Immerse: Messiah - Flipbook - Page 156
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IMMERSE
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MESSIAH
14:18-35
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you. But in a
church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help
others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.
Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of
these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in
understanding matters of this kind. It is written in the Scriptures:
“I will speak to my own people
through strange languages
and through the lips of foreigners.
But even then, they will not listen to me,”
says the Lord.
So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for
unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers. Even so, if unbelievers or people who don’t understand these
things come into your church meeting and hear everyone speaking in
an unknown language, they will think you are crazy. But if all of you are
prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don’t understand these
things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged
by what you say. As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and
they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, “God is truly here
among you.”
Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together,
one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation
God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what
is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.
No more than two or three should speak in tongues. They must speak
one at a time, and someone must interpret what they say. But if no one is
present who can interpret, they must be silent in your church meeting and
speak in tongues to God privately.
Let two or three people prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is
said. But if someone is prophesying and another person receives a revelation from the Lord, the one who is speaking must stop. In this way, all who
prophesy will have a turn to speak, one after the other, so that everyone
will learn and be encouraged. Remember that people who prophesy are in
control of their spirit and can take turns. For God is not a God of disorder
but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.
Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for
them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. If they have
any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is improper
for women to speak in church meetings.
