August 28 Click on verses for Full Scripture

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Today's Pathway: I Corinthians 14:26-29 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 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. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

In today's passage Paul gives more guidelines for speaking in tongues. He has spent much time showing it's inferiority, but because it is a legitimate spiritual gift he wants to make sure that those who have the gift use it properly. In verse 26 he asks why during a church service everyone seems to have something to say, and apparently are all doing it at the same time. Albert Barnes wrote,

"Instead of waiting for an invitation from the presiding officer in the assembly, or speaking in succession and in order, each one probably regarded himself as under the influence of the Holy Spirit; as having an important message to communicate, or as being called on to celebrate the praises of God; and thus confusion and disorder would prevail. Many would be speaking at the same time, and a most unfavorable impression would be made on the minds of the strangers who should be present."

Paul now sets down the rules. In verse 27, those who had the gift of tongues were allowed to exercise that gift, but at most three people were allowed to do it in any church service. In addition, they could only speak one at a time. Two people speaking in tongues at the same time would be very confusing, both to the congregation and to whoever had the gift of interpretation. He then writes that there had to be an interpreter. According to verse 28, if there was no interpreter, then the person with the gift of tongues was forbidden to speak at all. This shows that the gift of tongues was not an ecstatic outburst. It could be controlled by the speaker. Also, it shows that if someone was speaking in tongues without an interpreter, that utterance could not have come from the Holy Spirit. As we see in verse 33, God is not the author of confusion, and this would certainly include the Third Person of the Trinity. Also, the Holy Spirit would never lead someone to violate Biblical principles. Jesus said that the Comforter would guide believers into all truth (John 16:13), so the Spirit can not possibly guide someone away from obedience to the Scriptures. This fact applied not only to the church at Corinth, but it applies to churches today as well. So if a man believed he had something to say in tongues, but there was no interpreter, or if three people had already spoken before him, he could talk in tongues to himself or to God, but not to the church. As we have said in previous devotionals, none of these rules are being followed in the typical Pentecostal church today. Therefore, it is correct to say that what is being claimed to be the gift of tongues today is not from the Holy Spirit.

Beginning with verse 29. Paul also sets down rules for those with the gift of prophecy. They were also limited to two or three speakers in any meeting. However, the others who had the gift of prophecy were allowed to, and were in fact commanded to, judge the veracity of what the speaker was saying. It is possible for someone to stand up and say that he has a message from God when he really does not, but is simply sharing his own opinions on a subject. It is also possible for someone to claim to be giving a revelation from God and instead speak heresy. Jesus said,

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matthew 7:15).

"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them" (II Peter 2:1).

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (I John 4:1).