Your Sons & Daughters Shall Prophesy - Prophetic Gifts Today In The New Testament Church

Christ's Continuing Voice in the Church

Appropriate Use ofPersonal Tongues (verses 13-19)

The focus in this segment is not prophecy but the public use of tongues. Verse 13. Pray that he may interpret. If a person wishes to speak in tongues publicly, he or she should pray to be able to give a public inter pretation. Paul refers to a public setting, just as he does in verse 28, where he teaches that the person who speaks in tongues should not do so in a public meeting unless an interpreter is present. I understand verse 13 to mean this paraphrased thought: "Therefore the one who speaks out loudly in tongues to be heard by all in the church service should cease crying out in tongues. Rather he should wait and pray that he may interpret any mes sage coming to him, so that when he does speak forth to the whole church, he will use language that everyone present understands." In a public set ting it is important for the mind to be "fruitful" (verse 14), not unre sponsive or unknowing, like ground that "lies fallow" (Message). Verse 14. My spirit prays. Praying in tongues indicates that "my spirit" is praying. This is excellent for private, personal, closet prayer. The fact that my mind is "unfruitful," however, is a warning sign that the manifestation of tongues alone is not meant for public congregational edification, since the rest of the people (such as yourself!) will not understand what is being said. I think of my spirit as referring to my inner, invisible, spiritual self as it is inspired, enabled and empowered by the Holy Spirit. I cannot help but feel that every use of spirit in these verses is a deliberate reference by Paul to the Holy Spirit. 28 We have here a remarkable bonding of human spirit, spiritual gift and Holy Spirit. Thank God I experience and enjoy what Paul is describing, although I have trouble explaining it. It is like enjoying food even when I cannot explain the process of digestion. Verses 15-17. What is the outcome then? Paul has reached a conclu sion about performance in the congregational meeting. He contrasts three activities that benefit the individual with three that benefit the whole church. I like the way the NLT says, "I will do both" (implied but not stated in the Greek).

Edify Self • Praying with the spirit

Edify the Church

Praying with the mind (or, "in words I understand") Singing with the mind (or, "in words I understand") Giving thanks intelligently (in understandable words)

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• Singing with the spirit

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• Blessing with the spirit

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