By Stanley Scism

The Illustrated Bible Dictionary (part 3. Leicester, England: Intervarsity Press, 1998, p. 1576) correctly points out, “Glossolalia in Acts appears to have been an irresistible and possibly temporary initial experience, whereas Paul’s instructions to the Corinthians imply a continuing gift under the control of the speaker (1 Corinthians 14:27-28).” The same article says, “interpreted tongues were equivalent to prophecy.” This article seeks to address the “continuing gift” of tongues rather than the “initial experience,” and also the gift of prophecy in the New Testament context of gatherings of the assembly.

We Pentecostal people understand that prophecy and preaching are not the same thing. We’ve heard both, seen both in action. However, we’ve also seen people get up and say things after “thus saith the Lord” that contradict God’s Word. We also know that the Bible mentions false prophets of past times whom Satan has used to try to lead God’s people astray, and that this will happen again (Matthew 7:15; 24:11,24; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 Jn 4:1f). Also, we’ve also seen some people speaking in tongues and have felt that this particular instance was not “as the Spirit gives utterance.”

So how do we tell the difference? In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul lists several spiritual gifts, among them “distinguishing between spirits.” He specifically says that this gift is given “to another.” Also, in 1 Corinthians 14 and in 1 Thessalonians 5, the other people present in the meetings are told to judge the prophecy that has been given. Therefore, the person who prophesies does not have the function of confirming that the prophecy is really from God. That’s done by other members of Christ’s Body.

After Paul’s extended illustration of the human body, he emphasizes: “this keeps your significance from getting blown up into self-importance. For no matter how self-important you are, it is only because of what you are a part of. An enormous eye or a gigantic hand wouldn’t be a body, but a monster….The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don’t, the parts we see and the parts we don’t.” (The Message, p. 358). We can’t tell someone else in the Body, “Get lost; I don’t need you” or “You’re fired. Your job has been phased out.”

Instead, we remember that all the gifts exist to benefit the whole Body, and that mutual consideration, respect and love are more important than the spiritual abilities. “If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and If I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing….no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.” So we must “love extravagantly,”

Everyone must have access to God’s knowledge and love. Therefore, if someone speaks in tongues in a public utterance, no more than three people may speak, and those in turn, and interpreted. “Since you’re so eager to participate in what God is doing, why don’t you concentrate on doing what helps everyone in the church?….Pray for the insight and ability to bring others into that intimacy. If I pray in tongues, my spirit prays but my mind lies fallow, and all that intelligence is wasted. So what’s the solution? The answer is simple enough. Do both….spiritually expressive…also…thoughtful and mindful….how [else] can some outsider who has just shown up and has no idea what’s going on know when to say, “Amen”? Your blessing might be beautiful, but you have very effectively cut that person out of it.”

As Paul says to the Corinthian church, “To be perfectly frank, I’m getting exasperated with your infantile thinking….It’s all right to have a childlike unfamiliarity with evil; a simple no is all that’s needed there. But there’s far more to saying yes to something. Only mature and well-exercised intelligence can save you from falling into gullibility.”

So what do we do? “When you gather for worship, each one of you be prepared with something that will be useful for all: Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight. If prayers are offered in tongues, two or three’s the limit, and then only if someone is present who can interpret what you’re saying. Otherwise, keep it between God and yourself. And no more than two or three people prophesying at a meeting, with the rest of you listening….If you choose to speak, you’re also responsible for how and when you speak. When we worship the right way, God doesn’t stir us all up into confusion; he brings us into harmony. This goes for all the churches–no exceptions.”

Since we’re responsible for what we say and how we say it, no person can shout out in the assembly whenever he pleases on the plea that he can’t control himself. “The spirit of the prophet is subject to the control of the prophet.”

Also, no one is above being open-mindedly evaluated on the basis of God’s Word. Even Paul and Silas were checked against Scripture in Berea by devout disciples, and these were called noble people. Also, 1 Thessalonians 5 sums the approach up well: “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.” (NIV)

One last shot: “If any one of you thinks God has something for you to say or has inspired you to do something, pay close attention to what I have written. This is the way the Master wants it. If you won’t play by these rules, God can’t use you. Sorry” (Message).

In summary, three points:
1. Eagerly prophesy.
2. Don’t forbid tongues.
3. Do everything courteously and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:39-40).