Through this series, we have covered a lot of information. It may seem a little overwhelming.
The goal is to inform, educate, and give practical advice. Hopefully, it will encourage you to study more on your own. Ultimately to have a closer relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. This is God’s will for us. In doing so we will grow in the grace of God and be more effective in reaching the world around us with the saving knowledge of Christ.
We have the supernatural power of God today. Take your time in this series. Look up the scriptures, meditate, and ponder them. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach and reveal more to you. Remember God doesn’t want us to be ignorant, unlearned in regards to the Spiritual. The move of the Holy Spirit. I haven’t fully arrived and know everything about these things and I am still learning. I have a deep desire to obey God, hear His voice, and be a blessing to the Body of Christ. These Gifts of grace from the Father are for us today.
1. What is His will? (Rev. Gary Bailey)
a. 1 Corinthians 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
b. verses 26 and 27 of 1 Cor 14 answer the questions of:
c. His will concerning their operation (yes, God wants them to operate).
d. What gifts (Tongues and interpretation).
e. Who is used (Any person who is filled with the Spirit and speaks in other tongues).
f. How they operate (By 2 or 3 by course with ONE qualified interpreter).
g. When (When we come together).
h. Where (Where we meet together).
2. God would not have someone get up and give a message in tongues unless there was an interpretation to it. If someone else does not give it, then the person that gave the tongue should ask God for the interpretation and step out in faith. Rick McFarland
3. The gift of tongues is the mysteries of God spoken and the interpretation are those mysteries revealed. ( privately or corporately ).
4. 1 Corinthians 14:2. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
a.However in the spirit he speaks mysteries-divine secrets.
b. spirit– Greek- Pneuma
c.When we pray in tongues our spirit prays. Our prayer language is direct contact between our spirit and God.
d. Mysteries– Gr. Musterion– The words spoken to God are mysteries to the person who is speaking them. They are divine secrets.
e.These mysteries can be the truths of the Word of God, the wisdom of God, or things that will occur in the future that are mysteries to us.
f. 1 Corinthians 14:26. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
5. The unlearned, uninformed, and unbelievers.
a. 1 Cor 14:16-The unlearned-in the NT, an unlearned, illiterate, man as opposed to the learned and educated: one who is unskilled in any art. This is why we need to teach people about the Gifts and their operation.
b. If unbelievers come into a church service and everyone is speaking in tongues they will mock and say they were all mad and would turn away from God and the church. Andrew Wommack
c. Tongues in the NT, if not interpreted, would do what they were intended to do in the OT, which would be to turn off unbelievers from God unto their judgment. Andrew Wommack
d. This is not what God wants to happen in the NT. He wants to extend grace to unbelievers in this dispensation of grace. If tongues are interpreted then unbelievers could hear God’s word and possibly repent. Andrew Wommack
e. Paul quoted Old Testament scripture to verify that tongues are a negative sign that will cause unbelievers to reject our witness. This was done to persuade the Corinthians not to speak in tongues in church without an interpretation.–Andrew Wommack
f. This is God speaking to men for edificant, exhortation, and comfort. There is a a place for corporate speaking in tongues and singing in tongues directed towards God. This could be in a prayer meeting, a worship service, etc. Because we are ministering unto the Lord, an interpretation of tongues may not be necessary. Yet through this time of stirring up, a prophecy or tongues and interpretation may come forth. Acts 13:2 (KJV) -2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
6. One Interpreter (Rev. Gary Bailey)
a. 1 Corinthians 14:13 (KJV)-13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
b. 1 Corinthians 14:27 (KJV)-7 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
C. As mentioned before having one interpreter in service seems to be a correct and reasonable way to handle a message given in tongues. There are several reasons for this elaborated below.
1. A Corporate Faith in the word spoken.
2. Immediately brings order when you stand to be recognized to give the tongue.
3. Order when the sheep know that the Pastor, elder, qualified interpreter, etc will be interpreting (people have greater confidence in the Pastor, etc).
4. Confidence in people (the ones giving the tongue and the rest of the congregation)
5. Assurance that the tongue given will be interpreted.
6 An Expectancy and Desire for the gifts to operate.
7. Order and efficiency in the service.
8. An orderly abundance of these gifts. A steady and consistent operation of the gifts in the church.
9. A greater proficiency in the person interpreting.
10. Gives potential future ministers a consistent example of a proper interpretation.
11. Joy, enthusiasm, and excitement in the service.
12. Accurate timing in the operation of the gift.
d. Eliminates:
1. Fear.
2. Confusion.
3. Frustration.
4. Delay of the service.
5. Unnecessary and unsettling silence.
6. Competing interpretations. (Individuals give interpretation at the same time).
7. Awkwardly waiting on another interpreter.
8. An embarrassing situation for the one giving the tongue.
9. A limited operation of the gift in each service and from week to week.
10. Lack of confidence when giving a tongue.
e. Designating an interpreter in service is helping to have things done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40 (KJV) – Let all things be done decently and in order.
7. As we grow in the understanding of Spiritual Gifts and their operation we will experience a greater flow and maturity in this area. Practice makes perfect. We intentionally learn to listen and obey the Holy Spirit in an atmosphere of the Holy love of God.
8. There will be mistakes along the way. This is how we grow. Let us be humble enough to say, “I missed it.”There is grace even when there is a correction. Thank God for the leadership that will help us along the way when we do. We don’t stop moving forward in these things when we mess up at times.
In Christ’s love;
Brent and Linda Bushen
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