Spiritual gifts 1 Corinthians 14:27-33

 

We finish this study of spiritual gifts with a reminder that God is not the author of confusion but of peace and one more encouragement to pursue the gifts. As Tertullian encouraged the newly baptized, “Ask from the Father, ask from the Lord, that His own specialties of grace and distributions of gifts may be supplied you.”

1 Corinthians 14:27-33 Guidelines for tongues and prophecy

27 If any man speak in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and by course; and let one interpret.

That is, one interpreter for each utterance in tongues.

28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

We’re told two things here: (1) if there is no interpreter, then no public speaking in tongues. (If someone speaks in tongues, pray and wait for interpretation; no interpretation? no more tongues in that meeting.) (2) in which case, you may continue speaking in tongues, but silently to God. This is praying in tongues, or tongues as a prayer language. You can pray in tongues this way every church service.

29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

Same restrictions for prophets. Who are the others who judge? Other prophets. We are to “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thess 5:21)

30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

Ah, it seems we ought to stand up when we speak. And sometimes we go beyond what was given us; in that case we need to shut up and sit down.

31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

Interesting, he had just said two or three, Ye may all prophesy, one by one.

32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

The Spirit doesn’t grab us and force us to speak, we have control.

33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

This is important. Confusion doesn’t mean everybody always understands what’s going on, it means we are all talking at once. It would be like having 2,3,4 men preaching at the same time, to the same church. Confusion.

14:34-40 Let your women keep silence in the churches I’m not sure what this is about, but I don’t think this is related to the gifts.

39  Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

40  Let all things be done decently and in order.

Covet to prophesy – This is the fourth time that word is used! God is serious – we are to “desire earnestly, pursue, seek, ask” for spiritual gifts.

Forbid not to speak in tongues – We should have tongues in our church. We should have people with a prayer language, and we should have public utterances. We should have a welcoming, expectant atmosphere.

Decently and in order – Some believers are afraid that if we allow the Holy Spirit to move, it will result in a free for all; and conversely, there are those who think if we are decent and in order the Holy Spirit can’t be working. Read the book of Acts. There were mighty things happening: people being saved, being baptized with the Holy Spirit; miracles, healings, tongues, prophecy; but no chaos. Well, gatherings of those who opposed the Gospel were often chaotic.

This brings us back to 1 Corinthians 12:2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. The demons would grip them and throw them every which way, utterly out of control, nor would they remember what they said or did. The Holy Spirit does not work this way. Decently and in order. The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. It is true that manifestations of the Spirit are startling, they are supernatural and can rattle us; spiritual gifts shake us out of our routine and lethargy, but they are not chaotic.

The Spirit and the gifts are ours

Through him who with us sideth 

(Martin Luther)

Come Holy Spirit, breathe on us, fill us anew, rekindle the fire of your love, and manifest your presence.