By Pastor Dave Farmer  

Topic #20 The Fifth Argument – Part 2

Summary

   In the fifth argument of 1 Corinthians 14, two kinds of churches are compared. The first was the charismatic church, and now the second was the Grace Church.

THE CASE OF GOD-DESIGNED WORSHIP

1 Corinthians 14:24 Expanded Translation 1

On the other hand, suppose [when the whole church assembles in the same place] they are all prophesying and some unsaved person or a visitor enters, he receives convincing by all [by all the words that he hears], he receives discernment from above by all [by all the words he hears]". 

The Circumstances Of The Second Case

   All three elements of the previous illustration are present, although Paul does not repeat the first element. It is understood.  The church assembles at the same time.  A new aspect is introduced for now the whole church is prophesying.  They are communicating the wonderful words of life in the language of their guests.  In this second illustration, what the unbeliever hears convinces them of the truth about the atoning work of Christ; they come to understand the need and necessity for believing in Him, and they turn to Christ for eternal salvation.  Three outcomes show beyond a doubt that God is at work among them. Now ask yourself, which church would you prefer to be involved with?  One that glorifies God or one that brings shame upon the name of Christ?

The Outcome Of Their Visit                

   Three outcomes depict the ministry of the Holy Spirit at work.  This type of worship service is designed to rely on the Spirit to work, not a spiritual gift.  This is a Grace Church.  Its thrust is in the Word Of God.  It believes that when the Word of God is taught clearly, accurately, and fearlessly, the Holy Spirit's pre-salvational ministry toward the lost is effective.  In this illustration, the ministry of the Spirit is directed toward unbelievers.  

First Outcome: A Convincing Word

   The first outcome from the teaching of the Word is "The unbeliever receives convincing by all; that is, by all the words that he hears."  He emphasizes the Word of God he hears in his own language, which tongues cannot provide. Please notice that communication requires two parties: the speaker and the listener.  In the case of tongues, there is no communication of spiritual truth because you only have a speaker, the tongues-speaker.

   This is the same word Jesus used in John 16:8. The word may be translated as "convince, convict, or rebuke."  It bears the connotation of bringing something to light.  I like the word CONVINCE.  He convinces the unsaved of three things:

1. He has a problem with SIN [verse 9].  The Holy Spirit shows the unsaved their sinfulness before God.

2. He has a problem, for he lacks righteousness [verse 10].  No one is perfect except God.  We all fall short.  You may be closer to perfection than I am, but no one bats a thousand.

3. He is accountable.  There will be judgment!  We are accountable to our Creator for our actions and life choices.        

   This is the ministry of the Holy Spirit, which convinces the unbeliever of their need for salvation.  The one under consideration is a visitor to the church service. He hears the gospel explained, which has a powerful influence on them.

   The Scripture asserts that although we are agents in the proclamation of the Gospel, God the Holy Spirit, working through the Word of God, does the convincing.  The Grace Plan of salvation is for us to present God's word, not ours.  Paul learned to witness by grace, depending solely, wholly and only on the Holy Spirit:

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 

1) And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom [clever ways to debate and win argument], proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 

2) For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

3) I was with you in weakness [grace attitude] and in fear and in much trembling, 

4) and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 

5) so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.

   The power to save is not in the gift of tongues but in the Gospel:

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

The Second Outcome: A Challenging Word

   The second outcome from the preaching of the Word of God, occurring simultaneously, is that the unbeliever receives discernment from above by all [the words he hears]. The discernment from above is the ministry of God the Spirit, who is always present when the Word of God is proclaimed in circumstances where the truth is taught clearly, accurately, and faithfully.  The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth.  This is His Title.  He not only inspired the writing of the New Testament Canon, but when that Word is presented accurately through face-to-face teaching, He [the Holy Spirit] brings discernment. 

   The unsaved hear, in the presentation of the gospel, that they are spiritually dead and Christ alone is the Savior.  Salvation is not about doing good works.  They hear that they are on the devil's side, serving a lost cause, and will share their leader's doom, Matthew 25:41,46.  Satan is the ruler of this world, and unless the Holy Spirit steps in to lift the blindness and shed the light of the glorious gospel on them, they cannot be saved, 1 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4:4. In summary, when all are speaking in tongues, this distracts the person from God; on the other hand, prophecy draws the hearer toward the Savior.  

A Third Outcome - A Compelling Word.

1 Corinthians 14:25 Expanded Translation 2

The secrets of his heart become evident and so falling on his face he worships God, declaring this Unique God is certainly with you [plural]. 

   God's Word is not impotent.  It is infinite, eternal, and all-powerful.  The unsaved has suppressed the truth.  He is guilty before God.  He has violated the moral law of God.  He is without excuse. These truths are buried deep in the unconscious parts of the unbeliever's soul. When the gospel is presented, the Holy Spirit unlocks those secret areas and brings them to The Light;" the secrets of his heart are disclosed."  

Hebrews 4:13 

And there is no creature [human or angelic] hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

   Upon exposing the truth about ourselves to us, we "fall on our face and worship." We say yes to God.  I am all that you say I am.  I am lost, without resources, and in need of a Savior, and now I humble myself before You, Oh God, and receive the only solution.  I trust in Jesus Christ as my Redeemer.  God the Holy Spirit carries our faith to salvation.  Praise be to God for His grace! 

   The one who is changed by what he hears confirms that true worship has occurred. Quite a contrast between “they think you are nuts” and now they declare, “God is certainly among you!”  He is convinced that God is at work in them, which glorifies our Heavenly Father and honors the Lord Jesus Christ.

   One final thought.  The Charismatic community of believers left the orthodox church because they said our church was dead and that it lacked spiritual vitality.  Their claim of superiority was a veil over their arrogance.  They claimed to be the true church, and the evidence they put forward was their ability to speak in tongues.  How different their claims are when we line them up with Scripture. Consistently through five formal arguments in 1 Corinthians 14, we see that God has not designed the gift of tongues for public worship.

   Furthermore, I was saved in a church worship service that the Charismatic community declared was dead.  In my Dead Orthodox church, their view is not mine, and I personally experienced all three outcomes of these verses.  I was convicted by the Holy Spirit that I was lost and in need of salvation. This reversal of thought broke my arrogance.  I thought I was okay, in fact, better. I was a good person. I came to clearly understand that I would have no possibility for a life in eternity if I did not accept Jesus Christ as My Savior.  I thank God every day for the dead orthodox church that I attended and my dead orthodox pastor, their view not mine, Rev. Robert Grossman.  He taught me the gospel in such a loving and compelling manner and in whose life I first saw Jesus. God was at work in our dead orthodox church despite the arrogant claims of the Charismatics.  This is my personal experience, and it does not set the standard for what is true. Only the Word of God is the proper guide to truth.

Summary:

1. The lessons in the fifth argument are powerful and convincing.  There is no spiritual power in the gift of tongues when used outside God's purpose or employed in a way God has not designed.

2. If I do not understand the language of the tongue, I may conclude this congregation is nuts.

3. There is great spiritual power and benefit when the Holy Spirit ministers through the Word of God [Hebrews 4:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-18] when it is faithfully preached with Biblical accuracy.

4. The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth for a reason.  He will not empower the Word of God that is preached if that which is spoken is not accurate and clear.  He does not work through false teaching.

5. When the ministry of the Spirit is effective in a church's ministry, the Word taught is convincing, challenging, and transforming the people into the persons God intends for us to become. 

6. A God-designed ministry is a Grace ministry with total reliance on the Word of God.  It is central to all that it does.

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 ENDNOTES

1  See Appendix C for the exegesis of 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 to support what is taught.

2  Ibid.