Questions-15-Tongues

HARD QUESTIONS YOU HAVE ASKED

"Why can't I speak in tongues?"

We will first look up all the instances in the New Testament that include the word "tongues" or "languages", both of which in Greek is the single word "glossa."� Then we will concentrate on I Corinthians 12-14 which spends much time on tongues.

Mark 16:15ff - "Go into all the ___________________ and preach the good news to all creation....And these signs will accompany [Greek is "follow"] those who believe:� In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new _____________ they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

�� Did each individual new Christians receive all these gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)?� _________________

If the gift of tongues still exists today, why aren't certain Christians able to pick up poisonous snakes and drink poison without getting sick and/or dying?� ______________________________________

The word translated "new" is from the Greek "kainos" meaning new.� The word for unknown is the Greek "agnoeo" or "agnostos" (hence agnostic who doesn't know if there is a God).� This word is used only three times in the New Testament, and never regarding languages.� (See Acts 17:23, 2 Corinthians 6:9, Galatians 1:22).

Acts 2:4 - "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other __________________ as the Spirit enabled them."

�� What does the footnote say the word tongues means?

�� ____________________________________

�� The word translated "other" is from the Greek "heteros" meaning different.

Who Received This Gift

Acts 1:15 - How many were present when they selected a replacement for Judas?� __________________

Acts 2:1 - Was Pentecost on the same day?� _____________

Who were the "they" referred to as being present that day (check v. 3, 4, 7, 14, 15)?� _____________________

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Acts 2:7 & 11 - "Are not all these ___________________ who are __________________ Galileans?� ....we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our ____________________ tongues!";

�� What does the footnote say the other translation of the word tongues is?� __________________________

�� Acts 2:14 - Did these people hear only Peter speak?� _______________� Who did they hear speak? ____________________________________ Could it possibly have been that each apostle spoke in the language of one of the groups of people, but only Peter's sermon was recorded?

�� Acts 2:14 - How many were present when Pentecost came who got the gift?� ______� Therefore, how many received this gift to speak in tongues? ______

�� Acts 2:9 - How many regions were represented that day? __________

At least five of these regions spoke Greek because letters were sent to them by the Apostles written in Greek.� Therefore, not all the regions represented spoke languages different from the others.�

�� Acts 2:37 - "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the __________________ ___________________________."� Was Peter the only one who spoke to the people that day?� ___________________

�� Acts 2:6, 14 - Who did the people hear so that they were hearing in their own languages? _____________________ ________________________________________________

Acts 10:45f - "The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gifts of the Holy Spirit had been poured out ___________ on _____________________.� For they __________________ them speaking in _______________ and praising God.

The word translated"heard" is from the Greek "akouo" which means to harken with understanding, a form of communication.� The same word is used to indicate the fellowship between Jesus and Jehovah (John 8:26, 40) and between Paul and Timothy (2 Timothy 2:2).

If everyone present heard the Gentiles, understanding their communication, was it in an unknown language?� _____________

Acts 19:6� - "When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they _______________ in tongues and prophesied."

The word translated "spoke" is from the Greek "laleo" meaning to tell something or converse.

Romans 3:13f - "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice __________________________." "The poison of vipers is on their lips." "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."

Would someone using a gift of "tongues" be lying and cursing?� _____________� This word "tongue" is the same word as in all the others above.

Philippians 2:11 - "...and every tongue _____________________ that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

The word translated "confess" is from the Greek "exomologeo" which is a public acknowledgment, something done among others.

Would the public know what was being confessed and knowledged if an unknown language was being used to do so? _____________

James 1:26 - "If anyone considers himself __________________ and yet does not keep a tight ____________ on his ____________ he _______________ himself and his religion is _____________."

If we use our tongue improperly, what happens to all the religion we are practicing? _____________________________ _______________________________________

James 3:5 - "Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great ________________________.� Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark."

If we are boasting in an unknown language, how could anyone else know we were boasting?� __________

James 3:6 - "The tongue also is a fire, a world of ____________ among the parts of the body.� It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."

Left unbridled, the tongue can influence the world, though tiny.� And it can change the course of someone's life.� If this were an unknown language, how could it possibly hurt anyone else? _____

James 3:8 - "But no man can tame the tongue.� It is a ________ __________________________, full of _______________ poison."

Since the tongue cannot be tamed, it must be bridled (see context).� But, once again, could it do any harm at all if this were an unknown language?� _______________________

1 Peter 3:8ff - "...live in __________________ with one another; be __________________, love as brothers, be ________________ and humble.� Do not repay evil with evil or __________________ with insult, but with ___________________, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.� For "whoever would __________ life and see ____________ days must keep his tongue from ___________ and his lips from ___________ speech."

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Could our Christian family know we were insulting or blessing if we were speaking in an unknown tongue? ___________

1 John 3:18 - "Dear children, let us not love with ___________________ or __________________________ but with actions and in _______________________________."

In context, John is saying our religion should not be just talk.� Could others be able to tell whether we were hypocrites if we were speaking in an unknown tongue?�

The word translated "word" here comes from the Greek word &"ogos" meaning logic and reason.�

Would an unknown tongue be observed by others to be with logic and reason?� _____________

BABBLE

Matthew 6:7 - "And when you ________________, do not keep on babbling like ___________________, for they think they will be heard because of their ______________ words."

The word translated "babble" is from the Greek "batto-logeo" meaning to speak emptily.� ("Logos" means expressed logic.)

Acts 17:18 -� "A group of...philosophers began to dispute with him.� Some of them asked, 'What is this babbler trying to _____________________?� He seems to be advocating foreign gods.'� They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the ___________________________."

The word translated "babble" in this case is from the Greek "sperm-a-logos," meaning to speak words picked up like scraps of food with no meat to them.� ("Logos" means expressed logic.)

These people understood Paul's words.� They were insulting him because they disagreed with him.

1 Timothy 6:20 - "Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care.� Turn away from godless __________________ and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called __________________, which some have professed and in so doing have ______________ from the _____________________."

The word translated "chatter" is from the Greek word "keno-phonia" which means empty sounds.� The KJV translated "godless chatter" to "vain babblings."

2 Timothy 2:16 - Avoid godless chatter, because those who _______________ in it will become more and more ___________.

Same Greek word as above~- sounds empty of meaning.

���� GROANINGS

Romans 8:26 - In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.� We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with _______________________ that words cannot express.

The word translated "groans" in the Greek is "stenagmos" which means to sigh.� This word appears only twice in the Bible:

Acts 7:34 - "...my people in Egypt.� I have heard their groaning."� Were they speaking in an unknown language?� _____

I CORINTHIANS
Why Was It Written?

I Corinthians 1:10,11 - Chloe's household reported to Paul that the church in Corinth was having _________ among each other.

3:1 - They were acting like _______________________.

3:3 - They were still ____________________________.

4:6 - One man was taking ___________________ over another.

4:14 & 18 - Paul had to write to ___________________ them as children because some had become ___________________

5:6 - They were also ___________________ which was not good.

5:8 - Their lives were still full of the yeast of _______________ and ________________.

6:12 - Although things they were doing might be permissible, they were being ___________________ by them.

7:26 - They were in the middle of a c____________________.

10:24 - They were seeking their own __________________ and not the good of _________________.

11:17 - Their MEETINGS were doing more _________________ than __________________.

14:36 - Some of them were acting like the word of God had ___________________________ with them.

(2 Corinthians 2:1) - In order to avoid making another ___________________________ visit to them.

(2 Corinthians 2:4) - Paul was greatly _____________________ and __________________________ in heart, and had shed many ___________________ over them.

This Letter was a Reply to Their Letter

1 Corinthians 1:11 - Possibly written and delivered by Chloe's household, or maybe they went to see Paul in addition to the letter someone else sent over all their quarrels.

7:1 - "Now for the matters you wrote about."� His reply to their letter is divided into two parts:

�� Ch. 7-11a� Their Private Christian Lives

7:1ff MARRIAGE:� "It is good for a man not to marry...."; 8:1ff; IDOLATROUS MEALS:� Now about food sacrificed to idols...; 9:1-3 PAYMENT OF PREACHERS:� This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me...; 10:1ff IDOLATROUS MEALS:� Continuation of above; 11:1-16 PRAYING AND PROPHESYING TO HUSBAND OR WIFE AT HOME

�� Ch. 11b-16� Their Christian Assembly

11:17-34 Keeping the Lord's Supper in ASSEMBLY:� "In the FOLLOWING" directives...your MEETINGS..." 12:1-31Spiritual gifts used in ASSEMBLY:� "....Message of wisdom...message of knowledge...healing...prophecy... tongues...interpretation..." etc. (12:8-10); 13:1-13 Love's superiority to tongues; 14:1-25 Tongues in the ASSEMBLY; 14:26-40 Orderliness in the ASSEMBLY; 15:1-58 what they must preach in ASSEMBLY regarding resurrection of the dead:� "But if it is preached....how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?" (15:12); 16:1-4 Collections in ASSEMBLY:� "Now about the collection...."

ALL MENTION OF TONGUES IN 1 CORINTHIANS 12 & 13

12:10 ....to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in _______________________________________ of tongues....

The word translated "kinds of" is from the Greek word "genos" which means race, nationality.

12:10 - ....and to still another the __________________________ of tongues.

The word translated "interpretation" in Greek is "hermeneia" which is an explanation, a commentary.

12:28 - And in the church, God has appointed first of all _______ second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles...gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administra- tion, and those speaking in ______________ kinds of tongues.

The word translated "first of all" in Greek is "proton" which means order in rank or order of importance.

What was put last in this list of importance? _________________

If the gift of tongues exists today, what else in this list must of necessity also exist?� ________________________

______________________________________________________

The word translated "different kinds" in Greek is "genos" indicating race or nationality.

12:30 - Do all have gifts of healing?� Do all _________________ in tongues?� Do all interpret?

The word translated "speak" in Greek is "laleo" which means to tell something.�

Can we tell something to someone else if we are speaking in an unknown language? ______________

13:1 - If I speak in the ________ of men and of _____________ but have not love, I am only a resounding _____________ or a _________________ cymbal.

In the King James Version of the Bible, the word "unknown" is italicized.� That means that this word is not in the original Greek.

SO, WHAT LANGUAGE DO ANGELS SPEAK?� To find out, complete the chart below with the language each understood (found in the second listed scripture).� Do you see any similarity with the tongues spoken by the apostles on Pentecost in Acts 2? ________

Genesis 16:7-12 - Hagar.� Genesis 16:3 ____________________

Genesis 19:10-21 - Lot's Family.� Genesis 11:31 ___________

Genesis 21:14-18 - Hagar.� Genesis 16:3 __________________

Genesis 22:1-12 - Abraham.� Genesis 11:31 ________________

Exodus 3:1-3 - Moses.� Exodus 1:15, 2:9-10 ________________

Judges 13:2-17 - Samson's Parents.� Judges 13:1 ______________

2 Kings 1:3-4 - Elijah.� 1 Kings 17:1 ______________________

Daniel 8:16-25; 9:21-27 - Daniel.� Daniel 1:1-4 ____________

Luke 1:8-20 - Zechariah.� Luke 1:4 _______________________

Luke 1:28-38 - Mary.� Luke 3:24f (Mary's genealogy) _________

Luke 2:8-12 - Shepherds.� Luke 2:4 _______________________

Matthew 28:1-7 - Mary Magdalene, etc.� Magdala, Palestine____

Acts 10:1-8 - Cornelius.� Acts 10:1 ________________________

Acts 12:5-10 - Peter.� John 1:44 __________________________

Revelation 5:2, etc. - John.� Matthew 4:18-21 _______________

13:8 - Love never fails.� But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be _________________.

The word translated "be stilled" is "pauomai" which means to stop, to make an end.� In Luke 8:24, for instance, this word is used for the storm ceasing.

We now begin a verse-by-verse study of 1 Corinthians 14.� Note the context in which he writes the chapter (although remember that chapter breaks were added 14 centuries later):

11:17�� ...for your meetings do....

11:33�� ...when you come together....

12:28�� ...in the church, God has appointed....

14:6�� ...if I come to you (plural) and speak....

14:23�� ...So if the whole church comes together....

14:26�� ....When you come together....

14:33�� ....As in all the congregations....

15:12�� ....But if it is preached....

16:1�� ....Now about the collection....

I CORINTHIANS 14

(13:1 &13 - And now I will show you the __________ excellent way....But the greatest of these is _____________.)

14:1 - Follow the way of love and eagerly __________________ spiritual gifts, ______________________________.

The word translated "prophecy" is from the Greek word "prophateau" and means to publicly expound on a subject (not necessarily tell the future).

If we want to lovingly help other people the most, what will we prefer above all spiritual gifts? ____________________________

�� 12:7-10 - Look back at this list.� Note that the first two gifts listed involve messages.� What was the last gift listed? ____________________

�� 12:28-30 - Remember this list was given in order of importance?� What were the first two in the list?� ________________________________________________What were the last two? ____________________________ ________________________________________________

Yet, Paul had to dedicate an entire chapter (14) to tongues (languages) because they were not only misusing it, but they were preferring and magnifying it above the others.

14:2 - For anyone who _______________ in a tongue does not speak to men but to God.� Indeed, no one ___________________ him; he utters __________________ with his spirit.

What is the context for chapters 11 through 16?� Private behavior or public worship?� _________________

Note the NIV footnote giving a translation of tongue.� What is it?� ____________________________________

Would the congregation in Corinth likely to be able to understand Persian or Egyptian or etc.?� _______

14:3 - But ______________________ who __________________ speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.

Once more, Paul is talking about the assembly of the church where?� _____________________________

A prophet without the gift of languages would have no choice but to speak in his own language.� Obviously, then, the people hearing him would be able to what?� ______________________________

14:4 - He who speaks in a tongue edifies ___________________ but he who prophesies edifies the __________________________

Considering verses 2 and 3, why would this be? ______________ ______________________________________

14:5 - I would like _____________________________ of you to speak in tongues, but I would _____________________________ you prophesy.� He who prophesies is ________________ than the one who speaks in ____________________, unless he _________ ____________________ so that the church may be edified.

You can test people who speak in tongues.� Ask them to record them doing so.� Then play the recording to them and other people who claim the gift of interpretation, but all separately, and see if they all give the same interpretation.

14:6 - Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some _______________ or __________________________ or ________________________ or word of ____________________________?

Tongues MUST BE USED FOR THESE FOUR THINGS.� If you hear an interpretation exclusively praises, that is wrong.

Remember, these things were necessary before the entire New Testament was written out.� But by the time Revelation was written, God said through John:�

�� Revelation 22:18-19 - I ______________ everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this _____________________: If anyone ______________ anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.� And if anyone takes words __________________ from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

14:7 - Even in the case of ______________________ things that make ____________________, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone __________________ what tune is being played unless there is a ____________________________ in the notes?

Could this verse possibly mean "Even in the case of living people that make words, such as men and women, how will anyone know what message is being said unless there is a distinction in the words?"� ___________ �If this is not the meaning, what could it be?� __________________________________________________

14:8 - Again, if the trumpet does not sound a ________________ __________________, who will get ready for the _____________?

If a trumpet is played for a battle or taps or revaley, how will the army know how to respond to the trumpet?

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14:9 - So it is with you.� __________________ you speak _____ ______________________ words with your tongue, ___________ will anyone _____________ what you are saying?� You will just be speaking into the ________________.

How much clearer can Paul be?� Their words must be _________ or they must stay quiet.

14:10 - Undoubtedly there are all sorts of ___________________ in the world, yet __________ of them is without ______________.

Did he say languages in the world or languages in a spiritual realm?� ____________________________

14:11 - If then I do not _____________ the _________________ of what someone is saying, I am a _________________________ to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.

Did Paul say that if I don't grasp, I'm not as spiritual as the speaker?� ___________________� Did he mean that if I don't grap, I'm a sinner and the speaker is a Christian?� ___________________� Did he say that I don't know that particular nation's language?� _________________________

14:12 - So it is with you.� Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excell in gifts that ________________________ the

______________________________.

If I'm speaking in a language in the church that no one understands, am I edifying the church?� ________� Am I, then, defying what Paul told us to do here? _______________________

14:13 - For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may ________________________ what he says.

The word translated "interpret" is from the Greek word "diermeneuo" which is an intense use of the word "hermeneuo" which means to THOROUGHLY explain.� This same word is used in describing what Jesus did on the road to Emmaus:

�� Luke 24:27 - And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he ___________________________ to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

Although the book of Nehemiah was written in Hebrew, the same thing happened when Ezra read the Law of Moses for the first time to the Jews after they were freed from Babylonian captivity:

�� Nehemiah 8:8 - They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it _____________________ and giving the ________________________ so that the people could _________________________ what was being read.

FURTHER, this word was used in the following verses to interpret the word from one language to another:

�� John 1:38 - They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"

�� Acts 9:36 - In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas).

In either case above, was there a word translated from an unknown tongue to a known language? ____________

14:14 - For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my ______________________ is unfruitful [doesn't change my of life].

The word translated "mind" is from the Greek word "nous" meaning "understanding" and is translated as such in the KJV and other versions.� It is also used in the following scriptures:

�� Luke 24:45 - Then he [Jesus] OPENED their minds so they could UNDERSTAND the scriptures.� Romans 1:28 -Since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the KNOW-LEDGE of God....Romans 14:5 - Each one should be fully CONVINCED in his own mind.� Revelation 13:18 - This calls for wisdom.� If anyone has INSIGHT, let him calculate....

The word translated "unfruitful" is from the Greek word "akarpos" and is used in the following verses:

�� Matthew 13:22 - Worries and riches choked out the Word of God and made it unfruitful in their lives.

�� Ephesians 5:3-4, 11 - Immorality, greed, obscenity, coarse joking, and greed are unfruitful deeds.

�� Titus 3:14 - Provide for daily necessities so we're not living unproductively.

�� 2 Peter 1:5-8 - Faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perserverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love keep us from being unproductive in our Bible knowledge.

�� Jude 10, 12 - Egotistical false teachers are like clouds without rain, trees without fruit.

14:15 - So what shall I do?� I will _________________ [aloud - this is a public worship assembly] with my spirit, but I will also pray with my _________________ [understanding]; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also _________________ with my mind.

Just as we sing using words we understand, we must also pray using words we understand.

14:16 - "If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself _______________ those who do not _________ ________________ say 'Amen' to your thanksgiving, since he does not __________________________ what you are saying?"

Are we then told to say "Amen" in our hearts to the prayers of those praying aloud in our assembly?� ___________� Can we say "Amen" to unintelligible words?� _______________________

14:17 - You may be giving thanks well enough, ________ the other man is ____________________________________________

Do unintelligible words of someone else edify you? ___________

14:18 - I speak in tongues ___________ than all of you.

Paul was a great missionary and traveled to many parts of the world preaching.� So had the other apostles, for Jesus told them in Mark 16:15-16 to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel."� How effective had it been?

�� Acts 17:6 - "These men who have caused trouble all over the ______________________ have now come here."

�� Romans 1:8 - "...your faith is being reported all over the ________________________."

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�� Romans 10:18 - "Their voice has gone out into all the _________________________, their words to the ends of the ___________________________."

�� Colossians 1:23 - "This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to _________________ creature under _____________________________, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant."

According to secular history (1) Andrew went to Greece (Europe); (2) Peter went to Turkey (Europe); (3) Thadddeus went to Russia (Europe); (4) Thomas went to India (Asia); (5) Philip went to Turkey (Europe); (6) Nathaniel went to Russia (Europe); (7) Matthew went to Ethiopia and Egypt (Africa); (8) Simon went to Great Britain (Europe).

14:19 - But in the ________________ I would rather speak five _______________________ words to _______________________ others than ______________________________ words in a tongue.

14:20 - Brothers, stop thinking like ________________________ In regard to evil be infants, but in your _____________________ be ____________________.

Showing off their ability to speak in a foreign language in their home congregation was considered by Paul to be what? ________

14:21 - [Isaiah 28:11-12]� In the Law it is written:� "Through men of ______________________ tongues and through the lips of _____________________________ I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me," says the Lord.

This is a prophecy to the Jews that some day God will send messengers to them from among foreigners.� Do you think they could have gotten their message across if they were speaking unintelligible words?� _________

14:22 - Tongues, then, are a _____________, not for believers but for ______________________________; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.

The gift of tongues was used to give the initial gospel message, and be used by missionaries.� The gift of prophecy was used by some of the members so they could know God's will for their lives before the written New Testament existed.�

14:23 - So if the whole ______________ comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and [a] some who do not _________ __________________ or [b] some ___________________ come in, will they not say that you are _____________________________?

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14:24-25 - But if an ___________________________ or someone who does not _______________________ [footnote indicates "inquirer"] comes in while everybody is _____________________ he will be _____________________ by all that he is a _________ and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare.� So he will fall down and worship God exclaiming, "______ ___________________________________________________."

Do our church services serve both members and visitors?

14:26 - What then shall we say, brothers?� When you _________ ___________________ everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruc-tion, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation.� All of these must be done for the ___________________________ of the ________.

If I do not understand someone's unintelligible words, they may be having a good time, but am I learning anything? ______________

14:27 - If anyone speaks in a tongue, two - or at the most three - should speak, one at a time, and someone ___________ interpret.

Every time someone speaks in a tongue, they must pause and wait for someone to interpret before the next one can do it.� (Even though Paul still thinks he is showing off.)

14:28 - If there is no _________________________, the speaker should keep _________________ in the _____________________ and speak to himself and God.

Perhaps this person should get back on the circuit and spread the gospel if he/she wants to speak in that foreign language so much.

14:29 - Two or three ________________________ should speak, and the others [other prophets - see v. 32] should ___________ carefully what is said.

14:30 - And if a ______________________ comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.

Speaking in tongues is giving a revelation (unwritten scripture).

14:31 - For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be _________________________ and _________________________.

�� 2 Timothy 3:16 says scripture (written revelation) is (a) ___________________, and for (b) ___________________, (c) ___________________, and (d) ___________________.

Does speaking in a foreign language or unintelligible words instruct and encourage us?

14:32 - The spirits of prophets are subject to the _____________ of prophets.

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