The last word

In a recent blog post, ''Something to Shout About!'', we learnt that Jesus said all those that believe in him and are baptised in water and the Holy Spirit will be saved:

John 3: 5, 6 & 7; ''Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man is born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.''

... and that signs would follow those that believe on him...

Mark 16: 16, & 17; ''He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned [condemned], and these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name they shall cast out devils [demons]; they shall speak in new tongues.''

At Pentecost, just as Jesus promised, the baptism of Holy Spirit came to his apostles who had been  baptised previously in water:

Acts 2: 1, 2 & 4;  ''And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord [purpose] in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the house where they were sitting.  And they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.''

This speaking in tongues accompanied the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the first Gentile converts at Corinth when listening to Peter preach the Gospel before they too were baptised in water:

Acts 10: 44, 45, 46 & 47; ''While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost, fell on them which heard the word.  And they of the circumcision [The Jews] which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.  For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

 

Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptised, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?  And he commanded them to be baptised in the name of the Lord.''

Speaking in tongues, our new 'spiritual' language, can be used, not only for benefit of the believer, but also his/her wider church community. 

In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul provides guidance to the Corinthian church as to how they should administer the spiritual gifts, of which speaking in tongues is but one.

Paul considered his advice necessary as the Corinthians, in their church worship, exercised this spiritual gift of speaking in tongues a little too zealously.  His advice is as relevant today as it was when first given nearly all that time ago.

I cannot improve upon Paul's direction regarding the operation of spiritual gifts within the framework of church worship so I'm going to take the unusual step and provide us with the majority of the verses from 1 Corinthians 14 from the Amplified Bible with minimal editing/commentary:

1 Corinthians 14: 1 to 19, 21 to 30, 39 & 40; ''Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]: and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual endowments (gifts), especially that you may prophesy(interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching).

For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not unto men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding].

But [on the other hand], the one who prophesies [who interprets the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching] speaks to men for the upbuilding and constructive spiritual progress and encouragement and consolation.

He who speaks in a [strange] tongue edifies and improves himself , but he who prophesies [interpreting the divine will and purpose and teaching with inspiration] edifies and improves the church and promotes growth [in Christian wisdom, piety, holiness and happiness].

Now I wish that you might all speak in [unknown] tongues, but more especially [I want you] to prophesy (to be inspired to preach and interpret the divine will and purpose).  He who prophesies [who is inspired to preach and teach] is greater (more useful and more important) than he who speaks in [unknown] tongues, unless he should interpret [what he says], so that the church may be edified and receive good [from it].

Now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in [unknown] tongues, how shall I make it to your advantage unless I speak to you either in revelation (disclosure of God's will to man) in knowledge or prophecy or in instruction?

If even inanimate musical instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone [listening] know or understand what is being played?  And if the war bugle gives an uncertain (indistinct) call, who will prepare for battle?  Just so it is with you; if you in the [unknown] tongue speak words that are not intelligible, how will anyone understand what you are saying? For you will be talking into empty space!

There are, I suppose, all these many [to us unknown] tongues in the world [somewhere], and none is destitute of [its own power of] expression and meaning.  But if I do not know the force and significance of the speech (language), I shall seem to be a foreigner to the one who speaks [to me], and the speaker who addresses [me] will seem a foreigner to me.  So it is with yourselves; since you are so eager and ambitious to possess spiritual endowments and manifestations of the [Holy] Spirit [concentrate on] striving to excel and to abound [in them] in ways that will build up the church.

Therefore, the person who speaks in and [unknown] tongue should pray [for the power] to interpret and explain what he says.  For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit [by the Holy Spirit within me] prays, but my mind is unproductive [it bears no fruit and helps nobody].

Then what am I to do? I will pray with my spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me], but I will also pray [intelligently] with my mind and understanding; I will sing with my spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me], but I will sing [intelligently] with my mind and understanding also. 

Otherwise, if you bless and render thanks with [your] spirit [thoroughly aroused by the Holy Spirit], how can anyone in the position of an outsider or he who is not gifted with [interpreting of unknown] tongues, say the Amen to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?  To be sure, you may give thanks well (nobly), but the bystander is not edified [it does him no good].

I thank God that I speak with [strange] tongues (languages) more than any of you or all of you put together;  Nevertheless, in public worship, I would rather say five words in my understanding and intelligently in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a [strange] tongue (language).

It is written in the Law, By men of strange languages and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and not even then will they listen to Me, says the Lord.  Thus [unknown] tongues are meant for a supernatural sign, not for believers but for unbelievers [on the point of believing], while prophecy (inspired preaching and teaching, interpreting the divine will and purpose) is not for unbelievers [ on the point of believing] but for believers.

Therefore, if the whole church assembles and all of you speak in [unknown] tongues, and the ungifted and uninitiated or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are demented? 

But if all prophecy [giving inspired testimony and interpreting the divine will and purpose] and an unbeliever or untaught outsider comes in, he is told of his sin and reproved and convicted and convinced by all, and his defects and needs are examined (estimated, determined) and he is called to account by all,  The secrets of his heart are laid bare; and so, falling on [his] face, he will worship God, declaring that God is among you in very truth.

What then, brethren, is [the right course]?  When you meet together, each one has a hymn, a teaching, a disclosure of special knowledge or information, or utterance in a [strange] tongue, or an interpretation of it. [But] let everything be constructive and edifying and for the good of all.

If some speak in a [strange] tongue, let the number be limited to two or at the most three, and each one [taking his] turn, and let one interpret and explain [what is said]. But if there is no one to do the interpreting, let each of them keep still in church and talk to himself and to God. 

So let two or three prophets speak [those inspired to preach or teach], while the rest pay attention and weigh and discern what is said.  But if an inspired revelation comes to another who is sitting by, then let the first one be silent.

So [to conclude], my brethren, earnestly desire and set your hearts on prophesying (on being inspired to preach and teach and to interpret God's will and purpose), and do not forbid or hinder speaking in [unknown] tongues.  But all things should be done with regard to decency and propriety and in an orderly fashion.''

One final thought; following his atoning  'Passover' sacrifice and victory over death on the cross, Jesus assured his apostles that even though he was about to leave this earthly physical, realm of the flesh and return to his Father in the spiritual realm of heaven in his absence he would not leave them without help:

John 14: 26; ''But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance, whithersoever I have said unto you.''

Now, in the absence of Jesus, prophecy and tongues, which are under the direction of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us ''bring to our remembrance'' the teachings of Jesus to assist and guide us in his ways. 

But, once Jesus returns and dwells with his people (or ''the complete and perfect comes'' as Paul refers this event in scripture below) our guidance and advice will be directly from him, communicated in ways we just cannot imagine.

Hence there will be some things that we will just no longer need:

1 Corinthians 13: 8, 9 & 10; ''Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to and end].  As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth]. 

 

For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect).  But when the complete and perfect (total) comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded).''