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Tongues & Out Of Body Experiences .part 2 Series
Contributed by Anthony Smith on May 11, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: Part 2 of Tongue series. What does God have to say about His gifts to man?
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Tongues & Out of body experiences part 2. In part 1, we found out that the gift of tongs was real and that it was sanctioned by God. We found out that Jesus spoke in tongs along with all the Disciples and Apostil Paul. In Part 2 we will discuss the place of tongs in the boby and the church. 1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. In verse 28 we find out that God placed tongues in the church body, healing, helps, goverments and diversities of tongs were place as last elements of the church body according to importance to God. We cannot denigh that tongues exist because God desires them to be used in the operation of the church. How many of the operational gifts does the church have? If there are none then something is wrong. God has a reason for everything He does. Jesus is the head of all things concerning the church and expects it to be run the way God intended.
1Co 12:29 are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?
1Co 12:30 have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
1Co 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. In verses 29-31 we find questions from Paul concerning the application of the gifts. He informs us that not everyone will have all the gifts. There must be a diversity of gifts within the church, in other words, we can’t all be chiefs, somebody has to be the Indian.
1Co 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
1Co 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
1Co 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. Here we find in verses 14:1-4 that thou tongs are an important part of the church body, prophecy is the gift that has a higher priority for the edification of the church. All members of the Body of Christ can prophecy, and Paul preferred that all would. In the beginning of the church, everyone wanted to speak in tongues, they were amazed that this gift was so easy to obtain, but as they began to seek out tongues as a gift, they were ignoring the greater gifts. In verses 14:18-22, Paul attempts to set them straight on Gods priority in the church.
1Co 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
1Co 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
1Co 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
The problem today has been that not only doesn’t the church understand tongues but they also have left [ALL] the other gifts to fall by the way side. The unity and strength of the Body is reliant upon the gifts that God, {according to scripture} “God gave gifts unto man. “ has given unto the church to aid in the preservation of the body, from the attacks of Satan and his demons. The more gifts and diversities of gifts within the church, the stronger the church becomes. Have you ever wondered why some prayers of the church haven’t been answered? Could it be that God isn’t pleased with the operation of the body within the church? A large congregation within the church doesn’t mean that God is pleased with the church. For example look at the 7 Churches of Aisa, in the Book of Revelations.
1Co 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
1Co 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. In verse 14:27-28 we find rules on speaking in tongs. Paul gave instructions on all the spiritual gifts and we must abide to them. Tongues are used primarily to edify the individual, especially today when many or I could even say the majority of the church doesn’t believe in the gifts. I have noticed in the past 30 years, many of the rules that Jesus had set down for the operation of the church, have been broken by lack of understanding of the scripture and interpretation has been inefficient to maintain order. Many people are afraid of things that they don’t understand. People can believe that man has walked on the moon, and they can believe that man has sent rovers to run around Mars but they have a hard time believing in the spiritual gifts that God says are available to those who believe. Read verse 14:21, this is God testimony of man and tongs;