By Pastor Dave Farmer
Topic #22 Out Of Control Church - Part 2
Doing things decently and in order requires good administration. The purpose is to protect the primary function of the ministry of the church--teaching the Word.
In order to protect the primary function of the local church, Paul begins to set in order the function of the gift of tongues. He will place certain regulations upon those who have this spiritual gift. The regulations paint a picture of the hectic conditions during the worship service. It explains why the church received such awful marks from the visiting community, "they will think you are mad."
Three Regulations Given
1 Corinthians 26:27
If anyone [during the pre-canon period] speaks in a tongue [a foreign language], at any one meeting two or at the most three [should speak], one after another in succession and someone must interpret.
1 Corinthians 26:28
but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; indeed let him speak to himself and to God.
First Regulation - a Limited number of speakers.
This rule limits the number of speakers and is so constructed in Greek that there is no ambiguity or room for misunderstanding, "at any one meeting two or the most three [should speak]." The maximum number of those exercising the gift of tongues was three, and no more. By way of inference, more than three members possessed the gift of tongues. We have no statistical information on the size of the church or how many in the church could speak in tongues, but what is for sure is that only three could speak at any single service.
Second Regulation - Each in turn, is not at the same time.
The next problem to be solved is that everyone wanted to speak, and they did it at the same time, or this regulation is superfluous, "and one after another in succession." The picture of frenzy and inordinate competition among the members, all vying to be seen and heard, is very similar to pagan services at the temple. This was the wrong pattern to emulate for Christian worship.
Third regulation - An interpreter must be present.
Paul repeats the command that tongues-speaking must be accompanied by the companion gift of interpretation of tongues [see 1 Corinthians 14:13 - The Exception Clause]. This was necessary to protect the primary function of the church. Speaking in a foreign language does not edify the congregation, but when someone in the church had the spiritual gift to translate, then and only then could the people be blessed and edified. I assume the people who possessed the gift of interpreting tongues were well known, but if they were not in attendance, the believer with the gift of tongues was not to speak.
1 Corinthians 26:27
but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; indeed, let him speak to himself and to God.
The final phrase summarizes Paul's hard-hitting message to those speaking in tongues. This is not an approval for the private use of tongues but rather a rebuke. "Let him speak to himself" is a reminder that tongues are not for personal edification. This is sarcasm. This is what the tongues crowd in Corinth claimed, "tongues blesses and strengthens me." Paul said tongues without interpretation are "like speaking into the air." No one is ever edified by tongues. Yes, some [during the pre-canon period] are evangelized by tongues, but edification has a different audience; it is directed toward believers. Secondly, he says, "God is the only one who could understand what was being said."
It may seem redundant, but we have here another illustration of Paul protecting the primary function of the Church and now extending the principle to our private devotional lives. The question is, do we do the right things in our private time with God that edifies or spiritually strengthens us? Cross off your list, speaking in tongues.
I hope prayer and Bible study is at the top of your list. In fact, spending time daily in prayer and Bible study is the God-designed pathway for your personal edification and spiritual strengthening. What you do privately does matter to God. Daily devotions are a must if you want to achieve the goal of spiritual maturity. Establishing the habit of Bible Study is one of the spiritual disciplines necessary for spiritual growth.
If you have no plan, might I suggest one?
Don't complicate your quiet time. I will give you a simple plan to get you started. It requires only FIFTEEN MINUTES. Be still. Be quiet. Slow down. Prepare your heart with prayer. That takes about a minute, then:
1. Read.
Read a section of Scripture. Spend about four minutes just reading. How much do I read? Read until you feel God's taught you something. I usually read until something impresses me. When my mind is stirred? Sometimes, I only read eight or nine verses. That's ok. It's not how much you cover but what you are learning. When God speaks to you through His Word, you stop and think about it.
2. Reflect. (Jot down any truths or applications that come to mind in the passage. )
Think about what the passage means, then write down your thoughts. How does the passage seek to change you?
What commands or exhortation are found in the passage that I should obey? Maybe the change is to obey something.
What doctrinal truth is taught for me to believe? Maybe the change is to believe something.
What sins, errors, or warnings are found in the passage that I am to avoid? Maybe the change is to confess a sin, to break a habit.
What personal problems are mentioned? ls there someone sinfully angry, worried, filled with self-pity, full of pride, fearful, confused, bad examples not to be repeated, or good examples to follow?
What comfort, encouragement, or promises are found in the Scripture? What blessings
are found in the passage that I might thank God?
3. Respond.
So, you read for about four minutes and think about the passage for about four minutes. Now, in this section, write out a personal application statement. What am I going to do about what I just read? How does this apply to me? James says, "Be a doer of the word, not just a hearer."
What does it mean? Reflect.
What does it mean to me? Respond - act on it.
Ask this question: How does the passage seek to change you?
4. Request. (A time of Prayer- write a brief prayer about the passage.
Our time alone with God should be the top priority in your schedule. Imagine if you started today and devoted 15 minutes each day reading the Word, asking: “Heaven Father, I want to change and be like Christ; show me today how l might change to be like Him!” Imagine asking that question every day for the next 365 days. What do you think would happen?
All progress in your Christian life will be brought about by God through His Spirit as you are willing to obey His Word in faith.
If you don't have a quiet time, you're missing out on the privilege you were created for. You're rejecting the thing that Jesus died to make possible. You will never be like Jesus and experience the same power and will never be used greatly by God, and you will remain a weak and sickly Christian. That should give you the motivation to have a quiet time. You choose to be a winner or a loser. Which will it be? The gift of tongues does not possess the power to transform you into the likeness of our Lord Jesus Christ; no spiritual gift does. The primary function is edification, that is spiritual growth through the teaching of the Word of God. You compliment the pastor's ministry by spending time daily in the Word.