Spiritual Gifts

[M45510G1C]

1 Cor 14:22-25

So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.

I don't understand this passage, it seems to be contradictory.

Tongues are a sign to unbelievers but unbelievers will call those speaking in tongues mad?

Prophecy is for believers but will lead unbelievers to repentance?

[nebula]

To be honost . . . i've been confused over this myself.

[Guest Zayit]

1 Cor 14:22-25

So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.

I don't understand this passage, it seems to be contradictory.

[M45510G1C]

Hrm. I'm not quite sure that I understand.

Also, you make a distinction, saying that these are "spiritual tongues" I have heard other people make this distinction before. Just what does it mean? and where can I find this distinction in Scripture?

[Guest Zayit]

I have never done it, so this is only from what I understand of it, there are different tongues.

1. Flesh tongue- Means a different language than what you know, say you only speak English and Hebrew and you start speaking in Spanish, someone else understands Spanish and can interpret it and it also confirms that it is from :G-d. ( this is like a reversal of Babel)

2. Spiritual tongue- is something that is not of any earthly language and no one else can understand it but HaShem so it is for direct communication with him.

[M45510G1C]

Interesting. Is there scriptural backing for this distinction?

I have heard people speaking in what you term spiritual tongues, but from what I have read in scripture I would be led to believe that fleshly tongues are the only type present therein. Never have I heard someone speak in fleshly tongues. Given, I have just started really studying spiritual gifts so it could very well be that I have missed something or have not gotten to something.

[Guest Zayit]

Do these help?

Spiritual language:

1 Cor 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.

1 Cor 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Earthly language:

1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

[other one]

When people speak in tongues they should do so one at a time and there should be someone else who can understand what the speaker was saying and relay that to the rest of the people there.

At the time of the writing of this letter there was a problem of most everyone speaking in tongues all at the same time. (which is still done in some modern churches, and if you arn't among them it can be very un nerving).

It is instruction as of the proper use of tongues.

There are also prayer tongues. It is my belief that those should be very private only between the person praying and the Lord himself. I know several people who do this (among them is myself).

[M45510G1C]

Thanks for the input guys, it is a help.

I tend to toss ideas around in my head ad nauseum because I never know what I will be confronted with when witnessing or speaking with someone. Try to bear with me if I get tiresome

Zayit, you referenced pentecost, is it unreasonable to assume that this form of tongues was a one-time occurance?

Sam, I have heard people using this prayer tongue as well, is this different than the spiritual tongues Zayit refers to? I was under the impression that it was the same thing but on a more personal level.

1 Cor 14:27-28

If any person speaks in another language, there should be only two, or at the most three, each in turn, and someone must interpret. But if there is no interpreter, that person should keep silent in the church and speak to himself and to God.

I thought that this was what Paul was talking about here. I myself have lapsed into this on occasion, generally not while in a service, but in private. I wasn't sure what it was really, if I was just overcome and babbling or if there was something more to it. I then heard people speaking in this prayer language during services on occasion (always very quetly, I would not have heard it were they not right next to me) and it sounded very much like what I had uttered. This is kinda what prompted me to start studying the gifts.

[Guest Zayit]

I have over heard many different people speaking in this prayer language, praying over me or just praying quietly but it does all sound like the same language, just that I don't understand what it is. I have a musical ear so I do recognize sounds easily and right now I can actually hear it in my head, but I know I couldn't reproduce it by mouth, but would recognize it anywhere.