by Timothy W. Burnett
Speaking in tongues was prophesied of during the Old Testament times (see Isaiah 28:11). The people who speak in tongues will hear the words coming from the mouth, but will not understand what is spoken. We saw this in 1Corinthians 14:2, "...for no man understands, howbeit in the spirit he speaks mysteries."
"Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not. But prophesying serves not for them that believe not, but for them that believe" (1Corinthians 14:22). I do not completely understand what the above quote menas. So I'll move on.
"If therefore the whole church comes together into one place and all speak with tongues, and there comes in those that are unlearned or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad? But if all prophesy, and there comes in one that believes not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all. And thus the secrets of his heart are made manifest. And so falling on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth" (1Corinthians 14:24-25). Once again, common sense dictates that during a church gathering, if everbody is speaking tongues, a new Christian or an unbeiever will think they are nuts.
Please notice that the end result of prophecy is not to condemn or put others in their place. Instead, it is meant to help the new Christians or unbelievers to see that God truly exists to the end that they truly start worshipping Him in prayer (among other purposes). God is the one who searches the hearts of all, and He is able to utilize a believer to help another in their spiritual growth. This does not mean that all prophecy involves reveaing the hearts of others. The verse is meant to emphasize the distinction between speaking in tongues and prophecy during church gatherings.
"How is it then brethren? When you come together, every one of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue [language while speaking in tongues], has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all be done unto edifying" (1Corinthians 14:26). When we prophesy it can be as a psalm, doctrine, revelation or giving the interpretation of tongues. This is not criticizing people, but instead reasserting the list and repeating the importance that the items listed be utilized unto edifying of the church.
Speaking in tongues during a church assembly is not edifying unless the one speaking believes to give the interpretation by the same spirit. We will address this in more detail next week. Yet it is edifying during the church time, when believers prophesy by the same spirit that is in each one. God is teaching us to let all the things listed above be done unto edifying.
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