THE SPIRITUAL GIFT OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES

PROCLAMATION

“… When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation.  Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.  If anyone speaks in a tongue, two or at the most three should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.  If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.”  1 Corinthians 14:26-28 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Corinth.  In this chapter Paul addresses them with regard to how they should conduct themselves during the worship services regarding speaking in tongues and prophecy. (1 Corinthians 14:1-3)  Both of these gifts should be done so that the church may be edified. (1 Corinthians 14:4-5)  Paul states that speaking in tongues is not helpful if no one understands it and if there is no one present to interpret it. (1 Corinthians 14:6-18)  He says that speaking in tongues is a sign for unbelievers, in their own language, while prophecy is for believers. (1 Corinthians 14:20-22)  Speaking in tongues should be done by one person at a time and someone must be present to interpret it.  He ends the chapter by saying that everything during the worship service must be done decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:40)

 

APPLICATION

These words are presented as Paul presented his discussion regarding Spiritual Gifts, that you would not be uninformed. (1 Corinthians 12:1)  Speaking in tongues has been taken out of context in many worship services.  Some speakers utter short phrases, “speaking in tongues” during their presentations from the pulpit.  Some churches even require speaking in tongues as a condition of membership.  Speaking in tongues first occurred on the day of Pentecost, so that everyone in the crowd heard the disciples speaking in their own language. (Acts 2:1-11)  Speaking in tongues is a gift from The Holy Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) which is to be used to help non-believers hear The Word of God in their own language.  The speaker has not studied or learned this foreign language but speaks it by the power of God.  The gift of tongues is for the benefit of the hearer who speaks and understands the foreign language.  Let us not claim to have this gift in order to impress men.