There is so much false teaching against speaking in tongues. I put together this teaching.
READ this chapter in context.
1 Corinthians 14:1-2
In context: Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
Here is the original Greek is that helps: Διώκετε τὴν ἀγάπην, ζηλοῦτε δὲ τὰ πνευματικά, μᾶλλον δὲ ἵνα προφητεύητε. 2 ὁ γὰρ λαλῶν γλώσσῃ οὐκ ἀνθρώποις λαλεῖ ἀλλὰ θεῷ· οὐδεὶς γὰρ ἀκούει, πνεύματι δὲ λαλεῖ μυστήρια·
This is the definition of tongues. NO MAN UNDERSTANDS HIM BECAUSE HE SPEAKS MYSTERIES BY THE SPIRIT. Catch that? No one understands him, not even himself.
Paul also brings into the conversation prophecy. Why? Because he is going to show you a comparison and distinction in the use of tongues. One purpose is that of private prayer, and the other is openly standing in a congregation and making a declaration in tongues which you considers....wait for it, PROPHECY. And since prophecy is to edify the church, and open tongues as a declaration is a form of prophecy, then there needs to be someone to interpret that prophecy from an unknown language. 1 Corinthians 14:4-5: "The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues unless someone interprets so that the church may be built up."
NOW, notice the definition for tongues is still the same. It is NO MAN UNDERSTANDS HIM BECAUSE HE SPEAKS MYSTERIES BY THE SPIRIT. This is about the USE of tongues, orderly in the Church gathering.
You see, Paul then states HOW to use tongues that are being spoken and declared in the open congregation of the Church in 1 Corinthian 14:13- 16: "Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. 16 Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider2 say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?" As a point, Paul points out how to SPEAK in tongues appropriately as prophecy in Church and acknowledges tongues in prayer by a short compare/contrast of the two in summation. Then he points out in vs.18: "I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you."
Paul then concludes with this: vs. "If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40, but all things should be done decently and in order."
Notice what he said? So in all this rejection, people actually proved themselves wrong. People cherry-pick verses that they thought they could take out of context to support what they have decided to believe.
READ this chapter in context.
1 Corinthians 14:1-2
In context: Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
Here is the original Greek is that helps: Διώκετε τὴν ἀγάπην, ζηλοῦτε δὲ τὰ πνευματικά, μᾶλλον δὲ ἵνα προφητεύητε. 2 ὁ γὰρ λαλῶν γλώσσῃ οὐκ ἀνθρώποις λαλεῖ ἀλλὰ θεῷ· οὐδεὶς γὰρ ἀκούει, πνεύματι δὲ λαλεῖ μυστήρια·
This is the definition of tongues. NO MAN UNDERSTANDS HIM BECAUSE HE SPEAKS MYSTERIES BY THE SPIRIT. Catch that? No one understands him, not even himself.
Paul also brings into the conversation prophecy. Why? Because he is going to show you a comparison and distinction in the use of tongues. One purpose is that of private prayer, and the other is openly standing in a congregation and making a declaration in tongues which you considers....wait for it, PROPHECY. And since prophecy is to edify the church, and open tongues as a declaration is a form of prophecy, then there needs to be someone to interpret that prophecy from an unknown language. 1 Corinthians 14:4-5: "The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues unless someone interprets so that the church may be built up."
NOW, notice the definition for tongues is still the same. It is NO MAN UNDERSTANDS HIM BECAUSE HE SPEAKS MYSTERIES BY THE SPIRIT. This is about the USE of tongues, orderly in the Church gathering.
You see, Paul then states HOW to use tongues that are being spoken and declared in the open congregation of the Church in 1 Corinthian 14:13- 16: "Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. 16 Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider2 say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?" As a point, Paul points out how to SPEAK in tongues appropriately as prophecy in Church and acknowledges tongues in prayer by a short compare/contrast of the two in summation. Then he points out in vs.18: "I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you."
Paul then concludes with this: vs. "If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40, but all things should be done decently and in order."
Notice what he said? So in all this rejection, people actually proved themselves wrong. People cherry-pick verses that they thought they could take out of context to support what they have decided to believe.
