Ever wonder why you hear charismatics talk about 1 Cor 12, 13, and 14 but never give an adequate explanation for this passage (or the one before it)? Perhaps you have wondered about this verse yourself. I hope to reveal what this passage means in this post and perhaps more after it. This has been a long, long time coming, but certain discussions of late have once again thrust this controversy into the forefront and I'd like to address it.

Before we can address 1 Cor 14 at all, we need to consider a few things first, what's being addressed as well as what is being quoted. But I'm getting ahead of myself. So let's start at the beginning.
Several important things to note, right off the bat in this passage. The believers upon whom the Holy Spirit has gifted this outpouring of tongues are Jewish believers, but the languages they are speaking are the tongues of "men from every nation under heaven".

Some have suggested that this was a "hearing miracle", but the passage states specifically that they "began to speak with other tongues". The term, tongues, here can be translated "languages" and does not indicate a language other than an Earthly one. Note that those hearing are (currently) unbelieving (yet God-fearing) converts of Gentile nations to Judaism.

Finally, Luke is careful to enumerate the countries/regions that each person comes from. These are all areas considered under pagan Gentile rule. This is concluded with the statement:
Consider that when you "speak of the mighty deeds of God" you're talking to God, praising Him, not specifically to men. Men may overhear the praise, but God is the audience.

Peter's famous sermon then begins. An appeal to believe in Christ is made.
The thrust of this message is aimed at Israel, and those of Israel. It was Israel who heard the speaking of Gentile tongues.

There are other examples of tongues in Acts where Jewish (non-Gentiles) are present.
The next example is where Paul lays hands on the Ephesians:
We find out in v10 that during that time many "heard the word of the Lord both Jews and Greeks". Here again, it is apparent that non-Gentile believers were present.

Now we can approach 1 Corinthians with this background information. Consider here that 1 Corinthians is not a "manual on the gifts of the Spirit", while it does contain instruction of that sort, it is primarily a corrective letter. Paul is addressing problems in the Corinthian church. And in 1 Cor 13, Paul is not establishing the possibility of speaking in the tongues of angels (as if angels speak in any other language than those found on Earth) [If someone challenges this, they need to provide citation...], but rather the supremacy of love over all spiritual gifts in contrast to the Corinthians who were parading around puffing themselves up with their supposed giftedness.

One last thought before getting to 1 Cor 14, many charismatics make a distinction between the tongues seen in Acts 2 and those spoken of in 1 Cor. I will hope to provide evidence here that they are one-and-the-same gift for the same purpose.

This brings us to 1 Cor 14 wherein we read, about tongues:
Remember in Acts 2, the men were "speaking of the mighty deeds of God", this coincides with 1 Cor 14:2, where we read that those who speak in tongues speak to God. When Paul writes, however, "no one understands" it is not to be understood that "no one ever" or "no one at all" understands, rather, it is implied that no one in the congregation understands (see vs. 3~4.)
That this tongues is clearly human language is expressed later:
If tongue speaking were truly some "private prayer language", then what Paul here states would be of no purpose. Even tongues then has meaning to someone.
Now, before you cry foul, let me finish my point:
Here Paul quotes Isaiah, probably from the LXX. Thus, we can look back to Isaiah's prophecy to understand better what Paul means when he says: "tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers".
Paul's quoting of this passage directly ties into what he says immediately after. This is a prophecy that through the lips of Gentiles God will be praised and the Jews will hear it, and it will be a sign of God's judgment against Israel.

Thus, tongues then are a sign to unbelievers (Jews). Since Israel, as a theocracy under the old covenant has vanished, so has the need for this gift. There are no more first century Jews wandering about who haven't heard that the Gospel has gone to the Gentiles. Prophecy fulfilled, end of need for ongoing gift.

While the term "Three-Click Rule" now refers to "The three-click rule or three click rule is an unofficial web design rule concerning the design of website navigation. It suggests that a user of a website should be able to find any information with no more than three mouse clicks." (source), I had originally defined it differently, back around 1997.

In 1997 I worked for an Orthodontic & Oral Surgery software reseller called Ortho-Vision Technologies, Inc.. I initially worked as tech support for the company's software products and later I created their advertising and marketing collateral.

During this time it became apparent that a certain cosmic rule applied to computer-based clicking errors. Thus, I came up with the "Three-click rule".

For every click in error, at least three clicks are required to undo the error.

While it is evident that this doesn't apply to basic "oops" moments in Photoshop or the like, but rather it applies to those moments where stupidity and inaccuracy combine for you to select the wrong website, open the wrong application etc. I find my three-click rule still applies, even after a decade of clicking in error.

"It is only when we realize that God is profligate with his grace that true gratitude becomes possible and true forgiveness can be extended to others. “In my father’s house are many mansions”—God does not scrimp when it comes to our salvation and the glory to be enjoyed in his kingdom. Foretastes of this are allowed us in this life in the form of good food, good drink, good friends, the love of spouse and children—but all of these must be held lightly, as they can be taken from us—even denied us—in an instant.

What truly prepares us for this joy is the sacrament of Holy Communion, where real food and real drink are given to us, and that food and drink are God himself. In Christ’s broken body we find that mercy and truth meet, and the bliss of forgiveness of sins and the righteousness of God’s own sinless life kiss. “Mercy imposes no conditions,” the general says during a toast at the feast. Neither does God. Let us feast on that."

I must say, AMEN.

hat tip: dharp!

This says a lot.

Recently seen on the blog of one deeply embroiled in sin...



Wow... notice that GOSSIPS WHO DO NOT BOW THE KNEE TO KING JESUS WILL SPEND ETERNITY IN HELL! I couldn't have said it better. Repent.

Go http://www.piratechristianradio.com/

Nor is it probable that the soul of Christ , after conducting the soul of the malefact or to paradise, straightway left it, descended into hell, called out the fathers, and forthwith hast ened back again, and introduced them to heaven; whence, at the commencement of the third day he returned to the body, – having, within so short a period, traveled over the sp ace of the whole world, no less than four times (Witsius, 2:145).

HT: Riddleblog - Rev. Danny Hyde (pastor of the Oceanside URC) has written a very helpful essay on Christ's descent into hell. Rev. Hyde covers biblical-theological and historical issues. Highly recommended!
Click here.