I.
Review of Spiritual Gifts Spiritual
gifts glorify God and Jesus our Lord (1 Cor. 12:1-3), are given by the Spirit
(12:6) who gives different varieties of gifts (12:4-6) to serve the common good
of the body (12:7). Therefore, there is no room for boasting, but a
responsibility to use the gifts for the glory of God and good of others
(12:14-27). Believers will not all have the same gifts (12:27-30). Love is
foundational for all Christian service (13).
II.
Tongues The supernatural
ability to speak languages unknown to the speaker.[1]
It is not gibberish or ecstatic, uncontrolled, or untranslatable sounds.
a.
Tongues are languages previously unknown to
speaker:
i.
The word translated “tongues” comes from the
Greek “glossa” The word is used to refer
to your physical tongue but often used to refer to what we call languages.
ii. In the first appearance of the gift, in Acts 2:4-11, it is clearly foreign languages
1.
Parallels between Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 14
regarding tongues
a.
Both passages use the same terms “laleo glossa”
– to speak a language
i.
Luke wrote Acts about 5 years after 1
Corinthians (Acts in 62, 1 Cor. 53-55?)
ii.
Seems that if he was trying to say what happened
in Acts 2 was different, he
would use different words.
would use different words.
b.
Both passages refer to foreign languages (1 Cor.
14:10 and Acts 2)
c.
In both cases the tongues were translatable
i.
Since interpretation is required, it must be a
language that is a decipherable.
ii.
The need to interpret shows it must be
meaningful language, otherwise it is not
interpretation that is happening but creation of meaning.
interpretation that is happening but creation of meaning.
d.
In both passages unbelievers respond in similar
ways to tongues
i.
Acts: they think they are drunk (Acts 2:13)
ii.
Corinthians: they think they are insane (1 Cor.
14:23)
2.
It seems that Acts 2 and 1 Cor. 12-14 speak of
tongues in parallel ways and therefore speak of the same thing.
b.
Some say 1 Corinthians refers to different
kinds of tongues- categories such as “heavenly” or “angelic” language (1 Cor.
13:1)
i.
Problem is that Paul seems to be using hyperbole
there (cf. 13:2).
c.
Some say, "because tongues are 'only
understandable to God' they are not real languages/human languages" (1 Cor.
14:2)
i.
Context makes it clear that v. 2 speaks of uniterpreted tongues
1.
Note the reason (for) he speaks not to men but God is given in the verse: “for no one understands him”
2.
Why does no one understand him? Why does he
utter mysteries in the spirit?
a.
V. 5b b/c it was not interpreted.
b.
And if tongues are not interpreted then it is
true that only God knows what the person is saying.
d.
How the gift is to be exercised
i.
Interpreter required (1 Cor. 14:5b, 27-28)
ii.
Self – control required (1 Cor. 14:27)
1.
“If the
allotted two or three have had their say, Paul expects the others to keep
quiet, which confirms that the gift is not of the sort where the individual
loses all self- control.” [2]
iii.
Not every Christian would be expected to speak
in tongues. As 1 Cor. 12 makes clear there are a varieties of gifts.
III.
Prophecy “Prophecy can be
defined as communicating revelations from God in a spontaneous utterance” (Schreiner,
pg. 721 NT Theology). [3] It
does not have to be inscripturated (i.e. Written in the Bible).
a.
It is revelatory- direct inspiration from
God (1 Cor. 14:29-30- 29).
b.
Is NT Prophecy same as OT? In 1 Cor.
14:30 it says that prophecy in the NT is revelatory and therefore on the same
level as OT prophecy (not a lesser or less authoritative)
c.
How the Gift is to be exercised
i.
Tested for truthfulness (1 Cor. 14:29, just like prophets in OT)
ii.
Self-control (1 Cor. 14:29-30)
IV.
Are these gifts still given today?
a.
Prophecy: Ephesians 2:19-20
i.
We know that new apostles won’t appear
1.
When James was killed he was not replaced (Acts
12:2)
2.
They were uniquely appointed for the early days
of the church
ii.
If the gift of apostle ended, then other gifts
might have ceased too
1.
Including prophecy since Eph. 2;20 links
apostles and prophets together.
2.
The early church didn’t have a complete word
from God until the NT is done.
3.
So prophets and Apostles continued to function
until that point.
b.
Tongues
i.
There is a close parallel between Acts 2 and 1
Cor. 14, and in both passages tongues and prophecy are put together. If
prophecy ceased it is at least possible tongues have.
ii.
That said, tongues, speaking of a true language
unknown to the speaker, is not happening today
1.
Linguist who have studied “tongues” have said
there is no discernable pattern or code to be deciphered which would be key to
language
2.
And often when it is practiced it is the
opposite of what Paul says: Disorderly, Lacking interpretation, and Self-promoting
rather than building up the body.
For a helpful, brief article see Tom Schreiner "Why I am a cessacionist"
[1] “the supernatural ability to speak
authentic foreign languages that the speaker had not learned” (“Are Tongues
Real Foreign Languages” in the Master’s
Seminary Journal, 25/2 Fall 2014, pg. 66).
[2] Carson, D. A. (1987). Showing the Spirit: a theological exposition
of 1 Corinthians 12–14 (p. 119). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
[3]
Similarly see Jim Hamilton, “Prophecy is Spirit inspired, spontaneous,
revelatory utterance.” (“What is Prophecy and Has It Ceased?” Accessed at jimhamilton.info)
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