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The Gifts of Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues: Basic Guidelines and an Overview
Basic Guidelines:
1. The Gift of Tongues or the Interpretation of Tongues or any other Gift of the Spirit is not a sign of spiritual maturity. The Gifts are simply the result of yielding to and cooperating with the grace of God on our lives to bless others.
2. Every believer is to pray in tongues as much as they can on their own just like the Apostle Paul as well as in structured settings e.g. In worship services where all can sing in the Spirit etc.
3. In a public gathering when a message in tongues is given, an interpretation is to follow. If no interpretation is forthcoming the service should go on.
4. A maximum of Three Messages in tongues followed by their respective interpretations (per service) is the Apostolic instruction given, to go beyond that isn't sin but it may lead to abuses and potential ridicule (since each member present is at a different stage in their spiritual growth and unbelievers as well may come in) – 1 Corinthians 14:27
5. Interpretations of messages in Tongues are to be weighed and judged in light of the Written Word before being accepted or rejected. True interpretation will line up with Scripture and there will be confirmation in the spirits of the saints present. Counterfeit interpretation will not pass these tests.
Overview on the Gifts of Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues
The Corinthian church was caught up in trying to outdo each other in their gatherings when it came to the Gifts of the Spirit; the result – the church as a whole was not being edified. The Apostle Paul spent a good part of 1 Corinthians 12 - 14 correcting them and instructing them in the proper use of the Gifts of the Spirit. Everything should be done out of love, the aim being to build up others, no wonder 1 Corinthians 13 - “The Love Chapter” is smack dab right in the middle of his instructions on Spiritual Gifts.
The Word of God tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), the Word also declares that faith works by or through love (Galatians 5:6) and the Word also reveals God’s nature and essence as Love. It therefore follows that anything done without Love (operating in the Gifts of the Spirit included) is at best futile.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. – 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 NIV
Beloved I submit to you the completeness that is to come that is described here is not “the Bible” as some have suggested but the fullness of God Himself and all these Gifts are but expressions of Him who is perfect Love! If we are to go with that line of reasoning what then do we do with the prophecies in that very same Bible that haven’t come to pass yet? what about knowledge? Why only single out tongues? You see the logic behind such reasoning is not Scriptural to say the least.
It actually is a huge stretch, for starters, do we really have a complete Bible? Where is Paul’s letter to the Laodicean church that he asks the Church at Colossae to read and have them (the church at Laodicea) read his epistle to the Colossians (Colossians 4:16)? Could the church today missing something from that epistle to the Laodiceans? So again do we have a complete collection of all the inspired writings in the Bible? I wish I could boldly say YES but then I wouldn't be truthful now, would I?
So these verses cannot be cited to claim that tongues have ceased, however when the end comes and we all get to heaven all the gifts will cease. There won’t be a need for prophesy, tongues, discernment, healings, etc. for we shall be perfect spirit, soul and celestial body.
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It is important to remind ourselves that the Gifts of the Spirit are not for our own selfish use, neither are they for novelty’s sake, they are for building up others; Love always seeks to benefit others so when it comes to church meetings, prayer gatherings and such, we should seek to edify one another, not just ourselves. In such settings if one were to speak in tongues then there might need to be an interpretation so others may understand what is spoken and be edified.
Finally beloved, as I bring this installment to a close, let me leave you with these words from the Apostle Paul,
39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.” 1 Corinthians 14:39-40 NKJV
I am your brother,
Patrick
Up Next>>> Revelational Gifts – Word of Knowledge, Word of Wisdom and Discerning of Spirits
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