Spirit-Filled Church
It is not the issue whether we are too much but rather preferences. We are to have a spirit-filled church and spirit-filled worship. When Jesus said John 4:23-24 "true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." We are commanded to worship in spirit and we should be spiritual. We ought to live as direct response to spiritual transformation from the inside. We are working on spiritual attitudes of our hearts. We who know and love Him are the living church that has been born into the family of God by the Holy Spirit. As members of "the general assembly and church of the first-born, who are written in heaven" (Heb. 12:23), we have been declared righteous because our sin has been washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:5).
Spirit-filled Church is outlined in Galatians 5:22-23 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." That we should "not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30) That if we have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make our joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. (Philippians 2:1-2). Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God (Colossians 3:16). Some prefer one worship style while other prefer another worship style. Christians sometimes follow their conscience on their worship preferences. The key is when we are in a community of people when worshipping, its matter of respect of other worshippers and spiritual self-control when we worship in spirit.
Motives of using Spiritual Gifts
I know there are people speaking in tongues today but not many are able to interpret them. Tongues can be practiced in a matter that should be consistent with the Bible. Tongues spoken in private is permissionable because it is "in private between God and the person" and no interpreters are needed. Only God knows and understands. This all come down to common sense when we are using our spiritual gifts such as tongues that God provides for us to use at HIS discretion, not ours. Paul explained in his letters that the manifestations of the Spirit were given to everyone for the profit to all. Any selfish motives toward the gifts of God can destroy God's blessings' purposes and usefulness. I have seen some abuses in this area which bothers me over the years that the abuses are not managed correctly. I have seen churches who lack "stewardship of spiritual gifts" meaning they have trouble managing their own spiritual gifts. Spiritual stewardship is looking at the members spiritual gifts and to look at their lives spiritually in from God's perspective.
In I Cor 12:29-31, Paul addresses the issue of tongues and other gifts. “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts.”
Gift of Interpretation: Interpretation of tongues (1 Cor. 12:10), hermeneia glosson -- that is, old word, here only and 14:26 in N.T., from hermeneuo from Hermes (the god of speech). Cf. on diermeneuo in Luke 24:27; Acts 9:36. In case there was no one present who understood the particular tongue it required a special gift of the Spirit to some one to interpret it if any one was to receive benefit from it.
Notice Paul's list of "gifts," 12:8-10 and v. 28; tongues (ethnic languages) is listed last, showing that they were the least desirable of all the gifts (cf. 14:5).
If the gift of tongues is active today, no church should forbid it. However, it must be done in the proper way. Going back to verse 27, “If anyone speaks in a tongue, two - or at the most three – should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.” This is where I fault most churches that promote speaking in tongues, there must be an interpreter. If there is no interpreter, the speaker remains silent and speaks only to God and himself. If there is no one to interpret, the speaker does nothing but edify himself.
Going back to the concept of the church as a body, a body has every part that it needs otherwise it is considered handicapped. The church likewise should have every gift it needs. There shouldn’t be many churches who truly have people gifted in tongues that don’t have an interpreter. God will provide an interpreter if there is someone speaking in tongues at your church. Otherwise, it would be a church that is missing a part.
The Bible offers no clear proof that tongues have ceased. Many of you feel strongly one way or another about the issue, as do I. I do suggest that you take God’s word on it and where things are clearly spelled out, that the churches obey it. The best thing is to testify of Christ, preach the gospel, apply his Word to the whole of life and thought, and do not forbid tongues, as long as they meet the conditions established by Paul to prevent their misuse. Of course, those conditions cannot be met today, but if tongues were "active" today, they no doubt would be something like Paul laid out in 1 Cor. 14:18.
True spirituality is defined as humility and love for one another shown by actions, not by any "supernatural ability" one might think he has (see all of 1 John).
When people are turned away from a "lively Church".... who profits? 1 Corinthians 14:4 "He who speaks in a tongue edifies self" 1 Corinthians 10:32 "Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God"
1 Corinthians 14:22-23
Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
1 Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 1 Corinthians 14:19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
If have an attitude about this topic, especially thinking "that's your problem"... then that is spiritual gift that is not working. Philippians 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."
Being lead by the Spirit comes with responsibilities. If we think we are standing firm, be careful that we don't fall (1 Corinthians 10:12) that we are eager to have spiritual gifts, we are to try to excel in gifts that build up the church (Corinthians 14:12) to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7). If those who are listening to us speaking in tongues that we are praising God with our spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to our thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? (1 Corinthians 14:16). For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). That we should not do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1)
Let the Holy Spirit do what He will through you and see what He does with you. Just allow the Holy Spirit plant the desires to serve the spiritual gift or gifts and watch fellow members affirm your spritual gifts. The Spiritual Gifts you will use are going to be something that causes fellow members of the local church to respond, because it is for them. 1 Corinthians 14:12 "So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church." The idea of the spiritual gifts is simply that the Lord uses that gift in a unity, in a unifying way. God will use our spiritual gifts by His Spirit as He wills.
This is not quick and easy answer but I think it is the only way we can truly know our spiritual gifts by allowing God to supply the gifts as He pleases.
1 Corinthians 1:7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
Spirit-filled Church is outlined in Galatians 5:22-23 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." That we should "not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30) That if we have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make our joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. (Philippians 2:1-2). Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God (Colossians 3:16). Some prefer one worship style while other prefer another worship style. Christians sometimes follow their conscience on their worship preferences. The key is when we are in a community of people when worshipping, its matter of respect of other worshippers and spiritual self-control when we worship in spirit.
Motives of using Spiritual Gifts
I know there are people speaking in tongues today but not many are able to interpret them. Tongues can be practiced in a matter that should be consistent with the Bible. Tongues spoken in private is permissionable because it is "in private between God and the person" and no interpreters are needed. Only God knows and understands. This all come down to common sense when we are using our spiritual gifts such as tongues that God provides for us to use at HIS discretion, not ours. Paul explained in his letters that the manifestations of the Spirit were given to everyone for the profit to all. Any selfish motives toward the gifts of God can destroy God's blessings' purposes and usefulness. I have seen some abuses in this area which bothers me over the years that the abuses are not managed correctly. I have seen churches who lack "stewardship of spiritual gifts" meaning they have trouble managing their own spiritual gifts. Spiritual stewardship is looking at the members spiritual gifts and to look at their lives spiritually in from God's perspective.
In I Cor 12:29-31, Paul addresses the issue of tongues and other gifts. “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts.”
Gift of Interpretation: Interpretation of tongues (1 Cor. 12:10), hermeneia glosson -- that is, old word, here only and 14:26 in N.T., from hermeneuo from Hermes (the god of speech). Cf. on diermeneuo in Luke 24:27; Acts 9:36. In case there was no one present who understood the particular tongue it required a special gift of the Spirit to some one to interpret it if any one was to receive benefit from it.
Notice Paul's list of "gifts," 12:8-10 and v. 28; tongues (ethnic languages) is listed last, showing that they were the least desirable of all the gifts (cf. 14:5).
If the gift of tongues is active today, no church should forbid it. However, it must be done in the proper way. Going back to verse 27, “If anyone speaks in a tongue, two - or at the most three – should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.” This is where I fault most churches that promote speaking in tongues, there must be an interpreter. If there is no interpreter, the speaker remains silent and speaks only to God and himself. If there is no one to interpret, the speaker does nothing but edify himself.
Going back to the concept of the church as a body, a body has every part that it needs otherwise it is considered handicapped. The church likewise should have every gift it needs. There shouldn’t be many churches who truly have people gifted in tongues that don’t have an interpreter. God will provide an interpreter if there is someone speaking in tongues at your church. Otherwise, it would be a church that is missing a part.
The Bible offers no clear proof that tongues have ceased. Many of you feel strongly one way or another about the issue, as do I. I do suggest that you take God’s word on it and where things are clearly spelled out, that the churches obey it. The best thing is to testify of Christ, preach the gospel, apply his Word to the whole of life and thought, and do not forbid tongues, as long as they meet the conditions established by Paul to prevent their misuse. Of course, those conditions cannot be met today, but if tongues were "active" today, they no doubt would be something like Paul laid out in 1 Cor. 14:18.
True spirituality is defined as humility and love for one another shown by actions, not by any "supernatural ability" one might think he has (see all of 1 John).
When people are turned away from a "lively Church".... who profits? 1 Corinthians 14:4 "He who speaks in a tongue edifies self" 1 Corinthians 10:32 "Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God"
1 Corinthians 14:22-23
Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
1 Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 1 Corinthians 14:19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
If have an attitude about this topic, especially thinking "that's your problem"... then that is spiritual gift that is not working. Philippians 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."
Being lead by the Spirit comes with responsibilities. If we think we are standing firm, be careful that we don't fall (1 Corinthians 10:12) that we are eager to have spiritual gifts, we are to try to excel in gifts that build up the church (Corinthians 14:12) to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7). If those who are listening to us speaking in tongues that we are praising God with our spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to our thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? (1 Corinthians 14:16). For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). That we should not do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1)
Let the Holy Spirit do what He will through you and see what He does with you. Just allow the Holy Spirit plant the desires to serve the spiritual gift or gifts and watch fellow members affirm your spritual gifts. The Spiritual Gifts you will use are going to be something that causes fellow members of the local church to respond, because it is for them. 1 Corinthians 14:12 "So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church." The idea of the spiritual gifts is simply that the Lord uses that gift in a unity, in a unifying way. God will use our spiritual gifts by His Spirit as He wills.
This is not quick and easy answer but I think it is the only way we can truly know our spiritual gifts by allowing God to supply the gifts as He pleases.
1 Corinthians 1:7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
posted by Jim @ 1:00 PM
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