By Timothy W. Burnett
We now conclude this series on 1Corinthians chapters 12-14 with verses 36-40 of chapter 14. "What? Came the word of God out from you? Or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order." Due to a lack of understanding, verse 36 will be allowed to sit as it is without further explanation. The next three verses reveal very significant information. This is that the things that Paul wrote were the commandments of the Lord. With this in context, verse 39 commands God's people to earnestly desire to prophesy for edification of the church, and to not forbid to speak in tongues in their personal prayer lives. It sits like a gem in a treasure box. We have no reason to conclude that it is not God's will for His people to speak in tongues. We know His will by His word.
Verse 39 reveals that the "brethren" are being addressed. These are they who have been born-again not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible by the word of God which lives and abides forever (1Peter 1:23). This is that ever-abiding and living word of God, which springs out of every spirit-filled believer when they begin to speak in tongues. Chapter 14 of 1Corinthians simply exhorted the brethren to continue to speak in tongues in their personal prayer lives. To do it often.
Our readers will be astounded to learn that to this day, it is still available to be filled with holy spirit and get born-again just as the original 12 apostles did, as recorded in Acts 2:4. One of the keys to rightly dividing God's word is dividing between the Administrations. During the Gospels period of time God's people were still under the Law Administration. Their Messiah, the Lord Jesus was living on earth. As God's child, Jesus had full authority to forgive sins and heal the sick and cast out devil spirits, etc. Then he was crucified and died. His dead body laid in the grave for three days and three nights before God raised him from the dead and gave him a new and glorious body. He then ascended into heaven where he sat at God's right hand of all authority. Then the day of Pentecost came, and holy spirit was poured out in the Temple where the disciples were (Acts 2:1-4). They were immediately filled with holy spirit. Next they saw the vision of cloven tongues on fire, pressing downward over each one's head. This was their cue to begin speaking in tongues. This began a completely new Administration referred to in Ephesians 3:2-6 as the Administration of the grace of God. It became available for anybody to be filled with holy spirit and become children of God with all authority to forgive sins and heal the sick by the name of Jesus Christ.
The grace adminsitration will not end until Christ returns for God's born-again children. Once Christ returns then we will begin the period of time recorded in Revelations and Daniel. During the Gospels period, Jesus prophesied of the Revelations period a few times. This period will end when the Lord Jesus returns to the earth on what God calls "The Lord's Day." This is just a short synopsis of what could be a lengthy teaching.
At the time of this writing, Christ has not yet returned for the body of Christ. This means that God's word in the Acts and Epistles are still relevant today. 1Corinthians chapters 12-14 are just as applicable today is they were when first written. As it is written, "Wherefore brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues" (1Corinthians 14:39). And again in 1Corinthians 14:37, "...let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord."
God then reemphasizes a central issue related to spiritual matters and life in general, "Let all things be done decently and in order" (1Corinthians 14:40). God did not leave us ignorant concerning spiritual matters. It is right there in His recorded word. As it is written in 1Peter 1:3, "According as His divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and virtue."
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