Talk of JESUS . com

Tag: tongues

  • Propriety in Worship of the Church – 1 Corinthians 14

    Propriety in Worship of the Church – 1 Corinthians 14

    Paul wanted his churches to exhibit a modesty and propriety recognized by the surrounding culture, especially in worship.

    (1 Corinthians 14)

    THE BAKER ILLUSTRATED BIBLE COMMENTARY P.1303

    An Overview of Paul’s Epistle

    Most outlines of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians include what we are about to read next under a smaller heading of ‘spiritual gifts’ or ‘the gifts of tongues and prophesy’ as part of a larger section of the epistle — as a conclusion of the previous chapters.

    Remember that like our letters to anyone it had no chapters.

    Without returning to my original introduction to 1 Corinthians, I would like to point to these larger points of Paul’s letter here:

    1 Corinthians
    • Introduction & reason for writing to the Corinthians
    • Response to their questions [chaps. 7-16]
    • Recommendation of others & closing

    One of the central cultural issues of propriety and order the Apostle has addressed in response to several Corinthian questions is that of the role of women.

    Within the Apostle’s response to the Corinthian elders some of these issues include:

    * Immorality in the Church (5:1–6:20) 

    These issues applied to men certainly affect all women.
    • But actually, I wrote you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister and is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or verbally abusive, a drunkard or a swindler. Do not even eat with such a person.
      • 1 Cor 5:2
    • Flee sexual immorality! Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the person who is sexually immoral sins against his own body.
      • 1 Cor 6:18

    Marriage in the Church (7:1–40)

    • 3 A husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise a wife to her husband.
    • 10 To the married I give this command — not I, but the Lord — a wife is not to leave her husband.

    Liberty in the Church (8:1–11:1)

    This section ends with Paul's personal example:

    Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.

    AND — (as introduction to our current larger section of his epistle) — the Apostle continues by encouraging those who have done so.

    Worship in the Church (11:2–14:40)

    Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold fast to the traditions just as I delivered them to you.

    3 But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of the woman, and God is the head of Christ.

    – 1 Corinthians 11:2-3 CSB

    Intro to Apostolic instructions about Head Coverings

    • Roles of Men and Women in the Church (11:2–16)
    • The Lord’s Supper (11:17–34)
    • Spiritual Gifts (12:1–14:40)

    The Context of Worship – A.D. 55 or 2025 CE

    As you can see, the Apostle has introduced this smaller section of his letter about spiritual gifts in the context of worship

    AND that he has already addressed some of the roles of men and of women who worship the Lord Jesus Christ as the Apostle has ‘delivered‘ ‘the traditions’ to them.

    What is propriety?

    • for a first century Corinthian
    • or (for example) a 21st c. Cincinnatian
    Lady with blue and gilt garment, fan and sun hat, from Tanagra - 4c. BC

    This photo next to the BAKER commentary for 1 Corinthians 14 got my attention to focus back on 

    the propriety and modesty of a classic Corinthian woman.

    Propriety – conformity in socially acceptable conduct and speech, appropriateness, fear of offending against conventional rules of behavior especially between the sexes.

    source

    In light of this, consider propriety from the earlier BAKER quote.

    At Corinth he [Paul] was particularly concerned about women’s reputation. For women modest draped clothing with a head covering was common. (see 1 Corinthians 11:2-16),

    as seen here in a sculpture from 300 BC (Tanagra, Greece)

    ibid.

    Here is more background on the culture of Corinth named for a goddess descended from the Greek Titans [also pictured on our cover to this post].

    In Greek mythology, Tethys was Consort of Oceanus, father of the river gods and goddesses including a Greek goddess who founded Corinth named Ephyra.

    The Greeks and Romans honored many gods and goddesses of culture and worshipped these with some order and propriety, while worship of others included temple prostitutes, so much debauchery and excess witnessed in festive celebrations.

    (Sound familiar, 21st c. christian?)

    Yet the modesty of a proper woman is important to the Corinthians, both men and women, thus the Apostle’s insistence on the propriety of head-coverings in worship of the church.

    What’s allowed in proprietary worship of God?

    1 Corinthians 14:

    Concerning Prophesy and Tongues

    Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy.

    .. The person who prophesies is greater than the person who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be built up.

    .. — since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in building up the church.

    13Therefore the person who speaks in a tongue should pray that he can interpret.

    Who’s in charge? 

    Using several references from Paul's letters to the Corinthians in "DIVINE PROVIDENCE," STEPHEN CHARNOCK [pub. AD 1680, updated 2022] provides us with a helpful overview of the Apostle's thinking:

    The edification of the church is the great end that we are commanded to work toward:

    Stephen Charnock – DIVINE PROVIDENCE, p.146

    Since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.”

    1 Cor, 14:13 – ibid.

    Then, under the heading 'The Gifts and Common Grace of Bad Men and Women' Charnock addresses Paul's order of propriety mentioned in this and other epistles.

    God is the giver of gifts, Christ is the governor of those gifts, and all is for your sake.

    ibid.

    I find this particularly helpful.

    Think of it:

    God the Father (or because of their Oneness in substance, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) — who created ALL things —

    charges CHRIST (Jesus, the Person of the Son of Man and Son of God) — THE CORNERSTONE of the Church — as its governor —

    with perfect distribution of the gifts to the church — gifts that GOD has given to the church for the LORD’s divine purpose for the sake of those chosen before creation to worship him . 

    Now think of Jesus' parable of the wheat and the tares for this next one:

    There are some husks that come up among men and women, and God uses them to shelter the church in common works, and he [GOD] restrains these men and women through the knowledge of Christ.

    God gives gifts to them out of love for his church, not out of love for them.

    DIVINE PROVIDENCE, P.147

    Get a grip on this: it’s not about YOU — God’s love is about HIS CHURCH.

    REMEMBER, what the Apostle has just written?

    • IF I [do any of so many things]
    • BUT have NOT [agape {love}]
    • I am nothing
    • and I gain nothing.
    To have and to hold Christian Love

    Dearly beloved,

    Do you take this bond of your church to have and to hold..?

    OR is our desire to try out relationships of LOVE  —

    to try out church es

    — NOT having or holding  any commitment to Christ Jesus  and His body the Church?

    What then, brothers? 

    We realize that this is not a politically correct question in this common era (and some English translations soften it), but Paul uses the Greek word ἀδελφός - adelphos - a masculine noun for brethren.

    What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation.

    Let all things be done for building up.

    1 Corinthians 14:26 ESV

    The Apostle, under Christ, under God addresses the men of the church — not the women saints of Corinth — as was proper in Corinthian culture.

    The Apostle has addressed:

    • quarreling among you, my brothers. (1:11)
    • But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. (3:1)
    • But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of.. [a long list of sins] (5:11)

    Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

    1 Corinthians 14:20 ESV

    Order and Propriety

    Each of you (brothers).. (not the sisters.. and not ONLY the pastor in charge under Christ).

    What then is it, brothers? When you may come together, each has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation.

    Let all things be done for edification.

    1 Corinthians 14:26 Berean Literal Bible – [more study]

    • Tongues?
      • two or three at most
      • in turn &
      • must have interpretation
    • Prophets?
      • two or three
      • others weigh in on what is said
      • IF a personal revelation is made to one present, the man receiving it must remain silent.
      • all may profit by learn and be encouraged by (this kind of) prophesy
      • prophets are subordinate [hypotassōto] to each other 
    Now do not be offended by Paul's next orderly instruction for worship — for it uses the same Greek word [hypotassō] — for the Corinthian women of propriety and modesty expected in worship.

    For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

    As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches.

    For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission , as the Law also says.

    1 Corinthians 14:33-34 ESV

    Note that the Apostle — who has been addressing order and propriety in worship throughout his epistle to the saints of Corinth — also speaks to ALL the CHURCHES [ekklēsia] of the SAINTS [hagios].

    ARE YOU, beloved 21st century worshipers of the Lord Jesus Christ, not also His saints?

    and we have believed,
    and have come to know, that you are the Holy One [hagios] of God.”

    Gospel of John 6:69 ESV – Simon Peter to the Lord Jesus 
    Yes, the women of Corinth and of your 21st century church could be of the Holy Ones - saints - of God; so don't be offended by what the Apostle Paul next instructs the saints by the Spirit - even if God formed you as a woman.

    If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

    1 Corinthians 14:35 ESV

    Paul then proceeds to instruct ‘the brothers’ in those issues the apostle has already addressed, prophesies and spiritual gifts (essentially reiterating ‘listen to me about these things).

    And the Apostle Paul’s conclusion to this large section of his letter to the Corinthian saints

    — who are of course free from the Law (as servants of God, Christ and each other) —

    But let all things be done properly and with order.

    1 Corinthians 14:40 BLB 

    And since Paul's epistle (like any letter) lacks chapters, what does the Apostle NEXT remind the Corinthians -- the saints of Christ's Church? 

    About THE RESURRECTION.

    Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel

  • Fire of the Holy Spirit

    Fire of the Holy Spirit

    Acts 2: When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.

    (It has been fifty days, nearly two months since the crucifixion and resurrection.)

    2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

    The Apostles are in a room, worshiping, sharing in a feast to the Lord.  The sound of ‘a rushing mighty wind’ comes from heaven.

    Is it just a storm outside?

    It would be of little note if the wind beyond the windows were not a mighty rushing wind.

    Does your heart tremble in awe at the sound of a mighty rushing wind? … the gathering of clouds into a powerful storm?

    Not only is this mighty wind beyond the walls of the place where the Apostles are gathered; the rush of the mighty wind filled the entire house!

    A hurricane, a cyclone has filled the house; yet the walls have not crumbled and the house is not consumed.

    Would you not fear for your life?

    NOT the Apostles. These had worshiped the risen Lord who had been taken up into Heaven, even upon a cloud. No doubt, the Lord would speak to each Apostle.

    Would Jesus say, “Peace?” Would He say, “Do not fear?”

    3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.

    4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

    The Mighty Breath of God passes through the house of worship and breathes the fire of God into those present!

    The Apostles had witnessed many times the intimacy of the relationship of God the Father with their friend and Lord, Christ Jesus.

    How had Jesus always been able to know the will of God the Father?

    Through prayer and the Holy Spirit, a conversation of intimacy with God.

    Now each Apostle was filled with the same Holy Spirit descended on Jesus when John baptized Him in the Jordan.

    The Apostles receive the baptism of the fire of the Holy Spirit!

    Now, each is equipped to take the Gospel into any part of the world. Soon after their encounter they speak to men in crowds who hear an Apostle speaking as if in their own language.

    How can ten men of ten different languages stand and hear one Apostle speaking, each in his own language?

    With God all things are possible.

    By the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues – a miracle possible only through God – the intimacy of the Holy Spirit makes possible an intimacy with the risen Christ Jesus.

    Acts 2:5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together…

    Note that others outside the room where the Apostles were gathered heard this mighty sound and came to see what it was that caused such a mighty wind.

    … and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”

    Besides the evidences of this day of Pentecost, the Apostles would demonstrate more miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit.

    The Apostles now taught with the Power and Authority of the Living God, through the free gift of salvation given through Christ Jesus, our risen LORD!

     

  • I was in the spirit

    I was in the spirit

    I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet. – Revelation of Jesus Christ to the Apostle John [1:10]

    We interrupt our series on Psalm 119 for a message about prayer, the Holy Spirit and hearing from God.  God willing we will continue tomorrow, 28 January, in the year of our Lord 2014.

    Life in the Spirit

    8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…

    26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

    Luke 12:12 “… for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

    John 4:24 “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

    IF you attended church on Sunday, good for you; yet consider that not all who attend church are part of Christ’s church. Some are not yet saved (in our mortal timetable) and others will turn back to their hearts of stone forever until Judgment. We must consider the witness of our corporate worship and our prayer in church.

    Lord, I want to thank you and praise you for your salvation: for saving me, for Your own sacrifice for my own sinfulness. I thank you for the Cross of Christ Jesus and the Spirit of your Presence, which does comfort me from time to time (for I do not always listen, as I ought).

    IF I pray the prayer I have just prayed in private, it is my prayer to God – my part of a conversation in the Spirit with the Living God. IF I utter this same prayer in the company of believers (church), it becomes my corporate prayer of witness.

    Is it the same prayer?

    It is the same words, but not the same prayer; for my own life and soul stand before my brothers and sisters in the Lord and also non-believers among us as witness of the sincerity of my words (known only to God) or the motive of my proclaiming loudly in the company of believers the same.

    Personal prayer is an intimate conversation between you and God. Corporate prayer is a public proclamation to God before witnesses.

    Jesus tells a story of two men who went up to the church to pray. One prayed most publicly, as if his prayer thanked God that he was not like those who were not saved. His teachings were that he showed concern for others and for God, but his witness was that his only concern was to be seen at church. Another prayed so humbly he would not even look up to God from the holy place where he worshiped.

    Paul often prays for individuals both individually and corporately as a specific church (a named group of real people with real and specific needs for prayer and supplication). Paul’s corporate prayers have no hint of self-aggrandizement like the Pharisees.  (‘See how I pray as I should and how you likely do not pray?) Paul frequently asks for prayer for himself and his companions, but for the sake of Christ and for the Church. You can read more of Paul’s heart and example by guidance in almost any of his letters to the churches (the epistles). 

    Paul gives further instruction to the church as to corporate worship and corporate prayer. Some of our 21st century worldly ways have accepted as proper that which is non-scriptural and causes controversies unhelpful in building up each church and body of believers. Some christians will stand firmly on the shaky foundation of just a single verse of scripture (or two). I will not do that. Let the Spirit instruct you as to what is right for you and for your particular church.

    Some often heard in church ought to keep silent and others not heard in church ought to be heard from.

    I speak of the gibberish of prayer in tongues without interpretation, prayer for the stranger rather than for the near brother or sister in the Lord, and prayer for proud example of your personal witness (as if evangelizing the faithful in the place of worship). Again, I will leave it to you and the instruction of the Holy Spirit to help you in this (excerpted below).

    Pray for All People

    First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people…

    1 Timothy 2:1 alone is worthy of much more of your consideration and that of the worship leaders of our churches.

    8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling…

    11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.

    The proper culture of the centuries has been that a man is the head of the woman. Some use this to oppose women preaching and some to oppose women speaking in church or being part of church leadership. My observation is that too many wives are the heads of their christian husbands; some because they insist, but most because their husbands with not step up to bold witness in Christ as we ought. For Jesus said:  “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” [Luke 19:40]

    I, myself, have been guilty of both not speaking when I ought and more often guilty of speaking when I ought not. I have done what I ought not to have done and said what I ought not to have said. (Who is not guilty in these things?) I am poor example to any of one led always by the Spirit, failing in humility to Christ Jesus as our Lord (even IF I lift up my hands as if I am humble unto the Lord). Even now I find I must leave my gift at the altar because of unforgiveness, because I am not humble enough before the Lord to ask a sister for forgiveness seven times seven. [Matthew 5:23-24]

    Yet if I am led by the Spirit to pray or to speak or to sing or to raise hands or to kneel or to exhort or to teach or to preach, I will by the grace of Christ Jesus do what God would have over the will of every man or woman, mostly over my own will in obedience to His.

    • Let us not say, “Thus says the Lord,” when it is not the Lord who has said it.
    • Let us not presume to pray for unknown others as if we are priests and intercessors for the church; as if all do not have the intimacy of the Spirit near at hand and within the body of the Church.
    • And let us not cry out of our own need so much as we plea for it in private and as a church we plead for our beloved brothers and sisters near to us, drawing all nearer to the Lord God by prayer.

    I do not know, but the Spirit knows, what will build you up and what scripture may lift higher your corporate worship of Christ Jesus, our Lord. I leave it between you and the Lord.

    Prophecy and Tongues

    14 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…

    4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church…

    9 So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, 11 but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.

    13 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.

    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. – 1 Cor. 14:15b

    19 Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

    Therefore, beloved fellow believers and worshipers, let up worship the Lord in holiness. Let us pray and sing and worship corporately as just one stone next to others of the same Temple, singing and praying in thankfulness for the Cornerstone of our faith. Let us build up one another in Christ’s abiding love, faithful to those who will wait upon Him, praying without ceasing, and loving one another in the certain hope of our community of living faith to the witness of all the Lord leads into the church and all who gaze upon Christ’s Temple of His Church from the darkness of this world.

    I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day and so I was grieved over our many sins and especially my own. But thanks be to Christ Jesus for His righteousness and for the Holy Spirit of the Living God, Who comforts and guides. He hears our heartfelt prayers.

    Pray also for me, that the Lord would lift me up in the Spirit in loving witness to His way, His truth, and His most holy Life, given for us by His Blood of the Cross.