The word "unknown" is not in the original, but was supplied by the King James translators to emphasize that the language being used was one that was not known to the rest of the congregation, and so such an inspired message would be of no value to them. The gift of languages was spectacular and obviously supernatural. However, it was useful only if someone hearing it could actually understand it and interpret ("translate") it for the others, so they also could profit. It was given by the Holy Spirit both as a sign of His presence and also to convey a profitable message to at least some in the audience. The gift of prophecy was not as spectacular, though more profitable. Thus one possessing the gift of tongues could more easily become puffed up and be tempted to use his ability just to draw attention to himself (or herself)--that is, to "edify" ("build up") himself. In fact, it is probable that he might even open himself to demonic inspiration, for it is unlikely that the Holy Spirit would inspire a message that would be mere gibberish to its hearers. In the definitive passage on this gift, when it was first given on the day of Pentecost, the result was that "the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold...we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God" (Acts 2:6,7,11). When one really has the Spirit's "gift of tongues" and uses it properly, then such a result as this should follow. Otherwise it is useless, even dangerous. - Precept Austin